Issue 43 News, reviews, gossip, latest product info & more - Transpose

Over the past
few months
I have
described
some of the
ups and
downs of my
life “in service” as a parttime
TV maid. After all these trials
and tribulations, during which I had travelled
around the UK in search of a suitable position, I
heard about an amazing lady who not only ran
a dressing service but might also offer occasional
opportunities for me to work for her at her country
residence in the heart of Cheshire, quite close to
my own home.
“Lady B”, and her assistant Elaine, seemed
pleased to meet me on my initial visit, especially
as I arrived with several classical maid’s uniforms
which I had bought over the years. Their dressing
service was extremely well organised and, as I
soon became a regular visitor, I learned that they
expected everything to be done correctly. The
premises, which occupied three storeys with a
private flat on the top floor, had to be kept clean
and tidy at all times.
Her Ladyship always required me to dress, and
do my own make-over, as soon as I arrived so
that I could be put to work without delay. Often
there were other “ladies” visiting and I soon got
to recognize some of the regulars who came in
every week. One or two were retired folk for
whom the opportunity to spend a day each
week as their “alter ego” was an important part
of their lives. Some seemed quite well-to-do and
able to afford very classy outfits, especially for the
“special occasions” which Her Ladyship arranged
from time to time. Kay trying on
wigs
One very special occasion which I will always
remember was a Charity Garden Party at Her
Ladyship’s country residence. I was invited – or
instructed – to attend there one August Bank
Holiday weekend.
MAID FOR LIFE
Nancy’s Story
Chapter Eight
“The Cheshire Set”
- 5
When I arrived I was allocated one of the
bedrooms and informed that, once I was
dressed, I was to help prepare and serve food
and drinks in Her Ladyship’s huge and beautiful
garden to over a hundred “straight” guests!
I loved it! For the first hour or so I was stationed
at the entrance to the garden and required to
curtsey to each guest as they arrived and to offer
them a drink. Then, throughout the afternoon
and into the evening, I had to walk around the
garden, tray in hand, topping up everybody’s
drinks and serving sandwiches etc. It was a
glorious summer weekend and when the party
was over, and I asked Her Ladyship if I could “go
off duty” and return home, I was secretly thrilled
to be told that I was to stay on and serve her and
her family!
It was not unusual for Her Ladyship to insist
on me staying on duty for longer than had
been arranged. Occasionally I would only
discover, after I was changed and busy with the
housework, that she would be entertaining friends
later that day and I was required to remain on
duty to serve during the evening.
On other occasions I would be escorted by
Elaine to attend Northern Concord events in
Manchester, which I also loved doing. We
would go into Manchester early in the evening
and walk around the shops or around the village
as well as attending the regular Wednesday
evening gatherings. And for a couple of years
Her Ladyship got me to accompany her to “Le
Big En”, the three-day Northern Concord event
which takes place every February. For these
I was treated by Her Ladyship as her personal
maid, so had to be by her side, or on call,
throughout the weekend. I will tell readers more
about these weekends when I write again next
month.