NATIONAL TRUST - Key Persons
Angela Prior-Wandesforde joined the Oral History team in 2016. She enjoys delving into Knole's more recent history and working closely with Carol on the lives of Knole Estate staff from 1900 to the 1950s.
Ann's mother was live-in assistant to the housekeeper in 1960
Job Titles:
- Professional Textile Conservator - the King 's Bed Project 1982 - 1987
Textile Conservator, Annabel Wylie (second from left)
Audrey Longley shares her own memories and the memoirs of her mother, Kathleen Violet Stillman who worked in the Still Room at Knole in the 1920s. Kathleen left Lady Boswell's School at the age of 14 and went into service at Knole where Audrey believes she continued to work until 1930 when she left to be married.
Working in a Still Room mainly involved making jams and cordials, but also included early morning duties such as preparing breakfast trays for the family. Kathleen's sisters, Beatrice and Audrey Muriel were also Still Room maids.
Audrey's mother and two aunts worked as Still Room maids at Knole in the 1920s
Barbara's grandmother and great-aunts worked as housemaids at Knole
Job Titles:
- Head Gardener at Knole from 1938
Charlie Beavin shares his memories of his father and other staff of Knole Estate, as well as anecdotes from the years before the National Trust acquired Knole. This interview took place when Charlie was in his late 70s.
In the middle of a six-year period of living with the then largest conservation project ever undertaken at one property by the National Trust, Robert describes first why he wrote his book ‘Inheritance'. He then describes how he witnessed the Inspired by Knole project evolving into one with real vision. He then reflects on how the stars were aligned and the timing of the project was perfect for Knole.
Edith Maria Stevens worked at Knole early in life, but later emigrated to Australia. Seeing a picture of Knole shortly before she died, in the 1990s, prompted her to write her reminiscences of her life as a maid. Her words here are spoken by an actress.
Evocative glimpses of life in a Knole Estate cottage in the early decades of the 20th century: one cold tap in the kitchen; no electricity; boiling kettles on a wood fire; heating hot water in a large copper for a bath in an outdoor shed. Village life was fun, with many friends and happy times on Boxing Day in the Great Hall at Knole. Emmy also recalls her father's work as a Knole Estate fencer. Strictly no work on Sundays; walking for miles to Stone Street or Seal Chart.
Job Titles:
- Project Curator, Knole, 2017 - 2019
Former Knole Estate works foreman, Fred Piercy lived at Knole, in a flat in Green Court. His daughter Janet, and son-in-law, Brian, remember one New Year's eve party which ended with the alarm going off, police arriving and seeing off thieves bent on stealing the lead from the roofs.
Job Titles:
- General Manager, Knole, from 2015
Job Titles:
- House and Collections Manager, Knole, 2006 - 2018
Ian Mason's father Frank became Estate Manager at Knole in around 1943, through the end of WWII and the transition of ownership to the National Trust. He continued working for the Sackville-West family's Knole Estate until he was 83 years old. Ian remembers visiting his father's place of work, and shares some other reminiscences too.
Ian's father, Frank Mason, was Knole's Estate Manager, 1943-67.
Ian Pattenden's father, grandfather and grandmother worked at Knole, his grandparents as front hall porters, for the period between the wars. Ian recalls some of his father's reminiscences as well as when he visited Knole as a boy.
Jack Pattenden lived at Knole from the age of 2, the third generation in his family to live there. He has vivid memories of his father's work as ‘Wicket Keeper' - Front Hall Porter in the Outer Wicket - for the Sackville family right up to the start of WWI. The Pattenden family continued in service during the war, with Jack's mother donning her husband's livery and carrying on his work.
Job Titles:
- Buildings Archaeologist and Mediaeval Specialist, on Ritual Protection Marks at Knole
Janet's father was Fred Piercy, works foreman at Knole 1960-85
Jim's father and grandfather worked at Knole from 1909
Joan Padfield's reason for joining the house staff at Knole was different from most: it was preparation for a life as a ‘slum sister' in the Salvation Army. Her aunt's response to the nine-year-old Joan was that, in order to serve the poorest people in Britain, she would need to know how to clean and cook - and have all the skills she might develop as a maid in a great country house.
Jonathan Sargant was involved in most aspects of the project from 2011 up to March 2015. As Community Engagement Officer at Knole for more than 7 years, he was instrumental in launching this Knolestories website, charming interviewees and volunteers alike and sharing his enthusiasm for social history and cake.
Kathleen Violet Stillman's hand-written memories of working as Still Room maid at Knole
Job Titles:
- History Team, National Trust, Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RP
You can also leave us your contact details by leaving a message for us at the Knole main office number: 01732 462100.
During 2022, when deciding to visit Knole please check the Knole National Trust website [ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole ] for opening hours and advice to visitors travelling by car or public transport to Sevenoaks.
Job Titles:
- Head Gardener 's Daughter, Margaret Lived for 50 Years on Knole Estate
Margaret Beavin in 1935 with her grandfather William, taking her dog for a drive
Job Titles:
- Blacksmith and Assistant Cook at Knole, 1920s
Martin first arrived at Knole in 1973. His long association with Knole continues into the 21st century.
Job Titles:
- Archaeologist, Knole National Trust, London and South East
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Knole 's Property Manager for the National Trust in the 1980s
Richard Wakeford with volunteers at the end of the King's Bed Project
Richard Wakeford was the National Trust's ‘administrator', or manager, at Knole for most of the 1980s, where he oversaw many changes in these early years of Trust stewardship.
Job Titles:
- Senior Building Surveyor, National Trust 1988 - 2019 Knole Volunteer 2019 to Present
- Senior Building Surveyor, National Trust, Inspired by Knole Project Team 2013 - 2019
Job Titles:
- Property Curator, Who Provided Encouragement and Fiscal Support through the Years since the Covid - 19 Pandemic, Up to 2023
Sam Bailey, former Property Curator, who provided encouragement and fiscal support through the years since the Covid-19 pandemic, up to 2023.
Thomas Pattenden's uniform - with its smart red waistcoat and cockaded top hat - might have looked similar to Edwardian livery for coachmen
Job Titles:
- Fund - Raising Manager, Inspired by Knole Project
Born on Knole Estate, Charlie started working full-time at the age of 14 in the spring of 1917. His were 12-hour days and his first wage was 6 shillings a week. At that time, the Knole gardens were tended by a Head Gardener, Mr Stubbs and two lads. Charlie's father, William Beavin worked for Knole Estate for 45 years, first with the horses and doing stable work, and then in the gardens.