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Upstairs & Downstairs

My Life In Service as a Lady's Maid

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Upstairs & Downstairs

By: Tim Tate, Hilda Newman
Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
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The year was 1935: the twilight of the English aristocracy. It was a time of wealth and glamour; of lavish balls and evening gowns; of tiaras and a coronation. As personal maid to Lady Coventry, Hilda Newman had a unique insight into the leisured life of one of Britain's most noble families. In her fascinating memoir of life upstairs and down, Hilda takes us back to this period between the wars; a gilded era which would soon be dramatically changed by the Second World War.

Transplanted from a tiny house with no bath or hot water to an eighteenth-century Neo-Palladian mansion, Hilda's life changed beyond recognition. But in a time when the very foundations of British society were being shaken to their core, the luxurious life of the country nobility couldn't last. The Second World War brought more turbulence with it, and Croome Court, where Hilda had lived and worked, became a haven for the Dutch Royal Family fleeing Nazi occupation, whilst also home to a top-secret RAF base. The lavish banquets and decadent parties had become a thing of the past.

Hilda's story takes us back to a bygone era, showing us what life was really like in England's classic country manors of old - and uncovers the real lives of the people who occupied them, from wealthy lord to lowly servant. 20th Century Europe Great Britain Historical Modern England Royalty War
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I enjoyed this story, made all the more rich in knowing it's true. Albeit a harder life, I've often thought I'd like to have lived in those times when there seemed to be more integrity than not whereas nowadays it's the opposite.

Has Hilda reached 100 I wonder?

An enjoyable peek into a bygone era

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Whilst it wasn't really about upstairs and downstairs in the way you'd expect from the title, the story was well narrated and very lovely to listen to. It was like sitting down with your gran and hearing about her life as a young woman.

Sweet story

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Well narrated and an easy listen. it's nice to hear of true events of those working in service.
Wonderful to listen to whilst winding down. The narrator had a calming voice and it suited the story.

A little bit of history

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I loved this book and have a few others lined up to listen to. It seems that Hilda landed well when she was offered the job. The Countess, seemed to take to her very quickly, but she sounds like the type of person one would take to easily.
She certainly had an amazing job, jobs which today are few and far between, unless you are employed by the Royal Family, especially the Queen. Hilda, I wish you a long and a very happy life! You are an amazing woman!

Amazing story, of a remarkable life!

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A beautifully written book by a very intelligent lady. It tells of a time, although very hard, was much more gentile. Helen Lloyd does a wonderful performance and brings the characters to life.

Wonderful memoir

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