Over W.I. – December meeting
Our speaker in December was Diana Boston of the Manor House, Hemingford Grey.
Diana told us of her Mother-In-Law, Lucy Maria Boston, an English writer whose life became inseparably linked with The Manor at Hemingford Grey in Cambridgeshire — one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in Britain.
Lucy Boston moved to The Manor in 1939, after purchasing the Norman house dating back to the 12th century. She devoted the next five decades to restoring the ancient structure and shaping its extensive gardens. The house, bordered by a moat and the River Great Ouse, and its winding herbaceous borders filled with roses, irises and imaginative topiary, reflect her enduring passion for landscape and history.
It was at Hemingford Manor that Lucy Boston created her most beloved work — the Green Knowe series. These children’s fantasy novels, written entirely after the age of 60, were inspired by the house and its surroundings, and many of the objects and features from the real Manor appear in the stories. The series earned critical acclaim, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal for “A Stranger at Green Knowe”.
Beyond her writing, Boston was a talented artist and needleworker, producing a remarkable collection of intricate patchwork quilts — now regarded as significant works of textile art. During World War II, she also hosted gramophone recitals for Royal Air Force airmen in the Manor’s ancient Music Room, offering a touch of comfort and culture amidst wartime hardship.
Lucy lived at Hemingford Manor until her death in 1990, aged 97, leaving behind a legacy of literature, artistry, and a garden that continues to enchant visitors. Today, The Manor remains open to the public by appointment, celebrated both as a historic home and as the real-life inspiration for the world of Green Knowe.
We will kick off our 2026 meetings on Monday 5th January when Kate Armstrong will talk to us about Bourn Windmill. In the meantime, we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
