Rushing to an 8:30am Primary School governors meeting I stepped out of the back door of Knebworth House into a blaze of lights and cameras – rather like that scene in “Notting Hill” – “Midsomer Murders” was literally on my doorstep!
The film company are here for 3 weeks. This weekend, as part of the story, the Sealed Knot English Civil War re-enactment group have been staging a battle with canons and muskets between Knebworth House and St Mary’s Church. A massive snakelike tube has been draped around the House balustrade puffing smoke into the air – to create atmosphere – and the courtyard has been full of soldiers in 17th century dress drinking tea out of white plastic cups, alongside 21st Century armed policeman taking snapshots of each other in front of the House – and therefore I imagine probably not the Hertfordshire Constabulary!
All good fun, but one has to remember to stay away from the windows, else one appears in the film as a possible murder suspect! Being Sunday morning, I was still in my dressing gown as I took the rubbish out to the courtyard bins – I hesitated, wondering if I’d get disapproving looks… before realising those looks would be coming from men in floppy hats and britches! So, out I strolled out confidently through the fake mist in my slippers. Another typical weekend at Knebworth House!
On a scheduling note, our Christmas Craft Fair has moved forward a few weeks this year to 19th & 20th November – so put the date in your diary if you need a new dressing gown for taking your rubbish out on a Sunday morning!
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com