Beguiling Barbara Cartland

In 1994 the Abbey authorities, in an effort to raise funds to repair Tewkesbury Abbey, took the gamble of asking Dame Barbara to give a talk. It was a gamble because there was no guarantee that she would accept the invitation nor that local people would wish to buy expensive tickets for such an event. The evening was, however, a great success: Dame Barbara was no longer a stranger in our midst.

Her connection with Tewkesbury began with the purchase of the Walton House Estate - in Ashchurch - in 1911 by her grandfather Lt. Col. Scobell. Ashchurch was not then part of Tewkesbury and Col Scobell quickly became an unpopular neighbour.

Dame Barbara in 1994 ‘No longer a Strange’

Barbara would visit the estate in school holidays because her parents lived in genteel poverty after the suicide of her hitherto wealthy Cartland grandfather. Her own father ‘returned to the colours’ in 1914 and was killed in 1918. His grief-stricken widow hoped that the people of Tewkesbury would subscribe to a memorial for her late husband – however, there was no such generosity in 1922 for these strangers.

Walton House (2009) Former Country Residence near Tewkesbury of her Maternal Grandfather

Barbara’s mother resented this snub but the estate remained in the Cartland ownership until 1937. After that it passed through various hands – at one time being an orphanage - until the listed building was sold for development into flats in 1987. Barbara was angry that “little people” would live in this fine house and the “little people” of Tewkesbury renewed their hostility to the Cartlands.

However, seven years later, both sides had swallowed their pride for the benefit of the Abbey. Today the once controversial Cartland Calvary enhances the beauty of our Abbey.

Wotton-under-Edge Civic Centre

Monday 27th April 2015 at 7.30pm

Visitors welcome.

Non-members £5 on the door