Early April 2012. Witley Court, a large house which latterly belonged to the Earls of Dudley. Alas, it suffered a catastrophic fire in 1937, and is now really just a ‘shell’ – but an incredibly impressive one. It is under the care of English Heritage, and the gardens & grounds are superbly maintained – as always – by these indefatigable custodians of our History, just as the National Trust, of course, similarly administer the many properties & sites under their care. (I am a member of both, and have no favourite!)

This used to be the ballroom of the house. Just imagine the festal gaiety that took place here in the later 19th century and indeed the 20th century. Touching on my own interest in Jazz and ‘Hot’ Dance music, there must have been many jazzy performances here? Even if the older members of the family preferred the waltz, the lancers &c., surely some Hot Music was played here after the older folks had gone to bed?

Photographed from a display sign in the ruins of the ballroom, this gives you an idea of what it looked like in the past. It seems excessively formal; perhaps my fantasies of ‘Jazz’ being played there in the 1920s are unjustified? Or perhaps the photo. was taken before Jazz or even Ragtime?

The Chinese figure on the left is in the centre of a fountain at Witley Court. (Or I think it is). The one on the right is on a cistern in the grounds of a small chateau in the south of France, but can’t remember where. (Tsk, tsk).