| Your
Hosts at Montcoffer |
John
and Dehlia have worked together to develop Montcoffer. Both
have a variety of interests which are reflected in the property.
Dehlia's
design studio, her skills at Raq
Shaki (belly dancing) along with John's collection of
sculptural artefacts, his knowledge
of gardening & the history
of Montcoffer & Bardon Mill Village make them the
most engaging of hosts.
For all you cyclists and motor bikers out there, include Montcoffer
in your list of bed and breakfasts for your travels through
the scenic Northumberland countryside. |
Art, Design and
Belly Dancing!
Dehlia has a developing interior design business and has made
her name as an original textile artist in her studio at Montcoffer.
She has a degree in design and accepts commissions to paint
trompe l'oeils and to make quilts, mosaics, screens, wall hangings
and special gifts.
Keen on dancing, Dehlia has brought a
touch of the East to Montcoffer by teaching Raq Shaqi (belly
dancing) to the ladies of the village and perhaps even for the
guests! |
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Enjoy
Our Collections
John's background is in education. He taught for 27 years and
now advises school governing bodies. He is also a keen plantsman
& gardener, having once owned a plant nursery. John has
lots of interests and can talk to you about most things.
He is a compulsive collector and has a large collection of Victorian
enamel advertising
signs and other collectibles on display around the property.
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Crouching
Lady Statue by Rick Kirby
We have our own Angel
of the North that pre-dates the wonderful symbol of optimism
and hope sculpted by Anthony
Gormley. Our statue is beautifully sculpted in small sheets
of welded metal atop a section of a New York Lamp post.
The Crouching Lady was bought by John in 1997 and is the nucleus
of a developing collection. Standing 7 feet tall she is placed
at Montcoffer to intrigue, excite, and challenge our guests.
We love her and hope you will. Sculpture.org.uk |
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Rick
Kirby
Rick's sculptures are generally in metal, sometimes monumental
and often of the human form. Other examples of his work are
to be seen opposite the Houses of Parliament, in the Barbican
in London and at Burghley
House, Stamford, Lincs (right). He also has works in private
collections and in a number of the main cities in the United
Kingdom, including Bristol and Glasgow.
Rick can accept commissions and can be contacted at his Hertfordshire
Studio at Tel. No. 01763 289325.
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Some
Bardon Mill Village History
(see
also www.bardonmill.ournet.co.uk)
Beltingham
Church, Bowes Lyons and Bishop Ridley.
Bishop
Ridley was born just a mile from Montcoffer at either Unthank
Hall or Willimontswick which is visible from our bedroom windows.
He became Bishop of London but, along with many Protestants,
he found himself out of favour with the Roman Catholic Queen
Mary 1. In the year 1553 he was imprisoned in the Tower of London,
in 1555 found guilty of treason and was burnt at the stake in
Oxford with Bishop Hugh Latimer.
Host John McGrellis's ancestors were members of the Ridley
family. The Ridleys, established in Northumberland for centuries,
were infamous as Border
Reivers but proud of their association with "the bravest
man in England" Bishop Nicholas Ridley.
A branch of the Queen
Mother's family the Bowes Lyons live at Beltingham which
is just one and and half miles away from Montcoffer. Many of
the Queen Mother's relatives are buried in the Chuchyard.
The Original
Scottish Montcoffer
The builder and first owner of Montcoffer, John Reay, married
a Scottish lady who had worked for the Duke of Fife at one of
his homes near Banff, Scotland. This house, the original Montcoffer,
was built in 1680 and was the Dower House for the Duke of Fife.
By strange coincidence Montcoffer House in Scotland is also
now a B&B! |
| "Comfort,
luxury and a warm welcome, picked up some super design tips
too!" - Mr and Mrs Rooney, Northants |
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