| Description | Tape 1 Side A: BEATRICE MARY JUNE ABERDEEN nee BOISSIER god-daughter of last child of Queen Victoria, Princess Beatrice. Born 29 December 1913, Isle of Wight. Maternal grandfather Rector of Whippingham Church, father a teacher. Describes Princess Beatrice. Recalls visits to Kensington Palace as young girl. Aunt was her lady-in-waiting. Recalls childhood home. Family went to Harrow c1920. One of 3 children. Brother was schoolmaster. Details re father. He taught math, became Headmaster at Harrow. Describes mother, a musician. Details re Harrow. Mentions father's insistence that Harrow not move during war. Churchill's attitude. Father enjoyed gardening. Delphinium named after self. Father a good family man. Paternal grandfather a headmaster, became vicar of Denby. Details. He came to live with family. Recalls growing up at Harrow, going to day school nearby. Maternal grandfather a canon of Windsor. Own upbringing strict. Parents close. Describes father. Recalls life at Harrow School when father housemaster. Family had plenty of household staff, nanny. Recalls cook from Wales. Went to College of Music rather than Oxford. Attitude of father. Was always musical. Supported by Percy Buck. Details re schooling, sport, became head girl. Enjoyed home life. Played piano, sang. Recalls piano teacher Mr Barton. Recalls singing at Harrow. Details re musical tastes, experiences. Recalls time at College of Music. Mother very social. Early memories of future husband when he was at Harrow. He played in trials for Scotland. Recalls teaching at Bromley (Girls') High School, own bossy style, liking to get things done. Married in 1939. Details re husband's war activities. He had been agent for Lord Derby. Details re Derby. Details re husband's family.
Tape 1 Side B: Reference to pet dog. Recalls outbreak of war. Returned to Harrow while husband David away in Army. Mentions his bad eyesight. Feelings about being with him. After war, short time with Lord Derby, then to Haddo Estate, Scotland 1947. Details re own parents. Father came to live nearby, made Haddo garden. Mentions family situation. Husband managed Haddo estate. Describes Haddo House in early days. Details re staff. Details re adoption of children. Mentions matter of succession. Reference to chiming tower clock. Recalls Aberdeen pre-oil, reaction of local people to self as young Englishwoman. Husband grew up in Kent, succeeded to Haddo from uncle George. Details re George. Recalls people's attitudes to adoption of children. Current National Trust involvement with property, history of Haddo House. Feelings about different parts of estate. Recalls long walks with husband, visitors, husband's musical skills. Details re beginning choral society in 1940s, carols in chapel followed by an opera. Mentions invited performers. Explains own development as conductor. Now encouraging younger singers to come. Reference to Glasgow Academy. Details re children's education. Development of musical events at Haddo. Operas now annual. Own musical taste. Always went to church as child. Importance of religion in own life. Recalls godmother, Princess Beatrice, who was like Queen Victoria. Kept up contact with royalty. Father taught king, Prince of Wales. Details re Mrs Simpson, Duke of York's Camp for industrial and public school boys. Parents' likely political leaning. Comments on Prince of Wales, abdication, attitude of newspapers to royalty. Impression of Queen Mary. Recalls being presented. Further details re parents. Always a reader. Reference to music.
Tape 2 Side A: Wants to resume musical activity. Explains musical abilities, reading interests. Regular churchgoer. Explains own, husband's position. Significance of religion. Services held at Haddo. Further details re choral society. Reference to Andrew Armstrong (AA), formerly of Total, present at interview. Explains financial situation. Good performers came, come to Haddo - explains costs, need to raise money. Reference to national industrial disturbances (in 1960-70s). Feelings about Harold Wilson. Met Churchill at Harrow. Edward Heath came and stayed at Haddo. Impression of him. Recalls first contact with oil industry. BP gave support. Details re first encounter with them. First to recognise potential of oil funding support. Explains importance of professionalism of performances, own approach. Generosity of oil industry. (AA): first meeting with Lady Aberdeen (BMJA) c1979, appreciation of Haddo House artistic activities. (BMJA): Details re programmes of events. Husband driving force. Mentions Shakespeare plays performed. Details re performers who came, their response. Links with College of Music. Father acted as producer. Further details re him. Mentions Edith Evans. Recalls actors, singers coming, programme, routines, events in library. Recalls festival lunch parties which got bigger and bigger. Recalls own earlier days at Haddo, reaction to situation, staff. Reason for BP's interest in Haddo. Mentions AA's involvement with plays. (AA): Recalls first impressions of Haddo activities, reasons for decision of Total to give support. (BMJA): Feelings about oil industry's motives, need for quality productions. (AA): Explains strategy of industry, own personal enthusiasm for Haddo. (BMJA): Long relationship with Total. (AA): Details re guests invited to Haddo, their response. (BMJA): Details re family. Was never a county person. Explains own individual ways.
Tape 2 Side B: Not part of county set. Happy at home at Haddo. Many visitors. Reference to husband David. Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears came to Haddo. Impressions of them. Recalls conducting in front of Britten. Comments on conducting, own approach. Feelings about other conductors. Value of experience at College of Music. Details re Britten, Pears. Impressions of Ralph Vaughan Williams, his wife. Great range of people came to Haddo, became part of the household. Details re other performers, eg Janet Baker, Sarah Walker. Recalls relaxed times with performers. Mentions visit by Lady Barbirolli. Uniqueness of Haddo festival. Compares with Glyndebourne Festival. Recalls Glyndebourne beginnings, going there in early days. Haddo theatre originally built as community centre. Details. Reference to costume workshop. Has taken less part in activities lately because of health. Further details re children, their work, regular contact with them. Constant visitors at Haddo House. Most of royal family have come. Mentions Princess Margaret's visits, friendship with her. Comments on public perception of her. Details re other members of royal family who have come. Impressions of Prince Charles. Involvement of Prince Edward in Haddo events. Not possible to get very close to royals. Closest to Princess Margaret. Impression of Queen Mother. Own father great friend of King George VI. Impression of him. Comments on Queen Mother, feelings re effect of Mrs Simpson. Recalls visits at short notice of Princess Margaret. Explains own titles - their significance. Feelings, hopes re future prospects for arts at Haddo, own role. Couldn't have lived a county life. |