Behind the scenes ...

My day in Court with Lady Heathcoat-Amory

Tiverton Court House

On March 29, 1963 my siblings and I were summoned to appear before the Devon County Court in Tiverton, to learn what our futures might hold.  I was a month shy of my 13th birthday, my younger brother had just turned 8 and our sister was 4. We had been staying at a transition children's home for the past 6 weeks, as our mother had abandoned us and my father was abusing me.  Our elder brother, who was almost 15, had been staying with our grandparents, and they all met us there. A social worker, who had been assigned to our case, picked us up from the children's home in Torquay where we had been staying and drove us to Tiverton. 

The Court Magistrate on duty that day was Lady Heathcoat-Amory.  Anyone who lived in Tiverton was familiar with the name ... Lord and Lady Heathcoat-Amory lived in the manor house known as Knightshayes, just outside Tiverton, and they owned the Heathcoat Lace & Textile factory, which was the economic cornerstone and largest employer in town.  Magistrates, also known as Justices of the Peace, are volunteers from all walks of life who are passionate about making a difference in their local communities, and Lady Amory fit the bill perfectly. The following excerpt from ‘Raised by Committee’ describes what happened during my day in Court.

Miss Carswell, our Social Worker, was asked to bring the four of us children into the courtroom.  Inside there was a long wooden table around which sat a Magistrate, a stenographer and a court clerk.  The Magistrate, who was introduced as Lady Heathcoat-Amory, smiled kindly at us, but I was too nervous to smile back.
    “The purpose of this court,” she explained, “is to ensure your safety and find suitable homes for each of you.  Unfortunately, neither of your parents appears to be in a position to provide any of you with a safe home at this time and nor do I feel this would be appropriate, given the circumstances.”
    I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as I struggled to understand what was being said.
    “I want to ensure that each of you has a secure environment to live in, rather than risk prolonging what has undoubtedly been a traumatic experience for all of you.  Therefore, the decision of this Court is that each of you be placed in protective custody under the auspices of the Devon County Council’s Children’s Committee, until such time as each of you reaches the age of eighteen.”
    She paused, looking at each of us in turn.
    “I understand your grandparents have agreed to take custody of you, Glenn, as you are already living with them and appear quite settled there. Gail, Justen and Jane, you will be returned to Languard House until suitable homes can be found for you."
    As we were about to leave the courtroom, Lady Amory called me over.
    “I understand it’s your birthday soon,” she said.
    I nodded, unsure of how to address such an important person.  The Amory’s lived in the manor house [Knightshayes] just outside Tiverton. I had often crawled under the fence of their estate in search of daffodils and snowdrops, which I’d sell for sixpence a bunch to our neighbours.
    Lady Amory reached down beside her chair and took a small package out of her bag.
    “Well, I hope you have a very happy birthday,” she said as she handed me the package.
    I stared at it, speechless.
    “Aren’t you going to open it?” She asked.
    I forgot my nervousness and eagerly tore the brightly coloured wrapping paper off.  Inside was a real, honest to goodness genuine leather writing case with a zipper to keep it closed.  It was the most beautiful thing I had ever owned, and I held it close to my nose, revelling in the smell of it.  I loved the smell of real leather.
    “Thank you,” I mumbled shyly, “it’s beautiful. I shall keep it forever.”
....And I still have it to this day … more than 60 years later!!

On a recent visit back to Tiverton, I was surprised to learn that Lady Heathcoat-Amory was also a world-class golfer, as the following excerpt from Wikipedia tells us:
Joyce Wethered, who became Lady Heathcoat-Amory (17 November 1901 – 18 November 1997) was a golfer regarded as the leading British woman player of the inter-war period.  She learned the game as a child and went on to win the British Ladies Amateur four times (1922, 1924, 1925 and 1929) and the English Ladies’ Amateur Championship for five consecutive years (1920–24).
She married Sir John Heathcoat-Amory in 1937, and became Lady Heathcoat-Amory. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975, and an exhibition of her memorabilia can be seen at Knightshayes Court, just outside Tiverton, in Devon where she lived.

I have written many, many letters using the writing case Lady Heathcoat-Amory gave me - letters to family and friends around the world.  I wonder if she realized, as she handed me that gift, how much her gesture meant to me.  It was a dark, scary time in my life and the memory of her kindness has stayed with me all these years.  Spontaneous acts of kindness can last a lifetime.  Thank you!