A COUNTRY HOUSE CHRISTMAS Phyllis Sandeman: 2022 Christmas Special

A bust-length portrait of a young woman, body facing right, head turned to face spectator, with short brown curled hair and headband, mouth slightly open. Wearing a black shawl with grey lining over her shoulders, a cream dress with white sash and white lace around neck-line, adorned with jewelled pin. — Portrait of The Hon. Phyllis Elinor Legh Sandeman
Unknown artist, 1915

The darkest time of year inspires us all to reflect on the meaning and power of Home. Experience Christmas in a grand country house through the eyes of an Edwardian child in this charming reading of Phyllis Elinor Sandeman’s memoir, A Country House Christmas.

Performed by returning favorite guest Jay Stelling.

For a “virtual visit” to Sandeman’s home, explore this fun collection of artifacts from Lyme Park at the National Trust.

Portrait of The Honourable Phyllis Elinor Legh Sandeman
by Frederic Whiting
National Trust, Lyme Park – used by permission

"The Servants' New Year's Eve Ball in the Entrance Hall at Lyme Park" by Phyllis Sandeman. Oil on canvas in the Impressionist style. Description: Two pillars in the foreground frame the scene, with three female and two male figures to the left near the fireplace, in the centre a large group of figures and musicians, with large chandelier above, and to the far right a single female.The colours are bright with yellows and yellow greens, blues and pinks predominating. — The Servants’ New Year’s Eve Ball in the Entrance Hall at Lyme Park
by Phyllis Elinor Sandeman, circa 1906.
National Trust, Lyme Park – used by permission

Jay Stelling is an illustrator, doll maker and storyteller from North Yorkshire, England and an assistant at Mother Shipton’s Cave. She graduated in 2018 from Leeds Arts University where she received a First in BA(hons) Illustration. You can often find her making tiny dolls in her little attic studio with her partner and their two fluffy cats. Jay is fascinated by fairies and folklore, with most of her work centred around charming character and children’s stories, such as fairy tales and Yorkshire legends. Jay’s first children’s book Whistle-Stop Thistle is a story about recycling and reusing scrap materials. You can purchase her dolls, books, and more on her website.

Music featured in this episode included:

“Misha’s Merry Melody,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “Christ Child Lullaby” by Fiddlesticks

“Christians Awake” performed by Random Canadian

“Boundless Energy” and “Growing Up” by Nate Blaze

“First Dream” by Brian Bolger

“Magical Forest” by Sir Cubworth

“Love Letters” by Aaron Kenny

“No 9 Esther’s Waltz” by Esther Abrami

and we are especially grateful for the new recording of “Christians Awake,”

arranged and performed just for us by the wonderful Kira Zeeman Rugen.