SUBJECT:

NOTT'MS ROYAL LACE CONNECTION A STORY WITH A DIFFERENT WEAVE.

DATE: TUE, 30 MAR 1999 11:00:36 +0100

Nottingham had and has, one of the leading reputations for the manufacturing of lace one of whom's later leading exponents was Charles BIRKIN.

Charles BIRKIN had a daughter Freda who moved in the upper circles of Society and in 1918 married William Dudley WARD a Liberal member of Parliament, but from the start the marriage faltered and the couple spent most of their time apart.

In February, 1918, Edward, the Prince of Wales was attending a Valentines Ball in London, whilst outside the air raid warning sounded warning of the danger of a German Zeppelin raid. Passing by outside Freda (Birkin) WARD took shelter at the dance, and ended up dancing the night away with Prince Edward. This was to be the start of a 'romance' that lasted until about 1933.

Although starting slowly the liaison gathered intensity and although known to officialdom the facts were kept from the public at large, but by 1927 the Prince bought a local farm - Grove Farm on the banks of the River Trent at Clifton, where his liaison continued, unbeknown to the public at large who had been informed that the Prince had purchased the farm to extend his agricultural base and to provide a base for his love of riding to the hounds. It is interesting to note that when purchasing the farm the Prince was accompanied by Charles BIRKIN, father of Freda who lived closeby.

It has not been established if the King knew of the events in Nottingham but it was reported that he had asked the Prince to give up his "Nottingham pursuits" (publicly said to be hunting) and in return to use Fort Belvedere a residence within the grounds of Windsor Park. This he evetually did but his affair with Freda continued, she being responsible for much of the refurbishment at Fort Belvedere. The affair with Freda waned.

Freda of course, was only one of a number of ladies that the Prince 'spent time' with and eventually one - Mrs Wallace Simpson stole his heart and we all know the story from there.

As for the farm at Lenton - this was sold in 1933 passing through the hands of George SHELTON, John William BURNETT and his wife Nellie, passed to their son Colin BURNETT and thus in 1960 to Nottingham University where it became part of the sports facilities.

Not arsenic and old lace - coquet and young lace.

John H Burnett