GREAT HARWOOD DISTRICT WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
ABOUT 50 WI members from Great Harwood and other clubs enjoyed an informative talk from Mr Donald Lodge on his ‘Life and Times as a Butler’ at this month’s meeting.
He first developed household and organisational skills during the war helping his mother with shopping etc. when she had nine children to look after – four evacuees and her own.
He then wanted to become a chef and after leaving school at 14 in 1945 he spent a year helping the head cook at the British Restaurant in Warrington before gaining a four-year apprenticeship at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.
He had a long commute for this and worked split duties but it was wonderful training in differing facets of the catering industry and he loved meeting people.
Many travellers passed through Liverpool on their way to the ocean liners.
After this he extended his knowledge by working in the Co-op bakery in Warrington.
He became the cake artist and in four and a half years he decorated 8,000 cakes, including many tiered wedding cakes.
He left when a friend opened a high-class restaurant in the mid 50s as he wanted to work with the public and he stayed there for 12 years – one and a half running the cocktail bar and 10 and a half as head waiter.
Then he decided to emigrate to Canada but on arrival had 54 failed interviews for hotel work as they all claimed Canadian experience was needed.
About to give up and return home, he tried a domestic agency who had just received a request for an English butler so he said he was one and got the position.
It was at a mock Tudor house with extensive grounds and there he acted as chauffer, planned menus, shopped etc for an elderly lady who treated him very well.
He travelled all over the States and Canada with her and also escorted five of her many grandchildren on a trip to England.
On one occasion, he arranged a meal for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, at the lady’s house and bought a butler’s uniform to wear for this event but the Archbishop turned up in cricket whites.
After the lady died he became butler/valet to the American Ambassador in Ottawa, where he organised many formal dinners and as valet often pressed three suits a day.
He met well-known people such as Sophia Loren who, on being asked, said that she kept her figure by eating pasta plain with pepper and herbs only.
When the Ambassador was posted elsewhere Donald obtained a position as butler/valet at Woburn Abbey.
There the work was quite demanding and everything had to be done a certain way.
He decided to leave after they became short staffed and he had concerns over his health.
He then filled other positions, finally retiring from full-time work but still sometimes organising dinner parties for clients such as Les Dawson.
At the end of the talk copies of Mr Lodge’s book were sold and an exhibition of members’ craftwork and also a book of club photographs were on show. Being the Club’s birthday a special tea was provided.
The next meeting of the Great Harwood District WI will be on Wednesday, May 10, at 2pm at Bank Mill House in Great Harwood.
The Rev Keith Richardson will give a talk on ‘Finding My Family’ and visitors are welcome.