Castle's owners lived life to excess; HISTORIC HOMES.
They were a bit like the Beckhams, in their time, the 1940s and
50s, beloved by the press and the paparazzi. Former occupants of
Glandyfi Castle, Sir Bernard Docker and his wife Norah were, however,
not as restrained or well-behaved.
Lady Docker famously played marbles with factory workers, attended a party given by a notorious criminal, even danced the hornpipe for bemused miners on board their huge yacht.
She was ostracised after dancing on the national flag in Monaco during an evening of excess.
The couple have been described as "gracelessly gaudy", known for indulgence in all forms, from mink coats and champagne receptions to specially-customised Daimlers, fitted successively with gold plate, lizard skin, even crocodile leather and zebra - more comfortable to sit on than mink, apparently.
"We bring glamour and happiness into drab lives," said Lady Docker. "The working class loves everything I do."
There are shades of currently-running company scandals in Sir Bernard's historic freedom with company cash.
Though the Birmingham Small Arms profits were falling off, they were still spending, and dipping into expense accounts, resulting finally in the sacking from the board.
It was a severe blow for Bernard whose father Dudley had helped found the Midlands-based empire.
The precious straw that broke the shareholder's patience was the golden dress ordered by Lady Docker to match the gold showroom and the gold-plated Daimler being featured in Paris. It was to be a bit of polished marketing for her husband's company.
The 20,000-dollar outfit was charged against tax as "I was doing nothing more than acting as a model". When the taxman objected, they tried to bill the company.
In eventual tax exile in a small bungalow in Jersey, Lady Docker was quoted on the subject of her island neighbours: "They're the most frightfully boring, dreadful people that have ever been born."
After her husband's business downfall, Lady Docker went off to shop for a Bentley, made by Daimler's arch rivals Rolls-Royce.
"Actually, I've always loved Bentleys," she said.
CAPTION(S):
Sir Bernard and Lady Norah Docker
Lady Docker famously played marbles with factory workers, attended a party given by a notorious criminal, even danced the hornpipe for bemused miners on board their huge yacht.
She was ostracised after dancing on the national flag in Monaco during an evening of excess.
The couple have been described as "gracelessly gaudy", known for indulgence in all forms, from mink coats and champagne receptions to specially-customised Daimlers, fitted successively with gold plate, lizard skin, even crocodile leather and zebra - more comfortable to sit on than mink, apparently.
"We bring glamour and happiness into drab lives," said Lady Docker. "The working class loves everything I do."
There are shades of currently-running company scandals in Sir Bernard's historic freedom with company cash.
Though the Birmingham Small Arms profits were falling off, they were still spending, and dipping into expense accounts, resulting finally in the sacking from the board.
It was a severe blow for Bernard whose father Dudley had helped found the Midlands-based empire.
The precious straw that broke the shareholder's patience was the golden dress ordered by Lady Docker to match the gold showroom and the gold-plated Daimler being featured in Paris. It was to be a bit of polished marketing for her husband's company.
The 20,000-dollar outfit was charged against tax as "I was doing nothing more than acting as a model". When the taxman objected, they tried to bill the company.
In eventual tax exile in a small bungalow in Jersey, Lady Docker was quoted on the subject of her island neighbours: "They're the most frightfully boring, dreadful people that have ever been born."
After her husband's business downfall, Lady Docker went off to shop for a Bentley, made by Daimler's arch rivals Rolls-Royce.
"Actually, I've always loved Bentleys," she said.
CAPTION(S):
Sir Bernard and Lady Norah Docker
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Birmingham Post (England) |
| Date: | Apr 20, 2007 |
| Words: | 341 |
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