HISTORY ON A PLATE

The discovery of an intriguing plate, given by a mysterious “Mrs Mundy” as a Christmas gift in 1924, sets Charles Hanson on the trail of one of Derby's great philanthropists

- CHARLES HANSON

YOU may well be among the one million visitors who make their way every year to the glorious 200-acre Markeaton Park northwest of Derby.

It is a fabulous space and, while I have never taken part in any of the park runs it regularly hosts, I have certainly enjoyed a cup of tea and slice of cake in the newly-refurbished, Grade II-listed orangery.

I recently had cause to delve a little deeper into the park's history when our ceramics expert, Rob Churchill, came across a very intriguing plate at a routine house valuation.

Rob isn’t any old specialist. As a former worker for the famous maker Moorcroft his knowledge is based on hands-on learning and, whether it is Doulton, Beswick or Royal Crown Derby, there is no better valuer in the business.

This plate discovered was made by Royal Crown Derby and, decorated with three floral arrangements, a trio of mistletoe sprigs and holly, had a definite Christmas feel to it.

Sure enough, its reverse bore the inscription: Xmas 1924, Mrs Mundy, Markeaton Hall, along with the famous maker's factory mark. But who was Mrs Mundy, why was she giving out plates a century ago and what happened to Markeaton Hall?