A DECADE after writing a successful book on the masters and servants of Somerleyton Hall, authoress Ann Gander is set to write a sequel and needs help from Mercury readers.

A DECADE after writing a successful book on the masters and servants of Somerleyton Hall, authoress Ann Gander is set to write a sequel and needs help from Mercury readers.

Her first book entitled Top Hats and Servants Tales: A Century of Life on Somerleyton Estate, has long since sold out.

Ann said now Hugh Crossley has taken over the reins, she feels it is a good time to update the story of the estate to cover the past 50 years.

She said: “I was attracted to write about Somerleyton in the first place, because it is a lived-in, evolving household and estate. Lord Somerleyton is now 80 years old and has had a fantastic career including Lord in Waiting and Master of the House, and Lady Somerleyton had great success with her horses. She also raised five children and became involved in local charities. That all needs to be recorded for posterity.”

Ann has studied social history of the hall from the time when Sir Francis Crossley bought it in 1863. Her last book chronicled events until the 1960s.

She said: “Times have changed fast and his descendant the Hon Hugh knows that to keep the hall going nowadays he has to make it work as a business as well as his home. He is bringing in a fresh new outlook and expertise and it's fascinating to chart the progress of life.”

Ann hopes to interview people who have lived and worked on the estate with a memory to share, as well as finding old photographs and documents.

Contact Ann Gander on 01986 875999 or e-mail: anaandco@btinternet.com.