Hidcote
In London several years ago Anna Pavord was giving a talk on Hidcote. RHS at
Queen Eliz.Hall. Packed house. I was smoking a pipe outdoors when this white
haired gentlemen came up to me and asked where the meeting was. I recognized
him immediately as Nigel Nicholson. When he introduced Pavord, between
clearing his throat at the end of every sentence, he said
HID - COAT. Who was to challenge him with his mother's ghost nearby? Then
Anna got up and started her talk with HID - COT. Oh, dear, everyone was in a
silent tizzy. Who's right? Wish I could have asked both of them why they
pronounced it the way they did.It is dove-cot, isn't it? bill grant
