We employed a team of caretakers to look after Northwick Hall, our rather grand country ‘cottage’. These employees doubled up as duty managers on event nights.

Amongst them was my old colleague ED and her husband M. While they did a reasonable job, I wasn’t too happy that ED carried her tiny, premature baby grandson between the pages of a ring binder one night as she welcomed guests to an evening show.

My favourite events were those with the undergraduates. I particularly enjoyed breakfast on the last day of term. All the boys dressed smartly in sports jackets and ties, keen to look their best when their parents drove to Northwick to collect them and take them home for the holidays.