During the 2005 visit to Seskinore, one of the most powerful aspects of the experience was the connection with the local community.
Members of the Seskinore Community Group gathered to welcome Xenia and her family, recognising the significance of her return to the estate.
Shared Memory
In the courtyard and village, stories began to emerge—memories passed down or retained from earlier generations.
One man recalled seeing Xenia’s grandfather walking hand-in-hand with her toward the stables.
Another remembered the celebrations of the Coronation in 1937, when Xenia had arrived in her father’s blue SS Jaguar, while local boys admired the car and its Union flag.
These recollections brought the past vividly to life.
Personal Connections
The visit also led to meetings with individuals who had preserved aspects of the estate’s history.
Cecilia McHugh, who had worked at Seskinore as a young girl, remembered Tony Joynson-Wreford with great affection:
“A lovely man, a kinder man you could not wish to meet.”
Such memories added depth to the historical record, offering personal insight into individuals who might otherwise be known only through documents.
Eccles Connections
The visit extended beyond Seskinore to Ecclesville and Donacavey Church, where memorials to the Eccles family were viewed.
A particularly striking moment came with the discovery of a portrait of Charles Eccles, an ancestor of Xenia. Despite its age and condition, the resemblance to her own family was unmistakable.
The portrait was later gifted to Xenia, restoring a tangible link to her heritage.
Significance
The involvement of the local community demonstrated that the story of Seskinore had not been forgotten.
It existed not only in records and archives, but in memory, tradition, and lived experience.
Xenia’s return allowed these strands—family history and community memory—to come together once again.
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