‘A wonderful atmosphere’: Churchill secretary recalls life at Chartwell

Nonie Chapman reminisces in newly restored secretaries’ room at Kent country house

Nonie Chapman has fond memories of Winston Churchill shuffling to the front row of his personal cinema, wearing his monogrammed slippers and a vibrant green one-piece velvet siren suit, and of course smoking a cigar.

She was a 21-year-old secretary. He was in the final years of his life. He cut a memorable figure but what she most vividly recalls are his hands. “When his cigar went out a male nurse used to go round and relight it for him and I’ll never forget his amazingly long, artistic fingers … they really struck me.”

Continue reading…