Downton Abbey and Bilton Grange may have little in common, but they do have Dame Maggie Smith who acted in both.

The 1982 ITV Drama “Mrs Silly”  was set in a fictitious prep school broadly based on BG. Its writer had taught at the school many years previously and when location hunting was underway, Bilton was the obvious choice.

The story was about a very pushy mother bringing her boy to boarding school for the first time. To add authenticity real school boys were needed as extras and about a dozen day pupils were selected. Filming started at the end of the Christmas term. My job, as the most junior master, was to chaperone the lads and keep them in order, not a difficult task as they were a nice bunch. Far harder though was keeping them away from the “prop” sandwiches, they were for show, not eating. On day one they looked delicious, but after five days of being stored away the temptation faded dramatically.

Maggie Smith, who played the main part, was every bit the “star.” The headmaster’s study had been turned into her dressing room with huge, lit mirrors and racks of outfits. Her walk down the Long Gallery to the filming in the dining hall was a royal progress. To hushed voices she swanned in and filming began. When she left, it stopped and we could breathe more easily again. Scene after scene was repeated from every possible angle whilst the Bilton lads had to stay in position and talk to each other without making a sound. I do not think any of the boys ended up as actors. They were put off at an early age, although £14.50 a day was quite handy (£53 today).

Much to the boys’ delight I was asked to play the part of the Head Boy and had to don short trousers. Apparently, the director wanted someone who looked a bit older and my 8 years seniority seemed to fit. I was 21 and whilst I did not look 13, from the back, I could pass. I am probably the only person to recognise the back of my head as I walked through the main door in one of the final scenes.

The programme was aired many months after filming and will probably not be considered one of the highlights of Dame Maggie’s career. But, for those of us who watched her she was a consummate professional, word-perfect and never tired of doing the scene multiple times. How she kept boredom at bay, I will never know. It was an acting masterclass watching her transform into her part as the cameras rolled and out of it as the action ended. For most, she will always be remembered as the Dowager Countess of Grantham, but for a favoured few Dame Maggie will always just be Mrs Silly.

Andy Coker, history teacher at Bilton Grange from 1981-83

Enjoy watching Mrs Silly using the link here.