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Private Notes
Ruth Watson returns to Cothay Manor, Somerset, a 15th-century building full of original features, to see whether owners Alastair and Mary-Anne Robb's ambitious plans have provided any financial dividends. The Robbs bought the country estate 15 years ago but have never made a profit. Their project to transform the surrounding area into an sculpture park is still to materialise and they now have the added problem of deciding which of their four children will inherit the property and its million-pound tax bill.
It's been a year since renowned businesswoman and trouble-shooter Ruth Watson advised the owners of stately British homes how to diversify and raise revenue to secure the future of their unique properties for generations to come. Albury Park is one of Surrey's most important and prestigious country houses. Nigel and Jennifer Whalley live at the Grade II listed Tudor mansion and bought the mansion four years ago. The Whalleys own the freehold, and live in one of its apartments, but they shared the rest of the house with a number of elderly residents. The business worked well until the elderly guests moved on, forcing the Whalleys to buy back all the flats, putting them millions in debt and desperate to find a way to claw that money back. With an army of 21 staff and a heating bill in the tens of thousands, Ruth was keen that the Whalleys create a show flat and stop wasting time, but did they take her frank advice and manage to sell some of the flats?
In this episode, Ruth returns to Scotland. Black Clauchrie has been part of the wild Galloway landscape since 1901. The house was originally a shooting lodge for a wealthy couple who wanted to enjoy country pursuits. Caroline and Adrian Goodall bought this remote house just over four years ago. Adrian had recently recovered from two life-threatening incidents and the family were keen to escape the rat race, but renovations to Black Clauchrie cost them thousands, which forced them into letting the house out to groups. The rentals haven't made any profit, and Adrian has taken on farming work that left Caroline in the house alone. Determined to get their house in order, Ruth inspired Caroline to make a change, but Adrian's farming commitments threatened to destroy the couple's relationship.
Ruth Watson meets Cornelia Bayley, owner of Plas Teg, a Grade One listed Jacobean mansion. Cornelia purchased it for £75,000, but her devotion has come at a personal cost as well.
Ruth heads for Riverhill in Kent, an 18th century rag stone manor that's struggling to keep the elements at bay. Can Ruth persuade the four generations of the family to agree on a fix?
Ruth Watson visits Carnfield Hall in Derbyshire and its owner James Cartland, cousin of famous author Barbara Cartland. Now in his 60s James finds caring for Carnfield a bit of a slog.
Ruth visits John and Flavia Philips and their costly gothic mansion Heath House in Staffordshire. Can she help their son Ben get his rescue plans off the ground?
Ruth Watson visits the Kelly family, who live in Kelly House in Kelly village, Cornwall. Can she persuade the family to make a new start and save their Grade I listed home from dereliction?
Ruth visits Whitbourne Hall, a vast Palladian-style mansion in Worcestershire, where the resident community is struggling to agree how to raise the cash to restore the building.
Ruth visits Abbey Dore Court in Herefordshire, where the owner's granddaughter is determined to return the quaint but dilapidated country home back to how it was when she was a child.
