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Private Notes
Ruth helps turn an ailing hotel into a revamped weddings and events centre with plush new décor and a new manager.
Gissing Hall in Norfolk is an impressive country mansion that was built in the early 1820s. It fell into a state of disrepair after years of neglect but was given a new lease of life when William and Ann Brennan bought it in 1986. They put every penny of their savings into restoring it and making it their dream family home, but the colossal costs of running the country house got the better of the family and they were forced to open the doors to paying guests as Gissing became a hotel.
Ruth pays another visit to John and Ellie Henderson, who inherited Chesters in the Scottish Borders but were finding it hard to pay for the upkeep of the property. She learns whether the couple have managed to give up their jobs in London and taken on board her idea of using the stately home for corporate away-days.
Ruth revisits with Ted and Sarah Coryton, who inherited Pentillie Castle in September 2007 and also faced a £6million inheritance tax bill. Ruth had encouraged them to open the house and gardens to the public and learns how they have been getting on since her first visit.
Ruth Watson returns to Elmore Court in Gloucestershire to see whether new owner Anselm has succeeded with his plan to open a cookery school.
Elmore Court is a £25 million estate in Gloucestershire that has been in the Guise family for 750 years. Recently inherited by 37-year-old Anselm, the house was at risk of falling into a state of disrepair.
Ruth Watson revisits Abbey Dore Court to see how Charis Ward and her granddaughter Clare's catering holiday business is faring.
Charis Ward bought Abbey Dore Court in 1967 for £12,000. In 2000, Charis decided to leave Abbey Dore to live in a more manageable property and the house fell into disrepair. Charis' s 26-year-old granddaughter Clare is determined to bring her formerly happy home back to life.
Ruth revisits Heath House to see how the owners are getting on with their plan to make money using the house as a venue for weddings and events.
Since Ruth's visit, Ben has left his job in London and moved to Heath House full time to concentrate on running the house as a business. But will John and Flavia be relieved to see Ben thrive in his new role at the helm of the business?
Ruth Watson revisits Cornelia Bayley at Plas Teg, a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion that has remained virtually unchanged since it was built in 1610.
On Ruth's return, she arrives to find a well attended tour of the house in progress, hosted by the organisation the Friends of Plas Teg, who have been working extremely hard to support the house - although they report that Cornelia is still nervous about letting people into the house.
Ruth Watson revisits the Rogers family at Riverhill House in Kent to see if Ed and Sarah have made a success of their plans to make the estate pay for itself.
Four generations of the Rogers family live at Riverhill House in Kent, including 87-year-old great grandmother Evelyn Rogers, who has lived in the grounds since the end of World War II.
But over the past 60 years Evelyn has seen the once magnificent estate fall into disrepair.
Ruth Watson returns to Hill Place, a Georgian villa in Swanmore, Hampshire, where a year ago she was plunged into the middle of a family feud. Will and Rebecca Dobson had to contend with expensive repairs as well as the scorn of Will's mother and aunts, who disapproved of plans to change the mansion into an upmarket wedding venue. Now the troubleshooter discovers whether her ideas have come to fruition.
