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00:00Secret stately homes, a priceless part of our heritage, and now some are throwing open the doors.
00:06Wow, I like it already.
00:08To auctioneer and country house connoisseur, Angus Ashworth.
00:11You walk in here, you cannot not be amazed with it. It's sort of a visual overload.
00:16He's on a mission to help save these historic houses for the nation.
00:20More than 200 have vanished since the war.
00:23They've just bulldozed. People couldn't afford them. They were lost forever.
00:26He'll be hunting through lofts and cellars.
00:29Oh, I've spotted something.
00:31Let's see, look, look, armour.
00:32There's the armour.
00:33There's the armour, yeah.
00:35For forgotten treasure.
00:37Look at that.
00:37Look at that, bad boy.
00:39This is like a dream for me.
00:41It's quite a mess for me.
00:42I don't think I can do anything with the toilets.
00:45To raise cash to help fund renovation or repairs.
00:49It's a battle, you know, something goes wrong every day.
00:52Something significant breaks every week.
00:54And the upkeep's enormous.
00:56He'll be diving into life.
00:59As a weekend house guest and occasional butler.
01:04All right, cheers.
01:06Arriving in style.
01:08It's beautiful from up here.
01:09It gives you a real perspective.
01:11To experience a lost way of life in some of Yorkshire's most stunning stately homes.
01:17I've spent my whole life driving around here on these roads.
01:29They're tiny from up here, but you can just see everything.
01:32Absolutely everything.
01:33A visit to Scarborough usually involves a drive along the busy A64.
01:38But Angus and pilot James have chosen a quieter route to one of the finest Regency country houses in Yorkshire, Scampston Hall.
01:47Oh, look at that James, there's Scampston.
01:50You can see it there, just off the A64.
01:53But look at the garden by Capability Brown.
01:57It's beautiful from up here, isn't it?
01:59It gives you a real perspective.
02:00The hall was bought by the St. Quinton family in the late 1600s.
02:05Added to and remodelled over the centuries, the hall has 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.
02:11It is surrounded by 80 acres of parkland, including a large lake.
02:16But it's the outbuildings Angus is here for.
02:19He's been invited to search them for forgotten treasure.
02:22Where were you going to land this one, James?
02:24Right on the A64?
02:26Might get a speeding ticket.
02:28Preparing for Angus's arrival are Sir Chris and Lady Miranda Ledgeard.
02:34I wonder if Angus likes carrots.
02:36I hope he does.
02:37The house has remained in the same family for the past 340 years.
02:42In the 1990s, Chris's father and stepmother undertook a mammoth renovation project to keep the house looking its best.
02:49We moved here about 15 years ago.
02:53It's, I think, like anybody else in a similar situation.
02:56You know, you don't own it, you're just looking after it for the next generation.
03:00So my father and stepmother, the focus of their innings, if you like, was a restoration of the hall.
03:08Yes, you know, we sold two canalets to fund it, but it was a brilliant decision.
03:13It's meant I've been able to focus on other projects all over the estate, outside the house.
03:18Projects included launching Scampston's very own Lodge Park.
03:22But all businesses inevitably have to fund what is essentially a 12-bedroomed money pit.
03:29The biggest challenge, I think, at the moment for us is to make this a sustainable economic proposition for future generations, because there's a huge amount of cost.
03:38The jewel in Scampston's crown is its magnificent gardens, created 350 years ago by Capability Brown, Britain's most famous and celebrated landscape architect.
03:52But gardens this grand take a lot of work and money.
03:56Here to help is Angus, whose mission this weekend is to find items to auction, to help fund some new machinery for the overstretched gardening team.
04:06Wow, I mean, the house looks incredible up close, and I've been to the grounds many times, but never inside.
04:12This is going to be special.
04:14Hello.
04:15Hi, Angus, I'm Chris.
04:16Sir Chris.
04:17Nice to meet you.
04:17My wife, Miranda.
04:18Hi.
04:19Hi.
04:19How was the flight?
04:20Good, all right.
04:21Lovely parkland to London.
04:22Yeah, it's a good space.
04:23A bit bluey.
04:24A little bit, but, you know, not too bad.
04:26Well, welcome, Scampston.
04:27Thank you very much.
04:29Oh, wow.
04:30One thing we're not short of in this house is family portraits.
04:37This is the gentleman it sort of started with, is that right?
04:40Um, yes-ish.
04:42He's sort of, um, his dad made the money.
04:46He then spent it very successfully, and he went bust.
04:50But the one thing he did do is collect a lot of the art in this house.
04:54Angus has been granted privileged access to the ornate rooms, usually only open to the
05:00public under the supervision of guides.
05:03But it's the sprawling 80 acres of parkland that poses the biggest challenge.
05:08The gardens are open to the public a few months of the year, and for paying customers,
05:13they need to look perfect.
05:16I suppose it's all the little jobs around the estate that people don't see that need
05:19doing.
05:20Yeah, there's obviously, as you can imagine, like anywhere, a hell of a lot of stuff going
05:23on in the background that nobody notices.
05:26They just come to see a beautiful garden, and I wonder what's been going on to get it
05:29to that point.
05:30And this looks like some of it.
05:31This is the main man in the garden team, head garden Nick.
05:34Nick, hi.
05:35How are you doing?
05:36You all right?
05:36Good day.
05:36This is Angus.
05:37Lovely to meet you.
05:38And you.
05:39What are we on with today?
05:40A little bit of mulching for the garden.
05:43Just one of the many fantastic jobs Nick gets to do here at Scouston.
05:48Right.
05:49How many trailer loads do we need?
05:50Oh, too many to even think about.
05:53You'll get too depressed thinking about it.
05:55It's about 100 forks full to fill one of these trailers.
05:58100 forkfuls?
05:59Yep.
05:59How long does that take you?
06:01Oh, it's usually about half an hour, 20 minutes, half an hour each load.
06:04There must be a quicker way of doing this, though.
06:06There is.
06:07I mean, if only I could get a tractor, you could be filling this.
06:12In two scoops of a tractor shovel, you'd fill that trailer.
06:15I'll have a word with Chris, shall I?
06:16Good luck.
06:18Have you been asking for a while?
06:19Oh, I've been asking for a long time.
06:23I mean, I think for me, and I think most people come here, when you look at the estate, you
06:27know, the crown jewel is the gardens.
06:30And that is what pulls people here.
06:32And that, in turn, brings money into the estate.
06:34So, it's important to support that element of income stream.
06:38And, you know, if we can make the gardener's jobs easier with something like a garden tractor,
06:44then that's a great investment.
06:46But that doesn't come cheap.
06:47So, I'm going to work on Chris, see what we can do.
06:50Back in the day, Scampston had a large team of gardeners, and many hands made light work.
06:57Today, there are just four gardeners, so a bit of help towards a new tractor wouldn't go amiss.
07:03And one potentially untapped source of useful cash could be in the stables, which have been
07:09a dumping ground for the past 20 years.
07:12Oh, wow.
07:13All the original stables.
07:15Yeah.
07:15All the original stables, full of what, to me, is largely junk.
07:21I mean, some of it's probably not junk, but it's just stuff that we don't use.
07:25Chris is sceptical that there is anything left worth sending to auction.
07:30But Angus sees things very differently.
07:32You've got a butler's tray in the hay rack.
07:34OK.
07:35Right.
07:36Yeah.
07:36Randomly, but...
07:36OK.
07:37Let's get it out.
07:38Yeah, I mean, that's...
07:38Can you, um...
07:40The stand's long gone, but, you know, the trays still sell, lovely thing.
07:44But even more exciting, hidden behind a filing cabinet, is a Victorian adjustable easel in mahogany.
07:53Yeah, that's the feather.
07:56There.
07:56Yep.
07:57And then that's a bit of jigging locks into there.
08:00They'll slide down onto, sort of, on these brackets where they'll slide down onto there.
08:04So you can set that.
08:05You've got a writing surface or a drawing surface there.
08:08You've got your little trough here to put in your pencils to think it's in.
08:11Yeah.
08:11That's quite cool.
08:13Probably a dressman's easel, maybe an artist, but, you know, what would you do with it now?
08:18And quite often things sell for practicality.
08:20And, you know, you've got to be a little bit imaginative.
08:23Entrance way to a restaurant with a seating plan or, you know, like a wedding or something like that.
08:26That's where its value is, is as a interesting sort of decorative display piece.
08:32At auction, this old easel might sell for £150, but Angus is about to discover something of historical value that is even more unusual.
08:43Oh, I think I know what this is.
08:45OK.
08:46Let's carry this out outside.
08:47OK.
08:47I think this is a very early shower.
08:52Really?
08:52Yeah.
08:53OK, interesting.
08:55Right, so I think we've got two of these, because there's another one of those and another one of those in there.
08:59And then these poles, I'm hoping.
09:01Which.
09:05OK, so let's get on top.
09:07Yeah, so we've got to marry up the water hole.
09:11That's right.
09:12Which is here.
09:15Look at that.
09:16Look at that, bad boy.
09:17You've got a shower there.
09:19Yeah.
09:19So you would have had a pipe.
09:21Yeah.
09:21Hose go from there to there, which is obviously long perished.
09:25A little pool there that opens up the flap.
09:28So, I don't want to really get in.
09:30Nice rose shower.
09:31You get in there.
09:32Nice rose shower.
09:33That then collects in the bottom.
09:35Yep.
09:36And your manservant.
09:37Yep.
09:39Pumps it like that, and you get a continuous shower.
09:42I mean, that is incredible.
09:44You'd have to get on well with your manservant.
09:46You would.
09:48But I have never, ever seen anything like it.
09:51No, and I have to say, I've seen them often.
09:53I have no idea what they were.
09:54I assumed they were something agricultural or sort of, like some butter churn or something.
09:59That is remarkable.
10:01The shower was designed to be used in a dressing room or in the kitchen, long before indoor plumbing and hot water boilers were invented.
10:09It's a niche product, so we've got to do a bit of research on it, see if any others have come up on the market.
10:13How rare is it, actually?
10:15And something can be really rare but not very valuable because who wants it, you know?
10:20So we've got to see what the market's like for it.
10:23But, you know, I've been doing this well over 25 years, and yet you still get days when you come across something you've never seen before.
10:30So it is phenomenal, and I don't know, this is what makes the job worthwhile.
10:34Eagle-eyed Angus is fully alert, searching for diamonds in the dust still lurking in the stable block.
10:40Things that don't look like much but will fetch a great deal at auction.
10:57Auctioneer Angus Ashworth is at Scamston Hall for the weekend as a guest of Sir Chris and Lady Miranda Ledgeard.
11:04He's hunting for things to sell at auction, to raise funds to put towards a tractor for the gardening team.
11:11Angus and Chris are searching through the old stables.
11:15Right, Angus, follow me into the next apartment.
11:19OK.
11:19And it looks like they've found yet more fascinating treasures.
11:23Look at that.
11:25Is that...?
11:25It's a barrograph.
11:27Is it?
11:27Yeah, this would lift off, possibly.
11:32I need to do a bit of TLC on that.
11:34OK.
11:34It's missing one of its bracket feet.
11:36And we'd get it clean, because usually there's not two inches of pigeon muck on the stuff we're taking, but...
11:40OK.
11:41We'll give it a wipe off.
11:42It's not going to add value.
11:43Yeah.
11:43No.
11:43OK.
11:44You know, even Scamston pigeons don't add value.
11:47A barrograph is an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure and can help predict the weather.
11:53It's the weather app.
11:54Nowadays, we look on our phone.
11:56Yeah.
11:56This is what you would have done.
11:57The first barrographs appeared in the 18th century and were perfected in 1844 by French physicist Lucien.
12:04Lucien Viddy.
12:05Because they look interesting.
12:07They're just a great desk piece.
12:08Yeah.
12:08From a small desk piece to a massive lump of mahogany.
12:12This is the one piece of furniture out of all this stuff that I remember being in the house when my grandparents were alive.
12:20And it sat in the entrance hall.
12:22In the 18th and 19th century, corner cupboards were a staple of any room, really.
12:28But that is, I mean, that's vast, isn't it?
12:31You see flat-fronted ones.
12:32We see oak ones.
12:33We see mahogany.
12:35This is mahogany.
12:36This is mahogany, yeah.
12:37This is huge.
12:38I mean, it's a wardrobe.
12:40You can get in it.
12:40Actually, you could get about four of you in it.
12:42It'll take up most people's whole living room.
12:44So, it might be a tough sell, but I think he just wants it gone.
12:48So, yeah, we like a challenge.
12:50But there's big and there's bigger.
12:53And Angus is about to spot something with a potentially huge sale price.
12:58This is the last run archive paperwork, largely.
13:01Oh.
13:01It's big.
13:03Yeah?
13:05What's that?
13:05What's this?
13:06It's a big piece of furniture, is what that is.
13:08Yeah.
13:09Yeah.
13:09But important to you?
13:12No.
13:12No?
13:13Very much would have been sort of servants' area.
13:16Yeah.
13:17A big sort of kitchen piece.
13:19This is incredible.
13:21Now, it's a little bit niche because of the size.
13:24I mean, it is vast.
13:25Quite often they've lost the backs, so it's just the base unit.
13:28So, we've got it all complete, which is lovely.
13:31But they just don't come up that often.
13:33Certainly not on this scale.
13:34Okay, well, we're never going to use it.
13:36It's going to rot here.
13:37And, again, I'd be far happier if it was looked after and put to some good use.
13:41You know, there's going to be lots of people that are interested in that.
13:43There's going to be a lot of dealers who specialise in that kind of look that want that,
13:47because that is such a statement piece.
13:49Broadly speaking, probably 2,000 to 4,000.
13:52And, you know, that probably sounds a lot to some people,
13:55but what would that cost you for a fitted kitchen?
13:57And, actually, you get something unique, something with history, with provenance, character.
14:02With the first haul of unusual items for auctions set aside,
14:06Chris is keen to show Angus the family photo albums.
14:10This I got out because it's more relevant to me in terms of time,
14:15because it's got a lot of my grandmother, who I remember very, very fondly.
14:18And that's her with her father, Colonel Lestrange Malone, on the terrace at Scamston.
14:23Oh, the pageant.
14:24Here we go.
14:26So, all dressed up.
14:27Oh, so this is at Wellington and Scamston.
14:28Correct.
14:29Pageant 1927.
14:31Yep, yep.
14:31So that's outside the house, dressed as all sorts.
14:34And I've got another picture of the house, actually, here,
14:37which really shows the way, how the landscape's changed.
14:41Ah, there's a big tower on there.
14:43Yeah, I don't know what happened to that.
14:44I mean, maybe it blew over in a storm, maybe it fell down.
14:47It's sort of a dome, just a dome now, isn't it?
14:49It's visually, I think I prefer it without.
14:51In terms of the garden, we're kind of back to this now.
14:54My father took the wall down, took out the gravel paths,
14:58which was both brilliant decisions in my step-by-step,
15:01to create the view through to the naturalistic planting of Capability Brown.
15:07Huge influence on the estate, isn't it?
15:08I mean, that was a major undertaking at the time.
15:10And that wasn't the only big change to be made outside
15:14during the 20th century.
15:16The walled gardens are incredible, aren't they?
15:18Thank you, yeah, they are.
15:19They're absolutely beautiful.
15:20And it is the draw for Scamston for us.
15:23It's the jewel in our crown.
15:25Wherever I go in the country, if you say you're from Scamston,
15:29the immediate thing is that you're the people with the lovely garden.
15:32The formal gardens had been derelict for nearly 50 years
15:36when Chris's father and stepmother decided to do something radically modern with them.
15:41These houses all had walled gardens,
15:43and they were to provide vegetables and cut flowers and things for the household.
15:47But, of course, over time, that sign's dropped away,
15:51and a lot of them then get turned into gardens like this.
15:53And it is incredible. Huge.
15:55World-famous Dutch garden designer, Pete Adolf,
16:00turned the walled garden into a special destination
16:04with his distinctive modern style and naturalistic planting,
16:08bringing in thousands of visitors a year.
16:11But it's not the garden that needs restoration now.
16:17Miles and miles of wall.
16:18The square footage is immense, and we do try and work our way around.
16:22So it's a consonant sort of maintenance programme?
16:25Yeah.
16:26Right. Is that what we've got going?
16:28This is Dave, head of maintenance,
16:30who tries to get through a bit of it, don't you, Dave?
16:32Right.
16:33And he's going to show you how to do it.
16:36Right, so you can finish it.
16:37Repointing. What, finish the whole?
16:39Yeah, the whole wall.
16:40Four and a half acres.
16:41Yeah.
16:42Thanks, Charles.
16:43Right, I'll leave you to it. Good luck.
16:44Over time, the mortar keeping up the wall has disintegrated.
16:49If nothing's done, it will simply fall down.
16:52So it's repointing, is that basically what you're doing?
16:55It's repointing, yeah.
16:56So what we're going to do, we're taking an inch out, roughly, 25 mil,
16:59and then we'll replace that with some fresh mortar.
17:01So that's what you've been doing here, is basically taking out the old...
17:05The old, yeah, and because it's old mortar, it's pretty soft,
17:07so you can pretty much get away with raking it.
17:10Yeah.
17:11The wall's got to be solid, one, for health and safety,
17:13and two, you can't have a wall garden without the wall.
17:15So, crucial fabric of the property.
17:19Right.
17:19Right, so this is the mix.
17:20This is the mix, and it's lime, yellow sand, and a bit of sharp sand.
17:27And just give it a flattened down width, that's it.
17:30I mean, it could be a little bit wetter, but...
17:32I don't want to make it easy for me, do you?
17:33No, I don't want to make it too easy.
17:35A little bit more on that.
17:37It's quite satisfying, actually, isn't it?
17:39It is.
17:41Er, what do you reckon, Dave? Am I doing all right?
17:44Yeah.
17:44For your first attempts, I mean, don't look bad to me, Lee.
17:48But, I mean, it needs to tidy it up a little bit, obviously.
17:50Yeah, well, you see, the next stage we'll do all that.
17:53OK.
17:54Right.
17:54Which is a churn brush finish.
17:56A churn brush finish.
17:57Yeah.
17:58You know, these are 18th century bricks, you know.
18:01They're a press brick.
18:02You can't get bricks like this any more.
18:03You can't just go there with a motorised sort of chisel blade to route it out, because that
18:08would fracture the bricks, and then you've got a bigger problem.
18:10So, it has to be done by hand.
18:12There's no shortcuts on this.
18:16And you give it a bit of welly.
18:18Like a machine gun on that.
18:20And it'll clean the brick up.
18:24And...
18:24It looks a lot tidier, doesn't it?
18:25Yeah.
18:26Right.
18:27What did this wall ever do to you, Dave?
18:29I mean, well, that's going to save it, because it's going to push the motor right to the back,
18:33so there's no pockets behind it.
18:36If you ever give up on auctioneering, you've got a job, haven't you?
18:39Well, yeah, I might stick to auctioneering, actually.
18:41It's a bit easier.
18:42I think you should do, to be honest.
18:43Yeah, yeah.
18:44Thanks.
18:45Every acre of the garden and grounds must pay its way, but it takes a lot of work to keep it productive.
18:51For Chris's wife, Miranda, the gardens have provided a therapeutic sanctuary.
18:57It's been quite a tough gig, I think, for Miranda in some ways.
19:00She had a big stroke when she was pregnant with our first child.
19:04That left her very epileptic and, you know, has affected some of her abilities to do things.
19:11Miranda's greatest joy probably is gardening.
19:14This is wonderful, isn't it?
19:16Yeah.
19:16So this is the team that makes it all happen?
19:19Yeah, very much so.
19:21Yeah.
19:21Nick and Sarah work all year round to keep the visitors coming back.
19:26Hello.
19:27Hello.
19:27We've come to give you a bit of a hand.
19:29Amazing.
19:30We've got lots to do.
19:31Excellent.
19:32Excellent.
19:32So what's the plan?
19:33Yeah, so today we are infilling a few gaps that have developed over the time.
19:38So we've got some Monada scorpion that we need to fill in.
19:41And then we've also got some more Salvia amethyst as well to go in.
19:44Wonderful.
19:45Right.
19:45Well, I suppose we must crack too.
19:47Yeah.
19:47So this is your passion, is it, Miranda?
19:52Yes.
19:52Yeah.
19:53It is wonderful.
19:54And do you, you know, presumably you come in during the day when the public come through.
19:58I get asked if I'm enjoying being a volunteer.
20:00What do you say to that?
20:06It's not bad.
20:07It's not bad.
20:08It's fine.
20:10Very easy, isn't it, you know, when we're thinking of country houses that you think about the house.
20:14But actually the landscape and the gardens are equally as important.
20:18They all, one's not one without the other, isn't it?
20:21Yeah.
20:21You've got a favourite bit?
20:23I love my roses, which are over by the house.
20:25Yeah.
20:26Which are all...
20:27Beautiful scents and...
20:28Yeah.
20:29Yeah.
20:29Money doesn't grow on trees.
20:31Nevertheless, Miranda and Chris have found a way to make their garden pay.
20:36And presumably then you also grow all these plants as well and then sell them on...
20:40Yeah, indeed.
20:41So we have our plant sales area as well.
20:43So we do a lot of propagation from the garden.
20:46Full circle.
20:47It is a full circle.
20:48Many, many visitors have come round and say,
20:50I've seen this amazing flower in the corner of the garden.
20:53And you kind of have to boil it down to try and work out which one they're talking about.
20:57And then, oh, we do have this one for sale.
21:00You can't get much better showpiece than this, can you?
21:02I mean, this is an amazing showroom.
21:05Before dinner, there's just enough time for Angus to get a quick clean up
21:09and settle into his very own stately bedroom.
21:12It's a real privilege for me to come and stay in a house like this in their private quarters.
21:17And you can't really do that.
21:19I mean, unless you're a friend or a guest.
21:21Yeah, it's incredible.
21:23And, you know, Chris and Miranda have said,
21:25go get yourself comfy.
21:27We'll see you for dinner.
21:28I think Chris, apparently, I think, apparently he's a bit of a good chef.
21:32So I'm looking forward to this.
21:34Evening, Angus.
21:35Hi.
21:35How are you?
21:36How are you?
21:37Yeah, did you find everything?
21:38I did, yeah, lovely.
21:39Room's lovely.
21:39Glass of wine?
21:40A glass of wine would be lovely.
21:42Well, it smells fantastic in here.
21:43While the sauce is cooking, there's time for Angus to admire the family's incredible art collection,
21:50including works by Gainsborough, the on-trend society portrait painter of the 18th century.
21:57That's nice.
21:58It's all right, isn't it?
21:59Yeah.
21:59Well, again, we've got to thank the fellow we met earlier, the 4th Baronet.
22:06Incredibly rare to see a landscape by Gainsborough.
22:08Yeah.
22:09And as we know, he painted these for fun.
22:13This is what he loved to do.
22:14Yeah.
22:14Painted portraits to earn a living.
22:17This was bought for 43 guineas by Sir William St. Quentin, the 4th Baronet.
22:24Never been owned by anybody else.
22:25It's in the account book.
22:27Why have one Gainsborough when you can have several?
22:29You know, I mean, most houses consider themselves lucky if they've got a Gainsborough painting,
22:34you know, portrait.
22:35These, you know, here at Scamston, we've got several and an incredibly rare landscape.
22:40That is pretty special.
22:42Today's family portraits are rather more modest.
22:45The couple's kids spent their teens in the hall, but have now flown the nest.
22:50So both grown up, so 30 and 25.
22:53Yeah, both doing great, actually.
22:55Out of the world and earning a living, which...
22:56No grandchildren yet.
22:58No.
22:59No, sadly not yet.
23:03Right, dig in.
23:03Oh, thank you very much.
23:05Well, it's wonderful to be here, as you guys say.
23:08It's been a pleasure.
23:09Yeah, thank you.
23:09So far.
23:10Maybe of course the next couple of days.
23:11With the weekend only halfway through, will Angus discover more hidden gems to sell at auction?
23:17Angus has another busy day ahead at Scamston Hall, searching a storeroom at the top of the house for anything he can sell at auction.
23:40This is the picture store, Angus.
23:42Picture store, it sounds interesting.
23:44So this is really where just surplus pictures are stored.
23:47It's mainly nearly everything in his family portraits, one or two other bits and bobs.
23:51Interesting place to have a clock.
23:52Er, yeah.
23:54I've noticed that before.
23:55Do you want to have a look at it?
23:57Yeah, buried away.
23:58I knew.
23:59Grandfather clocks are a classic piece of country house furniture.
24:03Well, luckily they're all empty.
24:04Empty, yeah.
24:06Er, fairly local, Beverly Maker.
24:09Er, but what's interesting is the door.
24:13This is a fairly sort of standard configuration.
24:16Somebody's touched up the gilding.
24:18Yeah.
24:18Er, but the...
24:19What is that?
24:20I mean, there's almost gold oil-like, aren't there?
24:22Ah.
24:23I think that's your crest on the bottom, possibly.
24:25Inverted V, is it?
24:26Er, yes, in question, yeah.
24:29Yes, yes, it is.
24:30That's the St Quenching Crest.
24:32Yeah, so it's been made for the family.
24:33Yeah.
24:34Commissioned.
24:35And then the door here, er, 1738, I think that is.
24:39Yeah.
24:40So that's early.
24:41It's the door that makes it.
24:43Normally, take that away and take your crest.
24:45Sadly, the market's completely changed.
24:47You know, obviously there's rarities that still do good money,
24:49but most houses now just don't accommodate them.
24:52People don't like them, and they've really plummeted.
24:55Local ones do a bit better.
24:56But, I mean, obviously, that's significant to here,
24:59so, I mean, that would have to stay, but see if you can find somewhere to reinstall it.
25:03Well, again, thank you.
25:04I never knew that had our crest on the bottom.
25:07Yeah.
25:07Well, it's clearly made for the family.
25:09So, one owner from new.
25:11Since the clock has the family crest, it will need to stay at Scamston.
25:17Nevertheless, Angus has plenty to take to auction.
25:22Estate life is about creative multitasking,
25:25and no-one does this better than Scamston Hall's very own butler.
25:29Craig, is it?
25:30Hi, it is, yes.
25:30Angus, I've been sent to be your assistant.
25:32Very good, very good.
25:33Yeah.
25:34Right, well, obviously, we need to change your attire for this.
25:38Oh, right, OK, yeah.
25:38And then we'll crack on with some jobs.
25:42I've been sent to help Craig, who's the butler house manager,
25:46as his understudy for the day.
25:48So, first things first, I've got to change.
25:50You know, I can't be presenting an adieu like, can I?
25:52This is the attire that I've got to wear.
25:54So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
25:56But, you know, and seeing what the modern concept of a butler is.
25:59You know, we all have these visions, but what is it really like?
26:02The butler is the first person to greet visitors to the house.
26:07And in Craig's world, everything has to be perfect,
26:10including the huge porcelain collection.
26:13Is this a regular sort of partner job,
26:15is, you know, keeping on top of the maintenance and cleaning of everything?
26:19It is, yes.
26:19We try and achieve it.
26:22Once a year, at least.
26:23And how long have you been here?
26:25How long have you been doing this?
26:26So, I've been with Chris and Miranda 14 and a half years.
26:30Wow. Well, you must really get on then.
26:32Oh, definitely.
26:33Yeah.
26:33Definitely.
26:34I was fortunate via them to go on a butler course.
26:37That must have been quite an experience.
26:39Yes, four weeks.
26:40I'm learning all the skills of household management
26:44to packing a suitcase.
26:46I think everyone has this perception of what a butler is,
26:49this sort of old-fashioned, very, you know, formal.
26:51And it is, it's all about service, but it's so much more than that.
26:55It's multiple hats.
26:56You know, as time's got harder, less and less staff,
26:58so it's house management, it's all sorts.
27:01And I suppose a lot of it is about etiquette and things like that.
27:05Absolutely.
27:06Yeah.
27:06Yeah.
27:07And how to walk, posture, believe it or not, as well.
27:10Really?
27:10Yeah.
27:11So there's a special butler's walk?
27:13You have to slow down.
27:14You don't rush.
27:15So there's a real art to it?
27:17Well, yeah, yeah.
27:19It could take Angus years to learn to walk like a butler.
27:23Leave the chairs not pushed, not pushed,
27:25just lightly away from the tablecloth.
27:28OK.
27:29My pet eighties, that.
27:31Right.
27:32I do not like that.
27:33Duly noted, I'll take that on board.
27:34But first he needs to find out how to lay the table for afternoon tea.
27:40Craig's expecting an unusual group of visitors.
27:43Right, we'll go and get the crockery and crockery.
27:45OK.
27:45For the table, because time's getting up.
27:47OK.
27:48At Downton Abbey, Mr Carson had a ruler to measure the place settings,
27:53but Craig uses a rule of thumb.
27:55So we tend to measure with our thumb.
28:04So if you wish to put the teaspoons...
28:08On the cup and saucer.
28:09On the cup and saucer, just at the back there.
28:11Yep.
28:13Uniform all the way round.
28:14It is, yeah.
28:15And again, we measure with our thumb.
28:18But is Angus's thumb size the same as Craig's?
28:22I mean, the attention to detail, Craig, is quite phenomenal, actually.
28:25Is that important for just a group coming around for afternoon tea?
28:29It's the first thing that the guests see before they sit at the table
28:32is a beautifully laid table.
28:34Are you happy with where I've set the glasses, or do they...?
28:36Yeah, they'll be fine. They'll be fine.
28:38Actually, no, we'll just...
28:39Yeah, no, tweak them, yeah.
28:41Craig's exacting standards are teetering on the brink of obsession.
28:46They do these, you know, afternoon teas at Scampton,
28:48incorporating, you know, a tool and things like that.
28:50They don't do a lot of it.
28:51But I think that it's a wonderful experience
28:53and something that they can really grow and capitalise on.
28:58So what group have we got coming?
28:59It's a surprise for you.
29:01A surprise? Right, OK.
29:04But obviously quite exclusive.
29:06Yes.
29:06Yeah.
29:09In days of yore, who knows what the butler saw?
29:13But he probably never saw a gang of bikers roar up the drive.
29:18Good afternoon.
29:19Good afternoon to you.
29:20Hello.
29:20Hello.
29:21Craig didn't tell me he was coming, but I heard him.
29:24Afternoon, madam.
29:24Yeah.
29:25That just goes to show that it's appealing to everybody.
29:28And I think people have these misconceptions that you've got to be whatever to come here.
29:32It's not.
29:32Everybody's fascinated by history.
29:34It's a lovely ride out on the bikes, coming through the parkland,
29:37parking up in front of the doors, coming in for afternoon tea.
29:40Who wouldn't love that?
29:41Right, well, good afternoon, everyone.
29:43Good afternoon.
29:43And welcome to Scamston Hall.
29:46My name is Craig.
29:47I'm the house manager butler here.
29:48And while Angus and Craig butler off to get the tea things...
29:52This room is actually the boudoir.
29:54Local historian and guide Anne shares the history of the house,
29:58explaining a more traditional type of horsepower.
30:02There's a painting of the great racehorse Herod, or King Herod,
30:06a very important horse, as many British bloodstock lines
30:10trace their ancestry back through this horse.
30:13And tea is served.
30:15OK, so I'll just explain what we have on the stands.
30:18The bottom we have cucumber and cream cheese, ham and salmon.
30:23How's it going?
30:24Very good, yes.
30:25Are you pleased with...
30:26It's gone really well.
30:27Are you pleased with me?
30:28Yes, definitely.
30:29OK.
30:29Remember, attention to detail.
30:31Yeah.
30:32And dress appropriately.
30:33Yeah.
30:34So, do you think one day I could get one of those batches?
30:38Oh, definitely, yeah.
30:43Wonderful, thank you.
30:44Do you want to have a go?
30:46Yeah, go on then.
30:47Craig, I quit.
30:49I'm going to hear you, gang.
30:51With his role as underbutler over for the day,
30:55Angus roars off to help the gardening team
30:57who have arranged a charity auction.
31:00Well, this is good, this.
31:01Get used to this.
31:04So, we're going to start with this one here,
31:14which is a pretty blue one,
31:15which grows in the gardens.
31:17I don't know what it's called,
31:18but it attracts bees.
31:19Very bee-friendly.
31:20So, this isn't a peter, so a catman.
31:22OK, a pound, Samir, one pound anywhere, is it now?
31:24Oh, my God, this is going to be...
31:26This is going to be tough.
31:27One pound, two pound, a peter,
31:28and a bit of two pound, a three.
31:29Was that a bid, madam?
31:30Three pound, three pound, a bit of three pound.
31:31It is a lady next year.
31:32It was three pound, a three pound.
31:33Four pound, come on, it's all for charity.
31:35Four pound, four, four, five.
31:36Thank you, madam, and five pound.
31:37Six pound, a bit of six pound is six pound.
31:39It is, then it's six.
31:39Seven pound a bit at seven pound.
31:40Eight pound.
31:41Eight pound a bit.
31:42Eight pound it is, then eight pounds.
31:43And eight pounds, we're all done for the first lot.
31:45Eight pounds, going to sell her.
31:46Eight pounds.
31:47Thank you, sir.
31:49Right, we've got a peony.
31:50I know all about these,
31:51because I had to stake some out the other weekend.
31:53Was it a pinky flower?
31:54Yeah, pinky red.
31:55Pinky red flowers, big pinky red flowers.
31:58Okay, beautiful.
31:59Five pounds, start me on this one.
32:00Five, all right, straight up.
32:01It's a sign at ten, shouldn't I?
32:02At five pound, it is, then at five pound at five.
32:04Don't let them have all the bargains.
32:05Six, I'm a bid at six.
32:06Seven pound, seven pound.
32:07Eight pound, eight pound.
32:07Let's go.
32:08Eight pound, eight pound.
32:09It is, then eight, nine, nine, nine, nine, nine.
32:11There's three of you bidding.
32:11Ten, ten, ten, I'll come to you in a minute, madam.
32:13At ten, twelve, twelve, twelve, twelve, fourteen.
32:16Fourteen, a bit, thank you.
32:17At fourteen pounds, sixteen, now.
32:18Sixteen, a bit, eighteen, eighteen, eighteen, eighteen, twenty.
32:20Twenty, I'll take one.
32:26Twenty pounds and fiftyp.
32:28Twenty pound it is, then we're all done at twenty.
32:30We're going to sell at twenty pounds.
32:37You know, a good bit of fun.
32:39I actually pulled in crying audience,
32:40and we've raised, you know, some decent money for a charity.
32:43I'm not sure Nick approved of my plant descriptions,
32:46but, you know, we've got them sold.
32:48Angus is happy to help out where he can.
32:51Now it's time to organise the van
32:53to collect the Scamston Hall Hall for the auction.
32:57In total, Angus has 26 lots to list and price up.
33:01Wonderful, it's been absolutely fantastic.
33:04Angus, it's been a blast.
33:04Really good to see you.
33:05Thank you very much.
33:05Thank you for coming.
33:06Have a safe journey.
33:07I will, and good luck with all the plans.
33:09Thank you very much.
33:09I hope you've enjoyed it.
33:10We've certainly enjoyed having you.
33:11Cheers, Angus.
33:12Take care.
33:12Take care.
33:13And with luck, the proceeds will help towards the cost of a new tractor.
33:17Next stop, the auction house.
33:21It's high summer, and at Angus' sale rooms,
33:39the country house auction is only a few days away.
33:41All week it's been, you know, catalogs gone online,
33:45then it's getting it set up, making it look nice.
33:47And everything discovered at Scamston Hall
33:49is on display for customers to have a pre-auction perusal.
33:53You know, we've had a great viewing day today,
33:55first day of viewing.
33:56I've got another day tomorrow, lots of enquiries coming in.
33:59And Angus has some surprise visitors.
34:02Evening.
34:03How are we doing?
34:03You, Royce?
34:04Good to see you again.
34:05I'm just trying to pick this bad boy up.
34:07Yeah.
34:08Good doorstops they make.
34:09Sir Chris and Lady Miranda Ledgeard from Scamston Hall
34:13have dropped by to check on their items for sale,
34:16but they seem a little distracted by everything else on offer.
34:20I've had some work done in 1830,
34:22but they'll be a bit earlier in date.
34:23But, yeah, I mean, I think you need a dueling pistol just in case.
34:27Yeah, well, you never know.
34:28Yeah, right, you know, take 20 paces, isn't it?
34:30Missed.
34:31Shit, your turn.
34:33Yikes.
34:34Wash stand, I recognise.
34:35Yep.
34:36A lot of enquiries on that.
34:38Yeah, this is kind of your wall, actually.
34:40Is it?
34:40OK.
34:41The hall from the hall boasts a few last-minute items,
34:45including a very rare camera.
34:48And your easel, which actually, I think, looks fantastic set up.
34:51I think it's really nice.
34:52And it actually came out.
34:53It was one of the few things that came out of the stables
34:55in quite good nick.
34:56I think I'm excited about the next phase for them, in a sense,
35:00because it's actually much nicer than they're rotting in our stable.
35:03Much nicer that there's a possibility that I'll end up loved and cared for and used.
35:09See, that's real live bird poo from Scotland.
35:11Yeah, no, I know.
35:12Yeah, yeah, yeah.
35:12I mean, it's not just any bird poo.
35:13No, no, no, that's...
35:15That's verging on royal.
35:18LAUGHTER
35:18Well, you will see.
35:21The hard work is done now.
35:23We've just got to see how the sale turns out.
35:25At £1,900.
35:26At £1,900 in the room.
35:27So the day has arrived.
35:29At £1,900.
35:30Are you bidding or waving, sir?
35:32Four times a year, Angus holds a country house auction,
35:36attracting customers from all over the globe.
35:38I'm selling that if you don't get on there at £1,900.
35:40And there's been some serious interest in the items from Scamston Hall.
35:47Great collection.
35:48You know, some lovely, lovely pieces.
35:50Quirky things, like those showers.
35:51I've only ever found one that's come up for auction before,
35:53and that did £3.50.
35:55So can we get a better price for it?
35:57We'll see.
35:58No, I think they could be in for a good day.
35:59Up first is the huge Victorian painted pine kitchen dresser.
36:04So we can start at £1,500.
36:07At £1,500.
36:09At £1,750.
36:10At £2,000 now.
36:12At £2,000 for it.
36:14At £2,002.
36:15£2,003.
36:16£2,004.
36:17On the telephone.
36:17It's against you online.
36:18£2,005.
36:19Great thing.
36:20Just great thing.
36:22Find space in my kitchen.
36:24Attempted.
36:26At £3,002.
36:28At £3,200.
36:29It's in the room.
36:30Don't mistake it, then.
36:30We are in the market.
36:31We're selling, then, at £3,200.
36:35£3,200.
36:37Good.
36:37Good result.
36:38A great start.
36:40And up next, a very early example of a mechanical shower.
36:43I love this.
36:44I mean, this is brilliant, the shower.
36:46Absolutely fantastic.
36:48Sadly, Angus wouldn't pose in it.
36:50If he does £1,000, I'll get in it.
36:53Don't say things like that in a room full of people.
36:57A lot of interest in it.
36:59We can start this lot at £270, £300.
37:02At £300, £320.
37:04Don't mistake it, then, at £400, now.
37:05Different platform at £400.
37:07So the next bid is £20 for you, sir.
37:08£420, yes.
37:09£420, thank you.
37:10At £500, at the back of the room.
37:12Have to hurry you now.
37:13At £520, £540.
37:15No?
37:15Thank you, anyway.
37:16We're in the market.
37:16We shall sell at £520.
37:21£520, thank you.
37:22£520 for the shower.
37:23That's good.
37:24That's good.
37:24Good price, though.
37:25Now it's the Victorian Mahogany Adjustable Easel.
37:29If you want to take up painting, you definitely need one of these.
37:32£100 for it.
37:32Come on, £100.
37:33£100 is bid, thank you.
37:35£110, £120, £130.
37:36At £130 now.
37:37£140, thank you.
37:39At £140.
37:40This is huge, this easel.
37:41It's a superb thing.
37:42£160, thank you, on the sale room.
37:44At £160.
37:45At £160.
37:48£160, thank you.
37:49For the easel, £160.
37:50Next, will the enormous corner cupboard find a home?
37:54Fantastic thing.
37:55Beautiful quality Cuban Mahogany.
37:58I mean, that in London would probably be a million quid as a flat.
38:01£50 online, thank you, at £50.
38:03Thank you, at £55.
38:04Are you bidding?
38:05£60, thank you.
38:07£60, £65.
38:08£70, £75.
38:10£80.
38:10£85.
38:11£90.
38:12£90.
38:13Look at this, they're going mad for it.
38:14£95 online, £100.
38:15£100 a lady's bid.
38:17At £100, oh, we've got more competition.
38:20£110, £120.
38:21If you don't get on, then, at £120.
38:24£120, thank you, £120.
38:25I am genuinely glad you came.
38:27£120.
38:31The camera's up next.
38:33A last-minute addition.
38:35This is a rare thing.
38:36This is going to fly away for it.
38:37We can start it at £640.
38:41£680.
38:42£880.
38:43£900.
38:44£920.
38:45Might do over £1,000 on this.
38:47£980.
38:48£1,000.
38:49£1,50.
38:50£1,200.
38:51At £1,200 now.
38:52At £1,250, another bidder.
38:54Still going.
38:55Internet bidders on this.
38:56Gavel rising, all the leather cases and etc, etc, etc.
38:59Is it £1,250?
39:01£1,250.
39:03Fantastic, that is a stonking result.
39:05I thought they would do well.
39:06Actually, they've done really well.
39:08And I think the star item that came out is that camera.
39:10Potentially could have gone to rack and ruin.
39:12So, I'm glad it's been saved.
39:13And a few days later, Angus is off back to Scamston with the good news.
39:21They had a fantastic auction.
39:22They've had some brilliant results.
39:23But it deserved to do well.
39:25So, I'm pleased.
39:26So, I've got some good news for Scamston.
39:28And it's going to be good to see what they've been up to since I was last there.
39:32Oh, hey, Angus.
39:37How are you doing?
39:38You all right?
39:38Yeah, I'm good, thanks.
39:39Nice to see you.
39:40Yeah, it's great to see you.
39:40It's been a while.
39:41How's things?
39:42Yeah, really good.
39:43Well, we've had a good auction.
39:45Yes, I know you have.
39:46Do you?
39:47Yes, I followed it.
39:48I was on live.
39:51Because, honestly, I've never sent anything to auction in my life.
39:54Right.
39:55And a good experience?
39:56Really good experience.
39:57Good.
39:58Yeah.
39:58I mean, a few things did well.
40:00Really well.
40:00That camera.
40:01We knew it was going to do well.
40:02We had a lot of pre-sale interest.
40:03A lot of people watching online.
40:05So, we thought it would do well.
40:06But, yeah, I mean, $12.50.
40:08So, it was good.
40:09As, indeed, was that massive sideboard.
40:12I love that.
40:13But, I mean, I was confident we'd get it away.
40:16Yeah.
40:16Big piece.
40:17So, it's a little bit niche.
40:18But, wonderful.
40:19Thank you for raising a bit of cash for us.
40:20No.
40:20Yeah, we did.
40:21$9,295, I think it was, to come back.
40:25Yeah.
40:25Very much.
40:25Yeah.
40:26And found it.
40:27Nicked it.
40:27Spent it.
40:28As they say.
40:28Spent it already.
40:29Yeah, I've spent it already.
40:31And I've spent it on something.
40:33I've spent it a little bit more than that.
40:34But something really, really useful.
40:36And I'd like to show you what it is.
40:37That's all right.
40:38I'd love to.
40:38Yeah.
40:38Let's go.
40:39Nice.
40:39Go and sit.
40:41So, Chris was already aware that he is in the money.
40:44Which means he's already been shopping.
40:47Right.
40:49You can hear it.
40:50I can hear it.
40:50Well, I'm thinking a bit of machinery, then.
40:53Might be.
40:54Here she is.
40:55There she blows.
40:56Oh, my word.
40:57Look at this.
40:58That is all right, isn't it?
40:59That is wonderful, isn't it?
41:02Right.
41:04New toy.
41:05Yeah.
41:05Must be happy.
41:06Very, very happy.
41:07Yeah.
41:07I mean, what sort of difference is this going to make?
41:10Oh, this is going to be fantastic.
41:11It's like having two extra staff members, especially with mulching and just moving plants to the nursery.
41:17And it's just, it's so valuable.
41:20Yeah.
41:20I tend, people tend to ask for things about a year around here before they get them.
41:23Yeah.
41:23Well, but it's...
41:24Because then I know they really need them.
41:26Yeah.
41:26But no, these guys really, really do need this.
41:29And I know it'll make their lives a lot easier.
41:31But all joking apart, you know, it is a big investment, isn't it?
41:34Yeah.
41:34But that's, hopefully you'll see that in efficiency and productivity and everything else.
41:39Yeah.
41:39It's wonderful, isn't it?
41:41It's good.
41:41Do you want to have a go?
41:42Yeah, go on then.
41:43Go on then.
41:43Go on.
41:44Will you show them how it works?
41:45Nice, yeah.
41:46I don't think I'm qualified.
41:47It's got PTO shaft and everything.
41:49It's good.
41:50It sounds like you've seen one of these before.
41:52Just a few.
41:53Oh, hydrostat as well.
41:55There we go.
41:55There you go.
41:56You're talking the language.
41:57Hydraulics on here for the front loader.
41:59Have you driven a tractor before, by any chance?
42:00I've driven a tractor.
42:01Yeah, my first ever vehicle was a grey Fergie petrol paraffin.
42:05How was it?
42:05Yeah, SSU 649 was the register.
42:07Okay.
42:08Yeah.
42:08I don't know why I remember that, but I do.
42:10Good, so you feel quite at home.
42:12Excellent.
42:12Yeah.
42:12Well, I'll be sure to come back next year and see the fruits of its labor.
42:16Well, thank you very much.
42:17No, thank you.
42:17Good to see you.
42:18And you.
42:18Drive safely.
42:19See you later.
42:20And come back.
42:26Oh, he's off.
42:28Farm boy Angus is in his element.
42:31Can I hope he brings it back?
42:33I'll chase him down the road if I have to.
42:35I mean, I could drive home in it.
42:37It's a bit of a way, but...
42:41Quite tempted.
42:42I like this.
42:43Well, I very much hope he's going to come back.
42:45Anyway, I know where he lives.
42:46And more importantly, my garden team knows where he lives.
42:49And if he doesn't bring it back, I'm pretty sure they'll be around there pretty sharpish.
42:54As a Yorkshireman, you know, spending money's never come easy.
42:57But so it's a huge help if you can get some in before you send some out sort of thing.
43:01So having a new piece of kit that will just help that process of maintenance and keeping everything looking beautiful is really important.
43:09Not a bad result for a few forgotten relics from the staples.
43:12And a lasting legacy to make life a little bit easier for the Scamston gardeners.
43:18Root Yeah!
43:20Alright, let's do it.
43:20No worry!
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