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Last Updated: Monday, 1 December, 2003, 09:16 GMT
Tyntesfield 'secrets' exposed
Tyntesfield House
The public rallied to save Tyntesfield House
The chequered restoration of a Gothic mansion near Bristol was the subject of a BBC Four television programme on Sunday.

Tyntesfield House, the former home of Lord Wraxall, was bought by the National Trust last year.

The programme claimed to reveal the "secrecy and mismanagement" behind the restoration project.

Series producer Patrick Forbes said the problems started with the asking price: "Top dollar was wanted for the house, but the price is shrouded in mystery," he said.

Earlier this month the story of the historic mansion was told in print for the first time.

Fertile Fortune: The Story of Tyntesfield, by James Miller, explains the long history of the estate and the Victorian family who completely rebuilt it.

William Gibbs, a religious and charitable man who made a fortune out of fertilisers, began a complete reconstruction of the house in 1863.

The National Trust took over the property in 2002 and launched the biggest restoration programme the organisation has ever tackled.

A campaign, which raised £24m in eight weeks towards the cost, was named the most successful of the last year.




SEE ALSO:
Tyntesfield book published
10 Nov 03  |  Bristol
Accolade for Tyntesfield campaign
06 Sep 03  |  Bristol
Woodland bid stumped again
26 Mar 03  |  England
Tyntesfield tours begin
24 Mar 03  |  Photo Gallery
Victorian treasures go on view
20 Mar 03  |  England
Woodland bid stumped for cash
09 Jan 03  |  England


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