What is your role at Abbotsford?

I have worked at Abbotsford for more that 30 years now and have had numerous roles. When I joined I was a stay-at-home mum and came to Abbotsford to help out for a couple of weeks – it has been a very long two weeks! I have worked in the tea room, as a guide and in the gift shop. I then helped Lady Patricia in the office and this eventually led to my current role as senior administrator.

Do you have a favourite room in Abbotsford?

My favourite place is not actually open to the public, it is the sitting room in the private quarters. I have many happy memories of spending time there with Miss Jean and Mrs Patricia. We watched Royal Ascot – especially Ladies’ Day – and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana together in that room.  When Miss Jean was away on duty in her role as lady-in-waiting for Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, I would move into the private quarters to stay with Mrs Patricia as her health was not so good at that stage. We spent our evenings together in the sitting room and it really was my home from home.

What is you favourite object at Abbotsford?

I have chosen a painting of Peter Mathieson and Donald (his horse) by David Cooke Gibson. I selected this as I love the light in the picture but also because I feel a certain affinity with Peter Mathieson. He was Sir Walter Scott’s coachman for over 25 years and his long service at Abbotsford mirrors my own working career here.

Do you have an insiders tip for visitors to Abbotsford?

I’d recommend that people take time to look at the house from the outside as well as the inside. The gardens and grounds at Abbotsford are well worth a visit but in addition, the building itself is very interesting. If you look carefully you will see lots of stones built into Abbotsford that have come from other historic buildings and there are special inscriptions above doorways and windows. These all add to the character of Abbotsford and help to make it such a special place.