£4 Million In Debt: Can Ruth Watson Save This Country Home? | Country House Rescue | Abode

[@CinderellaRaptured]

I would love to see a new season of ‘Re-visiting’ the abodes she helped in the past. Many shows end with the owners just starting to get back on track. I would love to see the finished success, finished product compared to the beginning

[@jacksonsmith5490]

It might be a bit disappointing to see all the houses that were sold.

[@ericahoelscher3733]

with owners passed away

[@edwardjackson]

Ditto, good suggestion!

[@czgator9000]

In case you were wondeing, the Whalleys sold the house to some developers in 2011, who turned it into a dozen luxury apartments.

[@TravelingLight777]

Brilliant solution.

[@scotnick59]

@@TravelingLight777 Lovely to know things turned out alright for this historical gem

[@TrackerRoo]

Landlords strike again

[@basstrammel1322]

@@scotnick59 Well, yes and no, maybe? A glorious shell with no soul and substance now?

[@alffuergregor]

His son died. The house would have gone to a stranger.

[@nutmeg208]

As a young senior myself, I don't appreciate her patronizing comments about young people not wanting to associate with "dottering old soup slurpers" in the dining room. If I was still in my 30's and could live in a grand old manor with a self-contained kitchen, I wouldn't be eating in the common dining room anyway. And when I met up with them I would be happy to listen to their stories. Shame on you Ruth.

[@mistyn380]

Losing a child- Your ONLY child at that, you lose all sense of life and directions. That pain never leaves you and you completely lose yourself. Sadly, I understand his pain all too well..Nigel wants to help others and I can sense that, but when you're that deep in debt you really have to numb your pain and pick yourself up or live in the streets. My condolences to Nigel.

[@lindabuck2777]

I concur very devastating 🙏🏻❤️ he cares, world doesn’t 🤔

[@mistyn380]

@bina nocht 🎯 exactly 💔. Even brushing your teeth starts to be a chore when you do remember it. It’s also very disheartening when you think of the future and not have anyone to pass your wealth and effort onto 😔 thinking what’s the point anyways. Too many layers of pain to unravel any care in the world.

[@mistyn380]

@@lindabuck2777 Agreed 😢

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

I love and appreciate Ruth’s straight talk

[@stratman9449]

Ruth calles a spate a shovel...and rightly so......😀

[@jvsaints3028]

A "take charge" person like Ruth is exactly what was needed. The husband/wife dynamics certainly comes into focus. Ruth's comments about utilizing the wife's talents needed to be said. Sadly, we are seeing just the top of the iceberg in terms of a friendly but controlling man. Not a good look.

[@createone100]

For the love of God dispense with that deafening background music in your introductions!! Also want to observe that Ruth’s tone and that of this production is very condescending to the elderly residents. They are human beings with lives and families, not disposable baggage! Ruth is practical but kindness and humanity have to be centre of mind always.

[@777jones]

Ruth’s concern is, instead, the building and the cultural value it represents to the region. If the use of the building is financially nonviable then changes must be made.

[@KathleenMcNe]

The music is incredibly loud and drowns out the dialogue.

[@RuubinSelena]

Ruth really can't stand these old people for some reason.. I wonder how she's feeling about them now 15 years later, she's certainly catching up to them..

[@operastarkitty]

I feel bad about the elderly people being pushed out of the way. How lovely it would be to integrate all ages at meals....

[@ulrikeselz4644]

Ää

[@andreaandrea6716]

I can't believe this woman is wafting on about elegant curtains when the nuts and bolts of the Show-Flat have yet to be sorted, with 10 days 'til opening!! "Lordy!!" These people are positively Neptunian.

[@StonedustandStardust]

Ruth is a genius. She sees potential pitfalls immediately. Of course, it's due to her sharp mind and experience. I love watching her work.

[@leahfromcrimia8424]

MOST of these estates have failed by 2022. Ruth is show biz only. These owners need to find a financial advisor named Goldberg or Bloomberg or some such and make some real money.

[@mollywolly4201]

Goldberg or Bloomberg. Are. You. Kidding. Me. Nice to see that Archie Bunker is still alive and well. Shame on you.

[@Ocelot1962]

@@mollywolly4201 Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. What a bigot.

[@MellowWind]

Yeah, she's just rude as f.

[@lexied]

It's the truth.

[@RK-fx4sv]

Ruth is ruthless! I am glad she called out the cheetah lady!

[@harrymarsee1872]

Who is dubbing the "music"? They obviously do NOT grasp the idea of "background" music. It ceases to be music and becomes irritating and grating noise when it drowns out the speaker!

[@arleccio]

63 individually designed gothic revival chimneys designed by a known architect are 65 reasons not to buy a house with your personal private money.

[@JRRob3wn]

Yeah, the costs of a house like that would be enormous. You would need to be truly wealthy to maintain it without living in continuous stress.

[@davidlynch9049]

The husband was clueless and the wife was way too charitable. Bad combo to run a business. As for Ruth being mean to the old residents, we only know that they were not paying enough for their keep as the owners were losing scars of money every year. If you don't make a profit from your business, you are going out of business. Ruth was talking from a business point of view. Also, raise your hand if you would pay £900,000 for a luxury flat in an old folks home? Neither would I.

[@Dev_KG]

I've just read a few of the stories on the most expensive units that have come on the market, and they mention everything about the building with the glaring exception of it having been a residential home for the elderly. I hope the Whalleys at least made a bit of a profit when they sold it to the developers and are doing well in their current life.

[@MissX905]

I don't think they did as the bank came in so sadly it went into receivership. 2004/2005?

[@danielblue4460]

@@MissX905 this very episode was shown in 2009.

[@andreaandrea6716]

This couple are terrifyingly unconscious. Lah-lah-lah-ing through life. It's mind-boggling.

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

Absolutely true

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

Absolutely true

[@thyslop1737]

The guy is totally sanguine about his predicament.

[@annsmith7207]

There is so much in this episode about human dynamics, couples in business together, codependency, unraveling it all would be a massive undertaking. Suffice to say, this couple are more than well intentioned but haven’t a clue how to run a business and are now in astronomical debt. They are so far in over their heads they don’t even know what questions to ask. Seriously. Running a charity event that has no budget, no understanding of costs or overhead ending in a loss for them said it all. They ought to find work that compliments their skill sets….this is not it!

[@Momabear1]

How could they been so stupid with their wealth?

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

@@Momabear1 They have more money than common sense

[@TiffannyDoll]

The building is magnificent beyond words

[@thyslop1737]

30 seconds in, first time ever watching this program and the woman is going for the juglar pulling no punches.

[@StrongopinionsRus]

I really enjoy this series, but the ageism and general disrespect for the elderly in this episode is shameful. I understand they’re trying to rebrand the property, but Ruth is talking about these people with disdain.

[@i.m.7710]

The owners and Ruth aren’t spring chickens either!

[@DaleJMack1]

I do see this seeming disrespect but it is critical that they hear facts. Every one of the elderly residents will lose everything as well. There is little room for beating around the bush.

[@AkSonya1010]

@@DaleJMack1 that is exactly what I was thinking. It's not like the bank is going to let the people stay if it goes back to the bank. I am glad she is tough on people, so many people burry thier head in the sand.

[@dloadthis1617]

Well,,, Sometimes the truth hurts to hear. It's highly likely that these last few residents have not had a rent increase in years so I would be contacting their relatives to explain the current financial situation so they can step up and help. I too have rentals and even though I have favorite personal relationships I also raise their rents every year on Jan.1st. It's a business.

[@judithryan783]

I agree; and wish to add that all Ruth’s points could have been made without the ageism. I suppose she really does have a horrible attitude toward people who are over 90 years old. How cruel! They were the children who lived through WW2!

[@c.t5136]

Clever Cheetah lady... an insight into high-end charity raising.

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Yeah, I'm sure she didn't want Ruth poking around, jeopardizing her great deal, and the elderly residents and overblown, irresponsible staff didn't want her around either, I'm sure.

[@elizabethcurtiss2497]

Ruth speaks so degradingly about retired people. It’s terrible!

[@lisaalane7694]

In the not to distant future she will be one of the geriatrics. And generally what goes around comes around. As a young couple with 2 small children our first little house was surrounded by grannies. They doted on our kids and I was so sad when we moved.

[@cleot151]

Sad that the expectation of a retirement home is that it wouldn't be attractive to a younger person. Senior citizens aren't second-class citizens.

[@joannapebbleworthy9343]

I agree. And they usually have such interesting stories to tell.

[@pisces3121]

Sad, yes, but it goes both ways. How many 'old folks' want to live around bunches of loud young folks.

[@joannapebbleworthy9343]

@@pisces3121 Nobody wants to live around loud folks. Loud folks don't want to live around loud folks.

[@ivyroses4380]

Jesus, she can be cruel to the older folk.

[@Volgna80]

My thoughts exactly! Thinking she should really be kinder about the elderly getting up there herself now! The couple are really lovely though.

[@777jones]

Cold reality is the only thing keeping such buildings alive. The roof needs to be paid for.

[@briandelaney9710]

I don’t like Ruth’s pretty derogatory ageist comments about the retirees

[@mattneillninasmom]

Latest Google updates indicate 12 luxury apartments created and presumably sold by the Estate Agents involved - no mention of Nigel and Jennifer Whalley. Whether they managed to turn a profit or lost the property to the bank, is not known. Nice people, but sadly - a pair of ostriches, with no sense of business, a balance sheet, common sense. Ruth's efforts were too little, too late.

[@fashionistalagerfeld1954]

Nigel is an idiot. I don!t think Nigel cared at all about anything .

[@ivyroses4380]

They werent able to keep it so the bank forced them to sell.

[@lindabuck2777]

@@ivyroses4380 😢so sad lovely giving people who care. 🤔🙏🏻❤️

[@TheFinnola]

They sold to a sympathetic developer who created 12 high end apartments.

[@blue_jay31]

Thank you !

[@deanviewofachateaumybandbi7899]

i tried googling to see what had happened to the place

[@TheFinnola]

@unreal world From what I gathered, (good old google!) the original owner family who leased it to them, sold it to a developer known for sympathetic building. The holdings and leases are quite complicated for these old landowners.

[@dwa3210]

Pardon my ignorance. What’s a sympathetic building or developer?

[@TheFinnola]

@@dwa3210 “… sympathetic developer.” This was the description given by the owner about the developer. He is known for working with these type of traditional buildings without destroying their original style.

[@TH-eb5ro]

Found one 3br for sale for 1.65mil but not the same owners. Owner Duke of Northumberland and total renovations in 2011. Sad this couple got in over their heads. I don't see how you can live let alone do business without a budget.

[@Celtic_Amy]

Should have rented the apartments to the seniors, get rid of the seamstress, cut back on food, stop heating vacant rooms, and lastly have 1 completed apartment to show to prospective buyers. They were on the verge of loosing their home to the bank and they are just wasting money.

[@BCY88]

After some googling it seems like a big property developer bought the estate and turned them into luxury apartments. The bank came and wanted their money back so Nigel and this developer made a joint venture and it seems to be doing well. How involved Nigel is I don't know and it seems that the elderly retirement home isn't a thing? At least I couldn't find anything on tht.

[@SoCalFreelance]

A great property, so much potential! As was said, anyone who purchases will have grand spaces to show off and a vast private green space to enjoy. I would have had architectural renderings of room renovations rather than take on the expense of a less than ideal refurbishment. HOA fees should also match the cost to maintain the estate, in other words not cheap.

[@merryfergie]

Hoa fees, definitely sounds 'socal' financier

[@bisratezra8247]

The way Ruth speaks about the elderly...

[@designedbydavid]

Like she is never going to get old...

[@bisratezra8247]

@@designedbydavid My thoughts exactly!

[@yourfuneraldirector6432]

I feel their plight We kept our first funeral home and converted it into our private residence. We didn't know the cost year to year in keeping up this 4 story queen Anne historic palace.

[@cathyabrahamse1929]

Who in there right mind takes on a project of this size when you in your 50ts or 60ts and upwards. Been in all that debt you not going to live long enough to pay it off. If you dont have 4 to 5 million in the bank in savings don't take it on . I think these old buildings cripple your earnings. If you dont stay on top of advertising planning events working your behind off you not going to make it. You need young blood with insight and loads of money.

[@lindaholtzhausen1539]

❤❤Jennifer is such a sweet sweet beautiful lady 💕 💗 💖 ❤️ 🎉🎉

[@tenshinseishin]

Horrible disrespect for old people. Where are they meant to go then. They pay as well. Geriatrics Is a disgraceful way to described older people. They deserve their rest and simple nights out too. If young people do not like it then they do not have to go.

[@califdad4]

It's not ageism on this but the owners are in lala land and I think she's trying to wake them up, 6 months is not a long time, the owners don't really seem to know how to properly run the place, right down to making way to much food, and it's waste which is $$$$$ going down the drain

[@cathyreardon8979]

Ruth your swearing wasn't needed to do this video! This is my fourth show and you didn't use it before. Thank you! If you continue to DISRESPECT THE ELDERLY, I'm done with you!!!

[@thyslop1737]

A staff of 18 to feed how many? What?

[@banshee1133]

That's all the staff. It includes seamstress, maintenance, etc. They had 2 chefs.

[@valwadsworth3044]

I thought all the new apartments looked like they were for older tenants not for younger.

[@iTube22100]

I hope the Whalleys manage to repay the debts and keep that beautiful property. I haven't understood what they bought and how much did it cost. I mean it's not clear to me what has to do a private retirement-home with charity. And why he had to buy the apartments released after the death of the owner and if the apartments belonged to the people living there, what did they bought? 🤔

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

That was painful to watch. Glad they sold it, they were way over their heads..

[@sonaterese799]

Thanks for the upload - this was interesting

[@Starfish2145]

I think it’s a lovely old folks home. They should just renovate all the flats and rent them out to more old folks!

[@Caterina...3]

Love the Harry Potteresque music! 🎵🎶🎵 Jennifer is an absolutely elegant woman!

[@nancyl3843]

Turn the background music off. Too loud, so much so it drowns out the narration!

[@KathleenMcNe]

The music drowns out the dialogue.

[@graceandglory1948]

"Sullied"????? Unfortunate choice of words, I think.

[@nighatkhan356]

these people are unbelievable forget about a business plan they have no common sense

[@shastac1396]

They aren’t even smart enough to be terrified 🤦‍♀️

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

I said the same thing

[@JakeRichardsong]

They *did* have a plan in place to sell the vacant apartments before Ruth arrived -- just not as luxury, larger units.

[@adhc8560]

That place is magnificent, but what were they thinking buying it? It looks like they didn't think at all. Nigel doesn't seem to see the problems.

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

Nigel has no common or business sense

[@califdad4]

Exactly, people were accusing her of ageism, but she was trying to get through to him, he should never have bought this, he is obviously not a business man

[@wandilethenjwayo1162]

Jennifer's such a sweetheart lol and I'm scared that I'm a little bit like her.

[@yvonnesharpe1024]

Ruth i think what you are doing is fantastic ❤❤

[@nativetexan6628]

Of course I would not want to live in England. I am used to a subtropical climate. But I would love to have a place adjacent to a grand house that I could visit. Or maybe a place where visitors could rent a room for a week or so.

[@stephaniewillson9383]

And she is honest!! A spade is a spade and the inertia of homeowners gets called out!! Love her!!

[@laara1426]

And so it is done, the hubby will probably revert to his old ways He won't even give his wife some credit!

[@dianaashton2512]

If they sold to a developer why don’t we get to hear that, gorgeous home. Would love to live there,

[@akashmukhopadhyay9335]

This is a very old show, I presume they did this much later.

[@MissX905]

I think the bank took it as the mansion went into receivership in 2004/2005

[@annaroy1694]

​@@MissX905this screened in 2009

[@1028dianemarie]

A new developer owns this now and the flats are selling for a couple of million dollars each.

[@AndreDMalan1966]

Silk curtains and a geriatric shower... The man should have listened to his wife.

[@Passcal777Germany]

Can you imagine this episode is nearly 17 years old!? 😮

[@debbebunch9973]

I'm retired... And I LOVE Ruth!!! 😀

[@eidlog65]

Love your program however your music is to loud can not hear what they are saying .

[@annskaggs4475]

Dingaling this is an ITV that someone is nice enough to record and share. Buy cable if u don’t like the music.

[@joancollins522]

Oh my goodness.....what lovely people....I know this programme is probably about 10 year's old......so no point in giving an opinion on how things worked out for these ....as I said.....gorgeous people.....I am not sure if there is any point commenting on the great help Ruth gave to people 10 or 12 year's ago.....can somebody tell me if Ruth is still at this type of work?

[@highpsi11]

I don't see that they really have the determination to track and adjust their expenses yet.

[@resnonverba137]

Watched several of these and I've enjoyed them all. Ruth is a lot more sweary in this episode, quite unnecessarily. She was also quite disrespectful towards the elderly residents, in my opinion. Jennifer's lovely. I'd like to know how much they bought the property for originally, but I suspect they could end up doing fairly well out of all this.

[@designedbydavid]

The way she talks about the elderly residents is disrespectful. I wonder if she thinks she is not going to get old and end up being toothless and gnawing at her custard. The term we are looking for is "ageism."

[@michelleduplooymalherbe2837]

i find her deriding comments about the elderly very offensive - a old dear SULLYING the place, people eating their custard with their toothless gums?????? very uncalled for no matter what

[@happydays1336]

You can tell that the couple being counseled isn't happy at all that they're being told they are poor business managers--but I guess that's understandable.

[@fashionistalagerfeld1954]

I don’t think Nigel or Jennifer have s good marriage going . Whether he saved her or not .

[@LadyElizabeth46]

The music is much too loud and very annoying ! Switch it off please.

[@RK-bj2fo]

Great story but poor editing, background music is way too loud.

[@katharinatrub1338]

Foundation of Cheetah now, to me, sounds like Cheepah! On the other hand, this couple thrives on being seen as the rich, generous and famous !! So, her you go... I will google them up to see where Albury Park stands now.Anyways, I enjoy Ruth's interventions! Just love her way!

[@jomama5186]

This is some place. Wow.

[@leefrancis007]

The show home staging looks dated. They should have just got a professional staging company to do it

[@CrazyArtistLady]

Those fancy chimneys will need maintenance and that won't be cheap.

[@annberlin5811]

Love the necklaces in this show- this house has something special. Lauria Marker is the best. Met her way back

[@lindabuck2777]

I do as well! Always wondered. So where does she sell and is she online perchance? Love all her info if you have a moment! I’m particular to the color TURQOISE and LOVED all her turquoise ones. The button one she wore here was cute, being a beader I’d embellish it slightly so it gave me creative ideas to make several as I have a plethora of old and antique buttons! Thank you for sharing🙏🏻❤️

[@truewellu7700]

The building is magnificent

[@marinagallant1847]

What a terribly sad family

[@Whoiskevinjones]

What bank loans £4.0 M to people who are buying property for a commercial enterprise without a clear business plan? Did they get a business loan or only a £4 M mortgage to purchase the property? Ruth was too kind; the old people should have been the first to go. Brutal but true.

[@_JanetLouise]

Yay! beautiful. good people who listen and follow through

[@lillianwilliams5510]

Ruth may be an expert, but she is very insensitive to older people. She is trying to convince owners to renovate,but she is very harsh!!

[@serablack4669]

Ruth needs to remember she too will be old...

[@taniagarciaduenas48]

buena Dominica to all history cannot be cepulted for millions of years it remains a great relicia where is the Art and history live a unique treasure to respect the date of cultural construction 👌

[@dianaashton2512]

Satisfying to watch but left me frustrated that I could not learn the end results, if this property was eventually sold to a developer why are we not privy to this, feel cheated, in this respect unsatisfying as we don’t learn the rest of the story,

[@ecburt5046]

The show was filmed over 10 years ago. Quiet often I research via google for an update

[@banshee1133]

Because it got sold to the developer probably 2-3 years after this was aired.

[@guylenetaylor3011]

It is def about money with her which is why she is wealthy. There has to be a way to make a living and help older people.

[@carly4513]

The background music is too loud and super annoying.

[@lillianwilliams5510]

Sell to younger people. maybe, college students, if it's close to a university, or rent to them knowing they will not stay long.those apartments are beautiful!

[@jvsaints3028]

Sorry, but have you ever rented to college students? Maybe they are more respectful of properties in the UK. I hope so.

[@Nottherebutthere]

As usual, music is too loud. You fight to hear dialogue. Shame on sound engineers.

[@JakeRichardsong]

Cost controls, but who understand them before they buy a very old estate?

[@melodygreen5029]

What is with the carpet everywhere, Yuck… get rid of it!

[@EDDIELANE]

wow ruth. Tell us how you really feel about old people.

[@iefarrington5473]

Full marks to Ruth .... and the cantilever staircase. .. Valérie ❤️❤️

[@Robinicat]

Why do Brits have to cover their beautiful hardwood floors with wall to wall carpeting...even in the bathroom?

[@roseannmonaco2981]

Music is way too loud!

[@suparnamaiti.]

Nigel is a very incompetent owner, and has immense ego. His wife is way better at taking care of the property and make necessary changes. She should have always been in charge.

[@TheFinnola]

Terrible attitude by Ruth about the elderly tenants. Treating them as toothless and nuisances.

[@sonaterese799]

Totallly unfair - Ruth is there to advise on helping a business and being chritable is not the way to go

[@TheFinnola]

@@sonaterese799 I don’t think the comment is unfair at all. There was no need to call the retirees “toothless” etc! Saying “ they wouldn’t appreciate the food anyway!” As if they were all idiots. She’s there to go forward. Not to be disrespectful to those current tenants in such a crude way. Simply pointing out the marketing options is more professional.

[@sonaterese799]

I thinkj you probably listen and look for somments to offend you - Don't watch Ruth or Alex Polizzi if thats the case and please avoid Location, Location, Location

[@TheFinnola]

@@sonaterese799 I do not “look for comments” that offend. Don’t be ridiculous. It was uncalled for disrespect. Obviously your standards are very low with how people treat older folk if you approve of those few phrases she threw out.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

@@sonaterese799 Are you kidding?!

[@venus_envy]

What a horrible husband. I feel so bad for Jennifer.

[@lisalambrecht6676]

I wonder if she has ever had to throw her hands up and walk away?

[@jola853]

Some people want to have a lifestyle of the Kings, with empty pockets, Oh dear come down to earth......lol

[@patriciamaguire3713]

I feel sorry for the wife

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Ruth really is an ageist. This was filmed 14 years ago, so the owners and Ruth too, are now approaching retirement home age, so . . . I don't think the producers would be able to let her speak that way on such a program today. The price for the show flat, 100,000, seems quite low, though this was 2008, and even if they sold all 20, how were they going to get 4 mil? Where on earth was all this guy's champagne flowing from? I guess he was still trying to impress the ladies. That was mentioned here.

[@atodaso1668]

The show flat was 900k. And nobody wants to live at an old peoples home, including the old people.

[@banshee1133]

It's 900,000. Where did your even get 100,000

[@durianeves3976]

Art. People. Should. Be. Notified. Like. Art. Majors. Who. Paint. And. Do. Ceramics. And.