Episode 2 Chatsworth

Chatsworth, Palace of the Peaks.

300 rooms...

..35,000 acres,

62 farms

and three villages.

Living here, we tend to forget how big it is

and it seems strange that it should just be for one couple.

For more than four-and-a-half centuries,

Chatsworth has been owned by one family.

We've got a Duke, we've got a Duke's son, a Duke's grandson,

so we've got the next two lined up!

A line now led by the 12th Duke of Devonshire

and his wife, the Duchess.

With an eye on its future...

Here they come.

..they run Chatsworth as a business, a glittering show that never ends.

Hello, would you like champagne? Thank you.

Big, old buildings,

seemed to soak up money quicker than almost anything you can imagine.

The main reason we put events on is to make money for the Chatsworth House Trust Fund.

Come spring time, it's the thorny problem of

the annual flower festival.

I've got to work in their home, fundamentally, so I don't want to

do anything that's going to offend or upset them.

The only thing I'm not very keen on is this behind us.

Designed by the Teletubbies!

THEY LAUGH

This is a rather amazing gallery, be careful what you're obscuring.

You've messed it all up, mister!

This is a year in the life of Chatsworth.

Spring time at Chatsworth, 7:30am.

For the Duke, a brisk walk to his first appointment.

Well, I'm going to Bakewell.

I'm going to get my haircut. which won't take very long.

Erm...

I try and walk over because it's a good opportunity...

I never get enough exercise.

So, instead of driving over, I'm walking over.

Back at the house, already hard at work, the eight housekeepers.

When I say I'm a cleaner,

I sort of feel, well, there's just more to it than that.

I mean, I can clean a bog out like the next person,

but it's a house that's packed full of things from every generation.

One of the electricians put lights on it on Christmas

and he put the light strategically in certain places.

Was told in no uncertain terms to move them!

SHE LAUGHS

Chatsworth has been part of my life since 1978

and I married a Chatsworth girl, who was born on Chatsworth,

whose family are old Chatsworth people.

The Dowager Duchess, who was Duchess then,

would say, you either come to Chatsworth for a day or the rest of your life.

For me, that's what it's turned out to be.

The oak stairs takes a long time, really. There's a lot to it.

When they made all this fancy decoration,

they never thought about someone having to clean it.

You find that people come to work often stay a long time here.

Quite a few of the girls have got their ten-year necklaces.

So I've got to complete this year and, hopefully,

I might get a necklace as well, which would be rather nice.

I've worked at Chatsworth for 26 years.

After ten years, you get the necklace

which is Blue John on one side, which is mined in the Peak District.

On the other side is a snake with the symbol of Chatsworth.

After 25 years, you get a gold watch.

I wear it every day, I don't save it.

I just wear it every day and it keeps good time.

Yes, it's an honour to wear it, really. Yes.

Keeping Chatsworth clean and tidy is a job for everyone.

Well, once...

I can't resist it, but once I start picking up litter I've had it.

I'll have to be a bit selective, but I just can't walk over that.

It's one of our tickets, anyway.

We used to live here in the village, until I was 13.

I remember I had a sort of red, it was called a go-kart,

but it didn't have an engine.

A sort of red, like a sardine tin on wheels.

I'm going from the top of the hill out of control

and crashing to the side and I've still got a mark on my knee.

I don't think I went very far, or go very fast,

but it seemed like an horrific accident then.

And, you know, this is where we lived.

I played there all the time until I was eight.

I didn't go away to school.

Everything I did was either in the garden or in the village.

My parents weren't very strict, at all.

I think, they were very good to us, really.

I had a sister who was a year older

and so we did everything together.

She was much cleverer than me, but it was really nice.

I think we were very happy.

I don't think being a duke makes you feel anything,

it's just a name which is an historical thing.

So, with the ownership it's not really me,

it's sort of the family and it's just my luck.

I just feel, obviously, very proud of it.

The whole place, the village and the park

and the house and garden

and where we're walking, has always been part of my life

ever since I can remember.

On a lovely morning like this, you can't believe how lucky you are

to be alive and to be in Derbyshire.

It's not just the Duke who loves the place.

Lots of people would love to do what I'm doing.

To have that freedom to do different things, to look at antiques,

to handle antiques.

I mean, my absolute nightmare would be to sit in front of a computer,

day in, day out and so this sort of job suits me fine.

As yet, they haven't got me on a computer.

Actually, the Sculpture Gallery is my favourite,

especially if it's a hot day, first thing in the morning.

It's lovely and cool to dust the sculptures.

I mean, they are so beautiful

and Canova was so good at capturing the human form.

It's peaceful and serene.

You can hear the echo in the room.

I mean, they're gorgeous bodies.

I shouldn't think you'd find many bodies the same as these.

I'd love to get a bucket of water and wash them

but, of course, were not allowed to do that.

Years ago, before we knew that we weren't to wash them,

they came up lovely and white.

Being a housemaid here is a real privilege

because you go around and see all the signs that say "do not touch".

We can touch.

This is Mars being restrained by Cupid.

I love going around the back.

We all like polishing his bottom.

I should think it's shining by now!

11am...

The gates open and the warm weather is pulling in the crowds.

Hello. It's £2, please. Thank you. Have a good day.

Thank you.

Throughout the year, 16 special events help keep the tills ringing.

The main reason we put events on is to make money

for the Chatsworth House Trust, the charity that runs Chatsworth, the house, garden and park.

It is expensive looking after the place.

We couldn't do all the restoration work and the restoring

and repairing and the renewing without that cash.

That's one of the best ways of ensuring we have the money to do it.

One of the biggest events is Florabundance.

Now in its third year, this four-day flower festival

has taken over the gardens and the house.

Dominating some of the grandest rooms,

the event is organised by Jonathan Moseley.

I've got all the different coloured gravels

that are going to go on there.

That'll work OK.

A floral designer celebrated internationally,

he represented UK at the 10th World Show in America.

Gourds and ugli fruits

and dried, I've got a lot of dried stuff for them to use in there.

Florabundance is really bringing Chatsworth alive with flowers,

using things that have been grown in the gardens

and by the gardeners and, obviously, lots of exotic

and unusual blooms which I source and purchase.

We really need those stands to get on with that border.

A house like Chatsworth would've been full of potted plants

and growing flowers, just for cutting to bring into the house.

Now, of course, to preserve all the different tapestries,

the furnishings, the interior of the house,

it's rarely given the opportunity to have any flowers around.

I'm thrilled Florabundance has the chance to do that.

This year, he's come up with something spectacular.

The Sculpture Gallery is the easiest and nicest room to dress

because light levels in here are always excellent.

The inspiration behind the designs for this room

are the bulb fields of Holland,

where you've got big blocks, big swathes of all one colour

where there's all that regimented, linear footage of tulips,

which is just a spectacular sight to see.

In the centre there,

we're going to have a big rhododendron sculpture.

We're going to paint that shocking pink and vibrant bright orange.

Then we're going to have an explosion of tropical plants

and flowers shooting out there to create this very jungle,

very vegetative feel.

I'm quite excited about this room, it'll come together well

and it's just such a nice place to finish on.

But with Florabundance just days away,

there's a problem blossoming in the garden.

We're just harvesting these tulips that we planted for Florabundance.

Unfortunately, the sun's brought them on to quickly

so now we're going to use them for selling in the shops.

It's really difficult when you're fighting against the weather

and the pests.

Oops, sorry, Glenda.

This is one of the problems we've been having in this area.

-We started off with pheasants digging them up.

-Oh, no!

There's been a host of mice and rabbits

and badgers also looking for moisture.

Now it's flower arrangers!

And now flower arrangers. Flower arrangers are going to start picking them.

-Poor things, they're fated.

-What a shame.

It can't be a Tulip Festival without tulips, can it?

We'll have some for opening, but that's it.

-What are they like, Mick.

-They're in better condition than these ones.

Shall we just have a little rummage to see if there's anything else we may get here.

Shall we have a walk around?

But just looking here, there's nothing!

If we could turn the clocks back

and we were cutting these to work with now,

you've got so many choices, really.

We need to look at bringing some in.

That's 5,500 tulips suddenly not at your disposal.

-We're down to 500, if we're lucky.

-500, yeah.

That's a major loss to what I planned to work with.

I can't just suddenly rustle that quantity together on the budget.

As one of Britain's most popular tourist destinations,

Chatsworth pulls in thousands of people to this corner of Derbyshire.

From me, you know, people come to Derbyshire,

they come to Chatsworth and it can only be good for the local economy.

-Morning.

-Morning.

-Are you all right?

-I'm well, are you?

Yes, fine, thanks.

Did you walk this morning?

I did, it was beautiful.

It was a bit misty.

It was a bit misty to start with, but it was really lovely.

Perfect weather, absolutely.

-Are you having much off then?

-Yes please.

It won't take long, I don't think.

-Is it busy at the house?

-It's been great this week.

I've noticed in the town here, it's been very busy.

Yeah, it's brought a lot of people out.

I'm not quite sure where they come from but, anyway,

it was fantastic yesterday and the day before and it will be again today.

I think having a really confident forecast for several days ahead,

that makes a huge difference at this time of year.

-It brings people out more.

-Yeah.

We're getting quite a lot from it, it's good.

It's all integral, isn't it?

-Bakewell feeds on us, we feed on Bakewell.

-Exactly.

When the Duke has been for his haircut,

it's quite nice because people are sat in the shop looking.

It's like, "Was that the Duke?" It's like, "Yes, yes."

It's good, it's good for business.

It's good for me because it gets me out of bed

and makes me go for a decent walk in the morning.

-Can you give these go?

-I will, yes.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

-Lovely.

See you in about six weeks,

-I'll give you a ring.

-That's fine.

-OK?

-Have a good weekend.

-Bye.

Living in the country,

I think, is the best of all.

I was brought up in the country and I love horses.

I like the freedom, the peace and quiet and the beauty of it.

It's such a lovely morning. It's perfect.

I particularly like working with animals,

because I like that trust that you have with them.

When you build up a relationship with a horse,

they learn to trust you, and once you've got that trust,

it's just so thrilling.

It's in my blood. I love horses.

If you have a good one, well, it's the ultimate.

Since 1956, the three-day Chatsworth International Horse Trials

has attracted the world's leading riders.

In 1999, the Duchess took over running of the event

and it's now the highlight of the social calendar.

I always look forward to the horse trials.

I think it's my favourite event that we hold here,

because I love horses and I ride myself, so I enjoy seeing them.

It's expensive to run, but it's a very enjoyable event

and it's very prestigious

and we have an excellent team running it

and I love being involved.

And this year, there's extra pressure.

As an official qualifier for the London Olympics,

there will be 75 fences over the 300 acre course.

There's a lot riding on getting everything perfect.

I'm the designer of the cross-country course

and I'm the one that gets the stick if it goes wrong

with the cross-country team and the riders are not happy.

For Ian Stark and the international governing body,

every fence must meet Olympic standards.

-That's quite a nasty little fence, isn't it?

-This one?

-Yes.

I'm a nasty little person, you know that.

-It's not nasty. It's just asking a question.

-OK.

Ian definitely knows exactly what he wants.

What one's always got to try to do is just to remind him

from time to time that not everybody rides like him.

You can't do a course for the idiots.

They shouldn't be here if they can't jump. Maybe that's not a good quote.

HE LAUGHS

You've got to be bold, you've got to be brave.

I suppose you've got to be a bit arrogant.

Do I confess to that? Well, probably.

-I think it will look quite different when there's water in here.

-Yes.

If you bring that in, you're losing all this...

I'm only talking two inches or three inches or something.

-Can I nap on that one?

-It is definitely a reach, isn't it?

Yes, but I went have that feeling of gung-ho to it.

What we're talking about is the difference between what you like

and what I would like and I'm the designer and it's not incorrect.

We really are going about nothing, really.

THEY LAUGH

-We've got to uphold standards.

-Let's move on.

-Have a spat.

-Right, an inch.

-An inch.

Where are they going, Jonathan?

In the battle to save Chatsworth's tulips, victory is in sight.

5,500 reinforcements have been shipped in from Holland.

-That's going to be healthy, with all those Dutch buckets.

-Yes, I know. Great.

Today is all hands on deck for flowers.

As you can see, all our flowers have arrived now.

It's a mammoth conditioning session,

which basically means giving some pre-treatment

to the flowers before they actually go in the arrangement,

so the gerberas need deep water up to their necks

to get them nice and turgid so they don't droop on us.

There's nothing worse than a droopy gerbera.

You could start, if you don't mind, doing the gerberas

and what I do is just in a bucket, hang them like that, back-to-back.

I think it will be too cold for these up here tomorrow.

It's going to be very cold tonight.

-They're going down anyway, aren't they?

-They're going down.

It's like Christmas Day really

when you've got all your presents around,

you start delving in the boxes and see those lovely treats we've ordered.

So this is a bit of a flower fix for us today, so we're on a high.

Hello, horse trials.

Tissie Reason has been involved in the organisation

of Chatsworth International Horse Trials for the last 12 years

and was appointed director two years ago.

It is an expensive event to put on,

with all the ancillary things that we do here at Chatsworth

to make it the best we possibly can.

But equally, we're expecting good revenue in exchange.

But until the event actually starts,

we don't know till then if we really have got it right.

And, of course, it's essential that we do get it right

because the books must balance at the end of the day.

from the Chatsworth House Trust point of view, they want to see this event make a profit.

We've got my two daughters, Camilla and Melissa,

who have very kindly given up their weekend to come and help.

We were kind of born into this.

We didn't really have much choice!

-Ever since we were...

-conceived...

..very little, we have attended the horse trials.

You refer to it as the zone.

And I refer to it as HTM, which is when mum gets in horse trials mode.

And you...

She's just in her own little place, and you just leave her there.

Sounds like PMT!

It's probably quite close, actually.

You ring in the evening to chat to you,

and you just know that you're sat at the computer doing something else.

And you'll tell you something really, really important,

and you'll just go, "Yeah, hmm, yeah."

You could say, "I'm getting married, I'm leaving the country..."

-I could tell you I was pregnant, and you'd go, "hmm, yes, that's nice."

-TISSIE LAUGHS

-And just carry on.

-I would not!

I'm trying to make this the entrance into the tent,

and this the out, the in and out.

You'd think that wasn't difficult for people to go in the in,

and out the out.

But tomorrow, people will try very hard to come in the out

and out the in.

So, hopefully tomorrow, when everyone wants to come home,

they'll walk up this hill, see the sign pointing them out,

and go out there.

But it won't be like that.

SHEEP BLEAT

Armed with the blooms,

supported by a volunteer army from the Women's Institute

and local flower arrangers,

Jonathan's plan for 268 designs swings into action.

It suits the house very well to have lots of arrangements

all the way through it.

Some of them are pretty amazing.

Done with huge diligence by the volunteers who do the flowers.

It's just a different sort of Chatsworth when people turn up,

and lo and behold, there's wonderful flower arrangements

in every room for those three or four days.

When I came to have a look what Jonathan wanted me to do,

he said, "Sylvana, I want you to do elegance."

And I don't normally do elegance.

SHE LAUGHS

So I don't know how I'm going, he hasn't been round yet, so...

It needs to be a bit lower.

That's it.

If anything, it could do with being a little bit lower.

Slightly lower.

You know what I like about flower arranging,

you know when you paint, it's just 2D, it's flat on the paper,

unless you use this sort of thick paint.

With flower arrangement,

it's like a sculpture, but it's living sculpture.

I mean, just look at the materials you're working with, you know,

orchids and gingers and gerberas, ooh...!

Why do you like flower arranging?

-It's... You can get lost in it, can't you?

-Yes! Yes.

-Forget everything else that's going on in your life.

-Yes.

-And just get totally absorbed by...

-Mmm. Mmm. Brilliant.

That looks nice. Yeah, that's coming on great. The palm looks nice in it.

What I would do is just add more hazel.

-More hazel on the top.

-Yeah, put some more hazel.

-And we've got these, and we can do the top, and...

-Brill. Excellent.

-Spray it and then, off we go. Well done.

-Thank you. No, thank you.

They're much closer together than they are on the others.

-Do you know why?

-Why?

Because this is the wrong way round.

It's lengthways on.

It is.

-Ah.

-That's sideways on.

-You've messed it all up, mister!

-Disgrace!

BANG Oops!

Keeping the flowers watered over four days

is the next worry for Jonathan.

I'm a bit concerned about them all, I think they're all going to flop.

-It's vital they get a good drink each day.

-Yes.

Cars they do drink up so much, they really do.

-So...

-and we'd hate for our creations to die prematurely.

-Well, absolutely. We don't want that to happen, do we?

-HE LAUGHS

No, we'd feel suicidal if that happened. SHE LAUGHS

I know you're going to hate me,

cos I'm going to nag on about watering all the time.

If we don't get enough watering early enough,

once that drying out process has started, you can't revert it back.

They'll start to deteriorate.

It's to keep the flowers and the foliage fresh.

On the top.

This is the first time I've had to do it.

I gather they were doing it last night, so...

It's just getting the balance, so you don't overflow.

Uh...

And it's trying to get the hose in, that's...

..a bit difficult.

SHEEP BLEAT

Being a Duke brings responsibilities and obligations.

Every year, he attends over 200 public functions.

Today's is just down the road.

We're going to the roundabout outside the Golden Gates,

because the Baslow WI have got an oak tree,

and they want me to help them with the planting of the tree.

He's our neighbour,

and you've got to be on good terms with your neighbour, haven't you?

I might need to borrow something!

SHE LAUGHS

And we're very lucky to live as close to Chatsworth,

and have the benefits of living near Chatsworth.

And he's very lucky having us.

JANE LAUGHS

I'm not sure about that, Lorna!

LORNA LAUGHS

CAR STOPS ABRUPTLY

BEEPING

Jane Walker? Hello!

Stoker Devonshire. How nice to meet you.

Ever since you kindly asked me,

I've been looking at the roundabout in a completely different way, cos...

Excellent, excellent.

-Because, you know, this is quite bland.

-You'd never noticed it before?

-No.

-It's always in the way.

-Yes!

-How long ago did you start?

-2009.

Oh, that's very quick!

SHE LAUGHS

-So what would you like me to... Are you going to do it?

-Well, I'll just say a few words.

-Oh yes, sorry, yes, excuse me. Right, I'll... Yes.

-Some of them will want a good look at you!

SHE LAUGHS

Darlings! Welcome. LAUGHTER

Welcome.

From this afternoon, we will have improved

not only the entrance to the Peak District National Park,

but to our Baslow village.

To our homes.

In particular, one very magnificent home...

LAUGHTER

..of that magnificent man...

the magnificent generosity of the Duke

to agree to come here in the pouring rain and plant our tree,

to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Baslow WI.

CHEERING

APPLAUSE Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for asking me. I think it's a brilliant idea.

I mean, probably I haven't even noticed this roundabout,

but now it's going to be something we look forward to coming back to.

A great thing that you've done and are doing.

I don't know where you'll go next for a project, but I'm sure you'll find something.

Thank you very much. Shall I put a bit of earth...?

APPLAUSE

He's going to improve the approach to the village,

and when it's got as many wrinkles as me, it'll look even better.

SHE LAUGHS

Thank you very much.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

They were great, weren't they?

Formidable lady, who definitely...

I almost feel sorry for the planners!

Of course next time, for the hundredth anniversary,

we're hoping to meet the Duchess.

We would like the Duke and the Duchess, a double whammy.

THEY LAUGH

-It's perfect going for them, actually.

-Yes.

So we're very lucky. As long as it doesn't get any more rain...

-It looks as though we might!

-HE LAUGHS

For 20 years, the Duchess and Ian Stark

have been competing in horse trials.

In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics,

Ian won silver riding the Duchess's horse, Jaybee.

Tomorrow in the cross country event,

he'll ride her horse, Looks Similar.

How do you think he'll cope with this?

Well, he won't be on this one, will he?

No, he doesn't jump this fence, but, um... He's in good form.

Very competitive.

-IAN LAUGHS

-Unattractive, but I am!

IAN LAUGHS I'm not, of course!

THEY LAUGH

..much!

We're not putting pressure on anyone, just each other.

-HE LAUGHS

-Yeah.

You need to stir him up.

With the displays watered and ready, it's time for the doors to open

on the Chatsworth flower festival, Florabundance.

We have always want it to be different,

and I always ensure when I'm planning my designs,

that nobody's going to come and think, "same old flowers again,

"same old arrangements, Jonathan's doing this again."

I always want them to have that wow factor as they walk in,

and have that journey through the different rooms.

Oh, I think a lot of works gone into this, and I think they're beautiful.

-Yes.

-We really do, yes.

No, it's amazing, it really is.

Superb.

The flowers are superb.

Wonderful.

I think the only thing I'm not very keen on is this, behind us.

SHE LAUGHS

Yeah, it's a bit like Princess Eugenie's hat at the Royal Wedding!

Designed by the Teletubbies, I think!

THEY LAUGH

-It is nice, that, is it a lily?

-Yeah.

We were a bit shocked when we first came in

and saw the pink with the orange, but we've got used to it now.

THEY LAUGH

-It isn't a colour we'd put together, is it?

-No.

THEY LAUGH

I don't really work directly with the Duke and Duchess,

but I hope that the arrangements that I do,

do meet up to their expectations and standards.

He's about to find out.

The Duke and Duchess are on their way.

Morning, Duchess, morning, Duke.

-Morning.

-Morning.

-I think it's much the best to be done so far, don't you?

-I think so.

-Yes.

-You know, it's beautiful, really lovely, yeah.

Everything else this year is so much more complementary to the house.

And then this is particularly, um... um...

Complementary.

And I think we've just got to be really careful

about getting the balance right.

I've got to work in their home, fundamentally, haven't I,

so I don't want to do anything that's going to offend or upset them,

or sort of be contrary to their design ideology for the house itself.

I think the chapel is beautiful.

And the Painted Hall, I think that's lovely.

This, too, is amazing, really.

But, um...

Some of the colours are quite bright, but they're meant to be,

I mean, that's what he wanted to do, and it looks stunning.

I think flowers should always make people have an opinion,

be it good, be it bad, be it positive, be it negative.

It's not so much not liking what they've done,

it's more that this is a rather amazing gallery,

the sculpture gallery,

and you can't see it properly at the moment.

It's not really, "Don't do that ever again,"

it's just, "Be careful what you're obscuring."

Jonathan's flowers have made their mark.

In more ways than one.

We've got a few problems, um...

In here, because when the displays were put on the table,

I don't think the base of the glass was cleaned,

and some of the colour has come through onto the tablecloth.

We knew they weren't going to have to water them, so we didn't put any plastic underneath.

Um...

So we'll just hope when they lift the remaining pots up that there's no stain left underneath there.

I don't know whether I want to be here when they do that!

So we'll send the cloth away to be laundered, and keep our fingers crossed.

The great dining room table is 30 by 12 feet,

and the tablecloth is a rarity.

There's only one antique spare.

And ironing it is the job of housekeepers, Jane and June.

-Ooh, it's very starched, isn't it?

-It's very starched.

It's quite wrinkly, in fact, isn't it?

Oh, goodness, it's really stuck!

1891, it's been around this long.

We can't destroy it!

It just sounds so awful when you're pulling it apart, doesn't it?

I know.

Actually, it's going to go like tissue paper.

-I hope it doesn't rip into holes.

-Oh, no.

Just do it very gently.

My heart's going bang, bang, bang, bang.

-So...

-Oops!

I'm going to take my shoes off, June.

JUNE LAUGHS Cos we're going to have to tread on it!

-You're not going to do it with your feet, are you?

-No! No! I'm not! THEY LAUGH

With my feet!

-It's like ironing paper.

-It is, isn't it, yes.

Sounds like thunder.

I might take my shoes off to iron at home, you know,

because I think I'm doing it better with my shoes off!

It's more relaxing with your shoes off. JUNE LAUGHS

-I'm going to have to dash, Jane.

-All right, then.

-I'm sorry to leave you at such a crucial moment.

-It's all right.

Thanks ever so much, anyway, June.

And then there was one, and I'm going to have to move it. All on my own.

Yeah.

Oh, those creases, they're just terrible!

Oh, it's just impossible, this.

It's no good, we're going to have to put it on the big table,

and get an ironing board either side of it,

cos there's no way it can be done on here.

It's just impossible.

So I'm really going to give up, and let's hope it does better upstairs.

Chatsworth's kitchens.

Eight chefs, a head chef, two sous-chefs,

four cooks, and four bakers.

Among 50 catering staff to help prepare food

for over 100 events throughout the year.

-Have you got time for... (INDISTINCT)?

-Yeah, no problem.

-Do it while you're working.

-Yeah, OK.

'Tonight we've got the horse trials,

'and we've got a champagne reception with canapes.'

The Duke and Duchess are hosting it.

We expect about 140 guests in the Painted Hall,

and it's going to be a really prestigious event.

We really enjoy it as well, because it's fun for the staff.

The Duchess decides which kind of dish she'd like.

Um...

And then that obviously comes up to Adam, the head chef,

and he prepares the canapes as per her spec.

-Give us a shout if you need anything, then.

-Yeah, I will do, yeah.

-Cheers, Claire.

-All right, thanks.

I'm making the tartlet bases for the lemon crayfish,

for tonight's canapes for the Duke and Duchess.

So...

A lot of responsibility.

22-year-old Nathan lives in Bakewell.

Since leaving college, he's made a career in catering,

and tonight, his food must be top-notch.

I've met the Duke and Duchess personally once,

at the last staff party.

They came and gave some awards out,

and walked and talked to everybody, which was nice.

I wasn't expecting something like that,

I thought you had to bow and things.

-The first time, I was standing like this, but no, you don't.

-HE LAUGHS

But hopefully I'll get to see some of the house today

that I don't normally get to see, that'll be quite nice.

It's a privilege, really, isn't it, you know? It's immense. Really is.

Saying that, though, I just enjoy the drive to work.

You know?

Not every day you get a nice view like that on your way.

-Shall we get cracking?

-I think we ought to. No!

Let's not get cracking, in case we crack one of those glasses.

-Let's get...moving.

-Carefully get moving, then.

-There we go.

HE LAUGHS

It's all change in the dining room.

With 150 pieces of cutlery, 120 pieces of glass,

and 47 pieces of silver to be dismantled,

swapping the tablecloth will make it a long night.

Gosh, I hope that comes out!

-I'll leave you to it.

-OK, see you tomorrow.

We daren't put the iron on hot,

because of the underlay sticking to the table.

That's not doing a very good job, I'm afraid.

I think we're going to be here a long time.

Henry's going to find us asleep under the table in the morning,

-I think!

-SHE LAUGHS

Looks like the Himalayas.

You realise I'll have very long hair

-by the time I get to the end of the table!

-SHE LAUGHS

Three months later, we get to the end of the table.

-No, I wouldn't like to be a duchess.

-I wouldn't like it at all.

-I think it...

-I don't envy them at all.

Would anybody like that, to not have your own life completely?

There's always an element where you've got to be on show,

and that must be so difficult.

There must be some...

There's some good sides to it, though.

Oh, not having to do the ironing!

THEY LAUGH

Trouble is, Jane, you've got to find a duke first.

-If you want to be a duchess.

-Well, this is true.

There's quite a few aristocrats out there, but they need an heir,

and I couldn't do that, either.

-My breeding days are over!

-JANET LAUGHS

-Oh, Janet.

-We're getting to the...

Will it get any better?

I think we've gone to the Rockies now.

You know how they say, a bad workman always blames his tools?

What's wrong with your iron, Jane?

My steam button's got stuck.

Don't feel as if we've... We've done very well.

SHE LAUGHS

Let's pray!

Tonight, to celebrate the start of the horse trials,

over 200 guests of the Duke and Duchess will gather in the Painted Hall.

For the team of eight staff,

72 bottles of champagne and Nathan's 600 canapes

will be the curtain-raiser for the three day event.

We've invited them here because it's Chatsworth Horse Trials, so...

-International.

-Of course.

-It's really because...

-International.

It a sort of thank you, isn't it.

It's a thank you to people like the doctors and the vets and, er...

-All the officials.

-All the officials.

It's going all right, I think we're just ahead of time, just about.

I hope so, anyway.

If I'm not, then I'm in trouble, but...

Be fine.

A little bit nervous, I don't like doing any function.

Of course, I enjoy doing it, it's just the...

You don't want to mess it up, do you?

You know, we've had Florabundance and the horse trials this week.

Yes, very different.

It's something different to appeal to a different audience,

or people who want a day out, and tomorrow,

most of the people who come will be interested in the competition,

but some will want to come just as an excuse to have a walk round,

and see some people jumping amazing fences.

-So it'll be really nice.

-Mmm.

So it's important, and it's fun.

It's a good combination.

-Are we talking, or are we not bothering?

-Sorry.

-Come on, then. Covered in white off those gloves.

-There we go.

25 to, we expect them in about quarter past,

so we need to be all ready.

-Yeah.

-So we're going to start pouring about 10 to.

Canape girls, just stay on canapes.

And the girls on the drinks, obviously offering,

but keeping sort of in the background.

-Nathan, if you carry on... Look at you!

-I know, I've got it all over the place.

Look! You can tell...

It's the gloves, they've got like talc and stuff inside.

-Let's make sure were all smart before they come in.

-Yeah.

-So if you keep as you are, and just carry on building.

-Yeah.

OK, and then once you're all built and we've got all the canapes done...

-You're the entertainment!

-..then you can you can go in pot wash because you like a scrub.

-Yeah!

-Smile at them.

-Yeah.

-Wander around discreetly.

So is everybody happy?

-ALL: Yeah.

-Any questions?

They'll be punctual. They're just not ready.

Is it busy?

Is it not full yet?

No.

Champagne?

Champagne for you?

Just have to concentrate!

Like going down the catwalk.

-Hello! Hello, would you like champagne?

-Yes, please.

-Champagne for you?

As the champagne flows,

the pressure is on Nathan to keep his canapes moving.

-That's OK.

-Yeah, only a couple of things are knocked off, anyway, so...

Good job I didn't have that Royal Doulton in my hand, and break it!

It's a good evening.

Yeah, a few drinks helps, after the stress of the day.

Here in the house, riding the Duchess's horse,

it doesn't get much better than that.

-Are you all right?

-Very good, yes.

You know, the good thing about eventing

is probably that the horses do most of the work,

so the training and lifting a glass occasionally

is very, very important.

It's all about having a nice time.

-Shall we start looking for glasses?

-Yeah, let's start.

-Yeah.

It's gone well, it's gone really well.

Apart from the latecomers, which threw us off,

because we sent all the canapes out, but we thought we only had...

We had to lots of latecomers, we had to run back and make some more up.

HE LAUGHS

It's just gone so fast, I can't believe.

Four o'clock, we were all getting ready, and now it's all done.

SHE SIGHS

Such a lovely place when it's all empty.

Great night.

Now, get packed up, get off home.

Wait for me, Nathan.

8am.

After a night of ironing,

the tablecloth should be ready for laying.

It's just difficult to get all the creases out.

Looks OK.

Thingies, silver covers most of the creases up anyway,

so no-one can see it.

I think it'll look fine once it's laid.

With a bit of luck.

-Right.

-Optimistic.

With over 500 competitors and 10,000 paying spectators,

the Duke's army of 360 staff has its work cut out.

And like any army, it marches on its stomach.

Yeah, ten past nine, breakfast time.

FRYING PAN SIZZLES

Bacon sandwiches for today.

You don't get a body like this eating muesli, do you?

The sheep and pigs have muesli, I don't.

I just keep an eye on this gate.

There's usually sort of, like, 200, 300 people

that come through here in a day.

This is the normal time

when everybody starts rushing through the gate,

the minute I put the frying pan on.

Then I get a massive rush on, but then I end up with burnt bacon, so...

Be prepared for me running it off to that gate

Just getting a serviette.

A napkin.

We are not completely uncouthed in the country.

Oh, hang on...

Morning.

Got tickets?

-Excellent, thank you very much.

-All right?

-All right, bye bye.

INDISTINCT MESSAGE ON RADIO

I've got outside catering.

HE CHUCKLES

Mmm! Best sandwich I'll have all day.

Until the next one, obviously.

Sorry, just in the middle of my breakfast.

-There you go.

-Excellent, thank you.

Now in its seventh decade, and the only World Cup qualifier in the UK,

the horse trials always attract huge crowds.

The horsey world is quite social.

It's a sort of circus that goes round the countryside,

it's international, actually.

And so, you know, the riders see each other every week,

they're competing, like any other elite sportsmen.

It's in their diary from one year to the next,

and they'll come every year, which is great.

I feel very fortunate that we have such a prestigious horse trial

here at Chatsworth.

And when you see the best riders in the world

coming here to compete against local people,

I think that's what horse trials are all about.

It's all for the love of the horse.

Across the three day event,

the most anticipated and dangerous competition is the cross country.

The cross country part of the event is exciting,

and it's high risk, I mean, it's dangerous.

Er... Particularly for the rider.

The adrenaline is flowing really fast,

but, you know, we all enjoy a bit of adrenaline flow.

A top-class cross country course

must challenge the all-important trust between rider and horse.

Most feared are the water jumps.

The horse doesn't know

if it's jumping into six feet or just a few inches.

Ian to the Duchess, come in, please.

I think you have to ring her, Val, she's not answering the radio.

She maybe hasn't got one yet.

Either that or she's ignoring me.

HE LAUGHS

The design of this year's course has taken Ian Stark nine months.

Yeah, the nerves are creeping in, the stomach's churning. I did waken up at four o'clock this morning.

I managed to sleep for another, sort of 45 minutes, but, um...

I don't get much sleep now for the rest of the weekend,

cos I get a little bit anxious about the whole situation.

That was all right. Looked good.

'I always thought when I was competing, if I didn't get nervous, it was time to give up,

'and so maybe it's the same with course designing.'

You just hope that everyone gets home in one piece

and lives to tell the story.

While the riders run the course,

circulation in the house is more sedate.

The dining room might have delighted King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra,

and even a young Queen Victoria,

but nothing escapes the beady eye of the paying public.

Don't like the look of that. It doesn't belong here.

That's what I think about that. How could they iron it?

I think that the tablecloth actually detracts from the beautiful silver

that's on the table, with the creases that are in it.

-Yes.

-If it was perfectly ironed, pristinely ironed, I think that would be great.

Or no cloth at all. I think no cloth at all would have been better.

Oh, no cloth at all, do you think?

-Yeah.

-Depends what the table's like underneath, doesn't it?

-THEY LAUGH

I'm feeling sick at this very moment, very sick.

It's all the pressure.

Ian Stark is about to compete in the cross country event.

He will ride for Chatsworth on the Duchess's horse, Looks Similar.

-You all right?

-Yeah.

Pull that.

Tight enough?

Thanks.

OK?

Yeah.

Despite 20 years watching Ian compete,

Ian's wife, Jenny, and the Duchess, always feel the pressure,

and tension is high as Ian pushes himself to the limit.

When Ian is riding my horses, it's very nerve-racking.

Your heart is in your mouth,

and Jenny and I stand there together, feeling very nervous.

Quite sick at this point!

I should be fine, but I'm not! I'll tell you in 10 minutes, bleurgh!

SHE CHUCKLES

-He's going to start.

-Oh, dear.

INDISTINCT LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

Yeah, he's off.

LOUDSPEAKER: 'And Ian Stark is away.'

We should begin to move, otherwise we won't see him at the ice pond.

-'Scary.'

-SHE CHUCKLES

'Because he's a very brave rider.

'He knows what he can expect from a horse, and it's very exciting.'

Hold tight, everybody.

-Can we see him?

-OK.

OK, go there.

'His courses are excellent.

'He's trying to make it good for both the horse and the rider,

'if they are good enough.'

Next up, Ian's water jump.

Designed to test the best.

It's gone quiet!

Ohh... Do you think that's good?

It's not always a good sign! It's not always a good sign.

He's coming, he's coming.

Ohhh! Right!

'To have a clear round in cross country within the time

is just so thrilling.

It means that you've ridden it well,

and you've got the best out of the horse,

and that's what you're trying to achieve,

and it's very, very exciting.

Oh, I'm thrilled. Thrilled to bits. He went so well.

No, it was, you know...

SHE SIGHS

What a relief.

-We've been doing it for plenty...

-We've done a lot of years, yeah.

-HE LAUGHS

-More than 20 years we've been at it.

Erm...

Ian's been riding my horses for that much time.

I get her to muck out occasionally.

HE LAUGHS

Maybe that's pushing my luck.

It's so good that he just comes up with the...

With the answers. Oh, sorry!

Sprayed the Duchess.

HE LAUGHS

Ah-ha-ha-ha! That's dangerous, now!

HE LAUGHS

CHICKENS CLUCK

Thank you very much for all your hard work.

I think that's absolutely everything today.

All right, yes, Tony?

Just one thing, we had some visitors complaining about the table.

There was about six ladies came in, and every one of them made comments

about the tablecloth, and not actually what was on it.

Thank you. I'll let them know. Thanks, guys.

-Do we really want to know?

-Oh, I don't know!

THEY LAUGH

-Oh, there it is, look.

-Oh!

'The tablecloth in the great dining room

'is 30 feet long by 12 feet wide.'

Five comments. "Could do with an iron!"

"Great, but looks crumpled and lets the magnificent table setting down."

With the creases turning into a crisis,

head of textiles, Susie Stokoe, is called in to cast an expert eye.

Not looking great, is it?

But it isn't as bad as it was!

-Well, it doesn't even feel like fabric.

-No.

Um... It's been very over-starched, it's sort of tight,

and that means any tensions,

when it's being ironed,

that are wrong or different in different areas,

you're forcing the fabric to in a way be distorted,

and this room does fluctuate in humidity,

so the cotton will be trying to suck in moisture,

and become like fabric again.

So it's all got to come off,

and then we will have it looking neat and tidy.

Once again, the elaborate Victorian table setting

will have to be dismantled.

So I've probably stripped and laid this table

about 20 times over the years.

I'm sort of getting professional at this now.

HE LAUGHS

I'm sure the tablecloth is going to look really lovely today.

-It can't be any worse!

-SHE CHUCKLES

Get it all in there.

LOUDSPEAKER: 'In first place, Emily Baldwin with Drivetime.'

APPLAUSE

It's gone brilliantly.

Yes, it's been the most super three days,

and everybody has said how good the going is.

I'm just relieved that we got it right.

'Astier Nicolas, riding Jhakti du Janlie for France.' APPLAUSE

IAN STARK: It's such an exciting place to be,

and it's a great event, a great venue,

the riders are raving about the ground.

What these guys have done to the course is just incredible.

The ground was perfect.

And I quite like to take the credit for that, so it's fine!

THEY LAUGH

Even the creases are stiff!

-Just the way it sounds, it sounds crispy.

-Yes.

-Actually feels like fabric!

-It does!

THEY LAUGH

I've done my best, and you can only do that.

So, yeah, all in all, I'm really pleased.

Where is your snake up that end?

-He's here.

-That snake there, and there's one...

It was just so frustrating, not to be able to get it to look nice.

Go for it.

-I can't use both hands at once!

-Yeah, you can!

-Do you want me to have a go?

-Why don't you have a go at this side?

'I was just so horrified, and so relieved

'when a new tablecloth came in, and we could make that look really nice.

Chatsworth is the magic word, and everything has to be the best.

-THE DUKE:

-The pride in it is shared by people who work here.

I think it's very humbling, I think we're very, very lucky.

-Don't you think it's better?

-Definitely!

Shouldn't have complaints now.

The tablecloth looks perfect.

Just looks really nice.

Next time:

Chatsworth, not just home to the Duke and Duchess...

Years ago, when you joined Chatsworth as a 16-year-old,

and then you'd have your house for life, you never wanted to go anywhere else, really.

But times are changing.

-Such a charming little cottage.

-It really is.

It was lived in by a tenant.

'Now we've decided it's going to become a holiday cottage.'

I wouldn't mind a place like that myself, to be brutally honest.

But some traditions carry on.

Evening, all.

You've got a big straight 'un there, John.

Oh, yes, that's what they all say!

Are you going to get your big taters out?

-I'm going to get my big potatoes out.

-Get your big potatoes out.

It's stiff competition at the local horticultural show.

-Ooh!

-Sharp, cough medicine-ish.

It's not my cup of tea, that.

And a shadow that has been hanging over everyone is about to be lifted.

18th century bling, it's just the best thing.

-It's a dream come true for us, it really is, isn't it?

-Yes.

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