Castle owner was charity champion

Chilham Castle owner and charity supporter Tessa Wheeler has died, aged 72.

A community champion, she and her husband Stuart regularly opened the doors to the 16th century castle for fundraising events after restoring it to its former splendour.

They bought the rundown country home in 2002 and spent millions on a substantial restoration.

Keen rider Mrs Wheeler also developed the 300-acre estate as a centre of equestrian excellence with business partner Ali Ferry, holding top-class cross-country events and international horse trials.

Chilham Castle was even shortlisted as a potential venue for equestrian activities for the London Olympics in 2012.

A mother of three daughters, Mrs Wheeler was born into the Codrington family.

One of her ancestors was Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, who fought and defeated the Turks at the Battle of Navarino in 1827.

Her own career began as a fashion photographer in the 1960s.

Away from Kent, her love was Tangier, where she first holidayed as a child in her grandfather’s home.

The property was later handed down to her and she and her family continued to visit regularly.

With her love of photography, she later published a book of pictures illustrating the beauty of the area and people.

Mrs Wheeler met her future husband through mutual friends in London and they married in 1979.

Initially reluctant to leave the capital, she soon fell in love with Chilham Castle, which they bought after Mr Wheeler retired, having sold his spread betting business.

It is where she indulged her love of horse riding and opened the grounds for numerous village social and charity events, raising thousands for good causes. One she was particularly passionate about through personal experience was HemiHelp, supports victims of hemiplegia caused by brain injury, of which she was a vice president.

Mr Wheeler said: “She was a very enthusiastic person who loved the outdoors and got on with everyone.

“She was adored by me and her family and had a huge circle of friends.”

Mrs Wheeler died on Sunday, December 11, after a long battle with a rare cancer.

Her funeral was held on Monday at St Mary’s Church, Chilham.

Tessa Wheeler with her beloved rescue dog Otto