Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Mischievous’ wife sent Page 3 girls to my castle party
The owner of Chilham Castle has told how his “mischievous” late wife sent Page 3 girls to his birthday lunch.
In a moving interview, millionaire Stuart Wheeler, 82, recalled the tale as he admitted he is still getting to grips with running the stately home without Tessa, who died before Christmas aged 72.
The couple met in Aspinalls Casino in Mayfair, when Mr Wheeler used the glamour of high-society London to woo the bohemian photographer Tessa Codrington.
They had three daughters, including the supermodel Jacquetta, who married at the castle in 2012.
Former Ukip treasurer Mr Wheeler, who made his fortune in the spread betting industry, says the couple were opposites, him a professional gambler and her more suited to outdoor life.
“Tessa had a rare gift for getting on with people terribly well,” he told the London Evening Standard.
“If we had people to dinner, she’d launch off into a story with great energy and end it with a very nice laugh that I could recognise from the other end of the table.” Mr Wheeler, who once gave £5m to Ukip, says his wife was initially reluctant to leave London for Kent, but she gave it her all, hosting numerous events and fundraising dinners for the party.
“She threw herself into it and was a wonderful host,” he said.
“There’s not much point having a big place like that and not putting some people in it.”
Mrs Wheeler – who died following a 10-year cancer battle – had spoken about the challenges of turning around the dilapidated building, but finally completed the renovation in 2005. “We found the house in a sorry state,” she said. “There was a huge amount of work that needed doing from roof to cellar. The completion of the renovation coincided with Stuart’s 70th birthday in January 2005 and we threw a party to celebrate and thank all those involved.
“I’m happy to say Stuart’s dream has come true. Most weekends, the house is full of guests from many different strands of society.
“He loves to mix people up and give them the chance to discuss, argue, eat and drink in a private and relaxed atmosphere.”
Mr Wheeler told how he once considered arranging for a ‘ghost’ to visit the castle, but his wife, who was “full of mischief”, beat him to it by sending a stripagram nun to his office with a fake writ.
“On another occasion, Tessa brought Page 3 girls to my birthday lunch,” he said.
“She was good fun... a very likeable character.
“We were both undemonstrative so we didn’t tell each other how we felt but I was certainly proud of her. We were independent but I don’t think that stopped us loving each other very much.”