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Hamiltons poised to buy £1m manor
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 4th Nov 2004.
DISGRACED former MP Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine have told how they are looking forward to moving into a £1 million manor house near Malmesbury.
The couple are hoping to take up residence in 16th century Bradfield Manor, a seven-bedroom rambling Cotswold house set in 13 acres in the village of Norton, by Christmas.
It signals a remarkable change of fortunes for the once vilified couple. In May 2001 the former Tatton Tory MP was declared bankrupt with estimated debts of £3 million after he was accused by Harrods owner Mohammed Fayed of taking cash for asking questions in the House of Commons.
But since then the Hamiltons have devoted much of their time to media work and earlier this year Mr Hamilton was formally discharged from bankruptcy.
Mrs Hamilton, who revels in her reputation as an iron lady and has recently writen a book called Christine Hamilton's Bumper Book of British Battleaxes, confirmed they were in the process of buying the manor.
"The house is quirky, rambling and romantic just like my husband," she said.
"We both know Wiltshire well and we have many relations around here. I was born and bred in Hampshire, my mother was based in Bradford on Avon and we have lots of friends around here.
"It may seem large for just the two of us but we have a very large family. I have a 90-year-old mother, my brother has three children and we have lots of godchildren. It will be a great place to entertain them.
"We are just looking forward to being settled and just want to be ordinary people. Having been immersed in politics at all levels before, this is an area we will be steering clear of though."
Villagers have welcomed the possibility of the new celebrities arriving, but say they won't be given any special treatment.
Jo Berry, landlady of the nearby Star Inn, said: "They will be treated no differently to anybody else. If they turn out to be normal people that is great. I used to run a pub in Knightsbridge in London and I have met lots of celebrities."
Villager Caron Williams, who lives on the neighbouring Brookside estate, said Bradfield Manor had special memories for her as she played there as a child. "It is such a big house tucked away, so I am glad to see it being put to good use," she said. "I am not worried about the Hamiltons coming."
John Miller, who lives next door to Miss Williams, said: "The best thing to come out of it is we might get invited to a free party."
If the Hamiltons move in, they will find a grade one-listed house with paddocks and a tennis court. It boasts four reception rooms, seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and a self-contained flat.
The manor is mentioned in the Domesday Book and King Edward IV was a famous previous occupant.
The area's Conservative MP, James Gray, said: "I have never met the Hamiltons, but north Wiltshire is a lovely part of the world. I am sure they will be very welcome."
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