IT was meeting Lee, the gardener, that gave me my first inkling of what to expect of Matfen Hall Hotel.
The rain was teeming down as he led us round a small part of the 300-acre domain he oversees.
We were huddled under umbrellas as Lee, bare-headed, seemed oblivious to the adverse weather, explaining proudly the work that goes into maintaining the magnificent estate, pointing out every shrub, bush and plant, recalling their history, and all but hugging a redwood tree, seemingly one of his favourites.
And he’s responsible for the manicured lawns, too.
To read more on this story, subscribe to our new e-edition. Go to E-edition.jewishtelegraph.com.
If you have a story or an issue you want us to cover, let us know - in complete confidence - by contacting newsdesk@jewishtelegraph.com, 0161-741 2631 or via Facebook / Twitter