Chatsworth

Behind The Scenes

The house and garden together provide around 66 full time and 23 part time jobs. Many of these people learn their trade on the estate, and most of them live in estate houses in the villages of Edensor, Pilsey, Beeley and Caton Lees. In the summer they are joined by 100 more people, many of them part time, who work as wardens, ticket sellers, shop assistants, car parkers, guides, cook and waitresses.

The administration of the house is the responsibility of the Comptroller and he heads the permanent maintenance staff who are needed to ensure the preservation of the building and its treasures. The work of the joiners may involve anything from shovelling snow off the roof or moving statues to making a garden paybox or restoring the China Closet; together with electricians, plumbers, telephonists and drivers, they also have an important role as members of the fire and salvage teams.

Many of the rooms in the North Wing are now staff flats, offices, workshops and storerooms. The Victorian kitchen is the joiner's shop, the laundry and servant's hall are now archive stores, and the theatre is a textile conservation room.

During the winter, the Housekeeper and her staff spring clean the public route; every piece of china and glass chandeliers are washed, the floors and furniture polished, the carvings dusted and leather books treated.

The works of art are looked after by the Keeper of the Collections, assisted by a Librarian, Archivist and Silver Steward. As well as being responsible for the condition and cataloguing of the collections, and the loan of objects to exhibitions, the Keeper of the restoration projects. Every year a considerable sum is set aside in the budget for this work, which is carried out without any public grants. Major works that have been completed recently include the cleaning of painted ceilings, the re-gilding of external window frames, the restoration of Flora's Temple and the Cascade House and the repair of woodworm damage to the Limewood carvings.

An education service is provided for schools who visit the estate. Children study a variety of subjects with the help of special publications and guided tours. Chatsworth provides surroundings in which children can broaden their knowledge and understanding of history, art, geography, science and technology.

Chatsworth has a tradition of long service. In 1963 the Duke gave a party for people who had worked on the Derbyshire estate for 25 years or longer. 175 people came, of whom 123 had done 25 years or more and 52 had completed over 40 years. Since then awards have been given at the annual staff party. By 1996 there had been 197 for 25 years and 101 for 40 years.