Proposed alterations to the former Portman Chauffeur's Cottage, Oct 1969

The old Chauffeur’s Cottage at the entrance to the Stable Yard, now the executive offices of the Hestercombe Gardens Trust, was modernised for staff lodgings in the early 1970s. At a cost of £1,300 a new boiler with Courtier solid fuel room heater (woodstove) and Fortic hot water tank was installed in the three-bedroom cottage, which was also given a new kitchen, additional storage space and a redecorated bathroom and lounge. Head Gardener Wilf Perry, and his wife, Glad, finally moved in to their new lodgings in 1973.