Philip Yorke, the last Squire of Erddig, inherited the house and estate in 1966 after his brother Simon died. Philip was already 61, but instead of selling up and living in comfortable retirement, he began work to save Erddig, and its important contents.
After graduating from Cambridge in 1927 Philip studied for the priesthood but then changed careers to the theatre. In 1930 he joined the Northampton Repertory Company later founding the Country Theatre Players. After war service he had a succession of jobs, prep school teacher, security guard and groundsman. Later he became a tour operator, founding Utility Tours in 1953, and with the rise of package holiday companies became a courier for Horizon.
His previous careers were useful preparation for taking on Erddig. He was asked to lecture to many groups on the house and its history, but at night he was camping out in and protecting the freezing, collapsing house, with calor gas lamps providing the only light.
Negotiations began and took six and a half years to hand Erddig over to the National Trust. It was at that time, as James Lees Milne said, "one of the most splendid acts of generosity in all the years which I have been associated with the National Trust".
Restoration by the National Trust took four years and Erddig opened to the public in 1977, a year before Philip Yorke's death on July 2 1978.
It is widely regarded as a very special place, a unique family home containing an original collection of fine 18th century furniture plus the pictures and work areas of the servants and people who spent their working life on the estate.
Philip Yorke is quoting as saying: "My only interest for many years has been that this unique establishment for which my family have foregone many luxuries and comforts over seven generations should now be dedicated to the enjoyment of all those who may come here and see a part of our national heritage preserved for all foreseeable time
By Jill Burton, education officer at Erddig Hall & Chirk Castle
Saving Erddig Hall and giving it into the care of the National Trust.
