Doris can still remember the taste of the delicious tomatoes which were grown in the castle's greenhouses and she recalls her father sweeping the drive. Her mother was a very dear friend of the countess and was one of her closest staff.

Doris left Llanddulas at the age of 16, but before she left, she went to the sale of the castle furniture and bought the countess's luggage chest. On 19 May 1998, Doris presented me with this irreplaceable chest on BBC One's Country File programme, in recognition of the campaign for Gwrych Castle. This was a tremendous and unexpected honour.

Mr John Edelnand was one of the Jewish refugees who were at the castle during World War II. John was evacuated from Halberstadt in Hartz Mountains, central Germany. He was sent to the castle with three hundred other Jewish children, ranging from 14 to 18 years old.

Gwrych camp was run like a Kibbutz and an established routine emerged. The children were not only fed and clothed, but were thoughtfully looked after. John said that the children had to share everything; even the trips to the local cinema were alternated.

He has very happy memories of the castle. Nostalgically, John remembers Dick Edward delivering milk and bread to the castle every morning and also helping Mr Reid at Hen Wrych Garden.

John last visited Gwrych in 1990 after 46 years. He was appalled by the state of the building and gardens and said they were sadly neglected."