Lord Allendale has not rested on his laurels since taking over his family's 20,000 acre estate, which just played host to the Northumberland County Show for the last time. Ruth Lognonne finds out more.

The Questionnaire

WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
Range Rover.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
Scott’s in London.

WHO OR WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Slapstick and the Carry On movies.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
Spy thrillers

WHAT WAS THE LAST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT?
I don’t think I’ve ever bought one.

WHAT’S YOUR IDEAL JOB, OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU’VE GOT?
I would have liked to have been in the Army.

IF YOU HAD A TALKING PARROT, WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD TEACH IT TO SAY?
Top my glass up!

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Something awful happening to one of my family.

WHAT’S THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Develop the fishing business on the river at Bywell.

AND THE WORST?
To back a horse that didn’t win.

WHAT'S YOUR POISON?
Red wine.

WHAT NEWSPAPERS DO YOU READ, OTHER THAN THE JOURNAL?
The Times, Telegraph and The Daily Mail.

HOW MUCH WAS YOUR FIRST PAY PACKET AND WHAT WAS IT FOR?
18 Australian dollars for a week’s work on a sheep farm.

HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
Walk and go to the gym.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST IRRITATING HABIT?
I tend to interrupt.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Buying wine.

WHICH HISTORICAL OR FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH OR ADMIRE?
I admire the great British generals like Wellington and Marlborough.

WHICH FOUR FAMOUS PEOPLE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DINE WITH?
Tony Blair, Ronald Reagan, Frankie Dettori and Sir Steve Redgrave.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
As a benign dictator.