IMAGINE leading a settled life in London where you had lived and worked for 20 years.

Out of the blue, a letter arrives telling you that you have inherited a grand house and grounds in Shropshire. That is what happened to Caroline Magnus, who became the surprised owner of Stokesay Court. After all the contents were sold at auction in 1994 to raise money for vital repairs, Caroline moved into an empty shell.

Since then, she has battled to restore and refurnish it. Built by a glove manufacturer in 1889, the property shot to national fame when, in 2006, it was used as the setting for the hugely successful film Atonement.

In an illustrated talk she calls Running The Gauntlet, Caroline will describe why she took on the property, the problems and challenges she faced and why Stokesay Court is such a special place.

The event, hosted by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (South Shropshire branch), will be held in the Methodist Church, Watling Street South, Church Stretton, at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Admission is £2 for CPRE members and £3 for non-members, on the door.