He owns and lives at Matchingham Hall 3 miles from Blandings Castle in Shropshire.
As a close neighbour of Lord Emsworth it is unfortunate that he should share his Lordship's passions for growing pumpkins and raising fat pigs. He owns the Pride of Matchingham, a pig which won second prize in the fat pig's class the year that the Empress of Blandings won her first silver medal and he lured Lord E.'s pig-man, George Cyril Wellbeloved to his own employ. These rivalries and past indiscretions have led Galahad Threepwood and others to accuse him of various dastardly plots, often maligning him in the process. (In his first appearance he is described as 'a gentleman and a sportsman'.)
He did however, employ a private detective to destroy the manuscript of Gally's Reminiscences, in which was revealed the full story of the prawns. Had the book been published, his chances of being chosen to stand for Parliament would have vanished. He was also accused of stealing the Empress although quite innocent. (Summer Lightning and Heavy Weather)
He bought in a new black pig, the Queen of Matchingham, which although within the rules of the Shropshire Show, was contrary to a gentleman's agreement. Once engaged to Maudie Montrose, a barmaid at the Criterion, there was a mix up over the wedding arrangements and it all fell through. Many years later, he became engaged to Gloria Salt but wasn't too happy when she insisted he lost weight. When Maudie turned up at Blandings (employed by Lord Emsworth to keep an eye on the Empress) they met again. (Pigs have Wings)
Monty Bodkin is his nephew.
