George Barton Verney was the owner of the Miffield Estate and lived at Miffield Hall until 1974. His official courtesy title was Esquire of Beckindale and he was also known as Lord Miffield. In 1973 George's marriage to Laura Verney was falling part. He enrolled the help of Beckindale vicar Edward Ruskin. Laura embarked on an affair with Jack Sugden and even had a secret holiday in London together. Laura left Beckindale, but return when she heard George was planning to leave his fortune to his nephew Mark Proctor. Then George promised to give divorce and their marriage collapsed in 1974. After that George decided to live in exile in Cannes. He died off-screen in 1978.