BUSINESS INSIDER
collection, as well as the planning of events and, most importantly, making sure that all our visitors really enjoy and appreciate the time that they spend at Arundells. Did you know Sir Edward Heath? Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet him. I was quite young when he was prime minister, but I was enthusiastically learning to sail in the 1970s and was very aware of his Morning Cloud yachts and his success as a world-class yachtsman. I also remember the Mike Yarwood impressions that were a key part of his popular TV show at that time, and the various newspaper cartoons that featured Ted Heath and Harold Wilson. Some of these originals are part of the Arundells’ collection. What was your first ever job? Sticking lot numbers on to the backs of store cattle and weighing sheep in Tavistock and Holsworthy for livestock markets in Devon. HERITAGE
ARUNDELLS Ivan Smith, the manager of Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, Arundells, talks artwork, sailing and starting out in agriculture Tell us about a little about Arundells’ history… It is easy to look at the front and think ‘Georgian House’ and it is true to say that a great deal of what you first see is as a result of work carried out by John Wyndham in the first half of the 18th century. However, the oldest part of the house dates to the 13th century, when it was built as a canonry. Has it had other uses? It was used as both a boys’ and girls’ school in Victorian times and was taken over by the Red Cross as a base for its library service during the Second World War. Sir Edward Heath moved to Arundells in 1985. He loved the peace and beauty of the house and garden, and lived here until his death in 2005. How has it become somewhere for people to visit? Sir Edward very much wanted the house, and his unique collection of art and memorabilia, to be available for people to visit and enjoy. The Charitable Foundation was set up following his death and our firm objective is to honour his wishes.
Did you stay in agriculture? I went on to train and qualify as a chartered surveyor, specialising in rural estate management. I managed a big portfolio of different National Trust properties in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and then became the resident agent on a large private estate in West Cornwall. I was then a commercial director at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester for nearly ten years and my last job – before coming to Arundells – was MD of Frome Livestock Market. What are the wow factors for visitors do you think? Seeing the unique collection of paintings, photographs and memorabilia, and finding out how much Sir Edward Heath accomplished in his lifetime. He was an officer who saw active service with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, a prime minister and a hard working member of parliament for more than 51 years, a first rate yachtsman and captain of the British Admirals Cup team, and a talented musician and conductor. How do so many components work as one ‘collection’?’ The fact that Arundells still has the feeling of being very much Sir Edward’s home, rather than a museum. The garden is a place that provides real peace and tranquillity, with its river frontage and stunning views back to the spire of the Cathedral.
THE GARDEN IS A PLACE THAT PROVIDES REAL PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY
What is your role at Arundells? I took over as manager about two years ago. Working closely with the trustees and my colleagues, I manage the property as a heritage attraction – looking after the opening arrangements, the care and preservation of the house and
Do you have any personal favourite pieces? The entrance hall, also known as the sailing hall, has models of the five Morning Cloud yachts within a huge glass display case. I am also very fond of a lovely painting of Golden Cap in West Dorset by John Nash.
Are there particular aspects to Arundells you’d like to learn more about? I am particularly keen to find out more about its early roots as a canonry; the brief period that it became home to two schools; and the huge amount of repair and refurbishment work carried out by Robert Hawkings and his wife in the 1960s. For more: Arundells, The Cathedral Close, Salisbury; tel: 01722 331440; www.arundells.org
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