Closed Period: Please note the house is now closed for public tours until 20th February 2025. Tickets for our 2025 tours will be made available to purchase closer to this reopening date.

Ric [Frederick Leach III] 16.12.37 – 11.01.25 

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Ric Leach.  Ric was the saviour and custodian of the Leach family archive, an archive which has so enriched our understanding of David Parr and the F. R. Leach firm that he worked for and importantly of Frederick Leach who took Parr on as an apprentice.   

We met Ric near the beginning of the project when we had just acquired the house with its magical interior but knew very little else about its history, its people and the narrative it represented.  All this was to change when research and serendipity found us knocking on the door of Ric’s home in 2014.  

Ric had collected his family’s letters, diaries, photos, paintings and artefacts.  He had read them all, transcribed many, researched what he found out and followed in his relatives footsteps around the country to find out more.   

He clearly inherited the family genes for craftsmanship from Frederick Leach I, who set up the business David Parr worked for, seen in the beautiful wooden boxes Ric made to preserve the collection in.  Through his work and openness, the David Parr House could now tell the history and celebrate the lives of not only ‘Decorative Artists’ such as David Parr but also the Leach firm of ‘Artworkmen’.   

It was always a treat to visit Ric when he would say ‘Have you seen ……’ and we knew that another unseen archive gem would emerge from a carefully stored away box or bookshelf.   

It was not only the history and archive that made our trips to him so enjoyable – it was also the opportunity spend time with Ric himself.  He was the ‘salt of the earth’ – a person of great kindness, honesty and generosity but maybe he was more of a ‘gem of the earth’ as he always had a twinkle in his eye and a wicked sense of humour.   

Thank you, Ric, for allowing us all into your family’s history – the David Parr House would not be what it is now without your kindness, knowledge, generosity, research and interest. You gave us a reason to succeed, and we hope you enjoyed being part of its development. 

To sign off: He sent a poem that he had written for the manager of his lunch club, Donna.  It is a fitting verse to end on and to say that we are sure that the ‘keys’ will be there for you, Ric. 

With love 

Tamsin and all at the David Parr House 

At Bell Farm lunch club we all meet
Donna’s there to meet and greet
A smile for some, others a kiss for
Another just a squeeze.
She would be there much earlier
If she could only find her keys.

At last all seated, talking, laughing,
Every one at ease. When suddenly
a shout went out.
HAS ANYONE SEE MY KEYS?!

When many years hence when
we are all judged by our deeds
Donna will face Saint Peter
He’ll say “Donna you’ve led an exceptional life, of love and kindness, you have sown the seeds I’d let you in right now, this instant, if only I could find my keys”.