The owner of one of the areas most historic country estate’s who appeared on a major prime time television programme about it last year, has died.
John Philips of The Heath House, Tean, died on Friday in Worcester aged 75.
Mr Philips will be remembered by many for his participation in Channel 4’s Country House Rescue programme which aired last year and saw him cross swords with the formidable host Ruth Watson.
Although he resided at his home in Radford, Worcestershire, the Heath House estate has remained in the Philips’ family since the 17th century.
Mr Philips’ loyalty was always the future of The Heath House which he strived to keep within the Philips’ family, but with escalating running costs, John was forced into putting the estate on the market.
As viewers witnessed, his eldest son Benjamin took over the reins of running the estate and this year John was able to see the future of The Heath House secured.
Speaking from his home at The Heath House, Benjamin paid tribute to his father and said his death had ‘left a big gap in our lives’.
He said: “Dad was a force of nature, a one-off.
He had a zest for life, a curiosity for the world, embarking on projects with great energy before moving on to the next. It could make life exhausting, often exhilarating, but never dull.
“I will desperately miss his hearty greetings, his jocular remarks made to one and all, mostly in good heart, occasionally crossing a line! “The world has lost a voice and it will be hard to replace him. He has left a big gap in our lives “His final exhortation was for us all to continue the work we’ve started at Heath House and go on to make a real success of it.
“He was thrilled with the progress we’ve made and was so grateful to everyone who had been involved, and I was so glad he was able to enjoy the gardens during April and May with the azaleas in full bloom”.
Mr Philips spent his two years National Service in the Royal Navy and later in the RN Reserve where he attained the position of Lt. Commander.
From 1956 to 1998 he joined his father’s company of Charles Harbage in Birmingham which was a non-ferrous rolling mill. He later became Chairman and Managing Director.
It was on the October 5, 1965 that John married Flavia Pelham Burn and they went on to have two sons Benjamin and Justin.
John’s passion and hobby was sailing, owning two boats which he moored at Beaulieu. This hobby he continued to pursue into his retirement.
Mr Phillips also had a passion for music and was a gifted organist who enjoyed whenever possible playing the organ at Checkley Church.
It is fitting that Checkley will be his final resting place with the funeral on Wednesday, September 7, at 2pm at St Mary and All Saints Church in the village and mourners have been asked by Mrs Phillips not to wear black.
