IN reply to R Hayes (Postbag, April 4). That Edward Heath was an able politician until he morphed into The Incredible Sulk when Mrs Thatcher’s star was in the ascendant is not in dispute. Nor was it my point.

It is also true that he had a vision for Arundells on his demise. We all have dreams but do not leave wealthy entrepreneurs to pick up the tab for them.

As for boosting tourism, The Close already has the main attraction. The sideshow, if maintained, will never change that.

Mr Hayes asks why I suggest that Arundells be returned to the Dean and Chapter. The answer to that was the purpose of my original letter and his stating that they were not forced to sell the lease is incorrect. Why else would Heath have gloated that he had put one over on them by obtaining the freehold against their wishes?

It was procured through an oversight by estate agents who failed to include a vital exceptive clause. This was spotted by his solicitor who advised that advantage could be taken of this.

The then Dean tried persuading Heath not to exercise his legal right but was met with disdain.

It was then put to him that the decent thing to do would be to return the property after his death but this was not the way Heath saw it. These are known facts and I fail to see how they can be termed ‘old and worn out’.

The return of the property to its rightful owners would be morally decent. It would also allow it to be used for the purpose for which houses are built – to be lived in.

The memorabilia could be offered to Broadstairs, his birthplace, or to Old Bexley and Sidcup, his constituency. He was, after all, their son, not ours.

NAOMI PARKES, Salisbury

THE case for Arundells – Edward Heath’s former home in The Close – becoming a focus for international understanding and outreach was admirably set out by Robert Hayes.

He invites “the people of Salisbury to support this venue and enjoy its future life”.

The arguments over Arundells echo historic tensions between the city and The Close. It was not until 1612 that the Bishop’s writ was finally restricted to The Close. Before that time, the bishop claimed authority over the whole city and its mayor.

Our present mayor, cllr John Collier, has worked hard with cathedral colleagues to build a constructive partnership between the city and The Close.

The proposed future for Arundells – with its commitment to peace and mutual understanding – offers a further opportunity for the cathedral team to work imaginatively with others, locally as well as further afield in Europe, the Sudan and beyond.

Let the people of The Close draw on their ancient commitment to hospitality, care and internationalism expressed so well by Canon Elias of Dereham, a leading member of the team who built our cathedral in the 13th century.

Elias had earlier assisted Archbishop Stephen Langton to put together Magna Carta at Runneymead.

On arriving in Salisbury, Elias designed his own house, Leaden Hall, as a show home to inspire others to build in the new style.

In his will he drew up a covenant on the sale of the building after his death, requiring the new owner annually to “feed 100 poor persons at the rate of 1d of bread and one gallon of ale each together with a dish of meat, fish or other agreeable viand”.

In doing this, he set the benchmark for hospitality and welcome in The Close he had done so much to create.

JOHN POTTER, Salisbury