WELL-RESPECTED POLYMATH RICHARD SMOUT CALLS IT A DAY AFTER ALMOST 3 DECADES

After 28 years in post, Richard Smout has retired from the Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Service.  Before he relocated to the Island Richard held a similar post in Gloucester, but realised he was unlikely to make much career progress there. Other posts were advertised, including 1 in Wales, but he realised that his inability to speak the Welsh language would hamper his chances. So, it was in 1995 when he took up his post here, mainly because he would be able to actually witness the Glanville Fritillary in flight. At a recent gathering of colleagues from the community at large, particularly history, natural history and related areas, representatives spoke glowingly of his expertise and knowledge. It is obvious Richard is well respected both within the workplace and in the wider community. He is very much a polymath, as is borne out by his wide knowledge and expertise in several fields. After being hailed as an inspirational leader Richard responded by saying every pillar needs good foundations and he was fortunate to have a good staff to support him. He said that his colleagues had shared his vision. Among his many researched projects 1 stood out. When in 1888 a whale was butchered in Seaview and put on display, the smell of its putrefying flesh killed the tourist season. Richard insisted he had no wish to continue working after he reached 65 so in consultation with his wife, Anne, who was a local Crown Prosecutor until earlier this month, they co-ordinated their retirements. He remains a lay-reader in the Newport and Carisbrooke with Gatcombe Parish and his faith- which began as a young child- underpins his whole life. As a nature lover he now hopes to devote more time to his numerous interests including his garden, and perhaps he will spot a Glanville Fritillary along the way.