Derek and Angela’s son Chris reflected proudly on his parents’ support of Kettle’s Yard: ‘They played key roles in founding the Friends in 1984 and for the next 20 years or so in sustaining and growing the membership. They did this largely by organising numerous trips to see private collections and visit galleries both at home and abroad (most notably to Japan) and to meet artists like Patrick Heron and Terry Frost, whom Angela would have met through Ben Nicholson. They also enjoyed showing groups Angela’s collection of “Bens” in their home. Most important of all, they made and kept many wonderful friends through the shared love of art, and their desire to support Kettle’s Yard and have fun doing so.’  

The cash gift from Angela’s legacy has supported the Jim and Helen Ede Fund, which aims to promote the transformative power of art, and will contribute to securing the Senior Curator: House and Collection post, commissioning new art and music, and funding work engaging local communities, schools, and young people.    

The Senior Curator: House and Collection is responsible for the care and interpretation of Kettle’s Yard’s collection of over 1,500 artworks, textiles, ceramics, glassware, and natural objects. The role also oversees the evolution of the collection by leading research, commissioning new scholarship, and developing public programmes such as exhibitions, displays and publications.

Work with local communities and young people has taken the form of initiatives like Your Kettle’s Yard, Look/Make/Talk, and Circuit. These programmes help provide vital cultural experiences, removing barriers to arts engagement and supporting wellbeing through creative participation. As an artist, Angela would have fully appreciated the importance of curatorial expertise, a commitment to new art and music, and the promotion of the transformative power of the arts as widely as possible.

Far beyond the bequest in her Will, Angela’s far-reaching legacy is the impact of her lifelong connection with and commitment to Kettle’s Yard, which commenced so memorably with her and Derek establishing the Friends of Kettle’s Yard in 1984. Angela has played a significant role in helping conserve the house and collection, present groundbreaking exhibitions, develop exciting learning and community projects, and make art accessible to all, for many generations to come.  According to Chris, "Kettle’s Yard played a huge part in their lives, and Angela felt passionately about supporting it. She wanted her “best Bens” to find a home there and to be accessible to the public. It is deeply satisfying to her family that her 3 favourite works and her beloved Moon Jug have finally reached their destination, a fitting memorial to Angela and Derek."