Here’s to you Mrs Arundel

Photo: Matt Ryan

Sussex is full of character and, as a place is only as good as the people in it, we’re delving into the personalities that make the county great and this month we talk to the passionate Barbara Hogan, better known as Mrs Arundel…

Who is Mrs Arundel and what you do?
I am Barbara Hogan and am employed by my nephew, Ash Kent, who owns the Visit Arundel website and is in partnership with Mike Tod of Tents N Events, the marquee and hire company. I do all the business development for both companies which involves spending a lot of time networking locally, supporting the town of Arundel however I can and in particular with website advertising for all the events they put on.

I deal with our many and varied clients around the area. I look after our clients which include the wedding venues that we have throughout the area.  I have been involved with horseracing for many years and I work on race days at both Brighton and Fontwell racecourses, where I am usually looking after owners, trainers, winning connections and providing racecourse tours. I am really lucky as I really enjoy all my jobs!

Describe yourself in three words
Friendly, confident and talkative.

What is the thing you are most proud of?
My two grown up daughters – one is off to Uni in September studying for a primary school teaching degree. The older one works for Goodwood.

Do you have any regrets?
No I don’t think I have any.

What phrase or word annoys the hell out of you?
The casual and, I think, condescending reply when I am asking if I can help someone and they say “If you want” or “if you like” when a simple YES PLEASE is really the answer I would like to hear.

If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self some advice, what would it be?
Only worry about the things you can actually change and then change/improve them. Don’t waste your time worrying about things you cannot and never will be able to alter

If you were Queen of Sussex for a day, you would…
Try to persuade all the people living in our area to visit the beautiful South Downs and show them all the wonderful wildlife and plants which inhabit the Downs. I’d try to show and explain to them all the history of the Downs and how the past has shaped where we are today but also how fortunate it is that so much is still unchanged and wild. I feel that having spent my whole life riding, walking and living on the Downs that too many people in this area never make the time to see what is literally on their doorstop and the South Downs is a truly amazing place to live and visit.

If there’s one thing you know for sure, it’s…
This life isn’t a trial run so make the most of every day as we only get one go at it!

Barbara Hogan
Email: barb@arundel.org.uk
Office: 01903 884166
Mobile: 07770 626342
Web: www.arundel.org.uk
FB: www.facebook.com/visitarundel

About Daniel White
Dan has written numerous articles for Title Sussex. He no longer works for Title Media and has made a confident career in the world of coffee!