Many people will want to mark the sudden death earlier this month of Ian Willis, owner of the ‘Secret Garden’ at Serles House in Wimborne, but sadly because of COVID-19 restrictions they won’t be able to attend the funeral.

However, they will be able to pay their respects.

Ian will make his final tour of Wimborne drawn by a pair of black horses on Thursday 29 October.

Starting at Lesley Shand funeral directors in Corfe Mullen at 1pm he will arrive along Julians Road to be at his home in Victoria Road at 1.30pm from where the procession will start. Thereafter times are approximate.

The route will be down Victoria Road, West Street, to arrive at The Square at approximately 1.45pm. It will then travel along West Borough turning right by the Tivoli, back into the Square via the Olive Branch, the High Street, pausing by the Priest’s House Museum and Minster Green; King Street, pausing next to where Ian was born by the Minster West Tower; up past the Model Town to Pye Corner and return to Corfe Mullen via Julians Road.

It is hoped that Ian’s friends will come out to stand on the route – socially distanced – to give him a resounding clap.

There will follow a private funeral service for the permitted 10 persons in the service chapel – The Orchard Room – at the funeral directors. The tribute will include many contributions from friends and the Wimborne Groups Ian was so much a part of.

The procession and service are to be recorded.

The family request no extra flowers – those you see will include foliage from Ian’s garden – but if anyone would like to make a donation to ‘The Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne’ in Ian’s memory please send to Lesley Shand Funeral Services, 184 Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne BH21 3LL saying that it is for Ian Willis, or you can donate online at www.funeraldirector.co.uk/funeral/ian-willis

There is a Book of Condolence which you may sign by visiting the Priest’s House Museum Shop from Friday 23 October.

A Book of Condolence for Ian Willis will be available from 23 October