The life of the late Ian Willis, a master of invention with an eye of the unusual, is celebrated at the Museum of East Dorset in a new exhibition.

Ian Willis (1951-2020) was born and bred in Wimborne and proud of the fact. He was a kind and intelligent, somewhat eccentric man who had a lifelong love of gardening and the decorative arts. His home, Serles House, and particularly its garden, became famous for quirky and creative design and ‘interesting’ artefacts. He invited visitors into his once Secret Space to muse on its eccentricities while raising funds to support many varied good causes.

Ian was a keen supporter of the Museum of East Dorset. Over the years, he donated many items to the collection. These have been used, along with some objects on loan from Serles House, to create a display to remember him.

The museum’s other new exhibition features Ernest Kaye Le Fleming, a Wimborne GP, who enabled a significant collection of Victorian Valentines to be displayed at the museum.