Ian Carr

Ian was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. We spent many hours in his company over meals out with him and Marion and shared precious memories and ideas. We could all set the world to right if they had just listened to us. Rest in peace Ian.

I will always remember Ian’s kind, gentle and warm nature. A true gentlemen, always so interested to hear what we were up to and celebrate our achievements. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Marion and all his family and friends at this time.

Ian was a great friend over many decades. We visited many countries together including a month trekking in Nepal. We will greatly miss Ian, such a wonderful, kind and gentle friend. Our thoughts are with Marion and the family at this time. RIP Ian

With a refined taste in everything from films, art and music to books and wine, Ian combined intelligence and sophistication with genuine kindness and humility. There was always something to learn from talking with Ian, and he will always be remembered with deep admiration, gratitude and affection.

Ian was a thoughtful and kind man who had time for everybody. We had the privilege of knowing him during his time in Bournemouth. His friendship was much treasured.The world is a poorer place without him.

I first met Ian at work almost fifty years ago, and he became a good friend. He and Marion made a lovely, interesting and friendly couple. Ian remained calm and positive despite his illness and I shall miss him very much.

Ian was a kind, thoughtful and cultured friend, who I was privileged to know over many years. He battled courageously and stoically with MND, and provided an example to us all through his struggle. My thoughts and prayers are now with Marion, and I am sending her support for the future.

We are so sad at the thought of not being able to talk and share good times with Ian again; our dearest friend. We shared so many holidays, celebrations and activities with Ian and Marion. We will always remember Ian serving the wine at our dinner parties with his charming and engaging manner. He loved his red wine. Ian and Jon loved talking about art and their watercolour painting experiences. We loved Ian very much and will miss him so much. We look forward to spending lots of time with Marion; and I am sure we will raise the odd glass or two to Ian.

Sorry we can’t be there, we will be thinking of Ian and Marion tomorrow. Ian was a very gentle and kind person who will be greatly missed. All our love to Marion and Ian’s family. Lots of love Bobbie and Brian

Sending our love to Marion and all of Ian’s family and friends. Ian was a lovely and kind person and he will be greatly missed. Love Jo and Charles

I’ll always have such fond memories of going to see AFC Bournemouth when I was young when Uncle Ian returned from London on weekend visits to see the family — those first trips to the ground, the excitement of match day, and being introduced to a love of football that’s stayed with me ever since. He’ll be remembered with great affection and sadly missed. Love Simon, Wendy, Laura, Emily & Eli

So many wonderful family memories with Marion and Ian, feel very lucky to have shared so many lovely times. Will miss Ian, every time I’m in Yorkshire with my family we will think of him and fly his flag high. Xxxx Jenny, Andy and Dexter xxx

I have many happy memories of spending time with Ian, of course with Marion, at Mum and Dads. Always so engaged, interested and supportive – he often had a fascinating take on things (films in particular). I’ll miss our cultural catch ups. Lots of love, Peter, Andrea, Will, Tom and Finlay M

Ian was born on 10th March 1948 to Beatrice and Jackson Carr and was later to be joined by a sister, Anne Marie, in 1950 and brother, Trevor, in 1953. The family lived in Morley, near Leeds, in a back to back rented terraced house in Springfield Road. In the surrounding streets there were numerous textile mills spewing out black smoke.  Amongst Ian’s fondest memories of those times were tea parties and countryside walks with his family members and cousins. As Ian’s father worked shifts on the Trams and Buses, there were only rare and special treats of outings to Ilkley Moor and the Yorkshire seaside. A particularly memorable event for Ian occurred when he was 6 years old and attending Peel Street Primary School. This was, of course, the 1954 royal visit to Morley by Queen Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Ian’s mother suffered from poor health. In 1956 it was decided that she, and Ian’s two younger siblings, would move to Bournemouth to live with her sister, “Auntie Anne”. Ian and his father joined them the following year. Everything changed in 1964 when their mother unexpectedly died after a short illness. Ian’s father then took his children to live with a friend, Kath Seton, whilst Auntie Anne continued to provide a close and loving presence in their lives. Despite it being a difficult period, Ian progressed well at Winton Secondary School, obtaining 5 GCSE’s before starting work, aged 17, as an Accounts Clerk for Flight Refuelling at Wimborne, before starting his career in Local Government at Bournemouth Town Hall. In 1973 Ian moved to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, where he continued with his professional development, obtaining his Diploma in Municipal Administration, and membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. In 1977 Ian become Staffing Officer for the London Borough of Waltham Forest Social Services, being promoted to Senior Personnel Officer in 1992. Ian also found time to act as a Director for a residents Management Company …. And, in 1982, to meet his future wife, Marion, at the Social Services Christmas Party. Their shared interests in travel, the National Film Theatre, the National Trust and the London Appreciation Society boded well for the future. And so it proved. Ian and Marion were married on 31st August 1991. The wedding reception was held at the London Dockland’s Sailing Centre and coincided with the annual Dragon Boat race. One of the highlights of the day was Ian and Marion being invited onto a Dragon boat and doing a lap of honour around the racecourse – it was just like Anthony and Cleopatra being transported along the River Nile in triumph! Ian made many good friends during his working life and travelled with colleagues to, amongst other places, Iceland and Nepal. In 1988 a group trip to St Petersburg was organised to attend the wedding of a colleague to his Russian bride – with the British Media reporting upon what was such an unusual event at that time. Ian retired from work in 2002 and this allowed him time to pursue his many other interests; in particular – and inspired by his dear friend Jon – to develop his skill as a watercolour artist, an activity which he found very rewarding and sparked an even greater interest in the visual arts.   His love of literature was put to good use in his volunteer work in the book section at Oxfam Blackheath – and he was very proud of his 16 year “Long Service Award” in this capacity.   Of course, there were highs and lows regarding another of his interests – that is, the fortunes of the Bournemouth Football Team! It was during Covid (and thanks to Zoom) that we began to hold weekly conversations with Ian and Marion and I began to appreciate just how widely Ian had read and his deep knowledge across a range of topics, including the visual and performing arts, cinema, music, sport and history. I learnt such a lot during these conversations and in following up on his many suggestions. When the Covid bugs eventually subsided, we made regular trips to London, meeting up for meals, drinks and were always treated to a tour with Ian as our enthusiastic guide. Ian’s active membership of the London Appreciation Society granted access to many less well known places and he was always very well informed about the historical, architectural and social significance of these locations. Ian would occasionally travel north; for example, for the Walter Sickert retrospective at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. I remember from that particular trip that Ian was very keen to sample “Scouse”, a culinary delight peculiar to that region. He really liked the food but was somewhat perplexed by the Scouse accent of the waitress. An example of Ian’s enthusiasm, and tenacity, was his work to restore the grave of the World War I poet and author Frederic Manning . Manning’s work is somewhat neglected today but at the time he was much admired by, amongst others, Ernest Hemmingway, Robert Graves, and TE Lawrence. Ian undertook to organise, fund and oversee the restoration of this important literary site in Kensall Green Cemetery. The project involved liaison and correspondence with Manning’s Australian descendants, literary academics and Manning’s biographer in the USA. The result of Ian’s work was the full restoration of the grave, work which was much appreciated by, amongst others, the Western Front Association , which featured this project in their publication.  (I should also point out that Ian was somewhat less optimistic about the prospects for another of his projects; that is to replace St George with St Edmund as the patron saint of England!) We will miss him greatly. Dave and Rose