e v i s Exclu
Serles House garden saved from closure Exclusive report and photos by Marilyn Barber The people of Wimborne and the surrounding area were shocked and saddened when Ian Willis, whose ‘Secret Garden’ at Serles House in Victoria Road, Wimborne, died suddenly at his home on 5 October 2020 at the age of 68. Not only were they mourning his loss, but they feared for the future of the property which Ian has bought in 1981, and subsequently transformed into what has been described as ‘the masterpiece of an eccentric’. The garden was described by Alan Titchmarsh as one of the ‘ten best gardens in Great Britain’. But there is good news, as the house and garden has been bought by Christopher and Bridget Ryan who intend to open it next year under the National Gardens Scheme. The name Ryan will be familiar to people in Wimborne, as Christopher is the son of the late Denis and Margery Ryan – both former mayors – of Lewens Lane. Mr Ryan said: “There are two reasons why we’ve bought the house. I grew up in Wimborne and went to school there, and although I’ve lived in London for 35 years, I have always considered the town as my home.
Ian Willis with his dog
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VIEWPOINT November 2022
“Also, it is an ideal home on all sorts of levels as it has been well maintained. We felt it was important that Ian’s legacy was carried on. We know little about gardening and it will be a challenge, but we have been promised help. We will do the best we can. It is something new for us to do and a good way to get to know people.” In Ian’s will dated 21 February 2008, he stated that he left Serles House and Gardens to the Priest’s House Museum Collections Trust in the hope that it would remain open to the public. The trust commissioned a feasibility study which came to the conclusion that there were ‘a significant number of practical and operation issues that would need to be resolved to enable Serles House to open to the public. Resolving issues around security and accessibility will be costly and Serles House risks diminishing the quality of visitor experience as designed by Ian Willis’. the National Gardens Scheme. The study also said that Serles “Ian was a lovable eccentric who loved Hose would ‘have limited appeal to visitors, Wimborne and he would be delighted that which may diminish further over time as a local family will make it their home.” the charismatic personality of Ian Willis Everything in the garden is as Ian left was so integral to its previous success’. it – nothing has been sold or removed. Sue Cook, vice chairman of the The final two days’ opening of Collections Trust, said: “A great deal of Serles House earlier this year raised consideration was given to Ian’s legacy £1,963.45 with a total of 409 visitors and letter of wishes by the trust. enjoying the quirky house and garden. “To ensure that a record of the house and Phil Broomfield, local organiser garden will be kept in the PHMCT archives, for Dorset NGS, said: “I am delighted and used for future exhibitions of Ian’s story, Christopher and Bridget have offered to a professional film has also been produced.” open in support of our healthcare and Subsequently, the property was put up nursing charities next year. The huge for sale – its future very much in doubt. turnout this year and amount raised is The executors dealing with the estate testament to the support locals have of spent considerable time in trying to find Ian’s creativeness and he would be proud suitable buyers for Serles House. They his work is being continually recognised.” wanted to find someone who would be The total raised by the garden over sympathetic to the situation and who would the years amounts to £35,973.03, which retain the house in a similar style and includes the figures from the two open days. maintain the garden in its present form. The warmth of feeling in the town for Ian One of the executors, Francis was illustrated by the fact that crowds lined Howard-Vine, said: “The executors are the route to pay their respects when a horsedelighted that a buyer has come forward drawn hearse carrying his coffin travelled who will do just that and the garden will through the town on 29 October 2020. be open to the public next year under /dorsetview.news
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