Neil Garrard

It is with much sadness that we lost Neil Garrard from the ringing team at the Minster on Saturday 20th April.

Neil came to Wimborne in 1975 when he was appointed Chief Planning Officer for the Borough of Poole following Local Government reorganisation. He and Mary quickly established themselves as key members of the Wimborne band as well as important figures in the ringing of the wider area, and Neil was a founder member of the Dorset County Association.

He taught his two daughters, Hilary and Alison, and later his grandchildren Matthew and Katie Child to ring and they have all continued to support ringing at the Minster.

In 2015, Neil was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and was forced to stop ringing, but he maintained his interest in the tower activities and was able to attend our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party this year.

The Easter peal was dedicated to his memory. Neil’s funeral was held at the Minster on Friday 3rd May 2019.

—-

Monday, 22 April 2019 | 5007 Stedman Cinques | 3h 27mins

1. Patricia M Hitchins, 2. Katie L Child, 3. Rosemary J Duke, 4. Felicity S Warwick, 5. Lucy S Warwick, 6. Graham A Duke, 7. John G Riley, 8. Matthew A Child, 9. David A Warwick (C), 10. Harry E Blamire, 11. Nigel R Woodruff, 12. Robert T Child

Rung by members of the Wimborne Minster Society of Change Ringers to celebrate Easter and also in thanksgiving for the life of Neil Garrard, ringer at Wimborne Minster since 1975. Neil was grandfather of Katie and Matthew, father-in-law of Robert, and taught Lucy, Matthew and Katie to ring. First of Stedman – 2. 100th peal – 10.