Obituary for Ian Hartnell2 November 2022
Ian Hartnell the Chairman of Highcliffe Residents Association has sadly died at the age of 64. Ian was always a larger-than life character who enjoyed life and loved helping others.
He was brought up in Woking in Surrey and attended the Salesian College. After leaving school he attended art college, but eventually his love of music led him to becoming a professional musician. He had great success as a session artist and played with bands such as The News, wrote music for the Sirens and was invited on tours with both, David Bowie and many other successful groups at the time. He always reserved a part of his heart for Adam, his first bom son who sadly died as a baby. Following this he realised that he needed to settle down and change career and he chose to join the financial world. He ended his very successful career as a well-established financial advisor in the city of London.
Latterly, in retirement, he threw himself into working for the Highcliffe community and five years ago became Chairman of the Highcliffe Residents Association. He tackled the many problems related to the Old School building in Lymington Road, which is owned by the association and oversaw many improvements which has led to it becoming a valuable community hub.
He contributed to the setting up the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council and offered it a permanent home in the Old School. He also worked tirelessly to support Men's Shed, who also now have the use of part of the building and assist with the many jobs that still need to be done.
Following the decision by BCP council to install parking machines in the roads in the south side of Highcliffe he worked hard to ensure that a more sensible solution could be found.
Ian went on to have a second son Charlie and married his second wife Kathryn in 1998. They were very much in love to the end and he had incredible joy from his beloved son Charlie and one year Granddaughter Izzy.
His hobbies included partying, cooking, travelling, sailing and collecting - anything and everything.
The funeral took place at St Marks Church in Highcliffe with the committal being at the New Forest Crematorium. A very well attended reception followed for family and friends in the Old School in Lymington Road, Highcliffe.