Isle of Wight solicitor and cricketer Ian Heal remembered

The son of John and Christine Heal, Ian was born and raised on the Island and attended Chillerton Primary, Newport CE Middle and Carisbrooke High schools before studying law at Anglia University in Chelmsford.

He had a year of working and travelling in Australia before passing the Legal Practice Course.

Ian started work with RJR Solicitors, qualifying in October 2000, before also working at Jeromes and Wilks Price Hounslow, always specialising in litigation.

Ian and Faye Heal on their wedding day. (Image: Faye Heal) 

Ian developed into a specialist housing and landlord and tenant lawyer. This led him to work for the Isle of Wight Law Centre and finally Churchers Solicitors, exclusively in that area of law.

Andrew Bryan, of Churchers, said: “Since 2012, Ian anchored Churchers Solicitors presence on the Island.

"He was the reassuring presence for clients and colleagues as the business developed through CBW Solicitors after merging with RJR in 2022.”

Ian was an active and long-standing member of the Isle of Wight Law Society.

In November last year, Ian gave a farewell speech, on behalf of the society, to retiring district judge, Andrew Grand.

Ian Heal (Image: Faye Heal)

Andrew said: “Ian was a stalwart member of the society's committee over many years, supporting the local legal profession.

"He was also a dedicated and diligent president of the society during his year of office.

“Ian will be sorely missed by the local legal profession and by all those who he represented.”

Ian was well known in Island cricketing circles, primarily as ‘Skip’, the founder and captain of Carisbrooke High School Old Boys.

He led them to multiple wins of the Fred Winter Cup, on tours to Torquay and to a Channel 4 fancy dress competition victory on a trip to a test match.

A club spokesperson said: “Skip was the lifeblood of the Old Boys — leading the club with spirit, humour, kindness and integrity and devoting many hours to ensure fixtures were arranged and matches played.

“It did not matter as to your level of cricket ability, you were selected as long as you enjoyed playing cricket and were not willing to take yourself seriously.

“The club has lost a great friend and Isle of Wight cricket, a great character.

"He leaves a legacy at a club he proudly described as ‘a drinking club with a cricket problem’.”

Ian and Faye Heal at the Isle of Wight Festival. (Image: Faye Heal)

Ian was a former president and committee member of Ryde and District Round Table, raising money and representing the Island around Europe.

He also had a keen interest in wildlife and the countryside — participating in game shoots across the Island, from childhood, with the Gatcombe Churchgate Shoot.

Ian was also a governor at Newchurch Primary School and a Spurs fan.

He is survived by his wife, Faye, daughter Betsy, mother Christine, brother Ed and sister Nicky.

Ian's funeral will take place at All Saints’ Church, Newchurch, at 1pm on Thursday, June 20, followed by interment at Springwood and a wake at Newclose Cricket Ground.