Southport says goodbye next week to one of its most familiar faces.
Lifelong Sandgrounder Ian Ellis was a long-serving member of Southport Swords, the town’s folk dancing troupe regularly travelling the country wowing festival audiences with their energetic and breathtaking brand of traditional entertainment.
Ian and fellow members of Southport Swords also performed often across the town, and will be best known for their May Day celebrations and the annual Boxing Day tour starting at the Hesketh Arms.
A popular patron of town centre pubs, and passionate musician and supporter of Bothy Folk Club at The Bijou, Ian played football well into his 70s with U3A teams. He was also an inspired artist, and a popular regular at the Painting for Pleasure group in Ainsdale.
“He will be missed by the hundreds of people who enjoyed his company and irreverence,” said son Dave Thackeray.
“If you’re a regular at one of his favourite town centre pubs, which included The Guest House, The Mount, Coopers, Tap and Bottles, and the Masons Arms, and you don’t recognise the face – you’ll definitely have seen him in one of his many fancy dress outfits.
“It’s quite fitting his funeral is on Halloween, which was one of his favourite days of the year for dressing up and entertaining kids and their parents who, on their trick or treating rounds, would visit the house he shared with my mum, and his wife, Carole, and get sweets and more than they bargained for – lots, and lots, of laughs!”
Ian is also survived by daughter in law Verena, and granddaughter, Emmy.
The family of Ian Ellis request donations to Queenscourt Hospice in lieu of flowers.
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