Ian Blunt, Sanderson’s 1964-1968 (August 2017)

Ian Blunt, Sanderson's 1964-1968

Ian died on the 29 August 2017 from a rare, degenerative neuromuscular wasting disease. He had been suffering from this increasingly since 2012, his mobility became ever more restricted, and he spent his last months being cared for by St Joseph’s Hospice and Bridgeside Nursing Home in Islington. Ian was born in Malta where his father, a Royal Navy Commander, was stationed. His early years were spent in Hong Kong, then the family returned to England and settled in Hayling Island. He attended Grove Park prep school in Crowborough, Lancing College and Manchester University, where he studied for an English degree. After graduating, Ian moved to London and was to live in Hackney for most of his adult life. He became a trainee journalist, and then a highly regarded sub-editor working on The Sun, where he was Deputy Chair of the NUJ during the Wapping dispute. He subsequently worked for the Mail on Sunday and the Express, before semi-retiring and using his editing skills at a charity. Ian was passionately interested in London History and completed a Certificate in Higher Education at Birkbeck with distinction in 2010. He trained as a London Blue Badge Guide and studied for an MA in history, but both activities came to an end as his mobility became ever more restricted. Ian then turned his attention to teaching neighbours in De Beauvoir, who would visit him at home and finally in his nursing home, to do The Times Cryptic crossword and to improve their bridge playing! Ian married Lesley Thompson in 2005 and is survived by her, his brothers Richard and Edward (sadly, his sister Rachel died in 2013), and nephews Anthony, William, Thomas and Sebastian. We all miss Ian hugely, but are glad that his pain and difficulties are over.