Obituary: Donald Inns – former Hordle butcher

A POPULAR butcher who was proud to run his own shop in the New Forest for 25 years has died aged 79.

Donald Inns, from Highcliffe, started out in the butchery trade straight from leaving school aged 16, and went on to start his own business in Stopples Lane in Hordle 1983.

His family said he loved his customers and they him, and he enjoyed sharing jokes and “facts of the day” to make them smile.

Born in Highcliffe to Edwin and Lillian Inns, Don was one of seven children.

His childhood was spent exploring the local area, and he often recalled memories of playing on the beaches and cliffs of Highcliffe.

Upon finishing at Ashley School, Don went to work for village butchers Bailey & Lee, leaving after a short time to join the Merchant Navy.

He returned after two years to marry Joyce Davies, from Carmarthen in Wales, and the young couple set up home in Upper Gordon Road, Highcliffe.

Don picked up where he left off at Bailey & Lee, and he and Joyce went on to have three children: Donna, David and Debbie.

The family later moved to Hurst Close in Walkford, where they lived for almost 50 years.

Son David said Don had always wanted to own a shop, and having his name above the door was a “source of great pride”.

“Behind his service counter was his stage and where he felt perfectly at ease with his customers,” said David. “He would often be heard in his shop recommending certain cuts of meat and giving out cooking advice.”

Daughter Debbie Crouch said she lived for a short while in the flat above the butchers and could often hear him sharing “facts of the day” with his customers.

“It was hilarious to listen to him,” she said. “He absolutely loved his customers and he loved being behind that counter.”

Don won many sausage competitions over the years, taking home a national award in 1994 for his turkey, ham and cranberry creations.

He worked long hours, starting his days at 5am to visit meat abattoirs and markets, and clocking off at 8pm after making up orders for the next day’s delivery.

Of a Sunday evening, Don loved to play poker at the Walkford Hotel, and in his younger years his great passion was breeding and showing foreign finches and lovebirds.

“He won many cups and rosettes, but one night his aviary was raided and all the birds were stolen,” said Debbie. “That absolutely broke his heart and he never went back to it.”

He was also very active in the New Forest Meat Traders Association, serving as president for many years.

“Dad loved the social side of it, going to the dinner dances and get-togethers,” continued Debbie. “He was a very sociable person, and a fantastic father.

“One thing that made him unique to me was that he never, ever said a bad word about anyone. If I had a moan about someone, he’d let me, but he’d just give me this look over his glasses that told me he was disappointed.

“He was a kind man, and very much believed that if you had nothing nice to say, you should say nothing at all.”

“And despite not being a rich man, he was extremely generous.”

Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s around 10 years ago, and spent the last few years of his life at White Rock nursing home in Barton.

“They took such wonderful care of him and were genuinely his second family,” said Debbie.

Don is survived by wife Joyce, sister Margaret, his three children Donna Beasley, David and Debbie, and his seven grandchildren Ellia, Nicole, Reece, Bronwyn, Amy, Jay and Connor.