Mr Ian Pimpernell, a well-known and much-loved Trowbridge man who with his wife Janet fostered many children as well as raising his own family, died on January 6, aged 62.

Born in London on June 4, 1952, the second son of Eddie and Margaret Pimpernell, he moved, with older brother James and younger sister Linda to Melksham in 1955, then coming to Trowbridge where Ian lived for most of his life. He went to Newtown Junior School and Nelson Hayden School.

After leaving school he did a variety of work, including serving for a couple of years in the RAF, until he trained as a bricklayer at Trowbridge College. He loved this work and took great pride in it. He was known as a real craftsman who produced work of excellent quality; if there was a tricky bit of bricklaying to do, he would relish the challenge. His work stands as a tribute to him in many houses and other buildings in Wiltshire, including rebuilding the bridge arch at Hilperton Marina.

When driving round he would often point to a building and say, ‘I built that.’ He married Janet in 1977 and settled to family life in Trowbridge where they had two sons, Ricky and Simon. He was also like a second father to his nephew Chris, and was delighted to become a grandfather when Ricky and Kerry had Emily in 2008 and Riley in 2012.

In 2003, Ian and Janet started fostering and fostered 12 children over the years.

Mr Pimpernell was a ‘second dad’ to many, who stayed in touch long after they had moved on. He would take them on walks and cycle rides in the countryside, to music festivals, air shows and motor racing, and even up to Shetland Islands on holiday. He loved being outdoors, walking and cycling in the countryside. He was a knowledgeable birdwatcher, often identifying birds by their song, and sitting for long spells looking through binoculars.

He relished trips to Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in the Shetlands, where his mother grew up. He visited a number of times, most recently last summer with Ricky and other family members. He loved the deserted beaches and was never happier than when he spotted an otter.

His other love was music. He went to Glastonbury Festival 18 times, and could always be found at the Village Pump Folk Festival. He also supported many local bands.

He entered, and often won, local pub quizzes. Over the years he was in the darts team at The Greyhound and the Twelve Bells, and played cribbage for the Twelve Bells team. In November 2014 he suffered a minor stroke, and in December he was also diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema.

He enjoyed Christmas and New Year at home with his family, but on January 6 he was taken ill at home and died later that day in hospital after suffering a heart attack. He will be sadly missed by his family and his wide circle of friends and workmates. A large number were expected to attend his funeral, which was held at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, on Wednesday. Donations in his memory will go to the British Heart Foundation.