Island Life October/November 2018

Inside Business
A family approach to funerals
A programme of
expansion works has
been going on this year
at the Newport premises
of independent funeral
director Geoff Leather –
and the result has finally
been unveiled with a
much larger car park,
a more spacious and
welcoming reception
area, disabled facilities,
and an additional
funeral consultation
room. Meanwhile,
the garage has also been
extended to accommodate the
company’s hearse, limousines,
and traditional funeral bier.
According to second generation
funeral director Robin Leather,
the aim of the whole 12-month
improvement programme has
been to remove as many of the
external stresses as possible
for clients, at what is naturally
a difficult time in their lives.
The business, launched by
Robin’s father Geoff and now into
its third decade, also employs
Robin’s brother Marcus, who is
based at the Cowes office with
funeral director Rob Cheney.
Working alongside his father,
Robin believes that
their family-centred
approach offers clients
a service that is personal
and compassionate as
well as being totally
professional. They are
members of both the
National Association of
Funeral Directors and
the independent funeral
directors’ society, SAIF.
Robin adds that the
company can also offer
advice and guidance
on pre-paid funeral plans, and is
happy to talk about any aspect
of the service they offer.
Find Geoff Leather in Newport
at 45 Upper St James’ Street,
telephone: 01983 529090.
Find them in Cowes at 40 Place
Road, Cowes, telephone: 01983
292932. www.geoffleather.co.uk
Enjoying the magic of guitars
You don’t need to be a guitar
player to be fascinated by Willy’s
Guitar Shop in Cowes – the
well-known musical ‘boutique’
with a distinctive vibe and
window displays full of wonderful
vintage pre-owned guitars.
The magical atmosphere extends
into the shop, where there are
between 60 and 70 guitars on
display – all perfectly tuned and
with amps ready set up and stools
just waiting for people to try out
the amazing selection of lead
guitars, bass guitars, acoustic nylon
stringed, and steel stringed guitars.
Owner of the business is
musician Roland White, who has
an encyclopaedic knowledge of
his subject, thanks to his lifelong
passion for guitars. So if there’s
something you’re particularly
looking for, he will more than likely
be the man who can help you.
Even for non guitar players, a
guitar can actually be a worthwhile
investment as they tend to
increase in value. Or, if the sight
of all those stunning instruments
makes you tempted to learn,
Roland can offer lessons, as he’s
also an experienced guitar teacher
of both children and adults.
With Christmas on the horizon,
he also offers a payment plan
for customers who wish to
pre-order guitars as gifts.
You can find Willy’s Guitar
Shop at 12 Shooters Hill, Cowes,
PO31 7BG or on Facebook.
Call them on 01983 242680.
www.visitilife.com 127