Today my best friend Martin will be laid to rest. Alas we weren’t able to attend the service but I am gratified that many of his close friends, including Rich, Huw, Jayne, Judith, Linda, Helen, Chris, Claire will be there to say their farewells. He will be desperately missed by all. What a solid chap.
I’m not alone in saying that Martin is part of our DNA and always will be, binding our memories and friendship. Martin you’re forever with us and we all thank you for sharing your very generous life with us. Like most of his friends we had expected our adventures with you to continue so I hope you watch down on us as we continue with them, sadly without you.
My last thoughts go out to his sister, Cathy who was forever at his side.
I leave you with some pictures of Martin and a funny story at the end.
One of the funniest things I ever saw, witnessed by my family and our cousins, was on a Boxing day when we all went up the common to watch Win and I fly our rather large Nasa Para Wing kite (hand built by Martin). It was a typical winters day, cold and damp with a decent breeze, but no rain. Win was already up there setting up the kite towards the rugby pitch end of the common as the wind was blowing toward the railway station. I helped him launch it and then stood back and watched as family chatted and half watched Win. It was soon obvious that Win was struggling a bit with the kite, knees bent, leaning back with arms out stretched. It was like watching a tug-of-war, Win would get pulled forward a few steps and then manage to stagger back and regain his ground. It was now becoming more fun to watch and we all became engrossed with us shouting encouragement to Win, which of course made him laugh which didn’t help his concentration at all. It must of have got tiring for Win as suddenly he went went down on one knee. Who was going to win this battle?
With Win on the ground his position was compromised as he couldn’t step forward or backward and before we knew it Win was down on both knees, leaning back on his haunches. There must have been a gust as the next thing we saw was Win flat on his stomach, in the mud. He could have let go of one of the lines, but did he, no, like a trooper he hung on, being pulled and at a decent rate of knots I may add into the sunset, well not quite the sunset but you get the idea, artistic license. We were all in hysterics by then and I think he got dragged pretty much all the way to the swings before the wind dropped and Win was able to stagger to his feet. By this time the whole front of Wins body was thick with mud and as Win said after, he was pretty sure he was dragged over some dog muck in the process. Luckily Win had his own car to drive back home in.
To this day this has to have been one of the funniest things I have ever seen and all that witnessed agree. Win also saw the funny side and he would often laugh at the retelling of this epic kite flying adventure.

Win you were a legend in your own lunch time and will continue to be!!!! – We salute you.
We will all miss Martin. Such a huge loss. When you think how close we all were/are. On a personal level it feels like I’ve suddenly lost a limb. I just always thought Mart would be there. And now he’s not. I keep falling into shell holes inhabited by memories. I walked into the spare room the other day. That was a mistake. Its chock a block full of the planes we used to fly together.. I had to shut the door on them.
Lovely words Rich and and you’re not alone in your feelings.
Lovely Dave, it is terribly sad. As you say Rich he was always there.
It’s a lifetime away since I lived in Dinas Powys, but very sad to hear about Win. When we were teenagers he always seemed like a very centred and solid character. From “Tin’s” comments on Facebook, it seems that he retained those qualities throughout his life.
Wonderful pictures of Win, Tin & Bomas (aka Richard Thomas) … and Gary(?).
Is that the Cross Keys where Win is beaming from ear to ear?
Lovely to hear from you Jem, we all had good times with you! You’re pretty spot in with the centered and solid and we can assure you that he was still the same till the end. Where are you now Jem, would be great to meet up some day. Yes I think that is the Cross Keys. I though the Star at first, but then I noticed the door to the loos to the right. Facebook me, David Linnard.
Thanks for the FB message, David – I’ve replied. I’m in Ceredigion, West Wales. I have 12 acres and an old farmhouse – so I’m a ‘pretend farmer’ like Richard ! I was planning a 60th Birthday Party in the last week of August with camping, a marquee and 5 or 6 bands that I’ve either previously played with or know. But as time ticks on and lockdown in Wales is so slow to lift, I’m thinking that I might need to postpone being 60 for year :-). Let me know on FB when you are in the UK. Jem.
Thanks for the FB message, David – I’ve replied. I’m in Ceredigion, West Wales. I have 12 acres and an old farmhouse – so I’m a ‘pretend farmer’ like Richard ! I was planning a 60th Birthday Party in the last week of August with camping, a marquee and 5 or 6 bands that I’ve either previously played with or know. But as time ticks on and lockdown in Wales is so slow to lift, I’m thinking that I might need to postpone being 60 for year :-). Let me know on FB when you are in the UK. Jem.
That sounds like a great birthday and I hope you don’t have to cancel and if you have to that you only need to push it back a month or so. I’ll keep my eye on fb as it would be great to see some photos from the bash 🙂