Martin, Swain, Pudding… was the second son to Marjorie & Tom younger brother to Huw (Sid). They were born in Stourbridge, then raised in Cambridge. The boys revelled in the freedom of the swinging 60s, embracing the music and the fashion of the time which was set to shape their lives. And the lives of their children. Imbuing creativity, a passion for culture, and adventure. With a limitless and vivid imagination and silliness.

Martin, a smart-dressed Mod, embarked on a creative career in music and fashion. Who else could pull off a pair of snakeskin platform boots. Well he often needed a hand, apparently.

Martin made many friends in the music industry, took his hand to tailoring, starting with some fringed bags learning from Nina, creating their business together, and eventually making some epic stage gear for the likes of Black Sabbath to Robert Plant to Gary Newman.

Creativity knew no boundaries and these were fun times. Martin, Nina, Sid, and all their best mates from Geeza and Porky to all the other legends were knocking about, hitting gigs having wild tips…

Change the record to the next chapter. When they moved to a small village in Knowbury, proper shook things up but found some local, open-minded hippies to hang out with and created a new life. The chips, as they were fondly referred to then arrived. Catherine first, followed by Mary. A small, beautiful but bloody cold cottage – that was full of warmth and laughter, music and fun, and an endless supply of super small furry animals that ran riot in the place.

Martin was multi-talented musically & could play any instrument, if he couldn’t play it he could certainly hum it!! He could whistle and chirp like a bird, sing with soul & make everybody laugh with his impersonations!! Chirping, Mary has taken on as a skill. Catherine can’t whistle for shit, however…His sense of humor, talking gibberish, and bursts of laughter out of the blue were infectious, hilarious and bizarre at best!

Music played such an important part of his life, he always appeared a little shy on stage which added to his popularity and gave an insight into his vulnerability.

The river and sea, always being a HUGE part of life. Kids, family, and friends playing on innertubes and canoes. Messing about on the river was not only fun but cathartic and calming, the water being a place we’re all naturally drawn to. And the river is where he will eventually flow into, forever.

He was happy in nature, loved endless walks looking at the animals, screaming at the sheep, cycling… Gus’s epic cycle rides bringing together a motley crew of friends, kids’ vintage bikes on some hairy rides across the country. They were good times!

He was handsome, charming, beautiful, witty, and caring and turned heads wherever he went.

The sun making his skin golden brown, his piercing blue eyes that no one will forget. The color of forget me nots.

His sadness and pain overwhelmed him.

But this dark melancholy, something perhaps in him for a long time, could not be shifted despite everyone’s efforts.

His struggle and deep-rooted sadness made his sparkle fade. Distancing himself from himself, let alone others. But with taking his life, he took the happiness and wonderful memories etched out above and that’s what we all shall hold onto.

The struggle is over, the pain for him has ceased. And every day we will miss him x