11th September 1956 – 5th November 2023
With much sadness, we announce the passing of a great man and long-time servant of YDM. Unfortunately, Martin was found to have a medical complication in 2020 which gradually deteriorated his health to a point where he had to resign as a Director in 2021. Despite this, he carried on in an advisory capacity until he passed away, peacefully in his sleep, during the night of 5th November 2023. He was laid to rest at Eastern Cemetery in Kingston-Upon-Hull on 6th December.
Martin had never been shy in putting his point of view forward and actively campaigned in respect of several of them, including for a devolved Parliament for Yorkshire. He joined the YDM Executive Committee in 2015 after a short spell with Yorkshire First, a political party founded by three YDM executives, and soon became Vice Chair. His enthusiasm made a positive impact, not only in respect of YDM’s campaigns, but of the Movement’s management and IT capability.
Such was the character of the man that after being told that he had a matter of months to live, he fought on for three years. Such was his love for Yorkshire that he insisted his coffin was draped in the White Rose flag at his funeral. So as we say farewell to Martin, we do so in the knowledge that his influence will continue to be with us. Our thoughts are with his family.
Very sorry to read this. I enjoyed working with Martin in Yorkshire First and on Yorkshire devolution matters in general. He was always prepared to ‘step up to the plate’ and take on all sorts of challenging tasks, not least standing in the parliamentary election in 2015 and attending ‘robust’ hustings meetings.
Thank you, Stewart.