Members on here who are not on NGRM, or are not members of the 7mm NGA Facebook group will probably be unaware that Howard Martin passed away on Thursday night, 23/24 March. it has just been announced as follows:
"I am sad to report that longtime member, as well as former chairman and secretary, of the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association, Secretary of the Small & Delightful Railway Group and proprietor of Avalon Line Models Howard Martin passed away last night after a long and gallant fight with health issues".
What was not covered in that announcement was that Howard was also an Honorary Life Member of the 009 Society which was presented to him for his services to the NG modelling hobby over many years, at the conclusion of the final NG Southwest at Shepton Mallet in February 207, which will be forever remembered by all who were there as not only the biggest one day NG modelling event that has ever been held - 69 layouts present not including those shown on trade or society stands, 14 traders, and 10 societies/associations. it was also considered to be a fitting finale to the best NG modelling event in the calendar.
Over many years, Howard has fought with health issues and my own condolences go to his family and the close friends of his who have supported him throughout.
RIP Howard, you will be missed by many.
Mick
Howard and his close friend and companion Barrie Baker, with the infamous Shepton Mallet exhibition manager's 10 inch to the foot ruler.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FKx1CYym.jpg&hash=ed779abda3d84ffb2209886504a5f85cea8bd8e0) (https://imgur.com/Kx1CYym)
Howard being presented with Honorary Life Membership of the 009 Society by Geoff Bowyer at the conclusion of the final NG Southwest, Shepton Mallet, February 2017
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7o9IO0q.jpg&hash=24751a78cf79b628ea96d090e73bb0e748dddc3c) (https://imgur.com/7o9IO0q)
Thanks Mick for posting this, it arrived as I was composing a similar post on behalf of the committee.
Howard will indeed be missed, especially in this part of the world where he continued to organise slightly smaller exhibitions than NGSW on a regular basis. He also continued to be a regular exhibitor at our SWOONS Open Days when his health permitted.
My memory of presenting him with Life Membership was the email I received from him afterwards when he asked me to "kindly pass on my grateful thanks to the Committee and Society at large for being awarded Life Membership. In the NG modelling world, there are not many things that come as a complete surprise to me. This award was definitely a well-kept secret until Saturday."
On behalf of the Society we give thanks for all Howard's input into our hobby over the years.
Geoff
Oh - sad news.