Martyn Nicholls - Obituary
For those who don’t already know, I pass on the sad news that Martyn Nicholls died recently. I’ve got very little further information at present but hope to be able to let you know the funeral arrangements in due course.
For those who don’t know, Martyn was a founder member of Camra Bexley branch, taking the role of treasurer at its inauguration 50 years ago. He was a longstanding chairman, and on relinquishing that position was voted in as president.
His closest living relative is his brother Mike, who lives in New Zealand.
Best wishes,
Rob, Bexley CAMRA
The following article was written by Peter Trout, Bexley CAMRA.
CAMRA Bexley Branch were saddened to hear of the death of our former longest-serving Branch Chairman and only Branch President: Martyn Nicholls.
For a few months in 1975, Bexley & Bromley CAMRA were one branch but Bexley thought there was enough interest to start its own branch. And so, on a Monday evening on 21st July 1975, at “The Blue Anchor” pub in Bridgen (now just “The Anchor”), Bexley CAMRA was born. Martyn took the minutes and was elected on to the first committee (but not as Secretary). Jeff Tucker (now of Maidstone & Mid-Kent CAMRA ) was elected Chairman and everyone contributed 10p so that a bank account could be opened.
Martyn, in his long association with Bexley CAMRA, managed to take on all jobs just to keep the Branch active, particularly through the lean years in the 1990’s and had a spell as Chairman for 20 years.
Working in the Planning Department of Bexley Council, he put as many pubs as possible into Conservation Areas. This helped, when pubs were keen to promote a pseudo-Australian lager with large illuminated outdoor signs that were far larger than the other signs but had to settle for signs the same size as the existing ones. Working with other local Bexley groups, Toby Carvery had to re-instate the original name of the modified public house they had taken over, to “The Crook Log”.
The local Kent guides benefitted from his line drawings of pubs from the 1988 edition onwards.
He supplied Kent, Gravesend and Bexley Beer Festival with logo’s to be used on their glasses, t-shirts and advertising.
He assisted Terry Whitta with the posters for the early CAMRA “Make May a Mild Month” campaign. He took great pleasure in doing this as he was a big fan of Mild.
Each Christmas meeting, attendees were sent a Christmas card depicting a line drawing of a Bexley Pub, his favourite being our award-winning Robin Hood & Little John.
Martyn worked at many Festivals over the years, including the 1975 Covent Garden event, and the two SE London events held in Woolwich Polytechnic, plus of course Kent and Bexley.
He began his working career with the old GLC, until it was abolished in 1986, when he joined Bexley Council as Senior Planning Officer.
Apart from drinking Real Ale, and a love of folk music, he had a huge interest in transport, having articles published in Model Railway magazines, helping in the restoration of old buses and being a marshal at motor rallies. A lot of his time was spent within local Bexley organisations as, being a resident, he considered it important to contribute to all aspects of the local community.
Without Martyn’s enthusiasm and determination, Bexley CAMRA would have folded. A much-missed member.
Rest In Peace.
