In loving memory of Martin Butler who sadly passed away on 26th March 2020
Martin ‘Tids’ Butler 23.9.61 –26.3.2020
We say goodbye to a Beeston legend. The word legend is used too freely, but Martin truly was unique. Martin slipped away from us after a relapse of Gallbladder cancer; he was a giant in our community and touched so many people’s lives. Martin grew up in Beeston Rylands, where he lived all his life. He went to Henry Mellish Grammar School and worked in Telecommunications. He was a slow grower, hence his nick name (Tiddler) – Tids, but he made up for it once he got going! Martin excelled in everything he turned his hand to and wasn’t shy at letting us know how good he was, but that’s what made him what he was. If he could help you –he would, whether it was fixing your car, sorting a computer problem, giving a lift or lending you tools. If ever you went to his house, the kettle was always on! A more sociable bloke you couldn’t hope to meet. Martin enjoyed a pint; he also enjoyed a glass of red too! When he socialised, which was often, his anecdotes were famous. He never let facts get in the way of a good story, he would often repeat his favourite yarns, we knew what was coming, but we loved it, as every time the tale got more and more elaborate.When playing sport, he never let the team down, he was brilliant at everything, be it football, rugby, cricket, snooker, golf, table-tennis, squash, skiing. He was the guy you wanted on your side. Martin loved wildlife, particularly birds and chaired the Beeston Wildlife Group. He helped draw in big audiences by his warm nature. He showed Chris Packham around Attenborough Nature Reserve before Chris spoke in the eveningin Beeston. Celebrities were just another person to Martin; he also met HRH Duke of Kent, when he came to meet the Notts Wildlife Trust. We don’t know what Martin said to the Duke, but we could see him nodding in agreement-possibly Martin’s views onBrexit! Martin travelled extensively, visiting 45 countries organising his own adventures with his wife Sarah, they loved their holidays. Martin would give talks from the pictures he’d taken to many groups. Martin was a confident guy, nothing seemed to bother him, if he was around-problems got solved with a smile. He exuded a tough persona, but underneath he was a sensitive soul and found pleasure tending his allotment, listening to 70’s rock music (he never moved on from that) cooking, rock climbing, fishing, photography even drawing portraits. Martin loved pub quizzes and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all sports. He always tried to speak the language of whatevercountry he was visiting –‘it’s only right’he’d say (you needed to be there to witness it!), you had to admire his nerve.
Martin leaves a massive hole that no one can fill, but his spirit will live on in all of us who knew him-through his sayings and stories that will be repeated time and again. Martin’s wife of 31 years,Sarah, will have so many happy memories; our thoughts go out to her. Thank you Martin for filling our lives, you were one of a kind and our lives are richer from having known you.
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