MARTYN DANIELS
1952-2020: A TRIBUTE
Chariman Isle of Dogs
Allotment Society 2018-2020
It is with great sadness that we write to all members and
friends of London Life blog and also the Isle of Dogs & District Allotment Society a short piece in
appreciation of the contribution to the social life, hard work, fairness and
vision of your Chairman, Martyn Daniels. Martyn died suddenly of a heart attack
on 18th December 2020 at home with his beloved wife Annie and
whippet Lottie by his side. It was the very day that he published his last blog post here.
The website Martyn created for the Society www.iodadas.com is much appreciated and used
for new membership enquiries daily and remains to this day an historical
tribute to the allotments which we love. Martyn organised the website not only
by history, awards and events, but also by colourful characters who have grown
produce here over decades. He also curated vast gallery of archive images with
the help of local historians.
Martyn was an active Committee member and upheld the values
for which he had become well known in business, reaching the Board of B&Q
and creating award-winning publishing technologies.
Martyn
truly was an original, from his love of Northern Soul music, art, an expert in
DIY, he loved to paint, walk in Majorca, watch Sheffield Wednesday, play guitar
and tend his allotment.
The
Society have agreed with his widow Annie to design a suitable memorial. Charity
donations have raised money to build raised beds for gardeners with
disabilities, physical or mental health issues, which was very close to his heart
and to follow the plans Martyn left behind.
Martyn’s
greatest legacy must of course be the 99 year lease he won on behalf of not
just the Allotments but also Mudchute Farm. He co operated and built bridges
over long standing issues which he overcame and negotiated so that everyone was
a winner.
A new
Silver trophy, THE MARTYN DANIELS AWARD FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE has been
engraved. His yellow bench on the upper plots will be repainted and sunflowers
painted on the trading shed he refurbished and clad in wood - all are planned
to honour his memory. The TV clip of his Lockdown “help a neighbouring
plotholder who is isolating” was broadcast in April 2019 to the soundtrack
Kelly’s Heroes. Martyn was our allotments hero. He was still running full tilt,
and had been asked to be London Rep for the National Allotments Council, such
was his commitment.
