Martin Donnelly

Martin Donnelly came to CAT thirteen years ago as a long term volunteer for the publications department. Coming with a background in computer programming and design work he was the perfect person to work on what was then a revolutionary new tool for communication – the website. He built the CAT website up from practically nothing and in the process brought CAT to the attention of hundreds of thousands of people. Without Martin's work CAT would not be the place it is today.

Although Martin was a talented computer programmer you always get the feeling he would have preferred to be out in the garden studying permaculture. He was a keen nature lover, making an annual pilgrimage to Skomer Island and taking every opportunity to walk with friends.

A man of many diverse interests and passions - as you can see from the pictures below - he was also a keen musician and actor – appearing in many plays with his fellow "Bardbarians" (a group of local amateur performers) and playing piano in local funk band Platform Soul. As such he touched many people's lives in many different ways.

He was a wonderful friend and close colleague to many. A lovely kind man who's enthusiasm for nature, the theatre, music and the finer things in life will be much missed by everyone who knew him. He has left a Martin sized hole in our lives and he will always be remembered.

Martin came into our office to work on the CAT website, which had been quite minimal up to then, or possibly non-existent. He worked voluntarily to start with, supporting himself by working on tube schematics for the London Underground. These he did on a very unreliable PC, in Microsoft Word. He sat directly behind me, his nose stuck to the screen of this failing computer, frequently bellowing “BASTARD!” at the top of his voice as the program keeled over for the umpteenth time.

Despite these early setbacks, he went on to create the CAT website, single-handed. This was an incredible feat, and a testament to his extraordinary skill as a programmer. Martin always hated using off-the-peg web programs: they created vast amounts of redundant code, and the perfectionist in him detested this. He always preferred to write his own code, and the resulting web pages worked with great stability and reliability.

Martin was a sociable and gregarious man. Active and talented, he played in a whole string of bands. He performed and directed plays, putting in many appearances in the Machynlleth pantomime, then productions by the ‘Bardbarians’. His conversation was stimulating, combing a well-informed intelligence with a down-to-earth sense of humour. He could be very grumpy and curmudgeonly, but was always honest and true. His humour made him resilient, and he faced his last illness with great bravery, and optimism. For though his humour was often cynical, I think that Martin was a very optimistic man. His spark shall be missed, so lets raise a glass of Jameson’s to his life.

John Urry

Happy times at parties

"I knew Martin for just over 5 years. When I first arrived in Mach I stayed for a couple of weeks with Sarah Edwards while I looked for accommodation. I headed from the station with my backpack on my back getting some strange looks from a group of ner-do-wells sitting on the benches outside of the White Lion as I passed. Arriving at Sarahs she told me to drop the bag as she was just out for a drink and I should join her........so we went straight back to...the very same group of dubious looking characters I had just passed, this was the first time I met Martin, 20 mins from arriving in town. I didn't think people like Martin existed in real life...I had never heard someone with the ability to tell jokes non -stop for hours and hours, he didn't mind if they were particularly good jokes, in fact I think he found a perverse pleasure listening to all our groans when he told a particularly appalling one! We went on to become good friends, doing a lot of walking and bird watching together, a lot of socialising, regularly cooking meals for each other. His hero was David Attenborough and he had a fascination of the depth and complexity of the natural world, and was a mine of information on the subject. I wont be alone in missing him giving me a severe trouncing at scrabble, something else he was excelled in. He was a very dear friend and I will miss him greatly."

John Kearney

Trips to Skomer

The group went to Skomer one year and they were having a bird count and the island was closed to the public so they went to St Davids instead.

Martin, my dream personal mentor - you were so pissed when I asked you, you forgot and missed the first meeting. You never fussed, but when I did ask for help you really did. I loved your irreverent dignity and abrasive humility. You were really kind.

Julie Bromilow

"When I arrived here I ran a joke competition;
Martin came second or third I can't remember and won a t-shirt which didn't fit him.

The joke was:
A man was in court charged with killing and eating an owl.
He was bought up before the judge and the case progressed.
Throughout the case the man protested and claimed innocence. He said the owl had flown into a window in his house and fallen at his feet.
He did however say he had eaten the owl.
Eventually the judge proclaimed the man innocent and set him free.
Just before he left the court the judge said to the man
"we have found you innocent of killing the owl but can you tell me what it tasted like?"
The man replied "well it was sort of half way between a peregrine falcon and a golden eagle.""

Rob Goodsell

Some messages from ex-CAT staff

"Very sorry to hear of Martin. A great birder and walker, and the single-handed creator of CAT's web presence."

"I was fond of him too and am sad he's gone. I saw him in Bristol over the summer and back then he was in really fine fettle (considering). Perhaps best to remember someone that way. I've certainly been thinking about some funny moments over the last couple of days - like when he arranged a trip to Skomer and drove for hours only to find the island was closed! Couldn't organise a bun fight in a bakery that chap... Mind you a piss up in a brewery was probably more his style ;-)"

"Such a lovely soul and although I didn't know him very long I hold warm memories of him. Do send everyone my love, I know he will be sorely missed."

"....I'm very sad...and I'm glad he was saying jokes til the end. I hope he didn't suffer and went in peace."

"REALLY sorry to hear about Martin. I heard his laugh and saw his smile, he was a dude and a half and I'll always remember him fondly, he was well loved."

"We wouldn't be upset if he'd moved away to another country and we never happened to see him again, and that it's like that - he's just left this plain - I hope he's gone somewhere sunny."

"I always think fond thoughts of him."

British Media and Environment Award 1998

"Website designer Martin Donnelly receiving the coveted award for best environmental website. Attracting 35,000 hits a month, this website is becoming a valuable resource, supporting the aspirations of many to find greater harmony with the planet."

Martin was a huge help when we took a show garden to Gardeners' World Live – enjoying a rare two day screen break he relished getting out to talk directly to the public. With Martin you were always surprised by how much he knew about all sorts of subjects.

Martin reading from Under Milk Wood in YPlas with Kelvin and Christine.

The Bardbarians

The Bardbarians featured many members of CAT staff and rattled through a long list of plays including Cabaret, An Inspector Calls, Blood Brothers and Under Milk Wood. Martin featured in many of them and directed Once A Catholic.

Playing one of his many character roles Martin was the PC in Blood Brothers. Here he is reporting CAT Publisher Allan Shepherd to CAT Education Officer Christine McLennan for being a very naughty boy.

Martin played the patriarch in two plays. Here in An Inspector Calls and below (press cutting) in Spring and Port Wine. This scene lives in people's memories because Martin forgot his line whilst enjoying his glass of sherry. Waiting for the prompt he downed the whole glass of sherry and carried on pretending to drink even though the glass was obviously empty. At last ex CAT Publisher Caroline Oakley moved things on by saying Martin's forgotten line – "You really are talking too much."

The cast rehearsing Blood Brothers – with CAT's Courses Director Joan Randle type cast again as Marilyn Monroe.

Martin playing the doctor in Blythe Spirit for The Bardbarians.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
(W.E.Henley)

You've left some mighty big shoes to fill!
Rob
19th December 2009

Martin - we will all miss you more than you know. But somewhere you'll be playing the blues with Sean and back in your rightful place.
You were always happy to laugh, to bring laughter and chew the fat; a fund of stories serious and amusing; a man with a heart bigger than his small frame belied...With love and respect
Caroline
21st December 2009

Martin was a lovely man.
In more recent years, sadly, I only got to see him at parties and what have you. We'd talk about music, a lot. In fact he was one of the few people who I thought had an artistic appeciation far deeper and wider than he would profess.
We'd cry, and choke, laughing together until we were hoarse, and meeting up with him was more often than not the highlight of any such event for me.
Over the years he'd proved to me to be, not just a valued friend but a bit of a comic genius. Alas his timing was way way out, this time.

Cheers to you Martin!
I sincerely feel privileged to have known you mate, and I'm going miss you.

Neil
21st December 2009

Shortly after I started working in the CAT finance department we knocked the wall down between us and the Web, IT & Graphics crew. From then on we would work with an intermittant background soundtrack of Martin swearing at his computer.
He was a muti-talented, many faceted man - it would be possible not to realise the width and breadth of his knowledge and abilities as he was not one to boast or brag.
Cooking with him on the site community rota, you always knew that he would be the one giving the orders - he was such a good cook it was a pleasure to follow his direction.
He was a great man, I miss him and am so glad that many above have managed to paint a just and fitting tribute to him.
Teg
22nd December 2009

Martin
I met you a year ago when I came to work with you at CAT on the website, and saw you most days. You told me you didn't work well with people, but not true - you were great to work alongside. Helping me learn about the website and trusting me to work with it. I admired your laid-back dedication - it helped me relax and to be productive. You made me feel welcome at CAT straight away - inviting me to site dinners and telling me stories. Even while you were going through treatment you came in to work and talk to people - and never complained (only about computers!)
I'll miss especially your funny anecdotes, your entertaining manner, love of nature, and recipe advice. It's a sad loss for everyone.
Julie
22nd December 2009

kind, witty, great keyboard player, much missed
deirdre
27th December 2009

Martin was a talented, generous man; and self-deprecating with it.

I was running the Publications Department at CAT when he arrived to work as a volunteer and support me on managing the new website. He quickly made it his own project, working against the odds to develop something cutting edge and properly interactive that CAT could be proud of and connected to the Virtual CAT project - Green Solutions CD-ROM in 1998-9.

He was a wonderful keyboard player and more recently I enjoyed working with him in the Mach Panto I wrote in 2007.

I was deeply saddened to hear he'd lost his battle with cancer. I will always remember him with fondness. A truly selfless, modest, generous man.
David Thorpe
30th December 2009

Who will make me howl with your telling of the Flagolet Pipe and Drum Band collection box story now? Who will tell me the bird from its song? Who will fill my home with Clair de Lune played not just note perfectly but with passionate feeling? Vic, you leave unique memories. Rest in peace.
Tess Townsend
01st January 2010

Martin Joseph Raphael better Known as Vic Donnelley, great humour ,great Knowledge, great man.will miss you lots, friend for over 40 years
Dave Timmis
06th January 2010

Like Dave, I'd known Martin / Vic for other 40 years - he'd introduced me to so much great music in our teens. Plus a never-ending stream of jokes. It's clear from all the other comments that Martin meant a great deal to so many people.

We'll all miss you, mate.
Steve Parker
06th January 2010

I hadn't seen Martin nearly often enough since schooldays. Bringer of music (his own and other people's), of jokes (some terrible, some merely bad), and sharp, often acerbic, comment. Bracing company, good friend. A real loss.
Terry Buchan
06th January 2010

Martin
I remember so well our trips from Northolt to Hayes with you sitting on the crossbar of my bike to play 3 card brag and bridge! The pennies you nearly always lost and I and others often won. Evenings at your mum's house playing cards, everyone was welcome -10 friends and family in your front room. School holiday jobs at Wimpeys in Hayes. You offered me places sharing your flats in Ealing and Acton. On sundays you often almost completed the Mephisto crossword in the Sunday Times - an impossible feat. You drove me crazy practicing America by Nice when we were in Ealing! We met infrequently every few years at our reunions of the school card school.
It was great to pick up where we left off and to stay with you again last summer and enjoy your great meal with trout cooked in newspaper and listening to recordings of your band , you were as hospitable and generous as ever. I am still trying to play the blues piano pieces you recommended, you played with seeming ease. I will miss you, mate.


Mick Owens
06th January 2010

Martin,
There are many things I don't remember too well but I can recall the first time that you were called Vic. I can also recall how we shared the fun and shared the angst of those teenage years in suburbia. So many years apart I was so pleased to see you again last year. Regretfully, for me, today is a good day for the blues.
Kev
06th January 2010

Gees, this is a shock to hear Martin has moved on, so to speak. It's lovely to read all the tales of his life.

I was Martin's neighbour in site commuity in Summer 2007. His yummy indulgent cooking (kippers for breakfast an education to this Aussie) could be smelt through the cottage walls. He helped my sanity with the loan of music-playing infrastructure, always happy for me to have a go on his keyboard (though he far surpassed me in talent), and introduced me to "Dune".

When my parents came to visit and said in their snoity poitiest Aussie accents "we don't come to Britain to see nature". Yet on Martin's advice headed off to see Badgers in Fishguard and Puffins on Skomer, well, they ate their words.

I remember Martin saying that the men in his family didn't live long, but it's still very sad to hear of Martin's death.

Love to the ether wherever he be,
and to those left behind on-site at CAT,
from Vincentia, Australia,
Cath
07th January 2010

My first night at CAT, as a trial weeker, I went to site community dinner expecting vegetarian fare which was indeed provided by Rhiann in the form of veggie bangers and mash. This was far supassed (sorry Rhi!) by a huge pot of rabbit and pheasent stew, home caught and made by Martin - it was fantastic!
Becca
07th January 2010

I remember the rabbit and phesant stew! and you're right becca it far surpassed my offerings!
Martin was a great bloke, He will be sorely missed my memories of him are all fond and i looked forward to hearing his latest jokes in the pub
my favourite Martin Joke:
What's a pirates favourite food?
TAAARRR-AAARRR-MAAARRR-SAAARRR-LAAARRR-TAAARRR
(taramasalata)

Rhian
07th January 2010

Martin,
you always used to ask me "Are you alright?", and it relaxed me.
I will never forget your lovely Irish coffee.
Please rest in peace.
From Japan

Ikuko
09th January 2010

Farewell Martin,
We'll always miss your (often dreadful) jokes at our reunions. You were always the one 'to set the table in a roar'. I never saw one of your later performances, but I won't forget you as the 'The Dark Lady of the Sonnets' at Gunnersbury. We'll drink to your memory today at our reunion.
Chris McCarthy
09th January 2010

I shall raise a glass to you Martin in fond memory.
I am just sorry that I failed to raise one with you in recent times - Hail and farewell.

Paul Hamilton
09th January 2010

Martin was our house mate at Chicken Shack Housing Co op some nine years ago. A gentle, kind man always willing to help if I was stuck with a problem. He was very much a part of the whole community. His love of scuba diving and sea birds opened my eyes to lots of lovely local species. he was a really good cook too. A solid groove for Platform Soul - they played at my daughter Alice's 21st birthday at Chicken Shack and Martin thanked me! He was brave right to the end, I wish I could have done more my friend. Love Norma

Norma McCarten
14th January 2010

I have read all the tributes and I have laughed and I have cried what is there to say when every thing seems to be covered. I knew his family loved him a great deal and I knew amongst a thousand talents and characteristics that he had, that he was clever, witty, caring, damn good piano player! (all understatements); Martin was a man for whom it seems it might have taken a life time to know of all the things he had achieved but he didnt boast. When on holiday we discussed parties in light houses and gigs and all night drinking sessions and while looking at some boats in the dock he casually mentioned that in a week or so he would be on a big ship/boat just like that one sure enough he did i later learned....I mean how cool is that? Another thing I didn’t know was how many people loved and admired him, or how much him leaving would pain me. It was a real privilege Martin not just to have met you and known you but to have witnessed the love and hospitality of those who knew and loved you through out your life and every day of your life. One word Exceptional.
Leigh’s wife and your friend I hope, Becky.xx
P.s still cant remember a whole song, but i will cry you a river!!xx
Rebecca Merrett.
21st January 2010

Dearest Martin...

... as the tears fall, I smile in memory of all that is you.

With love and one of your big bear hugs, sarah
Sarah Jenkinson
08th February 2010

From schooldays at Gunnersbury to more recently playing together in the OEBB (Olde Ealing Blues Band) you were always a good friend and great company. One fond memory amongst many is playing 'spot that tune' by humming obscure melodies driving home from gigs in that Ford Transit! I only fully realised at our last evening in the White Lion how much your friends and colleagues in Machynlleth valued you. I hope you know we loved you and miss you terribly.

Mick Clark
20th February 2010