Gordon’s death in April 2008 left a gaping hole in our lives which is impossible to fill. A man of tall stature, his personality was as big as he was and when he entered a room, even during his illness, he exuded a presence and commanded respect from everyone else there. He was our own “oracle” on any subject under the sun. If Gordon didn’t know the answer then he knew how to find it, so inevitably he was the one to whom we always turned whatever the problem. His ready wit, unfailing cheerfulness, and the capacity to relate to each and every one of us in a loving and lovely way made him such a huge part of all our lives. He lived every day to its fullest capacity refusing to be cowed by the crippling effects of Parkinson’s Disease.

It is hard to see any good come out of the devastating illness which robbed him of a normal life with his beloved wife Maureen and his two sons David and Andrew. It was however during that illness that his love of the written word and for poetry and prose was allowed to grow and expand in a way in which it might never have done had he continued his career in commerce and in particular in accountancy.

This book is Gordon’s. It is life as he saw it and lived it. It felt impossible to edit his works, so they have all been included, a few with his own footnotes. Some of the verses are very personal, reflecting his own interests, loves, fears and at times confused thinking brought on by the effects of Parkinson’s drugs. Others reflect his humour, general knowledge and interest in current affairs and always his command of the English language.

Enjoy what follows and celebrate the life of Gordon Martin