Martin Strawson's Memorial Website

I don't know where to begin starting to write about my friendship with Martin. I have known him for ten years now and we spoke most weeks on the telephone and by text and email. We both spoke French and Spanish and he would often answer his phone with a booming "Hola!" or text me in French.

Martin was one of the most special and unique people I have ever known, but that doesn't mean he was a perfect angel He loved to hate evil Katie of the Apprentice and could be very strong in his views. We had our shared topics that we loved to talk about. Martin loved the idea of "wholesomeness" . When I returned from a career break in Australia he told me I had earned enough wholesome credits to work for the Bush administration!

Our friendship was based largely around food and the fact that I am a morning person. He used to come to my room in Halls of residence early on a Sunday morning and we would have a pre breakfast breakfast together. I always had a huge stock of jam, bread and fruit teas in my room which drew Martin in! That and the fact that everyone else was sleeping still.

For my wedding Martin gave me an energy saving light bulb, some tinned spaghetti and his famous homemade jam. Each of these presents meant something from our shared past, and whilst it wasn't exactly an orthodox gift it was really special to me.

We shared so many good times at the Halls of Residence parties, nightclubbing, campaigning for him at the Guild -too many to put down here. What was special about Martin was that we were also there for each other in the tough times. When we struggled with course work at University or a horrible boss we could always pick up the phone to each other for a cheer up phone call. When Isobel died on our year abroad he was such I kind and thoughtful friend I felt lucky to have him.

I am going to miss him so much. I always thought he would be a special uncle to my eventual children- bring them wooden gifts and insisting they visited wholesome places like museums. That said I feel so honoured to have had him in my life and I will always want to talk about one of my very best friends. Victoria Latham (Fergurson)

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