Tribute From Nigel Martin - The Early Years

'Hello everyone.....

My name is Nigel and I should first of all like to thank Dick and the family for asking me to speak today about Liz's early years.

Liz's parents divorced when she was quite young and she lived most of the time with her mother in Barons Court in London, though I do remember us visiting two delightfully dotty aunties on her father's side, of whom Liz was very fond.

Most of her schooldays were spent at Effingham House where she met her best girlfriend, Gail, who I am delighted to say is here with me today.

I first met Liz when I worked at J Walter Thompson Advertising in Berkerly Square and Liz worked as a secretary in Longmans the publishers just round the corner.

With our shared love of music, the theatre and cinema, it was obvious that we would get on famously. Liz, Gail and I would be like the 3 musketeers’ at parties, dances and music outings.....and here's where many of you will I hope smile.

The Liz from Buckland Newton was known to you for her great love of classical music, opera and the like BUT, in the early years, it was the NME Poll winners Concert every year at Wembley Arena and trips on freezing cold coaches to Blackpool and the like to see Cliff and The Shadows in seaside shows, coming home at 2.30 in the morning!!

But then wherever she went, whatever she did, FUN was the password for Liz.. Whether eating fish and chips in a 'greasy spoon' in Bayswater near our bedsits one night or dancing at a 'do' at The Savoy the next, dolled up the nines!

Eventually my work took me to Canada and The United States and for a while the close contact was broken. But on my return to England the once-a-year Christmas update on her new life with Dick and the boys started and the friendship has remained ever since.

It has been especially poignant to have been able to talk more than ever over the last few months and it was super to meet Julian and Tim for the first time quite recently. The lovely girl from my teen and twenty years is gone.....the fun, the laughter and the memory of that special smile will never leave me.'