Death of Martin Curry

Tribute by David McBride

Martin Curry, who died on 18th March, was a popular and well known councillor in the Crays.  I was lucky enough to have him as my Ward Colleague for 8 years.  Elected in 1994 for St Paul's Cray, we both became councillors for the newly established Cray Valley East Ward in 2002, along with Brenda Thompson.  In total, he was elected four times.

Martin's mission was to make life better for the residents in the Crays.  He was a regular attendee at residents' meetings and was ever present at our weekly advice surgery.  He was a councillor representative on Broomleigh Housing Association deliberately so he could work to improve the housing in his ward.  On the Council, he was a member of the Education and Social Services committees, becoming Vice Chair of Education in the year 2000.  During election times he would often deliver the biggest polling district in the ward on his own in a day or two - regularly greeted with, "Hello Martin - good to see you again!" by residents.

As you look around the Crays, you can see Martin's legacy.  The playground by Homebase in St Paul's Cray was installed as a result of funding Martin got the Council to bid for.  There are family homes instead of more flats on the estates.  Road safety initiatives he got installed are still there.  That is the sign of an effective local councillor.

Sadly, his final battle, with cancer, proved to be one that he could not overcome.  He will be sorely missed.

Martin Curry
23rd Feb 1957 - 18th March 2023
Martin's family has requested that any donations in memory of Martin are made to St Christopher's Hospice.