The wonder that was Martin Annand
A beautiful light has left the world .But I just know he is sparkling above us full of love.
Martin Annand passed away at St John hospice London at 12..15 on the 9th of August 2021 . Mozart piano concerto 15 playing .
with his civil partner Nicos Steratzias and his former partner. Steven Smith lovingly by his side .
Christopher Robin said to Winne the Pooh:
“You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Martin Annand was the quintessential Christopher Robin, and he loved his eclectic friends, no matter their flaws and he embraced their strengths. He would often joke, “I think he is having and Eeyore moment” if a friend was down or not seeing the positive about something. He would reference more of Christopher’s pals, saying, “you’re very Tigger-y today” if one of us was particularly bouncy, and even though Martin enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, he also empathised with Pooh, adoring a sneaky sweet or two.
Martin was a true English gentleman whose style and grace made him so wonderfully unique. People just adored him as he made every person feel important, taking an interest in everyone he met. From classic cars to a hand of Bridge, the latest song by the Pet Shop Boys, or even a glance at what Robbie Williams was wearing - Martin could talk about it all. He just loved everything in life.
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| Martin with Emma Noble Steven Smith Ian and Sam Phillips |
I would often laugh to myself when people thought Martin was “serious” and “a little unapproachable”. He was one of the funniest people I have ever met, bringing the phrase “Don’t judge the book by its cover” to mind. Martin’s inner child beamed out to those who knew him and took the time to see the beautiful man for who he really was.
When I first met him, he told me a story that could only happen to Martin. He said, “I went to a dinner party last night. When I got there, the house was awfully dark. When I pressed the doorbell, the hostess answered in her night attire.
“Oh, has the dinner been cancelled?” I enquired.
“It was last week,” the hostess answered, wide mouthed. “And what is more, you came to it !””
Martin had the ability to laugh at himself. He was funny, sometimes forgetful and, what is a rare quality these days, loyal. Whenever you saw him, he opened his wide blue eyes and smiled, and he made you believe you could do whatever you wanted to do.
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| Martin my former partner of twenty years with me . |
He was fortunate enough to dance with Princess Margaret, but always said he enjoyed dancing at his friend Denise Welch’s ball with a group of bright young things more than with Her Royal Highness. Martin just loved the dance of life and he threw himself into everything – whether it was captaining a boat or dancing the Conga in Rio De Janeiro. Or partying in St Tropez for his friend Pam Sharrock’s 60th I recall him skiing down a black run in Klosters Ski Resort with such ease, leaving the soon-to-be-famous Denise Welch and myself way behind. Of course, Martin being Martin, he was straight back up the slope to come to the aid of his friends.
There is so much to write on The Exceptional Mr Annand that it could fill two volumes. If there is a Heaven, he will be up there playing Bridge and chatting to his friends who journeyed there before him. If he is looking down, all he would want for us is love, success and happiness as Martin embodied all those things.
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