We were shocked and saddened to hear of Martin Kimber’s sudden death on 1 December. He was taken away from us far too soon and we express our heartfelt condolences to Gaye and his children.
Martin’s professional life was spent working in teaching, drama and youth work, in London and Gloucestershire, for nearly 40 years. He was a long-term teacher and volunteer at Shakespeare’s birthplace and museum in Stratford-upon-Avon and a keen and unruffled football referee. He loved the theatre and classical music. A former Honorary President of the UK-Russian Federation Twin Town Foundation, Martin played a key role in Cheltenham’s twinning committee, with a particular interest in the film festival at the twin town of Sochi.
But we knew him best as a true European. He was a long-time advocate of the EU’s Erasmus programme, especially for its provision of opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Gloucestershire and elsewhere to gain insights into life in other countries. He delighted in travel around Europe, and loved the varied languages and cultures of Europe. He felt that Europe was his home. He hated the narrow nationalism of Brexit, and was a passionate, hard-working advocate of Britain’s rightful place in the EU and a stalwart member of the Cheltenham for Europe team. He could be relied on to ask polite but awkward and searching questions to those who challenged our pro-EU arguments at public debates during the referendum campaign. And he spent many hours with his friends on our street stalls in the heart of Cheltenham.
Martin was always supportive and encouraging to his pro-Europe colleagues, with a very engaging sense of humour. He and Gaye were generous hosts in Brooklyn Road.
Our hearts go out to his family. He meant a lot to us, but the world to them.
Philip Cole, former Chair of Cheltenham for Europe
Cheltenham for Europe 
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