East Garston

Martyn and Carole Donno are leaving East Garston to join their family in the Yorkshire Dales, and so, on Sunday the 5th of April, The Parish Council organised a friendly informal lunchtime gathering in the Village Hall and Social Club to thank them for their contribution the the village over the past 20 plus years, and of course to wish them luck in their new venture. Friends poured in from near and far, some not seen since their own departure from the village several years back.

Chris Tonge opened the procceedings by giving us an insight into the "Donno" journey and how they ultimately came to live here in East Garston. Martyn and Carole both grew up in the Barnes area of London and were childhood sweethearts. After their marraige both wanted to get out of London, and they decided on rural Berkshire – well Thatcham anyway.

Martyn began working for a car dealership in Newbury, soon becoming Sales Manager there. At a meeting of Newbury Chamber of Commerce, Martyn met Barry Cottrell. This changed the Donno’s life when Barry offered Martyn a partnership at Cottrells. Carole soon joined him in the office and they both stayed at Cottrells until their retirement.

Ultimately moving to East Garston, Martyn soon began his role as grass cutter etc. starting off with the grass around College Way and moving onto the greens around middle bridge and then, on the death of Joe Maynard, he inherited the stewardship of the War Memorial which has benefited from his care over the years, especially with flowers around the base during the summer months.

Always a keen fisherman the River Lambourn has played a large part in Martyn’s life, firstly below Welford and later the East Garston stretch. With Dave Knight and myself (Chris) Berkshire’s answer to Foggy, Compo and Clegg (from Last of the Summer Wine), was born. Whatever Martyn does he is always a picture of elegance, several times Dave and I have been pulled up for not wearing a tie, even when up to our chests in mud and water. How Martyn finds the time to do all he does I will never know, having a good woman behind him must be the answer.

Chris then handed over to Jonathan Rabbitts who, on behalf of the Parish Council, made a presentation first to Carole and then to Martyn as a token of appreciation for their contribution to the village.

James Pryer and Penny Locke presented Martyn with a mounted historical map of the local area on behalf of the Village Ammenities Group.

Dave Knight takes up the story ~ I have only known Martyn and Carole for 9 of the 22 years they have lived in the village. However, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Martyn in various situations within the village. One thing I learned to appreciate very early on was his meticulous approach to his work and, re-iterating Chris's comments, his impeccable working attire.There were times when he made us feel very self concious. There has been a comparision drawn between Martyn, Chris and I and the three lead characters in "Last of the Summer Wine". As the conciever of grand ideas, the meticulous planning to carry them out and the impeccable dress, only Martyn is capable of the role of "Foggy Dewhurst" leaving Chris and I to vie over which of the 'workers' we were. I see myself as a dead ringer for "Compo", leaving Chris, by default, as "Clegg"

"There was always an element of "Last of the Summer Wine" in every job we did. Also there was the eagerly anticipated mid morning break when Martyn would serve up hot coffee and Garibaldi biscuits from the back of his Land Rover". At this point Dave presented Martyn with a pack of those world famous biscuits. He then continued...

"Like most of you, I had problems thinking of a leaving present for the man who has everything.So competitve is he that I gave some thought to the possibility of a minature "Hawkeye" machine since Martyn has often had trouble in judging which side of the line the shuttlecock drops". Dave paused amid frantic paper rustling as Martyn scrabbled to get into the Garibaldis' ~ latching onto the situation as only Dave can ~ He immediately apologised to the floor for the loud off stage noises that were coming from his right.

With the attack on the Garibaldis' averted temporarily, Dave continued.." I settled in the end for something personal and unique, A framed poem about Martyn himself. I would further say that his pleasure in recieving the wonderful montage of village scenes was very self evident. Martyn being Martyn I suspect he has already selected a spot for it to hang in his new house. He has probably given some thought as to the approximate distance from the floor and ceiling and what size rawplug he will use".

Turning to Martyn to present the framed poem, Dave said "Martyn, with this you will have no such problem.
There is only one place this can go in your new home ~ A wall in your downstairs loo"

To read Dave's Poem, please click this text

David Wallis representing the Village Hall Trustees and Allan Money, Chairman of the Social Club, both made presentations on behalf of their respective committees or organisations. The number of items presented, are a true testament to the high regard in which Carole and Martyn are held by the vast majority of people within this village community.

Chris
"Clegg"

Martyn
"Foggy"

Dave
"Compo"

The final comments come from Dave Knight who said "There are times that we all hope what we do and what we say may make the world a slightly better place. I cannot speak for Martyn and Carole in the context of the world in general, but what I can say without any fear of contradiction is that when they leave this village, they will leave it a far better place than when they arrived. Thank you both and our best wishes go with you for a long and happy life in the Dales".