Martin Cahill MBE

Earls Barton Parish Council is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Chair and Councillor Martin Cahill MBE.

Martin was a proud Bartonian. Community was his passion, and it led to a life dedicated to serving others.  He founded the Earls Barton Youth Club in the 1970s, first being based in the Baptist Chapel before moving to a purpose built youth club on the Rec in 1979.  He worked for the fire service as a retained fire fighter for 35 years, including time as the Sub-Officer at Earls Barton Fire Station and, on retirement, volunteered with the British Red Cross and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.  In addition, he represented the people of Earls Barton as a ward councillor at the Borough Council of Wellingborough and was a Parish Councillor for Earls Barton Parish Council for many years.  It was because of this dedication and hard work that he was appointed MBE for services to the community in Earls Barton in the 2013 New Years Honours.  Interviewed at the time, Martin said “It’s great to be recognised but to be honest, I do the voluntary work because it is such a joy to do”.

Martin was a no-nonsense man.  He didn’t suffer fools gladly and he called a spade a spade.   But, underneath the brusque exterior beat a heart of gold.  He was a friendly and generous man, the type who would give you the shirt of their back.  He had a great sense of humour and would get a glint in his eye when he knew he was winding you up.  He stood down from Earls Barton Parish Council in 2021 and, as a parting gift, was presented with a bench so that he could continue with one of his favourite pastimes; sitting outside the front of his house chatting to anyone who happened to pass by.

Martin will be sadly missed, by everyone at Earls Barton Parish Council, including everyone who had the pleasure of working with him, past and present Councillors and the Clerk, to whom he was always supportive.  He will also be missed by the wider community of Earls Barton, especially for his local knowledge which was invaluable as a Parish Councillor. He was a true gentleman and we have lost a Barton legend.