TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a former minister of two Swindon churches, who touched hundreds of lives during more than two decades in the town.

The Rev Martin Howell conducted many services and took part in community events and fundraising as vicar of St Augustine’s Church, in Rodbourne, from 1970 to 1982, and then as rector of St Margaret’s Church, in Stratton, from 1982 to 1993.

Martin, as he was known to parishioners, was also briefly the chaplain for Swindon Town FC during the tenure of manager Glenn Hoddle, and was considered “lucky charm” as the Robins won every match during this period.

He died on May 1 aged 74 after contracting pneumonia.

His funeral takes place today at St James’ Church, in Exeter, where he and his wife Liz moved to be nearer their family.

Liz said she had received cards and letters from former parishioners, who said he was a lovely person who made such a difference to their lives and the way they felt about God and faith.

She said: “A lot of people have been touched by his life.

“Somebody said he was a vibrant preacher and other people say they appreciated the fact he ran small prayer and study groups.

“Looking at all this, it makes me realise how much he actually achieved, although that’s not the point really, but rather how much people appreciated what he did and how their lives have changed, not because of him but because of God.”

Martin was born on July 12, 1938 to missionary parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He first set foot on UK soil on his eighth birthday and grew up in London.

After training for the Church, he became the vicar of St Augustine’s at the age of 31.

He was involved in the community and became a governor of Even Swindon Primary School, acted in the church pantomimes, and took part in radio broadcasts for the BBC.

Liz said he filled-in as chaplain at Swindon Town FC for a few months while another minister was away and was considered a lucky charm.

“He loved sport,” she said. “He was a chaplain for Swindon Town FC and during that time the team never lost a game. It was just a few months.”

In 1980, the Adver covered a 150-mile fundraising trek he completed from Swindon to Canterbury to raise money towards building a meeting hall in the back of the church.

After leaving Swindon in 1993, he lived in Lee Abbey, in Devon, where Martin’s job involved speaking at conferences there.

In 1998, he and Liz went to live in Chile, where he became the vicar of a small Anglo-Chilean church.

They came back to England in 2003 when Martin was 65 and he carried out duties for a while in the village of Hope Cove, in Devon, before retiring to Exeter in 2008.

The couple had three children and six grandchildren.

Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just over seven years ago.

He died at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and requested that his ashes be buried in Stratton St Margaret.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR REV ATTWOOD

MEMBERS of St Augustine’s Church are also remembering the life of Rev Tony Attwood, a former priest in charge at the church, who died on April 11 at the age of 65.

Tony was born in 1947 and was ordained deacon in 1972 and became a priest in 1973.

Before joining the Diocese of Worcester, he was a curate and industrial chaplain in Sheffield, industrial chaplain in Teeside and the social responsibility adviser for the Diocese of Bristol.

He was priest in charge of St Augustine’s from 1999 to 2003.

He then served in the borough of Dudley from 2003, first as a vicar and than as a team leader for the central Dudley area.

He took early retirement in 2011 in order to fulfil his dream of living and working in the Diocese of Peru, although his time there was cut short due to illness.

He is survived by two children, Margaret and Jefferson.

Candles will be kept burning at St Augustine’s for both Martin and Tony.