Funeral of Martin Hovden was held today at Southport Crematorium

Southport Crematorium was the venue for the funeral of Martin Hovden today at 10am.

Mourners were greeted by the playing of 'Be Still, My Soul' by Trinity College Choir, University of Melbourne.

A Eulogy was read by Martin's elder brother Sven Hovden who now lives in South Africa touching on Martin's early years and his introduction to the world of news reporting by writing his school newspaper and his first editor role at the Wirral Globe, then later at The Champion.

This was followed by poetic tribute to Martin, written and read by Tony Wynne.

Hovvers was the man, Hovvers was indeed THE man,
A man of letters and of music, a man who spoke his mind,
A man from whose words political fools often ran,
To many of us a man who was warm, gentle and kind.

From a child’s first days words would be his way,
From his imagination those words would thrive,
Looking for endless stories to fill his day,
That would lead to Percy the Pigeon coming alive!

At twenty-two all the Globe was to be his,
A project to which he gave all his heart,
It was, of course, the Wirral Globe,
But, hey, it was an amazing start!

He became the Champion of The Champion,
It is what we all know him for,
Righting wrongs and seeing what was right,
With ‘cub’ reporters knocking at his door.

Under his wing those cubs would gather,
Learning how to find the journalistic way,
Out they went, seeing him like a father,
Until they could spread their own wings one day.

From The Champion days Martin would break new grounds,
The new world of buzzing guitars and throbbing amps,
A bohemic new world full of ‘Live Sounds’,
As hopeful bands played under a venue’s hot lamps.

Through his nurture and belief many young musicians would thrive,
From Battles of Bands and Battles Royale
Martin’s ever ready mission to keep ‘Sounds Live’,
Would ensure the rising stars remained loyal.

For all these achievements many men would boast pride,
Politicians in fear, musos would loudy applaud
But not for Martin, a private man, really, on the inside
His Mum and his cats were what he adored.

Now, as we bid a respectful farewell
And the flower petals begin to fall,
Thank you, Martin ‘Hovvers’ Hovden
The Champion of us all.

Dave Aston then paid tribute to Martin's passion for the local music scene and how he helped so many local musicians over so many years. The return of Battle of the Bands this year really had gave Martin his 'mojo' back as Dave said.

Reflection music was played with the Beatles song 'In My life'.

The Funeral Celebrant, Sharon Morgan, then read 'If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell'

If I should go before the rest of you,
Break not a flower, nor inscribe a stone,
Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice,
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well.

Mourners left the service to the sound of Jerusalem, by the Liverpool Cathedral Choir.

A collection was held for the chosen charity, The Whitechapel Centre in Merseyside, an independent local charity working in partnership to end to homelessness, social exclusion and housing poverty in our communities. Online donations can also be made at their website.