Michael Barrington-Martin.

railwayman3 · Apr 28, 2015

FWIW, the official UK Companies Registry shows Michael Barrington-Martin Ltd. as being registered in 1960, and dissolved in Sept 2000 (with the last business activity around 1996). The Registered Office at the time it was dissolved was at an industrial estate in Bulwell, Nottingham.

emilyharris · Mar 14, 2025

Hello all, I've just come across this (very interesting!) thread as I'm a freelance Archive Producer looking to clear an old black and white portrait of opera singer Sylvia Eaves taken by Michael Barrington-Martin for use in a forthcoming documentary series.

I don't suppose anyone on this thread happens to still be in contact with Michael, or know how I might be able to contact his estate to request permission for use?

Best wishes,

Emily
emily.harris [at] hiddenlight.com

marionofnorwich · Jun 12, 2025

Exeter232 said:
I used to work for Michael

Every now and again I search Michael's name and can't believe I came across this site. I was a messenger for him at Glasshouse Street in 1965/6. He called me AARRD. I remember Peggy, who was the mainstay of the business and when her best friend walked into the studio (he forgot to lock the door) and found him on the floor with a model, that was the beginning of the end as far as I remember. i progressed to the darkroom, developing films and printing. Can you imagine being a young teenager in the 60s working in a fashion and advertising studio in London's West End, around the corner from Carnaby Street; the Beatles recorded Let it Be on a roof not far away. David Nye who has posted, do you remember me? I assisted you when your photographed the Bond Aston Martin and various pubs. Where is David Ling and Roger Donald? I'm afraid I was a bit of a pain to him in many ways. I remember a trendy Stones loving young man who I think was Len and Barry Alsutch who now has a estate agents in Hatfield I think.
Michael taught me so much about life and living; he nearly drowned me on a trip on his trawler, he lent us his VW Caravanette to go to Carlisle where we had a great time and I learned about drugs and I would say he was the best boss anyone could wish to have. What a man, what a job I had and what an education in life and living.
Howard.

I have been following this thread as I am related to Michael. He is/was my great-uncle and I know a lot about his early life (my mother's cousin) and his family history. I have some photos that he took of my mother when she was about 20. I last saw him quite a few years ago when he was living in Watton in Norfolk with what I assume was his last wife (as others have said, he was quite a womaniser) Cherry who was an artist. Thinking about it, it was probably 30 years ago and I am assuming that he will have passed away by now - or at least be in his 90s. I lost touch with him after that visit but have often wondered what has become of him. I remember visiting his studio in Glasshouse Street and I also remember him being commissioned to photograph Concorde. He said he only had one shot at it, from a control tower, and if he didn't get it right the moment would be lost. It reminded me of his penchant for shooting deer and, when he grew up in India, hunting generally. Stalking, and taking the shot at just the critical moment. I would love to hear more tales. I always considered him to be an exotic uncle, humorous and jolly but who could be very offensive when he chose. The last time I saw him, he was very unkind to my 9 year old son, hence it being the last time but I am still fascinated by him nevertheless!

marionofnorwich · Jun 12, 2025

emilyharris said:
Hello all, I've just come across this (very interesting!) thread as I'm a freelance Archive Producer looking to clear an old black and white portrait of opera singer Sylvia Eaves taken by Michael Barrington-Martin for use in a forthcoming documentary series.

I don't suppose anyone on this thread happens to still be in contact with Michael, or know how I might be able to contact his estate to request permission for use?

Best wishes,

Emily
emily.harris [at] hiddenlight.com

Hi Emily. Michael was my great-uncle. I lost touch with him many years ago now but then he was living in Watton with his wife Cherry, an artist. I have seen that she is in this forum though dated back to 2013. I haven't been in touch with her for years either but she would be his last remaining family I think, apart from his son Rory but I think they were estranged. Certainly in his (Rory's) younger life he was. Michael had no brothers or sisters and his father eventually married my grandmother although Michael's mother was my grandfather's sister. My grandad and Michael's dad Harold were friends as young men and when my grandad Percy married my grandmother, Harold married Percy's sister Gladys. So, I know a lot about the family but not where Michael is now, sorry.
Marion

marionofnorwich · Jun 12, 2025

Exeter232 said:
I used to work for Michael

Every now and again I search Michael's name and can't believe I came across this site. I was a messenger for him at Glasshouse Street in 1965/6. He called me AARRD. I remember Peggy, who was the mainstay of the business and when her best friend walked into the studio (he forgot to lock the door) and found him on the floor with a model, that was the beginning of the end as far as I remember. i progressed to the darkroom, developing films and printing. Can you imagine being a young teenager in the 60s working in a fashion and advertising studio in London's West End, around the corner from Carnaby Street; the Beatles recorded Let it Be on a roof not far away. David Nye who has posted, do you remember me? I assisted you when your photographed the Bond Aston Martin and various pubs. Where is David Ling and Roger Donald? I'm afraid I was a bit of a pain to him in many ways. I remember a trendy Stones loving young man who I think was Len and Barry Alsutch who now has a estate agents in Hatfield I think.
Michael taught me so much about life and living; he nearly drowned me on a trip on his trawler, he lent us his VW Caravanette to go to Carlisle where we had a great time and I learned about drugs and I would say he was the best boss anyone could wish to have. What a man, what a job I had and what an education in life and living.
Howard.

Hello, I am fascinated to read all these posts about my great-uncle Michael. I can imagine that he was quite an influence when he was in his hey-day. I haven't been in touch with him for many years and don't know whether he is still alive or not but every now and then I search to see if there is news. I remember visiting Glasshouse Street as a child or maybe a teenager. I was always fascinated by Michael - an interesting and exotic person although I think somewhat self-centred. I didn't know about his trawler though - he had large chunks of life when his family (my mum, who was his cousin and his dad Harold who ended up married to my grandma when Michael's mum died in the late 1960s) didn't hear from him or know where he was. They all grew up in India. I have some lovely photos he took of my mum as a young woman. She died in 1981. They might be of interest to some people. I will scan them and post them

marionofnorwich · Jun 12, 2025

jffrywrght said:
I sold my house to M B-M in about 1976 near Thetford. I often called into see him about one thing or another and he always offered a choice of whisky and then handing me the bottle while he held the glass so I could help myself. I noticed one day that he had a camera on the floor being used as a doorstop and I recognised it as a Zeiss Contarex as I also had had one. He did quite a lot of work for British Aerospace (or whatever it was then called) at that time.

Hello Jeffry. Was that house in Thetford or nearer Watton? I remember visiting him at a house that I remember being in Watton or just outside but I guess it could just as easily been nearer to Thetford. It was the last time I was in touch with his and probably at least 25 years ago if not more. He had married Cherry who was/is an artist. I lost contact after that visit and have often wondered what happened next

Michael Barrington-Martin.

railwayman3

emilyharris

marionofnorwich

marionofnorwich

marionofnorwich

marionofnorwich

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency