MP Sir David Amess’ Greeting Card Industry Tributes

MP Sir David Amess was a very good man, who was totally committed to his local community. His untimely and horrific death has, quite rightly rocked the nation, and was felt even deeper by those in his Southend on Sea constituency.

Above: Sir David Amess (right) with the sadly departed Lynn Tait (of The Lynn Tait Gallery) and photographer Charlie Waite at a charity photographic exhibition organised by Lynn, and hosted in her Leigh-on-Sea shop. — **Above:** Sir David Amess (right) with the sadly departed Lynn Tait (of The Lynn Tait Gallery) and photographer Charlie Waite at a charity photographic exhibition organised by Lynn, and hosted in her Leigh-on-Sea shop.

Mark Williams, co-owner of greeting card company Brainbox Candy, which is based in Southend on Sea pays tribute to this lovely MP who was so horrifically murdered a few days ago, only a few minutes’ walk away from where the publisher’s studio is located.

“David was a very warm and personable man, always smiling and cheery. His death was a real shock. It’s horrific for anyone to hear such news and even more chilling when it’s your local MP – and the attack happened five minutes away from our studio. Our thoughts are with his family,” said Mark Williams, who runs and co-owns the publishing business with Ben Hickman.“I lived in the same road as David when I first moved back to the UK in 2000. I met him on a couple of occasions and he helped me out with a community issue,” said Mark. “His legacy will be all the work he has done in our community and nationally. Also, Southend now being granted city status is something that he campaigned for relentlessly over the years,” added Mark.

Above: Mark Williams (right) with his business partner Ben Hickman (centre) with Tim Gould of Objectables (publisher and retailer) at the recent GCA Speed-dating with Dragons event. — **Above:** Mark Williams (right) with his business partner Ben Hickman (centre) with Tim Gould of Objectables (publisher and retailer) at the recent GCA Speed-dating with Dragons event.

In addition to his Brainbox Candy connections, Sir David Amess showed his support to the UK greeting card community over the years through his long friendship with the now also sadly departed Lynn Tait, founder of retail and publishing business, The Lynn Tait Gallery, based in Leigh on Sea.

Sir David was always supportive of the countless projects, community-spirited initiatives that were spearheaded by Lynn over the years, not only being present at, but making speeches at several of Lynn’s expositions, including the photographic art exhibition, involving the world renowned Charlie Waite, Phillip Plisson and Tom Wolfe that she convened in 2013 to raise funds for as well as the school children design competition to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One.