Andy Holter, who tragically passed away in June was given an emotional farewell at a memorial service on 26th July at the Kings Church Eastbourne.
Tributes to Andy came from far and wide and the local press reported warmly of a 'remarkable and selfless man'.
Andy is well known as deeply devoted to charity and to looking after our town. His reputation stretches way beyond the Chamber, where Vice President, Shoes remarked:
"Andy was just incredible. He worked like a Trojan and could be relied on to make things happen. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him".
At the memorial service, various representatives of organisations across Eastbourne described a frequent volunteer for a range of organisations including St John Ambulance, Eastbourne Pride, Street Pastors, Sea Cadets and Police Cadets.
A fund has been set up in memorial of Andy Holter. If you would like to make a donation, simply scan the QR code below.
All donations received in memory of Andy Holter will go to ‘Mind’ and ‘Cruse Bereavement Care’
You can read Christina Ewbank's words in remembrance of Andy here:
I am honoured to have been asked by Andy Holter’s family to talk about everything he has done for the town and for the Chamber in Eastbourne.
I first met Andy about 16 years ago when I became President of Eastbourne Chamber. He was so generous with his time as a member of the chamber and his expertise was invaluable when I was Town Centre Manager from 2014. He helped me to understand how to set up events in the town and the importance of safety at every event.
His guidance and advice was also valuable in helping the Chamber to create the Business Improvement District which now runs major events across the town centre from pop-up parks and Bike Nites to the Queens Jubilee Street Party and the Christmas Ice Rink, increasing footfall in town by 250,000.
Andy advised us when we starter planning the Neon Noel light show, which attracted a footfall of 15,000 people to Little Chelsea each December, and he was always available to give his time freely to marshall the Bonfire Society procession on the seafront in October.
He was one of the original Little Chelsea - Little Christmas team with Rupert Ashford of Ashprint and Shoes of the Dew Drop and Eagle. The three of them put together this popular event which has built over the years to bring many thousands of people to South Street and Grove Road.
Andy also chaired the Little Chelsea Traders association, which helped put Little Chelsea on the map. This was so important as the then Arndale Centre was pulling shoppers away from Little Chelsea.
Andy also worked for several years with the MP Stephen Lloyd, to set up the Carnival Committee which brought this important event back to Eastbourne after a gap of many years. While the Carnival was driven by Stephen Lloyd and the team, Andy managed the all important marshalls and made it happen. As always he gave his time, knowledge and expertise freely and his legacy is the international Carnival you see today, with participants from around the globe.
You may have noticed that the Rainbow flag flew at half mast when Pride came to Eastbourne? This was in recognition of the work Andy did to make the Pride procession and party a success. Working behind the scenes from the start, Andy helped make it happen.
Rupert Ashford told me that Andy “would always jump in with both feet to help get any event off the ground. He would roll his sleeves up and do anything to make events successful and would crack on no matter what."
This is rare nowadays. Many people might want to get involved but do not always follow through due to other commitments. Not Andy. If he said he would do something, he did it - Always - Fully - Without Exception. And always with minute attention to detail.
Members have described him as the font of all knowledge and told me that he was always prepared to share his knowledge for the good of the town and for the good of the Chamber.
As you will have seen from the spontaneous Memorial held in Eastbourne town centre immediately after the news of Andy’s untimely death, to this Memorial Service which is packed with local people paying their respects, Andy will be missed by so many people in both Battle and Eastbourne Chambers of Commerce and by so many people across the town.
Rest In Peace Andy.
