Martin Penalver

Nicknamed Molinhio (due to his footballing skills or lack of them) 38 year old Martin runs a door blinds business, but his true passion is reading and writing books. He’s a dab-hand in the kitchen too at his home in Clacton-on-Sea.

What qualities do you look for in a friend?

I am always drawn to people with a real zest for life, those with bags of energy and a positive outlook; optimists with a passion for what they do. Oh and they have to like me for who I am too – I don’t judge others and I don’t expect anybody to judge me.

What makes your best friend special?

Billy, who I’ve known since I was just 11 years old, is the conscience on my shoulder. He is a truly calming influence and always seems to talk sense. Our friendship has lasted longer than most marriages. He is kind, thoughtful and I always respect his views.

How have your friends shaped who you are?

Massively – I quite simply wouldn’t be who I am today without my friends. You hear it said quite often these days, but in my case I really am closer to my friends than my family. We’ve had many shared adventures together and they’ve changed my outlook on the world, for the better of course.

What’s the Friendliest thing you’ve ever done for somebody?

I took in a friend of mine and offered him a roof over his head after his wife divorced him. He ended up staying for over a year and a half and in that time recovered from the heartache and rebuilt his life. I think just being there helped him through it. All my friends know that my door is always open.

What makes you a good friend?

First and foremost I don’t judge anybody. Apart from that I am fiercely loyal, loving, share everything that I have and am totally open with people.

What has been the strangest circumstance in which you have met a friend?

Well, this one is easy, I met an Italian translator on a trip to Italy and she was a true godsend. I had taken the president of my local football club there to retrace the steps of a great footballing novel. I wanted him to fulfil his dream and visit where the book was set, but without speaking a word of Italian the holiday was quickly turning into a nightmare. Noticing that I was struggling to communicate even our basic needs, a local lady with a good understanding of English came to our rescue and she’s been one of my closest friends ever since.

What’s your Friends Reunited story?

Can I be one of the first to register? I joined in 2000 and I’ve been a member ever since. I love popping onto the site and having a nose around and seeing what people are up to. I’ve caught up with one or two people every year since the site’s launch.

What’s your view on the state of friendship in Britain today and how it has changed?

My observation is that friendship in the big cities is in decline, sadly. People are just too suspicious of your intentions these days – if you make a friendly gesture (even just a smile) their first thought is that you have an ulterior motive, I don’t think it’s always been that way. Rural communities, by their nature, are very different – it’s far easier to make friends and feel a part of something.

Commenting on Friendship and Money:

"Men are definitely more charitable. Perhaps as we’re more simplistic creatures – think old caveman theory – we don’t stop to consider the consequences of sharing, lending or borrowing cash in the same way women do."