Noted doctor DOCTOR Ravi Balse (75) who lived most recently in Blenheim Close, Bearsted, spent most of his distinguished medical career in the Maid- stone area. Born and trained in India he worked in hospitals in the north of England before getting a post in the orthopaedic de- partment ofWest Kent Hospital in 1963. He met wife of 42 years,


Paula, when she was nursing at the hospital and the couple married and moved to Water- ingbury in 1968. They also lived in Coxheath and Cran- bourne Avenue, Maidstone. The couple raised daughters


Sarla and Preeta. Ravi left his duties in orthopaedics and ca- sualty in 1974 to work in gen- eral practice in Albion Place. Through the retirement of a colleague he became the sole doctor in the practice before he was joined by doctors Shaw and Patel and the practice moved to its present home in Holland Road. A stroke a few months before he was due to re- tire in 1999 ended his career. Paula said: “My husband was


friendly and outgoing, he could get on with all types of people and this has been reflected in the messages and cards we have had. He was a very good GP and devoted family man who enjoyed tennis and golf. “He joined the Rotary Club in


1987 and also spent time teach- ing medical skills to St John Ambulance cadets and helping out medically at pony club events.” Ravi leaves his wife, daugh-


ters, three granddaughters and one grandson.


Stones’ captain GORDON Bailey (91), who skippered Maidstone United


We will remember


during the post-war years, has died, aged 91. He had lived for the last 33 years in Trapfield Close, Bearsted, and prior to that in Sutton Road. Derbyshire-


born Gordon married Mar- garet ‘Peggy’ in 1944 before going to France with the Royal Engineers. After the


war, the couple raised Janette and John. Gordon worked as a carpenter for Style and Winch Breweries before becoming a clerk of works for Maidstone Council. He finished his career with freelance work in the con- struction industry. Widowed after 25 years with


Peggy, Gordon remarried 10 years later, spending 25 years with Wendy and becoming step-father to Jenny, Andrew and Rachel. Gordon played for the post-


war Maidstone United team. A centre half, he captained the team for five years, eventually retiring through injury. Daughter Janette said: ‘My


dad was a quiet man but very active. He played golf and bowls and tended to make good and close friendships that lasted for years.” Widowed in 2002, Gordon leaves his children, step-chil- dren, three grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.


Margaret Chilton MARGARET Chilton (85) lived all but two years of her life in Lenham. Born locally (nee Neaves), she started work as a domestic help for a local doctor


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and met husband Bill when he was posted at the top of Stede Hill, Harrietsham, during the war. Bill served in Europe, taking


part in the D-Day landings. They married in 1947, and moved briefly to Bill’s native Newcastle, where son Des was born. They settled in Hony- wood Road, Lenham, and daughter Debbie was born. Bill drove lorries for Coolings


and Margaret worked at the Spar shop in Honywood Road. Bill suffered a serious acci-


dent at work in 1976, causing permanent health problems and obliging Margaret to take over his care. Bill died in 2002 and Mar-


garet was able to get more in- volved with her grandchildren but a few years later son Des was injured in an accident at work and Margaret had to take on some caring duties again. Margaret leaves her children,


three grandchildren and two great-grandsons.


Andy Kwiatkowski ANDREW “Andy” Kwiatkowski lived in the Sandling area from 1985 until his unexpected death. Friends and family have been left devastated at the loss of the popular character who loved a laugh and had a huge coterie of friends. London-born, he moved lo-


cally as a teenager to work in manufacturing hearing aids in Aylesford, settled in the area and worked in a succession of jobs. His family also moved into the area. His sister Lidia said: “He worked for Marconi and went on to a job he loved as a BT en- gineer, travelling around Kent, working on phone boxes. He loved the freedom to manage himself and work in lots of rural places.” Changes at BT eventually led


to Andy taking work as a bailiff but he thenwent on to establish his own business, DND Serv- ices.


Lidia said: “He was well-


loved and respected by those who knew him.” Andy was a regular in the Flower Pot pub in Sandling Road. He loved cricket and real ale.


Such was Andy’s popularity,


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Trevor Akehurst TREVOR Stephen Akehurst (52) lived in a flat in Senacre for more than 20 years. London-born, he moved lo-


cally when he struggled to find work as an electronic engineer in Swindon. Trevor was employed making speakers at KEF in Tovil but suffered ill health, eventually having two operations for brain tumours. The after-effects left himwith 25% vision in one eye and he was registered blind. Trevor undertook computer training at Dorton College near Sevenoaks and also worked as a volunteer for the Kent Associ- ation for the Blind. His sister Angela Mills said:


“Trevor loved his music, espe- cially classic rock bands with good guitarists.” Trevor is survived by his fa-


ther.


Patricia Joslyn PATRICIA “Pat” Joslyn (nee Jor- dan) lived in Sydney Street for the final 15 years of her life, having moved to Vinters Park a few years before with husband Paul. The couple had met in Pat’s native London and travelled with Paul’s work, settling lo- cally after spells in Maiden- head, Essex and Bristol. Pat, who was a hairdresser,


raised daughters Nichola and Caroline and also worked for a number of years at Quigleys in Week Street. Daughter Nichola said: “Peo-


ple remember my mother as a bubbly and funny person, al- ways kind and very generous to others.” Despite divorcing, Pat re- mained very good friends with Paul. Pat (60) leaves her daughters


and granddaughters Chloe, Maisy and Isabelle.


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Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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