John Burrard JOHN Burrard (89) ran the Run- ning Horse pub in Sandling for almost a quarter of a century, from 1962. Under his stewardship, the


pub achieved a national reputa- tion for food and was regarded by the Courage brewery as one of its flagship establishments. The reputation was built on


John’s passion for cooking and his recipes. He also pushed au- thenticity as part of his service, sourcing French bread directly from France.


Bournemouth-born, John started working as a waiter on buffet trains between his home town and London. He went on to work as amanager for the re- tail chain, Currys, before be- coming a publican. His family settled inWilling-


ton Street and the decision to leave the pub, and move to the coast, came after an armed rob- bery at their home. John leaves his wife of 29


years, Hilary, her two sons, and his children from his first mar- riage to Audrey, daughter Anita and son Lynn.


DerekWright BUSINESSMAN Derek Wright (74) jointly owned theWright’s Warehouse in Waterloo Street, Maidstone with his brother, Alan. Born in 1936, Derek was the


son of Sydney Wright, who founded the family business in 1926. After an electrical apprentice-


ship and National Service, he joined the business. He and Alan took over on the death of their father in 1961. Under their joint-stewardship


the business diversified, build- ing a strong retail side with out- lets in Maidstone, Strood and Canterbury. The original business – elec-


trical contracting – ceased 20 years ago. The Maidstone retail outlet moved from Earl Street to Waterloo Street after a compul- sory purchase order was en- forced to make way for Fremlin Walk. His many other local involve-


ments included playing for Mote Cricket Club and Maid- stone Rugby Club.


We will remember Married to Janette, Derek was


father to Zena, Jonathan and Je- remy. Tributes to Derek, of The Landway, Bearsted, praised his devotion to his family and his pride in their achievements.


Charlie Bogg A TRIBUTE to Charlie Bogg (53) was read out byMaidstone mayor Eric Hotson at the Full Council meet- ing in Febru- ary. He died of a heart attack the previous month. He joined


the council in May2004and worked on the IT helpdesk, and then as information man- agement officer in IT Services, where he was an influential member of the team. He went to Maidstone Gram-


mar School before starting work as an apprentice car mechanic at Dutton Forshaw. Motorbikes were always his passion and he spent a few years in that line of work. In 1995, he decided he wanted to get into computers, though he knew nothing about them. So he read a book on data-


bases and was taken on as a support engineer at Microsoft, where he eventually became a team leader. There, he met Chris Woodward, who now works at Maidstone Council, and who later persuaded Char- lie to apply for a job. A colleague said: “Charlie


had an amazing capacity for learning. Itwas not just his abil- ity to take in technical detail, but his willingness to learn.” In his spare time, Charlie ren- ovated boats, restored bikes, did parachute jumps and en- joyed a drink at his local, The Bell, in Bearsted. He also took part in online gaming, most recently atWorld of Warcraft using his online name, Skitz. His colleague added: “We


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will all remember him for his larger-than-life character, his capacity for friendship, but most of all his innate cheerful- ness and great sense of hu- mour.”


Charlie leaves his mum Dorothy, his grown-up children Sam and Sara Jane, and his many friends.


Lavinia Irving LAVINIA “Vinnie” Irving (81) spent the final 20 years of her life in Parkwood, living for 30 years before that in Lenham. Born Lavinia Leeson in Leicestershire, she wasmarried for 58 years to John. Vinniewas mother to Leslie, who died trag- ically after an accidental injury became infected in 1994. Vinnie’s friend, Lisa Baker,


said: “We worked together as cleaners at the National West- minster Bank in central Maid- stone. Vinnie had a great sense of humour and enjoyed a giggle with herwork. She was a really lovely person and I’ll miss her.” Vinnie lost her husband and


a beloved dog in recent years. She leaves one sister and two brothers who still live in Leicestershire.


Dr Gordon Barr DR GORDON Barr (81) prac- tised in Maidstone as a GP, and occasionally as an anaesthetist, for more than 30 years. Born in Oban, Ar- gyll, and edu- cated


at


Glasgow Uni- versity, his medical stud- ies were bro- kenbytwo years of National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, ex- perience that came in useful in his future career. During his time as a student


he met and married Nancy, a young teacher. The couple relo- cated to Trinidad where Gor- don practised and children Fiona and John were born. They settled in Maidstone in


the mid-Sixties. Gordon prac- tised in Terrace Road and then in College Avenue. The family lived in Salts Avenue, Loose, and Chattenden Court, Penen- den Heath. His widow said: “For some


years Gordon was a member of Maidstone Pipe Band, having decided in his 50s to learn the bagpipes. On retirement, he took a job as brigade medical advisor for Kent Fire Service. The job was intended to be short-term but when another doctor died suddenly Gordon ended up in post for five years. He was a very good natured and even-tempered person. “Even with Alzheimer’s dis-


ease he was a gentle man and was able to be looked after at home until the last night of his


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


life.” Ten years ago the couple re-


tired to Hampshire. Gordon leaves his widow, children and granddaughters Sophie, Polly andMadeleine.


Cyril Dyer CYRIL Dyer (82), who lived in Roseacre Lane, Bearsted, for more than 50 years,was known to many peo- ple in Maid- stone


and


surrounding villages as a busy chimney sweep tending a number of historic build- ings, such as Leeds Castle. He had moved to Bearsted


with his wife Violet and daugh- ter Pauline, from Yalding, the village in which he grew up. He was a founding member of the Yalding Garden Society and was delighted to be invited to return for the society’s 50th an- niversary celebrations. Gardening remained a signif-


icant part of Cyril’s life with many people admiring his beautiful garden, especially his cyclamen and azaleas. He also spent a number of


years as a Bearsted parish coun- cillor, keen to conserve the vil- lage that he loved. Cyril was diagnosed with de- mentia in July last year and sadly suffered a rapid deterio- ration in his health. He passed away on February 15 at Iden Manor Nursing Home. He leaves Violet, his wife of


63 years; daughter Pauline, son- in-law Lance and grandchil- dren Claire and Nick.


Rosemary Brookes ROSEMARY Doris Brookes (90) lived in Friars Court, Maid- stone, for 23 years, having pre- viously lived at Penenden Heath.


Rosemary moved to Maid-


stone in the late Fiftieswith her husband John and family. John worked at John Angell jewellers on the High Street. He subse- quently became manager and the company moved to Gabriels Hill.


Their 67-year marriage started in 1943 and the couple raised children Peter, Sue and Roger. She leaves her children, five grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.


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