Vernon Henty VERNON “Vern” Henty (89) lived locally all his life, apart from wartime service in the Royal Navy. He spent 38


years in West Farleigh and lived in Sut- ton Valence from 1959 to 1973. Born in Ashford, he entered the naval service during the war and survived some life-threat- ening situations. He lost many friends when one of his vessels, HMS Warsprite, was sunk while he was ashore suffering dysentery. He returned to work in forestry and then on farms. Vern’s career included a lengthy spell as a farmmanager near Sutton Valence. His final work was as a gardener atWest Farleigh Hall. Married for 60 years to Char-


lotte “Lottie”, he was father to Andy and Ginny. Ginny said: “My father was a


real local character, witty, pop- ular and very much an original. He loved gardening – and he was well ahead of things. He was an organic gardener before the phrase waswidely used and an environmentalist who was recycling and re-using things before that was popular. Lots of people will miss him badly.” With Lottie, Vern ran the Best


of British Country Music Club in Sutton Valance, then at the social club of the old Oakwood Hospital and finally in East Malling. Vern leaves his widow, chil-


dren, grandchildren Sam, Fe- licity, Tom and Jessica, and great-grandchildren Molly, Alice and Lilly.


Gordon Bonner FORMER Maidstone mayor Gordon Bon- ner(89)had travelled widely with wife Rose- mary in the early 1970s before they re- turned to the County Town.


We will remember


Gordon’s work took them abroad when he accepted a posting as an architectural con- sultant for embassy buildings. The couple were based in Tehran, capital of Iran. Gor- don’s area covered India, for- mer Ceylon, the Middle East and parts of Africa. They returned to Maidstone


in 1973, and both later stood for the council. He represented Bridge ward and his wife repre- sented Thurnham. Gordon became council leader for six years and was mayor in 1982-1983. Achievements during his


time as leader included the Maidstone River Festival, con- version of the Hazlitt Theatre and the golf course at Cobtree Manor Park. He was also chairman of the


group who selected Ann Wid- decombe as a potential MP for Maidstone. A pupil at Maidstone Gram-


mar School, he enjoyed art, sport and music over academia and played in the school’s swing band and joined the cadets. During the war he was with


the 8th Army in the Western desert where he served under Montgomery in Cairo, Alexan- dria and Tobruk – and was his driver during that time. Gordon and Rosemary mar-


ried in 1947 on August 20, and a celebration of his life was held this August 20 at Cox- heath Church in Linton Road. He helped to start the Sunday School there and took services as a lay preacher. To celebrate their golden wedding, Gordon took his fam- ily to Switzerland for a holiday, back to the hotel he and Rose- mary had honeymooned at, on the shores of Lake Lucerne.


Mike Foster MICHAEL Foster (73) was a well-respected farmer and auc- tioneer known to many throughout Kent. From his early years, farming


was in his blood, inheriting the love of livestock animals from his father, Dick Foster, whose


Monumental Stonemasons Est. 1973


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father was a founder of auc- tioneers Ambrose & Foster. Michael


was a natural sportsman, excelling on the cricket pitch. He twice played at


Lord’s


Cricket Ground for his school, Tonbridge, when, as a slow spin bowler, he took five for 55 runs in one match. He took up golf with enthusi-


asm. Squash and rackets were two other sports he enjoyed. After National Service, he


first ‘learned the ropes’ of auc- tioneering before returning to the firm. On the death of his father in


1974 he took over the running of Court Lodge Farm, Boxley Road.Hewas knowntobea “fair boss” – if at times tough. Lambert & Foster,with offices


in Paddock Wood and Cran- brook, became his extended family, particularly in later life when farming practices became more computerised, which in- furiated and baffled him. He fought back to health after


a massive stroke in 1996, re- gaining almost full movement. Then, he received an invita-


tion from the clerk to the course at Lingfield to auction the win- ner of the selling race. This be- came a regular feature of his Saturdays, covering many courses in the South East. His interests included the


Kent County Show, the Mote Cricket Club and the Tickham Foxhounds. In recent years he bravely bat-


tled cancer, continuing with as many activities as was physi- cally possible. He will be much missed by


his sister, Anne Strang, and im- mediate family, and also by many in the farming world, his various sporting associations and colleagues at Lambert & Foster. A thanksgiving service was


held at St Mary and All Saints, Boxley.  A Justgiving page was set up in Michael’s memory to raise money for the Addington Fund, for farmers facing hardship.


Lord Boston LORD Terence George Boston, Baron of Faversham (81), held the position of trustee of Leeds Castle for many years and also served as chairman of Leeds Castle Enterprises. He was LabourMP for Faver-


sham,aseathetookinaby- election and held through two general elections, from 1964 to 1970. A QC, he was created a life


peer in 1976. Lord Boston was a crossbencher who served as a


deputy speaker of the House of Lords, 1991-2008, and twice served as chairman of commit- tees. A statement from Leeds Cas-


tle said he was “respected and admired” for his achievements. He leaves his widow Mar-


garet.


Elaine Briggs ELAINE Briggs (66), who lived in New Church Road, Loose, for 28 years, was known through- out the area from 44 years as a radiographer. Her working life included


more than a decade as superin- tendent radiographer at Preston Hall, Aylesford, as well as time at the oldWest Kent Hospital in Marsham Street. Dover-born Elaine (neeWicks)


and husband Tony had children Sharon, Malcolm, Martin and Wendy. Tony said: “Elaine was a lov-


ing mum, friendly and very well liked. She had the kind of personality that could put peo- ple at their ease, and that cer- tainly helped with her work.” Elaine loved gardening, shop-


ping and foreign holidays and attended Bearsted Methodist Church. Elaine leaves her widower,


their children and seven grand- children.


Pat Jenner PATRICIA Jenner, who had lived for many years in Loose, died following a heart attack. Extraordinarily active until


her last day, Pat belied her 88 years. Pat was a committed Christian and tertiary Fran- ciscan.


Thanksgiv-


ing for a life well and fully lived was offered by a large number of people at Pat’s home church, All Saints in Loose. A friend said: “So much


could be said about Pat but it is believed her wish would be that all who knew her should simply be left with their own memories.” Pat was a volunteer at Maid-


stoneMuseum for more than 20 years. One aspect of her varied work was research, most signif- icantly the museum’s Japanese and Julius Brenchley collec- tions.


The Stone Shop Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere. Inscriptions added to existing memorials Renovations and memorial cleaning


The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


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