Derek Clinton DEREK Clinton (56) was a re- spected physiotherapist for over 25 years in Bearsted and the surround- ing area.


Registered


blind after a road traffic accident age nine, he com- pleted his ed- ucation at Wo rcester College for the Blind, returned to London to study physiotherapy where he met and married his wife Lynn, a fellow student, and qualified with distinction in 1980. After working for seven years


as a senior physio for the Na- tional Health Service in hospi- tals in London and Canterbury, he established a successful pri- vate practice in Bearsted until his sudden death. He was an expert builder, ren- ovating many properties over the years with the love of his life, Lynn. Most recently he constructed


his own swimming pool and summerhouse in a garden he landscaped himself. Daughter Lisa said: “He had immense energy and curiosity and lived life to the full, always putting a smile on people’s faces with his wonderful sense of humour.” His passions included read-


ing (especially Dickens), the latest technology, Tottenham Hotspur, martial arts, cookery, country music, speaking Span- ish and holidays in his house in Spain. Lisa added: “He was a dedi-


cated, loving father and grand- father and an inspiration to many. “His professional life was dedicated to caring for others and he echoed that outside of work, always going the extra mile to assist others through countless acts of charity and kindness.” Derek leaves widow Lynn, daughters Lisa and Sarah and grandsons Joseph and Michael. His family thanked the many patients and friends who have paid tribute to him over the past few weeks.


We will remember


Wendy Reed WENDY Reed (64) trained as a haematologist and worked in London hospitals before hermar- riage to Brian. They lived


in Lincoln and Croydon be- fore settling in Maidstone. Wendy contin- ued her hospi- tal job until the birth of son Christo- pher.


When she returned to work, it


was in education laboratories at St Simon’s Stock School, Oak- wood Park Grammar School and Mid-Kent College, before ending her career in the haematology de- partment atMaidstone Hospital. Wendy had lived the final


three and a half years of her life in Barming. Son Christopher said: “She


loved her allotment and enjoyed classical music and opera. She was a real lady in the old-fash- ioned sense of the word, very well mannered and dignified. “Mum was a true friend to all


who knew her and touched many hearts. She was a wonder- ful grand-mother.”Wendy leaves Christopher, granddaughter Lucy and brother Graham.


George Smith GEORGE Smith (85) moved lo- callyin1973tobecomechief planning officer for Maidstone Borough Council, a post he held until his retirement. With wife Mollie, he settled


first on the Sittingbourne Road before moving to Hollingbourne in 1983. He worked on a range of major projects and was also well known at Bearsted Golf Club where he had been a member since first moving to the area. Mollie, his wife of 52 years,


said: “George was born in County Durham and studied ar- chitecture at the University of Durham. Later he studied town planning. We moved here from Sheffield. George was a very helpful person, especially where planning issues were concerned.


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After retirement he helped Hollingbourne Parish Council and the Hollingbourne Society with planning advice.”


David Jones DAVID Jones (83) had a 30-year career in the prison service, fol- lowing in the footsteps of his grandfather and one of his uncles. His job took


him all over the country, including the Isle of Wight, Cheshire and Northampton- shire. He was promoted and given responsibility for setting up workshops. Locally born, he had worked in repairs and maintenance and completed an apprenticeship working for the building firm Heads. David’s first marriage to Joan


lasted 47 years and produced daughters Jennifer, Gwyneth and Alison. He retired from prison life in Northants but came back to Maidstone after Joan’s death. He met and married second


wife Jacqueline “Jackie” in 1999. The couple had known each other in their youth. Jackie said: “David was mar- vellous with people and very giving, he helped me to recover from a stroke after our marriage and was always helping others. He loved gardening, cooking, making cakes and building dolls’ houses. He bowled for 10 years at Mote Park.” The couple lived in Sutton


Road for 12 years. David leaves his widow, chil-


dren, stepson Ian and six grand- children.


Chelcie Standen CHELCIE Standen (15) will be remembered as a girl who en- joyed life to the full. Chelcie, of College Avenue,Maidstone, was diagnosed at the age of six with a rare terminal condition - Nie- mann-Pick disease. The condition causes toxins to


build up within the body and in Chelcie’s case it was compli- cated by spinal curvature that crushed her lungs. Though her expected life-span


was compromised, Chelcie en- joyed many of the same things other teenage girls liked, and was a particular fan of pop group S Club 7. Their ‘Reach for the Stars’ song featured at her fu- neral.


Chelcie’s life was prolonged by


a cutting-edge treatment, an air- ways clearance vest, which pro- vided


regular chest


compressions and saved her un- dergoing painful physiotherapy. Lorraine Berkoff, of the charity Little Treasures, said: “Chelcie was one of two peoplewehelped to get the vest. It certainly im-


proved her life and part of her legacy is that other children will now benefit in the same way. Chelcie couldn’t have had more loving and helpful parents.” Chelcie’s parents, Tracy and


Roger, have so far raised £2,000 for Little Treasures. She leaves her parents, and sisters, Molly and Jade.


Daphne Bradbury AUSTRALIAN-born Daphne Bradbury (75) moved to the UK and made a significant contribution to local life by working as a volunteer at Maidstone Museum.


Daphne


lived in Mar- sham Street after settling in the town seven years ago. Giles Guthrie, collections manager at the museum, said: “Daphne worked on cataloguing some or our vast collection of records, such as those of the West Kent Regiment. “She was very active in the Museum Foundation and had written a book on local inns, cur- rently on sale in the museum.”


ChristopherWalters CHRISTOPHERWalters (85) will be remembered locally as a stal- wart of the Labour Party and a popular local councillor who al- ways hadtimetotalktopeople about their concerns. Born in Maidstone, he lived lo-


cally until the year 2000. Raised in King Edward Road, Christo- pher followed military service with a career on the railways, starting as a porter and finishing as amanager. With wife, Noreen, he raised children Teresa, Deborah, Mark and Robert. Christopher’s other interests included membership of theMote Cricket Club. His daughter Teresa said her


softly spoken father was liked by many people in the area. Wid- owed in 1996, Christopher re- married and moved to Great Yarmouth. He leaves his chil- dren, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.


Rev Neil Taylor THE Vicar of St Paul's Church, Maidstone, from 1988 to 1998, Rev Neil Taylor, died on August 3. He had also served as chaplain of Pilgrims Hospice, Thanet.


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