Alan Ferrell ALAN Ferrell (76) was at the heart of community life in Bearsted, particularly in the church and sport. He and his wife Joy, who died


seven years ago, spent their entire married life in the village. His funeral


was at Holy Cross Church, with which the couple had strong links. They were married there and their sons and grandchildren were christened there. At one time, Alan was church crucifer, carrying its cross. He also sang in the choir. Joy was churchwarden. They were one of the couples to


start Bearsted Tennis Club. He played there regularly and was founder chairman, a former club president as well as secretary for several years. Alan was also an avid golfer at Bearsted and Tudor Park. He was a civil engineer, spend-


ing all his working life with the Environment Agency, specialis- ing in rivers, bridges and sea de- fences. His daughter-in-law Natasha Ferrell said: "After losing his beloved wife in 2004, he made every effort to be part of all the things he loved - his grandchil- dren, friends, his golf and tennis, and the church. "It was often said 'Alan is not a


real 76-year-old'. He had real vigour and a passion for life. He hosted an annual garden party where he invited all his friends and family, to thank them all." She added: "He was so kind, generous, sociable, with a some- times wicked sense of humour." Alan, born in1935 the youngest


of four children, leaves two sons, Matthew and Nicholas, six grand- children and surviving brother, Eric.


‘Dick’ Mortimer RICHARD ‘Dick’ Mortimer - fa- ther of Maidstone’s current mayor Brian - was well known from years as managing director of his own building firm R&BMor- timer. The company built conser- vatories and extensions and did other work throughout the area. Born in County Durham, Dick moved to Smarden as a child and, after Army service, married Caroline - ‘Carol’ - and settled in Folkestone.Hetrained as a florist before becoming a master car- penter. After children Maureen and


Brian were born, the family moved around the country.Mau- reen said: “Myfather built a huge caravan and we travelled with his job as he worked for compa- nies like McAlpine’s and Costain’s. Eventually we settled in Freeman Way, off Willington Street. My father worked in East Peckham, then founded his busi- ness and went on to build about 80%of the extensions onVinters Park.”


40 East


“She also enjoyed the time she We will remember The business was based in


Loose and Dick’s personal credi- bility ensured steady orders. Dick andCarol founded the Maidstone Petanque Club, based at Mote Park, and enjoyed playing the game in France. Widowedin1998 after 50 years


of marriage, Dick was devoted to his dogs. He leaves his children, four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.


Sue Shircore SUE Shircore (45) spent the last 15 years as a mobile hair- dresser in the Maidstone and Malling area. Born Susan


Williams in Strood, she lived all but the very earli-


est years of her life in Larkfield. Sue trained as a hairdresser at


West Kent College and worked in local salons including Malcolm’s Hair Studio of Larkfield and Twylites in Ditton. Married in 1994, Sue was mother to Jason. Sue’s Facebook page has now become a tribute site. One friend posted: “Still can’t believe I will never spend timewith such an amazing, beau- tiful person.” Sue leaves her son, partner


Tony, brothers Simon and Stuart and her parents. A Just Giving internet page es- tablished to raise £500 in Sue’s memory for the Heart of Kent Hospice.


Allen Durling ALLEN Durling (66) was born – one of 11 children – at 81 Calder Road, Ringlestone, and lived for many years opposite his parent’s home at No 82. Having joined


the second bat- talion of The Queen’s Regi- ment in 1966, he served in Hong Kong and Northern Ire- land. He met wife of 41 years, Philomena, in Northern Ireland and returned to


live at Calder Road. They raised children Thomas, Catherine and Alan. He worked as a bricklayer alongside his father and brothers. Philomena said: “Allen worked


all round the local area, including building Brenchley House, houses at Penenden Heath and walls at Aylesford Priory. He loved having a laugh and was a great practical joker. “As a familywewenthorse and


dog racing and Allen bought his owndog fromYorkshire. The dog – Mr Bill – won three races, in- cluding wins at Catford andRom- ford.


“Allen was a very positive and determined person. He fought cancer at the end of his life with his usual bravery, and no com- plaints.” Allen – who moved to London


Road East, Royal British Legion Village, six years ago – leaves his widow, children, three grandsons, two granddaughters and seven surviving siblings.


Winnie Stevens WINNIE Stevens (86), had lived in sheltered housing at Mandev- ille Court, Maidstone, for more than 20 years before moving to The Grove care home in Bower Mount Road last year. BornWinnifred Martin inWor-


thing, West Sussex, she spent time during the war in communi- cations with the ATS and later did bar work. After moving locally she fol-


lowed a career in psychiatric nursing at Leybourne Grange. Winnie was mother to Roger, Yvonne,Valerie and Richard. She worked for a number of years with husband Jack,who was also a psychiatric nurse. Her daughter Valerie said: “My mother loved to spend time with her friends, especially playing Scrabble. She loved knitting and crochet. She was a great reader of theBible and often had more than one bible on the go. “Mymother was verymuchher


own character with a wicked sense of humour. Her talents in- cluded being able to finish the Daily Mail crossword every day and later in her life she took classes in watercolour painting.


Monumental Stonemasons Est. 1973


NAMM, BRAMM & NAMLC Registered New Memorials Tablets, Plaques & Vases


Cleaning, Renovation & Restoration Safety Inspections Memorial Insurance Arranged Free Brochures


Telephone 01622 762482 01233 636500 01795 436178 2 Sutton Road Maidstone Kent ME15 9AH 68 Kent Avenue Ashford Kent TN24 8NQ Howt Green Bobbing Sittingbourne Kent ME9 8QP


spent at the local Blind Club.” Winnie leaves her children,


four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


TonyWood ANTONY “Tony” Wood (77), who lived for around 40 years in Mil- ton Street, Fant, was known locally from hismany years running a specialist motor sports business and, prior to that, in a career as a local wrestler. Born in Loose, Tony did Na-


tional Service and returned to the local area to work as a heavy goods mechanic and car sales- man. His local employers in- cluded now defunct firms like Stockers and Dave Stone’s, re- spectively located in Hackney Road and Hartnup Street, Fant. In 1975, Tony established his


ownoperations, going on to head Milton Motors and Milton Race Preparations. Tony’s work in- cluded building cars for oval track racing, and taking part him- self in events at circuits includ- ing ArenaEssex andLydden Hill. The company went on to pro-


duce specialist parts for FordAn- glia, where the Milton name is well respected. Married for 54 years toPauline,


Tony was father to sons Lee and Kevin and daughter Sharon. KevinworkedwithTony inset-


ting up the business and took it over when Tony retired. Kevin’s death in 2010 led to Lee stepping in to run the business and Tony came out of retirement toprovide specialist knowledge. Lee said: “Mydadwasdownto


earth and straight with people. He was very creative with a tal- ent for drawing and painting. He wrestled for years locally under the name of ‘The Viking’.” Tony leaves his widow, two surviving children and grand- children Samantha and Lewis.


Ulcombe reservoir A PLAN has been lodged to construct a natural clay, cut and fill, offsteam reservoir at Church Farm House, Ulcombe Hill, Ulcombe.


Jubilee bungalow THE Jubilee Trust has applied to move into a bungalow next to Willington Court, at 2 Ash- ford Road,Maidstone.


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.


01622 726633 Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56