John Hooper JOHN Hooper, whose job as a civic officer at Maidstone Coun- cil included driving the mayor’s car, has died, aged 72. He had retired in 2003 after 14
years in the job.
John had
lived in Snod- land for about 40 years, until a recent move to Hayling Is- land.
Former council col- league Derek Wickwar said: “Johnwas a larger than life char- acter with a great sense of hu- mour.” He became well-known for his willingness to engage with the public, frequently chatting with people at events from village fetes to formal dinners. John's final duties included training the succesors in his job. Romford-born, John’s early ca-
reer included National Service in the Royal Military Police and time as a bus driver in Warring- ton. He spent 20 years working for the Blue Star Line, starting as a steward and rising to the role of purser. John’s partner of 30 years, Michael Cole, said: “He travelled all round the world in the Mer- chant Navy, visiting Australia, New Zealand and South Amer- ica. He maintained friendships with the people he had served at Maidstone Borough Council and his out-going and fun-loving per- sonalitymadehim lots of friends. "He liked a drink in the Monk’s
Head in Snodland and was an avid Manchester United sup- porter.” John had survived a serious
health scare – when he had to have a leg amputated – only to succumb to cancer in early No- vember.
Laurence Shea LAURENCE ‘Lol’ Shea (42) was born in Croydon but moved lo- cally and attended Maidstone Grammar School. His varied career included
spells as a DJ in London clubs and some local pubs, as well as walking in security at concerts, including Michael Jack- son gigs. More re-
cently he spent 15 years as a business de- velopment manager in the local offices of haulage firm FowlerWelch. Laurence,who lived at Abbots
We will remember
Field, off Fant Lane, married Tracey 11 years ago. She said: “Lol loved his work, and music was his passion.Hehad nine gui- tars, keyboards and drums and spent ages making hisowndance tracks at home.He had records of all kinds. A lot of his friends knew him as ‘The Big Fella’. He had a lovely personality and was kind and positive, even through his final illness.” The couple had one son,
Oliver, and Lol was proud when Oliver followed him by gaining a place at Maidstone Grammar School.
LindaWiffen TRIBUTES have been paid to Linda Wiffen (65) who worked for 23 years as voluntary services manager ofMaidstone Hospital. Linda retired three years ago
and battled Parkinson’s disease for the final years of her life. Linda’s duties included looking
after the care and welfare of 300 people, recruitingnewvolunteers to work at the hospital and help- ing to raise thousands of pounds to aid the work of the hospital’s Friends. On retirement from her main job Linda continued with committeework and held a posi- tion on the committee until her death.
Linda, who lived in Larkfield,
was known throughout the local area because of the many people with whom she worked and her willingness to get out of her office and talk about the work she did to groups like theWomen’s Insti- tute and students in local schools. Joyce Langton, who chairs the hospital’s League of Friends, said: “Linda and I worked together for 10 years. She was a lovely, bub- bly, outgoing lady who had time for everyone. A truly inspira- tional colleaguewho will be very muchmissed.”
She leaves her widower Ray,
two grown-up daughters and three grandchildren.
NigelMarsh NIGEL Marsh (88) had lived in Barmingfor thepast47years. Born in Chorley Wood, he moved with his family to Kenya at the age of four. Hereturned later to attend Ard-
ingly College, West Sussex, be- fore serving with the Royal Sussex and RoyalWest Kent reg- iments during thewar. He returned to Kenya, spend-
ing 18 years as a superintendent in theKenyan Police. He left after the country gained independence and worked briefly for Securicor before beginning a career in insur-ance sales for Barclays Bank. With wife of 54 years, Mimi, he
raised sons Brian andAlan. Alan said: “My dad had a remarkable life.Heheld amateur boxing titles in Kenya at featherweight and bantamweight and was a gifted all-round sportsman. “He was a member of Kent County Cricket Club for many years, and a popular person in general. He was well known lo- cally, enjoyed a drink in the Red Start in Barming and could hold court in there with his stories and opinions.” Widowed in 2009, Nigel leaves
his sons and grand-daughters Na- talie and Sophie.
Elizabeth Hammond ACCOMPLISHEDartist Elizabeth Hammond (85) had lived in Har- rietsham for 60 years. She was born in Southern Rhodesia but returned to England with her family as a child. Her early years were spent at
Telpits Farm in Grafty Green be- fore the family settled in Harriet- sham in 1951, at Holm Mill, though latterly she lived at Chip-
Monumental Stonemasons Est. 1973
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pendayle Lodge care home. Elizabeth attended Maidstone College of Art and then stud- ied at the Royal College of Art. She worked as a freelance illus- trator for chil- dren's books and
also
taught for manyyears atMedwayCollege of Art, where several of today's fa- mous artistswere her pupils, in- cluding Zandra Rhodes, Tracy Emin and Karen Millen. Elizabeth belonged to the Cos-
tume Society, the Embroiderers' Guild and a church recording group. She was a keen member of the National Trust. At a thanksgiving service at St
John the Baptist, the church was adorned with samples of Eliza- beth's wonderful artwork.
Boxley Road flats
may be replaced ANOTHER attempt has been made to secure planning per- mission for the replacement of four self-contained flats with the creation of a single block of seven one-bedroom flats at 56 Boxley Road,Maidstone. In December 2010, Maid-
stone Council refused a simi- lar scheme, claiming the proposal was of “poor design” and harmful to the existing street scene. The latest application claims
to have “remained sympa- thetic to the classical elements of the neighbouring properties as well as those of the overall street scene, picking on pro- portion, window type and use of materials”. The supporting document added: “The overall size of the plot has been reduced and the new building does not involve any felling of the trees at the rear. The new build footprint is slightly wider than the orig- inal.” The council will again decide on the proposal.
The Stone Shop Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere. Inscriptions added to existing memorials Renovations and memorial cleaning
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24 Town
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
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