Desmond Richardson DESMOND Ernest Richardson (84) lived locally his whole life. After growing up in Farleigh, Teston and Yalding and volun- teering duringWWIIin theRoyal Observer Corps, he settled down to a career in the engineer- ing industry and lived in Barming from the 1940s.


Desmond served his ap- prenticeship as a draughts- man with Tilling Stevens, and spent years working for the firm before moving to another local firm, Fisher Controls (later AEI). His final 20 years were spent working for Engis of Parkwood as sales director for their operation, working in industrial diamonds. With Jean, his wife of more


than 60 years, Desmond raised sons Clive and Nigel. Clive said: “My father was reliable and strong-minded, the sort of man others trusted to get things done. He designed the house we lived in and was good with technical gadgets. “He took cine films when we


were young, enjoyed classical music and good audio equipment and got into computers and pho- tography later in his life. He helped support St Andrew’s Scouts in Barming when my brother and Iwere in the group.” Desmond leaves his wife, sons, grandchildren Matthew, David, Paul, Madeline and Gregory and great-grandchildren Georgia and Reid.


James Bebbington JAMES Bebbington (56) lived in Coxheath for 30 years and in the Maidstone area his whole life. Raised in Linton and educated at the old Oldborough Manor Com- munity School, he started an en- gineering career by working on hop-picking machines. He went on to work for God-


dens of West Malling, engineer- ing grasstrack racers and speedway bikes, before his final position restoring old military ve- hicles for theWeald Foundation. Jameswas married to Jean,who


We will remember


he met locally, for over 33 years, and they raised sons James and David. Jean Bebbington said: “James was the kind of person who would do anything for any- one. People have toldme that he didn’t realise how talented he was. We loved caravanning to- gether and used to get away to Caravan Club events on most weekends.” James leaves his wife, sons and granddaughter Lacie.


Pearl Capon PEARL May Ellen Capon (82) lived in East Malling from 1977, spending 30 years in Temple Way, before moving to Catling Close. Born Pearl Grice in Snodland,


she lived there until moving to East Malling. Pearl worked at Reeds Paper Mill and enjoyed localdances at JubileeHall before marrying husband of 43 years, Peter. The couple raised Sandra and David. Sandra Capon said: “My mum


was quiet and very empathetic; once people got to know her they really took to her and in her final days the medical staff who dealt with her were really affectionate and friendly because she had made great friends with them. “After raisingmybrother and I,


she returned to work as a guide, taking tours around Kimberly- Clark, and really loved her work. She loved walking and would rather walk than take a bus. As a familywealways went for awalk on Sundays.” Pearl was widowed in 1983,


and lost son David in 2009. She leaves her daughter, grandchil- dren Claire, Michaela and An- thony, and great-grandchildren Jeffrey, Rebecca, Liam and Han- nah.


Gwendoline Goble GWENDOLINE “Gwen” Goble (91) lived for almost 50 years in Loose. Born Gwen Flowers, she moved locally as a very young childwhenher father beganwork at Reeds Paper Mill. Growing up


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Rotate street darkness Dear Sir - With respect to your piece con- cerning the debate whether street lights should be switched off to save money (Malling, December); yes, perhaps it may be necessary to do this, but let me personally point out a couple of things. Themost likely streets to have their lights turned off are the side streets and cul-de- sacs, where there is not as much traffic movement. That is all well and good, but I do think that the type of crimes committed late evenings and early mornings in those areas will increase because the perpetrator can carry out their offences under the cover of complete darkness, whereas perhaps strategically-placed street lights would deter them to a degree.


inAylesford, she attended Maid- stone Girls Grammar School and started work in accounting. She joined the ATS in wartime and worked as a radar operator, which included time inAnglesey and Rotherham. She met husband of 34 years,


Eric, and the pair married in 1945. Before Loose, their marital homes were in Aylesford, Snod- land, Penenden Heath and Allington. Eric’s work included running the Goble and Bone ad- vertising agency in Earl Street; Gwen worked in administration and reception for the agency.The couple raised Jennifer, Graham and Jeremy. Daughter Jennifer said: “My mother loved gardening, oil painting and playing the piano. She was known for being very optimistic and sensitive to the feelings of others andwas hugely supportive of her family. “Even after she was widowed


in 1979, she remained active and busy, going to adult education classes, reading widely and stay- ing in touch with family.” Gwen leaves her children, grandchildren Eric, James, Christina and Victoria and great- grandchildren Dana, Samuel, Connor and Grace.


Janet Goodhew JANET Goodhew (69), who lived in Teston with her friend Linda Gower and Linda’s husband Robert, was known locally from years of work for the Kent Mes- senger. Janet started working for the


KM in 1960 and became in- volved in transferring paper records to electronic storage. She left in the mid-1990s to work in local administration. Originally from Ightham,


Janet’s friends have praised her gregarious and out-going nature and her devotion to her god- daughter Emma.


PeterWaghorn PETERWaghorn (57), who lived in Ringlestone Crescent, Maid- stone, for 35 years, spent most of


his working life as a mechanic working for KCC in Aylesford, servicing and repairing light ve- hicles.


Cuxton born, he moved locally


after marriage to wife Denise, who said: “Peter was a real out- doors man, he loved shooting which he did all round the local area and fishing, especially for trout. He fished in fresh and salt water.Hewas full of life and peo- ple who met him tended to re- member him.” Peter was father to Mathew, Ja-


nine and Dean. A brain haemor- rhage in 2002 prematurely ended his working life. Peter leaves his wife, children, grandchildren Tiegan, Ella, Jack, Kaci, Millie and Jody


Jack Button JACK Button (87) was known lo- cally for his long involvement in the affairs of Bredgar village. He moved several times but always remained loyal to Bredgar. Having first come to the village


in the 1960s he moved with his job as a naval officer but settled permanently in the village in 1972. His years of local involve- ment include 33 years on the parish council, many of them spent as chairman and a pivotal role in the Friends of Bredgar School (FOBS). FOBS fought a successful campaign against falling rolls and the threatened closure of the school, securing funding to promote it and seeing this work lead to the school thriv- ing again. Sheffield born, Jack joined the


Navy in 1942 seeing war service on the Arctic convoys. The mar- ried father of four worked for years at Reeds Paper Mill in Aylesford.


John Berry JOHN “Jack” Berry, who died in Manchester, was known locally from 15 years’ service asproperty manager and chief engineer for Mid Kent College. He took the post in the early


1990s after service in the Navy. He was awarded an OBE for his services to education and also re- ceived an MBE. He moved back to his native Manchester three years ago following the death of his wife, Bette.


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or e-mail: info@downsmail.co.uk


Therefore, let the council take note, if they


are thinking of turning street lights off down side streets/cul-de-sacs, then I advise them to do it on a rota basis, so that criminals cannot get used to certain streets having their lights out every night at the same time. If there is no actual pattern of the lights


being switched off it will not make it so easy for them to commit crime under cover of darkness. Name and address supplied


Thanks for friendly care Dear Sir -On Friday, January 13, Iwas taken ill in Wilkinsons, Maidstone. I would like to thank a lady in a white and black checked coat who first came to my help, also three members of staff, one of whom had medical knowledge and suspected I had a heart attack and called for an ambu-


lance. The ambulance crew were very friendly


and professional, as was the paramedic. I was taken to Maidstone A&E and immedi- ately given all tests in a very efficient, pro- fessional and caring friendly way with checks well into the night. I was allowed home during Saturday af- ternoon, with more checks scheduled as an outpatient for possible angina. I would like to say thank you to all the people who attended to me and for the few tasty meals I had. I amvery grateful for being taken to Maid-


stone Hospital, which is within easy walk- ing distance from home, rather than Pembury, which is not. Many thanks from a 79-year-old male. Name and address supplied


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk Malling 21


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