Edwin Boorman THE death on March 14 of Edwin Boorman OBE (76), marked the end of a lifelong career in the fam- ily newspaper business. Mr Boor-


man, who lived inWater- ingbury, was the third gen- eration of a family that has owned the Kent Messen- ger since the end of the 19th century. He died after a short illness, leaving a company he served as managing director, chief executive and chairman. At the time of his death hewas president of the company, having handed over his chairmanship in 2006 to daughter Geraldine Allinson. His time with the com- pany included an era of strength for local newspapers, butmore re- cently saw him involved in major decisions as a competitivemarket threatened the future of many publications. Underhis management, theKM


Group went into radio broadcast- ing and changed some formats and contents of their publications. He was president of the Newspa- per Society from 2001 to 2002. His OBE came in recognition of his contribution to the Royal British Legion. KCC deputy leader Alex King


said: “Edwin was someone who made a great contribution to the county … through his steward- ship of theKMGroup…his char- itable work and his involvement in the British Legion. “He has played an enormous


part in making Kent the place it is and throughout the decades helped shape the county.” He leaves wife Janine, childrenGeral- dine, Cecilia, Imogen, Eleanor and Henry, and seven grandchildren.


Margaret Morfell MARGARET “Maggie” Morfell, (73), lately of Hop Garden Farm, Teston, died suddenly at home at East Farleigh. Her family said that many local people supported her during her quest to keep her animal sanctu- ary going at the farm, but she un- fortunately lost her fight to stay at the property. She was, however, very grateful for thehelp and kind words frommanyresidents in the villages of Teston and Watering- bury. Her daughter Jackie said: “She


was very well-known in the com- munity and there was a huge turnout for her funeral at St John’s


We will remember


Church inWateringbury.” Maggie leaves a large family in- cluding three daughters and one son, three sisters anda brother, 11 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.


Geoffrey Fletcher GEOFFREY Fletcher (91), of Thurnham, devoted his career to the high-profile business founded by his grandfather in 1898.


Drake and Fletcher’s car dealership was well known locally. Apart from a break for war serv- ice, the dealer- ship was Geoffrey’s career until he retired as managing director in 1985 and became chairman of the com- pany. He continued to work for the company until 2008. Geoffrey was father to Lynette,


Ros, John and Geoffrey and was involved inlocal life as chairman of Cobtree Charity Trust for 20 years and as a local independent councillor for nine years, starting in 1950. Healso served as a JP, chairman


of theMagistrates SelectionCom- mittee, county chairman of the Tax Commission and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Geoffrey played golf until the age of 90 and was an international standard bridge player. Son John said: “Our father lived a great life; he was a soldier, sportsman, and brilliant businessmanwhogave a greatdeal back to his community. “Above all he was a devoted family man and a generous friend, one of the last of a re- markable generation who risked their lives for our future.” In recent years his home at Thurnham Friars, Thurnham, opened its garden for charity. Geoffrey lost his wife, Judy, in 1985. He leaves his children and 10 grandchildren.


Dave Charnley CHAMPION lightweight boxer Dave Charnley (76) retired to West Malling after living most of his life in the Dartford area and forging a career that saw him win British, British Empire and Euro- pean titles, fighting 61 times, winning 48 bouts and challeng- ing twice for the world title. Heretiredwhile still champion in 1964 and continues to hold a


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Scouting for building help Dear Sir - The committee members and leaders of the 1st Snodland Scout Group are pleased to announce that we now have enough money to start building the shell of the new building. It is with the continual support of resi-


dents and local businesses that have en- abled us to be in this position and for that


22 Malling


notable record; his 40-second de- struction of Dave “Darkie” Hughes (including a ten second count) still ranks as the shortest British lightweight title fight. The lack of lightweight competition led Dave to take fights at welter- weight level.Healso held a Com- monwealth Games bronzemedal from his amateur days. Dave was noted for his aggres-


sive fighting style and nicknamed the “Dartford Destroyer”. He in- vested wisely, making a consid- erable amount of money from the ownership of hair salons and property dealings. Dave leaves his second wife, Maureen and daughters Lisa and Joanna.


Marjorie Harris MARJORIE Evelyn Harris (86), of Kingswood. was the former wife of Raymond E Cooke OBE, founder of KEF Electronics Lim- ited in Tovil and also Edward Startup, language professor, of Maidstone (both deceased). Marjorie moved to Maidstone


in 1962 fromYorkshire when her husband started the loudspeaker manufacturing company KEF Electronics Limited and spent many years living in Boughton Monchelsea. She worked in KCC’s salaries department in Springfield, before taking early retirement. She moved to Cornwall in the early 1980s after meeting Ian K Harris on one of her many flights to Canada to visit her son, Martin. She married Ian, living in Liskeard, Cornwall, until his death in 2010. She then returned locally to live with her daughter Ann and family in Kingswood. Ann said: “My mother enjoyed the community spirit of the vil- lage and visiting Leeds Castle. “She still had many good friends here and was pleased to see all of them on her return to the area. She continued visiting Canada until her final illness, which she faced bravely.” Mar- jorie leaves children Ann and Martin and grandchildren Chris- tian, Alecia, Oliver and Kiana.


Chris Peacock THE death of Chris Peacock (51) made local headlines when the watch manager collapsed at


Thameside fire station, North- fleet, on March 4. Colleagues were unable to revive him. Chris’s fire service career in- cluded time as a recruit course instructor at a training centre in Maidstone from March to November 1997, and again between January 1999 and May 2000, when he was promoted to watch man- ager and returned to Thameside. He lived with his wife Tina and two children, Stacey and James (currently a Maidstone United player), inWalderslade. KFRS Chief Executive Ann Millington said: “Our thoughts are with Chris’s family and close colleagues. He served Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the peo- ple of Kent and Medway in his role as a firefighter for many years. Chris was well respected by everyone who knew him.” His colleagues at Thameside


White Watch paid tribute to Chris. Crew manager Lee Mur- phy said: “He was a larger than life character who had a positive influence on many people. He was a joy to work with and be- came a close friend to us all. He will be sorely missed, especially by us as awatch.”


Katie Jackson KATIE Jackson (86),wholived in Fant from 1963 until her recent move into care was known throughout the local area from years of running Katie’s Nursery, providingday care for children in her 26-room home in Upper Fant Road. Her home was known to accommodate children, foreign students and many guests. Her approach to care meant


manychildren felt as though they had joined her family and kept in touch long after they had out- grownday care. Friends and fam- ily have praised Katie’s generosity. Born Katie Fairchild in Canter-


bury, her life included service as a despatch rider during the war and adventures such as rescuing and smuggling home a puppy that became a family pet. After retiring in the 1990s,


Katie moved to a cottage in Fant, but maintained her habit of en- tertaining people. When she was in her 70s, she stood up to, and frightened off a burglar. Katie leaves daughters Julia


and Janice, and four grandchil- dren.


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


you are most sincerely thanked. Without your monetary contributions and support we would not have been able to do it. Our final ask is that all residents, trades persons and businesses of Snodland, if you could donate materials, expertise and/or manpower to help demolish and construct the new headquarters; even the offer to paint ormake tea would be greatly received. We aim to start demolishing on June 30


2013. We hopeworkwill take nomore than six weeks. If you are able to contribute in anyway,whether it be experience, expertise or materials, please contact group chairman Steve Cameron on 01634 241877 or 07952 009943, with information on what you can donate or recommendations of those who may be able to help. Sarah Hood, Akela Beacon Cub Scouts


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


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