This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Suez and was involved in opera- tions against rebel strongholds when the post-Suez troubles in Oman flared up in July 1957. For these actions Joe received aBar to his DFC. He retired from the Royal Air


Force aged 38, and spent 21 years as personal pilot of the banker Loel Guinness. He retained a fly- ing licence until late in his life and took pride in never needing spectacles, a feat he put down to daily eye exercises. Joe loved music and had audi- tioned for The Black and White Minstrel Show. His singing voice passed, but his dancing skills let him down. Joe leaves his second wife, Della, four sons and a daughter from his first marriage, and two daughters from his sec- ond.


Wendy Smy WENDYSmy (69) lived in Upper Fant Road for 40 years. BornWendy Hayes in Halling,


she grew up there and looked after her brothers and sisters be- fore taking a job in Mac Fisheries in Maidstone High Street. She cele-


brated 50 years of marriage to John on Box- ing Day. The couple mar- ried in St Paul’s Church, Maidstone, which later burned down, and lived inWest Malling before moving to Fant. When television repair man


John became self-employed, Wendy manned the phones and supported his business, which, at different times had bases in UnionStreet andLeeds. Her other employment over the years in- cludedmaking radio components and working in a print shop. Wendy was mother to Sarah,


Simon, Gordon and Chris. John said: “Wendy was always helpful and easy to talk to, she got on well with everyone, she had a gentle nature.” Wendy leaves her husband, children and eight grandchildren.


PamBowles PAMELA Elaine Bowles (70) lived the final 46 years of her life in ParkWood, having previously lived in Barming. Born Pamela Wilmshurst, she started work for Foster Clarks be- fore marrying John and be- coming mother to Sarah, Mary, Angela and Nigel.


Raising her children took precedence for a number of years, but she later increased her voluntary work for Christ Church in Park Wood. Daughter Sarah said:“Mymother did lots ofwork for the church, including serving as church warden and looking after the flowers. “The church work was the con- suming passion of her life and the church gifted us her funeral as a mark of respect and gratitude. One touching thing about her fu- neral was the way the people from the church knewall her fam- ily because she had told them all about us; she was a very proud mother and grandmother.” Pam leaves her children and grandchildren Lindsey, Leanne, Shaun and Ivan.


Jessie Corke JESSIE Corke (89) lived in Rut- landWay, Shepway, for 61 years, having previously lived over a chip shop in Sandling Road, Maidstone. Born locally as Jessie Philpott,


she was married to Victor for 40 years and they had a daughter,


June. Jessie worked for KCC as a cleaner at Astley House in Hast- ings Road,Maidstone.Vic worked for British Road Services. June said:


“My parents kept a cabin cruiser in the front garden. My mother loved the times they took it to Dorset and went out to sea. When my father became ill she went with him to the disabled club at Mote Park. She was a country girl at heart and a really good mother and grandmother. She got tomeet her first great-great-grandchild.” Jessie, who was widowed 27


years ago, leaves her daughter, grandchildrenYvonne and James, four great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter, with another great great grandchild ex- pected this summer.


Martin Howes THE death of Martin Howes (51) made local headlines because of his involvement in local life. Martin ran MKH Clokes Char-


tered Surveyors and Valuers for 22 years, having bought the Gabriels Hill-based practice from Nigel Cloke in 1989. He later moved offices to King Street, where he built up a hugely suc- cessful business. Tributes have been paid toMar-


tin, who died of a heart attack while climbing in Tasmania. Manypeople have commented on his love of life and exceptional abilities. Martin joined the canoe club at Swadelands School, in Lenham and was chairman and trustee of Maidstone Canoe Club for about 25 years.Hewas heavily involved with Barming Scouts group and loved travelling and adventure. Martin leaves his wife of 25


DownsMail In touch with your parish It was felt the pavilion may


Barming Council Police meeting


ISSUES including flytipping in North Pole Road, quad bikes in the Pea Field and speeding had been discussed at a meeting with the police. New PCSO Frank Woollett


had been introduced. There had been five reported crimes – two theft, two crimi- nal damage and possession of a controlled drug. The new police team was hoping to complete speed checks in the area and vehicle checks on Teston Bridge. Simon Cattell, from Barming


Youth Club, reported it had held an open day, and two sessions had since taken place.The build- ing had been redecorated and the club was seeking funding for video equipment.Remedial work required included securing cup- boards, leaks in the ceiling, out- side lighting.


last another couple of years. John Palmer and Vivienne Hyndman were co-opted as parish councillors. St Margaret’s Church had agreed the parish council should adopt theWayside Cross memorial to ensure its upkeep. It would require varnishing and possibly new sign writing, but the structure was sound. The annual parish meeting would be held on April 11. A resident had complained


that the parish council had not made a donation to the Friends of St Margaret’s Church.A democratic decision had been made, based on financial con- straints, and it was agreed the decision should be left as it is. A gate had been installed in


the fence at the parish field,giv- ing access from a property. Re- minders would be sent to houses that therewas no right of way on to the field, except the


southern entrance and the council reserved the right to erect a boundary fence. There had been a gas leak outside the village hall. The pipe will be capped to avoid any further issues.


Hall disturbance Loose Council


CHAIRMAN Vianne Gibbons thanked Cllr David Large as chairman of the Brooks Field project committee for all his commitment. Members of the committee were also thanked. Contractors would take 1-2


days clearing more silt from Tylers side of the pond. Loose Amenities Association would be charged a nominal £20 for each event on the field. Community groups were in-


vited to take part in the annual parish meeting in May. The parish website had 34,023 hits – 204 a week. Mr Harris, who works on rag-


years, Sarah, and two daughters.


John Squire JOHN Squire (88), as a young in- fantry lieutenant, was among the first onthe Normandy beaches for the D-Day invasion during WWII and lost his platoon sergeant as they landed. He was in-


jured and re- covered for the Far East cam- paign, but was saved from fur- ther conflict when the atomic bomb forced a Japan- ese surrender. He met wife Doreen, a nurse, as


he recovered in hospital and the couple lived in Maidstone with their three children, Nick, Alison and Simon.Doreen died last year. John entered the insurance pro- fession and specialised in invest- ment and finance, firstly with Norwich Union, then Watson, Christie & House and finally he became a pensions director, retir- ing aged 62. He was a Freemason, member


of the Round Table, chairing the Maidstone branch, before he moved to the Rotary Club of Maidstone in 1973, becoming president in 1980/81.


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


stone walls for the council, is retiring and doubts that he will be able to check the stability of ragstone walls in the parish, as at present. He was thanked for his advice and support. The council heard a bogus


caller had been using the name of a legitimate voluntary organ- isation, Brighter Futures. Church Street would be closed in May for road works. A bigger bin was needed for


Old Loose Hill as the one by the Chequers Pub was always full. A quote of £201 was agreed


for repairs to the vandalised fence at Brooks Field. The crossing lady at Loose school is very happy with the installation of the new railings. Low branches over the foot-


path in Copper Tree Court had been removed following a re- quest from Cllr Jim Andrew. Overhanging vegetation in Cop- per Tree Court was also men- tioned as a potential hazard.


Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330 Town 33


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