This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
DownsMail In touch with your parish Tovil Council


Barming Council Boot fair plan


CHAIRMAN Fay Gooch said Maidstone Lions had asked whether a boot fair could be held on the parish field in July. Cllr Sandra Manser was to dis- cuss this with them. Cllr Gooch raised concerns


about cleaning at the parish hall. Cllr Chris Hall said a ro- tary cleaner was required and was to talk to the school’s head teacher about borrowing one. Cllr Hall said that, with the


help of Peter Gooch, grilles in the car park had been replaced. Cllr Manser said the hall had


been left in a poor state after a party. The floors in the kitchen and hall were dirty and paint had been chipped off the wall. It was agreed that the hirers would be asked to pay a return- able deposit if they wished to have any further parties. Cllr Manser said the gap be-


tween the fence and BFFC’s container was being used as a toilet and required closing off. The clerk was to follow this up. PCSO Dawn Kemp urged res-


idents to be wary of fuel thefts, including domestic fuel. County Cllr Paulina Stockell commented on the new Kent Model of Policing and said PCSOs played a vital role. Guest speaker Nigel Whit-


opportunity he could to make that happen. “The words I have seen used


in the tributes we have received include ‘inspirational’ ‘intelli- gent’ and ‘remarkable’. “He had an incredible com-


mand of English and love of books. He played sports like rugby and cricket and – in his later years – enjoyed golf and walking. “He had a very dry – typically


Yorkshire – sense of humour and loved ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.” Dean leaves his wife, children


and grandchildren Claire, David and Harry.


George Jackson GEORGE Jackson (87), who lived in Oakwood Road, Maid- stone, for 36 years, spent much of his career working in the trea- surer’s office at Maidstone Bor- ough Council. London-born, he grew up in Bexhill and joined the RAF in WWII, training in Canada as an air crew member. He moved to accounts before seeing action, then met wife of 64 years, Vivi- enne, while in that role. George leaves his wife, sons


and grandchildren Eleanor, Nico- las, Lorna and Julia.


Bob Black ROBERT John “Bob” Black, of Button Lane, Bearsted, was the first captain of Tudor Park Golf Club, a local Liberal councillor


burn, from Medway Valley Community Rail Partnership spoke on the organisation’s achievements and plans for the future. Carl Adams, of Action with Communities in Rural Kent, spoke about community-led planning. Cllr Manser said she was hav-


ingtoturnaway bookings for the parish hall, as it was full every evening. Potential hirers would not use the pavilion as it meant walking across a muddy field. Cllr Manser said the youth club had spent time and money revitalising the pavilion, which was now fit for purpose, and that the possibility of laying a path was being considered. Cllr Gooch said the cost of building a new pavilion was prohibitive. She said a log cabin was a possibility which was being explored, but a block- paved path was a long term in- vestment. There was concern about the excessive cost of the path,and the site, along the eastern boundary behind South Street properties,which might be a se- curity risk. Cllr Gooch said that as the siting of the path had been decided, three councillors would need to put a request in writing to the clerk to change it.


and spent a year as consort when his wife of 54 years,Mary, was Mayor of Maidstone in 1990-91. Born in Gourock, on the River Clyde, he moved locally when working as a customs officer. After living in Cuxton, he and Mary moved to Bower Close, Maidstone, in 1976, before mov- ing to Bearsted in 1986. The couple had two daughters, Deborah and Shauna. Deborah said: “When he retired early from customs work he went on to work as a private investigator, based in Bearsted, and to do talks for organisations like theWI. “One thing he really enjoyed


was recitingRobbie Burns’ poetry and raising toasts at the annual Burns supper. He also loved walking, which he had done lo- cally and in Scotland.” Bob leaves his wife, daughters


and granddaughters Natasha, Far- rah,Madeleine and Alana.


Barry Rowbotham THE sudden death of Barry Rowbotham (69), of Loose, has drawn tributes from many who knew the sen- ior magistrate. His service


on the Mid Kent bench was mainly carried out at Maidstone Magistrates Court and he was well known as chairman of the


Bigger litter bin


IT WAS reported that a larger litter bin would be installed on the Fant side of the river. Residents who took place in


the recent litter-pick on the riverside and at the stream at the Tail Race were thanked for their work. Breaches of planning permis-


sion had been reported at vari- ous properties at Bydews. As far as the council was aware, these were being investigated by Maidstone council. Maidstone council had re- paired the fence next to the stream atWoodbridge Drive, but the wooden fence was incom- plete. The clerk was to chase this up. Bark chippings at the Bridge


Mill play area were being grad- ually replenished. The mainte- nance of the open space was the responsibility of Maidstone Council. A dance troupe and a face painter had been booked for the fete, and a possible source of pony rides had been consulted. The purchase of the school building was discussed, and several issues were raised. The licence to operate had been is- sued by the diocese. Services to be arranged included refuse col-


Mid Kent Family Court. His col- leagues have praised the “lovely guy” for his contribution to the law. He had been due to retire from his position this year. Barry’s earlier career had been


in local government in Grave- sham, where his work had in- cluded forging twinning links with towns in other countries. On leaving Gravesham Borough Council, he had taken on a new role specifically concerned with twinning arrangements. Barry leaves his wife, Jackie.


Rose Jeal ROSE Mabel Jeal (96), lived in Barming for 46 years, having previously lived in West Malling. She went into service for a


vicar’s family before the war and married Fred Woodhams in 1937.The couple had one daugh- ter, Pam. Fred fought in the war and


was held prisoner by the Japan- ese for four years. After he re- turned the couple divorced. Rose worked as chief cashier at the Central Cinema, on the cur- rent site of Boots in The Mall. She also spent 26 yearsworking as linen pool supervisor at Oak- wood Hospital. She married Jack Milstead in


1948. After Jack’s death in 1968 she lived alone for a number of years and married John Jeal in 1985.


Daughter Pam said: “My mother was an absolutely de-


lection. The clerk was to ask Maidstone council for awheelie bin and for the rateable value. A charge of £10 per hour for pri- vate hire was agreed, with £10 per session for charitable groups such as the Brownies. Water and gas taps needed to be marked, and Cllr Barry Beard- well offered to organise the structural certificate. Fire no- tices are to be bought to mark the fire exits. The estimate from Crofton for structural engineer- ing services was agreed. The estimates for gas and electricity safety inspections were agreed and appointments were to be made. It was agreed to make a dona-


tion of £87, the balance of the 2012 donations budget, to the Heart of Kent Hospice. An estimate of £1,000 for re- seeding the end of the shrub bed at Lower Tovil was agreed. Replacement of the monkey puzzle tree was to be delayed until October. It was suggested that the top brown branches of the existing tree were removed. It was agreed to donate £30 to


the cost of a skip for clearance work at Higham Close.Itwas also agreed that any future re- quests for financial assistance for such projects should be made in writing prior to the work commencing.


voted, generous lovely lady who lived her life for others. A wonderful daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, she was truly selfless.” Widowed in 1988, Rose leaves


her daughter, grandchildren Mark, Angela, Nicholas and Cherry and eight great-grand- children.


George Collins GEORGE Collins (64) lived near the Sutton Road for most of his life. Born in Austria, his father was a soldier and his mother was Austrian. The family moved locally


when George was a boy and, after school, he started a career that in- cluded 25 years at Ryarsh Brick- works as a maintenance foreman. When he was made redundant, he started a career as a market trader.


Daughter Bev said: “Calling


him a market trader doesn’t do justice to his qualities as a real Del Boy character. My dad sold everything, from toys, DVDs and ornaments to pushbikes. “Heworked really hard, knew


lots of people, was really well- liked and would do anything for anyone. He was known all round the local markets and by many people in the local area.” Married to Joy for 42 years, George was father to Bev, Deb and Jen. He leaves his mother Hedy, his wife, daughters and grandchildren Luke, James, Tia andMason.


Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330 Town 47


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