Mark Worrall MARK Squire Worrall OBE (58), of West Malling lived his life locally. He was known for over 30 years of public serv- ice, culminat- inginthe post of leader of To n b r i d g e and Malling Council. Schooled locally, he went to Queen’s University in Belfast, where he read political science and became the first English- man to serve as student presi- dent.Hewentontoworkfor the Young Conservatives, or- ganising the group and its many events before becoming marketing manager for the Lon- don School of Economics. He applied to become Con- servative candidate for Maid- stone, losing out to Ann Widdecombe, but went on to have a highly successful career with Tonbridge and Malling Council. He was leader of the council


from 1985 to 1995, returning to the post in 2003 and holding it until his death. His OBE was awarded in 2008 for services to local government. Council chief executive


David Hughes said of his death: “This has come as a huge shock. Our first thoughts must be for his family and friends. He was held in great esteem and promoted a culture within the council of service to the community.” Mark was father to James, Samantha and Emma. His sis- ter, Gillian, said: “Mark had many interests in life. He loved cricket and had loved playing in his younger days. “He served as chairman of


Town Malling Cricket Club and loved the fact that his son now plays for them.”


Graeme McNaughton GRAEME McNaughton was born and brought up in East Malling, but settled in West Farleigh with his wife Anne in 1983. A keen gardener, Graeme


loved working outdoors, and his lawn in Charlton Lane was his pride and joy. Graeme was also an enthusi-


astic wine-maker, and his fam- ily remember picking the various fruits, before spending hours topping, tailing and


MEN, women and dogs are in- vited to take part in a massed charity walk later in the summer. The Malling District Lions


Club, part of Lions Interna- tional, is organising the walk on Sunday, August 26, to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Re- search and the Prostate Support Association (Kent). There will be three distances to


28 Malling


We will remember


cleaning them ready for fer- mentation. He won numerous trophies as chairman of Maidstone Wine Club, although once hewas dis- qualified, as the wine was so strong the judges thought it was fortified! Although he trained as a car- penter, Graeme took over the family business of A. A. Mc- Naughton Transport Ltd., where he was later joined by his brother Albert. Graeme leaves hiswife Anne, children Joanna and Richard and grandchildren Emma,Han- nah and Sam. His funeral took place at Vinters Crematorium on May 30.


Marc Palmer MARC Palmer (86), most re- cently of Eccles, will be best re- membered locally for the 15 years he spent running the Fleur-de-Lys pub in Burham with his wife of 63 years, Audrey. The couple had one daughter,


Jan. Under Marc’smanagement, the pub was described as “a vi- brant friendly place with lots going on”. On retirement, Marc and Audrey moved to a house opposite the pub before their move to Eccles. Marc was known locally for


his support of local sports teams, his membership of the Licensed Victuallers Associa- tion and his raising of money for various local charities. He funded an annual children’s party and food parcels for Burham’s elderly. Marc, who was born in a smallholding in Hampshire, lost his mother when he was young and was eventually raised by an aunt and uncle in Selsdon, Surrey. War service in Palestine and


India with the Royal Vehicle Corps was followed by a varied career taking in the police, and self-employment in the build- ing trade before running a pub. Marc had DIY skills, played a


range of sports and was known locally for the impressive range of high-performance and sporty cars he had owned. It was said in his eulogy that


Marc “was always cheerful, friendly and willing to do oth- ers a good turn”. Marc leaves his wife and daughter.


Charity walk open to everyone


choose from, to suit all ages and abilities, mainly on wide paths. Dogs on leads are welcome. It follows a similar event last


year which raised £2,000. The walk starts at East Malling Research Centre, with registra- tion from 9am to noon. For de- tails or to pre-register, call 01732 841078 or email michaelchap- man239@btinternet.com


Nellie Minchella NELLIE Minchella (87), who died at the Lukestone care home in St Michael’s Road, Fant, was a noted local enter- tainer. She and her husband of over 60 years, Antonio, played locally in


The


Minchellas. Born Nellie Meeds, she moved to East Malling 58 years ago from her native Burham. Her daughter Janet said: “Music was my mother’s life. There was a pe- riod of about 30 years when I don’t think she had a night in. The Minchellas played all over the local area, going to social clubs, playing pubs like The Malta Inn, at Allington, regu- larly and doing seasons at But- lins camps in Minehead and Bognor. “My mother had met and worked with people like the ac- tors from Steptoe and Son and Paul James, who is on the radio on Sunday lunchtimes. More recently she played at tea dances in places like the Hazlitt and Larkfield Village Hall. Her repertoire included concert music and material from the dance band era.” Nellie was mother to Danny


and Janet and had also worked locally on a baker’s round, a grocery round, at the East Malling Research Station and – whenWest Malling still had an air station – in the NAAFI. Janet said: “She was a very generous lady, known for her kindness.” Nellie leaves her husband, children and grandchildren Tony Jr and Jannell.


Mike Ducker MAIDSTONE’S Mike Ducker (76) worked at KCC for many years, serving as chief footpaths officer, and retiring in the early 1990s. He will be well remembered locally for his many years with San Fairy Ann Cycling Club. He was a member as a young man in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He married Stella and they had three daughters. He returned to the club after


retirement and led an involve- ment in fundraising for cystic fibrosis that made him a central figure in local cycling. Mike’s granddaughter Ella


was diagnosed with the condi- tion and he began a scheme in which he would take, sell and recycle all manner of cycling paraphernalia. As a result of this work, the South East region was a top fundraising area for research into the condition over the last 15 years. Mike marshalled local races


and was noted by many of his fellow cyclists as one of the most helpful and dedicated ad- vocates of his sport. His funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium was packed. Mike leaves his wife, daugh- ters and grandchildren.


Robert Argles GUY Robert Ainsworth Argles (73) lived locally for 60 years, the last 25 of which were spent in East Sutton. Known as Robert, his previous homes in- cluded Sutton Valence and Chart Sutton. He moved away for National Service and university in Ox- ford and London. He passed his law degree in London as the top of his year and began a career that led to 40 years as a barris- ter, working out of chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, London. Robertwas well known in the Maidstone area from years of involvement with the Conser- vative party. He served them as a treasurer for his local branch and Maidstone and also did two elections as election agent for Hugh Robertson, taking pride in helping the MP in- crease his majority at the last election. Robert’s brother Martin said: “Robert was incredibly active in East Sutton and the sur- rounding area. He was a very active churchwarden, served as treasurer for Filmer Hall, took part in a lot of local charity events and the village fete and helped to organise the summer fete for the local prison. “Hewas very prominent in the


area and known for his willing- ness to get involved in things. He was incredibly generous with his time and his heart.” Amarkofthe regard thelo-


cals had for Robert has been seen in the time and effort many in the area have given up to help with his funeral. Robert leaves four brothers and nine nieces and nephews.


Unlicensed tattoo artists warning


TONBRIDGE and Malling Council haswarned residents of the dan- ger of using unregistered tattoo artists after a local womanwas cau- tioned operating an illegal tattooing business from her home. Cllr Howard Rogers, Tonbridge and Malling Council’s cabinet member for environmental health said: “Having a tattoo done by someone who has not been trained and registered can be very dan- gerous as the risk of infection is much greater. “We would always advise people to check the tattoo artist they


use is registered, rather than risking the consequences of an infec- tion. If in doubt, contact the environmental health team at the coun- cil, and they will be able to advise you.”


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


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