Peter Hayman PETER Hayman (71) lived lo- cally his whole life, spending over 30 years in SenacreWood. Having grown up on the Tonbridge Road and at- tending West Borough School, Peter started work as a bicycle delivery boy. He went on to work for Courage Breweries in Maid- stone and ParkWood, spending most of his career as a dray- man.


Peter was married to Yvonne


for almost 48 years. The couple raised Paul and Denise. Denise said: “My Dad loved sports. He ran for Maidstone Harriers as a young man and went on to play football for Hunton FC. “When my brother got in- volved in football, Dad managed youth teams, including the local Boys Brigade. He also followed Tottenham Hotspur and went along to games. “Whenmy brother grew up he started getting his grandson, Cia- ran, involved in sports. He also played short mat bowls at the Semara Club and Lakeside Club. “People will remember my


Dad as warm, smiling, happy and cheeky. He received such good care at the Heart of Kent Hospice that he was smiling the day before he died, and it was his wish that we raised money for the hospice in his memory.” Peter leaves his wife, chil-


dren and grandchildren Holly, Larissa, Ciaran and Ruth.


Mary Luxford MARY Luxford (84), most re- cently of Farleigh Court, Barm- ing, lived locally most of her life. Raised near Ashford as Mary Joynson, she married husband Donald in 1961 and the couple first settled on Bearsted Road. They moved to Harrietsham be- fore spending their final 38 years together in Farleigh Court. Donald Luxford said: “Mary


did a range of things in her life including domesticwork, clean-


We will remember


ing for Kent County Council and work for Batchelors canning fac- tory near Ashford. She also did seasonal work on farms.” Mary was mother to son Ian. Donald said: “We both loved country and western music and went regularly to Aylesford, Snodland and Larkfield clubs. Mary got on with everyone and made friends easily.” Mary leaves her husband and


son.


Bill Yorke STANLEYWilliam “Bill” Yorke (86) was widely known throughout the local area as owner and proprietor of S.W. Yorke and Sons Fencing Con- tractors. The East Farleigh based fam- ily-firm has been running for over 50 years and is widely known for its involvement in contracts on major building works in the area and for work with organisations like KCC. Born in Gallants Lane, East Farleigh, Bill spent over 70 years in the area, moving out to Chatham for a few years and to Kettering, Northants, to live with his daughter shortly before he died. His first jobs included working for a company that spe- cialised in animal feeds. Bill was father to John, Mick and Jane. His daughter-in-law, Gill, said: “Bill was very hard-work- ing, sociable and someone who enjoyed his life. He liked at- tending auctions in Maidstone and loved the sociability of those events. “He also enjoyed a drink in


the pubs around East Farleigh including The Horseshoes, The Bull and The Walnut Tree. He was involved in his local com- munity and had helped the or- ganising and building of East Farleigh Working Men’s Club.” Bill leaves his partner Iris, two of his children (son John pre-de- ceased him), grandchildren John, Julie, Paul and Christo- pher, seven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Another great-great grandchild is expected soon.


Min Andrew MINNIE “Min” Vera Andrew (91), of Coxheath, lived all of her life in the local area. Born Minnie Heasman, she


grew up with four siblings in Milton Street, Maidstone. She worked


at Hills and Steels Depart- ment Store in Week Street and the Prim- rose and Len Milk Bar in Lower Stone Street before meet- ing and marrying her husband of 54 years, Stanley. Living in Wheeler Street, the couple raised Leila, Lesley and Larraine. Min took in sewing and ran a second-hand shop in Wheeler Street (now the RSPCA shop), while Stanley worked as a car- penter and builder all over the country. Stanley later turned the shop


into a pease pudding and faggot shop, also selling cakes and pies, which Min ran on her own. The couple extended their work to run Handyman’s Corner in County Road, Maidstone’s first DIY outlet, and later opened shops in Hedley Street, Peel Street and Milton Street. The family moved to the


Weald, living at times in Had- low, Horsmonden, Cranbrook, Tudely, Brenchley and finally Cross-at-Hand, Staplehurst. After Stanley’s death, Min moved to Coxheath. Daughter Larraine said: “My mother loved gardening, and knitted socks to raise money for the air ambulance. “She was always smiling and


liked a good chuckle, even near the end of her life, when she was ill.” Min leaves her daughters, 10 grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.


Neil Crighton A SERVICE of thanksgiving for the life of Neil Crighton was


held at All Hallows-by-the- Tower Church in London. Neil (66), who divided his


time between homes in West Farleigh and the Barbican, was well known in the area, having been brought up and educated in Medway, before working in education administration and newsprint distribution in Maid- stone. He ran an off-licence in Ditton before moving to Charl- ton Lane in 1971. His career in pensions in the


City brought him into contact with Joan, who later became his wife, and the couple divided their time between their two homes, enjoying the city’s cul- ture during the week and a rural retreat at the weekends. Neil was a keen supporter of


West Farleigh Sports Club, join- ing them on their regular trips to Ringstedt. He was a former member of the West Kent Speakers Club, and, more re- cently, a member of the West Farleigh Community Centre Committee. He helped to distribute the village newsletter and was al- ways keen to become involved in community activities. Donations in lieu of flowers


are to fund a seat at the sports club.


“Joe” Roberto GIOVANNI “Joe” Roberto (64) lived locally from 1970, the last 30 years on the Tonbridge Road,Maidstone. Born in Roseto, Italy, he came


to Frome, Somerset, aged 14 with his mother and sister to join his father. He moved to Maidstone with his family and started working for Kimberly Clark as a crew chief, spending 30 years with the firm before being made redundant. While with Kimberly Clark,


Joe started driving a taxi, which became his main job when he was made redundant in 2000. He worked briefly for Stream- line in Maidstone. but spent most of his taxi-driving career with his own hackney cab. Joe was father to Michael and


Elisa. His partner, Maria, said: “Joe loved entertaining at home, he had that Italian qual- ity of really enjoying theP35


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