Stylist Oz impresses judges


AMAIDSTONEhairdresserwas chosen to represent his country at the fi- nals of an international competition in London. Creative stylist Osman


Yakubogullari (21), known to his friends and colleagues as Oz, was thewinnerof theGoldwell-sponsored National ColorZoom Challenge inthe capital in July. As the Downs Mail went to press,


hewaspreparing for thenext stage– the international finals on October 13, where he was due to perform against his peers from all over the world, live on stage in front of the judges and industry professionals. Oz, who lives in Peel Street, Maid-


stone, and has been a hairdresser with SO Hairdressing at Bearsted for three years since leaving college, entered the NewTalent Colorist category. He said: “I usedmy sister, Jade, asmy model and the judges seemed


to likemy work. Some professionals in the audience saidmy style and colouring would have won categories in older age groups as well, so I was very pleased.” Co-owner of SO Hairdressing, Sam Cooper, said: “It is tremendous for a small salon such as ours to be recognised as amajor player.”


right answers on University Challenge. “She was very inde- pendent and had done some amazing things in her life. “She joined the Land Army


in her youth and travelled to live in Devon. Her university friends included Bob “Digger” Hawke who went on to become prime minister of Australia. She remained strong-willed and sharp-minded throughout her life.” Esther leaves partner Sandro,


her children and granddaugh- ters Jennifer, Emily and So- phie.


Jane Ealding EVELYN “Jane” Ealding (94), of Madginford and formerly of Frittenden, Detling, Loose and Roseacre Lane, Bearsted, ap- peared in the Downs Mail three years ago, celebrat- ing her plat- inum wedding anniversary to with husband Arthur in Febru- ary 2009. Born in Maidstone, she started her working life as a housemaid to the Saville fam- ily, near Cranbrook, and met Arthur as she cycled through Frittenden on her way to work when she was 16. The couple lived in Fritten-


den and raised children Clive, Carole, Margaret and Chris. Jane worked on local farms doing seasonal work like hop picking. When they moved closer to Maidstone, Jane worked at Fishy Bakers, a chip shop in Gabriel’s Hill on the site of the currentOxfam Book- shop. Shewent on to work in cater-


ing at Marks and Spencer be- fore retiring aged 60. After retirement she looked after grandson Paul, allowing


daughter Margaret to return to work.


Margaret said: “Ourmum was


very caring where friends and familywere concerned.We will all remember her wicked sense of humour.” Jane leaves her husband,


three of her children (son Clive died seven years ago), five grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.


Ian Saunders IAN Saunders (51) lived in the Tonbridge Road area for most of his life and – for the last 22 years – was mainly resident on Ton- bridge Road itself, in a home he shared with partner, Dan. Ian grew up in Maidstone and


did office work for employers including Nestle, British Gas, the Post Office and the local NHS Primary Care Trust. He met Dan Murch in a local pub in 1990 and the couple had been together ever since. Dan said: “Ian enjoyed tend-


ing his garden and allotment and was renowned locally and at work for his excess fruit and vegetables, which he either gave away or made into pickles, jams, chutneys, preserves etc before then giving them away. “He was also an avid reader


and quite keen on sea/beach fish- ing and just generally visiting friends, coastal resorts, parkland and National Trust and English Heritage gardens – as long as the dog was allowed too! “Ian loved his home life, he


was a very contented person. We became civil partners ear- lier this year, a commitment that showed we were together for good times and bad.” Ian leaves Dan, his father, one brother and two sisters.


Michael Foreman THE death of Michael Foreman (81), of The Street, Ulcombe, made local headlines. The local farmer made amas- sive contribution to the agricul-


Homes provider in line for award Golding Homes funded “We


MAIDSTONE’S social housing provider Golding Homes has been shortlisted for a national award. The company has been nomi-


nated in the Community Impact Awards, organised by the Na- tional Housing Federation. Golding Homes’ charitable


arm, Golding Vision, works with Water Wellbeing on the Water for Health project – a nu- trition and health scheme for children and older people. The project was shortlisted by judges for raising the awareness of healthy drinking habits.


love water” hydration educa- tion sessions in 50 pre-school and primary schools, using workshops, activity sheets, and water bottles to encourage chil- dren to drink enough water. Spotting the potential for im- proving health in older people, they also commissioned devel- opment of the programme for use in sheltered housing schemes. The best in category and re- gional winners were being an- nounced as Downs Mail went to press. The national winner will be announced early next year.


Georgian house opens doors to visitors MOTE House, the grade II listed Georgian building at the centre of Audley Retirement Village, welcomed 200 visitors as part of the national Heritage Open Days. Visitors were able to tour the mansion and the grounds of Mote


Park, near Bearsted. Nick Sanderson, chief executive of Audley Retirement, said: “We hope to organise future open days.”


tural life of Kent. During his 52- year marriage to Susan, he lived in Headcorn until just under a decade ago when the couple moved to Ulcombe. His involvement in organisa-


tions promoting farming inter- ests included being a master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers from 1994 to 1995, a position on the National Coun- cil of the Corn Merchants Trade Association and work with the Kent County Agricultural Soci- ety (KCAS). He held the post of honorary director and honorary financial director with KCAS from 1992 to 2005. Former col- leagues have praised his ac- complishments and character. Michael leaves his wife, chil-


dren Tracey and Charles and grandchildren Oscar, Rosie, Jack, Harry and Katie.


Ray Sears THE death of Ray Sears (83) made local headlines. The for- mer head teacher was the first head of Palace Wood Primary School, which opened in 1966, and was a local magis- trate. In both


areas, Ray’s career was marked with long and ded- icated service; in his capac- ity as a magistrate he chaired the juvenile bench in Maid- stone for 15 years and he re- mained head at Palace Wood until his retirement in 1986. Among condolences sent to


Ray’s daughter Helen was a message from former pupil Andy Matthews, who said Ray’s “headmastership of Palace Wood…is etched into ourminds forever and itwill al- ways be with great respect and enormous affection we remem- ber him. He truly was excep- tional and many could learn much from him.”


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Chairman of governors Geoff Garrett added: “The whole com- munity of Palace Wood School was very sorry to learn of the death of Mr Sears. He was a highly-respected headmaster and is remembered with affec- tion by many past pupils. His legacy remains in the thriving school that he established and which continues to this day.” Ray’s wife of 60 years, Gwen,


also worked at PalaceWood, in Ash Grove, Allington. On retirement, Ray and Gwen moved to Wales and he found more time to enjoy his love of music, run a music society and help to stage events including live operatic performances. When Ray’s health began to


suffer he moved toWiltshire to be near his daughter. He leaves his wife, two children (another child died, aged five), and three grandchildren.


Mildred Kirkaldie MILDRED Maud Kirkaldie (89) lived her final 30 years in Madginford Road, Bearsted, and was formerly a resident of Birchwood Road, Allington. Employed as a legal secretary,


she moved locally with her work and had been employed by both Cox’s and Whitehead Monckton. Mildred’s niece Janet Pollitt


said: “My auntwas from awell- known family in Deal and had sung in the St George’s Choir in Deal. She loved choral singing and tennis. She was very strong-willed, independently minded and capable. “She had attended a local C of


E church but in her final years went to Bearsted Methodist Church. She was devastated by the loss of her brother four years ago, but stayed very close to oth- ers in her extended family and it was those people – along with her friends from church and her local area – who will miss her most.”


Town 27


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