Enid Simmonds ENID Simmonds (93), who has died in Banbury, Oxfordshire lived


in


Loose Road, Maidstone from 1953 to 2009. She worked locally as head lady zookeeper at Cobtree Manor Zoo, stepping down from her job when she became mother to Martyn. Her detailed knowledge of the zoo helped in the researching and publishing of a book on the subject, many years after the attraction had closed. Born Enid Basnett, she was married for 60 years to George. The couple’s previous homes includedWalderslade. Son Martyn said: “My mother was quiet, family-ori- ented and had a life-long love of animals. There was a succes- sion of family pets, but she also fed hedgehogs and other local animals. I have a clear memory of baby birds, which had fallen from the nest, being hand- reared and fed with a dropper. “My father once had to drive


out into the country to set free a squirrel that Mother had caught in a cat basket at our home.” Enid and George moved to Brackley, Northants to be nearer to Martyn, but Enid was widowed within months of the move. She leaves her son, grandchildren Eleanor, Brian and Robin and brother Derek.


Dr David Parker Dr David Parker (72) was a Dickens scholar and curator of London’s Charles Dickens Mu- seum. The former pupil of Maid-


stone Grammar School was one of the world’s leading authori- ties on Dickens and had spent much of his working life pur- suing his passion. He spent 20 years living in,


and restoring parts of, the Dick- ensMuseum in Doughty Street, London, one of the author’s for- mer homes. Dr Parker,who was president


of the Dickens Society from 2005-6, died of a stroke while in South Africa


Peter Simmonds PETER Simmonds (89), who lived most of his life in Barm- ing, was known locally as a flamboyant financial advisor. Born in Maidstone and raised


in Barming, Peter served in Burma during the war, earning the Burma Star after being air- dropped into the combat zone and finding himself serving for alongtimeinone of


the


fiercest campaigns of the war. Like many others in his situa- tion, he was demobbed well after the official end of hostili- ties. He returned locally to a ca-


36 Town


reer in financial services, work- ing for a time for Short-Term Fi- nance near the site of the current Travelodge in St Peter’s Street, Maidstone. He went on to become an independent con- sultant. Peter and his wife Rose were parents to Julian, Wendy, Mar- tine and Marguerite. Wendy said: “My father was


easily recognisable around town with his blue Ford Capri car, sunglasses and cowboy boots. “He didn’t need a hobby as


his work gave him so much to enjoy. He loved the sociability of the job and really liked peo- ple. He was very well known throughout the local area.” Peter leaves his children, grandchildren Georgina, Alice, Adam and Oliver and great- granddaughter Serafin.


Mick Pearson MICK Pearson (77), who lived in Bearsted, was known locally from almost 14 years as land- lord of the Druid’s Arms public house in Earl Street. Originally from Grantham, Lincolnshire, he met his wife of 52 years, Maureen, when he lived in north-west Kent as a young man. Mick followed a ca- reer in manufacturing engineer- ing, working for many employers, developing particu- lar expertise in specialist areas like engineering machines to manufacturing cigarettes. He was father to Lynne and Mandy.


Maureen said: “Mick loved


the way the pub attracted lots of art students from the local col- lege and could be generous to a fault. He prided himself on a well-run pub and thought it lovely to have so many young people around. “He loved sports, and played amateur football as a young man. He particularly loved box- ing and had been to fights, in- cluding major bouts in London, featuring the likes of Henry Cooper and Joe Bugner. “Locally, he loved attending boxing nights at the Great Danes Hotel.” Mick leaves his wife, daugh-


ters, and grandchildren Lauren, Niall and Cara.


Sheila Acott SHEILA Acott (67) lived for 10 years in Coxheath and was for- merlyaresidentofEastFar- leigh, growing up in the William Wilberforce pub in Forge Lane. She worked locally, including


a lengthy period as a care assis- tant at Linton Hospital and was a forklift truck driver at Tomkinsons. Her final job in- volved being head housekeeper at Betsy Clara House Nursing Home in Courtenay Road, Tovil. Married for 37 years to Ron,


Sheila was mother to Kevin, Sharon, Nicky and Darren. Nicky said: “My mother was very happy-go-lucky and very bubbly. She loved her job at Linton Hospital and dealing with the patients as she gave out drinks and meals. “She enjoyed her visits to


Gala Bingo in Maidstone with my father and me, and people will remember how positive she remained, even as she battled illness in her life.” Sheila leaves Ron, her chil- dren and eight grandchildren.


Carol Alchin SRN CAROL Alchin lived in the Maidstone and Bearsted areas, with Richard, for nearly 50 years. Carol was a dedicated nurse who loved caring for people. She worked in the West Kent, Maidstone District and Somer- field Hospitals, where she made many enduring friendships. Carol loved playing tennis and badminton and was active in these sports until late 2012. Many friends attended her fu-


neral atHolyCross on February 7, but due to timing constraints to get to Charing crematorium, the family could not meet all of these friends at the church. Richard and the family would like to thank all of those who came to the church for their support. Carol passed away quite unex- pectedly at Maidstone Hospital, where she received themost fan- tastic attention from all the nurs- ing staff and doctors who did all they could, and the familywould like to thank them. She leaves husband Richard, daughter Julie and sons Nick, Nigel and Jeff, along with seven, soon to be eight, grandchildren. A statement from the family


said: “Carol was a lovely person. She was loved by all who knew her. She had a lovely, smiley out- going personality and will be deeplymissed.”


Brian Cannell BRIAN Cannell (76) had lived in Heather Drive, Maidstone, for about 50 years. He was known for his decades long involvement with teaching art at Senacre School and from the life- long involvement he had with All Saints’ Church. There, he went from boy chorister to a tour guide and resident artist, providing visual work for a range of materials, like sing-a- long sheets.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Born in Albion Place, he had We will remember


also lived in Melville Road. Brian was educated at South Borough School and Maidstone Grammar School before going on to Maidstone College of Art and Goldsmiths College, where he completed his teacher train- ing.


His only significant work outside the area was teaching in Bagshot. Prior to working at Senacre, he taught at Clare Park, East Malling. A bachelor, Brian was a carer


for hismother in the final years of her life. Brother Keith said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the respect and affection people held for Brian. “Former pupils – now in middle age – have paid tribute to the impact he made on their lives and All Saints’ Church have said howmuch he will be missed.” Brian had also played cricket forWest Farleigh.


Steve LeHegarat STEPHEN “Steve” LeHegarat (52) lived in Boughton Monchelsea for five years. He moved


back to the area where he was born after a career that took him around the world.


Raised in Barming and edu-


cated locally, he began work for KCC and spent five years as a cashier for the Midland Bank in Strood, before embarking on a career in communications tech- nology for the Navy. His work took him around the world in- cluding stops in the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the Ba- hamas. He met Christine, his wife of


23 years, when the couple were both volunteering for work with theNational Trust in Corn- wall 25 years ago. They married and raised children Andrew, Catherine and Emily as Steve worked as an IT trainer, rising to business manager, based in Wimbledon. Christine said: “Steve loved a challenge, and he was really good at his work. His most re- cent job involved working for the Phoenix Medical Practice locally. He loved classic cars and had owned two Morris Mi-


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


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