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


in


Loose Road, Maidstone from 1953 to 2009. Sheworked 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. SonMartyn said: “Mymother


was quiet, family-oriented and had a life-long love of animals. There was a succession of fam- ily pets, but she also fed hedge- hogs 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 a long time in one 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- reer in financial services, work-


36 East


ing for a time for Short-Term Fi- nance near the site of the cur- rent 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 inmanufacturing 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


theway 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.


Jim Skene JIM Skene (83),who lived for 48 years in Farleigh Lane, Barm- ing,was well-known from years as a bus driver and inspector for Maidstone and District Buses. He spent years working throughout the local area; his final postings saw him based as an inspector at Gravesend and then Borough Green. Jim made local news as one of


the first people to report pick- ing up the legendary phantom hitchhiker of Blue Bell Hill: an experience he hadwhen return- ing from Gravesend late one night. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland,


Jim met his wife of 52 years, Kathleen, when the pair were serving in the Auxiliary Air Force at Sandwich. The couple raised sons Michael and Paul. Kathleen said: “Jim was dedi-


cated to his family and friends, he got on well with people and one reason hewas successful as an inspector was that he dealt well with all sorts of people in all sorts of situations. “He loved working on cars


and was always happy taking them apart and rebuilding them. He also loved spending time in his greenhouse and we both enjoyed bingo sessions at HamHillWorkingMen’s Club.” Jim leaves his wife, sons, and grandchildren Amber, Douglas, Alex, Aaron and Jake.


Lady Wells LADYWells (91), who has died after a short illness at her home in Mereworth, was noted lo- cally as the wife of Sir John Wells who held the parliamen- tary seat of Maidstone from 1959 to 1987. Lucinda Wells was raised in


north Gloucestershire and did secretarial work at a hospital during the war. She married JohnWells in 1948. The couple moved to Mere- worth in 1958, and raised chil-


We will remember


dren Julia, Andrew, Henrietta and Oliver. As well as supporting her husband’s political work Lady Wells was involved with her local parish council and parochial church council. She served as chairman of Maidstone Opthalmic Hospi- tal’s house committee and pres- ident of Maidstone’s branch of The Children’s Society. She was also Conservative councillor for Mereworth and West Peckham on Tonbridge and Malling District Council from 1976 to 1979. Friends have commented on


her strong faith and a commit- ment that meant she seldom missed church services. She was also known for a love of music and art, becoming an ex- hibiting local artist in her 70s. Lady Wells leaves her hus-


band, three of her children – daughter Julia pre-deceased her – seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.


Sheila Acott SHEILA Acott (67) lived for 10 years in Coxheath and was for- merly a resident of East Far- leigh, growing up in the William Wilberforce pub in Forge Lane. She worked as a care assistant


at Linton Hospital and was a forklift truck driver at Tomkin- sons. Her final job involved 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. “She enjoyed her visits to


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


Jean Brockway JEAN Iris Brockway (87) lived in Bearsted for most of her life. Born locally as Jean Perrin she worked locally and raised three children. She died on February 11 and


will be very greatly missed by her family and friends. Jean leaves three children and two grandchildren.


Serving the local community since 1985


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