Enid Simmonds ENID Simmonds (93), who has died in Banbury, Oxfordshire lived in Loose Road, Maid- stone 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 knowl- edge of the zoo helped in the researching and publishing of a book on the subject,many years after the attraction 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 thatMother 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
We will remember
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 situation, he was demobbed well after the of- ficial end of hostilities. He returned locally to a career
in financial services, working 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.
Sheila Acott SHEILA Acott (67) lived for 10 years in Coxheath and was for- merly a resi- dent of East Farleigh, growing up in the William Wilberforce pub in Forge Lane. She worked locally, in- cluding a lengthy period as a care assistant at Linton Hospital andwas 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.
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- 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.
Roy Penfold ROY Penfold (91), who lived in Sutton Valence for most of his life, was a long-serving member of the Royal British Legion’s Sutton Valence branch. A serviceman in World War
II, Roy served in the RAF in India and Ceylon, servicing tor- pedoes.He returned towork for Fermor and Sons in Langley, carrying out construction work around the local area andwork- ing regularly at Leeds Castle. When Fermors closed Roy and colleague Chris Walter went into business together. Roy’s lengthy servicewith the British Legion started in the 1950s and he served his local branch at various times as so- cial secretary, vice-chairman, entertainments secretary, mem- bership secretary, group treas- urer and group vice-president. Roy also served the Legion at regional and national confer- ences, eventually being elected county vice-president for his services and receiving a num- ber of awards and certificates. Roy’s wife, Eileen, died some
years ago. He is survived by his daughter Edna, son Reginald and grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Jean Brockway JEAN Iris Brockway (87) lived in Bearsted for most of her life. Born Jean Perrin sheworked lo- cally and raised three children. She will be very greatly missed by her family and friends. Jean leaves three chil- dren and two grandchildren.
The Stone Shop Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere. Inscriptions added to existing memorials Renovations and memorial cleaning
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