years of run- ning his own engraving business in St Faith’s Street. As a master engraver, his work had in- cluded en- graving the carousel which decorated the christening cake for Prince Charles andWimble- don tennis trophies. Married for 60 years to Mil-


dred, Peter worked at his busi- ness with his wife. Peter was also known from his years of playing cricket for Maidstone. Originally from Colchester, he


had also lived in Canterbury and seen war service as a navi- gator on bombers, including Liberators. His war service took him to the Middle East and he also flew from the UK. Nephew Brian Milton said:


“My uncle was a good, honest man who would do anything for anyone. After losing my aunt in 2008 he mastered the use of com-


We will remember


puters, and learned to use a lap- top at the age of 86. He will also be remembered for his regular at- tendance at St Andrew’s and St Michael’s churches.”


Rev Gordon Marsh THE Rev Gordon Marsh (87), who has died in Tenterden, lived and worked in Maidstone from 1963 until retiring in 1985. He spent part of his boyhood


in Loose, and returned there to live with Jean, his wife of 59 years, after he had served in the Navy during the war. Gordon rose through the ranks


at KCC, serving as a counter clerk. He was father to Simon and Richard, tragically losing his younger son in an accident on HMS Hermes just prior to the FalklandsWar. On retirement in 1985, Gor- don followed a personal calling


to take holy orders. He had served for many years at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, in a range of roles including lay reader and sidesman. He be- came a minister and – while liv- ing in Romney Marsh – served in a peripatetic role. Jean said: “Gordon loved to


walk in the country and was a very giving person. Our eldest son put in the funeral address that his real vocation lay within the church.” Gordon leaves hiswife, eldest


son and grandchildren Claire, Jonathan and Katharine.


Georgie Rayment GEORGE “Georgie” Rayment (83) lived in Barming for 42 years, havingmoved from Essex with wife of 57 years, Gloria, when he began working for Red- lands in Gravesend. Originally from London, he


No change at top


DownsMail In touch with your parish Barming Council


CLLR Sandra Manser nomi- nated Cllr Fay Gooch to remain as chairman and this was agreed. Cllr Martin Greenwood was nominated by Cllr Doe to continue as vice-chairman. This was also agreed. Cllr Gooch said the heater


above the entrance door in the parish hall had been discon- nected as it was defective. It was agreed not to replace it im- mediately as the warm weather was coming and all available funds were needed for the pavilion project. Cllr Manser added that all the heaters should be changed at the same time and it was agreed that this might be necessary. Cllr Gooch said the annual meeting had gone reasonable well although April was an ex- tremely busymonth when work had to be completed for the an- nual audit. With this in mind, Cllr Gooch wished to discuss the clerk’s hours and consider changing the date of the annual meeting. Cllr Manser said there had


been two hirers at the hall re- cently and when checked, the hall had been found to be in a state. The wheelie bin was over- flowing, furniture had not been stacked correctly, the floor was dirty, the fire extinguisher had been let off, a ceiling tile had been dislodged and there was litter in the grounds. Cllr Manser had spoken to the Sunday hirer, who confirmed that the bin was down to them, and had since taken away the rubbish. Cllr Manser said there was no proof the other damage was down to the regular Satur-


day hirer. It was agreed to put a checklist up in the hall for all hirers to refer to before leaving. A second list would be circu- lated to councillors so the hall could be checked after use. Cllr Doe said residents in Mat- terdale Gardens were struggling to get to the shop due to park- ing at the bottom of North Street, by Bull Orchard. Cllr Gooch said she had discussed the possibility of dropped kerbs with Kent Highways, who had made a site visit andwould add this to their list of future works.


Loose Council Award winner


COMMUNITY Warden Liz Lo- vatt was overwhelmed by win- ning the Community Safety Award for 2013. She had re- ceived a certificate for her achievement. Kent Police Com- missionerAnne Barnes had also requested to see her. She was still working on the


new app, which will hopefully assist vulnerable members of the public on where to go for help, and also engaging with other community groups, help- ing residents to feel safe in their own homes. A walkabout and risk assess-


ment had been undertaken by the pavilion and playing field committee and everything was in hand. Alarge vehicle had hit the pil-


lar holding the metal gate to the closed cemetery. It was felt not to pose a risk at the current time, although the gate did not shut properly. It was queried whether any complaints had been received about the percentage increase on the council tax bill for the parish council. One query had


been sent in and dealt with by the clerk.


Tovil Council Moorings ready


THE moorings near Tovil Foot- bridge had been competed and the CCTV cameras were being installed. The unauthorised develop-


ment at Unicumes Lane had been reported to Maidstone Council’s planning enforce- ment department and would be rectified. Cllr Glyn Charlton was given permission to buy geraniums for the flower boxes. There was a discussion as to whether or not to help the Val- ley Conservation Society with the purchase of the Little Switzerland land in the Lower Loose Valley. The VCS were to prepare a presentation for the next meeting, when itwould be discussed more fully. Councillors heard that the abandoned house in Beacons- field Road was to be sold at auction. The repairs to the light on


Tovil footbridge and refurbish- ments around the footbridge were being undertaken by KCC’s Highways department. The alarm on a town house


in Church Road was still caus- ing noise by constantly ticking, preventing owners from enjoy- ing their gardens. The owner of the property had been con- tacted in May, and had said the alarm would be repaired. This had not happened, so the owner would be contacted again.


Regarding the betting shop


flats, it was reported that new residents were using parking spaces belonging to existing


had served in the forces and took part in the Berlin airlift before working as an account- ant. During his life locally he spent three years commut- ing to Saudi Arabia to work for Redlands in that country. Georgie was father to daugh-


ters Jo and Lisa. Gloria Rayment said: “I’ve been overwhelmed with cards and messages of sympathy, many saying what a warm and intelligent man George was. He was an old-fash- ioned gentleman, attentive and always ready to listen. “He had a lifelong love of fish-


ing and belonged to a local an- gling club; he had fished all over the local area. He also played snooker with his friend at a social club in Ditton but macular degeneration meant he had to give that up later in life.” Georgie leaves his wife, daughters and four grandsons.


residents, forwhich they paid a parking charge. The planning permission for the flats was checked and there was nothing to say the flats had to be let to non car users. It was also reported that the Residents’ Parking sign had been removed by the developer and not replaced. This would be reported to Maidstone Coun- cil. It was reported that the bet-


ting shop was now open seven days a week, until 10pm. The clerk was to check any changes to the licence for the premises. The site was very untidy and considered by residents to be an eyesore. The clerk was to check whether the develop- ment had been completed and it would be reported to Maid- stone Council, as there might have been a breach of the com- pletion certificate. It was reported that the grass cutting outside the Old Cot- tages, Tovil Green, was well be- hind schedule. The clerk was to check the timetable with Maid- stone Council. Cllr Clive English offered to


take up the issue of litter in Ec- cleston Road to All Saints’ Church, as well as on the Coombe Farm estate. Arrangements were progress-


ing for the fete. The spring fair had been a success and had the advantage of being an indoor event. It was agreed that the status of


the proposed roads and plan- ning partnership needed to be clarified, and would be dis- cussed more fully at the next meeting. Members heard the footpath behind Lower Crisbrook Pond had been repaired by the VCS.


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