Bill Tucker BILLTucker(62)willbere- membered as one of the first joint-managers ofMaidstone In- victa (now Maidstone United) after theclubre- formed fol- lowing the collapse of the previous Maidstone United outfit. The reformed club joined the


Kent County League. Bill and colleague Jack Whitely man- aged them to the Division Four championship in their first sea- son, along with wins in the West Kent Challenge Shield and Tunbridge Wells Charity Cup.


League reorganisation placed Maidstone in the second tier the following season, and they won another championship and the Kent Junior Cup, as well as finishing runners up in the West Kent Challenge Shield. During his tenure in the Maidstone dugout, Bill earned five west sectionmanager of the month awards and was man- ager of the season in 1994/95. In his playing days, Bill was


a free-scoring centre forward with local teams and a hard- working roofer. He went on to work maintaining properties for Richard Ashby. Married for 44 years to Zena, Billwas father to Sadie, Lorraine, Christopher, Valerie and Joanne. Maidstone United’s website includes a tribute from Brian Reynolds who worked with Bill for many years: “Bill was com- mitted and dedicated to Maid- stone Invicta, spending many hours on the upkeep of the ground and taking on any task to ensure the smooth running of the team.” Bill’s involvement with Maidstone Invicta was part of a lengthy involvement in local football, during which he scouted for Maidstone United and was involved with the pre- vious club during the tenure in the Football League. He had spells managing Tunbridge Wells, Chatham Town, Redhill, Canterbury City and local side APM. Bill moved from Newcastle to


Essex when aged 14, and then locally at 16. His post-football hobbies included breeding show canaries including Kent Gloucesters and being a member


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The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


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We will remember


of the Kent Gloucester Society. Originally from Newcastle- upon-Tyne, he moved locally while still at school but contin- ued to support Newcastle United throughout his life. Bill leaves his wife, children,


16 grandchildren and one great- grandchild.


Leo Ludgate LEONARD George “Leo” Ludgate (85) lived in Allington for four years and previ- ously,


in


Barming for 27 years.


Locally


born, he was a distin- guished pupil and sports- man at Maidstone Grammar School, winning the school’s victor ludorum and earning a place at Trinity College, Cam- bridge, where he studied mod- ern languages. He progressed to RAF College Cranwell, where he started a 32-year career in the service, rising to the rank of wing commander and serving in Egypt, Cyprus and Germany. Leo married Jean Hubble – whose family were involved in the Hubble and Freeman busi- ness – and became father to Peter, Simon and Tracy. He returned to work locally, spending 10 years as a local government officer for KCC. After retiring from local govern- ment he worked for Michael Vaughn’s fireplace business in Maidstone. In 1981 he married Pat, becoming step-father to David and Jenny. Pat said: “Leo had real enthu-


siasm for life and threw himself into everything. Over the years he had been a champion swim- mer, and taken part in other sports like sailing and golf. He became very serious about cy- cling in his sixties. He was also heavily involved


in local masonic activities for 29 years. He alwaysworked hard to excel in everything he did.” Leo leaves Pat, five children,


11 grandchildren and one great- grandchild


Nathan Binskin NATHAN Binskin (25) lived his whole life in Vinters Park. Educated at


East Borough School and Maidstone Grammar School, he started at Bar- ratt’s Shoes in the Chequers Centre on Saturdays and went on to work full-time at the shop on leaving school after his A Levels. Nathan’s parents Paul and Sharon said: “Nathan was a quiet person who really enjoyed


his computer, films and comedy DVDs. He was a good swimmer who had competed for the local swimming club in solo breast- stroke events and as part of their medley relay squad. “He loved a curry and was so


well known at his favourite restaurant, the Spice Hut at the top of Brewer Street, that he personally knew their staff.” Nathan was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the end of April, but his sudden death still took friends and family by surprise. Nathan leaves his par- ents, his sister Miranda and his nephew Brendan and niece Charlie May.


Robin Sisley ROBERT “Robin” Sisley (77) lived his whole life locally apart from a period of na- tional service as a young man. He was known throughout the area as an accomplished master builder whose work was respected.He lived for about 40 years in Knowle Road, Maid- stone and grew up in the Detling area. Robin helped run a house- building business with his brothers for a number of years and became a self-employed general builder from the late eighties. With wife of 25 years, Pauline, he raised son Rob. Rob said: “My father loved his family and being sociable with friends. He was a member of the Liv-


ingWellHealthClubatthe Hilton Hotel near to his home. He loved getting out into his garden and visiting the coast. People will remember him as good fun to be with and as a loyal and dependable man who was known for the quality of the building work he did.” Robin (who was widowed),


leaves his son and granddaugh- ters Isabelle and Scarlet.


Gwen Henthorne GWEN Henthorne (81) lived in Mallings Drive, Bearsted for over 50 years. Born locally as Gwen Ranger,


her former homes included Coxheath andMaidstone. Gwen worked as a shorthand


typist for KCC in the depart- ment dealing with forestry, and met her husband Geoff, who worked there as a chartered sur- veyor and valuer. The couple were married for


18 years and had daughter Stephanie. Gwen became a full-time mother but was widowed when Stephanie was a little girl, and returned to work as a dinner


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


lady at Thurnham School, a job she held for over 20 years. Stephanie Henthorne said:


“My mother was peaceful, ac- cepting, and modest. She was very caring and a lot of people held her dear. “In her retirement she went regularly to aquacise sessions at the Tudor Park Hotel and be- came one of a group of friends who dubbed themselves the aquababes.” Gwen leaves her daughter.


Joyce Chown JOYCE Chown (97), who has died in Clevedon, Northum- berland, lived in Willington Street, Maidstone, from 1947 to 1980 and Roseacre Lane, Bearsted until 1990. Born Joyce Fullager in Folkestone, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and met husband Angus at a dance at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. They mar- ried in 1938. During the war, Joyce raised children Christabel, Robert, and Sarah in Northampton, Angus’s home town. Locally, Angus worked as a town plan- ner for KCC and Joyce ap- peared in plays for the Deanery Players. Joyce, who was widowed in


2004, leaves her children, seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.


Eric Jupp ERIC Jupp (89) lived in Flo- rence Road, Fant, from 1937, having moved from London. He attended


East Borough School and had ambi- tionstobea pilot. He began train- ing, but eventually went into the Army, serving in Egypt. He returned locally to work for Tilling Stevens, and then at Haynes garage; after which he always bought Ford cars, Eric was happily married to Kathleen and the couple en- joyed caravan holidays before Kathleen’s sudden death left him devastated. Eric’s final work involved working as a driver for KCC, a job he loved. Through his work he met


and – in 1977 – married sec- ond wife Betty, acquiring step- children Sally and Greg. Through Betty, Eric became a regular worshipper at St Luke’s Church in Maidstone and was confirmed into the church. His faith became a central part of his life. He served on St Paul’s Fellowship for many years, remained on its committee for nearly 20 years and was very involved with the social side. Eric was a very active mem-


ber of the Camera Club. He was widowed in 2006 and leaves his step-children.


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