Concert remembers cancer fundraiser Jill


THE older sister of Langley fund-raiser Jill Honeysett, who lost her life to leukaemia, has raised more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK. Jill (pictured),


who died aged 24, spent her brief time in re- mission raising money for the Kent Leukaemia and Cancer Equipment Fund, founded by Peggy Wood. Among the fund-raising feats taken on by the animal lover, who dreamed of becoming a vet- erinary nurse, was a parachute jump at Biggin Hill. Although Jill lived in Chart Sutton and Harrietsham, much of her fund-raisingwas at Lang- ley Village Hall. Her sister Kim laid on a con-


cert at the venue to mark the 25th anniversary of her sister’s death.


Gillian Metcalf THE death in a boating accident in the Brazilian rainforest of Gillian Met- calf (50), of Plummer Lane, Tenter- den, made national head- lines.


Gillian was


a solicitor for 26 years who specialised in business and plan- ning law and was focused mainly on affordable housing is- sues. She was a partner in the firm of Sharratts in London, and was educated at Guildford Col- lege of Law and the University of Birmingham. Married to Charles, and mother


to daughters Alice and Natasha, Gillian was on a hotel boat with her family on September 5when that boat was in collision with another. She suffered serious head injuries from which she didn’t recover.


Kim Lepetzidis, 54, from Har- rietsham, said: “I could not let another year pass without doing something to mark Jill’s life. I’m sure Jill would have been really pleased. She was such a kind person. “I now just want to thank everyone for their support and generosity.” The event included a live per- formance by Maidstone band Ocean Blue, who were joined on stage by Kim’s sons, Jake and Joe. Kim’s daughter Laura, con- cessions manager at Leeds Cas- tle, was also involved. Kim said: “Leeds Castle and


its caterers, the Levy Group, were very generous, as were so many people who gave their time for free, like the band, or gave gifts andmoney to help us support this worthy charity.We are all very grateful.” To make a donation go to http://donateinmemory.cancer- researchuk.org/0004325


Pamper for charity SPEND an evening being pam- pered and raise money for a good cause all at the same time. Charity M4S, which provides support to families in Maid- stone, with children with spe- cial needs, is holding a fundraising pamper evening at Boughton Monchelsea Village Hall in Church Street on Friday, November 15, from 7.30pm to 11pm. The event includes a glass of bubbly and at least one 20- minute pamper treatment, and there will be massage, mani- cure, facial and reflexology ses- sions. Tickets are £12.50 each (£10 for early birds who book before October 31). Contact Judy Bishop on 01622 764566 or admin@m4s.org.uk


Alpaca cabin refusal A PROPOSAL to site a log cabin for three years to help the establishment of an alpaca business in Great Oak Farm, Friday Street, East Sutton has been refused. Maidstone Council felt appli-


cant Mr Bridger had not pro- vided a good enough business case.


We will remember


The accident occurred during a family holiday, described in some news coverage of the event as a “holiday of a lifetime.” Tributes have poured in from


friends and colleagues praising Gillian’s professionalism, her de- votion to her daughters and her many strong and positive per- sonal qualities. Colleagues at Sharratts have


talked about their devastation at the sudden loss. Gillian leaves her husband and daughters.


Tina Ruffle CHRISTINA “Tina” Ruffle (57), of Barming, lived locally for 17 years, after moving to the home where her husband Bob had lived all his life. Born Christina Perryman, she


had lived in Pembury, Lamber- hurst, Goudhurst and Hastings.


Tina worked in shops and trained as a nurse before meet- ing Bob. She took a degree in nursing and worked in the Maidstone area in a care home before becoming a senior staff nurse at Maidstone Hospital, where she worked until her final illness.


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Armed operation


after suicide threat POLICE sealed off roads into Collier Street after reports of a man threatening to kill himself. Armed officers surrounded a


house near the junction with Green Lane after reports of a man refusing to leave and threatening to harm himself. Kent Police were called to the


house on the afternoon of Sep- tember 24 after neighbours raised the alert. Officers, supported by the po-


lice helicopter, went to the vil- lage where they negotiated with the 44-year old man who was later detained and placed in po- lice custody. During the negotiations, Col-


lier Street and Green Lanewere both temporarily closed. Kent Police have apologised


for any inconvenience thismay have caused and thanked resi- dents and members of the pub- lic for their co-operation in allowing officers to attend the incident.


Pattenden Lane in nearby Marden was used as a police rendezvous point and an ambu- lance was on standby.


Bob Ruffle said: “Everyone


loved Tina. She was very cheer- ful and popular and managed to keep these qualities into her final illness. “She was always strong and positive and was always re- spectful to her patients. “Quite a few of her colleagues


are devastated; she was known to them as ‘Truffle’ and to some of the younger nurses as ‘Mum’.” Christina leaves her husband and her mother.


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