David Clark DAVID Clark (94), of Boughton Malherbe, held an important place in the history ofKent County Cricket Club, Mote Cricket Club, Maid- stone and the MCC. He was cap-


tain of Kent for three seasons, from 1949 to 1951, at a time when he was al- ready a player and member of the general committee. Subse- quently he became chairman from 1970/74, chaired the play- ing committee and in 1990 served a year as president. He often opened the innings


for Kent or was a mid-order bats- man. In a typical season (1950) he had 43 innings and scored 745 runs at an average of 17.73. In those days he lived in Sta- plehurst and played much of his cricket at The Mote. He played pre-war and was club captain for three years from 1946 before he captained Kent, and returned to captain the Mote in 1953. He was president of the Mote be- tween 1982 and 1984. He managed MCC tours to


India in 1963 and 1964, as well as the successfulRay Illingworth Ashes campaign to Australia.He served as treasurer and later president of the MCC (1978-79). When cricket duties allowed,


David was a farmer. He was a widower and is survived by his son James and daughter Alison.


Dave Johnson DAVE Johnson, of Roseacre Lane, Bearsted, lived locally for over 40 years, originally moving to Madgingford when he came to the area to work for the Lucas Group. His entire career was spent


with the Lucas Group. Having started as a 15-year-old appren- tice, he rose through the ranks to take on project management around the world. Married to Pauline – with whom he had grown up in Twickenham – for 43 years, Dave was father to Matthew and Jo. Pauline said: “Dave loved all sports, and was president of Bearsted and Thurnham Tennis Club at the time of his death. “He had been a good footballer


in his younger days, earning a professional trial for Brentford and playing at a high amateur standard for a number of years. He loved long-distance walking with our son and his brother and we enjoyed travelling in our motor home.” Dave’s involvement with BearstedWoodland Trust (BWT) drew plaudits from his col- leagues. Chris Street, of BWT, said: “Dave has been a volunteer at BWT for the past six years or so, making an enormous contri- bution as project manager and leader of the maintenance vol- unteers.” Dave’s other post-retirement


34 South


We will remember


activities included founding SLOBS (Senile Lucas Old Boys Society), for those who had re- tired from the LucasGroup. Hav- ing started with six people, the group now boasts over 100 ac- tive members taking part in ac- tivities like organised walks. Dave leaves his wife, children


and grandchildren Maisy and Oliver.


Edward Sales EDWARD “Ted” Sales (79), of Barming, lived locally for well over 50 years, originally inYald- ing and – after marrying June in 1962 – the rest of the time in Barming. Originally from a large family


in Hampshire, he had worked as an apprentice carpenter and bi- cycle delivery boy. After na- tional service he made his way to Maidstone where he spent many years working at a grocery shop in Week Street. In the last few years of his working life he drove a truck doing deliveries from KCC’sWestMalling depot. His neighbour Duncan said:


“Ted and June were like an aunt and uncle to me. Ted was a re- ally nice man who enjoyed his garden and watching football on the television. “June has been overwhelmed


with all the goodwishes she has had and is thankful to everyone. Tedwas liked by many people.” Ted leaves his wife and brother Arthur.


John Tolputt JOHN Henry Tolputt (83) who has died at the Pilgrims Way Nursing Home in Maidstone and formerly lived in Cow- drey Close, Fant, served the local com- munity as a borough coun- cillor and member of KCC. As a Labour member of Maid-


stone Council, John served on committees for planning and transportation as well as the public appeals committee, the disabled advisory group and


joint works committee. John was involved with the borough coun- cil from 1996 to 2000 and KCC from 2001 to 2005. His career until he took elected


office involved working for KCC, forwhomhe progressed through the ranks to become head of req- uisitions for the education de- partment, at Springfield Mill. Fellow Labour councillor Patrick Coates said: “John was a stickler for accuracy and worked exceptionally hard. He took the trouble to write to people who contacted him. He was an old- school councillor who enjoyed meeting people and talking to them directly about issues. “He had the ability to get on


well with people from all politi- cal parties and was very much a Maidstone person.” John was married to Christine


for almost 47 years and was fa- ther to Mark. Mark Tolputt said: “My father was hard-working and conscientious. He was kind and generous to others and be- lieved strongly in the principles of the Labour party. “We have been overwhelmed


by contact from people whose lives he improved through his work. He was a loyal father and husband. He loved the Kent coast and was a competitive oarsman in his younger days.” John, who was widowed in 2001, leaves his son.


Kathleen Skene KATHLEEN Skene (81), from Barming, was well known lo- cally due to her 34 years of service as a qualified li- brarian, work- ing mainly in the children’s section


of


Maidstone’s main library in St Faith’s Street. Kathleen was also a member of


the local Soroptimists. Born Kathleen Grace Flicker in Fulham, London, she served in the Women’s Royal Auxiliary Air Force where she met her husband of over 50 years, Jim. The couple moved locally, Jim


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worked as a bus driver, progress- ing to a senior role as inspector, based in Gravesend. The couple raised sons Michael and Paul. Daughter-in- law Kim said: “My mother-in- law was the most wonderful person: gentle, kind and not in- clined to say a bad word about anyone. She enjoyed discussing politics and current affairs. “She loved books and shared


her passion for them in her work with the library.” Son Michael added: “My mother was a really welcoming person, she was a quiet but de- vout Christian who exemplified the values of love, compassion, forgiveness and charity and had the strength to carry them at all times. She was a builder of heartswho always tried to make things better. Laima, Michael’s partner, said:


“I am honoured to have known Michael’s parents. Kathleen was one of the kindest people I have ever met” Kathleen – whowas widowed


in January – leaves her sons and grandchildren Douglas, Alex, Amber, Aaron and Jake.


MarjorieWood DETLING’s Marjorie Wood (81) was well known locally after a journalistic career and growing up in aMaidstone pub. Born Marjorie Cook, her par-


ents ran The Papermakers Arms in Lower Stone Street. The fam- ily later took over a hardware store at Penenden Heath. Marjorie joined the Kent Mes- senger Group in an administra- tive role and met journalist Alan Wood. The couple married in 1952 and had daughters Lesley and Jayne. Marjorie went on to edit the South Eastern Gazette and served as a parliamentary reporter for The Times. After moving to Detling in


1976, Marjorie ran the Cat’s Whiskers Cattery. She was heav- ily involved in Detling life: she was a member of the Detling Gardening Club and had her own garden next to the Pilgrims’ Way, which was frequently ad- mired by walkers. In addition to helping in the organisation of village events Marjorie was involved in the campaign which resulted in the building of Jade’s Crossing. Marjorie – who was widowed


in 2002 – leaves her daughters and five grandchildren.


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