John Thirkell JOHN Thirkell (87), of Haste Hill Road, Boughton Monchelsea, was known locally from his years as secretary of the Kent Friendly Society and his long as- sociation with Linton Park Cricket Club. Starting in 1943, he played for


the club for 35 seasons, 25 of them as captain, scoring 17,661 runs in 850 innings, taking 431 wickets andmaking 360 catches. He also served the club as secre- tary andwas closely involved on the two occasions the club played at Lords and won theVil- lage Cup. After retirement from club ac- tivities in 2005, he still travelled to matches and it was only fail- ing eyesight in recent years that stopped him being involved. Born at Charlton Farm, John


lived locally throughout his life. He served in the RAF just after the war, but returned to work lo- cally. He was married for 60 years to Nancy, who died in 2011, and was father to Nigel, Timand Simon. Nigel is the current club secre-


tary at Linton Park and three of John’s grandchildren play for the club. Three other grandchildren have also been involved with the club.


Nigel Thirkell said: “My father


loved cricket and was totally in- volved with Linton Park Cricket Club. He is the only person in their history to be appointed as life vice-president. He was very much respected in local cricket.” John leaves his sons and seven grandchildren.


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


We will remember


served a year as president. He often opened the innings


forKent orwas amid-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.


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. Johnwas 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 toMark. 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 amember 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 worked as a bus driver, progress- ing to inspector. 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


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hearts who always tried to make things better. 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.


Peter Vowles PETER Vowles (86) lived in Pe- nenden Heath from 1970, mov- ing locally when his career in the paper industry took him to SwanMill in Swanley. He spent most of his working


life in the industry, progressing to chief purchasing manager and company director at Swan Mills. Born and


raised near Sittingbourne and educated at Borden Grammar School, Peter’s working life began with time in the Royal Marines; he worked for Kent Education Committee and went to work in the paper industry after this. Peter married his wife of 41


years, Gwen, in 1950. The cou- ple raised Lorely, David and Mandy. David Vowles said: “My father led a full life, he played hockey into his late 40s for a works team. My mother died in 1991 and my father re- mained independent and was very proud of his family. “His knowledge was impres-


sive and he was able to answer all kinds of quiz questions. After being widowed, he met Audrey and they enjoyed cruises and a lot of good times.” Peter leaves his children, Au-


drey, eight grandchildren (one grandchild pre-deceased him), and two great-grandchildren.


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