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News Civic pair’s year of celebration Continued from page one


the pair mark 60 years of marriage. Fortunately, the couple still enjoy good health and are looking for- ward to serving out their time on the council – Peter till 2015 and Daphne to 2016. Although both have spent the


lion’s share of their life in the Gar- den of England, neither was origi- nally from Kent. Peter, from Berkshire, is the son


of the famous Lambourn jockey Bill Parvin, who raced in no less than 16 Grand Nationals, while Daphne is an Essex girl, whose fa- ther was an Ilford publican. In someways, itwas thewar that brought them together as Daphne’s family relocated to Minster, away from the dangers of London and the Woolwich Barracks when she was still a child. Widowed and with three girls to


bring up, Daphne’s mum ran a boarding house and shop in the


Life sentence


for jewel thief A MAIDSTONE man who ter- rorised staff with a knife at a jew- eller before making off with a tray of diamond rings has been sen- tenced to life in prison. Peter Sanderson


(51) formerly of Tumin House, Fairmeadow, asked the girl be- hind the counter if he could look at a ring


before


pulling a knife on her and screaming


at her to “get down on the floor”. He then ordered the store’s


owner, whowas at the other end of the shop, to do the same before running out of the premises with a tray of diamond and sapphire rings. The store’s manager and a mem-


ber of the public gave chase, but lost sight of him. Police arrested Sanderson two


days later after CCTV showed him driving a BMW towards Maid- stone. A flat cap and leather jacket he had been wearing during the robbery were found inside the car. After learning Sandersonwas al-


ready in breach of his prison li- cence, which had been imposed for a string other serious offences, Judge Martin Joy told him he would not be considered for parole for at least five years. Sanderson had denied being re- sponsible for the robbery at John Angell jewellers in Tonbridge High Street on October 2 at an earlier court hearing, but he was found guilty by a jury.


Assistantmanager Stephanie Kenny and manager James Gregson


village – frequented by the teenage Peter, who had joined the police force and was stationed at Deal. The couple married at Minster Church two years later and, in due course both their children – Simon and Gaye – were baptised there. The family moved to Maidstone


in 1963 when Peter was promoted to a post at Kent PoliceHQand son Simon was born. He later trans- ferred to the Met, while Daphne, a nurse, ran a residential home for the elderly in Buckland Road. The couple then bought a small- holding in Caring Lane, Leeds, where they set up a cattery, to- gether with Simon and his then wife Debbie and their three chil- dren, Lucie, Peter and Daisy. They have lived in Meadow


Walk since 2000, just a stone’s throw from Mote Park and daugh- ter Gaye and family, who live in Mote Avenue. Gaye also has three grown-up children – teachers Ben and Katy and hairstylist Suzannah


– and the couple have another “adopted” grandchild, Taku, from Simon’s second marriage. The daughter of Ilford’s first charter mayor, Daphne was brought up surrounded by local politics, but it took her seven years to win a seat in Maidstone, finally being elected in 1984. As a policeman in Kent, Peter


was barred from taking an active part in local politics, but finally bit the bullet in 1995, representing their then home ward of Leeds. Daphne is a member of both Hollingbourne and Stockbury parish councils, aswell as five bor- ough council committees, while her husband sits on four commit- tees and chairs the licensing com- mittee. They are also active on a number of rural charities and com- mittees and support the Relief in Need charities. Peter is also a trustee of Age UK. One of his proudest claims to fame, however, couldn’t be further


removed from the cut and thrust of the council chamber. As a regular entrant in the Leeds Amateur Gar- den Society Show, it is Peter’s prize cabbage that usually takes the top slot for being the biggest. Life hasn’t all been “ups”, how-


ever. The couple tragically lost their son in an accident five years ago, and feared for the worst last year when his grandson – and their great grandson – Louis suffered a fractured skull when he was crushed by a wardrobe. Fortunately, the two-year-old


made a miraculous recovery and will be among family and friends celebrating all that 2014 has to bring for Daphne and Peter. Both agree that the highlight of


their respective political careers was the time they spent represent- ing the borough as mayor. And the down side? “Turning


out to meetings, in the dark, at 6pm, when everyone else is settling down to a night in front of the TV!”


Pub regulars’ £1,000 boost for hospice


REGULARS at TheWheatsheaf Pub in Loose have been digging deep in their pockets to present the Heart of Kent Hospice with a cheque for £1,000. The money was raised through a


weekly meat raffle, bonus ball com- petition and book sales, bringing the total doanted to the hospice over five years to £8,000. Manager James Gregson said:


“Many of our regulars have had friends and family who have been cared for by the hospice over the years and so it is very close to our hearts.”


Anenduring musical appeal Pupils sing for By Dennis Fowle


THEenduring appeal of Maidstone Amateur Operatic Society was evi- denced again at the Hazlitt Theatre with a sell-out Tuesday perform- ance of Half a Sixpence. The society has been staging big musicals in Maidstone since 1898 – the remarkable list of shows is recorded in the programme – and deserves its loyal local following. The showwas largely written for


pop star Tommy Steele when first staged in theWest End in 1963 (the film followed in 1967). Most music


Flats on office site


THE eighth floor of Kent House is to be converted from office to resi- dential use. D2 Planning Ltd was given the go-ahead by Maidstone Council to build 12 flats under per- mitted development rights.


is not as well known as many con- temporary shows and this pre- sented a challenge for the society. But it does have “Flash, Bang,


Wallop, What a Picture” and the cast twice sang and danced their hearts out. Shawn Deamer, a stu- dent at Canterbury Christ Church University, took the role of Arthur Kipps and teamed up well with childhood sweetheart Ann (Steph Beeken has such a lovely voice). Itwas a massive team job on and


off stage – the society is so impor- tant to Maidstone’s cultural life.


Mencap plant sale


MAIDSTONE Mencap will be holding a plant and book sale at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park (School Lane entrance) from 2.30pm on Saturday, May 17. Call Margaret Leeds on 07903 196333 for details.


water charity YOUNGSTERS from three schools in the town are hoping to raise a four-figure sum for Water Aid through a charity concert. Pupils from Barming Primary,


North Borough Junior and St Michael’s C of E Junior will be join- ing forces – and their voices – for the event at All Saints’ Church in Maidstone on Friday, May 9. Local musician and teacher Mal-


colm Coates is organising the evening, which has captured the hearts of youngsters determined to help fight disease caused through dirty water, which claims the lives of 2,000 children every year. Pupils will be performing their


own songs and a special piece com- posed forWater Aid. The concert starts at 6.30pm. Ad- mission is £5, on the door.


Maidstone Town May 2014 37


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