downsmail.co.uk


a cheerful talk with the locals. “That kind of event is typical of his


ability to mix with anyone, anywhere. Away from the church, he and my mother also bred Labrador dogs. He had a lifelong love of football, both going to games and watching on TV with a large glass of merlot.” Geoffrey leaves his wife, children and


his beloved granddaughters. To donate in Geoffrey's memory, go to www.justgiving.com/teams/geoffsidaway


Arthur Taylor ARTHUR Taylor (75) lived the final 10 years of his life in Coxheath. Apart from his stint in National Service in the Royal Fusiliers, which took him to Malta and Bahrain, Arthur lived much of his life in Maidstone and worked as a labourer,he spent a lengthy spell with the construction firm Bartholemew, where


one contract he was involved in was laying the gas pipes for the shopping centre now known as The Mall. Arthur finished his working life in the employment of Maidstone Council. While working at Turkey Mill, Arthur


met Ellen, who was to be his wife of 52 years. The couple raised Anne, Anthony and Deborah. Anne said: “My father was a loving and warm family man who could be really entertaining. “He loved making people laugh and


was really close to his grandchildren. He loved gardening and was never happier than when he was spending time at home with his family.” Arthur leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Charlotte, Alex, Elisha, Jake, Katy and Sophie.


Matthew Lewis


THE sudden death of Matthew Lewis (42), who served as head of religious education at St Simon Stock School, Maidstone, shocked his colleagues and students. Mr Lewis has been praised for his exceptional abilities in doing his job and his dedication to teaching his subject well. Married to Kerry and with two daughters,


Mr Lewis was also noted for his sense of fun and willingness to get involved in wider activities such as fundraising events for charity. He came to St Simon Stock from Faversham and was a native of that area and lived in Davington. He was the school’s union rep for the National Union of Teachers. Mr Lewis has been honoured with a series of assemblies and commemorative events, and the school has had a massive response from former pupils who remember him with fondness. Astatement on the


website says: “All of the comments we have received have


been very touching about a great professional colleague, an inspirational teacher and leader, a marvellous family man, an ambassador for St. Simon Stock Catholic School. He is sorely missed by all who know him.” AFacebook tribute page has received


many messages of tribute and sympathy. Lorna Feltham, posting on the page, described Mr Lewis as: “a wonderful caring and devoted teacher.” Matthew Lewis leaves his wife and daughters. Writing on a Just Giving tribute page,


Isabel Burchell said: “You were not only my teacher but you were one of my best friends who I could tell anything to. I'm going to miss you.”


Pam Earl


OTHAM’S Pam Earl had lived in her village since moving there in 1938, at the age of three and could remember the village before the war, riding on shire horses and Sunday rides in an old Rolls Royce, belonging to Mrs Cooper, the rector’s wife. Pam was evacuated toWales during the


war. She married Patrick at Otham Church in 1961 and the pair raised children Tim and Rachel. Tributes to Pam have praised her wicked sense of humour and selfless work in making soft toys for sale to help charities, including The Heart of Kent Hospice. Pam, who was widowed, leaves her children and grandchildren Laura, Bethany and Emily.


Gay Chaplin


GAY Chaplin (70) lived in Maidstone for 46 years, having moved toWeavering Street in 1968.


Born Gay Lloyd in Oxford, she grew up, and was educated, in St Albans where she met Mike, her future husband. They married in 1967, having spent happy times together as art students in Brighton. Having achieved a National Diploma in design, followed by


teacher training, Gay took up a post at Southborough Girls School in Loose Road, Maidstone as a teacher of art, a subject she taught passionately and with great expertise. After 20 years at Southborough she


moved to Maidstone Grammar School, teaching graphics, design and English. Gay became a well-loved form tutor, shining in pastoral care. In 1976 Gay and Mike moved to Orchard Drive, offWeavering Street, where their family blossomed with the arrival of son Nick in 1977 and daughter Briony in 1980. As well as shaping the lives and futures


of hundreds of students, Gay took an extensive interest in local life. She was involved in theWeavering Playgroup, the Weavering Revels, Grove Green Scout Group, Thurnham and Roseacre schools and local charity work. In recent years, Gay cared for Betty, her


late mother, enabling Betty to live her last years at home in comfortable and loving surroundings. Gay is survived, and greatly missed, by husband Mike, children Nick and Briony, sister Glyn, nephew and niece John and Jenny, daughter-in-law Kirsten, son-in-law Keith and great-nephew Cathal. Donations, if desired, may be made


online for the Heart of Kent Hospice at www.justgiving.com/GayChaplin.


Robert Sayers


ROBERT “Sandy” Sayers (87), previously of Little Boy Court, Headcorn and Marley Court, Lenham, moved to Cumbria in 1982. He was ill for two years after a very active life. He leaves his wife, children and grandchildren.


WWI timeline goes on show at library


AWWItime spiral, showing some of the major events to affect Kent communities during the conflict, has been unveiled in the Kent His- tory and Library Centre in Maid- stone. The display which greets visitors


at the entrance to the centre fea- tures some of the photographs, documents and other resources held in the local history collections of KCC Libraries, Registration and Archives. Mike Hill, KCC cabinet member


for community services, said: “Kent played a vital role in the First World War and it is essential that


Sarah Cowell and four-year- old Erin in front of part of the display at the Kent History and Library Centre


we remember and commemorate the county’s role and its sacrifice in the conflict this centenary year.” The Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone stands on at the site of the former barracks of


The Royal West Kent Regiment, which saw 3,000 new recruits en- list in the first four weeks after Britain entered the war. Amajor exhibi-


tion – In their own words: Kent


Voices of the FirstWorldWar – will run from August to the end of Oc- tober 2014. Time 2Give Volunteers are help-


ing to research Kent’s role in WWI and contributing to an interactive


online timeline of Kent and Med- way during the conflict: www.tiki- toki.com/timeline/entry/208714/Fir st-World-War-Kent-Medway/ The timeline shows events that


took place across the whole county and cites sources from the archives. Among the historical documents


in the Kent History and Library Centre, there are letters, field cards, postcards and photographs, con- cert and sports programmes, me- morial cards, embroidered cards, Christmas cards, local newspaper cuttings, pressed flowers, book- marks, and leaflets. There is even a copy of the Bagh-


Maidstone South May 2014 33


Obituaries


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