downsmail.co.uk Roger Frankland-Haile


ROGER Frankland-Haile (70)waswell- known locally from his 16 years running Bow Bridge Marina inWateringbury. He also lived inWateringbury with his wife Sue of 22 years. Born in Bexley, Roger moved toAustralia with his family as a boy andwas educated in that country. He started a varied


career that took him across the world and saw him working at various times with plastics, in the merchant navy and in skilled jobs including


lorry driving and installing office furniture. He and Sue took over the marina as a


going concern in 1998 andwere involved in boat moorings and crane operations. The site also hosts a field for touring caravans and has a separate caravan rally field. Sue said: “One of the tributes I received summed up Roger, saying his love for life could be seen in his passion for anything with four legs and either feathers or fur or had twowheels and amotor. “He loved his work, his cats and swans


but even more his motorbikes, which included aDucati 916 and a vintage BSA from the 1950s. Thesewere damaged in the recent floods but lovingly restored. Roger was also involved in rescuing swans locally.” Boat owners staged a procession of craft on the river as a tribute to Roger.


Lilian Cooper LILIAN Cooper (100) lived locally at various times during a life that took her from growing up in London to living in Canterbury and St Leonards on Sea. Born Lilian Parker, she moved to Maidstone during WorldWar IIwith husband Jim,whowas serving as an army medic. The couple moved several times and raised children Rick and Merry. During their spells in Maidstone they lived in Bearsted, where they ran a tobacconist shop on the site of the current Page&Wells estate agency on the Ashford Road, and more than 25 years at Penenden Heath where Jim worked as postmaster and Lilian worked in the aached greengrocery shop. She also lived in Boughton Monchelsea. Daughter Merry said: “My parents moved a few times and even lived in Spain for 25


years.Mymother did shop work during her life, butwas also the best cook I’ve evermet. Shewas very placid with a nice sense of humour and in later years she could tell amazing stories about her life. “One thing she had seenwas the soldiers returning from the evacuation of Dunkirk during thewar. “My parents began ballroom dancing in


their 50s with the Peter Preedy School. She had received two cards from the Queen, one for her 70thwedding anniversary and one for her 100th birthday.” Lilian, whowas widowed, leaves her children and three grandchildren.


Gwyneth Birchall


GWYNETH Birchall (95) died peacefully at The Grove residential home inMaidstone. Shewas born in 1918 in Horsham, Sussex,


later moving to Ashford. When shewas about 14, she had an accident while playing on a seesaw and spent many months in traction at The Royal Seabathing Hospital, Margate. She wore a calliper on her leg for some time but still enjoyed school life andwent on to work as a typist for Halle &Co solicitors. Gwyneth met Bob


in her father’s office, Gearing and Colyer, in Ashford and theywere married in 1942. She was a firewatcher during thewar, but when Bobwas badly injured demonstrating weapons in his role as an instructor in Canterbury, she became very involved with his recovery.With her support hewas eventually able to return to work and to driving.


Daughter Angelawas born in 1945 and the


family moved to Roseacre Lane, Bearsted in 1958. Theywere involved with Holy Cross Church, where Gwyneth polished the pews for more than 30 years. Shewas also a member of twoWI groups, the Mothers’ Union and The Friday Club. Widowed in 1987, Gwyneth loved her garden andwas a good cook. She drove around the village and to church (at quite a speed, according to son Michael) until she was 92.


Gwyneth loved seeing her three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren andwas very happy andwell looked after during her time in residential care.


Contact obituaries editor Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com


She will be lovingly remembered and


sadly missed by her family. Daughter Angela would like to thank all who knew her for their cards, donations and messages.


RichardWoodhouse


TRIBUTES were paid by local people and on thewebsite of Hollingbourne Parish Council, to Richard Woodhouse (71). Richard and his wife Sue ran the Woodhouse bed and breakfast business in the village for 25 years. The couple met when theywere working as teachers in Kenya. Richard taught geography and had gone to Kenya on a scheme to take British teachers to East Africa. Sue said: “Richard loved long distance


walking and had been on a number of walking holidays. Hewas very knowledgeable andwell-read, he loved opera and theatre. He also had great practical skills including being good at DIY and cooking. He did DIYwork for the Save the Children shop in Union Street and had also helped out in the village with these skills. Hewas very generous with his time and willing to help people.” Richard leaves his wife and his niece, Elizabeth.


Marjorie Fairall


TRIBUTES have been paid to Harrietsham parish councillor Marjorie Fairall (86), who lived locally for more than 50 years. With husband Ron, she raised two daughters and served on the local parish council for many years, including eight years as vice-chair. Marjorie, who has five grandchildren and


two great grandchildren, has been praised for the focus she showed to her community and for the massive amount of work she put into her local duties.


Barry Smith


BARRY Smith, from Maidstonewas a noted local cricketer who played throughout his life andwas instrumental in promoting the interests of older players of the game. Hewas a founder of the county championship for players in their 60s and 70s and played as wicket keeper for Kent’s senior side in his 70s. Married for almost 48 years to Jean, Barry


was father to Hayley and Tracey. Tributes have been paid by many, including his fellow cricketers.


Keith Miles


THE death has been announced of Keith Gasson Miles (79) who founded the Maidstone Glass Company.


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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