downsmail.co.uk Hilda Sibsey
HILDA Sibsey (100) died one week after her 100th birthday. Hilda moved locally eight years ago to be near members of her family and lived in the Fairlawn Residential Home on Queens Road at the time of her death. Four generations of her family aended
the celebrations for her birthday. Hilda spent most of her life in and around London, working – at various times – making clothes and for solicitors. She served in theWAAF in Cardiff during the war and married Len Sibsey – a telegrapher with the Royal Navy. The couple raised children Veronica and Stuart. Hilda leaves her children, three grandchildren and her great- grandchildren.
Anthony Balston
TRIBUTES have been paid to Anthony Balston (76), a former judge whomade an emotional retirement speech in 2005, retiring due to poor health. The judge, who lived in Northiam,
served the circuit, including Maidstone, andmade his own legal history in a career that, in 1985, saw him become one of the first solicitors to become a circuit judge. The judge was noted for his brevity in summing up cases, and his enlightened aitude in dealing with sex crimes. He had tried the first private rape prosecution in the UK and a decision he made involving a prostitute having as much right to refuse sex as any other woman is now accepted across the legal profession in the country. Anthony was popular with barristers
and noted for his willingness to trust in the intelligence and memories of juries, often providing them with short summaries rather than lengthy rehashes of an entire trial. His interests outside of work included gardening and cordon bleu cookery.
Sally Simpson
GRACE “Sally” Simpson (91), who died in Ashley Gardens Care Home, lived for more than 50 years in nearby Lancashire Road, Shepway. She moved locally as Grace Brockway in
her teenage years with her family and worked at Len Cabinet Makers and the Trebor Sharp factory (starting when the factory was called Sharp’s). She was married for 65 years to milkman
Harry, and between them they raised daughters Jeannie, Linda and Glynis. Glynis said: “My mother was very family oriented and feisty. She always had the interests of her family at heart, and otherwise liked a simple life at home.” Sally was widowed in 2008 and moved to Ashley House due to ill health. She leaves her daughters, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Rosalind Eatwell
ROSALIND Eatwell (62) of Coxheath lived locally for 39 years. Born Rosalind Butcher, she was raised in Charing and was working in Woolworths in Ashford when she met husband of 40 years, Keith. The pair seled in Coxheath and raised sons Stuart and Gary.
32 Maidstone Town February 2015
Rosalind transferred to Maidstone’s Woolworths store and went on to work in her local bakery in Coxheath as well as the village post office. She returned again to the bakery for the final working years of her life. Keith said: “Rosalind got on really well with people and had lots of friends. It was fairly normal for her to drop in for a chat with people she knew
on her way home from work and she was very much a village person, known to lots of people in and around Coxheath. “She loved playing bingo at the Granada
in town and played darts for the women’s teams of the Victoria Inn in East Farleigh and the Cherry Tree in Tonbridge Road.” Rosalind leaves her husband, sons and grandsons Callum and Jamie.
Margaret Amphle
MARGARET Amphle (85) lived locally for 51 years, the last nine near Bower Mount Road. Her previous homes in the area were in
Penenden Heath and Aylesford. Born Margaret Ford in Malton, North Yorkshire, she moved to Stafford with her family and, worked for her local Co-operative Society. Margaret met and married husband of 64 years Ron, a civil engineer, and the pair raised childrenMike and Jane. Margaret worked for the supplies department of KCC, in both Sandling Road, Maidstone andWest Malling. Ron Amphle said: “Margaret had a generous nature and loved entertaining. She was very giving and devoted to her family. When we lived near Hereford she became a second mother to a local scout troop when I was their leader, often baking for them. “She loved travelling, especially the cruises we took later in life. She took pleasure in the achievements of her family, and was really happy to discover her first great-grandchild is on the way.” Margaret leaves her husband, children
and grandchildren Paul and Helen. Her first great grandchild is due in July.
Tony Cheeseman
TONY Cheeseman (66) lived locally his whole life, and for the past 11 years was the owner and operator of the Kentish Lady riverboat. Living most recently in Barming, his previous Maidstone addresses included Tonbridge Road and Hazli Drive. Tony originally started work as a builder, seing upA E
Cheeseman Building Contractors. His work in building conservatories eventually saw him in charge of more than 30 employees. Tony’s son Martin said: “My father loved
boats and he had built a catamaran which we sailed from the Medway and took on holidays to places like the Channel Islands.
“He was involved in the river festivals
locally and counted many well-known figures as personal friends. My father was totally devoted to his family and couldn’t do enough for our mother, Shirley. He had built houses for her and filled them with furniture he made. “The Kentish Lady was sold just before
he died and it is tragic that he had no time to enjoy his retirement.We’re just thankful that he had such wonderful care at Maidstone Hospital for his final days.” Tony leaves his wife of 47 years, Shirley, childrenMartin and Sara, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Alan Townsend
EdwardAlan Townsend was known from his years as head at North Borough School. Alan leaves his wife Jen, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Michael Hedges
MICHAEL Hedges (71), lived locally from 1966, initially in Barming, and then from 1973 to 2013 in Roseacre Lane, Bearsted. He and Elizabeth, his wife of 48 years,
then moved to the newly-createdAudley Retirement Village in Mote Park. Raised on the borders of London and Kent, Michael worked in the advertising industry, running the Hedges and Hughes agency, which was based in London and dealt with a range of British and international clients. The agency later
relocated to The Old Forge next to Bearsted and Thurnham Club, whereMichael liked to play bridge and snooker. He also liked to fish and took up bowls. Michael was father to Tim and daughter Charlie, who said: “My father could be quiet, shy and reserved, but had a very dry sense of humour and would let his hair down once he knew people. “He was amember of Bearsted Golf Club
for 40 years and knew a lot of people in the area.”
Michael leaves his wife, children and grandsons Fred, Archie, Hector and Oscar.
Les Leonard
LES Leonard (70), who lived in Hunton for 31 years, was known locally from years as a journalist, including work for the Morning Advertiser and the north Kent based Eat Out. He started his career on the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Sevenoaks News. He also worked on a number of specific projects, including the annual Pub of the Year awards. Les was also a member of the Chequers
Racers Cycling Club in Laddingford, which paid tribute to him with a picture on its website. He was often seen cycling in the area around his home. He and wife Marion raised children Marcus and Catherine. Marion said: “Les got on well with everyone; one of his talents was the ability to talk to people and get information from them. “He could bring a smile to a room when
Obituaries
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