downsmail.co.uk “He could bring a smile to a room when


hewalked in the door and knew lots of people both locally, and as a result of his work. “Hewas active on Hunton Parish Council


and as editor of the Hunton Herald, the village newsleer.” Les leaves his wife and son. His daughter pre-deceased him.


Ernest Martin


ERNEST Martin (86), who lived for many years at Penenden Heath,was known locally for his life-long service to football. Aformer player who turned out for a number of local teams until 1953, Ernest took up refereeing andwas involved in the organisation of the local game. Hewas also vice-chairman of the Maidstone branch of the Referees’ Association and a member of the commiee on the Maidstone and Mid- Kent Sunday League. His various posts with the local league included the duties of referees’ secretary and league secretary. Ernest’s working life included a spell as housing repairs manager for Maidstone Council. He had also been a member of the PTAat East Borough School, where both his children and grandchildrenwere educated. Ernest, whowas married to Linda,was


father to David and Lynne. His son paid tribute to his father, recalling that among many achievements and memorable events linked to football, one particular highlight was the time when Ernest met Sir Stanley Mahews. In addition to his local football


involvement Ernest served as a steward at Wembley for 15 years. Ernest, whowas widowed in 2010, leaves


his children and grandchildren Christopher, Stephen andWilliam.


RayMartin


RAY Martin (88)was involved with Maidstone United Football Club for many years. The inside forward played for the club


from the late 40s to mid 50s andwas appointed groundsman by the club in 1979. Born and brought up in Yalding, Ray had many talents – hewas offered the chance to


play cricket for Kent, butwas held back as his family did not have the money for his kit. He also played football for his local village


team andwas an excellent darts player. Ray’s team-mates at Maidstone United included some of the most notable players ever to have turned out for the club, such as England international David Sadler. Ray was father to Graham Martin, who played for Maidstone in the 80s and returned to captain the newly-reformed club in 1993. Ray died a few days short of his 56th


wedding anniversary. He and wife Vera were the first couple to be married at St Martin’s Church in Shepway. Graham, their only child, said: “My fatherwas a happy, smiley person and if hewas one of two people in a pub he could still start a conversation. He got on with everyone and had worked locally for Tilling Stevens. He was known to many friends as Kipper, whichwe believe dated back to an incident when he turned up for a fishing tripwearing slippers. “My father hadn’t a bad bone in his body.


He loved foreign trips and country and western music.” Ray leaves his wife, son, grandchildren Liam and Lauren and great-grandson Jack.


Tony Cheeseman TONY Cheeseman (66) lived locally his whole life, and for the past 11 yearswas 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, seing upAE 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. “Hewas involved in the river festivals


locally and counted manywell-known figures as personal friends. My fatherwas 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 Ladywas 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, children Martin and Sara, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Elsie Clayton


ELSIE Agnes Clayton (92) was born in Otham and lived in the Maidstone area all her life. Born Elsie Sharp, she aended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls and worked at Maidstone Boys’ Technical School and Kent County Buildings Department. Elsie was married


to her childhood sweetheart, Ray Smith, the son of a local housebuilder, for only a few


months before he was killed on active service with the RAF in the war. She also lost her father at about the same time. While working at Kent Police Headquarters she met police officer Bob Clayton. The couple married in 1947 and raised son John. After Bob retired from the police, they founded Larkfield Pharmacy, which was eventually sold to become the first Paydens chemist. John Clayton said: “My mother was


always cheerful, friendly and full of compassion. Her family was her main love, along with her garden, and she was always content and independent. “She enjoyed travel and history and remained very interested in all current affairs. “People will remember her as a helpful


and considerate person who never demanded much of others. She will also be remembered for her exceptional singing voice which could fill the house; she had the ability to hit and hold the highest notes.” Elsie – who was widowed in 1984 –


leaves her son, and twin grandsons James and Nick.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Roundabout improvements Planners agree homes rise


WORK on improving safety at a “nightmare” roundabout at Lark- field has moved a step closer. KCC ward Cllr Trudy Dean is dipping into her member’s fund for designs to be drawn up for KCC for improvements to the busy junction of Bellingham Way, LeybourneWay and Hythe Way. She said: “The junction is used


both by heavy lorries and vans from the Larkfield industrial site, and by many families living at Leybourne Lakes and Ley- bourne Park. “Lorries and vans tend to shoot


at speed straight across the roundabout without stopping. “The roundabout itself is too


high, and together with the sur- rounding trees and bushes, this makes it a nightmare for pedes- trians to find a safe gap in ap- proaching traffic, especially if you have a pram and children to get across too. “There is also no pavement for Leybourne Lakes residents, who have towait on the muddy earth path.” Once the design is agreed, it


will be sent to KCC and devel- opers for funding.


THE number of dwellings to re- place the former nurses’ home in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone is to be increased to 69. In December 2013, outline plan-


ning permissionwas granted to re- place the neo-Georgian building, whichwas previously accommoda- tion for employees of the nearby Oakwood Hospital, with 53 homes. Although Bellway Homes’ full application said there would be an increase in the number of homes, the density has reduced from 58 units per hectare to 46. However, members of the plan-


ning committee were angered that one of the conditions imposed on the outline scheme – a 10m set-back


from the development’s frontage to Hermitage Lane –was ignored. Committee member Cllr Tony Harwood said: “Members of this committee demanded a 10m set- back and an avenue of trees along the frontage. But now the develop- ment is hard on Hermitage Lane.” Planning officers were happy


with the applicant’s proposal for front gardens and a ragstone wall along Hermitage Lane. The committee granted planning permission, but only on the proviso that senior members of the com- mittee as well as local ward coun- cillors have discussions with the applicant to ensure landscaping conditions are met.


Malling February 2015 31


Obituaries


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