downsmail.co.uk Bey Hall


BETTY Hall (93)was born in Ulcombe and lived in the Maidstone area all her life. Born Mabel Elizabeth Durey, her early working lifewas in theWest and East Farleigh area. Beywas married to Albert (Nobby) Hall for 55 years until his death in 2000, and she lived in the same house in Suffolk Road, Shepway for more than 65 years, since it was first built. Bey and Nobby


raised son Michael and daughter Jackie. Beywas an


accomplished seamstress,well known for her creation ofwedding dresses among her wide range of garments. Shewas a strong and polite lady, and a long-standing member of the Shepway congregation of Jehovah'sWitnesses. Son-in-law Martin Northern said: “Bey


was an avid Downs Mail reader, and regularly sent a copy to her daughter Jackie and me, living in Cornwall, sowe could keep up with mid Kent happenings.” Bey laerly developed Parkinson's but


was able to remain at home with carer help until her last month in the Heart of Kent Hospice, where her family say shewas nursed with exemplary sensitivity. Bey leaves her son, daughter, four grandchildren, eight grandchildren and Annabelle and Harry her two great-great- grandchildren.


Enid Swan


ENIDGwendoline Swan (83) lived locally from the late 1950s, in Dion aswell as Penenden Street and Blue Street, Maidstone. Born Enid Nichols, and of Anglo-Indian parentage, she married Leonard Swan, raising children Alison, Martin, Jennifer and Rachael. Enidwas a regular worshipper at her local Catholic church and worked at Preston Hall Hospital, the old Maidstone General Hospital, Granada bingo and cinema hall


and also as a childminder. Her final employmentwas as a cleaner and catering assistant. Daughter Alison Couchman said: “My mother loved her family dearly and liked nothing beer than a party and family gatherings. Shewas a great fan of modern pop music and her favourite song of all time was Kingston Town by UB40. Shewaswell known at Maidstone Market and in the town centre. She will be missed by her many friends locally.” Enid, whowas widowed, leaves her children, grandchildren Natasha, Kayleigh, Michael, Ashley, Miles, George, Brandan, Jake and Isabella and great-grandchildren Max, Reece, Ella and Zak.


DaveWilman


DAVID “Dave”Wilman (74), who has died in Truro, Cornwall, will bewell remembered locally as an eccentric character, founder and


42 Maidstone East June 2015


driving force of Maidstone and Mid-Kent’s branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and a civil engineer. Born in Erith, hewas evacuated to Harrietsham as a boy during thewar. He lived locally for a few decades with wife Margaret and children Anne and John. Dave’s fellow founder of the local branch


of Camra, Dave Raynor, said: “Davewas very much the founding father of the branch. Our first meeting took place in the Dog and Gun on Boxley Road, coincidentally on the night the IRA blew up the Hare and Hounds pub.


“From this point onwardswe had regular


weekly meetings in different locations. I always had an impression of sincerity and integrity with Dave. He had his eccentricities and everyone who knew him had a story about him.” Dave did national service in the RAF


where he learnt to box, andwent on to a career as a freelance civil engineer. Cricket, in particularwatching Kent County Cricket Club,was also a passion, and hewas an accomplished bridge player and keen country and fellwalker. Dave leaves his wife, children, granddaughterAmy and great- grandchildren.


Maurice Fenner


FORMER Kent cricketer Maurice Fenner (86) was born in Linton and aended Maidstone Grammar School. Hewas coached by his father George,


head coach for theMCCfrom 1928 to 1934, andwas prominent in Linton Park CC. Maurice, a left-handed batsman and talented wicketkeeper, played 14 times for Kent between 1947 and 1954. Hewas secretary of Kent County Cricket Club from 1977 to 1982. Later hewas closely involved with the Association of Kent Cricket Clubs in Maidstone and Medway areas. He had a long and successful career in the Royal Air Force, rising to group captain.


Rodger Bent RODGER Bent (51) of Maidstonewaswell known in the Downswood area from his 15 years working at the Orchard Spot pub in Spot Lane. The pub owner during this period, Nigel Simmins, described him as “very reliable, a loyal and valued employee whowas very popular locally.” Born in Luton, Bedfordshire, Rodger never


lost his love for his home town football team. His partner of more


than 21 years, Brenda, said: “Rodger spent his working life in the catering trade. He had a personality for dealing with customers but underneath could be quiet and reserved. “He had a very


unique sense of humour, which his closest friends will fondly remember.” Moving on from the Orchard Spot, Brenda


and Rodger shared enjoyable times managing the Black Rabbit pub near Ashford before managing a number country pubs across Dorset, Devon and Sussex. He added: “Despite work commitments often preventing him from seeing Luton


Town FC play, hewas there to see them win the football league trophy. As an avid dog lover, Rodger always enjoyed his time with their dog Bella, and previously their two Westies, Sam and Del.” He leaves Brenda, her sons Chris, Ma, and Ashley; and his many friends locally.


Doug Young DOUGLAS “Doug” Young (81) of Maidstone worked as a barber in the family business, Young’s Barber Shop, for more than 50 years. Hewas alsowell known as a local musician, working in the dance band The Cordites. Born locally, Doug had lived in Thornhill


Place and Wheeler Street. Blinded in one eye after falling from his pushchair as a child, Doug followed his father into the family business and worked for many years with his brother Bob. Doug was married to Carmen and father to Maria. Niece Toni said:


“Doug played piano and double bass and


his band The Cordites held a residency at the old Boxley House Hotel for many years, after which he worked as a conductor at the Hazli Theatre. “Dougwas secretary of the local branch of


the Musicians’ Union andwas a very affable and friendly man. He enjoyed a long and happy marriage andwas a devoted and loving father.” Dougwas one of five siblings. His brothers


Tony and Vic ran a family electrical business. Vic is now the only surviving sibling. Doug also leaves his wife, daughter and grandchildren Lewis and Joe.


Jennifer Firman


JENNIFER Firman (76) lived in Coxheath for 40 years, and before that in Boughton Monchelsea, Barming and Marden. Born Jennifer Eves in Marden, she aended Paddock Wood School. She and husband Dave raised son Colin. Dave worked on fruit farms and as anHGV driver. Jennifer worked for the Golden Boot shoe shop in Gabriels Hill, Maidstone, starting part-time and becoming full-time during 36 years at the store. Colin said: “My mother could take pleasure in the simplest of things, like seeing flowers growing in a hedgerow. She loved natural history and enjoyedwalks on country footpaths. She also travelled further afield, includingAustria and theWest Country, forwalking holidays.” Jennifer – whowas widowed in 2001 –


leaves her son, two grandchildren and her daughter-in-law Amanda.


Rosemary Bonner


THE deathwas announced of Rosemary Grace Bonner (92) of Maidstone. Rosemary served as mayoress when her husband Gordonwas mayor of Maidstone in 1982. Shewas also a director of the Sheerness-based Broadway Investments. Rosemary, whowas widowed in 2011,was a mother, grandmother and great- grandmother.


Obituaries


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