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 toAlbert (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 itwas 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


ENID Gwendoline 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 timewas Kingston Town by UB40. Shewas well known at Maidstone Market and in the town centre. She will be missed by her many friends locally.” Enid, whowaswidowed, 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


36 Maidstone South June 2015


character, founder and 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 the war. He lived locally for a few decades with wife Margaret and children Anne and John. Dave’s co-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 hiswife, 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 the MCC from 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 involvedwith 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.


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. Dougwas 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 an HGV 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 the West Country, forwalking holidays.” Jennifer – whowaswidowed 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, whowaswidowed in 2011,was a mother, grandmother and great- grandmother.


Tony Oxley


TRIBUTES have been paid to Tony Oxley BEM (72), who had lived in Maidstone for the past 10 years, moving to the town to be near his family after suffering a stroke. The former boxer and boxing coach had represented his country at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970. Originally from Bradford, he joined the Navy in 1961, seeing service in the Far East, where he won some local boxing


championships. After winning a national Naval title, Tonywent on to win


theABA bantamweight title atWembley in 1970, securing his place in the Commonwealth Games. His other awards included a Nato Sportsman of the Year title. On retirement from boxing in 1975, Tony became a boxing trainer. Those coached by Tony included world champions Terry Marsh and Ricky Haon. Tony later became a security officer in the diplomatic services. Tony Bevel, chairman of the Royal Navy


and Royal Marines ex-Boxers Association described Tony Oxley as “a wonderful friend, a terrific amateur boxer, a hugely talented and gifted coach.” Tony leaves hiswifeWenda, son Sean, daughter Lee, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.


Obituaries


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48