downsmail.co.uk Brenda Adams


BRENDA June Adams (80) ofWateringbury lived locally almost all her life. Born Brenda Baker, she grew up in a family that ran two pubs in the area: The Kings Head and The Phoenix in Red Hill. Brenda met her husband Edward Leslie


“Les” Adams when his job as a delivery driver brought him to The Phoenix. The couplewere married for more than 40 years, raising six children. Twins Paul and Amanda – their eldest children –were the first set of twins born at the old Pembury Hospital; they were followed by Diane, Gary, Shane and Roland. Leswent on to work in the local cricket


ball factory and Brenda did local work including cleaning and working at the Kings Head pub. Son Shane said: “My motherwas a friendly and jolly person, well known locally from all her years in the village. The only time she lived away from Wateringbury was when shewent to care for our grandparents in London for 18 months when shewas younger. “She had worked with horses and liked playing darts for local teams.We know lots of local people will be at the funeral at 3.30pm on June 12 at Vinters crematorium.” Brenda – whowas widowed in 1995 – outlived her twins. She leaves her four youngest children, her grandchildren and 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, whowas widowed, leaves her children, grandchildren Natasha, Kayleigh, Michael, Ashley, Miles, George, Brandan, Jake and Isabella and great-grandchildren Max, Reece, Ella and Zak.


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


28 Malling June 2015


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.


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 – whowas widowed in 2001 –


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


Michael Noar


THE funeral has taken place of Hollingbourne’s Michael Noar who lived at Manor Hill for more than 30 years. Michael was director of the Economic League and was involved with the Conservative Party. He stood for election to Maidstone Council as an independent Conservative. Michael moved locally with his wife, Marjorie, in 1989, from St Albans. Michael leaves Marjorie, their children Toby and Charloe and grandchildren.


Sheila Hawkridge


SHEILA Hawkridge (81) who lived in Taylor Road, Snodland from 1963waswell known from many years of working in local shops including Snodland Newsagents, from which she retired. With husband of 56 years Dennis “Den”


she moved locally with son Stephen. Younger son Neilwas born in Snodland. Sheila leaves her husband and two sons.


Dick Judd


RICHARD “Dick” Judd (63), of Holtye Crescent, Maidstone was well known from his years of drumming with the band Edison Lighthouse.


He died two days


after a fundraising event in his honour, organised after motor neurone disease had robbed him of his ability to perform. About 50 people took part in the golf event at the Tudor Park Hotel, raising £7,000.


There are plans to make this an annual event in Dick’s memory. Dick leaves his wife Jane, children Russell and Kerry and four grandchildren.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com


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Obituaries


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