downsmail.co.uk Mary Black


MARY Black (84) lived in Bearsted from 1986, and previously lived in Bower Close, Maidstone from 1976.


Shewas a Lib Dem councillor for Allington and mayor of Maidstone between 1990 and 1991. Born Mary Penrice


in Glasgow, her previous homes included a London hostel where she stayed while working


for the Civil Service. Mary married Robert, “Bob,” in 1957 and


the couple raised daughters Deborah and Shauna. They moved to Cuxton when Bob’s career withHMCustoms and Excise took him to the Medway towns. Mary taught in Strood and for a number of years at Clare Park inWest Malling. Prior to becoming a councillor Mary stood for parliament as a Liberal Party candidate in the Medway area in 1974, coming close to securing the seat. Daughter Shauna said: “My mother cared passionately about education and had a strong sense of fairness. Shewas the kind of loyal friend who would always step in and help others, andwas also quick to laugh. “Her teaching and communication skills


were exceptional, she got excellent results with challenging pupils and authored a series of “How To…” books which sold nationally andwere aimed at helping youngsters who struggled. “My motherwas always resourceful and


inventive; along with her writing skills she was also a skilled artist.” Mary – whowas widowed in 2012 –


leaves her daughters and four granddaughters – Natasha, Farrah, Madeleine and Alana.


Roy Manser


ROY Manser (81) of Charlton Lane,West Farleigh was one of the best known and longest serving members of San Fairy Ann Cycling Club. His membership of the clubwent back 68


years and he achieved national recognition as a racing cyclist. Barming-born Roy followed his father


into the blacksmith trade andwent on to start his own engineering business – Andian Construction. The companywas named after his sons, Andrew and Ian, who he had with his wife Pamela. Many of his former club mates, friends


and family have commented on his achievements and passion for cycling. Among his early featswas a fifth place in the national 25-mile championship in 1958. In 1989 Roy and AnthonyWallis set a national 10-mile tandem record of 18min


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17sec. Roy also won the Kent Cycling Association’s Best All Rounder Competition four times between 1959 and 1969. He remained competitive in the sport and for the San Fairy Ann clubwell into his old age. Roy famously ended his stint of national service in Cyprus by cycling home from the island. He also enjoyed other active sports including diving and skiing. Roy’s engineering skillswere applied to cycling and he built bicycles for fellow cyclists. Roywas taken ill on a “Wednesday wobblers” ride with San Fairy Ann on August 5 and his condition rapidly deteriorated to the point where paramedics could not save him. Roy leaves his wife and son Andrew. Son


Ian pre-deceased him when hewas killed in an accident while out cycling some 18 years ago.


Tony Robinson


TONY Robinson (78) of the Square, Lenhamwas central to local life in the village for more than 40 years. He moved locally with wife Carole as proprietors of Lurcocks shop, offering a delicatessen, off- licence and other supplies. His background was in retail and Tony had an in-depth knowledge of wine.


Tony soon became a noted local character, known to most in the village. He and Carole ran the shop until they retired in 2003. Tony maintained his involvement in local life by working with the parish council as the village handyman andwas a trustee of the Douglas Almshouse charity. Parish clerk Margo McFarlane said:


“Tonywas very active andwell known and respected. Hewas a member of the team which established the new community centre and remained closely involved with it for the last 11 years. “Hewas a member of Lenara, the local


active retirement association and the Lenham Enhancement Association, which involved him doing work on the colourful planters throughout the village. In his younger days Tonywas a keen sportsman and he played cricket for Lenham. “He made a massive contribution to the village and he will be missed by lots of people.” Tony leaves his wife, children Christopher and Joanne and three granddaughters.


Amanda Miller


AMANDA Jane Miller (50), of Hunton,was well-known locally from the work she did setting up and running the county-wide property management business Simon Miller and Company. Born Amanda Smith


in Essex, she trained as a secretary and worked as a medical secretary in Marble Arch.


Amanda met husband Simon at a


party in 1980 and the couplewere married in January 1984. Prior to Hunton their homeswere in Gillingham and Larkfield. Amandawas baptised as a Jehovah’s


Witness in 1981 and remained dedicated all her life. Shewas mother to Lauren, Alexander, Constance and Morgan. Simon Miller and Companywas established in 2000, growing to awell- known and county-wide operation. The company’swebsite paid a fulsome tribute: “Amandawas characterised by her seemingly inexhaustible cheerfulness and enthusiasm for life. Shewas considered one of the most modest and humble women who, despite tremendous ability, always shied away from publicity and praise.” Amanda had baled breast cancer since


2007, a fight notable for the positivity and determination she brought to it. She leaves her husband, children, grandchildren Hamilton and Fox-Belle, parents, one brother and one sister.


Frank Conn


FRANK Conn (92) lived locally for about 27 years. He moved to Detling where hewas very active in the local community, living there for 18 years before spending five years in the Royal British Legion Village and a further four years in Allington. Born on the Isle of


Dogs, Frankwas in the fire service at the start of the war and was mobilised into


the Army, for whom he served as a ground gunner in the Shetland Isles and Ireland before being transferred to the RAF and doing the same job at Detling and Manston airfields. Frank’s time in Detling eventually led to


him becoming central to the campaign for, and design of, the memorial that now stands in the village commemorating the


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Obituaries


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