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service and sacrifice of the airfield in the war.


Frank’s working life included time in the


car trade, working as a baker, a milkman and a bus driver, and clerical work for the police. Before Detling, he lived with Alice, his wife of over 60 years, in High Wycombe and Orpington. Frank was father to Stephen and Joyce. Son Stephen said: “My father was


involved in a lot of Detling life. My father and motherwere paperboy and girl to the local village and also turned up on a scooter to do duties as Father and Mrs Christmas at the local school. He got on with everyone andwas a loveable and nice guy who kept his energy until very late in his life and donated to lots of charities”. Widowed nine years ago, Frank leaves


his children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.


Henry Fulcher


HENRY Fulcher (18), of New Romney, was a talented footballer well known from his time at the Soccer Elite Football Academy at Swadelands School in Lenham. Henry died after


losing control of his Vauxhall Corsa and hiing a tree in Tenterden. The playerwas


named Twopack by team-mates and had graduated from the youth ranks to the senior squad at Hythe Town. Having turned out for the first team last season Henry scored his first goal in a pre-season friendly against a Maidstone United XI this summer. Tributes included a Facebook RIP page


with more than 1,000 members, some of whom contributed at a fundraising event in Lenham, raising £170 for a wreath in the shape of a Vauxhall Corsa. Hythe Town FC paid tribute to Henry stating: “Henry was one of the nicest people you could meet and had the potential to go all theway to the top and we at Hythe had high expectations of him in what would have been his first full season at senior level.”


Neville Phillips


NEVILLE Phillips (84)waswell known as a housebuilder and farmer. Born in Chatham he moved locally as a boy and aended Maidstone Grammar School. His homes included about 30 years in


Hollingbourne, time in Bearsted, Willington Street, Barming and 25 years farming near Marden. Nevillewas


married to Bey for more than 55 years


andwas father to twins Mark and Sarah. Son Mark said: “My father will be clearly remembered by many people locally. He was a master builder involved in house building from the 50s to the 70s, a time in which he built houses in places like Lenham, Spot Lane,Willington Street and many locations around the Maidstone area. “He had talent as a sportsman and


played rugby as a boy. He opened both the bowling and the baing for Rumwood Cricket Club in Otham and in his 30s took up golf, playing at Bearsted and Ringlestone and playing his last round at the age of 84. “People will remember my father as a larger-than-life character; intelligent, interesting and funny.” Neville, whowas widowed in 2013,


leaves his twins and grandchildren James, Alice, Sophie and Tom


Damen Crompton


MAIDSTONE’s Damen Crompton (36) died in a motorcycle accident. Damenwas heading to his home in ReculverWalk, Senacre on the A229 Loose Road when he lost control of his motorcycle. Damen’s partner Lianne Farrow paid tribute at the scene of the accident. Damen worked for the past four years at Dempson Ltd, a packaging company in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. The company has supported his family through the tragedy.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Shelter for town’s homeless Charity lunch


PLANS are being prepared for the Maidstone ChurchesWinter Shelter scheme. The scheme, launched two years


ago, offers overnight accommoda- tion for the homeless during some of the coldest nights of the year, supplementing the services offered by other homeless charities in the town. In 2013/14, seven churches of-


fered a welcome to 10 guests each night for eight weeks; last winter, this was extended to 15 guests for 12weeks. The plan is that this model will be replicated in winter 2015/16, start- ing on Monday, December 14. Last year, more than 200 volun-


teers helped to run the scheme, which hopes to get a similar – or greater – amount of support this year. Bill Miller, the minister of Maid-


stone BaptistChurch in Knightrider Street, has taken over as chair of the Maidstone ChurchesWinter Shelter from Major GraysonWilliams, who has retired from the SalvationArmy in the town. Pastor Miller was chair during


the first season so is already well used to the work involved and there are a number of new trustees coming on board.


A small number of staff co-ordi-


nate the work of the many volun- teers and the scheme is now actively seeking funding from a range of sources, including charita- ble trusts. Mr Miller said: “Until we secure enough funds to employ the work- ers we cannot recruit, but we are hoping to have our first worker in place earlier in the year than was possible in 2014. “This will help greatly with all


the necessary preparations and en- gagement of volunteers.” Even now, volunteers are work-


ing to get funds for the ongoing work of the shelter scheme. Mr Miller said: “We have a plan


in place and are working towards another winter when a warm wel- come can be offered to those who would otherwise be sleeping rough in our town. “The outcomes in previous years


have been amazing – often life- changing.” The trustees hope each church


can appoint a volunteer representa- tive to help communicate and co- ordinate volunteers and church congregations.


Archdeacon leads the way


A SLEEP-OUT is being held in Maid- stone at the end of September to highlight the plight of the homeless in the borough. On Friday, September 25, the Maidstone Deanery is hosting a sponsored sleep-out, led by archdea- con Stephen Taylor. Each church in the town is being


asked to nominate one representa- tive prepared to sleep outdoors from 10pm to 8am, with only a sleeping bag and cardboard box for comfort.


There will be a limited amount of shelter if it rains. The event is being organised by Heather May and Diane Enfield on behalf of the deanery. Spokesmen Andrew Sewell said:


“We want to raise awareness of the homeless in town and the services available and the launch the re- cruitment of volunteers for the win- ter shelter, as well as raising funds to support the homeless in Maid- stone.”


FORMER Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley will be the special guest at a ladies’ lunch at The Mer- cure Hotel, Maidstone on Friday, October 9. The event, in aid of children’s charity Action Medical Research, starts with a drinks reception at midday followed by a two-course meal and live entertainment from Tony, plus a raffle. The singer has been a supporter


since 2003, when he took part in the charity’s trek to Peru. As an ambas- sador he performs at social events and joins fund-raising treks, aswell as hosting the annual Tony Hadley Golf Classic. Tickets priced at £45 are available


from action.org.uk/kent-ladies- lunch-tony-hadley.


Gardens open


TWO gardens in Back Street, Leeds are open on Sunday, September 20 in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice. At Arnold Yoke, formal landscap-


ing complements the 15th-century Wealden farmhouse, while the gar- den of Inverarnold houses a collec- tion of more than 200 deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Both gardens are open 2pm-5pm.


There is limited wheelchair access. Assistance dogs will be admitted and refreshments will be available.


Maidstone East September 2015 35


Obituaries


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