downsmail.co.uk Ronald Godden


RONALD Frank Godden (80) of Langley was well known from more than 50 years as a self-employed engineer. Prior to living 31 years in Langley he had


lived in Brooklands on the Chatham Road, Aylesford and Sandling. Ronald learned his trade in theArmy dur-


ing national service and returned home to es- tablish a noted local business in which his talents extended to machining and making car parts when the manufacturers own parts were unavailable. With wife of more than 60 years – Rose-


mary – Ronald raised children Marion and Paul. Daughter Marion said: “My father’s work was his hobby, he was a very giving person, the kind who would do anything for anybody. His love of his work meant he neverwanted to stop and hewas involved in everything from towing, spraying, welding, providing MOTs and the engineering work that allowed him to sort out all kinds of problems. “One thing he excelled in was being able


to keep old cars on the road for loyal cus- tomers, and services like that meant he kept his customers and never needed to advertise because most new business came byword of mouth.” Ronald was still working in his 80th year.


He leaves his widow, children, five grand- children and 16 great-grandchildren.


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.


The Stone Shop


Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.


Inscriptions added to existing memorials


Renovations and memorial cleaning


The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.


01622 726633 36 Maidstone South September 2015 “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 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.


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.


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. Hewas 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


Bernard Head


BERNARD Head (78) devoted much of his time to helping the community of Bearsted, his home for more than 40 years. He served as treasurer of the Holy Cross Church and was also treasurer and trustee of Bearsted Woodland Trust, which protects 26 acres of woodland and meadow. He was a founder member of Bearsted and


Thurnham Tennis Club; a founder member and trustee of Bearsted Bowls Club and a founder member of the badminton club. Bernard was an examiner of local organisation accounts, including Bearsted Parish Council and Bearsted’s annual carnival and fair. He was employed by local company Marley and after retirement in 1990 he set up his own accounts


Obituaries


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