downsmail.co.uk Jack White


THE death of Jack White, from Leeds, has been reported widely. Jack and his wifeAudrey arrived in the


village in 1983, when Jack retired from working in Portugal. He became known for his community involvement, which included work with the local branch of the Royal British Legion, where he served as president, treasurer, chairman and secretary. The parish magazine praised Jack’s “technical skills and immense common sense” which made him a valuable presence at community events. Jackwas also involved with St Nicholas’s Church, Leeds, where his funeral service took place. The parish magazine summed up: “Our community has so much to remain thankful for and Jackwas one of the people for whom most thanks are due.” Jack’s autobiography,An Ordinary Man, remains on sale locally. Jack – whowas widowed – leaves daughter Patricia and grandchildren Geoff and Caroline.


Daphne Briggs


TRIBUTES have been paid after the death of Daphne Briggs of Harrietsham. Daphnewas known for her work in the community, and ran a shop onWest Street with her husband Gordon. She also sang with Bearsted Choral Society. Daphnewas a member of the Harrietsham


Fish Scheme, serving a number of years as treasurer.


DorisAbne


DORIS Abne (88) lived in Allington, Wateringbury and Barming. Born Doris Turner in Hackney, London, she moved to Kent with her parents, relocating to Royal British Legion Village where she married mechanic TomAbne, from Larkfield, in 1947. The couple raised children Graham, Christine and Julie. Tom worked for Fine Fair on Hall Road, Aylesford and Doris’s work included employment in the


Carlton Cafe – on the current site of a British Heart Foundation shop in the centre of Maidstone – and at a cake shop; Icing on the Cake in Allington.


Daughter Julie said: “My mother loved animals, her home and making and eating cakes, shewas really loving and devoted to her children and grandchildren.”


Fred Hockey


FREDERICK “Fred” Hockey (84) lived locally for most of his life, spending about 39 years in Allington. He also had homes in Gillingham, Staplehurst and Loose. Hewas best-known


as the owner of The House of Carpets business on the north side of Maidstone High Street. The business ran for decades and at different times had outlets in Tonbridge and the Medway


Towns, but the main centre and longest running outlet remained in Maidstone. Originally from London, Fred had previously lived in Sidcup before coming to the Maidstone area in 1962. He and his first wife June raised children Susan, Keith and Sharon.


Daughter Sue said: “My fatherwas a


loving and hands-on dad who gave us a great childhood. He made sure our early years, including holiday-camp holidays, were full of fun and fancy dress costumes.” With second wife – also called June – Fred


gained step-children Stephen and Graham. Sue said: “My dad’s main interestwas his and June’s garden where he would spend his days. He loved being outside in the sunshine. However, he and June also loved dancing to the big band sounds of Glen Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey etc, mainly at Dion Community Centre.” Fred leaves behind a loving family and will be greatly missed.


KenWelch KENNETH “Ken”Welch (81) lived locally for most of his life, moving to the Maidstone area as a boy after being born in Birchington. He spent about 30 years in Bannister Road,


Penenden Heath and 20 years in Vinters Park before moving to Norfolk in 2012 to be near his daughter Gillian. After national service in the RAF, Ken


spent his career with the treasurer’s department of Kent County Council based in County Hall. He and wife Jean had son Chris and daughter Gillian. Gillian said: “My fatherwas a keen


sportsman, who spent years playing cricket for the Corinthians Cricket Club. He also played table tennis for the working men’s club in Brewer Street. He will be remembered as a jovial man who liked a cigaree and a brandy and had a lot of friends, with whom he really enjoyed spending time. He loved travelling and holidays and had been abroad supporting the England cricket team in theWest Indies.” Ken leaves his children, one surviving


sister and grandchildren Frances and Rebecca.


Sue Mellor


TRIBUTES have been paid to Susan Mellor (74), from Fant, who died in a collision on the M20. Her family said Suewas “the life and soul of the party”. They added that shewaswell known throughoutwest Kent and had lots of friends in the Tonbridge and TunbridgeWells areas. The mother of three leaves one son and


two daughters, a brother and sister. In a statement the family said: “Mum’s laughter touched so many people, leaving a smile in all of our hearts. Shewas the life and soul of the party and wouldwant to be remembered laughing and dancing.” The accident which claimed Sue’s life remains the focus of an investigation.A39- year-old Czech lorry driverwas arrested after the incident.


Dave Currer


DAVE Currer (50), of Shortlands Green, Park Woodwas known locally as a motorcyclist and a volunteer with rehabilitation groups. Hewas also involved in organising the annual Green Fair in Mote Park in support of environmental causes. Many of Dave’s friends in the local motorcycling community have paid tribute to his genial nature and valued friendship. He died in an accident on the A274 near Biddenden.


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


PLANNING permission has been granted for 23 homes to be built in Old Ashford Road, Lenham. Maidstone Council’s planning committee accepted Southern Heritage Developments’ pro- posal for The Paddock, Grove House. The scheme will feature 14


open market and nine afford- able homes, with a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses


36


and four one-bedroom flats. Lenham Parish Council with-


drew its initial objection after KCCrecommended reducing the speed limit along the A20 Ash- ford Road from 60mph to 50mph and details of the application were amended to improve sight lines for drivers along the busy road. The committee backed the scheme unanimously.


Maidstone East January 2016 Volunteer call for healthwalks


VOLUNTEERS with lots of local knowledge about Bearsted and its environs are needed to become healthwalk leaders in Kent. Kent HealthWalks are run by the


Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and, together with the Bearsted Patient Participation Group, need people to help lead the weekly Bearstedwalks. Training will be given at a work-


shop in Maidstone Town Hall on January 19.


Jeanette Ward, the Bearsted PPG chairman, said: “If you enjoy walk- ing and have a few hours to spare eachweek, why not join them?” Volunteers have access to support


from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and can participate in informal net- working meetings to meet other walk leaders and discuss common issues. For more details or to apply, con-


tact Julia Wells on 01304 828713 or email: julia.wells@kentcht.nhs.uk


Obituaries


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