downsmail.co.uk Elsie May Gurr
THE death has been announced in Loose of Elsie May Gurr, who celebrated her 100th birthday in November. Elsie May had been living at the Loose
Court Care Home since March 2015. She leaves one daughter, two sons, four grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
Gordon Shaw
HEADCORN’S Gordon Shaw (90) moved to the village as a young boy, having been born within sight of the Cadbury’s chocolate factory in Birmingham. Hewas captured and held prisoner by the Japanese during thewar before returning locally to marry wife of over 60 years, Twink, in 1947. His involvement in the local community included many years with St Peter and St Paul’s Church. Hewas an original member of Headcorn Players, played cricket for the village team andwas a founder member of Headcorn Bowls Club on its opening in 1986. He served the bowls club in various positions, including those of steering commiee member, captain and chairman. Gordon also spent 10 years – from 1962 to 1972 – on Headcorn Parish Council.
Wendy Taylor
THE death has been announced ofWendy Taylor ofAusten House, Headcorn. Wendy spent most of her life in the village, aending the local school and playing hockey for nearby Suon Valence. She will be remembered locally from her years of running Hawkes of Headcorn’s electrical shop, a business founded by her father on the site now occupied by Peppercorn. She was still helping out the business until a couple of years ago. The local parish magazine noted: “Wendy
was an extremely kind, generous and selfless woman whowas proud to call Headcorn her home.”
Doris Abne
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 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.”
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 cigaree 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.
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.
Dr Keith Carter
Dr KEITH Carter (89), who lived in Barming from 1962,waswell known locally from years of work in local hospitals. Raised in Lileover, Derby, Keithwent on
to study medicine at Kings College, where hiswartime duties included firewatching from the roof. He also joined the college swimming team, following a passion he pursued into his 70s. After completing his degree, Keith gained registrar experience in a variety of posts, meeting wife of 62 years, June, who worked as a lab technician at Ashford Hospital in Middlesex. Keith completed national service with the
RAF in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and returned to Redhill, Surrey, where daughters Heather and Jillwere born. After several different postings, hewas
then appointed to a permanent post at Preston Hall Hospital, and the family moved to Maidstone in 1962. Keithwas promoted to consultant and
was involved in the design of the pathology department at the new Maidstone Hospital. When therewas a gap in expertise, he stepped in and performed postmortem examinations for the coroner’s court. Heather said: “My father’s hobbies included building electronic equipment, photography and car maintenance. He continued learning throughout his life – he
studied computing with the Open University when itwas still a fledgling field, learned scuba diving, how to play the clarinet, and how to navigate a boat. “But more than this hewas kind, caring, a
quiet sort of man who remained fiercely independent. He always thought of Derby as his home, keeping an eye on the fortunes of Derby County. Hewatched them win the FACup in 1946, though he also became a Spurs supporter whilst hewas in London.” Keith leaves two daughters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Bryan Baughan
BRYANBaughan (74)was a popular, successful and generous chairman of governors of Suon Valence School for the last 13 years. Headmaster Bruce Grindlay said: “Suon Valence Schoolwas fortunate to have an incredibly shrewd, focused and commied chairman and the school is where it is today because of him and his vision. Over his years muchwas achieved with
facilities and educational provision. “During Bryan’s tenure major building
work took place including a new theatre, swimming pool, athletics track, maths and ICT classrooms, new dining hall and pre- prep buildings. The school roll has increased and the academic achievement of both schools has improved beyond recognition. “His humour and manner belied extreme business acumen and forensic eye for detail. All at the schoolwere impressed by his intelligence, culture and undisputable love for the prep and senior schools.” Bryan, who died in a London hospital
after a short illness,was a past president of the Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside and for many years helped raise substantial sums for charity by staging annual summer pop concerts in the riverside field of his home in East Farleigh. He also ran dragon races from his pontoon for the Rotary charity. For many years he served as treasurer of
StWilliam’s Church,Walderslade andwas instrumental in joining it with the local Methodist church. He helped raise funds to build a new church for the area. He also served on the deanery, diocesan and general synods. Hewas a successful London stockbroker
andwas proud of 50 years in the City. He is survived by his wife Jo, children Kathryn and Michael and five grandchildren.
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 28 Maidstone South January 2016
Obituaries
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