downsmail.co.uk Mike stands down from rail post


A NOSTALGIC look back over 13 years of success in building theKent Community Rail Partnershipwas the focal point of the group’s annual stakeholder meeting. The meeting, held at Maidstone


Town Hall and opened by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Daniel Moriarty, was the last for retiring founder and chairman Mike FitzGerald. Mr FitzGerald, a former councillor


andmayor,who lives inChart Sutton, said hewas delighted to be leaving at a time when the partnershipwas on a high, having just won first place in a national competition and secured a three-year contract to remain in part- nership with Sustrans. He told the packed council cham-


ber: “The Department for Transport and all political parties support the concept of community rail and I would like to express my special thanks for the huge commitment of the linemembers and volunteerswho


From left, Sarah Deakin and Guy Schofield of Kent Community Rail Partnership, Matt Fraser of Southeastern and Mike FitzGerald


are the strength and depth of our or- ganisation.” Mr FitzGerald , whowas presented


with an album of old photographs and a poetic tribute, said: “It was an unbelievable send-off. I was quite overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception I got.” Kent CRP brings together a range of local community groups to help sup-


port improvements to local rail links and facilities. It is already looking to expand its activities in the region, having se- cured the three year contract with stakeholders to continue its hosting partnership with Sustrans, the charity which is enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of their everyday journeys.


There were a number of presenta-


tions during the meeting, looking for- ward to new developments and art installations at local stations on SwaleRail and the Medway Valley Line and the audiencewas transfixed by the inspiring presentation about the MoonQuarter station redevelop- ment in Heerlen, Holland, by charis- matic Dutch artist, Michel Huisman. The partnership plans to send Mr FitzGerald and his wife Maureen on a short break to Heerlen to show their gratitude for his 13-year service. The partnership recently won first


place in the Abellio challenge, a na- tionwide competition, with its inno- vative proposal for Smarter Travel for transition year school children. The Kent Community Rail Partner-


ship includes Sustrans, KCC, Maid- stoneCouncil, Tonbridge andMalling Council, Southeastern Railway, parish and town councils and Nu- Venture Coaches.


Read our archived editions FREE online at www.downsmail.co.uk Sir Peter Maxwell Davies


SIR Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE (81) was a patron of Kent Music. He took an active interest in music created throughout the county and engaged both with teachers of music and musicians. The Lancashire-born composer and conductorwas a major figure in the UK classical music community; noted for a personal journey that took him from being the composer of difficult and challenging works to become the Master of the Queen’s Music.


Despite living in the Orkney Isles from


1971, Sir Peter was a noted advocate of local music, and remained passionate about music education. He had been a patron of Kent Music since 2006. The association’s chief executive Peter


Bolton described Sir Peter as “a great supporter of music education for all” and noted “we will cherish his patronage and his musical legacy”. Sir Peter first came to prominence when forming the group New Music Manchester with composers Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon. Hewas awarded a number of honorary doctorates andwas a keen environmentalist. One of his best known compositions –


Farewell to Stromness – celebrates the environment around his Orkney home.


Elly Bernhardt


GARDEN enthusiast Eleanor “Elly” Bernhardt chose a humanist funeral, surrounded by family, friends and flowers.


Elly, who lived at The Green,West Farleigh, was born in Southampton, where shewent to art school, before taking up a job as a window dresser at Peter Jones in London. She made celebration cakes for all occasions and rarely did a Christmas fair, summer fete or fund-raising event in the village pass without an “Elly” contribution to the raffle. Shewas a member of the Farleighs WI


and taught her friends many different types of art and craft. Shewas also a helper at the Evergreens, where her tea and cakes were legendary. Elly (67)was never happier than when


busy in her garden, where she used all kinds of oddments and artefacts to artistic effect. She leaves a husband Paul, daughter Gemma, son Toby and five grandchildren.


Frank Woolle


RESIDENTS have lost a popular and highly-regarded Police Community Support Officer. Frank Woolle (64) lived in the Medway


area but was known, especially in Teston and Barming, for his work in law enforcement and building community support. Originally from the north of England, Frank worked in the legal community and later trained as a PCSO. Barmingward Councillor Fay Gooch,


who knew himwell from his local work, said: “Frank’s funeralwas packed out and many local peoplewent. Therewas a massive turnout from his police colleagues and a lot of personal touches. “Hewas held in very high regard, and perfectly combined the community qualities of engaging with people with the ability to be firm and uphold the law. He will be very much missed.”


Frank leaves his wife, daughter and one grandson.


Ruth Bollen


THE funeral of village stalwart Ruth Bollen was held at St Peter and St Paul Church, Yalding, of village stalwart. Ruth (71) came to Yalding with husband Andrew in 1971, where they raised their two children Mark and Emma. Ruth sang in the choir and became the


first female server, along with her husband. The couplewere regulars at church events. She loved children, especially grandchildren Lucy, James and Spencer, and worked at the oldWeald Playgroup, now Twyford Pre-School. More recently she helped run the church’s Lile Fishes group for pre-school children and Helping Hands. Shewas a member of the Mothers’ Union


for more than 30 years aswell as an active member of Yalding WI, which she once represented at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. She fought a brave bale against cancer


for more than a year and continued to take part in village life, even administering Communion from her wheelchair at Christmas.


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 44 Maidstone South April 2016


Obituaries


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