downsmail.co.uk JeffreyVaughanMartin
JEFFREY Vaughan Martin (78) of Arran Road, Maidstone, has been described by David Picke, president of the Maidstone Choral Union, as “Mr Music of Maidstone”. After moving to the town in 1968 Jeffrey trained and conducted many of the town's musical institutions and remained a driving force behind local music. He studied maths and music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and education at Oxford University, going on to win a
scholarship to study conducting on the Gulbenkian Conducting Course at the Guildhall School of Music. He worked as a music teacher and spent the final 21 years of his working life as a specialist music inspector in Kent. His local work included founding and directing a number of significant musical ventures. In 1978 he founded the Kent School SymphonicWind Band, renamed the Kent YouthWind Orchestra in 1985 after its numbers grew. Jeffrey set up the Maidstone Youth Music Society, led the Maidstone Choral Union from 1974 to 2008 and set up The Maidstone Singers in 1991. In the finalweek of his life hewas still active, working with theWest Malling Community Choir. Jeffreywas treasurer of the Methodist Church on Union Street – a location used as a venue in the Maidstone Jazz Festival, which he helped found and promote. Many of those who worked with Jeffrey have paid fulsome tributes. Maidstone Wind Symphony’s Facebook page stated: “It is difficult to understate Jeffrey's contribution to youth and community music in Maidstone.” Many individuals who knew and worked with Jeffrey have also paid tributes. Drum Major David Cox of the Royal Air Force said: “Jeffrey Vaughan Martin inspired and helped countless young musicians to achieve excellence…many of whom are still involved in music on a professional basis.” Jeffrey leaves his wife of 49 years Jean, children Jonathan and Debbie and grandchildren Christopher and Chloe.
Keith Ferrin
THE funeral has been held of Keith Ferrin MBE (71), a Conservative member of Kent County Council for 36 years. Mr Ferrinwas deputy leader from 1997 to 2001. Hewas also cabinet member for environment, highways andwaste and supporting independence, policy, performance and best value.
Leader of Kent County Council Paul
Carter said: “Keith made a massive contribution to the running of KCC over
many years, being the architect and instigator of many significant beneficial changes. Keith will be particularly remembered for his work in adult social care and the introduction of direct payments for clients.” Keith met his wife Lynn at Leeds
University where he met his wife Lynn. They have two sons and a granddaughter. Lynn is a local GP with a surgery in Rainham. His interest in politics began at university
where he first became a member of the Conservative Party. Over the years he held many offices in the party, spending eight years as a constituency association chairman. He became a member of Gillingham Borough Council in 1975 andwas elected to KCC in 1977. Hewas also a member of the Community Health Council and Medway District HealthAuthority. In 1988, hewas awarded the MBE for political and public service. Keith leaves his wife, two sons and four grandchildren.
Bertha Pullar
BERTHA Pullar (87) grew up in Lenham and later lived near Headcorn and in Coxheath. Born Bertha Honess she trained as a
school teacher and worked at Oldborough Manor School. She married farmer James “Jim” Pullar and the couple raised sons James, Duncan and Alistair. She returned to teaching in the early 70s, teaching in Cranbrook before becoming a part-time junior teacher in Suon Valence. James said: “My motherwas involved in
the dairy farmwe ran from 1960 to 1984 on the site now occupied by theWeald of Kent Golf Course. Shewas also a member of her local WI. Shewas active and keen to get out of doors, dog-walking and enjoying country pursuits. Both my parentswere involved in the Mid-Kent Fuchsia Group. Bertha, whowas widowed in 1994, leaves
her sons, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
John Steer
JOHN Steer (80), who lived in Tovil and Fant, will be remembered as a keen sportsman and the first secretary of Lashings Cricket Club. He showed exceptional talent in cricket, football and cycling. His only lengthy period away from Maidstone came with RAF service that took him all over theUKand Europe. John returned to work at Sharp’s sweet factory on St Peter’s Street. He aended Lashings’ first match in 1984, an
ignominious defeat when the teamwere bowled out for 29 after agreeing the fixture the previous night. John kept faith in the club and saw them improve. Lashings’website notes: “John watched as Lashings grew from a hapless pub team into a world XI and amongst his many claims to fame is that he taught
chairman David Folb how to bat in the nets at Vinters Park.”
Katie Whistler
KATIE Whistler (26), of Maidstone, died after collapsing at home in front of her boyfriend after feeling unwell. Tributes have been paid to the colourful character dubbed “crazy” by boyfriend Chris Dredge. Katie was known as Pinky because of her pink hair. She and Chris lived on the Tonbridge Road and Katie had worked for four years as a care assistant and a chef at Eastfield Care Home. Katie’s friends and
family packed her funeral service at Vinters Park Crematorium on April 20 and tributes praised her love of life and creative spirit. Katie studied animal care at Hadlow College andwas a volunteer at Smarden’s Big Cat Sanctuary. Katie leaves partner Chris, parents Rachel
and Mark and siblings Simon, Hilary and Charloe. Donations can be made in her name to the Neuro Foundation at
tinyurl.com/KWhistler, a cause relevant to Katie, who suffered from neurofibromatosis.
Tony Hyde
PC Tony Hyde (64) covered the Farleighs when Kent Police allocated policemen to the rural parishes andwas very popular. After retirement he moved abroad and
was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by wife Jackie, daughter Charloe, mother Joan and sister Joanne.
Elsie Percival
ANACTIVE member of Farleigh WI for more than 50 years, Elsie Percival of River Close, East Farleigh, has died. She and her late husband Ericwere prominent in many parts of village life, especially in the bale to open the village shop on Station Hill.
Sarah MayWishart
THE death has been announced of Sutton Valence’s Sarah MayWishart (55). Acelebration of her lifewas held at St Mary’s Church, Sutton Valence on May 6. Mournerswere invited to make donations to Camphill Village Trust; an organisation supporting people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and other special needs which Sarah supported.
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 30 Maidstone South May 2016
Obituaries
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