downsmail.co.uk Ken Trafford


KEN Trafford (89), who lived in Loose,was a member of Bearsted Golf Club, Mote Park Bowls Club andwas involved in local music and theatre.


Born and brought up


in Wheeler Street, Ken aended Maidstone Technical School and completed national service in Germany. He and his wifeAudrey raised daughters Linda and Karen. Ken worked for Tilling Stevens and later for


Elliot’s at Rochester Airport. Ken’s involvement in theatre was significant. Friend Brian Moss noted: “Ken was a member of St Luke’s Church Choir from 1937 to 1951. He joined the Elliot Dramatic Society in 1970. “Membership of the Chatham Operatic


and Kentish Players followed in 1976, with many leading roles. Hewas awarded best leading actor of the year twice, for Emile in South Pacific and Honore Lachaille in Gigi. “Ken joined Maidstone Operatic in 1991


and played the school principal in Carousel in 2012. He continued to sing with the Maidstone Operatic concert party andwas the concert group’s master of ceremonies.” Daughter Karen added: “My father was


always ready for a laugh and knew many people locally.” Ken – whowas widowed in 2011 – leaves his daughters.


Roy Bennet ROY Bennet (85) died peacefully on holiday in New Zealand visiting his eldest son Paul.


Roy and wife Joan


lived most of their married life in Coxheath andwere well-known and respected in the village. Roywas a plumber


and heating engineer. He loved his garden and Roy and Joan


enjoyed holidays they shared all over the world. Roywas also a long-serving member of the darts team at The Bell at Coxheath. Roy grew up in Twickenham and Whion Dene in Middlesex. He met Joan in Guernsey after the war and the couple


spent 70 years together, bringing up children Paul, Ian, Peter and Neil. Roywas widowed inAugust 2016. Alan


said of his parents: “All of the family are greatly appreciative of the wonderful long life they spent together and the love they had for all of us.” Roy leaves three sons – son Peter pre- deceased him – and grandchildren and great grandchildren Paul, Karen Robbie, Alan, Lesley, Laura, Nicky Ian, Evie Sam and Leo, Neil, Theresa, Katie, John and George, Simon, and Emma, Michael and Thomas.At his funeral service, the family also remembered other absent members.


David Hill


DAVID Hill (85)was a major force in the organisation of Maidstone River Festival. He joined the organising commiee in


1981, the second year of the festival, and organised the evening parade of illuminated boats – a highlight of the festival. David’s boat, Tean, could usually be


found moored on the Medway in Maidstone, opposite Invicta Rowing Club. Every year, David used it to transport beauty queens and their courts to the annual crowning ceremony for Miss Maidstone. Davidwas also a toastmaster, a member


of the Magic Circle and a musician. He worked as a floor manager in the early days of commercial television, but went on to manage the family butchery business, F F Gostelow’, near Dartford. He leaves his wife.


Trevor Sandford


TREVOR Sandford (64) from Bearstedwas a major local figure who served as deputy director of education for Kent. He began work in the post in 1998, moving to Bearsted soon after and continued in the role until the early years of this century when he took on a freelance role with the Department of Education in London and also worked for the Learning and Skills Council (a role that involved working


with leading politicians including Ed Balls and Michael Gove). Born and brought up in Northern Ireland, Trevor earned a degree in physics


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40 Maidstone East May 2017


from the University of Cambridge and went on to complete a PGCE. His first employmentwas as bassist,


singer and songwriter with theWater into Wine Band, a leading Christian folk rock outfit who released two albums in the 1970s and did live work including supporting Cliff Richard and touring the USA.


Trevor’s teaching career started in a


private school in Bristol. After teaching in three schools he moved on to advisory posts, starting as science advisor to Wiltshire achools. He moved locally from the post of county advisor in Somerset. Trevorwas married to Diana for 31 years


and father to Clare and Helena. His many hobbies and interests included choral singing; hewas hoping to be part of the Bath Choir’s rendition of the St. Mahew Passion this year, but ultimately the choir performed the work in his honour. Trevor ran wine-tasting events,was a


noted cyclist who regularly took part in group rides, played golf at Tudor Park and was involved with the Holy Cross Church in Bearsted. Diana Sandford said: “Trevorwas a man


of integrity, a highly-proficient organiser; a logical, articulate, wiy, entertaining and resilient character.” Trevor leaves his wife and daughters.


Jim Patch


JAMES Douglas “Jim” Patch (97) lived at Tutsham, nearWest Farleigh, from 1980, worked in a significant national role for the Post Office and had a finewar service record, including ground-breaking and daring operations. He moved to the Maidstone area when he retired from his work as assistant controller of the Post Office’s Investigation Branch. His work involved detecting fraud and crime. Jim served as


secretary to the local parish council, supported the local bird sanctuary and enjoyed wood carving, producing work for Teston Church. Twice married, Jim had sons Nigel and Martin with his first wife Jean. After she died, he met his second wife, Frances, on a train and became step-father to her son Tim and girls Pat and Nicole. Jim cared for Frances for four years after


she suffered a stroke but was eventually widowed. During hiswar service, Jimwas mentioned in dispatches andwas a member of the Long Range Desert Group; a forerunner of the SAS. Having been taken prisoner ofwar, Jim escaped from a moving train using a hacksaw blade sewn into a lapel, a compass hidden in a uniform buon and a silk map sewn into his beret. He made his way to Yugoslavia where he joined the resistance. Nigel said: “My father loved his life aroundWest Farleigh andwas an absolute stalwart of the community.” Jim leaves his children, step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


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Obituaries


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