downsmail.co.uk Trevor Sandford


TREVOR Sandford (64) from Bearsted, served as deputy director of education for Kent. He began work in the post in 1998, moving to Bearsted soon after. He later 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 in Northern


Ireland, Trevor earned a degree in physics from the University of Cambridge andwent on to a PGCE. His first jobwas as a bassist, singer and songwriter with theWater intoWine Band, a leading Christian folk rock outfit who released two albums in the 1970s, supported Cliff Richard and toured 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 toWiltshire schools. 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 hobbies 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


cyclist who enjoyed group rides, played golf at Tudor Park andwas 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 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 her death, he met his second wife, Frances, on a train and became step-father to her son Tim and daughters Pat and Nicole. Jim cared for Frances for four years after


she suffered a stroke, butwas eventually widowed. During hiswar service, Jimwas mentioned in dispatches andwas a member of the Long Range Desert Group; a forerunner of the SAS. As a 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 hisway 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.


OliveKing


OLIVE Kathleen King (90) lived locally from 1952 spending 40 years on South Street, Barming and then moving to Allington. She worked on local farms and onWeek Street. Born Olive Bowley in Dover she was raisedin that area beforewar service in theWRNStook her to Suon in Surrey and to Portsmouth. Her work taking telegraph messages to ships led to her meeting her husband Bob. The


couplewere married for 46 years, raising daughters Trisha and Jennie. Trisha said: “My mother worked on Croucher’s farms sorting apples and later in Hilton’s shoe shop onWeek Street. She lovedwalking with my father. People will remember her as fun-loving and amiable. Her family will remember her as a loving mother and grandmother.” Olivewas widowed in 1997 and subsequently spent a lot of time with her widowed sister, Joyce. Olive leaves her daughters, grandsons Steve and Mike, granddaughters Hollie and Rosie and has one great-granddaughter on theway.


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32 Jean Brownlow


JEAN Brownlow (78) lived locally her whole life, most recently on CollegeWalk, andwas a champion ladies darts player. Born Jean Beautridge in Maidstone she aended Vinters School and began work for Printway on the site now occupied by Clark’s furniture store. Jeanwas also a member of the TerritorialArmy for a number of years. She met and married Colin Brownlow and raised children David, Angie and Debbie and worked for many years on Alan Firmin’s farms. Jeanwas a local singles darts champion


and a newspaper dubbed her “The Queen of the Arrows”. Debbie said: “My motherwas very sociable, open-minded and friendly. She and my fatherwere married for over 50 years. Shewas a loving mother and grandmother.” Jean – whowas widowed around five


years ago – leaves her children and grandchildren Keaton, Rebecca and Alex.


Don Nichols


MEMBERS of East Farleigh parish church are mourning the death of Don Nichols (90) on Good Friday, two days after joining his wife Doreen in a nursing home. Atalented gardener and prize-winning


orchid grower hewas generous to the church in supplying flowers for the bigger festivals. He would regularly be seen cuing grass and tending to the large churchyard with its splendid views over the Medway. Don and Doreen always ran a stall at coffee mornings etc.


Brenda Day


BRENDADAY (100), of East Farleigh,was born Brenda Body, into a local farming family in Biddenden. After studying at Goudhurst Ladies College, she became a nanny andwent on to war service with theWAAF, as a ploer in the operations rooms at RAF Fighter Command in Stanmore. Her duties included ploing the route of the plane taken by Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, as he flew to Scotland on a secret and unsuccessful mission to negotiate peace with Britain. Brenda married Roland Day in 1942. Her husbandwas also from a Kent farming family. They seled down after thewar, forming Elphicks Farm in Hunton, farming hops, fruit and livestock. The couple raised children Robert, Simon and Diana. Brenda took up bowls in later life, going


on to compete at county standard. She and Roland retired toWest Farleigh 20


years ago. Brendawas widowed in 2011 and lived independently until a few days before her death.Athanksgiving service for Brenda’s life drew over 100 people to Vinters Crematorium.


Norman Butcher


THE death has been announced of Norman Edward Butcher, who died in Edinburgh, a week before his 89th birthday. The former Maidstone Grammar School


pupilwas a noted academic. He studied geology and lectured and tutored at Reading University and The Open University.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com Malling May 2017


Obituaries


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