downsmail.co.uk JohnWinchester


WILLIAM“John”Winchester (70) –who lived in Fauchens Lane, Bearsted for 11 years – spent decades in the local police serving as a cadet, constable and detective constable before finishing hisworking life as a civilian crime support officer. Sussex born, John was a talented sportsman and an accomplished cricketerwho played at county level as a schoolboy – facing future internationals likeAlan


Kno� and Derek Underwood – before joining Kent Police. Many tributes fromformer colleagues


say howthey regardedworkingwith him as both a pleasure and a privilege and, despite the nature of thework, he could bring laughter to the situation. John always had the ability to see the best in people and had a laugh and a smile for everyone. John continued his love of sport in


retirement and loved playing golf at Bearsted. Hewas devoted to all his family and leaves hiswife, Sharon, daughters Claire and Emma and granddaughters Ella, Lauren,Ava and Isla.


David Sheridan


DAVID Sheridan (91), of East Farleigh, was a giant of theMaidstone amateur theatre formany yearswith his commanding stage presence and remarkablememory. Hewas a strong


member ofWillington Players andwon critical acclaimfor his final performance (in 2008) at the Hazli� Theatre in ‘AMonth of Sundays,’when he took the demanding


lead role as a resident in an old people’s home. In 2008, his stage career came to an end following a stroke – but he still retained a remarkablememory. Stage director ofWillington Players


David Bicker said Davidwas a joy towork with. He had a passion for acting andwas known to rehearsemore than one play at a time. Hewas versatile and could play anything fromShakespeare to farce. He embraced the players’ slogan: ‘A professional approach to amateur drama.’ David’s business career culminated in 16


yearswithWhitbread as purchasing director in its city HQ, retiring in 1986. Previously, he had purchasing roleswith Sharps Toffee, Bowaters Sco� and United Glass. Subsequently, as an author hewrote specialising in purchasing and contract law articles also lectured in the UK and internationally. His book ‘Negotiating Commercial Contracts’ – is still a success. David (an accomplished self-taught


pianist) and hiswife Vivian (who sang with severalMaidstone choirs)moved to East Farleigh in 1986 after living in Tonbridge Road,Maidstone, for 30 years. Vivian died in October last year and David is survived by sons Simon, Tony and Nick, daughter Louisa and four granddaughters.


Judith ‘Ju’ Baker


JUDITH “Ju” Baker (64) lived in East Malling formore than 50 years. As a girl, she a�ended Bower Grove


School and later BoughtonMount. She had a range of jobs, from working in the old people’s home in Larkfield, the staff canteen at Tesco in Lunsford Park to volunteering at Larkfield Leisure Centre. Ju’s sister,Alison,


said: “Ju had a lovely


nature andwould often stop and talk to people in her local area. “Among her passionswas horse racing


and she regularly a�ended the raceswith her sisterMarlene and brother Danny. “She had a large extended family and


loved spending timewith them.” Ju leaves siblings Steve,Marlene and


Alison.


Chris Stockwell CHRISTOPHER “Chris” Stockwell (71), of West Farleigh,was awell-known, talented and highly dedicated teacherwho held a record as the longest-servingmember of staff at Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone, havingworked for 28 years in the design and technology department. Hewas brought up in Egypt and Kenya. In all, he had 26 other jobs before living


locallywithWendy, hiswife of 48 years, and bringing up childrenMia and Richard. As a teacher, Chriswas highly popular and respected by pupils. Former student


Camrass Wills Advice you can trust


Do you need help with probate? Do you want to buy a funeral plan?


• We offer help & advice • Home visits • All fees agreed before you proceed DipPFS MSWW


01622 720985 www.camrasswills.co.uk


AndyHook took to Facebook to post this tribute: “You taught somany somuch. Thank you for all you did. Oakwoodwas a be�er placewith you in it.” Chris’s talents for performance and


organisationwere also employed outside the classroom. One stage performance in which hewore a half and half costume and sang a duetwith himself has been recalled in the tributes paid. Elsewhere, Chris’s time as a parish


councillor has drawn praise and fond memories. Wendy said: “Chriswas awonderful


man, and somebodywho couldmake a significant contribution to the lives of others. His family knowthat hewill be missed by verymany people in the community.” Chris leaves hiswife, children and


grandchild.


Derek Brown DEREK Brown (86)made a significant contribution to local football as the long- serving administrator for theMaidstone Primary League. During a quarter of a centurywith the


league he held a range of positions including – notably – serving as vice- president for 14 years.At the time of his death, hewas still serving on the league’s cups commi�ee, aswell as holding the position of life vice-president. His other officeswith the league


includedmembership of the conduct and control sub-commi�ee from1996-2013.


John Snelgrove


JOHN Snelgrove (81),who lived formore than 40 years in PlainsAvenue,was aman ofmany talentswho hadworked locally in a range of jobs and, in his younger days, performed in the theatre. Educated at


Northborough School, at a ‘Class of 1946’ reunion earlier this year hewas able to name all 47 clasmates in a school photograph. He beganwork as a


printing apprentice in Tovil but after a series


of varied jobs finished hisworking life with 30 years as a registeredmental nurse at Oakwood Hospital. Hiswife of 48 years, Rosemary, said;


“Johnwas awonderful husband and loving dadwho did an incredible range of things. “His hobbies included bee keeping,


breeding canaries (a hobby thatwon him awards) andwood turning. “Hewill be remembered for his


performances at the Hazli� Theatre in the local Variety Time Revue productions, whistling, and for appearing as a pantomime dame. “Hewas always very resourceful and


earlier in life had volunteered as a St John Ambulance cadet (mainly towatch the football!).” John leaves hiswife, children Vanessa


andAdam, and grandchildren Chloé, Oliver andMa�hew.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 36 Maidstone January 2018


Kent business owner? We can handle all your Trade Waste needs


0344 8807700 01233 840624 info@mtscleansing.co.uk


The largest independently


 Blocked drain clearance  CCTV drain & sewer surveys


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year


downsmail.co.uk


C hris


CLOVER FENCING


All Types of Fencing including Storm Damage & Repairs, Concrete Bases, Sheds & Decking Greystones Road, Bearsted, Maidstone


Chimney sweeping service • Long Established ICS registered • All types of flu • All pots-cowls supplied & fitted • Complete re-builds Re-pointing • Guttering, roof & valley repairs


Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Tel: 01622 736910 Mobile: 07753 487833 tom@clover-fencing.co.uk


01622 739439 07860 318166 info@chimneysweepkent.co.uk


D. BODY LTD Waste Collection


 Cesspool Emptying  Septic Tanks  Drain Clearing  Sludge Removal


 Treatment Plants  Gulleys & Forecourts  High Pressure Jetting


Domestic & Commercial ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSED CARRIERS Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 01622 631688 24Hr - 7 Days A Week Prompt & Friendly Service AAA D.BODY www.dbody.co.uk The Paddock, Detiling Hill, Maidstone, Kent


t


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year H & G Chimney Services


Classified


W


Maid &


B Exhausts: ww


Wishing ou & New Yea


Covering m aspects of c


TYRES - EX SUSPENSI


Doub &


• Locks re • Letterbo • Hinges • Broken • Lost key • Patio do • Doors th


01622 C


MAL


Over 25 yea Pai


W


Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


CALL M ON 016


HOMEFRESH


CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING OFFER £26


Carpets (Average) Normal rate Special rate Single Room (12’ x 12’)


Through Room (12’ x 18’) £66 Hall, Stairs & Landing


Motorcycle MOT’s £25


Upholstery 3 piece suite


or visit the website www.allcarschartsutton.co.uk No hidden extras - All prices inclusive of VAT


Curtains Full length Half Length


34 01622 844579


£84 £52


Maidstone Weald December 2016


£42 £26


Chart Corner, Chart Sutton, Maidstone ME17 3SB Maidstone January 2018


TOM HOPEoffers the following services: Most types of fencing undertaken


Fields rolled, harrowed and fertilised (ATV spread if wet) Flail mowing (untidy field to a lawn)


Having (whole or part job) bale wrapping, baling, round, quadrant and conventional. Horse manure loaded and taken away.


37 CLASSIC BIKES WELCOME £94 Leather 3 piece suite


Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas General


allcars


chart sutton £52 £66


£33 £33


£156


£47 £78


Freephone 0800 6942024 Throughout the South East


Car Servicing and Repairs


50% Discount


Ken


Merry C Specia


Hot tar chippi Free Esti


Tel


Obituaries


m a s


Plus


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25