News Last farewell to


Wayne Chester FAMILY and friends of Wayne Chester, who died from a single blowoutsideMcDonald’s inMaid- stone, paid their final respects at a service of remembrance. Mr Chester ( 50) was killed in an


alleged incident inWeek Street on September 29 last year. Around 100 people attended the


service on Friday, February 23, at All Saints Church inMill Street. During the service, led by Rev


RonGamble, a familymember said theMaidstone United and Queens Park Rangers fan would be re- membered as a “kind, generous and loving”man. A 17-year-old youth from Maid-


stone has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Chester and will be sentenced onApril 30.


Dead at wheel AWOMAN in her 60s was found- dead in Mote Park, slumped at the wheel of her car on February 23, police confirmed. A passer-by alerted emergency


services,who attended the scene. A police statement said the


woman’s death was medically re- lated and a report was being com- piled for the coroner.


downsmail.co.uk


Club’s brightest star loses his fight for life


ASTALWART ofMaidstone gym- nastics formore than three decades has died after a short fight with a “cruel illness”. PeterGriffin, picturedright, chair-


man and founder of Pegasus Gym- nastics Club, based in FarleighHill, Tovil, passed away earlier this month. A statement from the Pegasus


board and teams said: “It is with deepest sadness that we announce that Peter Griffin, chairman and di- rector of PegasusGymnastics Club, passed away on Friday (March 2) after a short battle with a cruel ill- ness. “Peter has been the rock behind


the foundations and growth of Pe- gasus. Together with his wife, Fef Griffin, they started the Pegasus ‘dream’ and they are the reasonwe are all part of such a successful club. “He has also been involved in


governance at club, county, and re- gional level. For over 30 years he gavemuch of his free time and con- siderable expertise to the develop-


news about Peter. He and Fef were among the very first people I met when I started volunteering for Kent Gymnastics Association back in 2005 and I feel honoured to have known him and worked alongside him on the Kent committee since then. “He was a gentleman, and an in-


ment of Pegasus and event scoring programmes. “Peter was a kind, generous and


inspirational man to all the people that knew him and will be sadly missed by members, parents and staff at the club.” The clubwas closedto all users on


Friday, March 16, as a mark of re- spect. Jonathan Green wrote on Face- book: “I am very sad to learn the


spiration tome andmany other vol- unteers within the sport, setting a great example andencouraging oth- ers. He made an enormous contri- bution to the development of gymnastics in the county, not only at the fantastic PegasusGC, but also at county and regional level over many years of dedicated, hard work. Peter will be greatly missed by allwho knewhim. “ Lisa Locket said: “So sorry to hear


this.Hewas such a lovelyman and so friendly - had many chats with himover the years.” Top British gymnasts Courtney


Tulloch and James Hall, both Pega- susmembers, narrowlymissed out on the RioOlympics in 2016.


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