downsmail.co.uk Alan Benne
THE sudden death onOctober 20 has been reported of journalist andHollingbourne parish councillorAlan Benne� (63). Alan’s localwork
included a short period editing the DownsMail. The paper’s founding editorDennis Fowle recalled: “Hewas a talentedwriter and local newspaper
journalist.Alanwas also a very keen
follower of sport – an ardent and knowledgeable supporter of Kent County Cricket Club andMaidstoneUnited, travelling tomany away games. He also enjoyed classical concerts.” Recently,Alan had been involvedwith his
local parish council.Hollingbourne Parish Council chairmanAdamWard said: “Alan was very active in the time he spentwith us and had a strong interest in planning ma�ers.Hewas very jovial and a bright spark.Hewas never short of aword.” Alan’s later years had been blighted by
health problems but even the amputation of a leg did not prevent himleading a full and active life.He leaves hiswifeAnne.
MikeWhitfield
MIKEWhitfield (80) had a distinguished ca- reer with Kent Police, serving across the county and at the staff college, Bramshill, as he was promoted to chief superintendent at county headquarters, Maidstone. After retirement from
the force, he took up management consul- tancy with a security company. He became closely in- volved in the life of
Maidstone, joining the Rotary Club ofMaid- stone in 1987 and serving a year as president before later moving to theMaidstone River- side club. He served as a governor of Maplesden
Noakes School and was a keen member of BearstedGolf Club.
Mike, whose early life was spent in North
Shields, andhiswifeChristine livedinBarm- ing andhe is also survivedbydaughters Jane and Claire and three grandchildren.
Peter Sime
PETER Sime (78) lived in the Boughton Lane area for over 30 years and lived locally almost all of his life. Born in Sevenoaks, hemoved to London with hismother during thewar as she drove ambulances, but after his father returned fromwar service the family moved locally, living in Barming and the London Road area. Peterwasmarried to Val for 54 years and
the couple lived in Bearsted beforemoving to the Boughton Lane area. They had daughtersMandy and Becky. Val said: “Peterworked for Reed’s paper
mill formany years beforemoving to Alabaster Passmore and sons in Tovil as a print
assistant.After that company folded Peter enjoyed his final fewyears ofworking life delivering vegetables for Kingslands. “He liked going around town and the
people hemet in that job, and he finally retired at the age of 70. Peter really loved sport, he played rugby forAylesford Paper Mills as a youngman and represented Maidstone Rugby
Club.At one point in the 1960s hewas captain of their fourth 15 and the club have put out an announcement about his death “He also loved golf andwas a long-time
member of BearstedGolf Club, playing up until the end of last year. Peoplewill remember himas a quietmanwho got on wellwith others.” Peter leaves hiswife, daughters and
grandchildren Eloise, Toby,Harry,Millie, Bella andMaddie.
Claud Courtnell
CLAUDCourtnell (82) grewup in Mangravet and livingmost recently in Hereford Road, Shepway. He a�endedMangravet Primary School and Southborough School before starting
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work as a lorry driver, for construction groupWimpy and for Tilbury Construction. Hewent on towork on building sites for
his friend Bernard Setchell, before going on to finish hisworking lifewith Safeways Distribution inAylesford. Claudwasmarried to Val for 44 years and
was father to Barry, Lynda,Marie, Floyd andDale. Floyd said: “My fatherwas a member of awildfowling club.He also enjoyed sea fishing off the beach inHythe. “He could be amusing but hewas a very
privateman, devoted to ourmother and happy to domost thingswith her. People will remember himas an honest and loyal personwith a number of close friends.” Claud,whowaswidowed, leaves his
children, 13 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
GrahamTodd
GRAHAM“Gray”CarpenterTodd(71) lived in Park Wood with wife Marsha from 2005 and before that in Charing. Born and brought up in Essex, as a teenagerGraywas a drummer in a band. As the group
travelled fromEssex to London toworkwith legendary producer JoeMeek, amotorcycle accident claimed the life of their singer. Despite record sales in Sweden and session
workwith theDave Clark Five,Gray left the music industry towork in the copyright department at the BritishMuseum,where he stayed for 20 years. The second of his fourmarriages
produced children Jenny and Stewart. HiswifeMarsha said: “Graywas a hugely
creative personwith lots of ideas.He loved his allotment, photography andAmerican sports.Hewas the first qualifiedAmerican football referee in England and officiated at baseball games. “He sufferedwith epilepsy but never let it
hold himback.Heworked in a range of areas including importing and exporting. Music remained a passion and his funeral includedmusic byWoodyGuthrie, Rocky Sharpe and the Replays and Billy Bragg’s version of The Red Flag.” Gray leaves hiswife, children, step-
children Krissie, Paul and Emma and his grandchildren.
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01622 726633 FREE CAR PARK NEXT TO SHOP There is no charge for our obituary service. CallNeilNixon on 01622 630422 or email
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Obituaries
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