downsmail.co.uk


Colleagues pay tribute to respected councillor


TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-servingmember of the coun- cil,who has died. Former Mayor of Maidstone


Brian Mortimer (65), of Heath Road, Coxheath, had been suffer- ing from cancer and died peace- fully at theHeart of KentHospice. Colleagues and friends remem-


ber the “jovial and smiley” man who would help anyone and who made friendswith ease. Fellow Liberal Democrat Cllr


RichardWebb said itwasMrMor- timer who had persuaded him to go into politics. But it was Cllr Webb’s mother,


Cynthia, who had earlier sug- gested Mr Mortimer would make a good councillor. Cllr Webb added: “I will defi-


nitelymiss himverymuch. I have known him since the 1980s and everyone knew him as a jovial, kind and helpful individual. “He never turned anyone away who needed help. He got me into


the political scene aftermymother hadpersuadedhimto get involved years and years before.” Opposition Conservative leader


at MBC, Cllr John Perry, said: “Anyone who knew Brian will speak of a laughing, smiling chap who made friends wherever he went. He had really did have that effect on people. “My thoughts are with his fam-


ily and with the many colleagues who I know will mourn the pass-


ing of a very goodman andmuch- respected councillor and former mayor.” He was an organiser of the


World Custard Pie Champi- onships with friend Mike Fitzger- ald,who said: “Hewas a great guy. He will be missed by a lot of peo- ple.” MrMortimer had been a Liberal


Democrat borough councillor for more than 20 years when he lost his seat last year. He lost toLottieParfitt-Reid,who


spoke in warmterms of her oppo- nent after the 2018 local election. MrMortimer fought the election


while gravely ill and carried on with his life as best he could, say friends.Hewas initiallydiagnosed with bowel cancer, butdoctorsdis- covered it had spread. He moved to the hospice in his


final days before his death at 6am onMay 24. He leaves his wife Di- anne, two children and one grand- child.


News Chair change


ANNAllen is the newchairman of Kent County Council. She takes on the role from Cllr


MikeAngell. He toldDownsMail: “It has been my privilege to serve andIwill alwaysbe thankful for the opportunity.” Mr Angell raised more than


£4,500 for theSamaritansduringhis year in office.MrsAllen,MBE, – a retired catering officer for Dartford Hospital and a former foster carer - was elected toKCCin 1997.


Harry’s bar


HARRY Redknapp, football man- ager and winner of last year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of Here, will be the VIP guest at Lashings Sports Bar later this summer. The Upper Stone Street venue willwelcome their VIP on July 18.


Heroes of rock


ARMED forces charity Help for Heroes will benefit from a show at the Hazlitt Theatre on June 7. RockHeroes features themusic


of Queen, Dire Straits and Elton John and tickets cost £22.50. Call 01622 758611.


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www.batheinsafety.co.uk 01622 962108 Maidstone Weald June 2019 3


Zero VAT on mobility bathrooms


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