downsmail.co.uk Alan Colegate


ALAN Colegate (73) lived in Upper Fant Road formore than 40 years. Born inMaidstone,Alan a�ended Westborough School and startedwork in Smedley’s canning factory, before becoming apprenticed to Goodsell and Sons as a carpenter and joiner. Alan’s career took himthousands of


miles away,with spellsworking in Saudi Arabia and Libya. Alanwasmarried to Heather for 51


years and father to Helen and Kevin. He was taken illwhilst on holiday in Cyprus and died in a country that he loved. Heather said: “Alanwas a very hard


working, quiet and unassumingman in his later years. Earlier in his life, he had boxed,more recently hewas an avid follower of Grand Prix racing. “Hewas part of Barming life;


especially for the fact that his skillswere often called forwhen therewas particularly difficultwork to be done.” Alan leaves Heather, his children,


grandchildren Hannah, Daniel, Chloe, Vicki andMa� and great-grandchildren James, Olivia, Ella, Brooke and Kyle.


Gareth Jones


GARETH Jones (83)was known from years as a violinistwith theMaidstone Symphony Orchestra. He lived locally fromthe late 50s to the


90s, andworked as a primary school teacher and head teacher. Born inWales,


Garethmoved to Medwaywhen he beganwork at Winston Primary School, Chatham. He served as head at Winston from1971 to 1986, andwent on towork as head teacher at Tunbury


Primary School,Walderslade, from1986 until 1991,when he retired, before moving to Plymouth, Devon. Garethwasmarried to Pamela for


almost 60 years, and died just a few months before their diamondwedding anniversary. Hewas father to Beverley, Gordon and David. Gordon said: “My father remained a


proudWelshman to the end of his life. People recall himas fair-minded, someonewith a real sense of responsibilitywho could relate to anyone. “His passions includedmusic and,


alongwith theMaidstone Symphony Orchestra, hewas also amember of the RochesterArts Orchestra,which became the City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra. “He also played rugby – including a


spell at Saracens and playing for the Isle of Sheppey.” Gareth leaves hiswife, children and grandchildrenAndrewand Rosie.


Hugh Laing HUGH Laing (80), of Loose,was born in Barming andmoved to Hollingbourne with his family, at the age of 10months. Hewas known locally for his


involvement in local politicswhich included two terms as a Liberal Democrat councillor. Hughwas amember of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 80s. He served as SDP chair forwest Kent and hostedmeetings that involved all the members of their famous founding “Gang of Four”. He became a


Liberal Democrat


when the SDPmergedwith the Liberal Party. Hughwasmarried toWendy for over


50 years andwas father to Jamie, Fraser and Jo. Heworked as a group finance director in the insurance industry for a company on London Road inMaidstone and later for G N Bishop in Tenterden.


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Jo said: “My fatherwas passionate


about equality and thatwas central to his political campaigning. Hewas elected as president of the Institute of Financial Accountants and travelled theworld in that role, including trips to the Kremlin and China. His friendswill remember his fantastic sense of humour, andwewill remember himas awonderful dad.” Loose Parish C ouncil’s tribute said: “Amongst his


many activities, hewas instrumental in helping to obtain funding to build the Loose Parish Pavilion, in themid-1990s. Aside fromhismany and varied council duties, he also served as chairman to the McAlpine Trust, the charity body responsible for the allotments on Old LooseHill.” Hugh,who lost hiswife seven years


ago, leaves his children and grandchildrenAlexander, Eleanor, Toby andAmelia.


MargaretWarren


HOLLINGBOURNE’SMargaretWarren (103)was the village’s oldest resident. She lived near Vicarage Lane, having


moved therewith her husband – anArmy Major andWWII veteran – in 1971. Margaret served as amajor inWomen’s ArmyAuxiliary Corps during thewar. The couplewere noted followers of the


local point to point races (their house overlooked the old course).Atribute on the parishwebsite noted: “MrsWarren was very active in a number of Hollingbourne organisations including the Royal British Legion. Formany years, into her 90s,MrsWarrenwent to Hollingbourne County Primary School to listen to the children reading.” Margaret,whowaswidowed, had


recentlymoved to live near her daughter inWarwickshire.Donations in her memorywill go to the Leeds and Hollingbourne Royal British Legion. One of hermany local friends,Derek


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Davidson, said: “Shewas a lovely lady and great conversationalist. She did a lot in the local community, at one point she and theMajorwere the local collectors for the football pools in the village.” Margaret leaves her daughter and one


Kay Kilby THE death of Kay Kilby (100) in a house firemade local headlines. Kay, a former nurse, had lived at


info@mtscleansing.co.uk


Longbeech Park in Canterbury Road, Charing, for 32 years andwould have celebrated her 101st birthday in July. She lived independently and her qualities as a lovingmother and friendwere praised by thosewho commented on her death. During thewar, Kay’s nursing skills saw


her helpingwith the D-Day invasion by serving in a field hospital.


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Obituaries


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