downsmail.co.uk Brian Clifford


MANY organisations in theMaidstone area, and notably in his home village of Bearsted, are indebted to the support, campaigning, voluntarywork and kindnesses of Brian Clifford (85),who died after a short pneumonia illness. He revived Bearsted and Thurnham


Society in 2005 and as newchairman helped buildmembership from114 to 1,156. Hewas active in the successful campaign to stop Kent International Gateway’s commercial railway and warehouses coming to Bearsted/Hollingbourne. The society said: “Brianwas a very


special person: hewas simply the kindestman, and amanmore generous with his timewould be difficult to find.” Hewas heavily involvedwithmany


Maidstone organisations and trusts, Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, andmore recently he and hiswife Jillwere regular volunteers helping the homelesswith Maidstone ChurchesWinter Shelter. Hewas a dedicatedmember of the


Rotary Club ofMaidstone for about 30 years, holdingmany offices, including president. Hewas awarded the club’s top honour – a Paul Harris Fellowship. He joined the family business founded


in 1747, James Clifford & Sons Ltd, primarily located in Hart Street andwith two shops in Bank Street,Maidstone, and another in Sevenoaks. It specialised in manufacturing textile and agricultural products,wholesale distribution of floor coverings and retailed sports, leather and travel goods. After National Service he joined the


TerritorialArmy Kent Yeomanry from 1951/68 andwas honouredwith a Territorial Decoration award in 1966. Brian’swide contributions to Bearsted


and the area – he scrutinised every local planning application –weremarked by the parish council in 2009when he received anAlfredMynn award and in 2010 byMaidstonewith a Pride of Maidstone award. He loved his family life and is survived


by hiswife, children Nicky, Sue and Andrewand three grandchildren.


RegDancer


REGINALDFrederick James “Reg” Dancer (76) lived in the Boxley Road area ofMaidstone from1973,when hiswork as an electrical engineer for the Blue Circle Cement Company brought himto Kent. Reg, fromEssex,


wasmarried toMar- garet for 49 years and father toAndrewand Christopher.Andrew said: “My father re- tired fromBlue Circle


in his late 50s.Hewas always using his skills to doDIYwork for family and friends. “Many peoplewill knowhimfrom


decades of involvementwithMaidstone Rugby Club.He played for their B team for a fewyears and continued playing into his 60swith the veterans team.My father was a keen squash player and followed a number of sports including F1.We have had lots of tributes praising his determina- tion, big personality and loyalty.” Reg leaves hiswife, sons and grandchil-


drenAaron; Jamie; Blaze; Saskia;Noah; Orianna and Indie.


PamelaWhite


PAMELA“Pam” FrancesWhite (88) lived inGroveGreen from1985. Born PamelaDurrant, she startedwork for Kent County Council at County Hall in their vehicle licensing department. Pammarried Cyril


White and they moved toNyasaland (nowMalawi) and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe),with his work in postal


services. Pamwasmother to Sarah, Steven and


Claire. The familymoved back to Sitting- bourne, but Cyril died after 18 years of marriage and Pammoved toGroveGreen. As her children grew, she returned to work at CountyHall, in an administration


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role. Daughter Claire said: “Mymother waswidowed tragically early but found meaning and purpose in her life through her love of gardening and her devotion to her grandchildren. She loved ballroom dancing in her younger days” Pamleaves her children, grandchildren


Tom; James; Becky;Alex; Lauren; Joe; Ben; Anna and Bethany and three great- grandchildren.


Arthur Earl


THE death has been reported ofArthur Earlwhowas known locally for his involvement Kent Police’s special constabulary and fromdecades ofwork as part of Barming Parish Council. Arthur served the council as chairman


for around 22 years, starting his stint in themid 60s. Current councilmembers recall himwith affection. The present chairman, Fay Gooch, said “Every July whenwe closed for the summer break he alwayswished us a happy summer.As a chairman hewas quite strict but he often had a laugh.” Vice-chairman SandraManser added


“Being tall andwith very dark hair, Arthurwas quite a noticeable figure. He was, for awhile, a special constable, whichmeant hewas called on to assist when extra policingwas needed. In Barming hewould help anyone andwas often called upon by elderly peoplewho were unable to help themselves. Hewas devoted to hiswife and looked after her when her health started to failmany years ago. Hewas known as ‘a good man’.”


Jalisa Forsyth


ALLINGTON’S Jalisa Forsyth (22)was a university graduate known for her devotion to popmusic. Her sudden death prompted an


outpouring of tributes fromfriends and celebritieswho knewthe former pupil of Maplesden Noakes School. Jalisa had followed the career of


Meghan Trainor for a decade and the star paid tribute to thewoman she described as one of her best friends, saying: “Iwill never forget Jalisa and shewill forever be amember of theMegatron family. “My deepest condolences go out to her


family and friends. I love you forever and always, Jalisa. I’ll keep you inmy heart and bring you to every performance.” Local Instagramstar Bri�anyArcher


said on Facebook: “In u�er shock: so many hearts broken over this.” Jalisa,who held a degree in Business


andManagement fromthe University of Chester, is also being commemorated with a fundraising page started by her family. Proceedswill go to the Neonatal Unit at Poole Hospital inmemory of the fact that Jalisa loved babies.


There is no charge for our obituary service. CallNeilNixon on 01622 630422 or email neilnixon22@gmail.com Maidstone August 2019


Obituaries


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