downsmail.co.uk DaveManser


THE sudden death ofmotorcycle enthusiast DaveManser (66) in Herne Bay prompted a reaction frombikers across the county. Dave,whoworked


as a lorry driver,was found dead by Cheryl, hiswife of 35 years, on 30 July, having failed to come to bed the previous night. Hewas father to


Bre�,Anthony and Colin.


Recent ill health had forced his


retirement. His funeral at Barham, near


Canterbury, onAugust 14 included a motorcycle escortmade up of bikers fromaround the county after Cheryl had used news and socialmedia to ask for as many people as possible to take part in the event. Dave leaves hiswife, sons and 11 grandchildren.


Don Bramall


DONALD ‘Don’ Bramall (87)was a resident of Bearsted for 50 years and well-known locally, particularly from some 40 years as a member of Bearsted Golf Club. Born and educated


in Sheffield, Don graduated in metallurgy from Sheffield university. Hemoved towork locally at the end of


the 1970s, spending 20 years in engineering includingwith English Electric (nowGEC) andAshford-based MPE Electrical. Donwas father to Helen, Philip and


Jane. His son Philip said; “Our father had a full social life includingmany happy years as an activemember of Bearsted Golf Club. He lost his original Yorkshire


accent but remained proud ofwhere he came from. Hewill be remembered as someonewith a strongwork ethic and a�ention to detail.” Don, whowaswidowed, leaves his


children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


Dave Kingsman


DAVE Kingsman (77), who lived in Langley, was known locally fromhis work as an early British rock’n’roll singer under the name Bill Kent in the 1950s. Later he became the owner of The Toy


Soldier – a shop selling toy figures on The Broadway. As Bill Kent, Dave played the


legendary 2 Is coffee bar in Old Compton Street, London – a venue so central to the establishment of the pop music industry in the UK that its former site is nowmarked by a plaque. He was signed to Decca Records by


Dick Rowe (the talent scout who famously passed up the opportunity to sign The Beatles), and released two singles – Oh I’mFalling in Love and The Pre�iest Girl in School. Locally, his performances at the


Granada Cinema in Lower Stone Street remainmemorable. His singles remain collectable,


however, neither charted, and Dave moved to Canada where he secured a residency at Toronto’s biggest nightclub and went on to tour the USA. When he returned home he set up The


Toy Soldier, next door to a shop run by his brother, Bill. Dave, who wasmarried to Gail, also


leaves three daughters and one granddaughter.


Sybil Simpson


SYBIL Simpson, who died at the Pilgrim’sWay Care Home on Bower Mount Road,Maidstone, was associated with local amateur opera and amateur dramatics for decades.


Originally fromWelwyn Garden City,


Sybil lived for decades with husband John in Conway Road,Maidstone. Her involvement withMaidstone


Amateur Operatic Society lasted for about 40 years after she joined in 1970, and saw her take a range of lead, chorus and supporting roles (the la�er including prompting and stage crew). In the days when the society staged


two productions a year at the Hazli� Theatre, her roles includedMrs. Sowerberry in Oliver!, thematchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof andMrs Higgins (mother of themain character) inMy Fair Lady. A cat lover, Sybil established her own


cat welfare charity. She was widowed.


Tessa Carman


TESSAMaureen Carman (82) lived in Downswood for 38 years at the end of a globe-tro�ing life that saw her live, work and raise her family in a number of different countries. Born Tessa Ralph


in Chingford, she grew up in Hertfordshire. Her work as a florist took her to BuckinghamPalace, before she joined the staff of the SS Kenya


– a ship used for education and training. Whilst onboard, Tessamet JimCarman, a telecoms engineer who was working in Africa, and the couplemarried in 1963. During theirmarriage they livedin


Nairobi, Kenya, (where sons Richard and Bruce were born), Dar es Salaam, Ascension Island, Cornwall, Barbados, Bermuda and Hong Kong. The couple bought a home in PaddockWood at the end of the 70s and eventually se�led in Downswood when Jimretired. Bruce said: “Mymother worked as a


florist inmany of the places we se�led. At one point,my parents hadmade homes in 18 places within 20 years. “When we se�led in Downswoodmy


mother trained and developed a career as an image consultant, working with more than 1,500 clients and finding herself involved in styling for high- profile events like the annual Young Musician of the Year awards. “People will recall her as immaculate.


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36 Maidstone November 2019


She was an excellent cook and loving mother and grandmother.Along with my father, she was a keen gardener, involved with St Nicholas Church in Othamand also involved in the estate commi�ee for Downswood.” Tessa was widowed 10 years ago. She


leaves her sons, partnerMervyn, and grandchildren Sophie, Harry and Verity.


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


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