Centenarian Kay looks back over her busy life


ONE hundred birthdays – reason enough to raise a glass for Kay Carey (pictured). The centenarian celebrated her


big day with friends and a card from The Queen. Kay joined the RAF in 1939 and


told them: “I’m not a skivvy, I’m here to learn.” She trained as a nurse and


worked alongside the now fa- mous surgeon Archibald McIn- doe. He formed the first burns unit at East Grinstead, treating badly burned pilots, shot down in action. His expertise


set the


groundwork for the treatment and reintegration of those first victims of deep burns. Kay, who married an RAF offi-


cer, was also stationed at Biggin Hill and remembers dozens of her friends from The Women’s Auxil- iary Air Force were killed during an air raid. “You could see their feet under the body cloths and I could identify them all,” she said.


The mum-of-three moved to


Aylesford over 40 years ago, working for Danish Bacon in Forstal Road until she retired. She later volunteered at the British


Heart Foundation’s first charity shop in Maidstone. Her daughter, Ann Butterworth,


said: “This opened so many doors for mum and she made many friends during her time here.” Mrs Butterworth (75) joined the


RAF herself and was a welfare of- ficer for the Army, earning a place in the British Legion village, where her mum joined her. She added: “The village has


been a fantastic place to live and residents are very aware of the importance of socialising. They get together for bingo, lunch clubs or games of Rummikub, which are so important in keeping peo- ple engaged.” Mrs Butterworth described her


mum as “not your usual 100-year- old”. “She’s up and out before I’ve


even had time to look round. Mum has led a very active life.” Mrs Carey is also a regular at Aylesford Church.


Weather hits


the fireworks FOUL weather caused the cancel- lation of two major fireworks dis- plays in the town. Organisers at both Leeds Castle


and Kent Life said heavy rain and high winds had prompted the re- luctant cancellations on Novem- ber 2. Both cited public safety as the main reason. But the popular venues ar-


ranged successful shows the fol- lowing evening as planned. The castle was to organise re-


funds while Kent Life aimed to stage another show.


River alert


EMERGENCY services were scrambled to Maidstone town centre on November 4 after fears for the safety of a woman. Officers arrived just before 1pm


after a woman had been seen near Knightrider Street. They parked outside Archbishop's Palace, Mill Street, while they searched for her. They found her close to the


River Medway and she was handed over to medical staff.


Nursery FOR children AGED 2-5 YRS OPEN 8.15am -5.45pm All year round. Closed bank holidays and weekends.


We accept Free for 2 funding and Government funding for 3 and 4yr olds.


Funded sessions are 9am -12pm and 12pm-3pm or 9-3pm. We also have payable sessions if your child is not entitled to funding.


Ofsted registered.


Drop in and see us on the 4th floor, The Mall, opposite madm charity shop


or contact us on 01622 296001


kikinursery@outlook.com Maidstone December 2019 3


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