downsmail.co.uk Dennis Hawkridge
DENNIS Frederick Hawkridge (86) lived in Snodland from 1963.
He and his wife Shelia, and their young son, Stephen, moved to the town while Dennis was still working in Surrey. They later went on to have another son, Neil.
London-born Dennis grew up in Surrey and started a career in motor mechanics, working
in Carshalton. He and Sheila married in 1959 and moved to Kent because homes were more affordable in Snodland. When Dennis was made redundant in 1985, he chose to nd work locally, working in the bus garage at Borough Green before becoming involved in catering at Reed Paper Mill, and going on to work in Chatham.
His son Neil said: “He had determination and would make sure things got done. He was known for his car mechanics skills and often helped people locally with xing their cars, as well as ours.
“He also passed on his love of motorbikes to my brother.”
Dennis, who lost his wife in 2015, leaves his two sons.
Karna Bahadur Rai
THE death has been announced of Karna Bahadur Rai (77). The retired Gurkha was living with his son, daughter and son-in-law in Salisbury Road, Maidstone, after moving to Kent from his native Nepal. He was widowed in 2017.
His death in Maidstone Hospital came after he contracted COVID-19 and lost a 10-day battle with the illness.
Jennifer Baker
TRIBUTES have been paid to Sutton Valence’s Jennifer Chappell Baker (52)
who died after a sudden illness.
She became ill on a car journey into Maidstone on October 1. Jennifer, who had been travelling with her daughter, Carley, later died at
Maidstone Hospital.
Mother-of-three Jennifer attended Cornwallis School and married Alan in 1994. She had worked as a barmaid in the West End Tavern in Marden and was also known as a footballer, having played for Maidstone Ladies. But in recent years health problems, including difficulties in breathing, had stopped Jennifer working and she had been treated in Maidstone Hospital just a week before her death. Carley praised her mother’s selessness and her love of a party. Jennifer leaves her family including her I grandchildren.
Jeffrey Bish
JEFFREY “Jeff” Bish (66), who has died at the Heart of Kent Hospice after a cancer battle, was well-known for his love of mountain bikes and motorbikes. Jeff was a leading member of the Cyclepathix cycling group, which marked his death with a statement: “Jeff was a true legend in the mountain biking world … a pure genius at spinning a yarn and knowing bike paths.”
Fiona Naylor posted a video on the group’s Facebook page, noting that Jeff could “tell a story like no one else”, knew “every bike path ever” and was “one of a kind”. Various friends and family members
have also contributed photographs and memories to an online tribute page which is also raising money for the Heart of Kent Hospice.
Kathleen Jenner said Jeff was “the joker with the kindest heart, will be missed so much”.
Margaret Knight
MARGARET Knight (93) of Eling Court, Maidstone, and formerly of Bearsted, was believed to be the last surviving local resident to have served in the Women’s Land Army during WWII. The mother of two was born in Otham,
but lived most of her life in Bearsted, only moving to sheltered accommodation at Eling Court 14 years ago. She survived all 10 of her siblings, despite her own battle with a brain tumour, which affected her memory. As the daughter of a farm manager Margaret took easily to work on the land as part of an “army” of women mobilised to replace farm workers called to war. She later worked at the Sharps toffee factory as a line manager, and later worked as a waitress, a launderette assistant and a cinema usherette. Margaret was married to Albert for over
60 years and the couple met the Queen to mark their 60th anniversary. They were parents to Richard and Graham, and grandparents to Alison and Samantha. Margaret was widowed. Friends and family recall a spirited woman who battled ill health, but retained her love of horse racing and TV quiz shows. Her funeral took place at the Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, on October 15.
Harry Sargent
HARRY Sargent (80) was a popular past captain and president of Bearsted Golf Club and the Society of Kent Captains. He played both cricket and golf and was a dedicated supporter of Chelsea FC. He was a former Maidstone Rotarian. A retired telephone engineer Mr Sargent
lived at Blue Bell Hill. His partner Cherry pre-deceased him by a month. He had suffered recent poor health and donations are invited to the Myeloma charity. He is survived by children Michele and Darren. During his own time as Bearsted captain and president Tim Harris worked closely with his friend and pays this tribute: “Harry was a talented golfer but it was his cheerful personality and dedicated leadership of both our club and Society of Kent Captains we will most remember.”
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