Cancer charity to benefit from memorial show
A variety show is being held to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research and to remember country music fan Doug Brooks.
Mr Brooks passed away in June last year, aged 81, after an 18-year battle with the disease.
His widow, Heather Brooks, has organised the show in his memory, to be held at the Snodland Community Centre in Paddlesworth Road where Mr Brooks was for many years a regular at the centre’s country music nights.
The show on Saturday, September 3, will have singing, dancing and comedy acts, presented by the Chandeliers Drama Group and Spare Parts singing group, among others.
A similar event last year raised £1,229 for charity.
Mr Brooks, a long-time resident of Douglas Road, Maidstone, spent much of his working life with the Kent Messenger Group – starting as a van driver delivering the Evening Post in the Medway Towns, then working in the company’s press hall at Larkfield.
Even after retiring in 1998, the firm would still ask him back to help out on occasion.
Lloyds Bank in Maidstone’s Week Street is supporting the fundraiser, and Mrs Brooks, who is 72, will be in the bank on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of next week, between 11am and 2pm, to give out information about Prostate Cancer Research, and sell tickets for the show.
They cost £8 for adults, £5 for concessions.
Those not able to get to the bank, can order them on 07913 101220. Great-grandmother, former school secretary and “all-round lovely lady” May Hammond has died at the grand old age of 102.
Just weeks ago the centenarian celebrated her birthday surrounded by friends and staff at Abbotsleigh Care Home in Staplehurst.
Originally from Marden, Mrs Hammond was born on the eve of the First World War in 1914.
Despite being the home’s oldest resident she was known for her bright and friendly demeanour and love for dancing.
Paula Smy, an activities coordinator at Abbotsleigh, said: “May was such a wonderful woman. She used to tell us stories about the war.
“She was still very vocal for her age but very softly spoken.
“It was a shock when she passed and we were all in tears. “We will miss her very much.” She leaves behind two sons and seven great-grandchildren, many of whom came from across the country to help her celebrate reaching her 100th birthday.