Kentish Express Ashford & District
Village unites in memory of murdered MP
Villagers in Wye are joining in a massive community celebration being staged across the UK this weekend to honour the memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.
The Great Get Together will see people join more than 100,000 events.
The celebration will be held a year after the killing of the Labour MP. Mrs Cox was 41 when she was murdered by rightwing extremist Thomas Mair on June 16 last year.
Up to 400 pupils from Wye’s Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School and other local schools will join forces to sing songs at the end of the school’s annual summer fete on Saturday afternoon.
The musical performance on the school field in Bridge Street takes place at 3.30pm, following the fete which starts at noon.
Communities are being asked to come together and hold street parties, fetes and football matches.
The Great Get Together is inspired by her maiden speech to Parliament in 2015 when she said: “We have more in common and are far more united than that which divides us.” The son of a keen cyclist who died of his injuries after a crash has paid tribute to his “inspirational” father.
John Durey, 69, was seriously hurt when he was hit by a white Mercedes A180 on the A2070 in Kingsnorth at about 7.40pm on Wednesday, May 31.
He was taken to King’s College Hospital in London with serious injuries including multiple fractures, and was put into an induced coma, but died on Monday, June 5.
His son Oliver has paid tribute, describing him as an inspirational father who was always patient and nurturing.
They both shared a passion for cycling and spent many hours working on their bikes together.
Mr Durey, who lived in Lenham, regularly took part in charity cycling events and was also a member of the Ashford Wheelers Cycling Club. He enjoyed travelling around Europe on his bike.
Oliver has thanked the emergency services for their fast response and the high level of care given to his father.
He said that his father was a popular man who would be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
Cycling club VC Deal posted on Facebook: “It is with great regret the club announces the sad death of club member John Durey. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.” The club says Mr Durey died from injuries sus- tained in the collision. Tributes were left from fellow members on the club’s page.
Police say the Mercedes was travelling along the road towards Hamstreet when it overtook a lorry and crashed into Mr Durey.
It is understood Mr Durey was taking part in a 10-mile circuit event organised by Ashford Wheelers at the time.
He had followed the same route just three weeks earlier, completing the route in 25 minutes, according to the club’s website.
Police are still trying to trace to driver of the lorry.
Any witnesses who saw the crash or the vehicles beforehand are asked to call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police. uk quoting AW/MS/117/17.