Priory owner did so much for charities

lstafford@thekmgroup.co.uk The city is mourning the death of a community stalwart who tirelessly supported charities and groups in Canterbury.

Don Beerling MBE, who owned the Dominican Priory with his wife Poppy, died at his home in Whitehall Gardens on Friday, August 23.

The former window cleaner was often seen walking through the city centre armed with a ladder and a bucket of water.

It was a career that spanned 65 years, starting when he left St Peter’s Methodist School, with a brief break while he served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

He stepped off the career ladder in 2005, but retirement did not stop his active work supporting many causes, as well as founding his own – the Dominican Priory Youth and Community Charity – in 1990.

His efforts were recognised in 2004, when he was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the community.

Mr Beerling’s voluntary work included a 69-year involvement with the Scout movement, and he served for many years as the president of the Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable Scouts.

He began using the 14th century Dominican Priory in the early 1960s as a meeting place for Scouts, and bought it in 1969 after it was put up for sale by the trustees of the Dominican Order.

Renovating the dilapidated Grade I listed building was a labour of love for the Beerlings, who wanted to stay true to the priory’s original purpose as a “house of hospitality”.

Speaking in 2004, Mr Beerling said he hoped the spirit of hospitality of the Dominican Priory would continue to live on after his death.

He said: “We have no family so we have left the Priory to my charity and it will continue to be run for the benefit of the community by the trustees and supported by the business premises.”

Many have said he deserved to become an Honorary Freeman of the City of Canterbury, which was said to have been prevented by a “political disagreement”.

He also served as a patron of the Prince of Wales’ Youth Club, among other charities, and owned two fish and chip shops in the city.

Mr Beerling will be laid to rest in a private service, before a public celebration of his life in October.

Former window cleaner Don Beerling sprucing up the Dominican Priory sign

Don Beerling outside the Dominican Priory

Receiving his MBE from the Queen in 2004

Don Beerling in his young Scouting days with the 8th Canterbury Methodist group, and, below, as president of Canterbury and district Scouts