obituary; FRANK  VIVIEN  HIGGINS 1929-2021

The following tribute has been written by Councillor Peter Kemp:

Frank, one of the kindest most generous and helpful people to have lived in Aldington.

His family have lived at Poulton Manor Farm for approximately 100 years. He and his elder brother Eric ran a dairy there for many years. The dairy was like everything else at Poulton, calm and laid back, everything done at the same steady pace.

He played cricket and football for the local teams and was a prolific gardener, along with his wife Jean, selling excess fruit, vegetables and flowers at the farm gate, always making generous donations to the Hospice.

He was a retained fireman at Aldington for 29 years, leaving 3 months before his 30 years as he had to retire at 55. He helped organise fund raisers for the  Fire Service Benevolent fund with American suppers, dances and jumble sales.

When the village held a carnival the fire brigade entered afloat depicting Toy Town. Frank was dressed as Louby Lou and looked very fetching in his long pink dress with yellow pigtails in his hair. It was typical of the man to join in whole heartedly.

Everyone will have their own happy memories of Frank, a true gentleman.

He leaves his wife Jean, son John and stepdaughter Jackie to whom the Parish Council send their deepest sympathy and regards.