Ron Constant

Death of Ron Constant
	Sunday, 10 September 2006
We are very sorry to have to report that Ron Constant of Meopham died on Sunday 10 September at Darenth Valley Hospital after a short illness. Ron was elected to the Association in 1938 - one of only three people elected in that year still alive at the beginning of 2006. Only one other person has a longer membership (Doris Colgate from Sevenoaks, who has been a member 72 years, and celebrated her 91st birthday this year!). A sad loss to the district and the county. 1920-2006 Ron grew up in Gravesend, Kent, born to a family of shrimpers. He spent his working life as a printer. During the war, Ron served in the Royal Navy aboard a minesweeper, which formed part of the North Atlantic Convoy Protection Fleet. Music was a great interest, especially classical music and he was an accomplished pianist. He was a choirboy at St George’s, Gravesend, eventually exchanging the choir stalls for the belfry where his father was Captain. Indeed it was a family affair as his uncle and brother were also members of the band. He was made a member of the KCACR in 1938. He eventually was Captain of the band at Gravesend and was made a member of the Cumberland Youths prior to a peal attempt at Gravesend. In 1975, he moved to Meopham, where he soon joined the local band. He was made Captain from 1977 to 1983, and then vice Captain from 1983 to 1989. He was a loyal member of the band and could ring all the standard methods to Yorkshire, although ill health restricted the number of quarter peals he rang. He always enjoyed a pint after the practice and was good company with a wide range of stories to entertain the assembled group. At the time of his wife June’s death in June this year, Ron was in poor health. He died in Darenth Valley Hospital on September 10^th with his family around him. The funeral took place at Medway Crematorium, attended by a good number of ringers and friends. A course of Grandsire Triples was rung by members of the Meopham band during the service. Ron will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his son, Graham and daughter, Pam and their families. [Rhian Bagshaw] Meopham, Kent. 23 Sept. 1260 Grandsire Triples: Frank Matthews 1, Terri Horton 2, Rhian Bagshaw 3, Chris McCarthy 4, Gordon Dickins 5, David Sumner 6, John Gander (C) 7, Alan Driver 8. Rung in thanksgiving for the life of Ron Constant.

Death of Ron Constant

Sunday, 10 September 2006

We are very sorry to have to report that Ron Constant of Meopham died on Sunday 10 September at Darenth Valley Hospital after a short illness.

Ron was elected to the Association in 1938 - one of only three people elected in that year still alive at the beginning of 2006. Only one other person has a longer membership (Doris Colgate from Sevenoaks, who has been a member 72 years, and celebrated her 91st birthday this year!).

A sad loss to the district and the county.

1920-2006

Ron grew up in Gravesend, Kent, born to a family of shrimpers. He spent his working life as a printer. During the war, Ron served in the Royal Navy aboard a minesweeper, which formed part of the North Atlantic Convoy Protection Fleet. Music was a great interest, especially classical music and he was an accomplished pianist. He was a choirboy at St George’s, Gravesend, eventually exchanging the choir stalls for the belfry where his father was Captain. Indeed it was a family affair as his uncle and brother were also members of the band. He was made a member of the KCACR in 1938. He eventually was Captain of the band at Gravesend and was made a member of the Cumberland Youths prior to a peal attempt at Gravesend. In 1975, he moved to Meopham, where he soon joined the local band. He was made Captain from 1977 to 1983, and then vice Captain from 1983 to 1989. He was a loyal member of the band and could ring all the standard methods to Yorkshire, although ill health restricted the number of quarter peals he rang. He always enjoyed a pint after the practice and was good company with a wide range of stories to entertain the assembled group. At the time of his wife June’s death in June this year, Ron was in poor health. He died in Darenth Valley Hospital on September 10^th with his family around him. The funeral took place at Medway Crematorium, attended by a good number of ringers and friends. A course of Grandsire Triples was rung by members of the Meopham band during the service. Ron will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his son, Graham and daughter, Pam and their families.

[Rhian Bagshaw]

Meopham, Kent. 23 Sept. 1260 Grandsire Triples: Frank Matthews 1, Terri Horton 2, Rhian Bagshaw 3, Chris McCarthy 4, Gordon Dickins 5, David Sumner 6, John Gander (C) 7, Alan Driver 8. Rung in thanksgiving for the life of Ron Constant.