In loving memory of Raymond Charles Beven who sadly passed away on 22nd January 2022 aged 90. Husband to Jose, father to Caroline and Andy, grandfather to Harriet and Abigail, great grandfather to Star, uncle to Janet, Keith and Brian.
Ray lived all his life in Dartford, although for many years he commuted to central London where he started work aged 14 as an office boy in the City. He then worked in export sales administration, for some time at Thorn EMI and latterly with Burroughs Wellcome back in Dartford.
Apart from his garden Ray’s consuming hobby was amateur dramatics. He acted in or directed many productions for The Valley Players in Sutton at Hone and later took leading roles in the Dartford Amateur Operatic Society in musicals as diverse as the White Horse Inn and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. He played Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady at least twice and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music on four occasions for different societies around North Kent. Even after he had effectively retired from the operatic he demonstrated a fine light tenor voice in concerts at his church - St Mary’s, Stone - until well into his eighties.
Caroline,
Thank you for letting me no about your Father death I am so sorry for your loss but I didn’t no about him but I do no about his Wife Jose from Littlebrook Power Station. Anyway if you do see Jose can you give my love for me
Ray was kind and caring neighbour of ours over many years. Together with Jose, they were ALWAYS genuinely interested in how my family and I were and wanted to hear our news. I've missed their waving arms as we parked outside of Mum's ! RIP Ray.
Thank you Julian for remembering Ray here - as well as at his funeral - at a terrible time for your family. His and Jose’s interest in you all was reciprocated by your mum and dad’s for us. We could not have wished for better or more steadfast neighbours
Wonderful to see those photos of Ray, thank you. I count myself very lucky that Ray was my first director at The Valley Players. I enjoyed sharing memories and jokes with him during the interval at our rehearsals and will always remember his warm smile and infectious enthusiasm for the stage. He worked hard to get the best out of all his actors so that we were always proud of ourselves by the performance. He even encouraged me to direct and I still do it today so his legacy lives on! I will always be thankful for his kindness and support. xxx
Yes Heather, he was very good at encouraging people. My first acting experience was a consequence of his needing a boy for the play “Dear Charles”. I was reluctant but then discovered I loved it
Pickwick, Kings Rhapsody, Half A Sixpence. Great memories of Ray. He was also very good friends with my wife Julie and her Mum Doris who were both very fond of him and Josie.
Thanks Derek
Remembering a truly gentle, caring and talented man xx
Thanks so much. Angela.
Please accept this donation in memory of
Ray. All of us here at the Valley Players send our deepest condolences to you all.
Thank you very much for your kind wishes and generosity
Just wanted to thank Jo and Steve at the funeral directors Albins for their impeccable handling of arrangements and ceremony and their kindness through a difficult time
Fondest memories of Ray
Thank you so much Margaret. It was lovely to see you again and to meet Daniel.
In memory of Ray
Ray and Caroline
Ray, José and Ada, about 1967
Cannot help but have fond memories of Uncle Ray - especially all the family events including the Christmases together (that even made it into one of Andy's novels!!) and more recently the concert at the Roch Castle celebration. His voice put the rest of us to shame!! When I was young, he showed how life could be cultured in ways that suggested possibilities for a wider view than I was used to. It was an important inspiration.
Thinking of you all - especially José
Keith
Uncle Ray was a lovely great uncle & so kind and considerate, always asking how other people were, even when he was ill himself. I enjoyed the occasions where I saw him act and heard him sing. We will miss him. xxx Christina
Brian and I were very fond of Uncle Ray and Brian has always looked up to his Uncle. We very much enjoyed his performances in the Valley players. Uncle Ray was an example of a true gentleman and will be much missed by our family. Patricia and Brian.
Brian and I were very fond of Uncle Ray and Brian has always looked up to his Uncle. We very much enjoyed his performances in the Valley players. Uncle Ray was an example of a true gentleman and will be much missed by our family. Patricia and Brian.
We remember all the chats we had at Erith Playhouse over many years
Anne & David Goodrich
With Tabitha, granddaughter of good friends Linda and Colin Duckett
Ray with Tabitha, grandaughter of friends Linda and Colin, in 2019.
A brothers duet, at Don's 75th birthday celebrations
In memory of Raymond Beven.
From
Carol & Jeff Moore
Thank you so much
So sorry for you loss. I worked with Ray at Burroughs and he was my boss for some time. One of my fondest memories of him was when he turned 50. We made him a cake at work and due to the small size of his office and the number of candles we managed to set the fire alarm off. He was great fun to work with and will be deeply missed.
That’s such a lovely story. Look forward to meeting you and sharing more memories. Andy
Sorry for your loss, i went to school with Ray and we remained friends for years.
Thanks, John. Lovely to hear from you. I hope you are well. I remember mum and dad had so many happy New Year's Eve dinners with you and the rest of the gang.
'Daddy Warbucks' in Annie
Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music
70th anniversary, celebrated at Frognal, with friends Lyn and Bryan
With older brother, Don
Ray and Caroline
Ray, José and Ada, about 1967
With Tabitha, granddaughter of good friends Linda and Colin Duckett
Ray with Tabitha, grandaughter of friends Linda and Colin, in 2019.
A brothers duet, at Don's 75th birthday celebrations
'Daddy Warbucks' in Annie
Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music
70th anniversary, celebrated at Frognal, with friends Lyn and Bryan
With older brother, Don
With great-niece Michele and newest family member, Leo, 2021.
Married at Dartford Church, October 1951
With his mum and dad, Ada and Lew, at Rosedale Close
Hamming it up for the camera
Ray and Jose at christening of Daniel Ward
Daniel Wards christening with his godfather Ray
Augustus Snodgrass and Emily Wardle in Pickwick, November 1978. Dear Ray - such a charming gentleman. RIP from Jean and Peter xx
with great-granddaughter, Star
With Jose, 65th wedding anniversary
With older brothers, Ivan and Don
On Skye, dressed for the occasion
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