Upchurch Players Beat the Quizmaster

Is on Saturday 11^th June 2011 at 7.45 pm in the Upchurch Village Hall.

Teams of up to 6 people, £4.00 per person.

Bring your own drinks, nibbles etc.

To book a table contact Dave on: 01634 361040

Dave Candy

space

News from Upchurch Players

This year’s panto will be... 


SLEEPING BEAUTY  (by Alison Lewin and Kate Walters)  At Upchurch Village Hall on:


Thursday 1^st December 2011 at 7.30 pm

Friday 2^nd December 2011 at 7.30 pm

Saturday 3^rd December 2011 at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm

Auditions will take place at the Village Hall on SUNDAY 15^th MAY commencing at 3.00 pm.

The Players are always looking for new members, of all ages, either to appear on-stage or to assist in the many important backstage tasks associated with each production. If you are interested, either contact me Dave Candy on: 01634 361040 or  Email: dave_candy@sky.com  or turn up at the auditions where you are assured of a warm welcome.

Weekly rehearsals commence on MONDAY 5^th SEPTEMBER at 7.45 pm

Tickets, priced at £5 each, go on sale on 1^st OCTOBER.

Fundraising QUIZ NITES are planned for 11^th JUNE and 22^nd OCTOBER.

Dave Candy

space

Upchurch Farmers Market an update

GRAND OPENING Sunday 26^th June 2011  10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

• We currently have some 30 stalls booked, providing a very wide range of local produce, services and crafts.

Buy fresh local produce.

• Other attractions include a hog roast and barbecue, bouncy castles, roundabouts and children’s rides and so much more.

• Volunteers are required on 26^th June:
• 
  
• to assist with setting up the market.
• to marshal visitor parking in the Paddock.
• to assist with clearing up at the close of the market.
• If you feel able to help in any way, please contact:

Andrea on: 01634 361040 or by  Email: andy_candy@sky.com

COME TO THE LAUNCH OF THIS NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT AND ENJOY A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT.

Andrea Candy

space

Sittingbourne History Expo

Doors open 11am - 3pm, 30th April 2011

Wyvern Suite, Swallows Leisure Centre, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NT

Free Entry

Information about services, education and resources in Kent.  Including displays on history, archaeology, conservation, metal detecting, genealogy, museums and much more.  Come and see what local societies, companies and educational organisations have to offer to the local historian or researcher. 

Have you always wanted to find out about your house history or your family tree?  Do you want to return to education or carry out academic research? Or are you just interested in history?  Come and find out where to start and who can help.

Displays include:

Bygone Kent,

Bexley Archaeological Group,

Blue Town Heritage Centre,

Kent History Federation,

Fleur De Lis Heritage Centre,

Swale Search and Discovery Metal Detecting Club,

Colin Harvey Historic Documentary DVDs,

Agricultural Museum – Brook,

Borden Heritage Group,

Milton Hundred Wargames Club,

Friends of Medway Archives,

Kent Family History Society,

East Kent Gazette Archive,

KCC Libraries,

Courtenay History Group,

Terry Matson – Militaria,

CSI Sittingbourne,

AmTEC,

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum,

Oral History Project (KCC)

Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne.

Plus information on courses run by University of Kent and Kent Adult Education.

Drinks and snacks available from the bar.

Toilets available on site.

Parking at The Swallows Leisure Centre or Sittingbourne Library.

This is a non-profit event organised by the  Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne

Richard

HRGS

space

Help Guiding and get recycling !

Companies and individuals in Upchurch can make cash from their trash for 1st Upchurch Guide Unit. The local Guide Unit has launched an innovative new appeal which raises funds through the recycling of mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges. The Girlguiding UK Recycling Appeal is run by recycling experts Redeem plc and will help 1st Upchurch Guides make money from items normally thrown in the bin.

The people of Upchurch can show their support for the appeal by donating their old mobile and PDA handsets and used printer cartridges. The Girlguiding UK Recycling Appeal will give 1st Upchurch guides cash for each reusable item received on their behalf.

Local businesses can also help the appeal by saving their used printer cartridges and phones.  Taking part is easy and completely free as the Girlguiding UK Recycling Appeal will arrange collection from their premises. Not only will recycling allow companies to raise funds for 1st Upchurch Guides it will also boost their green credentials.

Supporting the appeal has a positive impact on the environment as it diverts mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges from landfill. These items contain toxic substances which, if they are dumped, can leak into the surrounding soil and pollute the earth.  Donating them means they can be reused or disposed of safely.

To find out more and to sign up to help the appeal visit   www.guidesrecycle.com  or call
08451 30 20 10 quoting the Unit’s account number: VEN0396271

OR call Tracey on 01634 389271 for collections in the village,

or visit the Scout Hut, Oak Lane where you will find our collection box.


Tracey Snellings
space

Use 'Share' to spread the word

Did you know you can easily share virtually anything you see on Upchurch Matters with your friends ?

Click on this button to tell your friends about something
You've seen on Upchurch Matters.

Just click on the 'Share' button at the top of every page for lots of ways to tell your friends about Diary Dates, Notice Board Posts, Adverts or anything you think might be of interest to them.


Please help spread the word !


Upchurch Matters
space

Spring Plant Market

Upchurch Horticultural Society will be holding its annual Spring Plant Market on:

Sat, 30 April, 09:00 – 12:30 in The Paddock Upchurch. There will be FREE CAR PARKING within the paddock.

Come and buy your bedding plants, plants for tubs and baskets, shrubs and fruit bushes all at very reasonable prices.  Our VERY popular ready planted Hanging Baskets will also be available to purchase or order on the day.

Advice on planting will be available or, visit our website. www.upchurch-horticultural.org.uk   and view our comprehensive \"Gardening Tips\" guide.


Maxine Budden
space

Annual Parish Meeting on 28/4 from 19:30 to 21:30

Annual Parish Meeting.

Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting will hopefully be posted on the Notice Board Page soon.

Upchurch Matters

space

Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne

The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) hold monthly meetings with guest speakers on various historical subjects. It is Sittingbourne's local history research group, and covers all the local villages.

I have just completed research into the Oak Lane rail crash of 1944, where the V-1 struck the bridge.  I've identified the RCAF pilot who flipped the V-1 prior to the crash.

Our website is:  www.hrgs.co.uk

Richard E Emmett MSc

Historian & Field Archaeologist

space

Upchurch Matters gets a small mention in local press

It's here:


http://twitpic.com/4nkbpt


Upchurch Matters
space

Bin collections in Upchurch

Bin collections in Upchurch will be as normal both tomorrow and next Friday.


Swale Council (via Helen Boakes, thanks)
space

Family Fun Day

See Peppa Pig.

Monday 25th April 1:00pm at The Three Sisters Upchurch.

Last day of the Easter holidays for most children and you're running out of ideas what to do to keep them amused then why not come to the Three Sisters for an Easter egg hunt with the apperance of Peppa pig, Bob the builder and the Easter bunny. We also have a bouncy castle and something that the adults will enjoy a BBQ ! All the fun starts at 1pm.

Nicola

space

Charity raffle in aid of Mencap

Tickets are currently on sale in the Upchurch CO-OP at £1 a strip for a raffle in aid of Mencap who help people with learning disabilities.


1st prize is a basket of Easter eggs. 2nd is a smaller basket of eggs and then we have a 2 teddy ducks and a dove set.


The draw will take place on Friday 22nd of April sometime in the morning.


Please support this very worthy cause.


Thank You,


Hayley
space

A Review of ‘Memories of Upchurch’ by David Wood

Although Revd Trew wrote a short handwritten history of the village in 1911 followed by a more recent photographic study by another author, David Wood’s book ‘Memories of Upchurch' A History of the Village’ is the first detailed written study about the village and is 304 pages long with 200 black and white photos, maps and illustrations.

Memories of Upchurch.

The book is divided into twelve chapters starting with a general history and covers almost every aspect of the village dating back to its early times as a Roman settlement up to its development in the modern era. The historical information about the village is rather patchy until the 18^th century due to the absence of contemporary documentation although there is some interesting and revealing information about 16^th century vicar Edmund Drake, Gore Farm, the village church and the vicarage that precedes this period. The history of the village is covered in depth from the early 19^th century.

Surprising findings in the book include the existence of a vicarage dating back to the 15^th century and not to the early 19^th century as some previously believed, strong evidence that Edmund Drake, a former village vicar and father of Sir Francis Drake is buried in the churchyard and an account of the murder of an early owner of Gore Farm by a knight during the 13^th century. What is also surprising is the great amount of voluntary effort expended on fund raising activities and village events, particularly over the past 150 years and the establishment of a large number of village clubs and organisations.

The book includes many anecdotes, eye witness accounts of events and character studies of people well known in the village over the years. It also shows how the village has expanded since the emergence of the brickfields in the second part of the 19^th century when it was a small sleepy outpost by the river into a very large and modern Kent village in more recent times.


David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village.

David Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood

space

Rise in thefts in our area

There has been a rise in thefts generally in our area. Items stolen include Pedal cycles, metal number plates and items generally from motor vehicles.


Your pedal cycles if left unattended should be padlocked, metal and particually lead should be replaced with a substitute if it has been stolen. On number plates look out for initiatives where self tapping No. plate screws are being fitted and finally dont leave items of value in vehicles.


Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
space
space

Upchurch Parish Council report for May 2011

The Parish Council met on Thursday 7th April in Challenger block of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 18 members of the public including PCSO Bodiam.

Mr Catford reported that seven candidates had been elected for the forthcoming elections. Nine seats were available therefore there would be no formal Parish Council Elections this year. There are two vacancies on the Parish Council so these will be filled by co-opting members after the Local Elections held on 5^th May 2011.

If anyone is interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please do come along to our next meeting to be held on Thursday 12^th May in Challenger block of Holywell School, starting at 7.30pm. If you would like to speak to a Parish Councillor about the roles and responsibilities it entails, contact details can be found on www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk or on the Notice Board.

Public Time – Rural Needs Housing – Concerns were expressed with the validity of the Housing Needs Survey dated May 2009, undertaken by Action with Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK). These concerns would be forwarded to ACRK. Entrance Walls to Orchard Park – Safety concerns were expressed over these. Highways and Swale BC will be consulted. Additional Sites for Rural Needs Housing – Residents queried these locations. It was explained that two of the sites were alongside the land either side of Horsham Hill and one site was the land in Forge Lane, opposite Holywell School. Gritting public footpaths - A resident suggested that the Village Cleaner grit the footpaths outside the village shops when there is heavy snowfall. Members highlighted the issues with this and explained it would not be possible. Parish Council Documents – A resident queried why the Housing Needs Survey was never published. The Resident was advised that a summary of this report had been available on the Parish Council Website. Also, all documents relating to the Council could be accessed via the Clerk, unless confidential. Please note that an appointment would need to be made with the Clerk.

Correspondence – Upchurch Farmers Market – A letter requesting the use of The Paddock on market days for visitor parking. Members agreed to this request on the following conditions: a) weather permitting, only if the weather was dry and ground firm b) trial basis, to be reviewed again in October 2011. Also, they requested assistance with the initial start-up costs. Mrs New offered to identify appropriate grants at a Funding Fair she would be attending the following week.

Planning - The following application was considered:

 SW/11/0251 30 Woolbrook Close – Erection of 800mm high timber fence to side boundary (Retrospective). The Planning Review Team had commented that there was no objection to the lowered height fence

Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:

Permission granted:

SW/11/0018 The Barn Yard, Gore Farm – Retrospective application for change of use of part of the site from agriculture to a pet area

1 Boxted Farm Barns, Boxted Lane – Erection of a single storey outbuilding

35 Forge Lane – Erection of rear conservatory

Other Planning matters – Rural Needs Housing – Members discussed comments from Rob Bailey, Planning Officer at Swale BC regarding the three additional sites. He had commented that in his view, both sites in Horsham Lane were unlikely to be preferable. There would be issues regarding highway safety. The site in Forge Lane would in his view be preferable to both of those in Horsham Lane and also to the land previously considered adjacent to the school.

Finance – KCC Local Engagement Forum Grants Scheme – The grant application forms (2009-10) for the Church Wall Kerbing protection and repair of the Recreation ground Footpath had been re-submitted under the advice of KCC.  The grant application (2010-11) for the street light outside the car park to the school and the resurfacing of the Recreation Ground Car Park had been received. Members discussed ideas for the grant funding for 2011-12.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Wigmore under 10s Football Team – A request to use the Recreation Ground on Saturday 4^th June to host an awards ceremony. Members agreed to this request. Allotment rent due 1^st April 2011 – Members agreed that any allotment holder whose rent was still outstanding on 30^th April may have their plot reallocated.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Re-pointing of Church Wall – A quote had been received and members will consider this again once outstanding grant funding had been received.

Environment – Village Clean-up morning – This has been arranged for Saturday 28^th May. Any help with litter picking would be appreciated. Mrs New will be handing out litter pickers and hi-vis jackets in the Paddock from 9.30am on this day. Poplar Trees in Oak Lane and Wallbridge Lane – A letter from Upchurch River Valley Golf Course explained that they do have problems with how to deal with the trees but hoped to be constructive. Therefore, after the autumn fall, were planning on cutting back some of the branches which should help. Members asked the Clerk to thank them for their letter.

Highways – Cllr Lewin reported on the changes to the free bus pass for pensioners that came into effect on 1^st April 2011. KCC would no longer be funding this scheme from 9:00am. Therefore, residents can only use their free bus pass from 9:30am, despite a bus timetabled to arrive at 9:25am. Cllr Lewin will continue to follow this up and the Clerk will contact KCC Transport Integration at Kings Hill. Affected residents are also encouraged to write to Chalkwell explaining the issue.

Next meetings – Annual Parish Meeting 28^th April, Annual Meeting of the Parish 12^th May.

 Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk             www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

 Please note the Clerk can normally be contacted during Monday-Thursday 9.00am – 11.30am.

Upchurch Parish Council

space

Local temporary student accommodation needed

Do you have a room to spare during May/June ?  I am a 24 year old female student teacher looking for a room to rent, Mon - Thurs for 7 weeks, during a teaching placement at Lower Halstow School. Please contact me on: 0782 1568847

Thank you,

Emma
space

Extension to the 327 Bus service

As from the 11th April Chalkwell are pleased to announce that the 327 bus service has been extended to include Chatham High Street and Waterfront Way (Mondays – Saturdays). Please call 01795 423982 if you would like the new timetable or check the website: www.chalkwell.co.uk


Chalkwell
space

Lead and cable being stolen in Swale

There have been several reports of lead flashing being stolen from porches and garage roofs, all over Swale and thieves are also still targeting electricity substations. If you see any suspicious activity, such as no authorised works vans involved in the removal of cable, or lead flashing, anywhere in Swale, call police immediately on 999 if it is actually happening, and give the location if you are able to do so. Otherwise, contact your local police, on

telephone number :01622 690 690

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

space

Charity doo in aid of Motor Neurone Disease

A charity doo will be taking place on the 9th of July 2011 in the field at the back of 97 Chaffes Lane Upchurch.


Tickets are priced at £15.00 per adult, £5.00 for children 13/18 years old and £3.00 for 12 and under.


This years proceeds are going to Motor Neurone in memory of Nickie Richards (nee) Mitchell.


There is a BBQ, Raffle, Auction, Live Band (Marylebone Jelly), Coconut Shy, Football game and lots more.


The doo starts at 6pm and it is ticket only. You will need to bring your own drink and something to drink out of. We are limited to 400 tickets and to date we have sold quite a few.


For tickets please contact Lucy Boakes on 01634 360049


Lucy Boakes
space