Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway's July the 3rd Open Day

This month we are expecting to steam 3 engines and the normal bunch of steam vehicles and have some old tractors doing their bit. We have several car clubs intending to join us as well as the Harley Davidson Club - always interesting.

At the last open day Meridian Tonight were there doing some filming - if you missed it or would like a repeat - you can see it on the  ITV player 

The Bluebells are gone but the grounds will be ideal for that relaxing day and giving the kids a run out! Bring a picnic and go down to the woods.

Come and See the Alvis Car Club too.

After last years successful issue of season tickets we are offering annual membership at an even lower price of £30 per adult which will include one child. Extra children are £12. This will get you into all public and any member only events for 12 months. Bring a passport photo with you and you can start saving on the day.

Other news: the little Simplex loco acquired last year in a pretty dishevelled state is getting closer to being fully restored. This has meant fabricating some of the engine covers and exhaust system from photographs and drawings made by Tony, one of our volunteers. Not easy but as you can see when you visit, it now looks better than it did when
it arrived!


Visit us at: www.bwlr.co.uk  to find out more about BWLR and events.


Bill Best
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Holywell School open as usual

Holywell School Upchurch will be open as usual this Thursday the 30th of June 2011 during the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers coordinated
one-day strike.


Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Horticultural Society Early Summer Flower and Produce Show

Upchurch Horticultural Society will be holding they're Early Summer Flower and Produce Show in the Village Hall on Saturday the 2nd of July 2011.


Doors open to the public at 2pm.


Maxine Budden

3 Day Beer Festival at the Three Sisters

Come along to the Beer Festival in July.

The Three Sisters Public House Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch will be holding a Beer Festival in July over the weekend of the 29th, 30th and 31st, where there will be 12 Kentish Ales on offer.


Upchurch Matters
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Chain cut on gate to field rear of Woodruff Close

A substantial chain securing the lock on the gate accessing the field behind the grassed amenity area in Woodruff Close was cut late evening Wednesday 22nd June/early morning 23rd June.


There is nothing in the field to steal which may possibly indicate that the perpetrator(s) was/were preparing a means for a quick vehicular getaway prior to possible planned/opportunist thefts via the rear of those properties backing-on to the field.


Forewarned is to be forearmed.


Keith Budden
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Theft of Metal Treads at Upchurch Cricket Club Pavilion

Reported theft of metal treads to the external stairs at Upchurch Cricket Club Pavilion, Holywell Lane, Sittingbourne, between 9:45 p.m 20th and 8 a.m 21st of June.

If you have any information about this, please contact your local Police, on telephone number:
01622 690690.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Upchurch Twinning Group News

Upchurch is twinned with commune of Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France.

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques

Do look on the Holywell School website www.holywell.kent.sch.uk  and also Upchurch Matters www.upchurchmatters.co.uk
for our news as well.

Diary dates for you: 

Thursday 14^th July 2011 – Bastille Day Street Fair in Ferques – the Twinning Groups from both Upchurch and Ferques will be there on their stall offering all sorts of goodies!  Come and have a day out or make it part of a longer break.

Saturday 27^th August 2011 – Sporty Day in Upchurch in the Recreation Ground.  A chance to meet up with some of the residents of Ferques, including youngsters, and enjoy a day of games of all descriptions, or just to observe and cheer on!  A Police Dog Handling Team will be there plus a BBQ, for £5 pp, during lunch period.  Sporty things happening will include Football, Darts, Horseshoes, Tug-of-War, Boules, Rounders etc etc ..............

Saturday 15^th October – Anniversary Dinner and Dance in Ferques, again in Elinghen Village Hall.  This is an evening event, to include a meal and there will be some Celtic dancing this time.  No other details yet, but do consider going over to France that weekend for a jolly good time!

And for 2012:

Saturday 27^th January 2012 – Quiz night at our School – always very popular, more details nearer the time!

Sunday 15^th April 2012 – Upchurch Choral Society will be performing in the church at Ferques – again more details nearer the time.

FRIENDS OF THE TWINNING GROUP – we are considering creating a “Friends of the Upchurch Twinning Group”.  These would be people willing to give practical support e.g. on stalls, or at events, giving hospitality etc etc.  Nothing too formal, but they would be people with a more firm connection to the committee, although of course the whole village of Upchurch is twinned with the whole village of Ferques.

BRIC-A-BRAC – we need your white elephants, unwanted presents, stuff you want to get rid of!  To sell on our stall at the Bastille Day fair (14^th July).  Just contact us and we’ll collect or receive your donations.  Many thanks in advance.

Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420                        Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780


Jim Harman, Sue Rossiter
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Holywell Primary School Summer Fete

Please come along and support the Summer Fete.

Holywell Primary School Summer Fete is taking place on Sunday 3rd July 2011 between 11am - 2pm.

There will be a BBQ, Tombolas, Pony Rides, Raffle, Talent Competition, Dancers, Gaming Truck, Games & Competitions, Inflatable Slide and much more......

We look forward to seeing you there !

Hazel Price

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Swale's Big Activity Challenge

Upchurch Matters
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Cream Teas aboard the Edith May and Summer Open Studios at the Old Reed Bed

The Edith May will be in dock on the 3rd of July.

On Sunday 3rd July, Edith May will be back in the dock at Lower Halstow and open to the public.

Serving cream teas from 10:30 onwards, the day will culminate with a short cruise on the barge to Seagull Island and back at 1500hrs.

Also open is the Reedbed studios, in one of the houses overlooking the barge. There are a range of high quality exhibits on show by a number of quality artists.

Edith May Trading Company and the Old Reed Bed Studio
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Interference with the CO-OP ATM

An ATM at the CO-OP Store, The Street, Upchurch, was interfered with sometime before 10 a.m. on Tuesday 14th of June.

Beware of false fronts on ATM's which 'skim' cards.

A card was withheld from its owner and money was taken from the account elsewhere later on.

Police crime-reduction advice, when using an ATM, is always check that there is nothing wrong with the machine, before using it. Check around the insert slot in particular, to ensure a false front has not been stuck on to the machine. If in doubt, do not use the ATM.

Thank you

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch.

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Upchurch Best Kept Garden Competition - 2011

This is a reminder to all residents that judging for the Best Kept Garden will take place over a weekend in the middle of July.

Judging will take place in July.

The independent judges have been asked to assess what can be seen at the front of each house as follows. Firstly a garden which is predominately growing flowers, secondly a garden which is mixture of flowers, trees and or shrubs, and finally for those with only a small or no front garden the judges will assess any hanging baskets or flower troughs.

Prizes for the above will be presented to the winners at the September Horticultural Society Show in the Village Hall.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a prize in cash or kind can contact me on: 01634 366113.

Cllr Gerry Lewin for the
Competition Committee

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Vacancy for Village Cleaner

Upchurch Parish Council need a new Village Cleaner.

A vacancy has arisen for a Village Cleaner in Upchurch. Main duties include road sweeping and litter picking the village centre, and some gardening work e.g. weeding around the village sign. Approx 10 hours per week will be required, to include no more than half an hour on a Sunday to carry out a safety inspection of the Paddock. However, hours are negotiable. Rate of pay will be in line with the national minimum wage.

Applicants should be motivated and take a pride in Upchurch. If you would like to apply for this position or require more information, please contact the Clerk, Claire Attaway, telephone: 01634 363906 or via
Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

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A Message From 1st Upchurch Guides

Save your old Phones, CD's, DVD's and Printer Cartridges.

Upchurch Guides are still collecting old mobile phones, empty printer cartridges (no epson or compatible ones please) and also now old CDs and DVDs (with original artwork and cases please, freebie ones etc will not be accepted sorry). 

If you have any please contact Tracey on: 01634 389271 and I will come and pick them up, or drop them off at the scout hut in our collection box.

Many Thanks

1st Upchurch Guides

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The BarnYard Summer Festival

Click to Enlarge.

Upchurch Matters

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Uplift Café

Upchurch Youth Church will be serving: a bacon or sausage roll, a decorated cup cake and a tea/coffee/squash for £2.50 a head at Upchurch Village Hall on Sunday the 19th of June between 12.30pm and 1:30pm.

Come along to the Village Hall on the 19th.

All proceeds going to the Kampala childrens Orphanage in Uganda. Please come along and support this event.

Upchurch Matters.

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St Mary's Church Repairs

Over £27,000 has been raised so far.

Funding is in place, planning permission granted, appropriate certificates and contracts have been signed. Work to repair the window, buttress and masonry on the North East side of the church and stonework on the tower will begin on June 13th and last for 13 weeks.

Scaffolding will be erected and all precautions will be taken to make it safe and inaccessible. Members of the public are asked to be vigilant and report any trespass.

Grateful thanks to all who helped in any way to raise money for the repair project! Donations, concerts, an Art Exhibition, a Quiz Night, together with monthly Porch Sales and Boot Fairs have raised over £27,000. Our target is to raise £30,000. English Heritage and other grant-funding bodies are providing the rest of the money. A list of these grants will be posted outside the church shortly.

Helen Osborne

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Strawberry Tea

Help by eating Strawberries !

Upchurch Guides are holding another Strawberry Tea on Wednesday the 13th July at Upchurch Scout Hut 7.15pm til 8.30pm.

The proceeds will be split 50/50 between Breast Cancer Care and Upchurch Guides new tentage fund. All welcome, please come along and support us.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Parish Council Report for July 2010

The Parish Council met on Thursday 2^nd June in Challenger block of Holywell Primary School where 9 Councillors were present and 9 members of the public, including Cllr John Wright.

Public Time – Parking outside the Doctors Surgery – It was suggested that a lay by could be made on the open space outside the Doctors Surgery to help alleviate the parking issues during surgery hours. Highways will be consulted to see if this is possible.

Holywell Primary School – The Head of School Governors reported that the school had been selected to take part in a Localism pilot project led by University of Greenwich. It was expected that this would take between 5 and 9 months, starting in October 2011.

Administration – Co-option of two members – Mrs Sara Tucker and Mr John Arnold were co-opted onto the Parish Council prior to the start of the meeting.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

 SW/11/0496 Jack Russell Place, Halstow Lane – Removal of condition (1) of permission SW/11/08/0917 to permit permanent occupancy of the site for Gypsy family – The Planning Review Team objected commenting “The permanent development of this site adds considerably to the visual clutter of this area, as viewed from Halstow Lane. The area was open farmland, running down to the sea wall, until recently. Further landscaping would be unlikely to significantly reduce the visual impact of this site. This is a small site which would make little impact on the overall need for caravan and mobile home pitches within Swale.

The Swale Landscape Character and Assessment and Guidelines of 2005 characterises the land as Upchurch and Lower Halstow Fruit Belt. The advice provided is that conserve and create should be the aim of developments in the area. Upchurch Parish Council does not believe the proposed permanent site meets these aims.

There is a manifest gap between the settlements of Upchurch and Lower Halstow along Forge Lane and its continuation, Halstow Lane. Allowing this development to become permanent would contravene Swale Local Plan 2008 Policy E7 “The Separation of Settlements” particularly E7, sub clauses b and c.

The Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Consultation conducted by the Council in 2009 notes that this site GT11 is “finely balanced”. It is the view of the Parish Council that the assessment took insufficient account of some access issues. Many local residents consider that vehicular access to the site is dangerous when narrowness of the road and the amount of traffic are fully considered. A more severe consideration is that pedestrian access to the site along Halstow Lane to go to either Upchurch or Lower Halstow is dangerous except in the dry and in good visibility.  This is especially so for children.”

SW/11/0529 Barn at Stoney Crop, Land R/o Drakes Close/Chaffes Lane – Erection of barn (amendment to SW/10/0112 to increase height of 4m). Planning Review Team will meet to discuss.

iii)            SW/11/0545 Sandyridge, 61 Horsham Lane – Extension to side of house to provide 1 reception room and bedroom. Planning Review Team will meet to discuss.

iv)            SW/11/0549 Oastfields, Stud & Livery, Track off Holywell Lane – Application to site a mobile home and 3 horse foaling boxes. Planning Review Team will meet to discuss. Cllr Lewin outlined the proposal, indicating that it would operate for 48 weeks per year, employ 2 people, include a commercial building for vet/employees, occupied for up to 4 nights a week. He felt very strongly about the quality of landscaping, commenting that it be well landscaped.                       

viii)            Rural Needs Housing -Swale BC Rural Housing Sub-Strategy – the first draft is open for consultation and can be viewed at: www.swale.gov.uk/rural-housing
Site in Forge Lane opposite Holywell Primary School – English Rural Housing Association are meeting the landowner shortly to discuss the proposed scheme in more detail.

Environment – Village Cleaner – Mr Griffith-Jones has notified the Council that he intends to retire and will be leaving at the end of June 2011. Members discussed the need for employing a village cleaner. It was decided to recruit another village cleaner but this will be reviewed at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held next year. Anyone interested in applying for this position, is encouraged to look out for notices or contact the Clerk/Chairman. The Parish Council will be looking for a motivated person who is willing to take a pride in Upchurch.

Village Clean-up morning – This was held on Saturday 28^th May where Mrs New met 5 residents and 1 Councillor Litter pick various areas in the village. Members would like to consult with residents at the next Annual Parish Council as to how and when these should be organised in order to encourage more participation.

Best Kept Garden Competition – Judging is due to take place over a weekend in July. Cllr Lewin is unable to organise the Scarecrow Competition this year and is therefore looking for a volunteer to continue this. If anyone is interested, they can contact Cllr Lewin on 366113 for further information.

Provision of dog waste bins – Installing additional bins will be considered when preparing the budget for 2012/13. However, members are considering relocating some of the bins to other areas of the village. Please let the Clerk know of any areas that would benefit from having a dog waste installed.

Highways – Speed watch – To date 6 residents have volunteered to learn how to operate a radar camera which could be used to measure the speed of vehicles travelling around the village. Please do consider becoming a volunteer, the Parish Council would ideally like to have a team of around 10 people. If you would like more information, please contact either the Clerk or Chairman.

Sunday 327 Bus Service – KCC are proposing to withdraw this service from 31^st December 2011. Please do let the Clerk know if you have any comments regarding this proposal.

Next meetings – 7^th July, 1^st September. Please note that the meetings are held in the Challenger Block of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.

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

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

Chairman: John Catford, 2b Crosier Court, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 231326

Email: chair@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

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Upchurch Village Hall 50th Anniversary

The Village Hall is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year and the committee are arranging a celebration day on Saturday the 12th of November.

The Village Hall is 50 years old this year.

People will be invited to a finger buffet at lunchtime on the day and then the afternoon will be for the children. There will be a magician and also some time for the children themselves to perform, showing off their abilities singing, acting, playing musical instruments etc.


During the evening the adults will have their opportunity to entertain e.g. the Choir, telling stories etc. There will be light refreshments.


If you would like to participate in any way or if you have any ideas, please contact
Jan Lacy on: 01634 366729 or Mollie Catford on: 01634 231326


Please support this important village celebration.


Upchurch Matters
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