Holywell Primary School - AGM

You are warmly invited to attend the AGM of the Parents & Friends of Holywell School on Monday the 10th of September in the school hall at 7:00 pm.

Please come along to meet the committee and find out about all the exciting things that have been happening this year and also about all the monies raised.

Upchurch Matters

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Local Needs Housing Sub-Group - Meeting Agenda

I give you notice that the meeting of the Local Needs Housing Sub-Group of Upchurch Parish Council will be held in the back hall of Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday 30th August 2012 at 7:30pm.

Dated this 22^nd day of August 2012.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence

2. Notes taken from meeting of Sub-group held on 2nd August 2012

3. Notes taken from a meeting of the Chair and Vice-Chair held on 15th August

4. Voting form
      a) to consider arrangements for return of new voting forms
      b) to discuss the disposal of old voting forms
      c) to confirm dates for distribution of new voting forms

5. Public Forum – to consider arrangements for this meeting

6. Next steps – actions to be followed up

7. Confirmation of next meeting

Claire Attaway
Clerk to the Parish Council
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AG.
Tel: 01634-363906 Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council - Local Needs Housing

Four resident’s representatives have joined the Local Needs Housing Sub-Group of the Parish Council and will be meeting regularly.

The purposes and aims of the Sub-Group are to address issues that have arisen and to incorporate the representative’s ideas into the voting process and ‘drop-in’ event.

The Sub-Group has taken the decision to re-design the voting form. The arrangement for the distribution and collection of the new voting forms has yet to be confirmed.

Please note that it has become necessary to reschedule the ‘drop-in’ event that was provisionally arranged for Friday 21st September. It is hoped to hold this event within the next two months, please check:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk  and the Parish Council Notice Boards for updates.

Claire Attaway

Clerk to the Parish Council

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The Three Tuns 2nd Annual Kentish Beer Festival

The Three Tuns Lower Halstow  (Map)  are holding their 2nd Annual Kentish Beer Festival this coming weekend the 25th, 26th, and 27th of August.

SATURDAY 25th

Doors open at Mid day for Hog Roast, at  2:00pm Chickory Tip play live, 6:00pm Curry Buffet for £6, 8:00pm live music with The Kulprits. Last orders 11:00pm.

SUNDAY 26th

Mid day doors open for Hog Roast, at 2:00pm the Chillbillies play live followed by Left of the Dial at 8:00pm. Sunday Roasts available from 12:00 - 9:00pm. Last orders 11:00pm.

MONDAY 27th

Mid day doors open for Hog Roast and at 2:00pm and we have a set from Long way Down.

Bar menu served 12:00 - 9:00pm every day, Stalls from The Seafood Centre and Taywell Ice creams.

There will be 15 REAL ALES plus 12 REAL CIDERS all from Kent.

All Food, Ales and Ciders are subject to availability so get in early to avoid disappointment !

Carol
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Kids Days Fun Day - Grand Total Raised

The grand total raised at the Kids Days Fun Day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on the 17th of August was £500 !

Thank you to Dick Steadman whose generous donation made sure the total was a nice round number.

Nursery Days wish to thank everybody who helped out and came along to ensure the day was a great success.

Stephanie Oakham

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Upchurch Cricket Club 100 Years Ago in 1912

Upchurch Cricket Club 1912.

In 1912 Upchurch played at Holywell Meadow with the permission of farmer Mr. Stevens and had fifteen fixtures on their fixture card. Opponents included local village teams like Lower Halstow, Hartlip, Tunstall and Medway teams like the Army Service Core and MTE Chatham Dockyard. All matches were played on Saturdays as Sunday was regarded as a rest day. 

Holywell School headmaster Mr. J. H. Maltravers captained the team while George Holloway from Ham Green served as vice captain. The batting had been dominated by Mr Maltravers for some years but in 1912 Arthur Dartnell, a 21 year old shepherd who lived in The Street scored most of the runs. He was backed up by George Holloway and Alf ‘Snapper’ Clark from Ham Green, Edward Muggeridge from The Street and George Wildish from Rainham.

Arthur Dartnell and George Holloway dominated the bowling but Alf Giles a 34 year old farm labourer from Twinney also took wickets. He served as long term groundsman and character at the club and became affectionately known as ‘Uncle Alf ‘to the younger players. He went on to take many wickets for the club but was killed in an accident at Rainham Cement Works in 1923. Cecil Bishop also took wickets as a slow bowler and became a long serving player and official of the club.

Reverend Trew served as club president and Cecil Bishop from Forge Lane as honorary secretary while Alf Clark and Arthur Dartnell were elected on to the general committee in 1912. The main talking point of the year concerned a new pavilion with the hope that a small portable building could be purchased. After several local fund raising efforts by Mr Maltraver’s Minstrel troupe sufficient money became available for the purchase of a pavilion in early 1913. Without the facilities of the present village club a hand lawn mower was used to cut the wickets, the outfield was kept short by Mr Steven’s livestock that occupied the ground during the week and the club did not possess a roller so wickets were not as flat as today and scores were generally much lower than in modern times. 

Memories of Upchurch.

With a full fixture list Upchurch began the 1912 season on May 4th at Holywell Meadow with a good win against St Paul’s who could only manage 37 after Upchurch had set them 58 to win. Arthur Dartnell did most of the damage by taking five wickets. He also took seven wickets in the victory against St John’s Chatham, six wickets in the return match against St Paul’s and nine wickets in the two innings game against Hartlip. In the annual local derby against Lower Halstow Upchurch recorded their highest score of the season with 147. Arthur Dartnell scored 38 and George Wildish 27. In reply Lower Halstow could only manage 14 all out with George Holloway taking seven wickets.

With Upchurch winning the majority of their games at a time when league cricket did not exist, the men who played for the club had a welcome break from hard physical work they endured on local farms, in the cement works or in the brickfields where most worked.

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

David Wood
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Upchurch Best Kept Garden 2012 - The Winners !

At the Upchurch Horticultural Society Show to be held in the village hall on Saturday 1st September we will award the Barbara Webb Memorial Trophy donated by her father and first won in 1977 to the overall winner in this year’s competition plus awards to the category winners. Christine Madden, the sister of Barbara Webb, has accepted our invitation to present the trophy.

Gardens that could be seen at the front of a house were inspected on 21st July across the whole of the parish by a team of six judges. The judges short-listed very few gardens for final judging this year which reflected the uncertain weather conditions experienced during the first six months of the year.

The category winners to receive prizes at 3:30 pm are:-

Flowers 92 Chaffes Lane Mr and Mrs Tandy

Small Garden 11 Chaffes Terrace Mrs Packer

Mixed Flowers and Shrub 106 Oak Lane Mr and Mrs Denny

The Overall Winner of the Barbara Webb Trophy in 2012 has been judged to be Mr & Mrs Tandy of 92 Chaffes Lane - congratulations !

Gerry Lewin on behalf of the Best Kept Garden Committee

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Attempted Burglary - Holywell Lane

[Reference: CB22]

This is a joint message from Swale Neighbourhood Watch and Kent Police.

A front door was damaged during an attempted burglary between 10:00 p.m. on the 9th and 9:30 a.m. on the 10th of August at a property in Holywell Lane, Upchurch.

If you have any information about crime number: XY/024137/12 please contact Kent police on telephone number 101 and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch. 

Thank you that was message: 1007.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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David Wood - Travel Stories

David Wood.

Local author and regular contributor to Upchurch Matters David Wood has put together a website. carocol.weebly.com  is made up of 15 of David's  travel stories from around the world covering the period 1980 to 2011.

You can also access 50+ photos at the bottom of the homepage although eventually these will be replaced with better quality pictures of similar size.

All the sories are based on David's real life experiences.

Upchurch Matters
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Fresh Home Cooked Food at the Brown Jug

Fresh Home Cooked Food at the Brown Jug is served every Friday 7:00pm - 9:30pm. See Menu for details.

Bar Food always available.

Sunday Lunch from 1:00pm - 6:00pm 1 course - £6.95  2 courses - £8.95.

To book call: 01634 366543

Cask Ales:
Greene king IPA
Harvey's Sussex Best
Greene King King IPA Gold
Harvey's Dark Mild

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Twinning Group News

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

Try the Holywell School website:  www.holywell.kent.sch.uk  for our news as well. In addition, visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

Saturday 25th August. 2012 – Sports Day CANCELLED – Due to circumstances beyond our control this event has been cancelled for this year. Sorry if you were looking forward to a good day out, as we were, but an alternative date could not be found that would be sensible.

Sunday 7th October – Anniversary Event – We’ve booked a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard to include a meal at their restaurant. A coach load of Ferques residents will be coming over the water to join us. The cost of a group entry for the day + a 2-course lunch in the Wheelwrights’ restaurant will be between £20 and £25. If anyone prefers the normal entry, that will give you a year’s ticket, but of course this is more expensive.

We hope to start the day with coffee (funded by the Twinning Group) at about 10.15am to greet the French visitors in the restaurant. Then we can look around the dockyard until lunchtime, when we are booked into the Wheelwright’s restaurant for our meal. This will be followed by two escorted tours of the Ropery, one with a French-speaking guide. The Twinning Group will fund the costs of French-speaking guides.

Do contact us to book a place in the group. Numbers may be limited, so ring us now! Also, the Dockyard’s website is worth a look:  www.thedockyard.co.uk

Saturday 3rd November – Scouts Bonfire – We hope to have our bacon rolls on sale at this event. Do come along and find us!

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

Sue Rossiter

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Back To Church Sunday

Back To Church Sunday the national initiative is being backed by Upchurch Church who will be holding a special Sung Communion service on Sun 30th September at 10:30a.m. We are offering what we are good at! It will be a very user friendly service to encourage those who haven’t been for a long time or for those who have never been. It is simply to show all that is so good in the Christian Faith, and to encourage others to find that peace that the world cannot give!

It is a communion service because that is what we do in Upchurch and everybody who has been baptized, even as a baby is entitled to come forward and receive the bread and the wine. If you haven’t been baptized (Christened), then you are invited to come forward for a prayer of blessing for yourself by the minister at the altar rail. (You are also always welcome to ask about being baptized no matter how old you are! – speak to Jacky) You are also welcome to just sit and not come forward to the altar if that is what you prefer.

There is nothing scary about a Communion Service, we will talk you through it as it moves along... The hymns too will be specially chosen for this service. We so hope you will decide to come and join us, we wait to welcome you to this or to any other service!

Following this special service, we will then follow it by offering a service at 9a.m. on the first Sunday of each month that will be carefully planned to attract anybody who is new or not used to church yet. It will start at 9a.m. and you will be away by 10.15a.m. Refreshments are always offered after our services. It’s a great opportunity to chat!

Visit the Back To Church Sunday website here:  www.backtochurch.co.uk

Any queries? Ring Revd. Jacky on: 01795 842557

Jacky Davis
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The Upchurch Village Carnival by David Wood

Loud booming music, village characters in fancy dress, slow moving processions with colourful floats, dog shows, wrestling, coconut shies, competitions and big crowds, the Upchurch carnival had it all and existed as a major annual village event every August for a period of thirty years. It generated great interest and participation not only from people in the village but also from far and wide. 

Upchurch Cricket Club originally conceived the idea of a carnival in 1952 in aid of a memorial tablet to be placed in the church in memory of those from Upchurch who died in World War Two. The aim was to raise ₤30 to complete the fund and anything above this figure was to be kept by the cricket club. In later years the profits from the event contributed to a new village hall, then a village hall extension. Both were successfully achieved.

From small beginnings the carnival expanded to become one of the biggest of its kind in the area. A carnival committee organised the event although cricket club member Rich Boakes from Chaffes Lane played a big part in the early years organising the construction of frames and marquees in The Paddock, doll auctions and music.

The first carnival, held in September 1952 included a procession, a Carnival Queen (Inys Hales) and Miss Upchurch (June Barling), hula girls, clowns, a mini bride and groom and a flying bed on a bicycle. The Sheerness St Johns Ambulance Band led the procession around the village. A fete in the Paddock and a dance in the Infants School followed this. Before the procession the floats and competitors were judged on the recreation ground. This became the format of the carnival until 1982.

The Upchurch Village Carnival 1953.

Sometimes the carnival had a theme. In 1981 a medieval theme was used when residents and visitors dressed up as jesters, Robin Hoods and courtly ladies and people were put on display in the stocks. 

Many village organisations were represented on floats and always outnumbered external ones. The Darby and Joan Club regularly took first prize and produced some of the most interesting, including, You're Never Too Old in 1959, The Wedding of Snow White in 1966, Music Hall Stars in 1975, Upchurch Safari Park in 1978 and Pearly Kings and Queens in 1980. In 1973 they even hired a 1933 Leyland bus for their entry Summer Outing. In 1954 they held centre stage on their float in the procession as they performed a rousing rendition of "The more we are together" to a piano accompaniment along the entire route.

Church Farm Road had five consecutive victories for the best tableau from 1968 to 1973. These included Tutenkhamun in 1972 and Power Crunch in 1973. Other entries included Drakes Close with A Touch of the East in 1961, the Women’s Institute with Gypsies in 1965, Upchurch Badminton Club with The Young Bucks at Upchurch Playgirl Club in 1966 and Crosier Court with Treasure Island in 1982.

Other awards were given for the ‘Best Dressed Vehicle’, won in 1952 by Mr Lesley Starns with his entry Garden of England. Peter Wildish won the Best Dressed Bicycle award with Spirit of Carnival in the same year. Other memorable vehicles included Revd Keith Chare with The Golden Hind in 1977.

The number of floats varied every year with the most being 37 in 1977. Attendances also increased as the years progressed with the most recorded being over 5,000 in 1978 which demonstrated how popular the carnival had become. Therefore, not only did increasing numbers of entries from the village participate but representatives from other areas also took part such as Miss Faversham, Miss Rainham Social Club, Miss Invicta Co-op and Miss Birchington.

Sometimes individuals stood out on floats, like Jill Hitchin as A Bird in a Gilded Cage in 1966 and Julie Goodman as a damsel being roasted in a pot by cannibals in 1974. On other occasions whole groups participated like the entire Upchurch Scout troop who were inside the dragon for their entry St George and the Dragon in the 1973 procession. In 1959 a troop of skipping mice accompanied the procession collecting donations in boxes while in 1981 N & D Motors from Rainham used a concealed water pipe on their float to periodically drench surprised spectators and send them running for cover.

The Carnival Queen became the focal point of the procession, seated on her own float with two attendants. In 1970 Lorraine Manley really became the centre of attention when she got caught in a downpour just before the procession. Within minutes her dress got drenched and became totally transparent. Soaked and embarrassed, she rushed home to change - the procession took off without her and unfortunately finished before her return.

Tragedy occurred in 1964 when popular Carnival Queen Barbara Webb was killed immediately after the procession in an accident involving the float on which she was travelling. This tragic incident hit the national headlines and shocked the people of Upchurch but the event continued in the future. Other memorable Carnival Queens included Evelyn Sketchley in 1954, Joyce Bass in 1956 Tina Madden in 1961, Kay Latter in 1963, Ann Davies in 1966, Beverley Williams in 1971 and Caroline Martin in 1979.

 After June Barling participated as the first Miss Upchurch in the 1952 carnival others included Mary Batchelor in 1954, Rita Wickenden in 1960, Muriel Clements in 1962, Linda Ellis in 1965, Rosemary Gransden in 1966 and Mandy Bunting in 1982. In the late 1950s a Carnival King was even established with a memorable Brian Budd in 1958.

The carnival procession was annually led by a variety of people but Mr. J. W. Brunt from Oak Lane, a member of the Tickham Hunt who led the procession on several occasions, seated on his horse, dressed in hunting pink stood out most. A Rainham Fire Engine, Dick Turpin, Napoleon and a variety of bands also led the procession. 

The carnival wasn't free from mishaps as in 1956 when a gale force wind blew down the marquees and frames on the eve of the event leaving organisers and volunteers to do a frantic, last minute rescue act. Furthermore, in 1979 a Rainham Fire Engine participated in the procession but had to leave temporarily to answer an emergency call. When it returned to rejoin it got stuck outside The Paddock causing a massive traffic jam in the village centre.

The fete, which followed the carnival, had many activities including bowling for the pig, coconut shies, a rifle range and a treasure hunt while loud, recorded pop music boomed across The Paddock. A tea tent refreshed the public and stalls sold a variety of goods. Children’s art competitions were even held in the Vicarage Rooms.

From 1957 a Dog Show began, organised by Jasmil Kennels owner Bert Millen. This became very popular and attracted competitors from all over Kent. In 1961 there were over 200 entries. A tug of war contest was also started in 1952 when A. Hinge & Son from Ham Green competed against Lower Halstow Working Men’s Club in the final of a competition consisting of four teams.

The annual fancy dress competition always aroused humour. In 1952 John Lewin won with Family Allowance and Hilda Clemons as Bessy Bunter. In 1954 regular winners Sally Atkinson and her daughter Sandra won as A Spanish Lady and A Jungle Princess respectively. In 1955 Stuart Hart was hilarious as The Elephant Man in the under five competition. In 1956 Emily Wigley turned people’s heads as Lady Docker, while Don Diffey posed with his flying machine in 1970. Fancy dress played a big part throughout the carnival and fete. In 1961 Annie Bronger posed as a rather oversize toddler for a competition 'Guess the Baby's weight'. Sometimes whole families dressed up like the Boakes family as characters from Doctor Who and the Davis family as a group of Martians.

The dogs also had a fancy dress competition with many comical entries, one of the funniest being in 1965 when a boxer dog named Chip entered dressed as Andy Capp with a cigarette in mouth. 

In 1965 the pupils of Temple School, Strood, gave a trampoline display and by 1970 wrestling became established with village wrestler Phil Cooper performing with sizeable local support. In 1971 this was extended when M & R Promotions presented a tag-wrestling match between The Tigers and The Commancheros. By the late seventies this had become so popular that in 1978 TV wrestling star Johnny Kwango opened the fete then participated in a tag wrestling match with other well known wrestlers. In 1977 a Wild West shoot out given by the Western Saddle Club took place and in 1982 a troupe of majorettes from London gave a musical marching display while 12 teams competed in a newly formed pie throwing competition won by 'The Village Idiots.' 

There were years when the carnival had limited success, particularly when the weather was bad. In 1974 children dressed as Little Slave Girls with bare midriffs trembled in the cold and the carnival Queen and attendants were wrapped in blankets. However, 1976 was the only year when the carnival failed to take place.

When the fete finished the day was concluded with a carnival dance, initially held in the Infant’s school, the village hall in later years. The only exception took place in 1954 when a concert was held in the Old Forge. 

The carnival continued to boom and remained a massively popular event until 1982. Although it proved to be very successful and raised money for the village school swimming pool, future organisational problems arose, suddenly ending the biggest single, annual village event.

David Wood

About David

David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.

David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.

Free Insulation Offer for all Swale Residents*

Click on offer to enlarge.

Gerry Lewin

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Produce Sale and Crafts

St. Margaret's, Lower Halstow.

Produce Sale and Crafts on Saturday the 25th of August from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow.

Please join us at arguably the prettiest location around for a wide range of home grown and home made produce and crafts including: jewellery, pens, wood work, needle work, cards and honey.

Refreshments available and warm welcome guaranteed.

Liz Mouland
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World's Biggest Coffee Morning

Last year with your help Diane raised an amazing
£1181.00 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

On Friday the 28th of September Diane Macaulay will be hosting another Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, as she has done for the past 15 years !

All are welcome for Coffee, Cake and a Raffle at 22 Church Farm Road, between 10am and 12pm.

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Please support this very worthwhile cause.


Upchurch Matters

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St. Mary's Church is Open to Visitors

In an ideal world, a church should be left open at all times. Unfortunately, experience has shown that this is not possible in this day and age. However, we welcome visitors who wish to come and look round our lovely building, as well as residents of the village who want to come in for some peaceful moments.

From August 11th, the building will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays in August from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Stewards will be there to welcome you.

If you wish to come at another time or arrange a guided tour for a group, please contact either of the church wardens:

Elizabeth Shorthouse on: 01634 354676

Jill Rothery on: 01634 389530

Service times are displayed on the church door.

Welcome to St. Mary the Virgin, Upchurch!

Helen Osborne

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Nursery Days - Open and Fun Days

On Wednesday the 22nd of August 2012 Nursery Days Ltd would like to give parents / carers the opportunity to view our nursery, between 9am and 3pm.

We pride ourselves on parental partnerships and as such extend a warm welcome to those wishing to view the setting. We still have spaces for September in our under three rooms and spaces are still available for the afternoon sessions in our pre-school where you can use your free government funding.

Kids Days is our out of school club which provides care for 4 – 14 year olds and operates from Upchurch village hall during all holidays, 8am-6pm. Why not come along to there Fun Day in aid of Macmillan cancer and meet the team on 17th August between 1pm and 3pm ? The Fun Day will feature a bouncy castle, refreshment stall and a raffle with excellent prizes, such as a family pass to Butlins Bognor Regis.

Contact Stephanie or Melanie at the nursery for more information on: 01634 263896 or Sarah and Jodie from Kids Days on: 07435 975138 or alternatively...

Email us at:  info@nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Our website:  www.nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Nursery Days Ltd, The Old School,
Upchurch, ME9 7AJ  (Map)

Stephanie Oakham

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A Musical Evening in St. Mary’s - Amount Raised

I am delighted to let you know that the Holywell Primary School - A musical Evening that took place in St. Mary’s Church, on Saturday the 21st of July raised the magnificent sum of £837.00 for the School.


The Concert was enjoyed by over 100 people !


Thanks to all who took part in the Concert, the performers the organisers and the audience.

Brian Evans

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