Upchurch 50 Years Ago in October 1962

October 1962 began with a resurgence of interest in the theatre which led to the forming of the ‘Upchurch Players’ drama group, the first of its kind in ten years. Parish council clerk Aubrey Smith from Oak Lane thought up the idea and had discussions with Terry Ray from Horsham Lane who organised the group. Using the village hall as a base, the actors had to perform on the floor as a stage did not exist, but undeterred the group rehearsed hard and performed a series of one act plays with the first being ‘Home is the Hunted’ on October 26th.

In parish council affairs discussions continued about more recreational space for the community, complaints were made about the carelessness of refuse collectors and the mess they left around the village while permission was given for new street lighting in Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane. Mr R F Beckenham failed to obtain permission to construct a caravan site on the Wetham Green side of Poot Lane and the recurring problem of indiscriminate car parking on the recreation ground and in the bus stop lay by opposite the church was referred to the police.

Memories of Upchurch.

The cricket club annual dinner and dance turned out to be the most significant village social event of the month. Held in the village hall and presided over by Chairman Ted Tress from Wallbridge Lane, Sussex county cricketer Ian Thompson attended as the principal guest of honour. Ted Tress announced that the club had experienced a successful season winning eighteen, losing nine and drawing three of its scheduled matches with three abandoned due to bad weather. Peter Smith and Don Diffey scored most of the runs while Alan Auger and Basil Barden took most wickets. After the dinner the club presented Eric Gransden with a barometer in appreciation for the work he had done over the years.

In other village club affairs Mrs Smith presided over the Women’s Institute’s meeting in the village hall and guest Mrs Pilcher from Rough Common spoke about ‘corn dollies’ after which members were given a handful of corn and challenged to make their own dollies with help from Mrs Pilcher. A competition for members to make a miniature scarecrow followed won by Mrs Cox.

Sad news revealed that former Upchurch vicar Reverend Hugh Clark had died in St George’s hospital Tooting after a long illness. Reverend Clark had served as vicar from 1951 to 1958. He had entered the clergy late in life after working as a bank manager for Barclays for more than 40 years and had had long term connections with the church having served as a church warden, a reader and a vicar. His funeral took place in Upchurch and he was buried in the churchyard. The only other funeral in October involved Susannah Hilburn aged 78 from ‘The Crown.’ Happier news concerned the marriage of Celia Clemons from Suffield House Cottages in The Street to Alec Hayward from Iwade and Janet Latter from Drake’s Close to Harry Fordham from Gillingham which brought October to a cheerful end.

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  or from us here at Upchurch Matters.
price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Pantomime 2012 - George & the Dragon

In honour of this patriotic year The Upchurch Players are proud to announce that their 23rd production will be the family pantomime "George & the Dragon"! The show is in true traditional pantomime style, although the story may differ slightly from the Legend we all know...

Performances Dates:
Thursday 6th December 7:30pm
Friday 7th December 7:30pm
Saturday 8th December 2:30pm AND 7:30pm

Tickets are £5 each and available from Andrea on: 01634 361040.

*** PLEASE NOTE TICKETS GO ON SALE ON OCTOBER 1ST ***

 We have sold out dates in previous years so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Facebook Page:  Here

Alison Lewin

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Beat the Quizmaster

Come and test your knowledge at The Upchurch Players Fundraising Quiz Night !

On Saturday the 27th of October, 7:30pm in the village Hall. Teams of up to 6 people - £4.50 each (bring own drinks & nibbles).

To book contact Gloria on: 01634 363 271.

Facebook Page:  Here

Alison Lewin

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Holywell Primary School Christmas Fayre

Please join us for the Holywell Primary School Christmas Fayre to be held in the School Hall on Sunday the 9th of December 2012 between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Parents & Friends of Holywell School
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The Gullands Guide to Buying a Listed Property

Many buildings of historical interest are listed.

In Britain there are three types of Listed Buildings - Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. These properties carry restrictions on work that can be carried out, the higher the grade the more stringent the restrictions. The listed status is in place to protect buildings of historical interest and importance.

The major problem with listed buildings is that if works have been carried out to the property since its listing without Listed Building Consent the Local Authority has the power to ask for alterations to be put right regardless of the time that has passed since those works were carried out. When alterations have been made to buildings without requisite Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval there is generally a time limit for such enforcement action.

The legal process involved in the conveyancing of a listed property is not any different from that in respect of a non-listed building. The standard searches and enquiries will disclose whether the property is a listed building. Once this information is available then more detailed enquiries would be raised to ensure that if any works had been carried out to the property since its listing, that these had the appropriate Listed Building Consent in addition to any requirement for Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval. 

Buyers should usually have an independent survey carried out and it is prudent to use a surveyor specialising in listed buildings. A surveyor should be able to ascertain alterations that have been carried out to the property and this would enable the buyer and the solicitors acting on the buyers behalf to ensure that any alterations had the appropriate consent. 

If the appropriate consent had not been obtained (as there may be a requirement for the property to be put back into its original state) the purchase price could be renegotiated to cover the costs that are likely to be incurred or alternatively if time permits, the seller could be asked to remedy the works or obtain the appropriate Listed Building Consent prior to completion of the transaction.

If you are considering buying a listed building or have bought one and would like advice contact Alan Williams, Head of Residential Conveyancing at Gullands Solicitors, Maidstone. 


Phone: 01622 689790.
Email: a.williams@gullands.com

Website: www.gullands.com

Gullands Solicitors

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Community Engagement Meeting

PCSO Cork.

Our Local PCSO John Cork will be holding a Community Engagement Meeting outside of Upchurch Post Office on Friday the 26th of October from 10:00am until 11:00am.

PCSO Cork will be on hand to discuss any policing issues you have concerning the village.

Kent Police Website:   Here

Upchurch Matters

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  or visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

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 and a Danish pastry (funded by the Twinning Group) at about 11am 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 – Scout Bonfire. We hope to have our yummy bacon rolls on sale at this event. Do come along and find us! The Scout bonfire website will be up and running soon – visit:  www.upchurchfireworks.co.uk

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

Sue Rossiter

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - October 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 6^th September 2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 2 members of the public.

Public Time – A resident raised concerns over the condition of the Churchyard wall. He was assured that this was being monitored.

Correspondence – Bennett’s Expedition to Peru –Members considered ideas for supporting the two residents in their objective to raise funds to participate in a 4 week expedition to Peru in July 2014. The Clerk was asked to contact another resident who was also hoping to participate in a separate expedition.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

SW/12/0906 The Paddocks, Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of SW/04/1302 to allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane. No objections.

ii) SW/12/1015 6 Wallbridge Lane – Variation of condition (4) of planning permission SW/11/1150 to permit four mothers & babies (plus staff) at any one time instead of three. The Planning Review Team had expressed concerns about the expansion of the facility so soon after the initial application. They commented that approval was given but the house now needed converting before even being set up. Members also commented that visiting hours should not be allowed outside normal social hours and asked if the applicant had properly accommodated parking spaces for staff and visitors.

Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:

Prior approval not required:

Proposed agricultural barn extension; Ham Green Farm, Ham Green

Permission granted:

SW/12/0906 The Paddocks, Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of SW/04/1302 to allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane

SW/12/0511 Dingles Field, Chaffes Lane – Side extension to existing workshop

SW/12/0675 97 Chaffes Lane – Rear conservatory

Application withdrawn:

Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane – Change of use of site to allow the siting of a gypsy mobile home with associated parking and amenity space (retrospective)

Other Planning matters – Local Needs Housing - A positioning paper written by Cllr Tucker had been circulated to all members. Three meetings of the sub-group had taken place where representatives had attended. It had been agreed that there would be two letters accompanying the voting form, one from the Parish Council and one from the representatives. A copy of the letter from the representatives would be reviewed by members at the next sub-group meeting. A suggestion by the Clerk to enable residents to vote at the ‘drop-in’ had not been agreed by representatives. Members agreed the voting forms would be distributed after the ‘drop-in’ event as planned. It was requested that there would be no campaigning by any party after the ‘drop-in’ event and this had been agreed by all at the sub-group meeting. The Clerk insisted that a neutral collection point be allocated for the return of the voting forms to ensure that no accusations of tampering could be raised. The tampering issue was raised by representatives at the sub-group meeting. Members discussed this and suggested placing a voting box in the Church at various times.

Cllr Tucker had suggested that the Council vote on the following:

“Should the Parish Council return a decision to ERHA & ACRK that it is NOT the right time for the village to undertake such a scheme?” It was explained that this request had been made after the agenda had been distributed, therefore it would be difficult for members to vote on this at the meeting. Also an issue had been raised that two Councillors lived very close to one of the proposed sites under the scheme and therefore had a conflict of interest. The Clerk was asked to obtain advice regarding this. Members are planning to discuss this further at the next meeting. Residents are advised that the ‘drop in’ is provisionally planned for Friday 12^th October in the Village Hall between the hours of 3pm and 8pm. This is still to be confirmed.

Finance – Audit Commission – Annual return for the year ended 31 March 2012 – The Clerk reported that this had been completed and certified. No issues had been identified by the Audit Commission.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Relocating gate at Allotments - The Clerk reported that two quotes had been received and another was expected shortly. Recreation ground fencing cost – An email from a resident regarding the cost to install wire fencing to part of the Chaffes Lane boundary. Members discussed the possibility of advertising similar small jobs on the notice boards asking people to volunteer their services. It was agreed to discuss this again.                                   

Paddock – Lease – The Clerk reported that Mowll & Mowll Solicitors had confirmed that they were preparing the lease. A cheque to the sum of £2,400 had been forwarded to Gullands Solicitors to enable them to enter into the undertaking. Mr Simmons had copied the Clerk in correspondence chasing Mowll & Mowll for the Lease. Football in the Paddock –Members are considering installing boulders in front of the trees to discourage footballers to play in the Paddock. The cost of this will be considered when preparing the budget for 2013/14. Trees overhanging properties in Bradshaw Close – A letter had been received from residents raising issues with trees which were overhanging their garden. The Tree Warden will investigate and discuss further with the Clerk.                       

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Litter in the churchyard – It was reported that after weddings had taken place at the church, litter was accumulating in the churchyard. The Clerk will contact PCC asking who is responsible for keeping this area tidy after a wedding.

Environment – Footpath by fishing lake – An email from a resident reporting the state of the footpath that runs from Horsham Lane up to the footpath that crosses the horses fields and leads to The Poles. It was reported that the footpath end nearest the fishing lakes was being used as a public toilet. The Clerk will forward this information on to the owner of the lake and inform PCSO John Cork.                                                           

Highways - Street light at Windmill Hill – A quote to the sum of £358.52 plus VAT for the installation of a new lantern was considered. All agreed and the Clerk will arrange this.

Next meetings – Thursday 4^th October 2012 and Thursday 8^th November 2012. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.

 Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road Tel: 01634 363906
(Mon. – Thurs. 9am – midday)

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Parish Council website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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Final Summer 2012 Produce Sale and Crafts

St. Margaret's, Lower Halstow.

All are welcome to our final Summer Produce Sale with Crafts for 2012 on Saturday the 22nd of September 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.  A warm welcome awaits you.

Liz Mouland
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Holywell School during the 1860s

For many years the village children had been given a basic education in the church with money for teachers and books being raised from local donations then in 1811 National Schools were founded by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. These were established in villages and towns across England and Wales in the following years to provide the first universal system of elementary education. 

Holywell School, which opened on March 16th 1847 as a National (Church of England) School, was designed to educate the poor in the basic principles of the Established Church. It offered an education which consisted of reading, writing and arithmetic, scripture and an emphasis on moral and religious training. Singing and needlework were also taught with a small amount of time spent on other subjects. Teaching was conducted by rote learning with an exam at the end of the year.

Little evidence exists about life at Holywell School during the 1840s and 1850s but from 1862 schools were obliged to keep a daily log book. The surviving Holywell log book which is held at the Kentish Studies Archives in Maidstone begins in 1865 and gives a clear account about what was happening at the school. An entry in the log book for 23^rd November 1865 by school mistress Mary Holland shows a typical day at the school:

“Gave the whole school in the morning a lesson on the creation. To the first class one also, on the boundaries, size and climate of England. Visited by clergyman. Explained the collect for Sunday to the whole school. Examined 2^nd class in reading and found the reading of the boys improved. Cautioned D. Whitnall for fighting.” 

Attendance at school during the 1860s was not compulsory and children were periodically absent, particularly during the fruit picking and hop picking seasons or to work in the brickfields. Parents were obliged by their employers to make their children work when required. Entries in the log book complain about how this interfered with learning and caused bad behaviour. Maximum daily attendance during the 1860s was about 55. This became a less serious problem from 1882 when school attendance became compulsory.

Memories of Upchurch.

In 1861 Rebecca Hills worked as the school mistress but was later succeeded by Mary Holland who lived in the schoolhouse with her sister Isabella. They had rent free accommodation, common for teachers at the time. They were also assisted by volunteers. These included Mrs. Woodruff, the vicar’s wife who assisted with singing and needlework and a Mrs. Sibley who helped with other subjects. Revd Woodruff also visited the school every week to give religious and moral guidance. He usually visited the school during the afternoons and conducted prayers.

Pupils were generally well ordered but sometimes troublesome and according to the school log book were particularly difficult to control after returning to school from work. Mary Holland wrote on October 7^th, 1866:

“Many children came in who had been working in the brickfield all summer; find them rather rough and wild.”

 Other entries in the log book outline common problems.

Dec 1^st, 1865 “warned Gilbert Hepton not to interfere with girls going home, also against cruelty to animals”. Dec 13th, 1866 “…spoke to the children about pulling turnips as they go home from school.” Aug 14^th, 1866 “punished J. Hubbard and J. Manser for disturbing a wasp’s nest.” Jan 21^st 1868 “turned Daniel Whitnall out of the school.”

Holywell School offered a very basic education for its pupils at a time when the majority of boys left school and worked on local farms or in the brickfields while many girls entered domestic service.

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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