Before the arrival of Christmas the month began on a serious note with a discussion at the monthly parish council meeting about essential services being overloaded if the village continued to grow at a fast rate, particularly with regard to the electrical power supply and sewage services. At the meeting councillors decided to inform the planning authority that when considering future building development in Upchurch essential services should be kept at a minimum standard.
As the festive season drew closer a Christmas fair took place in a gaily decorated village hall with Father Christmas and most village organisations present. On a cold evening the event began in The Paddock where a carol procession headed by The Women’s Institute and the church choir led the way followed by Father Christmas being pulled on the ‘Upchurch Clipper’ by village youth club members. They took off on a route incorporating Oak Lane, Horsham Lane, Crosier Court and The Poles then to the village hall where a ten minute carol singing session took place before everyone went inside to have refreshments provided by the Women’s Voluntary Service.
Inside the village hall the Christmas fair began with a fancy dress parade won by the Darby and Joan Club with its entry ‘The Ghost of Sir Francis Drake.’ After this Angela Lacy and Mrs. Eastwood both won the ‘Best Dressed Doll Competition’ with their entries ‘The Beatles’ and ‘Regency Lady’ respectively. In a successful evening a profit of £75 was made and this contributed towards the repayment of the loan for the village hall. Shortly after the Christmas Fair the horticultural society held a dance which also raised money for local charities.
More social events followed In the week leading up to Christmas Day when the church choir and Upchurch Young Wives made a carol singing tour of the village while other attractions outside the village included the Christmas pantomime ‘Dick Wittington’ at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury with Richard Murdoch and the film ‘Treasure Island’ starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver at the Odeon cinema in Sittingbourne.
With Christmas Day rapidly approaching ‘The Crown’, a more basic pub than today with two separate bars and outside toilets, attracted more customers in the run up to Christmas and continued to serve as the main social meeting place in the village centre with a variety of regulars. Landlady Kitty Stewart was always good for a chat, Doug Sellen and ‘Taffy’ Burnell starred as the main darts players while Alf Castle, John Brunning and Jimmy Goodall were regular euchre card players. Sadly, these well-known village characters are now just a distant memory.
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David Wood. |
In sporting affairs a meeting took place in the village hall to form Upchurch Badminton Club. With 26 members enrolled Mr. Julier was elected chairman, Mr. New treasurer and Mrs. Gurtler secretary. Meanwhile, the table tennis club continued to thrive in the village hall with teams in all divisions of the Sittingbourne & District League. Star players included Keith Pamplin from Drakes Close and Peter and Brian Boakes from Chaffes Lane, while Rich Boakes continued as the principal organiser.
December also proved to be a very good month for local farmers when Frank Stevens & Sons from Boxted Farm won the champion beast prize at the East Kent Christmas Fat Stock Show at Canterbury Cattle Market with a pedigree Sussex steer named ‘Copton Manor.’ Another local farm company W.H. Mouland & Son from Lower Halstow came second with an Aberdeen Angus cross breed steer named Mr. Bert. Frank Stevens also won second prize in the Southdown Sheep Society prize for three lambs and first for a pair of Sussex cockerels, four ducks and drakes and another second with four fat hens.
Birthdays were celebrated by Anne Clemons aged 13 from Gore Bank, Elaine Stokes from Holywell Cottages aged 12 and David Swift from Chaffes Lane aged five in a busy and varied December Christmas schedule with residents experiencing an entertaining and joyous month.
December also proved to be a very good month for local farmers when Frank Stevens & Sons from Boxted Farm won the champion beast prize at the East Kent Christmas Fat Stock Show at Canterbury Cattle Market with a pedigree Sussex steer named ‘Copton Manor.’ Another local farm company W.H. Mouland & Son from Lower Halstow came second with an Aberdeen Angus cross breed steer named Mr. Bert. Frank Stevens also won second prize in the Southdown Sheep Society prize for three lambs and first for a pair of Sussex cockerels, four ducks and drakes and another second with four fat hens.
Birthdays were celebrated by Anne Clemons aged 13 from Gore Bank, Elaine Stokes from Holywell Cottages aged 12 and David Swift from Chaffes Lane aged five in a busy and varied December Christmas schedule with residents experiencing an entertaining and joyous month.
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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