We want to hear about your village news and events
The best way to tell us is through the contact form
here
~ ENTERTAINMENT ~
Friday 31st July - Karaoke with Cassie
Friday 7th August - Disco with the Funky Soul Brothers
Friday 14th August - Karaoke with Ian
Friday 21st August - Karaoke with Ian
Friday 28th August - Super Rock 'n' Roll with the fabulous Sonny Ray
Friday 4th September - Karaoke with Ian
Friday 11th September - Disco with the Funky Soul Brothers
~ FOOD ~
Freshly Prepared Home Cooked Light Bites From Local Produce. Available From 1:00pm Daily - Jacket Potatoes - Tea & Coffee and more...
Sally
Telephone: 01634 231991
Temporary Overnight Road Closures of the A2 in Upchurch and Newington are planned for the nights of:
Friday 21 August 2015.
Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August 2015 inclusive.
Closures are between 8:00 pm through until 5:00 am each night.
The road will be closed between the junctions with Spade Lane, Upchurch and Playstool Road, Newington, affecting A2 London Road and A2 Hartlip Hill.
The alternative route is via A2, A278, M2 and A249, as fully listed below. There is also a route for non-motorway traffic.
The closures are to enable Kent County Council to carry out essential carriageway resurfacing works at the junction with Breach Lane.
Delays are likely, and it is recommended that motorists allow extra time for their journeys and find alternative routes.
Breach Lane will be closed between A2 Hartlip Hill and Boxted Lane. The alternative route is via Breach Lane and the eastern part of the non-motorway route shown below.
These works are weather dependent, and if adverse conditions prevent them going ahead on the planned dates shown, revised dates will be notified and signposted on site.
It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption. Access to properties within the closed section of road will generally be available throughout the works.
Access to properties directly fronting onto the area of the works will need to be restricted for short periods, but if you have any particular access needs, please let the workforce on the site know. If your vehicle is usually parked on the carriageway, please make sure you park it somewhere else away from the site whilst the works are carried out, so the road is clear to resurface.
 |
Click Map to Enlarge. |
The full alternative route is via A2 London Road, Moor Street, High Street (Rainham), London Road, A278 Hoath Way, M2 Motorway between Junctions 4 and 6, Stockbury Roundabout, A249 Maidstone Road, Key Street on/off-slips and Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill and High Street, Newington.
Non-motorway Traffic - the alternative route is via A2 London Road, Moor Street, High Street (Rainham), B2004 Station Road, Lower Rainham Road, Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane, The Street, Forge Lane, Halstow Lane, The Street, Raspberry Hill Lane, Old Ferry Road, A249 Iwade Bypass, Maidstone Road, Key Street on/off-slips and Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill and High Street, Newington via The Street, Raspberry Hill Lane, Old Ferry Road and the A249.
The length of the diversion routes are because they must be of an equivalent standard to be suitable for use by all vehicles diverted.
If you need more information, please call: 03000 418181.
You can also visit the website: www.kent.gov.uk/highways
Upchurch Matters
space
New local bus timetables are to be introduced by Sittingbourne based Chalkwell from September 1st. And they include re-investment.
The new timetables contain significant changes to seven of the services they operate through their long established Kent and Medway network.
And savings from services which are currently not fully used will be reinvested into other improvements to the network.
Significantly for passengers, say Chalkwell, there will be an increase in the number of 326 services to provide more direct links between Sittingbourne, Newington and the Medway Towns.
From September 1st nearly every 326 / 327 journey will be extended to include Gillingham and Mid Kent College. Peak journeys will actually go to the college campus and all others will stop along the main road within easy walking distance.
The Hempstead Shopper will also be extended and improved, Chalkwell reveal.
Of the 326 / 7, Chalkwell’s Commercial Director Roland Eglinton said: “The very last round trip of the day on Monday to Saturday will cease to operate due to low usage, with the cost savings reinvested back into the daytime service when people are more likely to make use of it.
“Saturdays will alter considerably with a revised timetable and a reduced number of journeys. We will still run regular services at the most important times on Saturdays, but savings generated have been reinvested back into the service as a whole through the other improvements.”
He said the number of 327’s will slightly decrease, but there will be an increase in the number of 326’s. The new timetable for September will be on the Chalkwell website very shortly.
Roland said the new timetable for 320 / 321 services was already on the website.
This affects services which run between the Isle of Sheppey, Iwade, Milton Regis and Sittingbourne, Monday to Friday on school days. The Leysdown and Warden sections of the route will be discontinued, but the 320 service will now serve Sheerness and Minster. All journeys will serve the rapidly-expanding Thistle Hill estate.
From September the 339 Hempstead Valley Shopper will operate on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays and will be extended to Medway Hospital and Chatham. He said this would give people from the Island the opportunity to travel to Chatham and the hospital – importantly without changing buses.
Said Roland: “Times for both of these services will alter so that they leave Sheerness slightly before 0930 before the concessionary passes are accepted.
“Anyone wishing to board in Sheerness before 0930 with a concessionary pass will be able to pay a reduced fare.
“Fares to Canterbury are reduced if someone buys the Adult Daily ticket – which we have already announced - that reduces from the current £8.30 to £6.”
The 322 service to Eastchurch Prisons will be slightly altered to go in and out of Sittingbourne via the Bobbing link road and Chalkwell Road.
This will eliminate the need for a double deck bus to go under the low bridge near the station or via Crown Quay Lane.
He said the new timetables would be on the Chalkwell website in the next few days.
Added Roland: “Information will be available in the next few days not only via our website, but through handouts for customers.”
Find out more at ☞ www.chalkwell.co.uk
Chalkwell
space
Nick, Jan and Jo at Snaffles Upchurch would love to see everyone at the shops Open Day Celebrations on Thursday the 30th of July - from 2:00pm onwards.
Pop by for a Glass of Fizz, Goodie Bags, a Raffle, Cupcakes, Ice Cream, Teas & Coffees and Horses!
2-4 The Street, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7AJ.
Telephone: 01634 230761 - 07480 247448.
Nick Thompson-moore
space
Hello readers, here's an update on the activities of the WI during the last couple of months.
We had a very interesting talk in June from a representative of the Kent Air Ambulance Service. He told us that the service is a registered charity and is funded by donations. £6.5 million is needed every year to keep it going and he asked us to spread the word and encourage people to support them in whatever way they can - after all any one of us might need their help at some time in our lives.
The speaker for the July Meeting didn't think it necessary to let us know that he wouldn't be coming and it was too late to find another one. We were to have learned how to look after our hair but instead we dealt with the monthly business, had an extended "tea and chat" and went home early. You win some, you lose some!
We don't have a meeting in August, but we will be getting together for a "posh tea party" in a member's garden.
We hope to see some new faces on the 8th of September in the Village Hall at 7:30pm when the speaker will be giving us "a taste of medieval cooking".
Christine Stevens
Upchurch WI
space
We often talk about everyone who comes through our doors becoming part of our ‘Holywell family’. Today, we wish a fond farewell to the mother of that family – our friend, our Office Manager, our number one mainstay – Mrs Janice ‘Bunts’ Bunting.
They say a school can only be as successful as its team and that is certainly true for us with Mrs B at the helm for the last 26 years.
As her retirement has approached, we have decorated parts of the school with ‘Mrs Bunting bunting’ made by the children themselves. Although the images were all very different, the message was always the same: ‘We will miss you, Mrs Bunting’.
On Friday evening, we organised a celebration party with the theme ‘This Is Your Life’. We were lucky enough to have Jan’s family, friends and colleagues, both current and from days gone by, to celebrate with us. There were video messages from ex-head teachers and ex-colleagues and even a message from the man responsible for hiring Mrs Bunting all those years ago, Mr Peter Dixon. The many speakers regaled us with tales of fun times, hi-jinx and unfailing kindness and generosity. Those moments shared helped us all appreciate what a truly special person Mrs Bunting is to us all.
Holywell School would like to thank Mrs Bunting for her 26 years of service and wish her every success in her new adventures, whatever they may be.
Have a happy and restful retirement Jan, you deserve it!
space
Julia Cura
Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01634 363906
space
Upchurch Cricket Club would like to invite you to their annual Cricket Week starting on Monday 27th July, running through until Friday 31st, in memory of Don Macaulay and in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
As well as cricket fixtures to enjoy the BBQ will be running non stop all week and there's a well stocked bar with plenty of food available.
Upchurch's Don Macaulay sadly passed away to cancer in 2000 at the age of just 37 and the club have hosted Cricket Week every July since as a good way to remember him.
It is Dons parents wish that the money raised be donated to Macmillan Nurses. Last year Cricket Week raised over £3000 which was fantastic!
The highlight of the week will be Wednesday when the 1st team Captain Kevin Masters who is himself an ex professional cricketer is bringing a star studded team of ex and current pro cricketers including Amjad Khan who is currently playing for Sussex to play against our 1st XI, which will include 2 overseas players from the Nepal squad who are playing club cricket with us until the end of season.
This should be a good game and there is even a bowling master class being held in the morning by Chris Dale who is an ex Kent player and currently coaches Kent so any budding young or old cricketers who would like to take part in that, please feel free to get in touch.
Cricket Week finishes with a live band again, hog roast, raffle and an auction for our guests and members. This event is sold out, but we would just like to apologies in advance for any noise that may be heard. The evening is a one off and rest assured will not go on any later than 11:00pm. It's all for a fantastic charity so it's hoped residents will understand that the money raised helps make a great difference to a fantastic charity and ultimately peoples lives.
The Cricket Fixtures are as follows:
Monday 27th - Upchurch XI v Chatham Nomads XI - 2:00pm start.
Tuesday 28th - Upchurch XI v TKW Electrical XI 2:00pm start.
Wednesday 29th - Upchurch XI v KDM Masters XI 2:00pm start.
Thursday 30th - Upchurch u15/17 Colts v Lordswood u15/17 2:00pm start.
Friday 31st Upchurch CC XI v Upchurch FC XI 20/20 4:00pm start.
The Kent Trade Frames Pavilion and Upchurch Cricket Ground are set in one of nicest locations around and don't worry if you haven't been to the Cricket Club before, the club welcomes new faces and appreciates your support for this great cause.
Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you all - Lee Stepney.
space
When you are buying and selling property it is important to understand where the boundary of the property lies to avoid any future disputes with neighbours.
A boundary divides two pieces of land and may be physical, such as a wall or legal and identified in legal documents. If the latter is the case, it is rare that the boundaries will be identified precisely.
A physical boundary may not follow exactly the same line as the legal boundary. It is possible for owners of two adjacent pieces of land to fix a boundary by agreement between them or a boundary may be fixed by statute or by legal presumption.
Owners of properties should look to the title to their properties which if registered, will be held by the Land Registry, and if unregistered will be contained in the Deeds. Frequently Deeds and title information contain details of any obligations to erect a boundary structure on the legal boundary between two parcels of land.
There are some occasions where it will be necessary to erect a boundary structure such as the customary duty, which is enforceable at law to fence land containing cattle. There is a statutory requirement for the Highways Authority to erect such rails and fences, as they consider necessary for the purpose of maintaining people’s safety.
In the absence of any statutory or common law requirement and where the Deeds to the property are silent as to the fencing of boundaries, there is no obligation on any individual to erect a boundary structure to denote the boundary of their land.
Common sense often dictates that a boundary structure should be erected, such as where a person has a dog or other domestic pet, which needs to be contained within the boundaries of the property. Any failure to keep the domestic pet within the boundaries of the property may result in a claim for damages under the Animals Act or for trespass and/or nuisance against the owner by a neighbouring landowner.
There is a difference between ownership of a fence and an obligation to erect a boundary structure. Often “T” marks are used on plans that accompany transfers of property to indicate ownership of a boundary feature or the liability to maintain or repair a boundary feature. The ‘T’ will be drawn on the land of the party that owns the boundary feature with the base of the ‘T’ touching the line that represents the feature.
Whilst the presence of a ‘T’ mark on a plan may be taken as an indication that the fence along that boundary line belongs to the property with the responsibility to erect a boundary, if there is evidence to show that in fact the boundary structure was erected by the neighbouring property, then the neighbouring property will retain ownership of that fence even though the Title Deeds to the property will indicate that it was not their responsibility to fence the boundary.
Occasionally, plans may show a ‘H’ mark. This essentially shows two ‘T’ marks mirrored on a boundary line and is the symbol that is used if the responsibility for the boundary is shared between the neighbouring properties. If there is no information contained in the Deeds as to who is responsible for erecting a boundary structure, then home owners should initially look at any information contained in the sellers Property Information Form that was given to them when they purchased the property and speak to their neighbours.
In the absence of any useful evidence then any property owner is entitled to erect a boundary structure on their land. However, in order to avoid the risk of being accused of having trespassed on their neighbour’s land they should take care to ensure that the boundary structure is erected entirely on their side of the legal boundary.
 |
Anna Golding. |
Anna Golding is a solicitor at Gullands Solicitors and can be contacted by Email: a.golding@gullands.com Website: www.gullands.com or Telephone: 01622 689700.
Gullands Solicitors
space
We need volunteers to help us offer our service
We need your help. Victim Support also work in partnership with Kent Police. The Victim Support charity is built on our volunteers - without them we couldn't continue to do all the positive work for victims of crime.
We offer emotional support and advice to victims suffering as a result of criminality.As a Victim Support volunteer, you will be trained to support victims from the first time you meet them until they feel strong enough to move forward on their own. You will listen to their concerns and make sure that their needs are met. If you can spare one or two hours a week of your time to help us, you will be providing a valuable service to your community.
You don't need qualifications or previous experience of this kind of work to volunteer for Victim Support. All you need is the willingness to help, and a little time. Age matters so you will need to be 18 and over in order to take on certain roles.
If you are able to volunteer, we will have to do a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service, this is for the protection of the victims and witnesses we help. Training is given, and any travel expenses incurred when working for us are reimbursed.
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Kent Community Messaging
space
We are currently looking to recruit a Weekend Cleaner to join our busy and hard working team.
If you are interested please call Carol on: 01795 842840
The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7DY
Carol Haines
space
 |
This years overall winners were Mr & Mrs Friend for their beautifully
presented garden in Beckenham Park. |
Gardens, in all parts of Upchurch, were viewed on either the 17 or 18th of July and the judges decided as follows:-
In the FLOWERS category:-
PRIZE WINNER – Mr & Mrs Friend at 56, Beckenham Park
Highly commended – Mrs Joan Lewin at 21, Drakes Close
In the MIXED FLOWERS/SHRUBS category:-
PRIZE WINNER – Mr & Mrs Panter at 16, Wilks Close
Highly commended – Mr & Mrs Boakes at 97, Chaffes Lane
In the SMALL/HANGING BASKETS/TROUGHS category:-
PRIZE WINNER – Mr Paviour & Ms Head at Myrtle Cottage 6, The Street
Highly commended – Mrs Packer at 11, Chaffes Terrace
The overall prize winners were judged to be Mr & Mrs Friend for their beautifully presented garden in Beckenham Park. As overall winners they will be presented with THE BARBARA WEBB MEMORIAL ROSE BOWL which they will keep until next year’s overall winner is announced.
Prize winners will invited to collect their prizes at the Horticultural Show in the village hall on the afternoon of 12th September at 3:30pm, but everyone is welcome to visit the show which is open from 2:00 pm till 4:00pm.
Gerry Lewin
On behalf of the Upchurch Horticultural Society and the Parish Council.
space
I have been given an allocation of £2,400 in the civic year 2015/2016 to be awarded to local community projects. If you are a village organisation and would like financial support for a project then please contact me to see whether I can assist. Please bear in mind that I represent the Ward of Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch and you will be unsurprised to learn that I am unlikely to allocate the whole amount to one organisation. Please note that my colleague, Cllr Wright, has a similar allocation in this Ward and we often ‘double-up’ on an application.
Looking forward to hearing from you - Cllr Gerry Lewin 135 Oak Lane ME9 7AY.
space
Liz Mouland
Friends of St. Margaret's, Lower Halstow
Space
Although the pottery is named after the village of Upchurch the business started in Rainham when Seymour and Dora Wakeley who had an interest in ceramics had a bottle and kiln workshop constructed in a chalk pit just off Seymour Road on Wakeley family land. While designer Edward Spencer gave a helping hand and advice, Dora Wakeley spent her free time obtaining clay and Roman pots from the Upchurch marshes, had her designs made into her own wares and exhibited these in London at places like Crystal Palace. She described her business to the East Kent Gazette dated March 20th 1920.
“I was first interested in the potter’s art as a hobby. When I started in a very small way before the war I little dreamt that it would develop into a revived history. I enjoyed hunting round museums for designs and most of my models have been copied from Chinese and Korean wares of the 15th century. I supply Upchurch pottery to several West-End firms and as a result of this fair I have been asked to accept far more orders than I can ever hope to execute.”
At the beginning conditions for producing pottery at the workshop were basic without gas or electricity, kick wheels were used to turn the pots and water was obtained and brought to the workshop from a nearby pond. The coal fired kiln proved to be very unpredictable and the clay obtained locally. Despite these problems Upchurch pottery became very well-known over time.
Potter Ted Baker who resided at Windmill Hill in Upchurch became a major reason why the pottery obtained its fame. He had originally worked with his father in the family flower pot business when he left school. He then spent some time in London where he worked in Reginald Wells’s pottery in Chelsea. Wells became a personal friend of Seymour Wakeley.
Ted Baker returned to Kent from London in 1913 and Seymour Wakeley immediately employed him as a potter at his workshop. The designs Baker worked on were mainly influenced by Greek and Roman vases and he used a style of soft colours with a matt finish. This became a characteristic of Upchurch Pottery. His glaze recipe books show that he used a large amount of boracic which intensifies colour and reduces expansion of the glaze to prevent cracking. The pottery had extraordinary and delicate colouring. The pots were fired to a great heat, up to 2,000 degrees, which caused unexpected colour effects. Dora Wakeley continued to be responsible for designs put into practice by Ted Baker while designer Edward Spencer advised and collaborated with regard to glaze recipes.
During the 1920s Upchurch glazes lost popularity, described by some experts as being sombre and stolid but after 1933 the glazes became more pastel and softer. Ted Baker perfected this characteristic and the products were exhibited at major trade fairs. His work became very popular and in demand. The pottery obtained so much fame that Queen Mary became a patron.
Due to the deterioration of the Seymour Road building the original site for the Upchurch Pottery was demolished in 1936 and Seymour Wakeley sold the business to Oscar and Grace Davies who opened the Roeginga Pottery in Rainham High Street. It only operated under them for two years but they recruited Ted Baker’s son Edward to manage it. Mrs Alice Winnecott then purchased the pottery, hired the services of Ted Baker and developed the Claverdon Range of pottery which became very popular. A thatched roof Tudor café and a pottery shop set in gardens and lawn existed close to the Men of Kent pub to attract potential customers travelling along the A2.
Although the Roeginga pottery didn’t function during World War Two it re-opened in 1948 and Ted Baker became the subject of a black and white film made at the pottery which showed the different stages of manufacture in pot making and the business did well with 200 items being produced in 1949, most of which were exported abroad.
During the summer months travellers on the way to the coast frequently stopped to watch Ted Baker at work in the pottery. After making enough money he eventually purchased the business from Mrs Winnecott in 1953. He then ran it as his own business with his two sons and they made pots for clients all over the world but in 1955 he died. Edward Baker junior then bought the business and renamed it Rainham Pottery in 1956. After 18 more years it finally closed in 1963 mainly due to the competition of cheaper, mass produced ware and the construction of the M2 motorway which took away a lot of trade. Edward Baker continued to run the Roeginga pottery until he retired in 1975.
Today Upchurch pottery is still in demand, a style well-known in the porcelain market nationwide and is recognizable by its distinctive colouring and finishing.
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 at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
Chaffes Lane, Upchurch will be closed from Monday the 13th of July for up to 5 days between Oak Lane and Bishop Lane for work to patch the road.
Please follow signed diversion.
space
Richard Thompstone - Newington Festival
space
Upchurch Colts Under 8s are in need of 2 Referees for the new season.
If you have some experience or even better are fully qualified or you know someone who is willing to help, please get in touch with Rob Croome on: 07909 688456 or Email: robcroome@sky.com
Rob Croome
Chairman - Upchurch Colts FC
Website: www.upchurchcoltsfc.co.uk
space
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
space
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
space
AN AFTERNOON OF TALENT
The pupils of
Holywell Primary School were treated to an afternoon of outstanding
entertainment on Wednesday 1st July at the annual talent show.
Following tough auditions,
the top 14 acts were chosen to perform and display their talents, leaving the 5
judges an almost impossible task to pick a winner.
After much deliberation and adjudication the panel, along with the
pupils, chose Jackson as the overall winner for his baffling magic tricks.
 |
Overall winner Jackson pictured with entrants and finalists along with the
Judging Panel made up of Head Teacher Mr Callaghan, Music Teacher
Mr Vinall, Dance Teacher Miss Bovis, Head Girl Shelly and Head Boy Josh.
Pictures courtesy of Kim Taylor Photography |
This event organised
annually by the Parents & Friends of Holywell School together with the help
of Mr Ball continues to get bigger and
better.
Mr Ball said after
the event
“What a fantastic
afternoon we have had! From super singing to dazzling dancing, magical music
and even time for some cracking comedy! The children were brilliant and the
judges - very kind!”
Clare Evans
Parents & Friends of Holywell School
Website: www.pfhs.co.uk
space
