Upchurch Horticultural Society - Summer Show 2015

Steve Laming
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Please Sign the Petition to Help Re-instate the 327 Bus Timetable

I would like to thank all those villagers from both Upchurch and Lower Halstow who attended the public meeting on the 26th of August at Upchurch Village Hall regarding proposed changes to the 327 Bus timetable.

Just to inform villagers that a petition to re-instate the 327 Bus timetable (the service will be reduced with effect from Tuesday the 1st of September) is available for signing at Upchurch Newsagents / Post Office.

View the new September 1st timetable on the Chalkwell website here ☞ www.chalkwell.co.uk

Read more about changes to Chalkwell Bus Timetables here ☞ www.upchurchmatters.co.uk

Thank you

Robert (Bob) Quy
Email: robert@rjqa.fsnet.co.uk

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Latest News from Upchurch WI

August is always the month when we don't have a Meeting - we have an informal get together instead, usually centred around FOOD! This year we held a "Posh Tea Party" in Karen and Dave Taylor's garden in Oak Lane, catered for by the Committee and very much enjoyed by 45 members and friends. It was a very hot day but with the help of three gazebos and the shade of their garage and various shrubs most of us managed to keep cool.

Our next meeting is on the 8th of September at 7:30pm in the Village Hall when the Speaker, Susan Hollings will give us "A taste of Medieval Cooking".

Why don't you come and join us?

Christine Stevens

Upchurch WI

Website: www.thewi.org.uk

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Volunteers Required for Upchurch Community Speedwatch Scheme

UPCHURCH PARISH COUNCIL DO HAVE

SPEEDWATCH EQUIPMENT

Speedwatch is a regulated scheme that we can operate but require volunteers to ensure we comply with regulations, without this help we are unable to operate it.

If you would like to help with this please contact the Clerk – Julia Cura on: 01634 363906 or Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

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Quiz Night at Holywell School in aid of the Friends of St. Mary's

In aid of the Friends of St. Mary's - Upchurch

Teams of up to 8 - £4 per person

All ages welcome - Bring your own refreshments

To reserve your tables call Ben Walters on: 01634 361897

Liz Walters

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Sailing Charter Trips aboard Edith May

We have Sailing Charter Trips from Lower Halstow Dock

with space available on the following dates:

Lunch Cruise

Saturday 12th September

Monday 14th September

Cream Tea Cruise

Tuesday 15th September
Wednesday 16th September

Fully Catered Day
Tuesday 22nd September

To book, Tel: 07875 503926 or Email: info@edithmaybargecharter.co.uk

Edith May Trading Company

Website: www.edithmaybargecharter.co.uk

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Swale Community Safety Partnership - Tell Us What Matters to You!

Swale Community Safety Partnership are currently seeking the views of local residents on community safety issues within their area.

Tell us what matters to you?

The Swale Community Safety Partnership brings together the police, councils and local authorities to more effectively and efficiently deal with crime & anti-social behaviour here in Swale.

Now here's where you come in. To help establish where you would like us to focus our efforts, we would like to know what is important to you. Whether you want more attention to be paid to anti-social behaviour, burglary or deliberate fires your voice should be heard.

Please complete our questionnaire by visiting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6GKGVV3 to tell us what your top 3 priorities for us to tackle are or whether you think we are already doing a good job.

Your views are vital to help us to decide how to target our resources to make Swale a safer place. Paper copies can be requested by Email from: csu@swale.gov.uk or by calling: 01795 417336.

The deadline for responses is Friday 30th October 2015.

Swale Community Safety Partnership

Website: www.swalecsp.co.uk

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Generator Stolen - Spade Lane

Hartlip Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: XY/029109/15

Between Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August a generator and 1500 litres of red diesel were stolen from an orchard near Spade Lane Coldstore, Spade Lane.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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Speeding - The Horror Movie… Coming to a Village Near You Soon!

Earlier this month, in response to local resident’s concerns the Parish Council debated the speed of cars in our village and what we could do about it. The Parish Council have invested time and equipment in Speed-watch, and the truth is that the drivers speeding in the village more often than not live or work here, and sadly despite everyone’s efforts, they continue to speed through the village and local lanes.

Local drivers are often familiar with roads and complacent about the hazards, they forget they are driving a vehicle weighing about a ton at around two London bus lengths every second! They also forget or may not be aware that, car occupants and motorcyclists are twice as likely to be killed on a country road as an urban road; whilst cyclists are more than three times as likely.

Watch the video

The video may not be visible in our Email alert version of this post.

If not you can watch it here: youtube.com

Speed kills, it is a simple fact and as drivers and road users it is important to understand stopping distances and how they increase with speed, knowing the relationship and being mindful of the consequences could save a child’s life.

If a child steps out from the front of a bus at the moment the front of your car is level with the rear of the bus at 30mph, you cannot stop your car in time, it is nothing to do with how good a driver you are, it is just physics! In fact the average driver won’t have reacted in the time available and not even started braking!

A pedestrian hit at 30mph (that’s the speed limit in our village) has a one in five chance of being killed. The likelihood of death rises significantly to a one in three chance if they are hit at 35mph!. Even slower speeds hide dangers; at 20mph with an attentive driver a car should stop in time to avoid a child running out three car-lengths in front. The same vehicle and driver travelling at 25mph would have only slowed to 18mph when it hit the child, that’s about the same impact as the child falling from a first floor window onto concrete.

Watch the video

The video may not be visible in our Email alert version of this post.
If not you can watch it here: youtube.com

A vehicle’s braking distance depends on how fast it was travelling before the brakes were applied, and is proportional to the square of the initial speed. That means even small increases in speed mean significantly longer braking distances. Braking distances are much longer for larger and heavier vehicles, and in wet or icy conditions.

Technology such as anti-lock brakes and stability control are designed to enable greater control over the vehicle, not shorten stopping distances. There may be a very small reduction in braking distance with modern technology, but not enough to significantly affect the overall stopping distance.

A vehicle’s speed and the attentiveness of the driver determine stopping distances on any roads, however, in a village like ours other factors come into play, and can make speed significantly more dangerous. Often because there is less traffic, drivers feel a false sense of security on country roads, the reality, however, is that they are statistically the most dangerous for all types of road user, accounting for six in 10 fatal crashes.

Watch the video

The video may not be visible in our Email alert version of this post.

If not you can watch it here: youtube.com

Country roads may sometimes appear empty, but they are full of unpredictable hazards. They are used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, slow farm vehicles, livestock and wild animals – all of which have a right to be there. They are often narrow with blind corners and bends, pot holes and debris, and no pavements or cycle paths. All these factors mean the 60mph limit on most country roads is usually far too high for safety, giving drivers insufficient time to react in an emergency, despite that country roads are plagued by fast drivers, many of who risk horrific crashes by speeding, taking bends too fast and silly overtaking.

You can help make our village and the surrounding country roads safer by always driving as though someone or something could be round every corner - that means staying well under speed limits, and slowing right down for bends, brows and other hazards, a little thought and a minute or two longer on your journey could save a life.

Drive safely out there!

The THINK! campaign is run by the Department For Transport and provides road safety information for road users. Their aim is to encourage safer behaviour to reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads every year.

You can find out more at their website here: think.direct.gov.uk/country-roads

Councillor Alan Horton on behalf of Upchurch Parish Council

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Newington Festival Survey

Newington Village Festival grows each year and is now one of the largest village festivals in Swale. 

 

Please enable us to make the 2016 festival on Saturday, July 16, even better by completing our short survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/S/2LP7KJK

Dean Coles, chairman of the parish council's organising committee, said: "More than 2,000 people turned out and gave tremendous support to the festival this year. I want to thank everyone who attended and contributed, including all the performers and the hard-working committee and helpers. 

 

"Now we would like your feedback to help us continue to improve and expand the festival."

 

The Festival Draw winners were: Lunch for 10 at T20 Cricket, Lashings X1 v Parliament X1: Rob Golding, The Bull, Newington

 

Champagne hot air balloon flight: Andrea Staniforth, Church Lane, Newington

 

Leeds Castle family pass: Mr Jones, St Matthews Close, Newington

 

Sittingbourne Greyhounds Race Night and Meal for six: Paula O'Leary, Downs Park, Herne Bay

 

Afternoon tea at Eastwell Manor, Ashford: Roy Sedge, The Harrow, Stockbury

The winners of the Festival Raffle were:

 

Royal Engineers Museum family annual pass: Sabina Lis, Thistle Road, Sittingbourne

 

Upchurch Golf Club pass: Mrs Beavis, London Road, Newington

 

Diggerland pass: Paul Greene, Church Lane, Newington

 

Mount Ephraim Gardens family day ticket: Cara Huish, Appleford Drive, Minster

 

Swallows Leisure Centre family swimming pass: Mrs Hextall, Brooks Close, Newington

Afternoon tea for two at the Thistle Hotel, Brands Hatch: Tracey Finlon, Iwade Way, Newington

Richard Thompstone

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Road Closure - Wallbridge Lane

Wallbridge Lane will be closed from 9:00am on Monday the 24th of August, between the junctions of Oak Lane and Otterham Quay Lane to enable urgent cabling repairs to be carried out.

The alternative route is via Oak Lane and Horsham Lane.

Upchurch Matters

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Proposed Changes to the 327 Bus Timetable - Public Meeting at Upchurch Village Hall

A Public Meeting has been arranged for Wednesday the 26th of August at 7:00pm in Upchurch Village Hall to discuss and organise opposition to the proposed changes to the 327 Bus timetable which take effect on the 1st of September 2015.

All residents of Upchurch and Lower Halstow are most welcome.

The new September 1st timetable is already available on the Chalkwell website here ☞ www.chalkwell.co.uk

Read more about the changes here ☞ www.upchurchmatters.co.uk

Robert (Bob) Quy
Email: robert@rjqa.fsnet.co.uk

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Experienced Bar / Waiting Staff Required - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

UPCHURCH RIVER VALLEY

GOLF COURSE

REQUIRE

EXPERIENCED BAR / WAITING STAFF 

FOR OUR BUSY POOLSIDE BAR 

MINIMUM 15 HOURS PER WEEK WORKED OVER

7 DAY ROTA INC. EVENINGS & WEEKENDS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS & APPLICATIONS PLEASE TELEPHONE:

01634 360626 OR ASK AT THE POOLSIDE BAR

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Schoolboy Motocross Bike Stolen - The Street

Hartlip Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: XY/028754/15

Between the 17th and 18th of August an orange 2008 model KTM 85SX XC 105 Schoolboy Motocross Bike was stolen from a domestic garage in The Street, Upchurch.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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August Kentish Beer & Cider Festival at The Three Tuns

The Three Tuns
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Andy Long 1955 - 2015

Andy Long

Andy and I moved to Upchurch with Mum and Dad in 1970. Apart from a short spell in Newington when they first got married, Andy has always lived in the village, originally in Church Farm Road, and then moved with Shirley to The Poles.

He is survived by Shirley, and his daughter Sarah. Born 14th June 1955, Andy played football for many local teams including Breach Rovers and the Men of Kent.

Andy passed on Wednesday 12th August. His funeral will be held at 12:00pm on Friday 28th August at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing (Map) and afterwards at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course.

The family have decided on family flowers to T. Allen Funeral Directors, Twydall. 53 Twydall Green, ME8 6XJ and for donations to the British Heart Foundation (Website)

All are welcome

Thank you

Kevin Long
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Council Tax Rebate SCAMS

Letters are currently circulating offering Council Tax Rebates. These are SCAMS. They are not associated with any of our District Councils or Kent County Council.

Do not respond to them. If you have a question or query about the charges then phone the number on your Council Tax Bill.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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News from Lower Halstow Memorial Hall

Friday 4th September - GAMES AFTERNOON at the Memorial Hall between 2:00pm and 4:00pm which includes Scrabble, Rummykub, Whist, Euchre and many more card and board games. We charge £1.50 for a cup of tea / coffee biscuits and a very warm welcome.

Visit: www.greenrockriverband.com to see and hear the Band in action.

Saturday 26th September the Memorial Hall are Delighted to Introduce you to "GREEN ROCK RIVER BAND" with their lively "Songs with Harmonies" and their "Jazz fused Trombone and Banjo". The evening will start at 7:00pm to 7:30pm. Phone Kay on: 01795 844408, for your £9.00 ticket. See you there.

Notes for your Diaries:-

Saturday 10th October the Memorial Hall is holding a Quiz Night with tables of 6. Tickets are £5.00 each, which includes a ploughman's type supper. The time is 7:00pm for 7:30pm. There is a bottle of wine for each winning team member. Please bring your own beverages for the evening.

Saturday 21st November the Memorial Hall is holding Lower Halstow's Winter Wonderland Market. We are supporting The PDSA animals Trust and Dream Flights for terminally ill Children. The Market opens at 10:00am with stalls including Cheeses, Cakes, Toys, and Indian Food. There will be displays every hour, for example a Sugar Craft display, and hopefully a Tai Chi display. The Market will be closing at 4:00pm with The Salvation Army Band playing carols for us all to join in with. A full itinerary will be in the next News Magazine.

Keith Howard-Challis

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English Family Sought For A French Exchange - Can You Help?

Hello everyone!

One of my clients is looking to place their 13 yr old son in the UK to improve his English for a month. Like his brothers and sisters, he is home-schooled.

The idea would be to spend a month in an English family and then their child spend a month with him in France.

Please contact me if you can help.

Thank you.

Marian Bohling

Email: marian.bohling@orange.fr

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - August 2015

The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 6^th August at the Village Hall where 6 Councillors were present and 9 members of the public including Ward Cllrs Wright and Baldock.

Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th June 2015 – Amendments to the minutes were made and it was proposed by Cllr Tucker and seconded by Cllr Lewin that they be accepted as a true record. All agreed.

Public Time– Planning - A resident raised the issue of a new planning application being submitted for Moor Street following the former application being turned down. The resident asked that as the application had purely been reduced from 300 to 290 proposed dwellings the Council comment in the same vain as to the original application. Planning – A resident advised the meeting that his own application 15/505703/Full – Greenacres, is not correct in its current form and was advised by Cllr Lewin to advise Swale Planning of the amendments at which point the Parish Council would review the application.  Cllr Tucker reported that there is a certain amount of confusion over the Greenacres application as there appear to be two separate sites both of which are being called Greenacres and that the enforcement notices shown on Swale Planning appear to relate to the other site and not this one. The Clerk will contact Swale Planning to request clarification. Planning – A resident enquired as to whether there are any updates on the Jubilee Fields application, Cllr Tucker reported that no updates had been received but that a strong letter of objection had been submitted to Swale Planning by Gordon Henderson and could be seen online. Road Sweeping – A resident raised concerns regarding the amount of litter on the verges around the village and asked if the Parish Council still employed a road sweeper, Cllr Tucker reported that unfortunately there had been no interest in the role and that the village caretaker looks after the parts of the village that the Parish Council are responsible for. The Clerk reported that both she and Cllr Lewin had reported the issues of litter to Swale Borough Council and a litter pick had been requested. Cllr Tucker advised that residents can themselves request litter picks through the Swale Borough Council customer services line. Reduction in Bus Service - A resident reported that there had been notification from Chalkwell that the bus service will be greatly reduced and asked if the Parish Council would be acting on this. Cllr Tucker advised that the Clerk would be writing to Chalkwell and KCC and asked also that the resident forward any details they had to the Clerk to assist her with the relevant information. Ward Cllr Wright said he would also pursue this matter. Parking around the School – Ward Cllr Wright advised that following the presence of Enforcement Officers the parking around the school had greatly improved and asked that residents contact either himself or Cllr Lewin if the need for them arises again in the future. Localism Fund – Ward Cllr Wright advised that any community projects looking for funding could apply to him for the Localism Fund.

Correspondence – Village Centre Traffic – A letter had been received by the Clerk regarding concerns with the speed of traffic through the village. It was agreed that Cllr Horton would work with Upchurch Matters to educate residents regarding the potential hazards of speeding. Cllr Tucker advised that the speed watch equipment is available if residents would like to assist with this. A discussion took place regarding the speed limits throughout the village but it was agreed that nothing could be done to alter these as limits are decided by law and not individual Council’s. Planting on the corner opposite Snaffles – The Clerk had received a letter from the owner of Snaffles asking permission to plant the corner of the Paddock opposite their shop. The Council gave consent for this area to be planted upon agreement from the landowners to the Clerk.

Planning – 15/50570/FULL – Greenacres, Holywell Lane, Upchurch – The Council will await the amendment notification before commenting on this application. 15/504919/FULL – 104 Beckenham Park – The Council can see no reason to object to this application. 15/505680/FULL – Orchard Close, Poot Lane – The Council could see no reason to object to this application other than to comment that the current design is not in keeping with the rural location. MC/15/2731 – Land North of Moor Street Rainham – The Council will be objecting to this application as per the previous application submitted with regards to the local infrastructure.  

Other Planning Matters – 15/500491/OPDEV- 2 Greenacres, Holywell Lane– Cllr Lewin reported that an enforcement notice had been put in place and that the applicant is appealing against this.

Finance – A Finance Committee is to be formed in order to prepare next year’s budgets and to address the unbudgeted spend, the Village Hall, election funds and to project future spending for each of the Parish’s areas.

Defibrillator – The Clerk advised that she had received the defibrillator and this is being stored until the W.I and Parish Council have agreed the best place to site this. The defibrillator is insured under the Council’s current insurance policy.

Allotments – Cllr Tucker updated the meeting on the recent unauthorised allotments fire and confirmed that the plot holder is pursuing this as an act of arson with the police following the substantial damage to her property. The Council have no grounds to pursue this separately with the police.

Recreation Ground – Bins - Cllr Rose reported that two bins had been set alight in the Recreation ground causing damage that may result in the Council having to purchase new bins. Ball games in the Paddock and Recreation Ground – The Clerk reported that the insurance company had confirmed that any unauthorised organised ball games are not insured under the public liability clause of the policy. There is historically a bye law stating that ball games are not allowed in the Paddock. Any requests for organised groups to hold activities in the Paddock or the Recreation Ground should be made directly to the Clerk. It was agreed that a sign should be placed at both areas to inform groups of this. Benches for Recreation Ground – Costings will be looked at by the Finance Committee with regards to replacing the benches in the Recreation Ground

Bus Shelter – Cllr Masson reported that he is awaiting a response from Swale Planning regarding the pre –planning meeting and Cllr Tucker asked that the Clerk chase this due to the time limit on several possible grants that the Council could apply for.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Cllr Rose submitted a proposal to the members to address the non-compliant graves with regards to acceptable edgings. It was agreed that this should be progressed and that the only acceptable edgings around a grave would be box hedging as it was felt that this had the most natural look. The Clerk reported that she had been contacting by letter the grave owners of non-compliant graves but had unfortunately received several back as ‘no longer at this address’. The Clerk and Cllr Rose will be meeting with the Burial Ground Gardener with a view to addressing these graves. St Mary’s Church Clock – The Clerk reported that the Annual service is due in August and will be arranged in order that Cllr Masson and Cllr Horton can be present. Burial Ground steps update – The Council have received a complaint regarding the uneven steps in the Burial Ground and have obtained a quote for new steps, due to there currently being no money in the budget for this it will be passed to the Finance Committee for discussion and in the meantime the Clerk will arrange for a sign to be made to advise of the uneven steps and pathway.

Tree Management Proposal – Cllr Tucker submitted a proposal to map out the trees in and around the village in order that a contractor can regularly check these and update the Clerk on any necessary work that will be needed in the future, this will enable the Council to budget for this yearly. It was agreed that this would be put out to tender.

Highways – Cllr Arnold reported that three street lights are currently not working and in keeping with normal procedure he will report these to the contractors once he is notified of a fourth.

Other Matters not yet arising – Village Hall– Cllr Tucker reported that the Village Hall are currently looking into obtaining grants to carry out works on the roof, heating system and its general appearance following low bookings. Any assistance from residents would be gratefully received. Casual Vacancies – The Clerk confirmed that she had received no responses to the advertisement for casual vacancies within the Council. Village Fete 2016 – Cllr Tucker reported that the Village Fete would take place on 18^th June 2016.

Please note the full Minutes from the Meeting can be seen on the Upchurch Parish Council website.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on 3^rd September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council.

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Proposed Changes to the 327 Bus Service

Drastic changes are proposed to the 327 Bus Service which will adversely affect residents of Upchurch and Lower Halstow. The changes take effect from September 1st.

I am trying to organise support against the changes, and would welcome help and assistance from all concerned villagers.

The new timetable is on the Chalkwell website here ☞ www.chalkwell.co.uk

Read more about the changes here ☞ www.upchurchmatters.co.uk

Robert (Bob) Quy
Email: robert@rjqa.fsnet.co.uk

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Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning at Upchurch Village Hall

Watch the Video

The video may not be visible in our Email alert version of this post.

 If not you can watch it here

Following on from their hugely successful 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' in 2013 and 2014, Sarah & Laura will be hosting another one this year on Friday the 25th of September 2015 at Upchurch Village Hall.

To do this though, they need your help!

Last year the ladies raised over £1080 for Macmillan Cancer Support and nationally Macmillan raised an amazing £25,102,796.00

Everybody is welcome to come along between 10:00am and 12:30pm for lots of cake, lots of tea & coffee and some special guests for the little ones. There will be toys for the younger guests to play with too.

If you are able to bring along a cake to sell, that's brilliant! There will be a raffle again this year with another wonderful set of prizes for people to win as well as other attractions and fun for the children.

Link to Facebook Page Event here

Sarah Fielder and Laura Grigg

Upchurch in the 1890s by David Wood

According to details in the 1897 ordnance survey map central Upchurch remained relatively unchanged from the 1890s right up to the early 1960s. Most of the houses in The Street, the Infant’s School and the Co-op building then known as the 'King Edward 1' pub were in place. The church, ‘Wayside’ opposite in Oak Lane and 'The Crown' had existed for centuries. Anvil House, Church Farm Cottages, a forge, an Elizabethan barn and an oasthouse were located at the top end of Forge Lane. Other oasthouses stood on the sites of Crosier Court, Marstan Close Woodruff Close and Gore Farm.

Allotments were located opposite The Paddock in Oak Lane and behind Suffield House. The sites of The Poles and Church Farm Road were orchards. Only Gore Bank Cottages just past the recreation ground and cottages at Chaffes Lane Place existed in Chaffes Lane, the rest was farmland. Many of the houses in Horsham Lane had not been built and a brick works owned by Wakeley Brothers existed at the top end of Poot Lane where a rail system connected it to Lower Halstow Creek from where barges transported bricks to other locations.

The population of Upchurch totalled 1,218 in 1891 but by 1901 it had dropped to 1,129, mainly due to an agricultural crisis in which failing markets and mechanization had caused rising unemployment.

Most male residents worked on local farms, in the brickfields or on barges. Others included Ernest Cozens, a baker and the village photographer, Tom Wraight a grocer and postmaster and Charles Bishop, headmaster at Holywell School. These three men were active in village affairs. Others included Miss Furzeland the Infant’s school headmistress, William Hales, the butcher, Reverend Cooper the vicar and PC Fuggle the village policeman followed by PC Withers in 1893. In 1891 the oldest Upchurch residents were George Edmonds and Elizabeth Anderson, both aged 87.

During the 1890s public transport did not pass through the village and cars did not exist so many residents walked or rode bicycles to get around. The nearest public transport in the form of horse drawn omnibuses stopped at the White Horse and the Cricketers in Rainham and travelled to Sittingbourne, Faversham, Canterbury and Dover in one direction and Medway in the other. Alternatively, trains could be obtained at Rainham railway station.

Farming had a mix of fruit, hops, arable and livestock with Wakeley Brothers of Rainham owning a large amount of land in many parts of the village, Lt Colonel Lumley-Webb of Tunstall owned land at Ham Green and saltings at Greenborough and Slayhills. The Stevens family owned land at Holywell while Frank Seager managed Gore Farm. Smaller farmers at Ham Green included William Wood, Henry Clark and the Witherden family. Bill Hyland who became a well-known village bellringer worked as Wakeley’s fruit foreman at Wetham Green.

St. Mary's Church circa the 1890s. Taken from Horsham Lane.

In July 1890 Upchurch brickfield workers presented Holywell headmaster Charles Bishop with an engraved silver tray in appreciation for supplying them with bread when a bargemen’s strike had caused them hardship. He later held regular monthly concerts at Holywell School for parishioners’ entertainment to finance an annual children’s outing to Sheerness every July. Grocer Tom Wraight who also became a churchwarden organised entertainment for parishioners in the Vicarage Rooms. He participated as a singer and violinist at these events.

Six pubs provided the village men with beer and a social life during the 1890s. These included 'The Crown', 'The Brown Jug' and 'The Three Sisters' which still exist, others were the 'King Edward I' in The Street, 'The Anchor & Hope Inn' at Otterham Quay and 'The Stanley Inn' at the bottom of Windmill Hill.

Although a football club had not yet been formed a cycle club, a brass band and a cricket club flourished. The cricket club had been playing at Holywell Meadow since 1883 and had become established in the area, the parish council came into existence in 1894 and the recreation ground in 1897.

From 1894 an annual horticultural show took place in the 'King Edward 1' pub and money raised was donated to St Bart’s Hospital. Concerts were also held to aid suffering parishioners. In 1899 smoking concerts were held at 'The Three Sisters' and 'King Edward I' pubs to aid blind parishioner Richard Turill and an ill Edward Hollands. In March 1894 a fair took place but it failed as it only had one stall and a donkey due to lack of support.

Health became a periodic issue with six parishioners admitted to Keycol Hospital suffering from smallpox in April 1893, stench from cesspools caused health problems for village residents in The Street in 1894 and an outbreak of diphtheria occurred at Ham Green in 1896. Parishioners had to rely on water from wells which was not always of the best quality resulting in many being closed during the late 1890s due to an outbreak of typhoid. In 1898 plans were drawn up to have a waterworks constructed at Yelsted to supply Upchurch and other local villages with clean water.

At a time when sanitation was not up to present standards services were in operation to assist the public. The cesspool emptying service was one of these and consisted of a horse and cart loaded with barrels. Going from house to house on the horse and cart, the cesspool men removed waste from the cesspools and loaded it into the barrels with a long handled implement. When full the barrels were emptied on farmland to act as fertiliser for crops.

Most Upchurch residents lived their entire lives in the village and struggled against unemployment and sickness to a far greater extent than today without the luxuries or services of modern times.

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

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