A practicing Catholic who refused to live in the schoolhouse or participate in village affairs as previous headteachers had done, Miss Broughton initially became a controversial figure, but she soon proved herself with sound organizational ability and a strict attitude towards pupils, resulting in a well ordered school. At her leaving presentation former pupil Marj Davies from Horsham Lane presented her with a lamp on behalf of past pupils. She also received a 400 day clock, a bouquet of flowers and a list of all the pupils she had taught. Presentations were also made to caretaker May Edmonds who lived in the school house and to Mrs Smitherman who had assisted at the school. Mr Andrews became headmaster at Holywell after Miss Broughton retired.
The annual church fete took place on Saturday July 8th and the Dean of Rochester opened it. Country dancing and a fancy dress parade involving pupils from the Infant’s School provided entertainment while stalls sold a variety of products. Ladies in a marquee served tea to visitors while Rich Boakes from Chaffes Lane provided loud recorded music which boomed across The Paddock. The fete raised £150 for the church funds.
The annual village marathon took place on July 28th when competitors lined up outside The Crown pub for the race. In the men’s event Terry Carroll from Oak Lane came first with Bob Gregory from Drakes Close second and Don Diffey from Oak Lane third. Linda Davies from Drakes Close won the ladies race with Lorraine Manley from Wallbridge Lane second and Cherie Ablett from The Poles third.
In other village sporting activities the table tennis club had successes with the First and Fourth teams finishing as champions of their respective divisions. Playing their home matches in the village hall, Rich Boakes continued to organise the club. Meanwhile, the cricket club had a successful month with some exciting matches. The best of these took place against Minster when the teams tied 73 runs a side followed by a good fourteen run victory at Rodmersham. Frank Cook recorded the most success with three five wicket hauls in three matches, Don Diffey scored a very good 63 not out against Borden and Alan Chambers scored 57 against Rodmersham. Team captain and off spin bowler Basil Barden had the best individual display of the month with seven wickets for twenty eight runs against Oakdene.
Of other club organisations the Women’s Institute were given a talk about musical boxes by Mrs Walker while the Upchurch Play Group held an open day on July 12th in an attempt to raise money and encourage more members. They also made plans for an outing to London Zoo and a garden party in mid-September.
In the parish registers baptisms for the month included David Barling from Poot Lane, Helen Tyler from Otterham Caravan Site, Trevor Hollingsbee from Oak Lane, Alan and Paula Bass from Drakes Close, Sarah Neame from Gillingham and Sally Gilbert from Horsham Lane. Wendy Apps from Wallbridge Lane and Henry Farley from Wainscott were married in the village church while Samuel Joyner aged 68 from Chatham was the only recorded burial. This ended a full and interesting month in Upchurch village affairs.
Memories of Upchurch by David Wood
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.
Memories of Upchurch is available direct from David
Email: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at
Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
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