Members of the Darby and Joan Club feasted on a Christmas lunch in the village Hall which 400 people attended including special guests Reverend Bradshaw and his wife. Guests from Sandwich Darby and Joan Club provided entertainment while Mrs D Reader contributed a Christmas cake. One of the main features of the event was the presentation of long service medals to members of the Upchurch WVRS by area organiser Mrs B Tassell. Win Wraight, Rose Humphries, Grace Eastwood, Annie Bronger and Mrs Jeffries were all presented with medals.
A Christmas Fayre took place on December 9th organised by Upchurch Carnival Committee with the aim of raising money for the village hall. Father Christmas opened the event and then met a steady stream of children in his grotto during the afternoon. Other attractions included a doll’s boutique, table decorations and stalls with produce. A Grand Christmas Draw brought proceedings to an end with more than £100 being raised. A Playgroup Christmas Party, Upchurch Cricket Club’s Christmas Dance and end of term Christmas parties at the two village schools were also held.
On Christmas Eve a carol service in the church was followed by Holy Communion and Family Eucharist on Christmas Day with a children’s procession. Children were asked to leave a toy at the crib. These were later given to the Save the Children Fund.
At the end of the month the Church Choir accompanied by the Albany Players performed a recital of Handel’s Messiah in the church. Sisters Jane and Judy Bodley-Scott, Bryan Veale and Sam Plumb sang as soloists. Tom Rider trained the choir while his wife Doris played the organ at the main event. Mr E Holness Musical Director of the Albany Players led the orchestra. A big audience included Labour MP Terry Boston and Conservative MP Roger Moate and their wives. The recital received widespread praise because of its high quality.
In other village affairs the Scout Committee stressed concern about their future location after the announcement that the vicarage and the Church Room where the scouts and cubs met every week were to be demolished. The committee proposed that cubs and scouts should contribute 2/6 d per quarter or 10 shillings a year towards a scout hut and that the money should be paid to Treasurer John Uglow. A hut was eventually constructed beside the recreation ground in 1973 after Councillor John Ardley obtained planning permission and it remains there today.
In village sporting affairs the football club experienced a poor period with both teams positioned second from bottom in divisions two and five of the Rochester & District League. The First XI only had three points from seven games while the Reserves had three points from six games. The only good results in December were the First XI’s 1-1 draw with Mosquitoes and the Reserves 1-1 draw with Cuxton. All other matches ended in defeat for Upchurch. The First XI had progressed in the Quarter Century Cup and were due to play against Medway Postals in January, while the Reserves were knocked out when they lost 6-2 to Seeboard in the C section of the competition.
The only recorded marriage of the month involved Constance Pepperill of Horsham Lane with Alfred Hadlow of Chatham on December 26th. George King of Oak Lane aged 79, Edward Robinson of Drakes Close aged 82 and Mary Ann Tyler of Drakes Close aged 66 were buried in the churchyard while the cremation of Frank Porter of Chaffes Lane aged 69 took place at Vinters Park. Jennifer Letchford of Kent Terrace and Alison Rigg from The Street were baptised in the church. This ended a month mainly of Christmas parties and entertainment in the village.
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.
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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