Four types of dwellings were constructed. Semi-detached houses with three bedrooms were available for £3,220, four bedroom semi-detached for £5,500, while bungalows with two bedrooms sold for £3,200. Two four bedroom chalet style detached houses were also constructed. According to some residents the flat roofed bungalows were conveniently placed in a location where Mark Hartland-Thomas’s view from his residence at The Old Bakery in Forge Lane did not get obscured.
Diane Macaulay who moved to the estate from Rochford in Essex in February 1965 recalls different events that took place at Church Farm Road. Residents designed, built and entered a decorated float for the carnival each year. Tutenkhamun became the most well-known, designed by art teacher Diane Wraight and entered in 1972. Others followed such as ‘Power Crunch,’ ‘The Wombles,’ the ‘NHS’ and ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.’ From 1968 to 1973 Church Farm Road recorded five consecutive wins with their decorated tableau at the carnival float judging event. Babs Smith remembers Doris Rider bringing her piano into the street and playing it on carnival day which enhanced the event atmosphere.
Every November 5th village milkman Norman Long constructed a bonfire on his land in Hartlip and invited residents from Church Farm Road to attend to watch fireworks. He later began the firework display at The Paddock. A Christmas celebration followed this in December each year when Hector Macaulay dressed up as Father Christmas and presented children and pensioners with a Christmas gift under the lamp post at the Chaffes Lane end of the estate. Male pensioners were presented with a small bottle of whisky and female pensioners with a plant. Alf Adams made reindeer from plywood for Father Christmas’s sledge in his garage and then painted them, while other residents pulled the sledge full of children’s presents on wheels along the road with ropes. Diane Macaulay warmed sausage rolls and mince pies for residents wishing to pop in while presents were being distributed outside.
One of the biggest events on the estate took place in 1977 with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebration when tables and chairs were set up in the road, residents dressed up in red, white and blue and everyone donated food and drink. During the proceedings all the boys were presented with a football and the girls with a doll as a special gift. This led to a controversy as Mr Rider who had continually complained about children kicking footballs into his garden refused to participate in the event when he discovered what the boys were going to be given.
Another street party took place to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 when chairs and tables were set up in the street, decorations and flags hung, music played and food consumed.
A wide range of different characters have resided on the estate. Tom Rider served as choirmaster in the church and his wife Doris became the organist, Ivy and William Reader became well known for adopting and fostering children, Peter and Olive Hand held regular parties for residents in their house, Brian Gibbs became a prolific goalscorer for Gillingham Football Club while Don Macaulay gained fame as a bowler with Upchurch Cricket Club. Vincent Webb obtained the first scout hut for the scouts on the recreation ground, Angela Partridge ran the village cubs and Marianne Chapman who worked as manageress at ‘The Little Chef’ became widely regarded as the friendliest resident on the estate.
Serious disasters have never taken place at Church Farm Road but one almost occurred when a fire started in the kitchen of house number 15. Wendy Moppett and Diane Macaulay had to gain entry to rescue ageing resident Betty Dodgson. Fortunately, the fire brigade were able to extinguish the fire before it caused widespread damage but the kitchen was badly burnt and had to be replaced. On another occasion Vincent Webb accidently destroyed his front lawn when he sprayed it with the wrong chemical and Babs Smith views the construction of the new Holywell School as a personal disaster because the school fuel tank replaced her attractive living room view of the countryside. Alf Adams also feels that his living room view has been marred by trees planted at the school.
What do the three longest serving residents think of Church Farm Road Estate? Diane Macaulay describes it as ‘a lovely and friendly place to live,’ Alf Adams says that he has ‘made lots of friends and cherishes fond memories there with his family,’ while Babs Smith views it as ‘a convenient spot where companionship is strong.’
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.
