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Including songs from Matilda, Newsies, Wicked, Les Miserables and many more...
At The Avenue Theatre, Sittingbourne, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4DN.
On Saturday 19th January 2019 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm and Sunday 20th January 2019 at 4:00pm.
This fabulous local youth group are rehearsing hard for “Sing Up to Cancer with a Musical!!!”, a show Owen is doing all the preparation for himself!
14 year old Owen lost his Nan Lynda to cancer in March 2018 so felt he wanted to raise money for Cancer Research UK, to help other family’s that find themselves in the same position.
Tickets - £12.00
On sale now from the Box Office on: 01795 471140
The Box Office is open, Monday, Thursday and Friday 9:30am till 1:30pm
A public meeting will be held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday 3rd January 2019 at 7:30pm, prior to the Parish Council meeting.
Agenda
1. To consider increasing the Precept to upgrade the street lighting
2. Public Participation
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Upchurch Colts FC and Adults Saturday and Sunday teams all played matches this morning, Saturday 29th December to raise money for charity.
Thanks to everyone for supporting the matches this year. Together with the adults matches, we have raised, minus the food outlay a total of £442.36.
After consulting with the other Upchurch members, there is a charity that the majority agreed to donate to. This is Cancer Research UK.
A member of staff at the cricket club has received treatment for cancer this year and this is clearly a very worthy cause.
We will be handing the amount raised over to the charity in the next week.
See you all in 2019 ⚽️
Richard Turner
Upchurch Colts FC
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The Rainbow Café at St. Mary's Church, Upchurch will not be open on Thursday 3rd January 2018.
The first Rainbow Café of 2018 will be on Thursday 7th February between 2:30pm and 5:00pm for you to meet up with friends for a chat and bring the children along for a tasty after school treat.
Everybody welcome!
Gillian Gay
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Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🏼 ⛄️
Upchurch Matters
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“He’s making a list,
He’s checking it twice,
He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice,
Santa Claus is in contravention of Article 4 of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679”
In the run up to Christmas, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has seen common misconceptions around General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) circulating which has taken the law to the extreme so they have written a myth busting blog to help you understand how the law might affect your Christmas.
Find out if:
• Parents can take videos or pictures of their child's Nativity play
• If schools can contact parents about the Christmas Fayre
• If children should write public letters to Santa
• If churches can ask for Christmas prayers for named parishioners who are ill or sick?
Find out what the law really says >> http://bit.ly/2EIptLn
Upchurch Matters
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Research carried out by Which? revealed 60 fires a week are caused by faulty appliances, mainly washing machines and tumble dryers.
Registering your appliance means you'll be the first to know if your product has been recalled or if it needs an upgrade.
Why register?
• Be the first to know of any safety repairs or recalls
• Improve your after sales service
• Keep in touch with upgrade news
Registering is a wise safety precaution.
In a very small number of cases, manufacturers may identify problems with an appliance once the product has been in use for some time. They then need to contact you to get the fault corrected as quickly as possible. Normally a quick in-home fix by a qualified technician will banish any risk.
It can be very difficult to trace customers as they often do not provide contact details when they buy a product. So as a consumer, it is important that you take the responsibility to let manufacturers know that you own the appliance and ensure that they can get in touch directly should they need to.
Registering can sometimes save you money too by entitling you to an extended warranty or guarantee period.
When?
Check the details of your older appliances. Most brands will let you register these too.
AMDEA
AMDEA is the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances, the UK trade association that represents over 85% of all small and large domestic appliances sold in the UK. Products include most of the UK’s top selling brands of major white goods, other large and small kitchen appliances, heating, water heating, floor care, waste disposal and ventilation equipment.
All AMDEA members adhere to a Code of Practice which ensures that their products are designed, tested and manufactured to be compliant with safety requirements laid down by European Directives, UK Regulations, British and European Standards. Many members also have their products tested and approved by independent third party approval bodies and have their facilities approved to ISO quality management system standards. AMDEA members often initiate changes to safety standards, and are actively involved in improving product designs in order to raise consumer protection above current safety standards.
Product recalls
Product recalls are made by traders about products that have problems which could affect the safety of the consumer. These products should NOT be used and should be returned to the trader.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute list many product recalls on their website at >> www.tradingstandards.uk/consumers/product-recalls
Upchurch Matters
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A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
At St. Mary the Virgin, Upchurch
Christmas Eve at 7:30pm
Upchurch Matters
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People are being asked for their views on Swale Borough Council’s plans to improve air quality across the borough by 2022.
Under the provisions of the Environment Act 1995, each local authority is obliged to review and assess the air quality within its area. The aim of this review and assessment process is to establish whether or not the Statutory Air Quality objectives for the 7 named pollutants are likely to be exceeded.
The 7 pollutants are as follows:
• Benzene
• 1,3 - butadiene
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Lead
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
• Particles (PM10)
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Swale Borough Council have considered all 7 pollutants and by a process of elimination identified pollutants for which there may be a risk of exceedance.
To help tackle air pollution in the borough, a consultation on the council’s draft Air Quality Action Plan is running to help get views from residents, parish and town councils and community groups.
The draft plans were put together following extensive research and monitoring of air quality, including latest traffic modelling to account for developments currently planned across the borough.
Swale currently has 5 air quality management areas (AQMAs) - East Street, St Pauls, Newington, Teynham and Ospringe - where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above the annual mean objective of 40ug/m3.
The plans contain 12 measures to help the council focus resources to deliver improvements in air quality - 7 borough-wide strategic measures, and 5 local measures focussed within each AQMA.
The latest modelling predicts all except East Street and Ospringe will be compliant by 2022, but the council is proposing taking action that will benefit the whole borough.
Proposals include:
• Reducing emissions from HGV’s
• Reducing the volume of HGV's using the A2, especially through East Street and Ospringe
• Encouraging smoother traffic flows through the AQMAs
• Developing policies to encourage lower emission developments
• Encouraging alternatives to car use
To deliver these, the council is proposing a new clean air zone/corridor along the A2 and revising planning guidance on air quality.
Focus group workshops
If you would like to respond to the draft Air Quality Action Plan consultation, but have questions or are not sure how to take part, attending a focus group workshop may help.
Swale Borough Council is holding 3 workshops in January 2019 where you will be able to get advice and ask questions ahead of filling out the consultation. The workshops will be held in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Newington at:
Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne - 7:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2019.
Guildhall, Market Place, Faversham - 7:00pm Thursday 10th January 2019.
Village Hall, High Street, Newington - 7:00pm Thursday 17th January 2019.
Kent County Council has received reports of doorstep criminals cold calling residents in the Swale area.
How it works
They claim to be carrying out work as part of ‘Swale Funding Information’ on behalf of the government and councils. This company is NOT working with Swale Borough Council and is not an official provider of Energy Company Obligation Grants.
What to do
• Do not open the door to the doorstep cold caller
• If you want to apply for an Energy Company Obligation Grant, contact the Warm Homes scheme direct who provide quotes from trusted contractors at: www.kent.gov.uk/warmhomes
• For more information on Energy Company Obligation Grants contact your energy supplier
• Warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours living in the area
If you feel afraid or threatened by a doorstep caller, phone 999
Want to report a doorstep criminal?
For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards, contact Citizens Advice consumer service on: 03454 04 05 06
Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Kent County Council Public Protection
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Outdoor play facilities specialists, Streetscape have installed new children’s play equipment in the Paddock.
4 small swings, a flying saucer and a springer suitable for disabled children, all with essential safety matting have been added to compliment the existing play equipment.
Upchurch Parish Councillor, Pam Denny worked with Streetscape to secure the grant of £9805.00 from The Big Lottery Fund which has paid for the new play equipment.
The Parish Council hope children enjoy the new play equipment and that it will be treated respectfully, particularly as it was a gift! Councillor Denny would like to add some more play equipment for older children at some point too.
Upchurch Matters
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Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
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Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
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Report of the Parish Council December 2018
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence
Planning
Ref: 18/505139/FULL
Address: Breach Farm Bungalow Breach Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7PE
Proposal: Erection of a replacement dwelling and enlarged curtilage.
Councillors considered the application and agreed to support the proposal subject to any neighbours’ comments being taken into consideration.
Ref: 18/505524/FULL
Address: 16 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AT
Proposal: Erection of a first floor side and rear extension. Loft conversion into habitable space with rear dormer and 2no. rooflights to front elevation. Internal and external alterations including alterations to fenestration.
Councillors considered the application and raised no objections and that neighbours comments should be taken into consideration.
Ref: 18/502771/FULL
Address: Jack Russell Place Halstow Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AB
Prposal: Installation of a brick wall and gates to front entrance (part retrospective).
The Parish Council objected to the proposal, the Swale Planning Officer recommended refusal and the application was rejected by Swale Borough Council. The applicant has now lodged an appeal. Councillors agreed that their objections still stood.
The date of the next Planning Committee meeting has been brought forward to Tuesday 18th December at 8:00pm in the Committee Room in the Village Hall.
Battle’s Over Commemorations
There has been a very positive response from a significant number of residents regarding the Battle’s Over event which had an excellent community feel to it. £262.30 was collected on the evening and will be shared between The Royal Naval Association, The Army’s National Charity, The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and The Merchant Navy Association.
The Parish Council extends its grateful thanks to Mr Dave Neal for providing the fire tenders; the Scouts and Brownies for the refreshments Boakes Joinery for their generous gift of the oak post for the beacon; Mr Andy Corbett and EAPL for making the beacon basket at cost; Mr Elliott Fenn for playing the bugle; Mr Louis Newbery for promoting the event on Upchurch Matters; Mr Stuart Betts the sign writer and also the resident who took the wreath to Ferques on behalf of the Parish Council.
Church Clock
There has been an amazing response to the appeal for upgrading the clock and £6185 has been raised, the cost of the upgrade was £8540. The community has responded superbly to the call for donations in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War and this echoes the response from villagers one hundred years ago.
The Paddock and Recreation Ground
The installation of the new play equipment has been delayed due to inclement weather.
There has been tree work carried out at the Paddock and Recreation Ground.
It has been agreed that there will be no increase in car parking fees for 2019.
Street Lighting
Detailed preliminary costings have been drawn up and the cost to replace all the lights and columns will be approximately £78,000, considerably more than was previously anticipated. It is hoped to achieve a better deal by replacing all the lights. As the Parish Council has insufficient reserves, the Council hopes to be able to take out a loan and it would also need to increase the Parish precept to ensure the project is completed. The project has turned out to be more expensive than first thought because many of the lamp posts, as well as the lights, are also in need of replacement. There will be a public consultation meeting prior to the Council meeting on 3rdJanuary 2019.
Allotments
Councillors have considered the income and expenditure for the allotment gardens and have agreed the fees should be increased by 10%. There are a few vacant plots and anyone interested in having an allotment should contact the Clerk.
Burial Ground
The Council has agreed that, over a period of time as denoted by demand, the rose beds be released to provide burial plots. The Burial Ground Policy is in the process of being revised.
Dog Fouling
Dog fouling continues to be an issue within the Parish and the Council has agreed to rent TiksPac dispensers to help address the problem. The dispensers will have bags for dog waste available if required. The dispensers will be for a two-year trial period.
Date of next meetings:
Planning Committee - 18th December at 8:00pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall
Full Council - Thursday 3rd January 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 16th January at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.
All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Parish Councillors Tyrone Ripley, Neil Sheppard and John Arnold hung new Santa's sleigh and reindeer lights on the corner of Horsham Lane today, Thursday 13th December 2018.
The new lights were paid for with a Festive Display Grant secured from Swale Borough Council.
Upchurch is 1 of 19 local organisations sharing almost £28,000 in grant money to help provide Christmas displays in towns and villages across the borough.
Upchurch Matters
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The coastline of Medway is made up of a variety of valuable marsh and estuarine habitats that support an abundance of wildlife species.
Every year, around 250,000 birds arrive in north Kent, having travelled from as far afield as the Arctic, to spend the winter months resting and feeding on this food-rich haven.
We are committed to protecting our wildlife and keeping our greenspaces an enjoyable place for people to visit.
We have joined forces with the RSPB, Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England and other north Kent councils to set up the Bird Wise project to help protect our feathered friends.
The coast is understandably a popular destination for many different recreational activities, both on the land and the water, but some activities can disturb our wildlife.
These fragile habitats and the birdlife they support are all part of what makes Medway so special, so be Bird Wise and help us to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said:
“Hundreds of thousands of birds travel to Medway each year and it’s incredibly important that we continue to protect the estuaries and marshes to ensure they keep coming back. We’re encouraging residents and visitors to visit the coast and enjoy the wildlife they find there but we’re asking them to consider making small changes to reduce their impact on the environment.”
Top tips to protect our birds include:
• Keep your dog under close control and on a lead if necessary.
• Stay back from birds that are feeding or resting.
• Always follow signs and keep to designated paths.
• Always pick up after your dog and take any litter home with you.
People are being asked for their views on Swale Borough Council’s plans to improve air quality across the borough by 2022.
A consultation on the council’s draft Air Quality Action Plan is running to help get views from residents, parish and town councils and community groups.
The draft plans were put together following extensive research and monitoring of air quality, including latest traffic modelling to account for developments currently planned across the borough.
Swale currently has five air quality management areas (AQMAs) - East Street, St Pauls, Newington, Teynham and Ospringe - where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above the annual mean objective of 40ug/m3.
The plans contain 12 measures to help the council focus resources to deliver improvements in air quality - seven borough-wide strategic measures, and five local measures focussed within each AQMA.
The latest modelling predicts all except East Street and Ospringe will be compliant by 2022, but the council is proposing taking action that will benefit the whole borough.
Proposals include:
• Reducing emissions from HGV’s
• Reducing the volume of HGV's using the A2, especially through East Street and Ospringe
• Encouraging smoother traffic flows through the AQMAs
• Developing policies to encourage lower emission developments
• Encouraging alternatives to car use
To deliver these, the council is proposing a new clean air zone/corridor along the A2 and revising planning guidance on air quality.
Cllr David Simmons, cabinet member for environment and rural affairs at the council, said:
“We have some ambitious plans to tackle air pollution, not just in the action zones, but across the wider borough.
The proposed clean air zone along the A2 - which could use automatic number plate recognition, similar to London’s Low Emissions Zone - could have a significant impact, so we want to know what people think of this, and other ideas to address the problem.
Whilst we are ambitious in our plans, partners such as Kent County Council are crucial to improving air quality locally, so I’m pleased that they have been engaging well with the drafting of these plans.
This is vital, as whilst we might be the ones responsible for preparing the plan, the bigger picture response to the issues lies beyond our control - with central government and County Hall.”
The consultation is running until Tuesday 29th January 2019 and can be completed at >> www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AQAPSwale2018
For further information on air quality in the borough >> www.swale.gov.uk/air-quality
Swale Borough Council
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This year's Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene Festival will be on display between Sunday the 9th and Saturday the 15th of December in St. Mary’s Church.
Open from 2:00pm until 4:30pm.
FREE entry - all donations to St. Mary's Church.
A list is available in the church of everybody who has contributed a decorated Christmas tree or nativity scene this year. All 35 can be enjoyed on display in either The Nave or The Lady Chapel.
Upchurch Matters
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