Poolside Bar & Courtyard Music Nights - May 2019 at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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Poolside Bar & Courtyard Presents LEYTON - Multi Tribute Show at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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Outline Planning Application for Residential Development of 41 Houses at Land off Jubilee Fields, Upchurch

Local news item - Posting for information only.

Planning - Application Summary

19/501773/OUT | Outline application for residential development of 41no. two, three and four bedroom houses. (All matters reserved except for access). | Land Off Jubilee Fields Upchurch Kent ME9 7AQ.

The deadline to submit comments on this planning application is Monday the 6th of May 2019.

The application will be on the agenda and discussed at the Upchurch Parish Council - Planning Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday the 1st of May 2019 at 7:30pm in the Committee Room at Upchurch Village Hall.

Link to planning application >> http://bit.ly/2XBhll8

Upchurch Matters

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Medway and Swale NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups - Respiratory and Urology Services Workshops

Redesigning outpatients in Medway and Swale

Invitation to a series of workshops: respiratory and urology services

Medway and Swale NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups and Medway Foundation Trust need your help to improve outpatients’ facilities.

Are you living with a respiratory condition in Medway or Swale?

Do you use urology services?

Do you care for a family member who attends either respiratory or urology outpatients appointments?

Do you work on the frontline of delivering these services?

You are invited to attend either of the following events:

Outpatients respiratory services workshop

Date: Wednesday 1st May 2019

Time: 1:00pm registration, 1:30pm start, 4:30pm ends
Venue: Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Medway, Kent ME7 4DD

Outpatients Urology services workshop

Date: Wednesday 8th May 2019

Time: 6:00pm registration, 6:30pm start, 8:30pm ends
Venue: Avenue Tennis, Featherby Road, Gillingham, Kent ME8 6AN

These co-design events will bring together people who use services and their family carers with clinical staff and NHS commissioners. They follow a workshop on neurological services in March and are part of a wider redesign of services in Medway and Swale - the Medway Model - bringing more services out into community settings, improving how strands of the system work better together and making better use of resources.

The current outpatient model within the NHS across England has been described as “obsolete”. In the past ten years, the number of outpatient appointments has doubled, meaning we need to address our services to ensure we are meeting the needs of the patients. Across the local system, there is the opportunity to work collaboratively and to focus on what matters most to patients and their families.

At the workshop we will look at the current pathways of care, identify elements which can be improved and look at possible solutions. These might include moving some outpatients services into community locations, supporting patients to have more control over their care or making more use of new technology.

To secure a place at the respiratory workshop, please register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/outpatients-respiratory-services-workshop-tickets-60049360253

To secure a place at the urology workshop, please register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/outpatients-urology-services-workshop-tickets-60049470583

There are a limited number of places so please register as soon as possible.

If you are interested in getting involved in the redesign of outpatients services for either respiratory conditions or for urology but are unable to attend this workshop or if you have any queries about the programme, please Email: medway.communications@nhs.net

Upchurch Matters

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The Three Sisters - Great British Spring Clean

The 7 volunteers collected a lot of rubbish between them.
Just look at some of the things they found!

Volunteers joined Gail and Bernard at The Three Sisters Pub on Saturday the 20th of April to help them litter pick Otterham Quay Lane and the surrounding area.

Their equipment was supplied by Swale Borough Council C/O Vikki Sedgwick, Environmental Projects Officer.

The couple plan to repeat their clean up again in late summer, so please let them know if you're interested in taking part.

Well done everybody - Great job!

To find out more, visit >> www.keepbritaintidy.org

#GBSpringClean

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Horticultural Society - Spring Plant Sale

Sponsored by: Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

PLANT SALE

UHS will be holding its Spring Plant Sale in the Paddock

On Saturday 4^th May 2019 starting at 8:30am

A wide range of plants available at reasonable prices

50p stall for bargains

Ample parking in the Paddock

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

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The Kent Association for Local Councils Community Awards 2019

Ray receiving his award from

Upchurch Parish Council Chairman, Tyrone Ripley.

Award

Congratulations to Ray Kemsley, this year’s very worthy winner of the Kent Association for Local Councils - Community Award for Upchurch.

The annual KALC - Community Awards are to acknowledge and give recognition to those who have made a significant contribution to their local community.

Upchurch Parish Council Chairman, Tyrone Ripley presented Ray with his award at this year’s Annual Parish Meeting, held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday the 18th of April 2019.

Thank you Ray, and to all this year’s nominees for everything you do for our village.

Nomination

Ray Kemsley moved to Upchurch in the 1960’s as a young police officer to take up residence in the police house in Oak Lane with his wife Brenda. He was the village ‘Bobby’ and for many years provided that essential public protection and service role.

Ray joined the One O’clock Club within the village which still meets each week to this day and has for over 40 years been an integral part of village life. The Club was the heart of the village social scene in the 1970’s and 80’s arranging village dances and social events in the village hall, including the renown New Year’s Eve dances.

Ray has at various times over 50 years been involved with most of the village institutions usually as a Committee member and often as Chair. He was instrumental in delivering the Fireworks Display in the ‘Paddock days’. Ray has chaired the Parents and Friends of Holywell School (PFHS) and was always found flipping burgers at their events, including the village fete.

Ray helped establish the Twinning Committee on which he still undertakes the annual exchange of school children with Ferques and this year arranged for our Parish Wreath to be laid at Ferques’ Memorial Service. He is a member of Upchurch Active Retirement Association and until its recent demise took part in the monthly paper drive for the scouts. He was on the most recent Fete Committee and performs sidesman duties at St Mary’s.

Ray also chaired and published the Upchurch Village Appraisal.

Ray is always there for the residents of the village, often visiting the elderly, taking them to appointments or doing odd jobs to help out and in his spare time Ray runs annual charity events at the Golf Club.

Ray’s greatest contribution to the village and residents, has been his dedicated service as a Governor at the village school. Ray started as a Governor when his daughters were at the school in the late 1970’s, around the time the then new school opened in Holywell Lane. During the past 40 years Ray has served as Chair of Governors several times and has Chaired every Committee at one time or another. Ray drove the project to finance and construct the new Library Wing which the school named the ‘Kemsley’ Wing in his honour. Two generations of children going through our village school, that’s over 1200 children who received the education they enjoyed in the buildings continually updated and equipped because Ray has devoted his life to that purpose.

So on behalf of UPC, and the residents of Upchurch, Thank you Ray for your selfless and tireless contribution to our village.

Upchurch Matters
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Tenor Bell at St. Mary's Will Ring Out in Solidarity with Notre-Dame

Joining Cathedrals and Churches across the country, the Tenor Bell at St. Mary's Church, Upchurch will be tolled for 7 minutes this evening, Thursday the 18th of April 2019 at 7:00pm.

This is part of a nationwide mark of solidarity following the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday which caused the main spire and roof of the building to collapse. People across the globe are now mourning the damage.

Paris's famous Notre-Dame Cathedral has been one of the French capital's most famous landmarks since it was built 850 years ago. Notre-Dame, which translates in English as "Our Lady", has played a role in key moments of history and captured the imagination of people around the world, drawing an estimated 13 million visitors a year.

A major symbol of the Catholic faith, the cathedral contains revered relics, including the crown of thorns said to have been worn by Jesus before the Crucifixion.

Don't forget to listen out this evening.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Village Hall - Now Available for Hire on Wednesday Afternoons and Friday Mornings

Upchurch Village Hall is now available for hire on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.

A great opportunity for local groups currently looking for a new venue to use on a regular basis.

For details, please contact the Booking Secretary, Mollie Harriss on: 01634 364859

More information at >> https://upchurchvillagehall.weebly.com

Thank you

Sandy Tutt

Upchurch Village Hall - Management Committee

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Upchurch Choral Society Presents "Laudete Dominum"

A concert of music and readings for Good Friday

Friday 19th April 2019 at 7:00pm in St. Mary's Church, Upchurch.

The programme includes pieces by Tallis, Palestrina, Mozart and Haydn
as well as readings.

£5 entry, children FREE with a retiring collection for Breast Cancer Now.

For further details, please contact Sue: 01634 234780

Sue Rossiter - Upchurch Choral Society

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Swale Borough Council - Easter Waste and Recycling Collection Dates

Swale Borough Council bin collections will not be affected by
the Bank Holiday.

Residents should put their bins out for collection on the usual day.

To check your bin collection days, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/my-collection-day

Upchurch Matters

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Controlling Your Dog in Public - The Law

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

• In a public place.

• In a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden.

• In the owner’s home.

The law applies to all dogs.

Some types of dogs are banned.

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• Injures someone.

• Makes someone worried that it might injure them.

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

• It attacks someone’s animal.

• The owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock.

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’.

If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (for example a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) - previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).

In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to:

• Keep your dog on a lead.

• Put your dog on a lead if told to by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or someone from the council.

• Stop your dog going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park.

• Limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too).

• Clear up after your dog.

• Carry a poop scoop and disposable bags.

You can report dog fouling to your local council.

Swale Borough Council

Telephone: 01795 417850

Online >> iweb.itouchvision.com

Medway Council

Telephone: 01634 333 333

Online >> eforms.medway.gov.uk

Penalties

If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:

• £100 on the spot (a ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’).

• Up to £1,000 if it goes to court.

PSPOs in your area

Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place.

Example:

If dogs are not allowed in a park, there must be signs saying so.

If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website.

The notice must tell you:

• Where the new PSPO will apply.

• If there’s a map and where you can see it.

Report a dog

Anyone can report a dog and their owner to Kent Police.

• In an emergency, when life is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999

• Otherwise call the non-urgent number 101

• Or report non-urgent crimes online at >> www.kent.police.uk/services/report-online

You can report a dangerous dog to your council’s Dog Warden service

Swale Borough Council

Telephone: 01795 417850

Online at >> www.swale.gov.uk/contact-customer-services

Medway council

Telephone: 01634 333333

Online at >> eforms.medway.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

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Step into Spring with A Better Medway - Health Walks

The YouTube video may not visible in your Email version of this post.

If not, you can still watch it at the link, here.

Walking is fun and good for the mind and body - it's also a great way to socialise.

Health walks are FREE throughout Medway so you enjoy all the benefits in a friendly, supportive group.

A Better Medway run 25 walking routes covering a range of lovely local scenery with lots to choose from:

• Fancy exploring history? The walk around Chatham Historic Dockyard is perfect.

• Want to explore somewhere new? The St. Mary’s Island route takes you around the whole island.

• Maybe you want to explore more of our countryside? The Capstone Park walk is just the thing.

Each walk takes between 45 and 75 minutes and take place between Monday to Friday.

The Cuxton route has over 30 members who meet up every week. See their walk in the video.

Benefits of health walks

Benefits include:

• Walks led by trained walk leaders

• Supportive and fun atmosphere

• Flat routes
• Walks all year round
• Easy pace
• Graded for different levels
• Excellent exercise
• Outdoor exercise
• Only need a pair of shoes
• Dogs welcome

Join a health walk

Health walks are great exercise for:

• Beginners and those returning to walking

• All ages
• People that want to be active and meet people

To join a health walk, call: 01634 333720 or Email: walking@medway.gov.uk

Upcoming walks

Rainham Stroll, Rainham Library, ME8 7LR every Monday 9:45am to 10:30am

Lordswood Walk, Lordswood Library, ME5 8TH every Monday 9:45am to 11:15am

Capstone Park Walk, Capstone Park car park by the lake, ME7 3JG every Monday 9:45am to 11:00am

Rochester Riverside Walk, Pausenbrot Café, ME1 1FG every Monday 9:45am to 11:00am

St. Mary's Island Walk, Ship and Trades Car Park, ME4 3ER every Monday 10:15am to 11:30am

Cuxton Community Walk, Cuxton Library, ME2 1EY every Tuesday 10:15am to 12 noon

Riverside Walk, Riverside Country Park, ME7 2XH every Tuesday 10:15am to 11:30am

Robin Hood Walk, Tunbury Hall Car Park, ME5 9HP every Tuesday 9:45am to 11:00am

Tunbury Community Walk, Tunbury Hall Car Park, ME5 9HP every Tuesday 9:45am to 11:15am

Strood Community Walk, Strood Community Hub, ME2 4TJ every Tuesday 10:00am to 11:15am

Cliffe Woods, The Parks Medical Centre, ME3 8HX (meet outside) every Wednesday 10:15am to 12noon

Hook Meadow, Hook Meadow Library, ME5 0TZ every Wednesday 9:45am to 11:00am

Great Lines Stroll, Gillingham Library, ME7 1BG every Wednesday 9:45am to 10:30am

Spekes Bottom Walk, Star Lane/Darland Avenue, ME7 3AT every Wednesday 9:30am to 10:45am

Medway Carers Walk (contact Roger at: jollyrogerspeakeasy@live.co.uk for location) every Wednesday 11:00am to 12:15pm (runs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month).

Park Club Walk, Park Club, ME5 0LU every Wednesday 12:15pm to 1:30pm

Luton Community Walk, Luton Library, ME5 7LA every Thursday 9:45am to 11:15am

Three Villages Walk, Village Hall, Lower Stoke, ME3 9ST every Thursday 9:15am to 10:30am

Wigmore Community Walk, Wigmore Library, ME8 0PX every Thursday 9:45am to 11:00am

Chatham Historic Dockyard Walk, Dockyard Visitor's Entrance, ME4 4TY every Thursday 9:45am to 11:15am

Hoo Community Walk, Hoo Library, ME3 9AL every Friday 9:45am to 11:00am

Rochester Community Walk, Rochester Library, ME1 1EW every Friday 9:45am to 11:00am

Chatham Stroll, Chatham Library, ME4 4TX every Friday 10:15am to 11:15am

Wainscott Walk, Wainscott Co-op, ME2 4LB every Friday 10:15am to 11:45am

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee - Vacancies for a Chairperson and Secretary

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee help maintain and run our local village hall. Without this team of committed members many local groups would have nowhere to meet.

The village hall has been used for over 50 years. The hall is currently used for the local pantomime, UpARA meetings, W.I. meetings, bowls and many other great organisations.

Now they need help from villagers.

Meeting on every second Wednesday of the month they need a Chairperson and a Secretary. No experience is necessary (although experience volunteering in other committees is helpful).

If you have some spare time and care about our village hall please consider volunteering for one of these roles.

Helping out with village organisations is a great way to meet new people and feel like you are doing some good in this world.

If you are interested in either role, please contact us via our

website: https://upchurchvillagehall.weebly.com or our

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Upchurchvillagehall

Thank you for your support.

Rosalind Dyett

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

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Election 2019

Local elections are taking place on Thursday the 2nd of May 2019.

All 47 Swale Borough Council seats are being contested, along with town and parish councils.

There will also be a by-election for the Sittingbourne North division for Kent County Council.

You can find out more about each of these, including who the candidates are in each election, on the Swale Borough Council elections pages >> www.swale.gov.uk/elections

To vote in the elections residents must be on the electoral register. This was updated in autumn last year as part of Swale council’s annual canvass to make sure the resister is up to date.

If you’ve recently moved house you can register at >> www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you’re not sure if you’re on the register, you can call the helpline on: 01795 417 316.

The deadline for registering to vote is midnight on Friday the 12th of April. You do not need to re-apply if you are already on the register - if you're unsure, call the helpline on: 01795 417 316.

The deadline to apply to vote by post, is 5:00pm on Monday the 15th of April, and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5:00pm on Wednesday the 24th of April.

For more information visit the Swale Borough Council voting and elections pages >> www.swale.gov.uk/voting-elections 

Upchurch Village Hall is our Polling Station in the village and will be open from 7:00am until 10:00pm.

Election of Borough Councillors for the Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch Borough Ward

For the election of 2 Borough Councillors.

Residents can vote for no more than 2 candidates in this election.

The candidates are:

Alan Horton - The Conservative Party Candidate

Amy Leggatt - Labour Party

Richard Palmer - Swale Independents - Putting local people first

John Wright - The Conservative Party Candidate

Election of Parish Councillors for the Upchurch Parish Council

8 residents have stood for Upchurch Parish Council.

The following persons have been elected to Upchurch Parish Council, without contest:

John Arnold
Pamela Denny
Alan Horton
Gerry Lewin

Janet Marshall
Peter Masson
Tyrone Ripley
Gary Rosewell

At the end of their 4-year term all Parish Councillors effectively retire. Any intent to

re-stand is notified to Swale Borough Council by means of a nomination form. At the same time, any other qualifying resident of the parish can also submit their candidacy to Swale. At the close of registration the Clerk is notified of the number of candidates.

All nominations have now been submitted to Swale Borough Council and verified. 8 candidates were received for Upchurch which means, with an allocation of 9 councillors this election is uncontested.

These 8 candidates will automatically form the next Parish Council. They will then be in a position to advertise vacancies and 'co-opt' applicants as and when they can. Therefore there is still 1 vacancy.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - April 2019

Report of the Parish Council April 2019

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.

Upchurch Annual Spring Clean

The annual spring clean was a huge success with a sterling effort from the pupils of Holywell School and the uniformed organisations. The Parish Council is grateful to all who volunteered and helped make the village a better place.

Paddock and Recreation Ground

The Parish Council is obtaining quotations to repair or replace the picket fencing at the Recreation Ground by Oak Lane.

A new litter bin will be installed in the Paddock.

Following increasing concern about dog fouling near the children’s play area, the Parish Council will consider asking for all dogs to be kept on leads in the Paddock. Dog fouling can lead to an increased risk in and toxocara canis can pass from dog poo to humans as Toxocariasis through contaminated sand or soil, and children are at particular risk. The Parish Council asks all dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their dogs.

Upchurch Fete

The Parish Council has awarded a grant of £300 to the Parents & Friends of Holywell School to help with the costs of running the Annual Village Fete.

Planning

i. Ref: 19/500999/FULL

Address: Starborne Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7BB

Proposal: Demolition of existing bungalow and outbuildings, and erection of a new four bedroom detached dwelling, including new boundary wall, entrance gates and driveway.

Councillors considered the application and agreed that the officer's recommendations should be accepted and that neighbours' comments should be taken into account.

ii. PINS reference: APP/V2255/W/18/3218833

Ref: 18/502708/FULL

Proposal: Erection of two detached chalet bungalows with associated parking and extension of residential garden (serving Lord Stanley Bungalow) with revised access arrangements following demolition of existing building.

Location: The Old Woodyard Land Rear Of Lord Stanley Bungalow Otterham Quay Lane

Councillors agreed to reassert their objections to the proposal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Allotments

There are still a few plots available in Upchurch and anyone interested in having an allotment garden should contact the Clerk. There is a preferential rate for residents.

Environment

The Parish Council has secured a grant towards hiring a fully planted planter which will be sited near the sign, delivery is expected to be end of May/ early June.

The Council has agreed to hold the annual Best Kept Garden Competition and Councillors will judge the gardens along with the residents from the village who assist the competition judging process.

Parking issues at Holywell School

Following concerns about inconsiderate parking, the Swale Parking Enforcement Team are monitoring the area. Drivers are requested to park in a safe and considerate manner, failure to do so may result in a fine.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 16^th May 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 22^nd May 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

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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