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Friday, 28 June 2019

Temporary Road Closure - Yaugher Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close Yaugher Lane, Hartlip from Monday 1st July 2019 for up to 5 days.

The road will be closed at the junction with Meresborough Lane.

The alternative route is via Meresborough Lane, Meresborough Road and Matts Hill.

The closure is necessary to enable SGN to carry out works to supply a new service.

This notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site and is valid for a period of no more than 5 days.

The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: www.kenttraffic.info


Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Thursday, 27 June 2019

JCB Stolen - Newington


Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/120784/19

At 3:33am on Monday 24th of June, a JCB was stolen from Persimmon Homes, Watling Place, Newington High Street, and abandoned in a field 7 miles away.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging
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Swale Borough Council Declares Climate Emergency


Councillors have voted to declare a climate and ecological emergency in Swale.

motion was passed at last night’s full council meeting which committed the council to acting to reducing carbon emissions and make space for nature.

The vote means the council will aim to make its own operations carbon neutral by 2025 and work with businesses, residents and organisations so the whole borough hits this ambitious target by 2030.

It also committed the council to becoming plastic free by 2021, and make sure improving energy efficiency and creating space for nature are key priorities in all its strategies and plans.

Cllr Tim Valentine, the cabinet member for environment at the council who proposed the motion, said:

“We live in an area that is already vulnerable to flooding, with every tide washing more plastic onto our coastline, and where residents suffer from unacceptably high levels of air pollution.

Habitat loss and changes in how we use the land are contributing to huge declines of species, with the rate of extinctions rising alarmingly and threatening the pollinators we rely on to grow the food we eat.

It’s simply unacceptable for us to sit and do nothing, hoping someone else will do something to deal with these problems.

Taking bold action now to tackle these issues will not only help to reverse these trends but will also deliver economic benefits and improved health and wellbeing for local people.

Insulating homes will reduce the number of people in fuel poverty and provide skilled jobs. Improved public transport will lead to fewer car journeys, create jobs and reduce social exclusion in rural areas.

Walking and cycling encourage a healthy, active lifestyle, and protecting our wild places and providing access to nature promotes good physical and mental health.

By showing leadership on these issues we can make a lasting difference not just for the local environment, but for the benefit of everyone.”

Cllr Eddie Thomas, the deputy cabinet member for environment who seconded the motion said:

“As the district council, we don’t have as many tools available to us as the county council or central government, but that won’t stop us doing what we are able to and calling on them to do more to help.

We can use the planning system to ensure new buildings are more energy-efficient and encourage sustainable travel such as walking and cycling.

We can reduce our own emissions, so our operations are carbon neutral by 2025, and work with local businesses, residents and organisations so the entire borough reaches this target by 2030.

We can become a plastic-free council by eliminating single-use plastics from our operations, whenever possible, by 2021.

Better transport planning would make fewer journeys necessary and developing the infrastructure for electric vehicles would make them a realistic alternative for those who do need to drive.

These actions, and more, will all add up to make a real difference and show future generations that we rose to the challenge and started to reverse the damage being done to our environment.”

Following the motion, the council will now start working on plans to address the climate emergency, which will be reported back to full council by the end of the 2019/20 municipal year.

The full motion is available on the council meeting agenda page. These will be updated with the minutes of the meeting, which will include the agreed amendments tabled by Cllr Nicholas Hampshire.

Swale Borough Council
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Tuesday, 25 June 2019

UPDATE - Karl Clifton Has Completed His Walk to Raise Money for Cancer Research UK


Karl walked across Spain (unsupported)
for Cancer Research UK
because of losing loved ones to Cancer.
Karl completed his walk at 09:30 on Tuesday the 25th of June 2019 (Spanish time).

What an amazing achievement.

Congratulations Karl - safe trip home.

Karl has walked over 580 miles during his epic trek along Camino Norte/Primitivo to Cape Finisterres, and he didn’t get lost as much as he thought he would!

Karl Clifton set off from his home in Lower Halstow on Thursday the 23rd of May to begin his 580+ mile walk across Spain (unsupported) to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

There's still time to help Karl on his way towards reaching his total of £1500 by giving whatever you can to combat this terrible disease at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karl-clifton

Or if you prefer, you can donate to Karl in person using his sponsor form on the bar at The Three Tuns, Lower Halstow. The pub is collecting your donations on Karl's behalf.

Thank you

Read more about Karl's amazing walk on Upchurch Matters here >> http://bit.ly/2LQu3eW

Upchurch Matters
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Monday, 24 June 2019

“Think of A World Without Any Flowers” - “Think of A World Without Any Trees”



🌸🌼🌺 Think of A World Without Any Flowers 🌺🌼🌸

🌿🌲🌳 Think of A World Without Any Trees 🌳🌲🌿

An Exhibition of Environmental Action at St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow.

Saturday June 29th and Sunday June 30th from 2pm to 5pm.

Come along and find out more from Friends of the Brickfields, Bumblebee Conservation, Swale Borough Council Recycling, Wild About Gardens, Little Wild Things, Morsbags, Bee Keeping, SAS and Lower Halstow Greening.

Refreshments will be available and our very warm welcome.

For more information call Liz on: 07730 893747

Liz Mouland
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1st Upchurch Brownies and Guides - Strawberry Tea



1st Upchurch Brownies and Guides are holding their Strawberry Tea on Wednesday the 3rd of July at Drakes Lodge Scout Hut, Oak Lane between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.


The proceeds will be split 50/50 between Breast Cancer Care and the Upchurch Guides equipment fund.

The raffle will be drawn at 8:00pm

Prizes include:

Family ticket to Leeds Castle
Family ticket to The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Family ticket to The Royal Engineers Museum
Family swim at Sheerness Leisure Pool
Vouchers for Flipout and Soar
Chalkwell day trip voucher
Morrisons voucher
Marks & Spencer voucher
Amazon voucher
Plus lots more...

If you aren't able to come along to the Strawberry Tea on the evening but would still like to show your support by buying some raffle tickets, please contact Tracey Snellings.

Raffle tickets are 20p each or £1 a strip

All welcome - please come along and support this very worthy cause.

Thank you

Breast Cancer Care Website: www.breastcancercare.org.uk

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Choral Society Presents Summer Serenade


Saturday 20th July 2019

In St. Mary’s church, Upchurch at 7:30pm

Music by Mozart and Rutter, including
Rutter’s “The Sprig of Thyme”

Refreshments will be available at the interval

Entry £10 on the door, children FREE

Contact Sue Rossiter on: 01634 234780 for more details

Sue Rossiter
Upchurch Choral Society
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Sunday, 23 June 2019

Cat Missing - Bradshaw Close

Dave Candy
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Kentish Players Present Our House - The Madness Musical

26th - 29th June at the Central Theatre, Chatham

Co-starring Upchurch Players' leading light, Adam James

Tickets available from the Central Theatre box office, priced £16.50 or £15.00 for concessions - Call: 01634 338338


The Kentish Players are one of Medway’s leading musical theatre companies. Founded in 1914, they produce one major production a year, playing to packed houses and rave reviews. Members include dancers, stage managers, crew members, directors, musical directors, choreographers, accountants, technicians, costume designers, production secretaries and, of course, actors.

Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), their aim is to present professional standard shows to audiences, both local and from further afield. They often produce amateur premiers of top productions as soon as they are released from the West End or national tours.

Find out more at their website: www.kentishplayers.com
Kentish Players on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kentishplayers

Upchurch Matters
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Friday, 21 June 2019

Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham


The Patient Participation Group

The PPG meets quarterly, in January, April, July and October. If you have any queries / observations you would like to be raised on your behalf, please contact the Chairman on: 01634 231585. The Group meets next on Thursday 25th July.

Group Committee 2019

Ray Kemsley - Chair
David Candy and Mrs Jackie Brown - Co-vice Chairs
Janice Bunting - Secretary
Gill Renshaw, David Kew, Rev Ron Partridge, Kathryn and Paul Rutson
Marian Richardson, Michelle Williamson - Surgery Representatives

Defibrillator

The Upchurch Surgery has now been equipped with a new defibrillator.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Patients are still NOT taking up the offer when they receive the letter / test kit in the post, and those failing to respond are increasing monthly.

Can you really afford to ignore such an offer?

Missed Appointments

A major concern!

May total = 34

2019 total = 201

It is important that, if you have booked an appointment but subsequently find that you are unable to keep it, you please give the Surgery as much notice as possible by ringing: 01634 231423.

With an ever increasing demand for appointments, this will almost certainly allow your slot to be re-allocated to another patient.

Please remember:
If you rebook an appointment online, this does not automatically cancel any earlier bookings.
If you update surgery records with your mobile phone number, you will receive a texted reminder just before your scheduled appointment is due.

Purchasing of Minor Drugs

Paracetamol / Ibuprofen etc

The response from patients has been very positive and a big ‘Thank You’ to all concerned. Please continue to do so. It not only saves time for the doctors and receptionists but also helps save money.

Smear Tests

The Surgery urges all female patients between the ages of 25 and 64 to take up the offer of regular free smear tests. Eligible patients will normally receive a written invitation to partake of the test but, if you feel that you qualify but don’t receive such an invitation, please enquire at either Surgery.

Shingles Vaccinations

To check whether you are eligible to receive a Shingles vaccination, please log on to: http://www.gov.uk/phe. Go to the 'search' box and enter ‘shingles eligibility’. Click on the 'calculator' box and enter your date of birth.

Ventolin Inhalers

It has become clear from the ever increasing requests for repeat prescriptions that Ventolin Inhalers are NOT being used as prescribed. They are intended for use as a preventative measure, and not as a “regular dosage” medication. Accordingly, future requests may be reviewed by the practice nurse.

Repeat Prescriptions

Please do to ask for drugs that you DO NOT need.

Upchurch Surgery

Changes to opening hours - 2019

To accommodate GP meetings, the following regular afternoon Surgery dates at Upchurch will be replaced with morning sessions, between 10:00am and 1:00pm on:

Thursday 18th July
Thursday 22nd August
Wednesday 18th September
Thursday 24th October
Wednesday 27th November

Please collect your prescriptions during the morning Surgery times above.

If you have any questions or suggestions on the local practice, please Email:
Jan Bunting - Secretary: janannbunting@outlook.com or 
Ray Kemsley - Chair: raykemsley@btinternet.com

David Candy
Co-vice Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
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Thursday, 20 June 2019

Nursery Days Fete and Open Day

Nursery Days
The Old School, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7AJ
Telephone: 01634 263896
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Swale Borough Council - Don't Be Idle


Head of school Simon Krafft with Ward Cllrs Richard Palmer
and Alan Horton, environmental health officer Clare Lydon,
and children from Newington CE Primary S
chool.
Local primary school pupils can help reduce air pollution by entering a competition to design a banner to encourage people to switch off their engines outside the school gates.

The competition is being organised as part of Swale Borough Council’s Clean Air for Schools initiative. This aims to highlight the harm caused by motorists not switching off their engines when they are waiting in traffic or outside schools at drop off or pick up times.

Launching on Clean Air Day 2019 (20th June) schools are being asked to come up with a creative design to encourage people to help people think about the damage leaving engines idling.

The best design will be made into a large banner to be displayed outside their school.

Newington Primary School is the first school to sign up to Clean Air for Schools, and pupils will be having a special assembly to get them thinking of ideas for their banners.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“We want everyone to enjoy better air quality and by working with schools on this competition, we think we can encourage cleaner and greener travel.

Idling engines cause unnecessary emissions, which contribute to air pollution which can be particularly harmful to young children.

Most people probably don’t realise the harm it does, so we want banners to get people to think about how their actions are affecting others.”

Cllr Eddie Thomas, deputy cabinet member for environment, said:

“When parents and carers drive to school, it’s not just their children they’re dropping off for the day - the fumes from their cars stay too.

A lot of people don’t want to drive all the way but feel there is no other option.

“We will be working with schools to put together travel plans that make it easier for parents to get their children to school safely, without leaving polluting fumes.”

Any schools interested in taking part in the competition can register their interest at: www.swale.gov.uk/clean-air-for-schools

The Clean Air for Schools initiative has been set up as part of the council’s air quality action plan and aims to work with schools to encourage sustainable travel options and raise awareness of air pollution.

To find out more, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/Dont-be-idle

Swale Borough Council
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Wednesday, 19 June 2019

Overnight Road Closure - Church Lane, Newington

Overnight Road Closure - Church Lane, Newington - Tuesday 9th July 2019.

An overnight closure of part of Church Lane, Newington, near Sittingbourne, is planned for Tuesday 9th July 2019 from 10:00pm through until approximately 6:00am.

Church Lane will be closed in the general vicinity of the railway bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Local access to the remainder of Church Lane continues from either direction up to where the road is closed.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via A2 High Street, London Road, Breach Lane, Boxted Lane and School Lane.

The closure is to enable Network Rail to carry out a detailed bridge inspection.

There is a slight chance that the works may over-run for such reasons as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen engineering difficulties.

The Network Rail 24 Hour National helpline is: 03457 114141

The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org


Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Opus 32 Performing Sounds Of The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s at St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch

Opus 32 are returning to St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch for their ever popular summer concert on Saturday the 13th of July 2019, starting at 7:30pm.

Enjoy an evening of songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. With songs including Under Pressure, Mr Blue Sky, Rainy Days and Mondays, Only You, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now and many more.

Tickets £8

To book tickets, please call Derek Boyne on: 01795 423854 or reserve your tickets by Emailing: opus32.choir@gmail.com

Opus 32

Opus 32 was formed by Derek Boyne, the current Musical Director, to give young vocalists in Swale a forum in which to continue singing once they have left full-time education. Drawing on pupils, from Secondary Schools in Sittingbourne and Swale Music Centre, the first group of singers met on November the 6th 2000, and Opus 32 was born.

Opus 32 prides itself on the number of instrumentalists within the group, making it possible to stage a small Orchestra; Jazz Band and Folk Group at any given Concert. Their repertoire is wide and varied, encompassing many musical genres and styles, Opus 32 ‘A Choir for All Occasions’.

Find out more at >> www.opus32choir.co.uk

Upchurch Matters
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Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Medway Armed Forces Day at Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham

Showing our support for Medway’s Armed Forces

Residents are invited to show their support for the Armed Forces community at a FREE family fun day.

Medway Council, supported by the Royal School of Military Engineering, is hosting Armed Forces Day at Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham on Saturday, 29th June, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

There will be fun for all the family including have-a-go activities, military bridge building, concerts, drive-a-digger, army obstacle course, helicopters, a military parade led by the Band of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, arena displays, a funfair and more.

The Royal School of Military Engineering will also showcase skills used by the Sappers in a dedicated Royal Engineer Trades Village such as pontoon building.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, and Armed Forces Champion, said “We are incredibly proud of Medway’s rich military history and we’re committed to continuing our support to our Armed Forces community. I would encourage residents to come down to the Great Lines, show their support and enjoy free family day out packed with fun activities for all to enjoy.”

Medway Council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant which focuses on ensuring services are provided to members of the armed forces community, from education and family well-being to advice on starting a new career.

Last year the council were honoured for our work supporting serving and ex-military personnel and were presented with the silver award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Earlier this year key members of Frontline Services staff took part in training with Forces Connect South East to ensure they understand the covenant and tailor support to armed forces personnel.

BAE Systems sponsors Medway’s Armed Forces Day.

Ian Brimelow, Site Executive for BAE Systems in Rochester, said: “It’s always an honour to be a part of the Medway Armed Forces Day event. As an organisation with a rich heritage in defence, we’re incredibly proud to support the Armed Forces community of past and present, as well as their families. At BAE Systems we’re committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. Events like these provide the perfect platform for locals to celebrate, and thank, the service men and women of our country.”

For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/armedforcesday

Medway Council
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Swale Borough Council - Cabinet Plans for New Priorities


The first cabinet meeting since the local elections heard about the new coalition administrations ambitious plans for the next four years.

Plans are being drawn up to create a special projects fund of £1 million a year for the next four years which will allow greater investment in projects that make a difference to the borough.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“We are sitting on huge levels of reserves that are more than double what we realistically need to have set aside.

“This is local people’s money, so it’s only right we use it to improve services around the borough.

“Of course, this has to be done responsibly as the funds are not unlimited, so we are working on setting up a special projects fund of £1 million per year.

“Any projects that are funded will need to demonstrate its value and be in addition to what our services are already providing.

“This will give us the chance to fund specific initiatives that can make a real difference to people’s lives, which would previously have been seen as too costly, even if they would save money in the longer term.”

The meeting also heard updates on progress the administration is making towards its priorities, including:

 A new housing strategy is being put together that will see an increased focus on affordable housing.
 Additional investment is planned to help prevent homelessness and stop the use of bed and breakfast for temporary accommodation by the end of the year.
 Looking at making sure the staff it and its contractors employ are paid the real living wage.
 Declaring a climate emergency to commit the council to coming up with plans to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.
 Review the approach to the next local plan to ensure developments are suitable and come with the necessary infrastructure.
 Review the constitution to give residents more opportunities to participate in decision-making.
 Recruiting a health and wellbeing officer to coordinate council services work in areas affecting health.

The agenda for the cabinet meeting where these were discussed can be found here: http://bit.ly/2XiiOjP

Swale Borough Council
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