In a month which proved very busy for the parish council, the main point of discussion in the village concerned the construction of a new school to replace Holywell School in Holywell Lane which had existed since 1847.
At the monthly parish council meeting chairman Ted Tress read out the financial report for 1969/1970 which he had drawn up and a discussion about action with regard to a new school took place. The new Holywell School in Forge Lane eventually became reality in 1976.
The parish council also discussed the condition of the entrance to the recreation ground that had become overgrown but which had been recently cleared and looked tidy. Unfortunately, the football club had left a half completed pavilion on the recreation ground causing an eyesore. The parish council then wrote to the club giving it until August to complete the job otherwise permission to play football on the ground for the oncoming season would be refused. The football club agreed to take action and continued using the ground for home matches in the Rochester & District League. The other problem concerning the recreation ground continued to be the riding of horses by local equestrian enthusiasts on the area which the council found difficult to prevent.
A problem arose involving the delivery of mail in Horsham Lane as letters were being delivered to the wrong addresses. Some houses shared the same number while part of Horsham Lane had Sittingbourne addresses and half had Rainham addresses causing confusion. Furthermore, one resident discovered building materials meant for a different house dumped in his garden. The parish council referred the matter to Swale Rural Council who asked the postal service to introduce a new numbering system for houses in Horsham Lane and this soon happened.
In village club affairs the Women’s Institute held its 38th birthday celebration in the village hall with a buffet and a short comedy performed by the village drama group. Members also performed two dance routines while club president Mrs Ambrose cut the birthday cake. Mrs Thompson won the competition for the Best Decorated Egg and Mrs Nelson won the Best Flower of the Month competition. The manager of Riceman’s store in Canterbury gave a talk early in the month and members of the institute visited the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
Cricket club members prepared their Poot Lane ground for the coming season and made plans for their annual Tramp’s Supper in early May. Playing membership decreased compared with previous seasons and the club struggled winning only one match during the entire season.
A Glamorous Granny competition organised by the parochial council took place in the village hall with fourteen entrants. Ellen Godman aged 79 from Lower Halstow won the competition. Mrs Godman had 22 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. After the competition, the parochial council held a Spring Fayre in the village hall to raise money for church repairs. Three whist drives were also held in the village hall as fundraising events in April.
The church register for the month recorded the baptism of Marie Ann Lewin from Drakes Close and the marriage of George Burchill from Forge Lane to Janet Murr from Drakes Close. Funerals also took place at the church for Lawrence Kirby aged 72 from Oak Lane and Gladys Chapman aged 59 from South Bush Lane. This brought April to a close and as spring had arrived the fruit orchards around the village burst into a mass of white and pink blossom adding colour to the landscape.
David Wood
About David
David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.
David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.
