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Hi everyone,
We have taken the decision to cancel the Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church on Thursday the 6th of January.
Partly it's because of Covid and that many of us have family members we still need to protect.
We look forward to seeing you all again at our next Rainbow Café.
Gill Gay and all the Rainbow Café team
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
The lovely Nativity Scene has returned to the Churchyard atSt Mary’s, beautifully built by Frank Osborne.
Wishing everyone the merriest possible Christmas and a healthy and more prosperous new year.
This Christmas, we can gather safely with family and friends again, proof of just how far we have all come together over the last nearly two years.
To happier and more carefree days in 2022 🥂
Upchurch Matters
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
Upchurch surgery will be closed on Monday 27th December and Monday 3rd January, otherwise regular surgery hours will apply.
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Free Entry - Non-members Welcome
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Our Christmas opening hours:
Friday 24th December - Christmas Eve6:30am - 8:00pm
Saturday 25th December - Christmas Day
CLOSED
Sunday 26th December - Boxing Day
10:00am - 4:00pm
Monday 27th December
Open as usual
Tuesday 28th December
Open as usual
Sally - Upchurch’s Co-op
It will be necessary to close part of Breach Lane, Upchurch from Wednesday 19th January 2022, with estimated completion by 25th January 2022.
Breach Lane, Upchurch will be closed at the junction with Hartlip Hill, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Breach Lane, The Street, Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, Oak Lane, A2 London Road, Hartlip Hill and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while connection works are undertaken by Southern Water.
For information regarding this closure please contact Southern Water on: 0330 303 0368, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/260419/21
Between 23:00 on Friday the 17th of December and 07:00 on Saturday the 18th of December, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.
in Hartlip
For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk
Kent Community Messaging
It will be necessary to close part of Mount Lane, Hartlip from Friday 14th January 2022, between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00, with estimated completion by 18th January 2022.
Mount Lane, Hartlip will be closed between the junctions with The Street and Lower Hartlip Road, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is The Street, Hollow Lane, Lower Hartlip Road and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while tree surgery works are undertaken by Openreach.
For information regarding this closure, please contact Openreach on: 0800 023 2023, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
PCSO's John Cork and Lorraine Holmes, at John's lastPolice Surgery in Upchurch on Friday 17th December 2021.
John is leaving to take up a new position on Sheppey in the new year, and we wish him all the best policing in a new area of the borough.
John takes with him all of his invaluable local knowledge, trust, and friendships that he has built up with residents over the last 14 years.
PCSO Lorraine Holmes will become our new PCSO in January 2022 - Welcome.
Good luck, and thank you, John 👏🏼
Upchurch Matters
Report of the Parish Council December 2021
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Ernie Bernsten, Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Santa's visit to Upchurch
The Parish Council has reluctantly decided to cancel Santa's visit to Upchurch on 19th December due to the current situation with the pandemic. This is a real disappointment to Father Christmas and all who have worked hard on the event but the safety of Father Christmas and residents is paramount.
Children can be assured that Father Christmas will be visiting all good girls and boys on Christmas Eve as usual and his journey can be tracked by following this link - Santa Tracker
KALC Community Award
The Council will take part in the KALC Community Award scheme to acknowledge and give recognition to a resident/group who has/have made a significant contribution to this community over a period of years. If you know of someone who has given this sort of service and merits an Award then please do nominate them. The person must live or work within the Parish Council boundary.
The winner will receive a certificate signed by the High Sheriff of Kent, KCC Chairman/Mayor of Medway and the KALC Chairman and this will be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
Full details and an application form can be found on the Parish Council website.
The closing date for nominations is Monday 31st January 2022.
Young Person Award
Following the success of the award to a young person who has contributed to the village, the Council will run this again. Full details and an application form can be found on the Parish Council website.
The closing date for nominations is Monday 31st January 2022.
Finance
It was agreed to give a grant of £760 to Holywell School to purchase Jubilee medals for pupils, staff and Governors.
Recreation Ground
A Jubilee oak tree was planted at the Recreation Ground on 9th December.
Defibrillator
A public accessible defibrillator has been installed at Beckenham Park, there is also one outside Snaffles. Both defibrillators are in outdoor cabinets which protects them against heat and frost. The cabinets have locks and the code is obtained from the ambulance service when someone dials 999. It is important to remember that in an emergency you must dial 999 first as this will ensure an ambulance is dispatched immediately and you will then be told where the nearest defibrillator is and the code.
Planning
Ref: 21/505524/FULL
Address: 3 Church Farm Road Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AG
Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension and a side porch.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505558/FULL
Address: 10 Quilters Yard Upchurch, Sittingbourne Kent ME8 8FE
Proposal: Conversion of detached car port into habitable space.
Councillors considered the application and noted that the properties on this development were of different design and layout and that there was adequate parking for this property. Councillors had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505499/FULL
Address: 48 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME8 7XH
Proposal: Demolition of existing rear basement extension, and erection of a single storey rear and side extension to basement and a two storey rear extension to the ground and first floors.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505693/LDCEX
Address: Colts Field Poot Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7HJ
Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate to establish the use of a building as a residential dwelling house.
Councillors noted the application.
Ref: 21/505790/FULL
Address: The Dutch Barn Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BE
Proposal: Conversion of an agricultural barn to 2 no. dwellings with amenity and vehicular parking areas.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal. With increased vehicular use, consideration must be given to the maintenance of the road used as a public path.
PIN Ref: APP/A2280/W/21/3274932
Ref: MC/20/1705
Address: Orchard Kennels Meresborough Road Rainham Gillingham Medway ME8 8QJ
Proposal: Outline planning application with some matters reserved (access, appearance, landscaping and scale) for the development of up to 66 residential dwellings with associated parking and landscaped areas - Re-submission of MC/19/0188.
Councillors raised concern about the impact of traffic on the local area and the insufficient infrastructure. With the current conditions on the A2 corridor between the A249 and Medway, objection was raised to any development without improvement in highways.
Councillor Resignation
John Arnold has resigned from the Council due to his impending move from the village. John was thanked for the phenomenal amount of work he has done for the Parish Council and also for the Parish and the tremendous contribution he has made.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 6th January at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19th January at 7:30pm in the Small Hall 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.
To help keep loved ones safe, please DO NOT attend the meeting if you have had any known contact with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days or have experienced symptoms. Questions and comments can be sent to the Clerk to be raised at the meeting.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Reconnect: Kent children and young people
Grants of up to £50,000 are available for organisations to provide exciting activities for children and young people next year.
Kent County Council is making up to £1million available through its Reconnect: Kent children and young people programme for a new county grants scheme. The money can be used for activities, events or projects that address gaps in learning missed, promote health and happiness, encourage the take-up of sports or other outdoor activities, help children and young people reconnect with friends, family or communities or generate more work-related opportunities.
Reconnect has already committed £2.5milllion to its locality grants scheme to enable small local organisations to deliver activities for children and young people, with £1.8million allocated so far.
The new scheme enables organisations to apply for a grant to deliver projects across at least three district areas or across the whole of Kent by the end of August 2022.
Organisations can submit up to four bids although none will be awarded more than three grants. The maximum amount, which together will be limited to no more than £100,000.
There are two rounds of funding for the county grants scheme - this round which will allocate £850,000 and a separate round totalling £150,000 specifically for Economic Wellbeing Grants, where businesses and organisations can bid for up to £20,000 for projects that support young people to bridge the gap between education and work.
Full details of the application process, funding criteria and the online form to apply are available on the Reconnect website
The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday the 9th of January.
Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to announce this latest round of funding that will see even more children and young people reconnect to the things they love or try out new activities.
“Our passionate and committed community already provides a wide range of activities for children and young people. By applying for the additional Reconnect funding, groups and organisations can build on their great work and give even more children and young people the chance to do fun activities with friends, enjoy new experiences, take up new hobbies or enjoy outdoor pursuits.”
Kent County Council
People struggling to pay their bills, buy warm clothes or feed their family this winter could be eligible for support from Swale Borough Council.
The council has received government funding to help support local people who are struggling because of the impact of covid.
Anyone in rent or mortgage arrears, struggling to pay their council tax or utility bills, or need help while self-isolating should get in touch with the council to see what help might be available to them.
Cllr Ben Martin, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:
“We’ve received money from the government to help people on the local level who need our support.
“Covid has had many knock-on effects in the local community. People are struggling to pay their bills and feed their families.
“With this funding, we’ll be helping people who are struggling to meet their household bills, who are self-isolating or having trouble buying food to feed their family.
“There’s no amount of money that is too big or small to apply for. We’ll be assessing each case on its own merit and doing what we can to help meet outstanding rent or mortgage payments, council tax or utility bill arrears, providing food boxes, baby supplies and warm clothing.
“Last week we helped a single mum of two with vouchers to buy winter coats for her children because, although she was just managing to pay her rent, she had no money left over for clothing.
“If you need help this winter, please get in touch to see what we can do to help.”
Cllr Ghlin Whelin, deputy cabinet member for housing at the council; said:
“The fear of losing your home because you can’t pay your bills, or not being able to feed your family because you’ve lost your job is something more people are experiencing than we think.
“We’re here to help. Don’t delay, get in touch with our prevention team to see what help is available to you.”
For confidential advice on what help is available, contact the prevention team:
Swale Borough Council
The Parish Council has reluctantly taken the decision to cancel Santa's visit to Upchurch Village Hall this Sunday due to the current situation with the pandemic.
As always, Santa will visit the children at home on Christmas Eve.
So be good 😇
🏠 🦌 🎅🏼
🅿️ Medway Council has announced FREE Christmas parking dates in Medway Council run public car parks from Thursday 16th December to Sunday 19th December 2021 inclusive.
🚙🚙🚗🚗🚙🚙🚗🚗🚙🚙🚗🚗
Upchurch Matters
It will be necessary to close part of Meresborough Lane, Hartlip from Tuesday 11th January 2022, between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00, with estimated completion by 13th January 2022.
Meresborough Lane, Hartlip will be closed between the junctions with Spade Lane and Dane Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Spade Lane, London Road, Mill Lane, Dane Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while tree surgery works are undertaken by Openreach.
For information regarding this closure please contact Openreach on: 0800 023 2023, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch
A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.
40 crimes are shown on the map in October 2021 including:
4 Anti-social Behaviour
2 Burglary
2 Other Theft
1 Possession of Weapons
1 Public Order
1 Robbery
6 Vehicle Crime
23 Violence and Sexual Offences
37 crimes were shown on the map in September 2021.
Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.
Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.
Lower Halstow and Iwade
A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.
49 crimes are shown on the map in October 2021 including:
21 Anti-social Behaviour
3 Public Order
8 Vehicle Crime
12 Violence and Sexual Offences
27 crimes were shown on the map in September 2021.
Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.
Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.
Upchurch Matters
December 1971 turned out to be a cold and dull month with some snow late in the month. Comedian Benny Hill topped the charts with ‘Ernie, the Fastest Milkman in the West’ and ‘Love Story’ starring Ryan O Neil, Ali Macgraw and Tammy Lee Jones featured as the main film screened at the Queen’s cinema in Sittingbourne during the Christmas period. The month also saw a coal shortage and panic buying due to a coalman’s strike. Fewer houses had central heating than today and many residents relied on open fires for heating in their homes, so coal was in great demand.
Despite bad weather, the monthly meeting of the Women’s Institute still took place. With the election of committee officials, Joyce Gilbert became the new president, Pat New treasurer and Jenny Martin secretary. A whist drive organised by the ladies raised £150.
Another women’s organisation known as the Upchurch Branch of the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) made themselves available for any emergency in the village during the Christmas period. The organisation had existed to help people since 1938 and some of the Upchurch members included Annie Bronger, Grace Eastwood and Rose Humphreys.
The Upchurch United Charities also helped people in need at Christmas by giving grocery tickets to widows and invalids in the village.
The parish council had an active month. They turned down a plan to develop the village centre. The plan included six maisonettes, three new shops and a petrol filling station on the corner of Forge Lane and The Street. After a discussion, the parish council deemed this as overdevelopment. However, they did give permission for Ron Ware to have a garage built next to his house in Oak Lane, for Peter Boakes to have two four bedroomed houses constructed in Chaffes Lane and for Mr A Manley to have a chalet style bungalow built in Wallbridge Lane.
Good news came from Swale Council when they announced that they had had a plan drawn up for a new sewerage system to be constructed in Upchurch that would link 71houses in Horsham Lane and Wallbridge Lane to the existing system at an estimated cost of £20,000.
Earlier in the month, village clubs held Christmas dinners and celebrations. On December 10th, a Christmas Fayre took place in the village hall. Stalls sold goods and a Christmas tree with decorations created a festive atmosphere. A Fancy Dress Dance followed this on December 11th then the Darby and Joan Club held their annual Christmas party on December 20th.
Comedian Benny Hill, Reverend Bradshaw and Footballer Derek Hales.
The church held various activities such as the Carols and Torchlight Procession on December 15th. On Christmas Day a Holy Communion service took place, followed by a Children’s Toy Procession when children attended church with their parents and brought old or unwanted toys to donate to the ‘Save the Children Fund.’ A Family Eucharist service in the church led by village vicar Reverend Bradshaw followed this. A Boxing Day carol service also took place in the church starting at 6-30 pm.
Holywell School pupils were busy raising money before they broke up for the Christmas holiday. They walked around the village singing carols and raised £10 for the Blind of Kent. They also held a carol service in the Village Hall named ‘Look Away to Bethlehem’ for which they raised £11.50 for the Save the Children Fund.
Christmas soon arrived with the usual festivities. On Christmas Day most people stayed indoors and popular television shows were available to watch such as the Morecombe and Wise Show, the Black and White Minstrel Show, the Generation Game, the Best of Top of the Pops, Billy Smart’s Circus and the Annual Christmas Message from the Queen. The village pubs were busy at lunchtime and during the evening.
The village pubs were crowded and very busy on Boxing Day evening, while Maidstone & District buses ran a service until late at night which allowed residents without cars to travel outside the village for entertainment and celebrations.
In village sport, Upchurch United were doing very well in the Medway Sunday League Premier Division and at the end of the month, they were in second position, two points behind Luton Wanderers. News also arrived that former Upchurch United footballer Derek Hales who was playing for Dartford in the Southern League at the time had been granted a trial with Luton Town in the English Football League. He succeeded at the trial and became a full time professional footballer with a very successful career.
Upchurch Table Tennis Club teams competed in the local Sittingbourne and District League with varied success. They met in the village hall for practice and for league matches every Monday evening. Rich Boakes organised everything and some of the best players included Steve Davies, Peter and Brian Boakes.
Overall, December proved to be very festive with parties and entertainment, while some snow which arrived on Boxing Day evening added to the Christmas atmosphere. The month ended with a New Year’s Eve Dance in the village Hall with dancing to the Vic Hamilton Band, costing 60p for admission.
David Wood
About David
David was born and raised at Ham Green and still lives there today. He writes from personal experience about Upchurch village life and the changes that have taken place over the years.
David's book, Memories of Upchurch, is a very readable and detailed historical study of the village and is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk price £12 + postage and packing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Christmas Carols by the Village Christmas Tree last night.
The 27 of us had a lovely time singing, and we sang like angels.
We raised £46.40 for the Foodbank.Not a bad night's work!
Thanks to all who donated.
God bless you all, and thank you.
Have an amazing, joyous Christmas 
Gill Gay
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/256153/21
At 6:08pm on Sunday the 12th of December, an attempted burglary took place in London Road, Rainham.
If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.
in Hartlip
For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk
Kent Community Messaging
Bus operator Chalkwell Coach Hire has announced a number of changes to the 326 and 327 bus services over Christmas and New Year.
Passengers are advised that during Christmas and New Year, the Chalkwell bus services mentioned above will operate as follows:
Monday 20th December 2021 - Normal services
Tuesday 21st December 2021 - Normal services
Wednesday 22nd December 2021 - Normal services
Thursday 23rd December 2021 - Normal services
Friday 24th December 2021 - Normal services
Saturday 25th December 2021 - No services
Sunday 26th December 2021 - No services
Monday 27th December 2021 - Sunday services only
Tuesday 28th December 2021 - Sunday services only
Wednesday 29th December 2021 - Saturday service
Thursday 30th December 2021 - Saturday service
Friday 31st December 2021 - Saturday service
Saturday 1st January 2022 - No services
Sunday 2nd January 2022 - Sunday services only
Monday 3rd January 2022 - Sunday services only
Normal services will resume on Tuesday the 4th of January 2022
For further information on bus times, Call: 01795 423982 or Email: coachhire@chalkwell.co.uk
Face coverings are compulsory on all public transport unless you are exempt.
Upchurch Matters
