Upchurch Horticultural Society - Events and Meetings 2021

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Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Jewellery Stolen | Lights Damaged - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/155703/21

On Friday the 20th of August between 00:01 and 19:03, somebody stole jewellery from a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.

Crime Number: 46/156791/21

Between 20:00 on Friday the 20th of August and 08:00 on Saturday the 21st of August, somebody damaged lights outside a residential property in Playstool Road, 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.

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

Kent Community Messaging

Changes to Chalkwell 326 / 327 / 328 Bus Services from 31st August 2021

Bus operator Chalkwell Coach Hire has announced a number of changes to the 326 / 327 / 328 bus services from Tuesday 31st August 2021.

This follows a consultation earlier this year, where users and residents of Lower Halstow and Upchurch were asked to submit their views.

The main changes are:

• Minor changes to school bus times.
• Journeys that were previously designated as ‘student only’ due to Covid-related restrictions are now open to the general public.
• An increased number of 326 journeys, providing direct links between Sittingbourne, Newington and the Medway Towns.
• An additional journey from Upchurch and Lower Halstow into Sittingbourne in the 0930 to 2pm window.
• On weekdays, 327 journeys serving Lower Halstow and Upchurch will operate between Sittingbourne and Rainham Mark via the villages.

Anyone requiring onward travel to Medway can transfer onto a 326 bus at Rainham Mark.

The full timetable from Tuesday 31st August 2021, including all journeys between Sittingbourne and Chatham, can be found at: www.chalkwell.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/326-8-chalkwell-timetable-wef31082021-web.pdf

Details of school bus times and relevant information can be found at: www.chalkwell.co.uk/schools

Upchurch Matters

St Mary’s Church: Uplift - A Cuppa and a Chat - Rainbow Café

Uplift

Join us in Upchurch Village Hall for 'church for everyone'.

Our worship is simple and very family-friendly.

The next service is on Sunday the 19th of September at 10:30am.

Then on:

Sunday the 3rd and Sunday the 17th of October at 10:30am.

Sunday the 21st of November at 10:30am.

Sunday the 5th of December at 4:00pm.

A Cuppa and a Chat

Come and have a cuppa and a chat in St Mary’s Church, Upchurch.

We will have the kettle on between 10:00am and 12 midday, every second Wednesday of the month.

Our First cuppa and a chat will be on Wednesday the 1st of September.

Rainbow Café

On the first Thursday of every month in St Mary’s Church, Upchurch.

Between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.

On Thursday the 2nd of September

Then on:

Thursday the 7th of October.

Thursday the 4th of November.

Thursday the 2nd of December.

Crafts and games for the children.

Homemade cakes and savouries.

Coffee/tea/hot chocolate/juice.

Children’s snack deals at low prices.

Income from the Rainbow Café helps support 4 children who go to school in Uganda. 

All ages welcome.

William Little - Gill Gay

Gill Gay Will Be Collecting For Swale Foodbank Again

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank you all for the tremendous support we have received on behalf of Swale Foodbank so far.

My husband Ron and I will be collecting again at the bus stop opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 1st of September between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Please come along with your donations (in carrier bags would be helpful) and put them into our open car boot.

We will then deliver your donations to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

All donations are helpful providing the food is long life and well within date.

Thank you for every single donation we receive - we are extremely grateful ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Join the Free Family Event to Celebrate the Launch of The Mill Skatepark - Sittingbourne

People can join in with a free family event with workshops, tutorials and giveaways to celebrate the launch of The Mill Skatepark - Sittingbourne.

The event, run by Swale Youth, takes place at the skatepark on Friday, 27th August from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

The purpose-built skatepark that has rails, grind banks, jump box, stair set and a rotate platform ditch bowl opened to the public last year.

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:

“We’ve contributed £20,000 from our communities fund to support Brogdale CIC in their running costs for the skatepark for the first two years and we’re excited to celebrate the official launch.

The skatepark is a wonderful place for young people to get active and practice their skills and we encourage families to head down to the launch event this week and get involved in the workshops and giveaways.”

Rebecca O'Neill, Managing Director at Brogdale CIC, said:

“We had to postpone our launch party last year and now we are excited to be able to officially launch the skatepark and celebrate our first year of opening.

We’ll have the Far Academy leading the displays, competitions, tutorials all day, and a screen-printing workshop.

Graffiti Stars will also be running a design a board workshop and we have an Altar x Deathskateboards complete board prize draw giveaway.

Funday Kent will be providing refreshments, as well as a Miss Softee Ice Cream van and a Games trailer.

Entry is completely free, all you have to do is sign up for the day on arrival.”

For more information about the day, visit: www.swaleyouth.org.uk/news/launching

The Mill Skatepark: Lloyds Wharf, The Wall, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 2XD

Swale Borough Council

Emergency Road Closure - The Street, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close The Street, Upchurch from Tuesday 24th August 2021 for up to 8 days.

 

The road will be closed outside 13 The Street.

 

The alternative route is via The Street, Twinney Lane, The Street and Forge Lane.

 

This is to enable water pipe repairs to be carried out by Southern Water.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: www.kenttraffic.info

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Upchurch Horticultural Society - Quiz Question Answer at Upchurch Afternoon Tea

Nobody visiting the Upchurch Horticultural Society stand at Upchurch Afternoon Tea in the Village Hall on Saturday 21st August was able to answer the quiz question correctly.

Question: Which vegetables are on display?

The answer: 3 x Onions and a Gherkin... a Marrow is much larger than that!

Thanks to everyone who had a go at answering.

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Have Your Say on Booking to Visit a KCC Household Waste Recycling Centre

Booking to visit a KCC Household Waste Recycling Centre

Kent County Council is seeking the views of residents about the future of the booking system for visits to its Household Waste Recycling Centres, sometimes known as the 'tip'.

Access to KCC’s HWRCs has been through an online booking system since Coronavirus restrictions meant KCC had to allow for social distancing throughout the pandemic.

Now, the council would like to understand whether residents think it should be retained for the council’s 18 HWRCs.

Currently, residents can book slots scheduled every half an hour through the council’s website. Customers without internet access or an Email address can call KCC’s contact centre.

The booking system has evolved in response to customer feedback and surveys, as Coronavirus restrictions have eased, and they are now looking at whether residents would like to continue using it in the future.

The consultation is now open and runs until Thursday 30th September.

To have your say on KCC's HWRC booking system, visit: https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/wasteconsultation

Upchurch Matters

Urgent Road Closure - Munns Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close Munns Lane, Hartlip from Monday 23rd August 2021 for up to 1 day.

The road will be closed outside Shirley.

The alternative route is via Munns Lane, Lower Hartlip Road, Hollow Lane and The Street.

It is planned that the road will be closed between 08:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs.

This is to enable pole replacement works to be carried out by Kelly Traffic Management.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: www.kenttraffic.info

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

FREE Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service

FREE Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service helping households save water, energy and money!

My name is Stevie Pettitt and I am the Fuel and Water Adviser working out of Children and Families but paid for by Swale Borough Council.

This project has been funded by Swale Borough Council as part of their action on climate change and CO2 reduction.

The aim of this project is to tackle fuel and water poverty across the borough and reduce CO2 emissions, saving householders money and energy, improving the health of the household and improve the householders understanding of energy efficiency.

We are working with families that are in fuel poverty, these households live in the most deprived areas, the properties are generally privately rented or in a poor state of repair. We are working with the most vulnerable groups, children, the elderly, the disabled and families on low incomes. We are giving FREE energy packs to householders who book a free consultation (chat) with me that contain swell gels, timers, LED light bulbs, draught-proofing, radiator panels, humidifiers, waste caddy bags and water hippos, to encourage householders to take further steps to save fuel.

This project is open to all households, not just households considered to be in fuel and water poverty.

I work with households to switch tariff, apply for grants and support with utility debts. We give money-saving and energy-saving advice.

We are trusted partners of Southern Water and Southeast Water and work with both water companies to ensure households are on the correct water tariff and are having great success working with the water companies and householders to reduce water debt as well as usage.

On average most householders save a minimum of 20% on their annual water bills and switching tariff saves the householder approximately £190.00 a year.

As energy prices are set to rise in September and the warm homes discount is opening in October it is important that as many households as possible are informed of the help and support that is available to them before the energy price hike.

For more information on how to access our Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service please contact:

Stevie Pettitt - Fuel and Water Home Adviser

Tel: 01795 889233 / 07862 158783
Email: spettitt@children-families.org

Website: www.children-families.org/fuel--water-home-adviser.html

Address: Children and Families Ltd | Seashells, Rose Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW

Latest 2021 Police Surgery Dates in Upchurch

PCSO John Cork holds regular Police Surgeries in Upchurch so residents can speak to him about any local policing issues they may have.

John's Police Surgery dates in Upchurch will be:

Saturday 18th September 2021 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

Saturday 23rd October 2021 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

Saturday 27th November 2021 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

Friday 17th December 2021 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

If residents need to contact PSCO Cork before these dates, they can ring the 101 number or John's mobile: 07772 226217

PCSO John Cork

Vehicle Tyres Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/148082/21

Between Saturday the 7th and Saturday the 14th of August, nails were found embedded in the tyres of a vehicle in Grenadier Close, Upchurch.

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

St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale

There will be no church fundraising sale this month.

Our next sale will be on Saturday the 11th of September.

For Homemade Cakes, Scones, Preserves, Puzzles, Paperback Books

and more...

Look out for our new advertising banners.

Mary Stone

Parcel Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/144774/21

At 1:00pm on Monday the 9th of August, a parcel was stolen from the doorstep of a property in Breach Lane, Upchurch, by an intruder.

The suspect drove off in a black Subaru, reg number: VK58 RKY.

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

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church, Upchurch

2nd September - 7th October - 4th November - 2nd December

All ages welcome

Hi everyone,

We are so pleased to announce that the Rainbow Café will be reopening on Thursday the 2nd of September. Then every first Thursday of the month.

Our opening times will be slightly longer. We will open from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. This will enable any adults who would like a bit of space to come and enjoy tea and cake before we get busy with our Rainbow Kids.

Safety

Our risk assessment is available to anyone who wishes to see it.

We will be asking everyone to sign in. This is so we can keep you informed if anyone at the Rainbow Café tests positive for Covid. It will also allow us to contact you about anything that we think you will enjoy. We will protect your details and if you don't want to be contacted, please tick the no contact square on the form.

There will be hand-gel readily available along with masks for those who want one and have forgotten their own. Please respect those who want to keep their distance and want to wear a mask.

There will still be our great 'Snack Deal' for the kids - 5 items plus a juice for £1. Our tea/coffee/cakes and savouries will still be really good value. And we are still keeping 4 Ugandan children in school, as well as providing them with books, pens, shoes and uniforms. The great thing was, that throughout lockdown we were able to keep funding them, because of generous donations from people in Upchurch.

Because Covid hasn't gone away there will be a small change. We will be asking the children to sit to eat, sit to play games and sit to do crafts. Until we have worked out how the Rainbow Café will run normally, we will be asking parents to help us make sure there isn't any running around. The other change will be that at the end of the Rainbow Café (4:30pm) there will be a bible story in the Lady Chapel while the Rainbow Café team clean and sanitize all the games, pens etc. Of course, the story isn't compulsory and you are free to leave at that point instead of stay for the story. However, we do hope the children will like the idea of a story and that you decide to join us.

We are really looking forward to seeing you all at the next Rainbow Café.

Gill Gay and all the Rainbow Café team

A History of Upchurch Recreation Ground by David Wood

A well known feature of the village, the recreation ground has hosted many events and activities since the end of the nineteenth century and has served as an open space for general recreational use.

The parish council decided to take the field opposite Black Horse Meadow (the present allotments) in Oak Lane and convert it into a recreation ground in 1897. Previously it had existed as a stony arable field owned by St John’s College, Oxford. After preparation of the field, grass was sown and hop poles were used to fence in the area. George Webb & Co acting on behalf of St John’s College negotiated a lease with the parish council and Upchurch recreation ground came into existence.

Apart from occasional football matches involving village boys on the ground, the only development during the early years was the construction of an iron galvanized urinal which the parish council had erected after complaints from residents about boys publicly urinating on the ground. The urinal became the first public toilet in the village.

After a relatively short period, the parish council viewed the recreation ground as being too expensive to maintain, so after a meeting on 9th August 1906, they decided to abandon it. The parish council gave notice to George Webb & Co and the area fell into disuse but there were calls to re-establish it in 1919. An application was made to George Webb & Co for the site and an agreement was then made for a 14 year lease at a cost of £28 per annum. This included seven acres for the recreation ground and additional land for allotments situated next to it in Black Horse Woods which had formerly been part of the vicarage.

During World War Two as part of the war effort, the recreation ground was taken for food production. Initially, it stood unused then Sid Jenkins from Horsham Farm took it over for his pigs on a lease of £12 per annum in 1942. He held the ground on condition that he maintained the gates and fences and at the expiry of the lease he left the ground in the same condition as when he took it on. A local army unit also got permission to use the area for physical training in October 1942.

At the end of the lease, Sid Jenkins sowed grass seed on the ground and then vacated it allowing it to revert back to recreational use. After this numerous organisations used the area. These included the Jehovah Witness Movement in 1947 and fair proprietor John Body who rented the ground for £5 per annum in 1954. This led to an annual fair taking place on the site. A little later the ground became the home of Upchurch Football Club and they had a basic wooden hut erected for changing purposes on the Bishop Lane side of the ground. The judging of floats and fancy dress parades also took place as part of the village carnival from 1952 to 1982.

During the early 1960s investigations were made into the establishment of a new recreation ground after George Webb & Co refused to renew the lease. Reverend Bradshaw offered The Paddock but it was rejected and farmer Frank Stevens was approached about selling some land at Holywell but he refused. Later in 1963 farmer Vic Mannering from Lower Halstow offered to sell eight acres of ground at Twinney to the parish council. At a public meeting on 29th January 1963 residents argued that the proposed site was too far out of the village and rejected it. Former resident Mrs Robinson then offered some waste ground beside the recreation ground on the site of the present Bishop Lane but the parish council deemed it unsuitable. Finally, George Webb & Co and the parish council made a deal and the former recreation ground became available to village residents again.

A young David Wood aged 12 or 13, playing in goal on the

recreation ground with other village boys around 1963/64.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Upchurch Football Club used the ground on Saturdays and Upchurch United used it on Sundays for several seasons but when these two clubs folded junior clubs from outside the parish rented the ground for football matches and training purposes. Eventually, organised club football ceased on the recreation ground.

More recently, trees were planted around the perimeter of the recreation ground, a pathway was constructed at each end and gates were fitted at the Oak Lane entrance to prevent unauthorised car parking. Goal posts were erected to encourage youngsters to play football on the site instead of in The Paddock. After this, the parish council had a beacon installed at the Oak Lane end of the recreation ground in 2018.

Upchurch Recreation Ground.

The beacon consists of a four metre high oak post with a steel basket on the top. An arm on the side of the post has a shield with one side showing the trenches and the other depicting soldiers at ease. A memorial bench was later placed beside the beacon.

The lighting of the beacon on 11th November 2018 included a ceremony called ‘Battle’s Over, A Nation’s Tribute’. The names of the fallen were read out and a bugler played ‘The Last Post.’ This was followed by the ringing of the church bells ‘Ringing for Peace’.

Although not an annual event, the next planned beacon ceremony is for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons on Thursday 2nd June 2022.

Issues have arisen over the years such as unauthorised car parking, an incursion by vehicles with caravans and equestrian enthusiasts riding their horses over the area, but the recreation ground has survived and is a familiar and popular open space in the village.

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.

Upchurch Halloween Party

On Friday 29th October 2021

From 7:00pm until 10:00pm

At Lower Halstow Memorial Hall

Please book your tickets at >> https://bit.ly/2U6pHoF

Hannah Bartlett

Temporary Road Closure - Vicarage Lane, Lower Halstow

Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Vicarage Lane, Lower Halstow from Monday 16th August 2021 for up to 3 days between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00.

The road will be closed at the junction with School Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via School Lane, The Street, Vicarage Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while ducting works are undertaken by Openreach.

For information regarding the 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

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Poolside Bar Music Night with Mike 'Smooth' Harris at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

From 8:30pm

Free entry - Non-members welcome

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - June 2021

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.

31 crimes are shown on the map in June 2021 including:

2 Anti-social Behaviour

1 Criminal Damage and Arson

3 Other Theft

3 Public Order

3 Vehicle Crime

16 Violence and Sexual Offences
3 Other Crime

60 crimes were shown on the map in May 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.

24 crimes are shown on the map in June 2021 including:

11 Anti-social Behaviour

1 Burglary
2 Criminal Damage and Arson

1 Drugs

1 Vehicle Crime

7 Violence and Sexual Offences

1 Other Crime

38 crimes were shown on the map in May 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

Temporary Road Closure - Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane & Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch

Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane & Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch from Monday 9th August 2021, with estimated completion by 27th September 2021.

The works will be completed under three phases, as detailed below.

Phase 1

Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch will be closed from Monday 9th August 2021, with estimated completion by 22nd August 2021.

The road will be closed between the junctions with Lower Rainham Road and Horsham Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Horsham Lane, Oak Lane, London Road, Otterham Quay Lane and vice versa.

Phase 2

Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane & Wallbridge, Upchurch will be closed from Monday 16th August 2021, with estimated completion by 29th August 2021.

The roads will be closed between the junctions with Gibbs Lane and Horsham Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Horsham Lane, Oak Lane, London Road, Otterham Quay Lane and vice versa.

Phase 3

Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch will be closed from Monday 23rd August 2021, with estimated completion by 27th September 2021.

The road will be closed between the junctions with Otterham Quay Lane and Oak Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Oak Lane, London Road, Otterham Quay Lane and vice versa.

The closures are required for the safety of the public and workforce while gas main replacement works are undertaken by SGN.

For information regarding these closures please contact SGN on: 0800 111999, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Garden Power Tools Stolen and Barn Burgled - Newington | Lawnmower Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/141018/21

At 10:31am on Thursday the 5th of August, 2 males were seen climbing over a garden fence in Bull Lane, Newington, just before garden power tools were stolen.

Crime Number: 46/141395/21

Between 6:00am and 7:00pm on Thursday the 5th of August, a barn at Newington Manor in Callaways Lane, Newington was burgled and approximately £3,000 worth of tools were stolen.

Crime Number: 446/143100/21

Between 10:00am and 3:00pm on Friday the 6th of August, a lawnmower was stolen from a garden shed on Windmill Hill, Upchurch.

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

PETITION: Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay Calls on Government Not to Take £20 a Week from the Poor

Hi everyone,

You know me as the lady from the church, who stands in the lay-by collecting your donations for the FOODBANK. I know how generous you are, so could you help me again?

This won't cost you anything, all I ask is that you SIGN my petition and SHARE it. 

You are already aware that people are struggling because you help them every month. The people we help are struggling to feed their families. Their struggle will get worse in September. Why! In September the government will cancel the extra £20 a week, they gave people on benefits, to help get them through the consequences of the pandemic.

They have been receiving this for over a year. Can you imaging what it will mean to families already struggling, already on the bread line, already the poorest in our communities, if the government go ahead and take away £20 a week, £80 a month.

Could your income survive that?

Don't get me wrong I KNOW we have financial problems because of Covid. I know there are many people tugging at the purse strings of the government. I know nurses, teachers, and many others deserve a fairer salary, but please don't let the government take this £20 away.

They can't try to salvage our economy on the backs of the poorest in our country. This surely can't be right.

September brings the start of the new school year - children need uniforms, shoes and coats. Sometimes the heating has to go on (if you are lucky enough to be able to afford it and can still afford it after home energy prices rise again in October). Rents will go unpaid, more families will be evicted, more families will be having to rely on the FOODBANK. 

Please help me make the government have a re-think.

Please SIGN my petition at the link here >> http://chng.it/j9rtjR5f

And please SHARE it.

Thank you

Gill Gay

Thank You from Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay and Swale Foodbank

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your kind donations. The Bible tells us never to tire of doing good. 

And you certainly don't. Your goodness really helps people struggling daily to make ends meet.

Ron and I will be collecting again at the bus stop opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 1st of September between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Thank you, and God bless you ❤️

Gill & Ron Gay

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk