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Upchurch Parish Council has installed 100 eye-catching Display Poppies to lamp posts throughout the centre of the village to commemorate the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
Thanks to Terry Lewis, Councillor Gary Rosewell, Councillor Ernie Berntsen, and Councillor Neil Sheppard with son Owen for helping Councillor Tyrone Ripley attach the poppies this morning during heavy rain.
The poppies look lovely and will remain on display throughout Remembrancetide.
Upchurch Matters
From 8:30pm
Free entry - Non-members welcome
Food available until 8:30pm
OCTOBER SHOW
Sponsored by: Upchurch River Valley Golf Club
Upchurch Horticultural Society will be holding their
October Show on
Saturday 30th October 2021 in the barn to the rear of
97 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch
Open to the public from 2:00pm
Sale of produce at 3:40pm
Refreshments - Plant sale - Ample parking
Covid 19 risk assessments have been carried out.
Please wear a mask inside the Barn and observe social distancing outside - thank you
Upchurch Matters
Unfortunately, the trees along the Chaffes Lane side of the Recreation Ground are diseased, and residents will have noticed work has already begun to remove them.
The two Lime Trees by the beacon have also been affected and need to be removed.
Upchurch Parish Council intends to plant a new English Oak Tree at the Recreation Ground to commemorate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Councillor Tyrone Ripley
Chairman - Upchurch Parish Council
It will be necessary to close Vicarage Lane, Lower Halstow from Wednesday 27th October 2021, with estimated completion by 1st November 2021.
The road will be closed adjacent to Little Acres, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via Wardwell Lane, School Lane, Boxted Lane, Breach Lane, The Street, Vicarage Lane & vice versa.
The closure is required while electrical connection works to be carried out by UKPN.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Swale Borough Council has written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to seek clarity on the Government’s planning policy.
The letter follows comments by the Prime Minister at party conference, where he referred to future homes not being built on “green fields”.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:
“Whilst we welcome the idea that future homes won’t be built on green fields, it will come as a surprise to all local authorities as this is not a position previously taken by the Government.
“Like many councils, we are currently working on our next local plan, and if this is indeed the new policy it will have a major impact on our ability to deliver the level of housing the Government have told us we must provide.
“I hope to have a swift response confirming the Government’s position, so we have the clarity we need to complete our local plan.”
Swale Borough Council
Halloween
Not everyone enjoys or wants to take part in Halloween. If you know someone who would rather not have trick or treaters call at their home, you can download and print the 'no trick or treat' sign below for their front door or window.
If you have young children:
• Never let them go trick or treating on their own
• Make sure they only visit people known to your family
If you have teenagers:
• Make sure they are not going to be using alcohol or play a trick on someone using flour or eggs
• Make it clear that if a 'no trick or treat' sign is displayed, they should leave straight away
• Advise them to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don't know
• Make sure they know not to frighten people
Click the posters to download and print.
Fireworks
Celebrate safely
• Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals - always follow the firework code
• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5
It's an offence to:
• Sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18
• Have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
• Have fireworks meant for a professional display
• Let off fireworks after 11:00pm and before 7:00am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight),
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1:00am).
Fireworks - the law
You cannot buy ‘adult’ fireworks if you’re under 18, and it’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11:00pm and 7:00am, except on certain occasions.
Adult fireworks are category 2 and 3 fireworks - they do not include things like party poppers.
Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals.
The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
You must not set off fireworks between 11:00pm and 7:00am, except for:
• Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1:00am
Check with
your council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks.
Buying fireworks
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:
• 15th October to 10th November• 26th to 31st December• 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.
You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Need help?
Please only call 999 in an emergency. You can report a non-urgent incident or crime online
Alternatively, you can visit our advice pages for information and guidance on a range of issues.
Kent Police
Where would you like your community reward to go?
Co-op membership - supporting local causes
The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects across the UK that its members care about, helping communities come together, co-operate and make a difference.
Thanks to its members, the fund has raised £39,655 for causes close to Upchurch.
How the Local Community Fund works
For every £1 Co-op members spend on selected Co-op products and services, 2p goes into your membership account and the Co-op gives the same amount to support community organisations and local causes.
When you become a Co-op member, you can choose a local cause to support through your membership.
You can only support one local cause at a time, and you
can change the cause at any time by logging into your membership account.
If you do not select a cause to support, the Co-op shares the funds you raised equally between the 3 local causes in your community.
The Co-op gives you a new set of causes to choose from every October.
Local causes will be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months from 24th October 2021 to 22nd October 2022 and will receive their share of the funding in 2 payments - one in April 2022 and one in November 2022.
The 3 local causes are:
1st Upchurch Brownies and Guides
Upchurch Support Network
Upchurch Village Hall
If you want to see more local causes, use the search function at the bottom of the 'Choose a local cause' page on the Co-op membership website - see link below.
Be a member - make a difference in your community
To get involved, join the Co-op as a member for £1 and earn rewards for you and choose a local cause to support in your community.
To earn and spend your rewards, remember to show your membership card or the Co-op app every time you pay.
In Upchurch, a team of local volunteers will again be making the annual house-to-house collections from Saturday 30th October to Saturday 13th November.
This year we celebrate the centenary of the Royal British Legion. It is fitting therefore that for the first time Upchurch Parish Council has arranged to display poppies on lampposts throughout the village, which will act as a reminder of that centenary. These poppies will remain on display throughout Remembrancetide.
Volunteer house-to-house collectors are still requested for Butchers Green, Eastwood Meadow, Kent Terrace, Quilters Yard, Woodruff close and Woods Edge - if you would be willing to give a few hours of your time to collect in one or more of these roads during the appeal please contact me. I will offer full support and assistance so that you only have to do the house-to-house collecting in your allocated street.
The Remembrance Sunday Service will be on the 14th of November. The planning for this service is well underway and wreaths will be laid at the internal memorial in the church by representatives of the Church, Swale Borough Council, Ferques [our twin village in France], Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and Upchurch Brownies. In recent years there has been an exchange of wreaths between Ferques and Upchurch. This year, because of current circumstances, an Upchurch resident will lay a floral tribute from Ferques at the Upchurch service and a Ferques resident will lay the Upchurch wreath at the Ferques memorial on November 11th.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser
Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789
Living River Foundation, supported by Upchurch wedding venue The Oak Grove, has organised a small litter pick along the Saxon Shore Way public footpath and adjacent saltmarsh edge of the Medway/Swale Estuary.
Volunteers should meet at The Oak Grove for a briefing at 12:00 noon on Sunday the 31st of October, wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.
There are only a few spaces available given the terrain and protected birds in the area, so please book early. Children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult guardian.
Location:
The Oak Grove
Twinney Wharf
Susans Lane
Upchurch
ME9 7HA
Upchurch Matters
Upchurch Parish Council has installed three new benches in the Paddock and one on the Recreation Ground.
The Council was able to fund the benches following a successful bid to Swale Borough Council's Welcome Back Fund.
Thanks to Councillor Pam Denny for her continued efforts as the representative for the Paddock and Recreation ground.
Councillor Tyrone Ripley
Chairman - Upchurch Parish Council
Nominations for this year’s Try Angle Awards are now open.
The Try Angle Awards recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements of young people and groups who really try their best whether at school, work, college, in business or in their wider community across Kent.
Any young person or group of young people aged 11 to 18 or 11 to 25 (with special educational needs) from Kent can be nominated for an award.
All young people nominated receive a certificate, with many going on to be recognised with District Try Angle Awards, before the final Spirit of Try Angle Awards which will take place in March 2022.
There are 8 award categories are:
Arts: recognising personal achievement in the arts, in any form.
Community action: recognising the contribution made to the community or in such initiatives as school councils, youth forums, charities or environmental projects.
Courage: recognising acts of courage displayed in coping bravely with illness or other adversity.
Good friends and young carers: recognising those who spend time being a good friend or carer to another in their family or the local community.
Music: recognising personal achievement in music in any form.
Personal development: recognising special achievement in education, training, or other activities not covered in other categories.
Positive intervention: recognising an intervention where an individual or group has prevented harm, bullying, discrimination or damage.
Sport or outdoor activities: recognising personal achievement in a sport or outdoor activity, demonstrating sportsmanship, fair play and commitment.
Make a Try Angle Award nomination at: www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/young-people/try-angle-awards
The deadline to nominate a young person or group is Friday 5th November 2021.
All those nominated will receive recognition, and many of those go on to be our district category winners. Following judging, the final 24 nominees will be invited to the Spirit of Try Angle Awards county final.
Kent County Council
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/209332/21
Between 13:00 on Saturday the 16th of October and 17:30 on Monday the 18th of October, somebody broke into a Vauxhall Corsa parked in Watling Drive, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/209279/21
Between 15:00 on Saturday the 16th of October and 13:40 on Monday the 18th of October, somebody broke into a Peugeot 307 parked in Merton Drive, Newington. They took a gym membership card.
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 leader of Swale Borough Council has written to Southern Water to request a meeting to discuss concerns about pollution incidents and sewer outflows in the borough.
The letter follows a motion being agreed unanimously by the council earlier this month, demanding Southern Water invest in their local infrastructure to prevent pollution of local waterways and prevent sewerage discharges into local streets.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:
“As a coastal Borough, Swale relies heavily on tourism and any failures in water management by Southern Water can greatly impact on our local economy.
“Cases of highway and storm flooding are also on the rise and residents in some parts of the borough are living at risk of household flooding because of antiquated wastewater systems.
“We want to meet with Southern Water to discuss the state of their infrastructure in the borough, how it is managed and maintained, and what investment they have planned to prevent pollution incidents.
“We also want to know how they intend to tackle growing highways flooding issues and how they plan to meet increased demand from new housing in line with the local plan.”
The motion was passed at the full council meeting on Wednesday 6th October, and the full agenda is available on the council’s website
Swale Borough Council
Swale Borough Council’s commitment to animal welfare has again been recognised by the RSPCA, with Gold Pawprint Awards for its stray dogs and contingency planning services.
The stray dog service has picked up its 12th Gold Pawprint in a row from The RSPCA in recognition of its good practice in animal welfare.
The award for contingency planning is the fifth consecutive time the council has picked up the award in recognition of the work done to protect animal welfare in the event of an emergency.
The council also provides information to help animal-based businesses be prepared to look after their animals in the event of an emergency.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, who also has responsibility for emergency planning, said:
“We’re delighted to be recognised for all the hard work we do in caring for stray dogs and the welfare of animals during an emergency.
“Despite the demands of the pandemic, our resilience team have continued to work incredibly hard to make sure we have procedures and processes in place to ensure the welfare of animals during an emergency.
“We strongly encourage everyone who keeps or works with animals to think about what they would do with them in the event of an emergency.”
Cllr Julian Saunders, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:
“This award recognises the stray dog services willingness to go the extra mile make sure we have high welfare standards for the animals across the borough.
“Obviously, we would rather people didn’t lose their pets, but I find it comforting to know that if a dog is picked up by the team, it will receive amazing care and attention.
“The fact they’ve received the highest accolade from the RSPCA for 12 years in a row shows the high level of service we provide.”
To report a stray dog during normal office hours, the public should call 01795 417850 where arrangements will be made for the dog to be collected.
If a dog is found between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on weekday evenings, and between 9:00am and 9:00pm at weekends and on bank holidays, the public should ring the found stray dog line on 07795 237479.
Swale Borough Council
Preparation works for M2 junction 5 improvement works October 2021 - January 2022 - National Highways Works.
Please see attached bulletin for works being carried out by National Highways.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Click photographs to enlarge.
The organ in our church was installed in 1905, and significant restoration was carried out in 1980. As well as improvements to the action and working components, some of the stops were removed and others added and a new pedal board fitted plus the electric action to the pedal pipes. More work to the pedal board was carried out some years later.
The organ has been in the care of Henry Willis & Sons, a well-known Organ Builder, since 2001 - they tune it twice a year and they carried out a refurbishment in 2008/9 after a fundraising effort to mark the centenary of the installation of the organ.
The organ is viewed as a much-valued asset of St Mary’s Church and is used for accompaniment of the choir and congregation at all kinds of regular and special services throughout the year. In addition, it is regularly used for weddings, funerals and during concerts in the church.
The electric action to the pedals mentioned above now needs replacement. It was second-hand in 1980 and has been failing intermittently for the past few years. But of course, any repair or maintenance costs money and we hope to raise around £2,800 for this work to be carried out as soon as possible.
If you are able to support this project, all donations to the Organ Fund at St Mary’s would be gratefully received.
Cheques should be made out to Upchurch Parochial Church Council and can be sent to the Church Organist, Sue Rossiter at 114 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7BH.
Many thanks in anticipation!
Sue Rossiter - Organist at St Mary’s, Upchurch
Telephone: 01634 234780
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/207460/21
Between midnight and 9:23am on Sunday the 17th of October, an insecure vehicle was entered by unknown suspects who conducted a messy search in Watling Drive, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/207578/21
Between 3:00am and 12:19pm on Sunday the 17th of October, items were stolen from a car in Hop Garden Crescent, 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
Report of the Parish Council October 2021
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.Councillor Vacancy
The Council considered two applications for the vacancy on the Council and agreed that both were excellent candidates. It was agreed to co-opt Mr Ernie Berntsen to the Parish Council and to appoint Mrs Helen Boakes to the General Purposes Committee.
The Queen's Platinum Jubliee June 2022
Plans continue to progress for the celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The beacon will be lit as part of the national celebration on Thursday 2nd June and there will be a piper as well as food stalls to create a celebration of the event.
Street parties will be held on Sunday 5th June and, where it is not possible for residents to hold street parties in their roads, they will be permitted to have a “street party” at the Recreation Ground. Residents who would like to take advantage of this are requested to inform the Council so that the event on the Recreation Ground can be held safely. Please contact the Clerk to book your space.
Paddock and Recreation Ground
The trees along the Chaffes Lane side of the Recreation Ground are diseased and will need to be felled. The lime trees by the beacon also have been affected, the Council is liaising with an expert regarding this.
The Council has been successful in its bid for four benches from the Swale Borough Council Welcome back fund. The order has been placed and the delivery may be up to eight weeks due to the pandemic and shortage of materials.
Seven companies have been approached to tender for the grounds maintenance of the Recreation Ground, Paddock, Churchyard and Burial Ground. The Council has accepted the most competitive quote available of £8,932.99.
Highways and Street Lighting
The streetlight in Windmill is still waiting for connection by UK Power Networks.
The Council is still waiting for a response from KCC contractors regarding the bollards in Chaffes Lane at the junction of Church Farm Road, the bollards should have been installed in August. KCC will also carry out a speed survey, they have suggested a full village survey. The survey in Oak Lane needs to be carried out when the building works have been completed and the traffic calming measures have been installed. The rest of the work is progressing.
Village Sign
Concern had been raised regarding the copyright of an image of the sign. The sign is iconic and an image of the sign has been used by clubs and organisations in the village, other groups have been contacted as well. The village sign is in need of refurbishment and when this has been completed, a photo of the sign will be taken with the Council owning the copyright on behalf of the village so that groups can freely use the image.
This is a precis of Council business; full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 4th November at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 17th November 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
Tel: 01622 739324
Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf CourseTelephone: 01634 360626
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/207375/21
Between 19:50 on Saturday the 16th of October and 07:30 on Sunday the 17th of October, somebody broke into a Smart Forfour Brabus parked in Merton Drive, Newington and stole various items.
Crime Number: 46/203696/21
Between 15:00 and 18:00 on Tuesday the 12th of October, somebody stole a recently delivered parcel from a doorstep in Woods Edge, 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
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Medway Council is inviting residents to enjoy a magnificent fireworks and laser show next month.
The popular fireworks display will return to the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham on Saturday, 6th November.
There will be previews of the lasers from 7:00pm with the fantastic fireworks display and laser show, set to a movie greats soundtrack, at 7:30pm.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said:
“We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of residents to the Great Lines Heritage Park to celebrate fireworks night. Lasers and fireworks, choreographed to music, will light up the sky above our award-winning heritage park. This free display promises to be a great evening for residents, and families, of all ages to enjoy, and the event supports our ambition to become a Child-Friendly City."
Residents are encouraged to walk to the fireworks and laser display and to leave their pets at home. Refreshments will be available however, there will be limited toilet facilities.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professionally organised event, like the free display at the Great Lines Heritage Park, but, if you are having your own fireworks display, the council is encouraging residents to follow these tips to stay safe:
• Only buy fireworks with the CE or UKCA mark
• Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time
• Follow the instructions on each firework and light them at arm’s length, using a taper
• Never give sparklers to children under five
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Always supervise children
• Never go near a firework which has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
• Keep your pets indoors with the curtains closed
To find out more about the display at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham, visit: www.visitmedway.org
Medway Council
Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah
Upchurch surgery will be closed on the afternoon/evening of Thursday 18th November 2021 but will be open between 10:00am and 1:00pm instead.
Ray KemsleyChair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
