We want to hear about your village news and events
The best way to tell us is through the contact form
here
Homeowners and members of the community can join in this year’s National Empty Homes Week by reporting empty homes in their area to Swale Borough Council or applying for a loan from Kent County Council (KCC) to bring their property back into use.
The annual National Empty Homes Week by charity Action on Empty Homes focuses on bringing back into use the 238,306 long-term empty homes in England, and this year it runs from Monday, 28th February to Sunday, 6th March.
Cllr Ben Martin, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:
“We’ve helped people find the right support and funding to help bring their previously disused properties back into use.
“Forty-one properties have been bought back into use in Swale so far this financial year, twenty-two of which are thanks to more than £1 million from KCC’s No Use Empty loan scheme.
“The scheme aims to create sustainable accommodation across Kent by helping landlords, owners and developers bring properties that have been empty for more than six months back into use.
“The loans are interest free, range from £25,000 to £175,000 per applicant and must bring properties back into use via renting or selling.
“We also have a reporting tool on our website for members of the community to report any empty homes in their local area.
“Bringing empty homes back into use helps us meet local housing needs and creates safer and more resilient communities.”
The Rainbow Café - Thursday 3rd March
10:00am - 12:00pm
Hi everyone,
We just want to say thank you for your support over the past few years. It has meant we have been able to get to know you and use our income to give support to some young people in Uganda; paying their school fees and making sure they had uniforms, shoes and stationary.
Please read a recent letter from Lesley Ambrose who runs the project in Uganda:
Dear Gill,
I just wanted to give you an update on your sponsored children. We've spent the last 2 to 3 weeks going around all the schools paying the fees. The younger children have been out of school for some time and so had many needs including uniforms, books, shoes and bags. There was some good credit so we have done as much as we can for the children.
Raymond's mother has sent him to a place called Buweya which is very near, just across the lake. His mother is not around very much and so can't take care of him. I also go across there once a week and so we were able to visit him. Raymond is staying with his aunt and attends a school called 'Delight'. It's just a small school but looks to be very nice. and he seems to be happy. We paid his fees, lunches, uniform and sportswear. I'll check on him again soon.
Florence attends 'God is Able' a small Christian school; she's in Primary 1. What an absolutely lovely welcome I received when I went there a couple of weeks ago. We have several of our children in that school and it's very good.
Joshua is now in P4 at Kiwafu Primary School, he's doing well and he's happy.
Lesley went on and asked if we could help support two more children which we said yes to - how could we not. Thankfully some kind people have covered the donations while we haven't been able to open.
Which leads me to the next bit...
We will be open in March. It will be a slimmed down Rainbow while we work out how we can safely open at full capacity.
So do come and have cake, a hot drink and a chat on Thursday the 3rd of March between 10:00am and 12 midday at St Mary's Church, Upchurch.
Cake and a hot drink will be a very reasonable £1.50 and will help us to keep on supporting the wonderful work in Uganda.
God bless you all ♥️
Gill and the Rainbow Café Team
The next round of Swale Borough Council Area Committee Meetings begins on Tuesday 1st March with the Western Area Committee Meeting at 7:00pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
Area Committee Meetings are an opportunity for residents to talk directly to borough councillors about the issues in your community.
Upchurch Matters
New village PCSO Lorraine Holmes will be holding regular Police Surgeries in Upchurch so residents can speak to her about any local policing issues they may have.
Police Surgeries in Upchurch will take place on:
Friday 21st January 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles
Monday 28th February 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles
Friday 25th March 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles
If residents need to contact PSCO Holmes before these dates, they can ring the 101 number or mobile: 07970 458645.
Upchurch Matters
Rogue traders active in Kent
Following Storm Eunice and continuing high winds, be alert to rogue traders knocking on your door. We have received reports of over-priced repairs to fencing in the Kent area.
Common tactics include:
• Repairing damage on your roof,
• Removing tree branches overhanging on a footpath that could cause injury or
• Repairing your damaged fence to protect your property.
Do not panic - close the door on the cold caller.
Remember:
• Never agree to work on your house or garden by someone who knocks on your door.
• Request free No Uninvited Traders door stickers
• Reputable builders, roofers and gardeners do not cold call.
call: 03000 41 64 38 (open 9:00am - 6:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am - 5:00pm on Saturday).
Report cold callers to Kent Police on: 101 or call: 999 if they are aggressive or refuse to leave. For free advice, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on: 0808 223 1133.
Please warn family members, friends and neighbours!
We know doorstep criminals tell us our roof tiles are loose, our chimney stacks are dangerous, our trees are diseased and our driveways need jet washing.
Help keep your community safe. Report doorstep criminals as soon as you see them or tell your local Community Warden or Police Officer.
Even if you're not sure if they are a criminal tell us anyway, we want to know.
For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact:
Kent County Council Public Protection
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/33356/22
Between 23:00 on Friday the 18th of February and 05:00 on Saturday the 19th of February, somebody broke into a garage at a residential property in Keycol Hill, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/33680/22
Between 19:00 on Saturday the 19th of February and 09:30 on Sunday the 20th of February, somebody broke into a shed at a residential property in Keycol Hill, 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
It will be necessary to close part of Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip from Monday 14th March 2022, between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00, with estimated completion by 18th March 2022.
Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip will be closed in the general vicinity of Paradise Farm Barn, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Lower Hartlip Road, Hollow Lane, The Street, Munns Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while water main 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
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
The NHS is proposing changes to how vascular services (services related to arteries and veins) are delivered across east Kent, Medway and Maidstone.
The vascular services consultation proposes that the vascular team would continue to provide the majority of care, such as clinics and investigations, in local hospitals in east Kent, Medway and Maidstone. Specialist surgery needing a hospital stay would be carried out in a new inpatient vascular centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury.
We would like to invite you to some online events to outline the proposals and ask for your views and ideas. The events will take place via live video call.
• Tuesday 22nd February 2022: 10:00am to 12noon
• Tuesday 1st March 2022: 10:00am to 12noon
• Tuesday 8th March 2022: 11:00am to 1:00pm
To book your free place, click on your preferred date found at the bottom of this information about the consultation page. You can also complete a survey, if you wish.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/31002/22
Between 07:00 on Saturday the 12th and 09:31 on Monday the 14th of February, a boiler was stolen from a property currently under construction in Otterham Quay Lane, 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
Community groups and voluntary organisations in Swale can apply for grants from Swale Borough Council to host events in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June.
The council is offering grants of up to £1,000 to local groups in support of small-scale projects and events that bring cultural, heritage or educational benefits to the local community during the long weekend.
Celebrations are being held across the country during a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday, 2nd June to Sunday, 5th June.
Councillor Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community, said:
“We’re making £25,000 available to help fund Platinum Jubilee community events, street parties and celebrations across Swale.
“Local groups can apply for up to £1,000 to help fund their project or activities and I encourage communities to get in touch with their town or parish council, local charities and community groups to get involved.
“Beacons, street parties, tree planting and heritage projects are some of the activities we’re seeing coming through and it’s a wonderful opportunity for communities to come together.
“Our communities have shown great resilience throughout the pandemic but there is now a growing appetite to do more and enjoy our leisure time.
“The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our friends, family and neighbours by coming together and celebrating the historic 70-year reign.”
Platinum Jubilee grants are available now until the end of the year.
Swale Borough Council
The Wakeley family began farming in Rainham during the 18th century. They became the biggest farming company in the area as Wakeley Brothers from the mid 19th century to the late 20th century when they had a considerable influence on Upchurch and its inhabitants.
When they were formed during the mid-19th century, Wakeley Brothers inherited land which included a sizeable acreage in Upchurch from Rainham farmer Thomas Dodd because of marriage between the two families. The firm employed large numbers of local people to work for them in the parish of Upchurch. Apart from land they also had a blacksmith’s workshop, an Elizabethan barn and cottages at Church Farm in Forge Lane and a 100 year old windmill on Windmill Hill until it burnt down in a fire in 1910. Overall, they treated their workers well, providing them with free housing in Upchurch and providing annual feasts, held in their granary at Otterham Quay.
The firm built five oast houses in different parts of the parish to store produce such as hops from their ‘Seventeen Acres’ hop garden located on the site of the present golf course in Oak Lane. Many local Upchurch residents worked there over the years up to the 1970s. Norman Long from Church Farm Road became one of the last Upchurch residents to work for the Wakeley Brothers during the 1990s.
From the 1880s Wakeley Brothers had farm cottages constructed for their workers in the parish such as Wetham Green Cottages at Wetham Green, Plantation Cottages and Otterham Cottages in Horsham Lane and Red Brick Cottages in Poot Lane.
The bricks used for the houses came from the firm’s Poot Lane brickworks which existed from 1862 to the first quarter of the 20th century. Most of the bricks from there were transported by a trolley rail system across Wetham Green to Twinney Wharf from where the firm’s barges took consignments of bricks to different locations along the river and as far as London.
The brothers each had a role in the business. William Henry Wakeley managed the firm’s milling business and steam mill at Otterham Quay. He also won fame as a champion rose grower and he won many awards locally and nationally. William Street, Henry Street and Wakeley Road in Rainham are all named after him.
Richard Mansfield Wakeley who resided at and managed Moor Street Farm which covered part of Rainham and adjoined Oak Lane in Upchurch, became one of the first Upchurch parish councillors when the parish council was formed in 1894. He also contributed land to the parish for use as allotments. His brother John who also lived at Moor Street Farm helped him and he became a school manager at Holywell School.
Upchurch Pottery - Seymour Road 1940, Wakeley Farm - Forge Lane 1914.
Pieces of Upchurch Pottery, Wakeley Mill - Windmill Hill 1903.
Inset Thomas Stanley Wakeley.
Thomas Stanley Wakeley dealt with corn and spent time at the corn exchanges in London and Rochester. He also organised the transportation of company produce from Rainham railway station to London and he dealt with the markets. His office was located in the oast next to Rainham railway station. In Upchurch, he negotiated a land deal with Upchurch parish council at Church Farm in the village centre for the construction of the Infant’s School in 1882. As an evangelical preacher, he also held services for his Upchurch congregation at the Wakeley granary in Otterham Quay Road during the 1860s. He was regarded as a very shrewd and clever businessman. The former Lord Stanley Inn at the bottom of Windmill Hill was named after him.
Seymour Wakeley, a second generation member of the family business, organised affairs at the Hartlip and Upchurch hop gardens and he helped organise some of the early Upchurch fetes at the vicarage. He lived the longest of the Wakeley brothers, reaching 91 years old. Seymour Road in Rainham is named after him.
Brian Wakeley became the only family member to reside in the village. He lived at Church Farm Cottages in Forge Lane from the 1920s to the 1950s and he played a part in village activities and organisations such as the tennis club at the vicarage, various village theatrical productions and he served as captain in the Upchurch Home Guard during World War Two.
Female members of the Wakeley family also played a role in Upchurch village affairs. Minnie Wakeley, wife of Richard Mansfield Wakeley junior, became the first president of the Women’s Institute in 1931, while Dora Wakeley, wife of Seymour Wakeley had a great interest in pottery and she founded and developed Upchurch Pottery with the help of her husband. The business began in 1909 when a bottle kiln and workshop was constructed in the chalk pit just off Seymour Road in Rainham. It gradually expanded and Upchurch Pottery which it produced became well-known on the porcelain market.
Ted Baker from Windmill Hill was employed as the potter and he had a big influence on the pottery style. He produced pots mainly influenced by Greek and Roman vases. He used a style of soft colours with a matt finish. This became characteristic of Upchurch pottery made of clay that Dora Wakeley personally obtained from the saltings just off the Ham Green peninsular. Upchurch pottery became well-known nationwide and is identified by its distinctive colouring and finish.
Wakeley Brothers farmed in Upchurch until the late 1990s. They mainly produced top fruit such as apples and pears during their later period and they had a cold storage centre built on the site now occupied by Woodruff Close which replaced the oast houses that had been demolished in the parish. They later moved to a new store in Spade Lane, Hartlip. When the warehouse was destroyed by fire, William Wakeley, the great grandson of Thomas Stanley Wakeley decided to finish farming and retired while his son James who had managed the land in Upchurch and Rainham left the area.
The Wakeley family influence on Upchurch continued to be important until the late 20th century. They offered employment to local residents during this period, they involved themselves in village affairs and they had houses constructed which still exist, while the hop garden, the oast houses, the barges and the brickworks are long gone.
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.
Report of the Parish Council February 2022
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny (Vice Chairman), Cllr Ernie Berntsen, Cllr Helen Boakes, Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
PCSO
Lorraine Holmes is Upchurch’s new PCSO as John Cork has changed areas. Lorraine can be contacted on: 07970 458 645 or by Email: lorraine.holmes@kent.police.uk
In an emergency, please call: 999.
Recreation Ground and Paddock
The Council has given permission for Upchurch Horticultural Society to hold its annual plant sale in the Paddock on Saturday 30th April 2022.
Environment
The village sign has been removed for renovation. It will then be photographed and the images will be available for groups within the village to use free of charge.
The Council has agreed to have the cascade planter opposite the church and barrier baskets at the Recreation Ground.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022
Plans for the celebrations are progressing well. The Upchurch beacon will be lit on Thursday 2nd June. There will be food and drinks stalls at the Recreation Ground during the evening. A Piper will play at 9:35pm, a bugler will play a unique Bugle Call at 9:40pm and the beacon will be lit at 9:45pm. On Sunday 5th June, street parties are being encouraged and where residents are unable to have a party in their road, they will be permitted to use the Recreation Ground - please contact the Clerk for full details: clerkupc@outlook.com
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 3rd March at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 16th March 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
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/28366/22
Between 00:01 and 23:59 on Thursday the 10th of February, materials were stolen from a vehicle parked in Oak Lane, 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
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch
A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.
32 crimes are shown on the map in December 2021 including:
3 Anti-social Behaviour
1 Burglary
1 Criminal Damage and Arson
2 Other Theft
1 Public Order
1 Shoplifting
4 Vehicle Crime
17 Violence and Sexual Offences
2 Other Crime
48 crimes were shown on the map in November 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.
34 crimes are shown on the map in December 2021 including:
10 Anti-social Behaviour
1 Burglary
3 Criminal Damage and Arson
2 Other Theft
1 Shoplifting
1 Vehicle Crime
16 Violence and Sexual Offences
32 crimes were shown on the map in November 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
Hi everyone,
What a marvelous turnout this month!
Thank you so much, your generosity topped your usual giving, and we also had a generous gift of £40 in cash. You are a real blessing to those who are struggling.
A news item recently stated that there are a million adults who had at least 1 day a week without any food at all. And 1 in 5 families is in energy poverty.
This article shows the devastating truth of what some families are facing.
Link >> www.mirror.co.uk/money/one-million-uk-adults-went-26174141But you have shown how much you care. You have acted out of empathy and with Godly kindness.
Bless you, all ❤️
And thank you to William for helping out again.
We will be collecting again, next time on the front terrace at 14 Oak Lane, Upchurch on Wednesday the 9th of March between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
It will be necessary to close part of Oak Lane, Upchurch from Tuesday 1st March 2022, with estimated completion by 4th March 2022.
Oak Lane, Upchurch will be closed in the general vicinity of number 114, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Oak Lane, The Street, Forge Lane, Halstow Lane, Breach Lane, A2 Hartlip Hill, London Road and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while works to install new cables are undertaken by UK Power Networks.
For information regarding this closure, please contact UK Power Networks on: 0800 029 4285, 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
February's sale has been cancelled, unfortunately.
The next sale will be on Saturday 12th March between 10:00am - 11:30am.
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones, Savouries and Refreshments.
Also Puzzles, Books and sometimes Bric-à-brac and Plants.
Something for everyone!
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you.
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s plans to regenerate Sittingbourne town centre.
The plans are outlined in a draft supplementary planning document that is now available for public consultation after it was approved by councillors in December.
Following consultation, the document will then become part of the current local plan and will shape how the council considers new development proposals, outlining what developers and landowners need to include in planning applications.
Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, said:
“These exciting new plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre will bring much needed life to the area and we want to know what local people think.
“We plan to develop a leisure quarter, a historic quarter and a community hub, but it’s important that we hear from local people. They know better than anyone what their community needs
“Once this draft supplementary planning document has gone through the consultation and approval process, it will sit alongside our current and future local plan.
“We have important heritage that will need to be considered when developing Sittingbourne town centre and it’s important that we preserve and promote what we have whilst incorporating these plans for the future.”
Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy at the council, said:
“We have essential plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre, bringing much needed footfall to the high street and providing better links to surrounding areas.
“We’ve been committed to investing in our town centres and high streets and we want to hear from local people who really know what will benefit the area.
“We know we need not only leisure and businesses in our town centre but also a better healthcare provision that is easily accessible.
“We also need a range of housing in our town centre to meet the diverse needs of the population from young to old, including affordable homes.
“The consultation is now open and will run for six weeks, and I encourage people to take this opportunity to have their say on how we bring life and much need investment to Sittingbourne.”
The consultation is open from Monday, 7th February until Monday, 21st March at 5:00pm.
The Sittingbourne draft supplementary planning document can be viewed online at www.swale.gov.uk/sittingbourne-spd or in-person at The Forum, Swallows leisure centre and Sittingbourne library.
Comments can be made on the council website, by email to lpcomments@swale.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy Team, Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne ME10 3HT.
Swale Borough Council
We are writing to let you know about our project to upgrade our gas network around The Poles area of Upchurch.
We are replacing our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe. This essential work will ensure your community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.
In consultation with Kent County Council, our contractor, WCB Utilities, who will be completing this project on our behalf, will start work on Monday 21st March for approximately four weeks.
To safely access our gas network, it will be necessary to close the following roads.
The Street
We will need to close The Street from outside property number nine to the junction with The Poles from 21st March for approximately four weeks.
The Poles
Our engineers will need to close The Poles from 23rd March for approximately three weeks.
Forge Lane
We will need to close Forge Lane from the junction with The Street to outside number twenty-three Forge Lane from 2nd April for two weeks.
Church Farm Road
Church Farm Road will need to be closed at the junction with Forge Lane from 2nd April for approximately two weeks.
Access will be maintained for residents and signed diversions will be in place.
We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks, however we would not close a road unless it is unsafe not to.
We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work. Please feel free to also share this information with anyone you think may be impacted by our project.
Yours sincerely
Sharon Dorrington
Stakeholder and Community ManagerSGN Gas
