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Following their successful concert in the church in September 2021, Sonare Choir will be returning to St Mary's, Upchurch on Saturday the 23rd of April between 7:00pm - 9:00pm for one Spring evening concert only, as part of their 'Songs of Springtime' tour.
Sonare Choir is a London - based choral quartet bringing sophisticated and accessible choir concerts to the city and beyond.
The choir's spring tour promises to bring a flowery and sublime programme of choral music across London and a little bit beyond!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a bucolic programme featuring Moeran's 'Songs of Springtime', Fanny Mendelssohn's 'Gartenlieder', and works by Elgar, Saint-Saens, Clara Schumann, and many more.
Advance tickets are £10 + £0.25 service fee.
Advance tickets for under 35s are £9 + £0.23 service fee.
Or £12 on the door.
Upchurch Matters
Councillor Roger Truelove.
Cllr Roger Truelove will be standing down as leader of Swale Borough Council after almost three years.
Cllr Truelove said:
“I have had the pleasure of serving Swale as a councillor for 28 years, the last three as leader of the coalition.
“I was very doubtful about standing as a candidate in 2019 and I long ago decided I would not stand in 2023.
“We are now moving towards a new committee structure, and I believe it will be in the best interest of this council for someone else to take up the new leadership role for the next 12 months.
“So, I will be standing down as leader, but I will continue to play a part in the new council system for the next year.
“There are a number of people who have the talent and commitment to take Swale forward, both from the administration or the opposition.
“I have been enormously lucky to have the support of an excellent cabinet over the last few years and I am pleased that we have shown that coalition politics in local government can work.
“I am also immensely grateful to council officers for their hard work, commitment and forbearance.
“Personally, in my time as leader I have tried to bring stability to the council, as well as unlock the resources needed to deliver improvements, and make us a kinder council.
“The last three years of this council has seen movement in several directions: the constitutional changes, the determination to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, the enhanced links with the voluntary sector, the climate change initiatives and the improvements to our public realm with a sense of our heritage.
“None of this is work completed and I hope we will see continuity into the committee period, over the next year.”
The announcement was made at a full council meeting on 30th March, where Cllr Truelove confirmed he would continue in the role until a new leader is elected at an extraordinary council meeting on 27th April.
Swale Borough Council
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
People who have been approached by Swale Borough Council’s enforcement officers as part of their anti-idling campaign have done their bit to improve air quality.
Since the council introduced the anti-idling legislation and launched the education campaign late last year, officers have been visiting school hotspot locations across Swale where idling engines are at their highest.
The seven schools identified as hotspots where parents leave their engines running include:
• Fulston Manor school in Sittingbourne
• South Avenue Primary School in Sittingbourne
• Highsted Grammar school in Sittingbourne
• Ethelbert Road Infants School in Faversham
• Bysingwood Primary School in Faversham
• Davington School in Faversham
• Ospringe Primary School in Faversham
Research shows that an idling vehicle can emit up to 20 times more of some pollutants than one travelling at 32mph and these pollutants can cause asthma and be particularly damaging for children.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the climate and ecological emergency at the council, said:
“Our enforcement officers have approached 16 drivers who had their engines idling while waiting to collect their children from school since the campaign begun and they’ve all been understanding and switched their engines off.
“Our officers can issue a £20 FPN to drivers who refuse to switch off their engines, but we don’t want to jump straight to a fine and think we’ll have better results by educating people to the increase in pollution an idling engine can have.
“Each car we approached was given a leaflet with idling advice and information on air pollution and the impacts on health.
“We put up 42 signs around the seven school hot spots and drivers seem to be happy to switch their engines off, especially around schools.
“By leaving your car idling it emits 20 times more pollution than one travelling at 30mph and what most people don’t realise is that if you leave your car engine running the pollution levels inside will be worse than outside.
“Idling for an hour can waste half a gallon of fuel or more so switching off your engine will save fuel and money.”
The next hotspots to be added to the anti-idling campaign include Fulston Manor school and Lansdowne school in Sittingbourne, Faversham train station, Bank Street in Faversham and Vincent Road in Sittingbourne.
People can report a hotspot for investigation by calling the council on: 01795 417850.
Swale Borough Council
It will be necessary to close part of School Lane, Iwade from Monday 11th April 2022, with estimated completion by 15th April 2022.School Lane, Iwade will be closed in the general vicinity of number 2 Orchard Farm Cottage, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is School Lane, Ferry Road, Sheppey Way, Stickfast Lane, Iwade Road 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
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
It is recognised that during the SGN gas network upgrade works in The Street and neighbouring roads, some residents may have difficulty parking their cars.
For this period only, Upchurch Village Hall will offer parking in their car park for those residents to help alleviate the problem.
Any resident parking in the Village Hall car park must respect that those using the hall have priority.
We would suggest drivers park in an orderly fashion, to the left near the Churchyard.
Please respect this it is a private car park, and owners park there at their own risk.
Thank you
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
Congratulations to Louise and Wendy, winners of the Mother’s Day and Spring Garden Hampers at Upchurch’s Co-op. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets 🤗
You helped us raise another £122 for our chosen charity partner, MIND - the mental health and support charity.
Please keep a lookout for more raffles and events in store.
Read more about MIND at: www.mind.org.uk
Sally - Upchurch’s Co-op
It will be necessary to close Oak Lane, Upchurch from Thursday 24th March 2022 for up to 7 days.
The road will be closed outside number 79, Oak Lane.
The alternative route is via A2 - Moor Street, Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane and Oak 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: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch WardCrime Number: 46/53757/22
Between 00:01 on Tuesday the 1st of March and 12:18 on Tuesday the 22nd of March, somebody stole a five-gallon water container and an electric pump from a stables in Wallbridge 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
It will be necessary to close part of School Lane, Newington from Monday 4th April 2022, with estimated completion by 8th April 2022.
School Lane, Newington will be closed between the junctions with Boxted Lane and Wardwell Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Boxted Lane, Breach Lane, Hartlip Hill, London Road, High Street, Church Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while overhead fibre 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
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch WardCrime Number: 46/51162/22
On Thursday the 3rd of March around 14:18, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/51164/22
On Saturday the 5th of March between 11:52 and 19:00, somebody stole personal items from a doorstep in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/51166/22
On Sunday the 6th of March around 12:44, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/51165/22
On Monday the 7th of March around 14:46, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/50626/22
On Tuesday the 8th of March between 00:01 and 07:05, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/49909/22
Between 14:00 on Tuesday the 15th of March and 14:10 on Wednesday the 16th of March, somebody broke into a Hyundai I10 Classic in London Road, Newington. Nothing has been reported stolen.
Crime Number: 46/50472/22
Between 21:30 on Tuesday the 15th of March and 08:19 on Wednesday the 16th of March, somebody stole a grey BMW, DA06***, from outside a property in Canterbury 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
Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on various roads in Swale.
This order takes effect on or after Thursday 17th March 2022 for a period of up to 18 months or until works have been completed.
It may be necessary for some of the roads to be closed for multiple occasions for each phase of the works. Planned dates will be published in advance of the works on https://one.network and indicated by signage displayed on site 14 days before they start.After the Surface Treatment Works, a temporary speed limit of 40 & 20 mph may need to be imposed in place on certain roads for a period of up to 7 days. Where the 40 & 20 mph speed limit does apply, this will be clearly indicated by relevant signs displayed on site.
These works are subject to weather and other factors which may potentially cause changes at short notice; every effort will be made to keep as close as possible to the planned dates that are notified, and any changes will be publicised.
Schedule
Road Closures
Bull Lane, Newington
The road will be closed between the junctions with A2 High Street and Wormsdale Hill, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is via Wormsdale Hill, Maidstone Road, Chestnut Street, Key Street Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill, High Street and vice versa.
The Street, Lower Halstow
The road will be closed from outside the stream and the junction with Vicarage Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for buses is via A2 Hartlip Hill, A22 London Road, Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane, Forge Lane, The Street.
The alternative route is via Raspberry Hill, Old Ferry Road, Sheppey Way, Key Street Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, A2 Boyces Hill, High Street, London Road, Breach Lane and vice versa.
Speed Limits
It will be necessary to impose a 40 mph speed limit on the approach to, and then a 20 mph speed limit through, working sites on various roads in Swale, as detailed below.
Bull Lane, Newington - between the junctions with A2 and Wormsdale Hill.
The Street, Lower Halstow - from outside the Stream to the junction with Vicarage Lane.
The restrictions are required for the safety of the public and workforce while surface treatment works are undertaken by Kent County Council.
For information regarding this order, please contact Kent County Council on: 03000 418181, who will able be to assist with the scope of these works.
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club is holding another fundraising event at Upchurch Village Hall towards the cost of an electric mat winding machine which is approximately £7000.
The club has raised around half of this amount so far.
Please come and join us for an evening of Summer fun with good friends, great music and dancing!
Malcolm Groves
Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
Upchurch’s Co-op is fundraising again for their chosen charity partner, MIND - the mental health and support charity.Win a Mother’s Day Hamper 💝
Enter in store for 50p per raffle strip - Please ask a member of staff at the till.
The winner will be picked on Saturday the 26th of March.
To be collected upon winning.
Win a Spring Garden Hamper 👩🏻🌾
Enter in store for £1 per raffle strip - Please ask a member of staff at the till.
The winner will be picked on a date to be announced.
To be collected upon winning.
Good luck 🤞🏼
Read more about MIND at: www.mind.org.uk
Sally - Upchurch’s Co-op
Thursday 14th April 2022 at 7:30pm in the Main Hall
The Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee is a group of volunteers drawn from village organisations who give up their time to maintain and run the Village Hall on your behalf.
The time has come around again for the Committee’s Annual General Meeting, the time when village residents can hear what has been happening during the past year, plans for the future and show their appreciation of their work carried out by the Committee.
Please put the date in your diaries and try to attend.
Thank you
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
One Bag
Big Difference
Upchurch Parish Council is asking village groups and residents to volunteer as litter pickers once again and help clean up our village for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, as part of this year's Great British Spring Clean.
Back for its seventh year, the Great British Spring Clean is the country’s largest mass-action environmental campaign and aims to bring together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep. The annual litter campaign organised by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy inspires 1,000’s of volunteers across the UK to get involved in their local Spring cleans.
The litter pick in Upchurch is always well supported, and the tremendous village effort each year results in around 70 sacks of litter being picked from our village spaces and the surrounding country lanes. The Parish Council hopes this will be the case again during this special Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.
To volunteer, please come along to The Recreation Ground Car Park in Oak Lane on Saturday the 2nd of April at 10:30am and help us all make a noticeable difference to our village together. The litter pick will follow the usual format lasting around 90 minutes.
The Parish Council has a limited amount of equipment, so please bring your Litter Pickers, Hoops, Gloves, Hi-Vis if you have them - thank you.
Thank you for your help and support.
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch WardCrime Number: 46/46362/22
Between 15:00 and 15:54 on Wednesday the 9th of March, somebody broke into a residential property in Wickham Close, Newington.
Crime Number: 46/46869/22
Between 19:00 and 22:45 on Saturday the 12th of March, somebody damaged a gate in Iwade 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
Report of the Parish Council March 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.
Great British Spring Clean
The Great British Spring Clean is on 25th March - 10th April 2022 and the Council will take part in the initiative again. Residents and groups are urged to help with the annual litter pick, please contact the Clerk for further details: clerkupc@outlook.com
Planning
i. Ref: 21/506474/FULL Address: Burntwick The Street Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7EU
Proposal: Erection of 2no. four bedroom detached dwellings and 2no. detached garages, with associated front canopy, fencing, gates, access and parking.
Councillors considered the comments raised and also those on the Planning Portal. It was noted that there were four neutral comments, one comment in support and fourteen objections to the proposal. It was agreed that the Council should bolster the elements of concern raised by residents regarding overlooking, loss of light and the ridge height.
The Council has been informed that revised plans have been submitted.
ii. Ref: 21/506637/FULL Address: 16 Horsham Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AN
Proposal: Erection of a first floor extension over existing converted garage and alterations to fenestration.
Application had been permitted.
iii. Ref: 22/500037/LAWPRO Address: 8 The Poles Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7EX
Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate for a single storey side extension for a WC and wash basin.
Councillors noted the application.
iv. Ref: 22/500648/SUB Address: Starborne Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7BB
Proposal: Submission of Details to Discharge Condition 12 (External Lighting) of planning permission 20/503568/FULL.
Councillors noted the application.
v. Ref: 22/500658/TPOA Address: 18 Bradshaw Close Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7BW
Proposal: Works to Trees covered by a TPO T1 Oak - Reduce height to 12m - 15m and reduce canopy to 6m - 8m spread.
Councillors fully supported this application.
vi. Ref: 21/503136/ADV Appeal Ref: APP/V2255/Z/21/3282811 Address: Suzuki (Medway) Rainham, London Road, Rainham ME8 8PT
Proposal: Advertisement consent for 1no. internally illuminated folded aluminium freestanding double sided 'Suzuki' totem sign, 2no. internally illuminated folded aluminium 'Suzuki Medway' fascia signs, 1no. non illuminated folded aluminium freestanding single sided 'Welcome' totem sign, and 2no. non illuminated free standing directional signs.
Upchurch Parish Council objected to the application because it was not in the built-up area and Hartlip Parish Council objected on the grounds of light pollution in a rural area.
Councillors agreed to inform the Planning Inspector that they are fully supportive of the views of Hartlip Parish Council.
Finance
The Precept for a Band D property has decreased by 20.5%.
Recreation Ground and Paddock
The grant funding applications for a Woodland Trail in The Paddock has been successful. The first contribution for this project was from the Queenborough Fishery Trust and Swale Borough Council Western Area Committee has agreed to fund the balance. The Council is seeking funding for further equipment in The Paddock.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022
The Council has been awarded £500 towards the cost of celebrations for the Jubilee. 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 5thJune, 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 7th April at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th April at 7:30pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be on 28th April in Upchurch 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
It will be necessary to close Bull Lane (North), Bull Lane (South), School Lane and Iwade Road, Newington from Tuesday 22nd March 2022 for up to 1 night.
Each road will be closed consecutively throughout the night.
Bull Lane (North) will be closed between the junctions of High Street and The Willows.
The alternative route is via Bull Lane, Playstool Road, High Street and Bull Lane.
Bull Lane (South) will be closed between Playstool Road and Wormdale Hill.
The alternative route is via Bull Lane, Old House Lane, Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip Road, London Road, High Street and Bull Lane.
School Lane will be closed between the junctions of Bricklands and Wardwell Lane.
The alternative route is via School Lane, Boxted Lane, Breach Lane, Hartlip Hill, London Road, high street, Church Lane, Iwade Road and School Lane.
Iwade road will be closed between the junction of Church Lane and outside ‘Moat Cottage’.
The alternative route is via Iwade Road, Stickfast Lane, Sheppey Way, Key Street Roundabout, Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill, High Street, Church Lane and Iwade Road.
This is to enable 20mph area installation scheme to be carried out by Kent County Council.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Local groups and organisations can now advertise their events on a new Community Notice Board at Upchurch's Co-op.
Please speak to a colleague in-store.
Thank you
Sally - Upchurch's Co-op
Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd
Meetings held at 97 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch
Starting at 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 6th - April Meeting
Saturday, April 30th - Plant Sale in The Paddock, Upchurch
Thursday, May 5th - Classes in Making Hanging Baskets at Stockbury Village Hall
Wednesday, June 1st - BBQ at Peter’s Barn - Planning for July Show
Saturday, July 2nd - July Show
Wednesday, July 6th - July Meeting
Wednesday, August 3rd August - Meeting Planning for September Show
September Meeting
Saturday, September 3rd - September Show
Wednesday, October 5th - October Meeting - Planning October Show
Saturday, October 15th - October Show
Wednesday, November 2nd - November Meeting - Schedule Planning for 2023
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
Councillor Roger Truelove.
The Leader of Swale Council, Roger Truelove, has written to Highways England calling for urgent action to clear up the extensive litter along the A249 between Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
Drawing particular attention to the stretch between Grovehurst and Bobbing, Cllr Truelove points out that Highways England are responsible for this road and despite discussions and assurances, the situation remains unacceptable.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader at the council, said:
“I know that litter is everywhere along the side of main roads, but the situation here is awful.
“We’re encouraging people to come to Swale, and especially to Sheppey in the summer, and this massive amount of litter impacts our prospects of doing that.
“We clear up litter and empty the litter bins in the lay-bys on the A249 on their behalf, but we don’t have the ability to clear away the excessive amount of rubbish and plastic carrier bags along the side of the road and in the adjoining trees.
“We hope this letter will prompt the litter to be cleared away and we’re looking forward to improvements in the near future.”
Swale Borough Council
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/43931/22
Between 00:01 on Wednesday the 2nd of March and 23:59 on Monday the 7th of March, electric fence components were stolen from a farm in Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip.
Crime Number: 46/44128/22
On Monday the 7th of March, somebody broke into a residential property in Station Road, Newington. The owner is still to provide a list of stolen items if any.
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
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
Hi everyone,
Thank you once again. My back seats were down flat and your bags stretched right to the front seats - even though I changed where the collection point was.
Thank you, Elizabeth for coming and finding me.
Amazingly, one lady even walked from near Lower Halstow to bring her donations. You certainly are big-hearted people.
I know that many of you are seeing your energy direct debits go up by more than double, and yet you are still giving so generously to those who wake each day not knowing how they will get through it.
As Jesus said which is recorded in Matthew 25:40:
“The king said, every person you feed it is as though you are feeding me”
Our world felt a little lighter on Wednesday as I witnessed your Godly kindness.
God willing, I will be back collecting again at the bus stop opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 13th of April between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Bless you, all ❤️
And thank you to Elizabeth for helping out again.
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Saturday 12th March between 10:00am - 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also Puzzles, Books and sometimes Bric-à-brac and Plants
Refreshments
Something for everyone!
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
