Swale Borough Council - Council Tax Energy Rebate Payment

As part of its targeted response to rising energy bills, the government has introduced a council tax rebate payment to help residents with rising energy costs, known as the Energy Rebate.

We have been working in line with government guidance to deliver the payments to residents as quickly as possible. We would have liked to do this earlier, but we had to be sure the new payment system works - we’ve seen instances elsewhere where there have been mistakes which we obviously want to avoid.

The revenues and benefits team have been working tirelessly to make sure we can make the payment by the end of April, and we’re grateful for their efforts.

We have made 33,563 payments today to those who are eligible for the government's £150 Energy Rebate payment and who pay by Direct Debit. This should appear in people’s bank accounts next week.

A further 21,000 households who do not pay their council tax by Direct Debit will be able to claim the rebate through a form on our website next week, and we will be writing to let them know where to find the form.

Please remember that we will not call you and ask for bank details - so please pass on this message ‘do not give out any details to anyone claiming to be calling from the council'.

Updates will be available on our website, and we will be issuing further messages throughout the process.

Cllr Alan Horton - Swale Borough Council

Ward Councillor serving Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

Borden Heritage Group Presents The Train that Jumped the Gap

Borden Heritage Group welcomes Richard Emmett, Chair of the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne, to Borden Parish Hall on Wednesday the 11th of May, 2022, for his talk, 'The Train that Jumped the Gap'.

Open to all, Richard's talk begins at 10:30am.

www.hrgs.co.uk

www.bordenheritage.org.uk

Upchurch Matters

Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2022

Congratulations to John Arnold, this year's very worthy winner of the Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2022 in the community of Upchurch.

The annual KALC Community Awards are to acknowledge and give recognition to those who have made a significant contribution to their local community.

Upchurch Parish Council Chairman Tyrone Ripley presented John with his award at this year's Annual Parish Meeting, held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday the 26th of April 2022.

John says he became more involved in village life when his wife Val became one of the volunteer dusters at St Mary's Church, alongside the late Evelyn Veale.

John went on to serve as Vice Chairman of Upchurch Parish Council for many years, and as a parish councillor, he oversaw our village highways, reporting and chasing repairs to faults when they occur.

He has lit up the village Christmas tree, installed important defibrillators, and taken the lead on the recent street light upgrade. John has also carried out work to Upchurch Village Hall.

John's electrical expertise and team of helpers have powered and made possible many of the village's most loved and well attended events over recent years.

Val and John were both involved in bringing back the Village Fete to the Paddock in 2014, and John's work with Upchurch Scout Group helped ensure their popular family fireworks display could go ahead safely each year.

The number of projects John has volunteered his spare time to during the family's time living in Crosier Court is too long to list.

John's certificate reads:

“Awarded in recognition of his dedication and service to the community, in particular for his tireless work to make the streets of Upchurch brighter and safer by modernisation of our street lighting.”

Thank you, John, for everything you have done for our village 👏🏼

Upchurch Matters

Mental Health Awareness Week - Lift Someone out of Loneliness

Mental Health Awareness Week

9th - 15th May 2022

Mental Health Awareness Week is the annual event run by the Mental Health Foundation that focuses on improving good mental health across the nation.

This year, the week will run from 9th - 15th May 2022, with the theme of exploring the impact of loneliness and how we can tackle it.

This follows recent research that showed many people have increasingly been suffering from feelings of loneliness which has led to harmful consequences. They also discovered an increased demand from the public for loneliness to be addressed as a serious topic requiring urgent action.

Feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point and can have a huge impact on our wellbeing.

Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience feelings of loneliness too, and that this feeling can pass.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, people are being encouraged to reach out to others to help someone who may be feeling lonely, which might in turn help you feel less lonely too.

Help

Find more support and advice for ways to lift someone out of loneliness on the Every Mind Matters - Loneliness webpage. 

This Mental Health Awareness Week, search Every Mind Matters for more support and advice for ways to lift someone out of loneliness.

Take the Mind Plan quiz to get a personalised mental health action plan with practical tips to help you deal with stress, anxiety, low mood and trouble sleeping. Plus advice on how to cope with feelings of loneliness.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will continue to encourage people to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness’ as part of the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

#EveryMindMatters

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

New Leader for Swale Borough Council

Councillor Mike Baldock.

Cllr Mike Baldock has become the new leader of Swale Borough Council.

Cllr Baldock was elected at an extraordinary council meeting held last night, and he replaces Cllr Roger Truelove, who announced he was stepping down as leader last month.

Cllr Mike Baldock, said:

“It is a great honour to be elected as leader of Swale, as I care deeply about the whole borough.

“Roger has set a very high standard to follow but he also showed that differing groups could work constructively together. 

“The move towards a new committee system is an exciting opportunity to make sure that every elected councillor - regardless of party-affiliation, or location in the borough - can be genuinely involved in issues affecting their residents.

“We all have serious challenges ahead, and I believe the best way for us to approach them locally is by working together and making sure that our debates and decisions are fully informed and focussed on supporting local people and our local communities.

“I look forward to now working with my fellow councillors to drive forward further improvements across the whole borough.”

The leader confirmed his deputy will be Cllr Monique Bonney, and the cabinet will be:

• Climate - Cllr Tim Valentine
• Finance - Cllr Roger Truelove, with Cllr Derek Carnell as deputy
• Health - Cllr Angela Harrison, with Cllr Hannah Perkin as deputy
• Housing - Cllr Ben Martin, with Cllr Ghlin Whelan as deputy
• Planning - Cllr Mike Baldock, with Cllr Alastair Gould as deputy
• Community - Cllr Richard Palmer, with Cllr Elliott Jayes as deputy
• Economic development - Cllr Monique Bonney, with Cllr Sarah Stephen as deputy
• Environment - Cllr Julian Saunders, with Cllr Eddie Thomas as deputy

Swale Borough Council

Theft from a Carport - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/74158/22

Between 14:00 and 14:15 on Thursday the 14th of April, somebody stole items from a carport at a residential property 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

Upchurch Horticultural Society - Plant Sale

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Medway Council - Plans Unveiled for New Family-friendly Sports Centre to Replace Splashes

Computer generated images of what the new centre and pool area may look like.

Photos: SPACE & PLACE.

Designs for a state-of-the-art modern, family-friendly sports centre in Medway have been unveiled for the former Splashes site in Rainham.

The proposals include two swimming pools - a training pool for lane swimming and lessons, as well as a children’s fun pool with flume, wave ball pool and beach area. For those who prefer land-based activities, there will also be a fitness gym and room for exercise classes and children’s parties.

The exciting computer-generated images (CGIs), which can be found on Medway Council’s planning application for the new sports centre, demonstrates Medway’s commitment to putting children at the heart of everything it does. The new facility is proposed to have a modern look and feel, but will be family-friendly, including having family and accessible changing rooms. The plans for the new centre support Medway’s ambition to become a child-friendly city, providing further opportunities for the area’s young people.

The proposed new sports centre will provide a full experience for customers - visit the gym, join-in a class, take a dip in the pool and afterwards relax in the café which is planned to overlook the pool areas and surrounding park.

The designs also include electric charging parking spaces, as part of Medway’s Climate Change and carbon neutral aims and ambitions.

Residents have the opportunity to formally provide feedback on the plans through Medway Council’s planning application.

The designs will also be on display in May at two public exhibitions:

• Tuesday 10th, to Saturday, 14th May, at Rainham Library

• Tuesday, 17th to Saturday, 21st May, at Twydall Library

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said:

“I am delighted to be revealing the plans for a new family-friendly sports centre in Medway. The proposed sports centre in Rainham will be a welcomed addition to Medway Council’s existing sports and leisure offer, including Medway Park in Gillingham - a centre of sporting excellence with an athletics track, Strood Sports Centre - a footballer’s dream with outdoor pitches and Hoo Sports Centre with its enjoyable exercise classes.

“Splashes was a much-loved facility by generations of families from across Medway and the plans for the proposed sports centre have children in mind, as well as facilities for adults to enjoy. I would encourage residents to make note of the public exhibitions in May so they can view the designs in person and give their feedback to help shape the plans to provide Medway’s families and residents with another popular facility on their doorstep.”

The former Splashes Sports Centre, in Bloors Lane, Rainham was demolished in February to make way for the new centre.

To find out more, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/news

Medway Council

Motorcycle Stolen - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/72593/22

Between 00:01 on Tuesday the 1st of March and 23:59 on Thursday the 31st of March, somebody stole a blue Yamaha DT 125, YN03***, from the road in Orchard Drive, 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

Upchurch Parish Council Report - April 2022

Report of the Parish Council April 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.

Beacon Lighting to Celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 

The beacon will be lit on Thursday 2^nd June and residents are invited to take part in a free draw to light the beacon on this historic occasion. The draw will take place at 9:00pm on the evening of the beacon lighting and you must be present at the draw. If you would like to be entered into the draw please Email the Clerk: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk with your name and address. Only one entry per household. Closing date 12 noon Wednesday 18th May.

There will be food and drinks stalls at the Recreation Ground during the evening and this will be a memorable event for the village. 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.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022

On Sunday 5^th June street parties are being encouraged across the country. In Upchurch, 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: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Burial Ground and Churchyard

The fallen branch has been removed and work was carried out on a conifer damaged by the storm. The fence by the hall car park has been repaired. The Parochial Church Council has raised concern regarding the lime tree in the churchyard, the contractor will look into the situation.

It has been rumoured that there are no burial plots in the Burial Ground, residents can be reassured that there is space available in the Burial Ground following the consecration of the former rose beds. New plots cannot be pre-purchased and are for residents of the parish only.

Great British Spring Clean

The annual litter pick was successful and the Council is grateful to the School, the uniformed organisations, and all who helped make the village a better place to live in.

The Council has a supply of litter pickers and hi-vis jackets which residents can borrow to litter pick their local area, please contact the Clerk if you wish to borrow the equipment. Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch Village Sign

The refurbishment of the village sign has been completed. An image of the sign has been created and Upchurch Parish Council owns the copyright on the image of the re-painted village sign on behalf of the residents of the parish. The image is freely available to any resident who wishes to use it for the promotion of anything associated with the parish, whether for private or commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to use the image can obtain an electronic version, free of charge from the Parish Clerk, at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Planning

Ref: 21/506508/FULL Address: Upchurch Cricket Club Holywell Lane Upchurch ME9 7HP

Proposal: Installation of a new fully carpeted 3 lane 33m enclosed non-turf cricket practice facility with security fencing.

Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously to support the proposal.

Ref: 22/500974/FULL Address: 116 Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Erection of a new front boundary wall and gates to plots 1 and 2 approved under 20/505179/FULL.

Councillors considered the application and objected to the proposal.

Ref: 22/500703/FULL Address: Pear Tree House Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch ME8 8QW

Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension, two storey side extension, and alterations to external elevations, including erection of flat roof over existing porch and garage, replacement doors and windows and new roof light.

Councillors considered the application and had no objection to the proposal.

Ref: 22/500812/FULL Address: Ransom Motors Breach Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7PE

Proposal: Retrospective application for a change of use and construction of a car park and additional rear access space as well as for the erection of security fencing on land adjacent to Auto-Evolution.

Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously to support the proposal as it makes the provision of public transport in Breach Lane easier.

Ref: 22/500969/ELEC Address: Golf Course Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Alterations to the high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) overhead lines.

Application noted.

Ref: 22/500973/SUB Address: 116 Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 5 (details of the external finishing materials) in relation to planning permission 20/505179/FULL.

Councillors considered the application and agreed that the proposal would make the buildings stick out; a colour closer to the palette of the village at that point would be preferred.

Ref: 22/500993/SUB Address: Crescent House Gills Terrace Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (closure report - remediation) of application 19/500420/PNOCLA.

Application noted.

Ref: 22/500994/SUB Address: Land At Gills Terrace Upchurch Kent ME8 7UY

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 13 (closure report - remediation) of application 19/502283/FULL.

Application noted.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 5^th May at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18^th May 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 COVID-19 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: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

The Repainted Upchurch Village Sign

Click the montage to enlarge.

Top left: Stuart Betts with the repainted Upchurch Village Sign.

Top right: Photographing the repainted Upchurch Village Sign.

Bottom left: The new official photograph of the Upchurch Village Sign.

Copyright © 2022 Upchurch Parish Council. All rights reserved.

Photography and image editing on behalf of Upchurch Parish Council by Louis Newbery.

Bottom right: Mockup of how the repainted Upchurch Village Sign will look.

The Upchurch Village Sign

You will no doubt have noticed the iconic Upchurch Village Sign has been missing from the centre of the village for a while.

The sign was taken down earlier this year and repainted in March 2022 by traditional handwritten signwriter and artist Stuart Betts at his workshop in Gillingham using enamel paints. The last time the sign received a refresh was in January 2005.

The Parish Council previously commissioned Stuart to produce the eye catching shield which hangs from the Beacon of Light Brazier on the Recreation Ground in 2018. Stuart also refurbished the four church clock faces at St. Mary's.

Obtaining a copy of the new photograph

We are pleased to reveal the new official village sign photograph, commissioned by Upchurch Parish Council, ahead of the sign's reinstallation soon.

Upchurch Parish Council owns the copyright to this officially photographed image of the repainted Upchurch Village Sign on behalf of the residents of the parish.

The image is freely available to residents who wish to use it for the promotion of things associated with the parish, whether for private or commercial purposes.

Anyone wishing to use the image can obtain an electronic copy free of charge from the Parish Clerk at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

We look forward to seeing our village sign back in its familiar place, on the corner for everyone to see!

Read the 'The Upchurch Village Sign by David Wood' at: https://bit.ly/3oaorfZ

Signwriter Stuart Betts: www.stuartbetts.co.uk

#WeAreUpchurch

Upchurch Matters

Poolside Bar Music - Tina Turner Tribute at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

From 8:30pm

Free Entry - Non-members Welcome

Food available until 8:30pm

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Temporary Road Closure - Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch from Tuesday 19th April 2022 for up to 4 days.

The road will be closed in the general vicinity of number 76, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, A2 - Moor Street, Oak Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required while road crossing and joint bay works are carried out by UK Power Networks.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - February 2022

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

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

40 crimes are shown on the map in February 2022 including:

2 Anti-social Behaviour

4 Burglary

2 Drugs

4 Other Theft

1 Possession of Weapons

2 Public Order

1 Shoplifting

2 Vehicle Crime

18 Violence and Sexual Offences

4 Other Crime

39 crimes were shown on the map in January 2022.

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.

42 crimes are shown on the map in February 2022 including:

11 Anti-social Behaviour

4 Criminal Damage and Arson

1 Other Theft

1 Possession of Weapons

1 Public Order

21 Violence and Sexual Offences

3 Other Crime

19 crimes were shown on the map in January 2022.

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

Holy Week Services at St Mary's Church, Upchurch

The Empty Tomb at St Mary’s Churchyard.

Please join us in the church on Maundy Thursday, the 14th of April, at 8:00pm for sung communion and stripping of the altar.

And on Easter Day, Sunday the 17th of April, at 10:00am for sung communion.

Sue Rossiter

Kent Connect to Support

Supporting you to live well in Kent

KCC's new Kent Connect to Support website provides information and advice to help you stay independent and connect with your local community. 

Unsure where to look or who to contact, visit the information finder tool for help.

The website helps you to look after yourself or a friend or relative and includes:

■ Information and advice

■ Community directory

■ Care directory

■ Applying or renewing a blue badge or bus pass

■ Report abuse or neglect

■ Advice on staying healthy

■ Request for care support services

■ Information about housing

■ Financial advice and support

■ Transport and accessible facilities

Visit: https://kent.connecttosupport.org

Upchurch Matters

Vehicle Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/65194/22

On Thursday the 7th of April between 00:01 and 15:36, somebody damaged a Ford Focus parked on the road 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

Gill Gay will be Collecting for Swale Foodbank Again - Also Pop into the Church for 'A Cuppa and a Chat'

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the tremendous support we have received on behalf of Swale Foodbank so far.

I will be collecting again at the bus stop opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 13th of April, 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.

Everything is needed but their top 6 most needed items are:

■ Tins of Meat

■ Tins of Fruit

■ Tins of Veg

■ Tinned Chopped Tomatoes

■ Jars of Cooking Sauces (Curry, Pasta etc)

■ LHT Milk

Thank you again for your continued and amazing generosity, especially when there is so much uncertainty with our own energy, fuel and food costs. Bless your Godly kindness.

For every single donation - we are very grateful ♥️

And while you're there, why not pop into the church for a warm-up and 'A Cuppa and a Chat' in the Lady Chapel.

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

A warm welcome awaits you. Just pop in, and we will be happy to see you.

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Upchurch Players: Pinocchio - Auditions

Saturday 7th May

12 midday - 4:00pm

Upchurch Village Hall

Contact us via our Website or message us via Facebook for audition details.

Upchurch Players

Knitting Group Decorate Upchurch Village for Easter

Click the photo montage to enlarge.

The ladies from the Knitting Group and their partners have decorated the centre of Upchurch village with more wonderful Spring flowers and traditional Easter characters.

New Easter Chicks have appeared amongst the hundreds of brightly coloured Spring Daffodils on the railings at St Mary's Church.

Easter Bunnies pose facing outward around this year's new post box topper.

And beautiful posies of Tulips with ribbons of Daffodils have been added to the bus shelter and the railings at Upchurch Post Office.

The group decorated the village for Mother's Day and Easter for the first time in 2021 to help bring some much-needed cheer during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Thank you, ladies, you have brightened up the centre of the village once again!

👍🏼 😀 🐣 🐇 🌷 🌼 🌹

Go and take a look  👀

Upchurch Matters