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It will be necessary to impose a temporary mandatory 30 mph speed restriction on Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch from Tuesday 28th February 2023, with estimated completion by 13th March 2023.
The temporary mandatory 30 mph speed restriction will be imposed from outside Hubbards Cottage to outside The Cottage, to the extent indicated by signage on site.
The speed restriction is required for the safety of the public and workforce while electrical connection works are undertaken by ALS Civil.
For information regarding this restriction, please contact ALS Civil on: 07791 868025, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
CWGIE is a Diversity House project that intends to bring together women and girls from different backgrounds to increase understanding and support that will create a cycle of empowerment.
By discussing shared concerns and developing leadership and entrepreneurial skills, it will enhance the economic prowess of women and girls. CWGIE aims to enable its users to assess information, acquire skills and enhance confidence to achieve their aspirations.
Join Diversity House on International Women’s Day for a day of activities, breaking barriers, inspiring talks and raising awareness on Wednesday the 8th of March at Diversity House, Old ISP School, Church Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3EG - between 9:00am and 3:00pm.
Register for free entry at: http://bit.ly/40dN3pJ or ask for more information at Diversity House reception.
Upchurch Matters
We're delighted to finally be hosting the friend's Spring Ball this year after it sadly had to be postponed back in 2020. We look forward to welcoming you all to The Oak Grove for what promises to be a great night of entertainment for a very worthy local cause.
Well over half the tickets have now sold. If you would like to join us, please make sure you reserve your tickets as soon as possible.
Please show your support!
Thank you
Sam Holland - The Oak Grove
Swale Foodbank Collection
Dear Upchurch,
We will be collecting your Swale Foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 1st of February, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Please bring your items in carrier bags. We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.
All donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date.
You always amaze us with your generosity - Thank you ♥️
A Cuppa and a Chat
While you are there, why not call into the church for A Cuppa and a Chat in the Lady Chapel.
We will have the kettle on from 10:00am until 12:00pm.
Followed by a prayer for our village from 12:00pm until 12:30pm. Pop in and join us or write a prayer in our prayer book and we will pray for your concerns.
A warm welcome awaits you - just call in, and we will be pleased to see you!
Co-op members get chatting on Time to Talk Day
Time to Talk Day was launched in 2014 and is a UK wide campaign run every February by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England - in partnership with the Co-op.
It is all about us being open to the idea of talking and creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
We all have mental health, and by having conversations about it, we can help ourselves and others. It's not about encouraging people to talk about a mental health problem if they don't want to.
The Co-op are raising £8m for Mind, SAMH and Inspire to bring communities together to improve mental wellbeing. Along with delivering Time to Talk Day, these vital funds are providing new services in over 50 local communities across the UK to support people’s mental wellbeing.
A cuppa and a chat at Upchurch's Co-op
Pop into Upchurch's Co-op for a free cuppa and a chat on Time to Talk Day, Thursday the 2nd of February, between 12:00pm and 2:00pm.
There may even be cake!
Sally Butcher - Member Pioneer
It will be necessary to close part of School Lane, Lower Halstow from Monday 13th February 2023, with estimated completion by 19th February 2023.
School Lane, Lower Halstow will be closed in the vicinity of Stable Mews, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is School Lane, Vicarage Lane, The Street and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while new electrical supply works 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
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
With Spring on its way, we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
www.walkinginengland.co.uk/kent has lots of walks to download and print, free. It also has books of walks, details of walking groups in the county and much more.
Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group, all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (who maintains the website) said:
“There is so much walking information on the web, but it is difficult to find. Walking in Kent (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place, so whether you are walking from home or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you.”
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!
John Harris
It will be necessary to close part of Munns Lane, Hartlip from Monday 20th February 2023, with estimated completion by 24th February 2023.
Munns Lane, Hartlip will be closed between the junctions of Lower Hartlip Road and The Street, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip Hill, Mill Lane, Munns Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while blockage repairs on duct and cabling 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
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Telephone: 01634 360626
Warm, welcoming and inclusive spaces
Village Halls Week is a national campaign, shining a spotlight on the contribution England’s 10,000+ village halls make to rural communities.
It is an opportunity for hall management committees to celebrate their work and get inspiration from others. The campaign celebrates the many ways volunteer-run rural community buildings support local residents, groups and businesses, particularly during difficult times.
ACRE's sixth annual campaign will look at how village halls can provide warm, welcoming and inclusive spaces, something which is especially important as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis.
Rural communities have come to rely on the humble village hall as a place to keep warm, access basic services and socialise without the difficulty and expense of travelling elsewhere.
Village Halls Week is an opportunity for halls to showcase what they are doing for their community and the opportunities they provide to people locally that would not otherwise exist.
Activities will include open days at local halls and an engaging social media campaign from ACRE with touching stories from users of community buildings.
Halls are encouraged to hold open days and share their stories on social media using the hashtag #VillageHallsWeek
Research conducted by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), who organises the annual campaign, found that in 60% of countryside areas, community buildings are the only place for local people to socialise.
Aside from hosting a wide range of social and recreational activities for residents, village halls also host vital services such as post offices, doctors' surgeries and convenience shops whilst supporting an estimated 50,000 people whose livelihoods depend on the use of these buildings.
Deborah Clarke, ACRE’s Village Halls Manager, said:
“If it wasn’t for village halls, many people in rural communities would find themselves isolated and cut off from basic amenities. The past three years have been difficult for everyone. But during this time, village halls have adapted and developed new ways to help residents, from the sewing of face masks during the first Covid lockdown to Warm Hubs providing a haven for people struggling to pay their energy bills, and community fundraisers for Ukrainian refugees. That’s why members of the ACRE Network will be joined by many other organisations next week in celebrating the way these volunteer-run buildings are the glue that binds rural communities together by offering warm, welcoming, and inclusive spaces”.
Upchurch Village Hall
At the centre of village life for over 60 years
At the beginning of this Village Halls Week, we would like to say a big thank you to the Village Hall Management Committee, which oversees the day-to-day running of our village hall. Also, to the booking secretary, caretaker and the many volunteers who help out throughout the year.
Committee members are volunteers who meet regularly to ensure the smooth running of the village hall for all the local groups and organisations that hire it regularly and for those who choose the venue for their private parties or a special family occasion.
Upchurch Village Hall has undergone a major refurbishment in recent years thanks to the hard work of committee members, generous donations from numerous organisations, individuals and the proceeds of fundraising events held at the village hall.
Working together, everybody involved has made our village hall look smart and fit for purpose once again, ensuring it remains at the centre of village life for many more years to come.
Thank you for everything you do 👏🏼
#VillageHallsWeek takes place from Monday the 23rd to Sunday the 29th of January 2023.
Upchurch Matters
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/9018/23
Between 22:15 and 23:30 on Friday the 13th of January, somebody cut out and stole the exhaust from a Hyundai parked in Watling 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 Players will be holding their AGM in The Crown, Upchurch at 7:00pm on Thursday the 16th of February.
If you're interested in being involved in their next Panto in any way, please come along.
Upchurch Matters
UHS has lots happening in 2023, and we have worked to ensure it's all fun, educational and sociable.
UHS meetings, talks and shows are held in the barn at the rear of 97 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch, and begin at 7:30pm. Event times are TBC. Talks and trips are for members only. Look out for show times and details nearer the date.
AGM
Wednesday 1st February
Re-election confirmation of roles. Plus short talk and Q&A
“Planning for the year ahead”
Chris S
Talk
Wednesday 1st March
“The work of Plant Heritage and the National Collections”
Talk
Wednesday 5th April
“A year at Doddington Place Gardens”
April Plant Sale in The Paddock
Saturday 22nd April
Meeting
Wednesday 3rd May
Doddington Place Gardens
Sunday 14th May / Sunday 21st May
Planning for July show
Wednesday 21st June
UHS BBQ - Details TBC
July Show
Saturday 1st July
Meeting at Upchurch Allotments
Wednesday 5th July
Meeting
Wednesday 2nd August
Farm Visit
Thursday 10th August
Details TBC
Talk
Wednesday 6th September
“How artists and garden designers lead us up the garden path”
September Show
Saturday 16th September
Trip to RHS Hyde Hall
Sunday 1st October
Planning for October Show & Demonstration
Wednesday 4th October
October Show
Saturday 14th October
Role Re-election & Talk
Wednesday 1st November
“A gardener’s response to climate change”
Christmas Social Evening at
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Friday 1st December
The Parents and Friends of Holywell School are hosting a Baby and Children’s Nearly New Sale at Upchurch Village Hall on Sunday the 5th of March, between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
There will be lots on sale, including clothes, shoes, toys, bed sheets, books, maternity items and more.
Entrance is £1 for adults and free for children.
A stall pitch costs £15, and a table and chairs are provided. If you are interested in having a stall at the event, please Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk
There will also be a donations stall run by the PFHS, where all the money goes towards the school. If you have any items that are in a good, clean condition that you wish to donate, please drop them off at the school office by Tuesday the 28th of February - Thank you.
Upchurch Matters
Please save the dates and help us reach our target to start the repair works to the Bell Tower.
Spring Photography Exhibition
Friday 21st April
Saturday 22nd April
Sunday 23rd April
Summer Craft Fair
Friday 14th July
Saturday 15th July
Sunday 16th July
Winter Art Exhibition
Friday 17th November
Saturday 18th November
Sunday 19th November
All in the church, everyone is welcome!
A JustGiving fundraising page has also been published to help towards the restoration.
Thank you
Elspeth Baecke
It will be necessary to close part of Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip from Thursday 16th February 2023 for up to 1 day between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip will be closed between the junctions with Mount Lane and Old House Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Lower Hartlip Road, Mount Lane, The Street, Hollow Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while overhead cabling 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
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Telephone: 01634 360626
Calling all Upchurch Parish Residents.
Upchurch Parish Council will once again be presenting an award to a resident who has made a difference to the village.
The Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) Community Award acknowledges and recognises a resident or group that has made a significant contribution to their local community over a period of years.
If you know of someone who has given this kind of service and merits an award, please nominate them.
The person must live or work within the Upchurch Parish Council boundary. Parish residents can make just one nomination, but all adult members of a family may submit a nomination form.
The Chairman will present the winner (chosen by Upchurch Parish Councillors) with their signed certificate at this year's Annual Parish Meeting held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday the 27th of April 2023.
Please send your completed nomination forms in a sealed envelope to:
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer
2 Alfriston Grove
Kings Hill
West Malling
ME19 4SR
The closing date for receiving nomination forms is Monday the 13th of February 2023.
The previous winners of the KALC Award in Upchurch are:
Pat New in 2017
Tracey Snellings in 2018
Ray Kemsley in 2019
No award given in 2020
Cia Merrall in 2021
John Arnold in 2022
Upchurch Matters
It will be necessary to close Wormdale Hill, Newington from Monday 16th January 2023 for up to 14 days.
The road will be closed between Wormdale Farm and the junction of Bull Lane.
The alternative route is via Bull Lane, Playstool Lane, A2 High Street, A2 Boyces Hill, A2 Keycol Hill, A2 Keystreet Roundabout, Chestnut Street, Wormdale Road and vice versa.
This is to enable carriageway repairs 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
The doors to our Warmer Place at Upchurch Village Hall will be open to everyone again on Friday the 13th of January, between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
The heating will be on 🔥The kettle will be on ☕️
The toaster will be on 🍞
There will be hot drinks, snacks and cuppa soups 🥣 🫖
And everything is free thanks to the generosity of the Village Hall Management Committee, Upchurch's Co-op and a grant from Swale Borough Councillor Richard Palmer.
Bring a friend and stay warm without worrying about the cost!
There will be a warm welcome and some great company waiting for you.
Hosted by St Mary's and Uplift.
Gill Gay
Saturday 14th January between 10:00am - 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants
Something for everyone!
Refreshments
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward28 crimes are shown on the map in November 2022 including:
2 Anti-social Behaviour
3 Criminal Damage and Arson
1 Shoplifting
17 Violence and Sexual Offences
5 Other Crime
31 crimes were shown on the map in October 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
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf CourseTelephone: 01634 360626
PFHS Quiz Night
Tom Ball Quiz Master
Plus prizes to be won in the raffle
Saturday, February 4th
7:00pm at Holywell School Hall
Tables of no more than 8
£5 per person, paid in cash on the night
You are welcome to bring along your own alcoholic drinks and snacks
To book please call the School Office: 01634 388416
Upchurch Matters
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/2165/23
Between 09:59 and 23:30 on Tuesday the 3rd of January, somebody stole a mobile phone and wallet from a bag temporarily unattended in a pub in Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip.
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
Formed in 1967 and perhaps the most talented football team ever to represent the village, Upchurch United were a highly successful squad with some outstanding players.
Playing home matches on Upchurch Recreation Ground in colours of red shirts, white shorts and red stockings, the team consisted of the local football talent in Upchurch and the surrounding area.
Keith Tress from Lower Halstow played in goal, while the defence consisted of brothers Rodney and Terry Jones from Lower Halstow and Richard Woolley from Horsham Lane in Upchurch. Aidan O’Sullivan from Chatham was a dominant and skilful midfield player assisted by Andy Long from Forge Lane in Upchurch. However, the main strength of the team lay in the powerful attacking duo of Rodney Diddams and Derek Hales, who both played for West Ham Youth on Saturdays and who scored most of the 211 goals accumulated by Upchurch that season. They were also assisted up front by Dave Whibley from Sittingbourne, Derek ‘Chud’ Wraight from The Street in Upchurch, and Steve Davies from Horsham Lane played periodically.
Centre half Rodney Jones usually organised the team assisted by adults such as Eric Woolley, and several parents assisted in transporting the players to away matches. As time passed, the Crown publican Bill Cockhill got involved, and the Crown eventually became the base for the club when they graduated to the Adult Sunday League.
The team had lots of support at home matches with Annie Bronger from Gore Bank being the most loyal and vocal. Two Upchurch based referees officiated most of the home matches. These were Kent League referee Fred Wilson and local league ref Dave Bronger from Gore Bank in Chaffes Lane.
Upchurch United Boys players Derek Hales, Rodney Diddams and Aidan O’Sullivan.
Photographed while playing for Hempstead United at Bowaters Sittingbourne in 1970-71.
The facilities on the recreation ground were basic as the players changed in a wooden hut without showers or a toilet but there was a space between the changing rooms for the team talk, and distribution of orange pieces at half time and the boiling of water for a cup of tea at the end of matches. Goal posts and nets had to be erected before matches and taken down at the end by the players.
After a poor start to the season with a 5-3 defeat to Rede Court and a 2-2 draw with Rainham Youth, the attacking duo of Derek Hales and Rodney Diddams combined to regularly destroy opposition teams. In some matches, the score ended in double figures with 26-0 being the highest. The league very soon became a two horse race between Upchurch United and Rainham Youth.
After drawing earlier in the season, the two teams met again in the League Cup in Upchurch. This time, Upchurch got revenge by defeating their neighbours 3-0. Rainham held the Upchurch Boys for a while before Upchurch opened the scoring, but they could not extend their lead before the interval as Derek Hales had his penalty saved by Rainham goalkeeper Dave Wood. In the second half, Rodney Diddams and Derek Hales added two further goals to become victorious against a Rainham team consisting of three Gillingham Youth players in Graham Knight, Dave Pullen and John Higginson.
As the season progressed, the Upchurch Boys did very well in the cup competitions, winning the League Cup, the Sittingbourne Charity Cup and the Kent Minor Cup, but they did not have it all their own way as they were runners-up to Rede Court in the Sheppey Charity Cup.
Playing the final at Sheppey United’s old ground at Botony Road, Upchurch fell a goal behind fairly early in the game, and Rede Court frustrated them by employing packed defensive tactics and having a player follow Derek Hales and tackling or fouling him whenever he got the ball. The tactic worked, but it angered the Upchurch supporters, and as the players left the pitch for half time an Upchurch supporter ran onto the pitch and attacked and flattened the Rede Court player who had successfully marked Derek Hales. Parents Eric Woolley and Dick Hales helped calm a very tense situation, the stricken Rede Court player soon recovered and the match continued without further incident. Rede Court employed the same defensive tactics in the second half and won the match 1-0.
Upchurch United also participated in the Medway Minor Cup. They trounced Rede Court 8-1 in the semi-finals before meeting Boughton in the final at Faversham Football Ground. Upchurch won the match 6-2 after Boughton had taken an early lead.
The boys met local rivals Rainham Youth in the Sittingbourne Charity Cup at Sheppey United’s ground. After an evenly matched first half, Upchurch overran Rainham Youth in the second half mainly due to an outstanding one man display by Rodney Diddams who scored a hat trick enabling Upchurch to win 5-1.
Upchurch had their greatest success in the Kent Minor Cup disposing of Sheppey Rangers 15-1, Boughton 7-2 and Bellwood 7-1. In the semi-final, they played Folkestone CYC, and in a very close match, Upchurch won 5-4. In the final, the team met Westgate, and in another exciting game, they won 5-2 to achieve their greatest success winning the Kent Minor Cup and becoming Kent champions.
Before the season ended, Upchurch had one more important match to play against Rainham Youth to decide the Medway Minor League Championship. Playing the match at Upchurch, Rainham Youth hit top form and defeated Upchurch 4-1 to win the championship with Upchurch runners-up.
Several of the Upchurch players progressed to a much higher level of football. Aidan O’Sullivan played for Dartford, Rodney Diddams played for West Ham Youth, Dartford and Faversham Town but Derek Hales reached the highest level playing for West Ham Youth, Luton, Charlton, West Ham, Derby and Gillingham. He also became the highest goal scorer in Charlton’s history.
Upchurch United Boys only played for one season at under-18 level then they were placed in the Premier Division of the Medway Sunday League in which they competed favourably without the services of Derek Hales who had a long and successful career as a professional footballer.
David Wood
About David
David was born and raised at Ham Green and still lives there today.
He writes from personal experience about Upchurch village life and the changes that have taken place over the years.
David's book, Memories of Upchurch, is a very readable and detailed historical study of the village and is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk price £12 + postage and packing.
