Everyone welcome.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
Monday 28 August 2023
Temporary Road Closure - The Street, Lower Halstow
The Street, Lower Halstow will be closed in the vicinity of the cricket ground, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is The Street, Breach Lane, Holywell Lane, Halstow Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while new installation 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
For details of roadworks, see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Poolside Bar Music Night with Hullabaloo at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Email: bar@rivervalleygolf.co.uk
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
Sonare Choir Presents My Soul, There Is a Country at St Mary's Church, Upchurch
Sonare are a renowned London-based choral quartet bringing sophisticated and accessible choir concerts to the city and far beyond.
After the successes of three concert tours and a debut album, Sonare are poised to embark on their most ambitious project yet:
'My Soul, There Is a Country: The Best of British Choral Music'
The history and heritage of choral music stretches across the ages and from around the world; Great Britain's contribution is essential, stirring and sensational. Sonare's newest programme features unmissable favourites alongside underappreciated gems, with fascinating musical history commentary from the singers themselves.
Sonare Choir.
Whether you're a lover of classical music or you're trying it out for the first time, don’t miss out!
Book your tickets now, with a discount for advance bookings & under 35s, at: www.sonarechoir.com
And if you'd like a taste of what's on offer, click the link and take a listen to an extract from their debut album.
Upchurch Matters
From the Potting Shed - August 2023
Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd
Midsummer is rapidly approaching and the weather is warm and damp, and everything is flourishing. The internet is talking about apocalyptic hot weather on the way, but at the moment all is well in the garden. The Junkyard Mutt gets a walk each morning and evening, which allows me to watch what is going on around the farms. The local fields of wheat have largely been harvested and planted up again with either maize or sugar beet. The farming up here is intensive, and very little is allowed to go to waste, but then the soil is very good. The fields are large, and farming is definitely the biggest industry in this area.
The lawn appears to be improving but definitely needs a second high-nitrogen weed and feed. There are still a lot of weeds in it, but the wetter weather is doing a lot of good. Regular cutting with the blades high is helping it to improve, but it will need some serious attention to get it halfway to being decent. For now, I am happy with that and will take the long-term view as there are more important things to tackle in the garden.
The vegetable patch has been going well, and although everything was sown and planted later than normal this year, the crop is earlier than usual. I can only put it down to the quality of the soil and stress how important soil preparation is. The soil in the back garden has probably never been cultivated before and is a fertile clay loam. Everything has been planted in pre-dug trenches and pockets that have been refilled with a mixture of sieved soil and well-rotted compost. The Broad Beans have produced a bumper crop in excellent condition, which will store happily in the freezer for up to 6 months. That provides a good option for a “seasonal vegetable” up to the middle of January. Some vegetables will store frozen with little loss of quality, whereas others need to be eaten fresh. The first Marrow of the year has also been picked in July, and hopefully, the last will come in October. They will comfortably store in a cool, shady, dry spot for 3 months, providing another “seasonal vegetable” from July to January. The Early Potatoes are being harvested and I went for a salad potato this year called Charlotte. These will be taken fresh up until the end of October when the Maincrop will be ready for lifting and should last until February. The aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in seasonal vegetables and to propagate from seed. Everything then becomes fully sustainable from nature… I just need to put in the labour.
Broad Bean Harvest - First Marrow in July.
The Duchess is still slaving away in the cottage garden, battling to retrieve an overgrown plot of land. It is dominated by a large Sumac that has thrown up numerous suckers that require digging and breaking away from the main roots. Most of the shrubs have needed serious pruning to get them back within bounds, and the weeds are rampant. She will be waging that war for a long time to come. The back garden is a little better, but all the borders need clearance and are overrun with Day Lilies. We haven’t started on the containers, most of which are broken and rotten. It’s a question of salvaging the good stuff and discarding the rest.
There are a lot of period cottages up here in Suffolk, which is a county of villages. Ipswich and Lowestoft are the only big towns. There are a number of small market towns and hundreds of villages. As such, the villages are still a vibrant community. Stradbroke is smaller than Upchurch, but there is a Butcher, Baker, Community Centre, Library, Post Office, Sports Centre and Pool etc. Property is available, especially the cottages that need a bit of work, as most people want places that are already done up. It is also cheaper than Kent, and a modest property in the SE can get you something more substantial up here with money to spare. The pubs are still old village haunts and unchanged for decades. We recently visited the Huntingfield Arms near Laxfield and had a home-cooked cottage pie with seasonal vegetables for £9.50 and a good laugh with the Landlord. The ale in the Green Dragon in Bungay costs £3.20 per pint, and he has just put the prices up.
It's like stepping back in time, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a more rural life.
UHS is always looking for new members and tries to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Membership Secretary Tracy Wells: upchurchsociety@gmail.com
Sean Barry
Temporary Road Closure - Dane Lane, Hartlip
Dane Lane, Hartlip will be closed for the entire length, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Place Lane, Mount Lane, The Street, Munns Lane and vice versa.
Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while overhead structure 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
Saturday 19 August 2023
The Three Tuns Lower Halstow: Kentish Beer & Cider Festival 2023 - August Bank Holiday Weekend
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Additional parking can be found at the bottom of Lapwing Drive in the Brickfields car park, kindly made available by Lower Halstow Parish Council.
The Three Tuns
The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7DY
Telephone: 01795 842840
Website: www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk
Poolside Bar - Curry Thursdays! at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
An Invitation to The Friends of St Mary Upchurch - History Talk and AGM
St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.
The Friends of St Mary Upchurch (FOSM)
FOSM is a registered secular charity that was formed to financially support the maintenance and repair of the historically listed church in the centre of our parish.
In this matter, the friends are currently supporting the Bell Tower Restoration Project by making grants to the church towards that project. Since being formed in 2011, FOSM has made grants to the church and will continue to do so in the future.
If you would like to become a friend, I.E. a member, and support this charity, please contact Roger Pocock on: 01634 233521. Life or yearly memberships are available. Would current friends with yearly membership note that subscriptions are now due.
History Talk and AGM
Last year's talk was given by Revd. Chris Shipley and covered the meaning and content of the Te Deum window above the altar and mentioned St. Spiridon, who appears in it.
This year’s talk will be specifically about St. Spiridon, who also appears in a wall painting, dated from the 13th century above the south aisle of the church.
The talk will again be given by Revd. Chris Shipley on Thursday, October 19th, from 7:00pm in the church - all are welcome, and there is no charge.
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Chairman of FOSM
Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789
Email: lewing135@btinternet.com
Wednesday 16 August 2023
Upchurch’s Co-op is Going BIG for Barnardo's - Win a Mario or Sweetie Cake
To celebrate International Youth Day, please help Upchurch’s Co-op Go BIG for Barnardo's, their chosen charity partner.
Win a Mario cake
Enter in-store for £1 per raffle strip - Please ask a staff member at the till.
The winner will be picked by Thursday the 24th of August.
Cake to be collected upon winning.
Win a Sweetie Cake
Children's drawing competition.
Draw your hero on one of the paper sheets available in-store.
It could be a famous superhero, or you can make up a new hero yourself!
Write your name and number on the back, and I will display your drawings in the front window and choose someone to pick the winner.
Enter in-store for 50p - Please ask a staff member at the till.
Cake to be collected upon winning.
Good luck 🤞🏼
Thank you
Sally Butcher - Member Pioneer
Tuesday 15 August 2023
Vehicle Damaged - Upchurch
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/144702/23
On Friday the 11th of August, around 16:00, somebody damaged a Renault Kangoo 655 while it was travelling along London Road, 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
For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk
Kent Community Messaging
Saturday 12 August 2023
Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward - June 2023
42 crimes are shown on the map in June 2023 including:
7 Anti-social Behaviour
5 Burglary
8 Criminal Damage and Arson
3 Other Theft
4 Public Order
1 Vehicle Crime
13 Violence and Sexual Offences
1 Other Crime
13 Violence and Sexual Offences
1 Other Crime
46 crimes were shown on the map in May 2023.
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
Temporary Road Closure - Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow
Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow, will be closed in the vicinity of Little Barksore Farm, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is The Street (Sheerness Road), Breach Lane, A2 Hartlip Hill, London Road, Boyces Hill, Keycol Hill, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Stickfast Lane, Iwade Road (School Lane), Basser Hill and vice versa.
Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while main laying 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
Wednesday 9 August 2023
St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale
Saturday 12th August 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
Tuesday 8 August 2023
Changes to Chalkwell 326/327/328 Bus Services from 29th August 2023
A key reason is changes to school finishing times, both in Sittingbourne and Medway, which have been particularly challenging, whereby one bus can serve multiple schools, which change their finishing times independently of each other.
This September, Chatham Grammar is finishing later than previously, whereas Rainham Mark Grammar is finishing earlier. Operator Chalkwell Coach Hire has tried to achieve a reasonable compromise, given the varying school finishing times.
The Saturday 326/327 service will be reduced, but buses will be timed to enable better connections with the 334 service between Sittingbourne and Sheerness.
The new timetable can be found at >> https://chalkwell.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/326-8-chalkwell-timetable-wef290823-web.pdf
For further information on bus times, Call: 01795 423982 or Email: coachhire@chalkwell.co.uk
For travel information on routes, times, tickets and fares, visit: www.chalkwell.co.uk/bus-services
Upchurch Matters
RESCHEDULED: Temporary Road Closure - Lower Rainham Road, Upchurch
Lower Rainham Road, Upchurch, will be closed between Otterham Quay Lane and the Medway boundary to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, A2 High Street, B2004 Station Road, Lower Rainham Road and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce, while duct 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
Monday 7 August 2023
New Homes in The Paddock for Birds, Bugs and Bats
Upchurch Parish Council installed the trim trail balance equipment the children requested in December 2022, funded by a collective grant from Queenborough Fishery Trust and Swale Borough Council.
And more recently, bat boxes were hung high from the large trees around the perimeter of the Paddock, adding to the bird boxes and bug hotels that have already been fitted in the wooded area.
The new boxes will hopefully encourage children to use this area to play and explore more, which will be educational.
Thanks to Phil Newbery for building the boxes for the parish council and to Les Oxley for climbing high to fit the bat boxes.
We are fortunate to have the Paddock as a lovely green space in the heart of our village, so why not take the children to go and explore there during the school summer holiday?
Please supervise them while they play safely and ask them not to disturb the birds, the bugs and the bats - Thank you.
Upchurch Matters
Saturday 5 August 2023
Changes to Chalkwell 326/327 Bus Services: 6th - 11th August 2023
The A2 Keycol Hill, Bobbing, will be closed from Sunday the 6th to Thursday the 10th of August while UK Power Networks and Southern Water carry out new connection works.
This temporary road closure will cause considerable disruption to the 326/327 bus services.
All 326/327 buses will operate from Sittingbourne to Key Street, then via the A249 and M2 to TESCO at Rainham Mark, where they will resume their usual route to Medway Hospital and Chatham, Waterfront Bus Station.
The reverse will apply to journeys towards Sittingbourne.
In order for residents of Upchurch, Lower Halstow and Newington to receive a basic level of service, a minibus will operate at the following times and use the diversion route:
Ottherham Quay - 09:24
Upchurch Church - 09:30
Lower Halstow - 09:36
Newington - 09:45
Sittingbourne Bus Hub - 09:56
Sittingbourne Bus Hub - 12:30
Newington - 12:41
Lower Halstow - 12:50
Upchurch Church - 12:57
Otterham Quay - 13:03
For further information on bus times, Call: 01795 423982 or Email: coachhire@chalkwell.co.uk
For travel information on routes, times, tickets and fares, visit: www.chalkwell.co.uk/bus-services
Upchurch Matters
Works Bulletin A2 Keycol Hill, Bobbing 6th - 10th August 2023
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Wednesday 2 August 2023
Upchurch Poppy Appeal - 2023
Remembrance Sunday will be on the 12th of November this year, with the Poppy Appeal taking place in the preceding two weeks.
This annual act is a National opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. We will remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.
The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity which provides support from day one of service and continues through life, long after service is over. From providing expert advice and guidance to recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life. It’s not just the members of the Armed Forces, but their families too.
This year's Appeal will see the introduction of an all paper poppy, which will eventually replace the current poppy.
I am beginning the planning for the Upchurch Appeal, which this year is from Saturday the 29th of October to Saturday the 11th of November, by forming a team of the house-to-house collectors allocated to specific areas so that the whole Parish is contacted.
I know at this stage that I shall require volunteers for Butchers Green, Drakes Close, Eastwood Meadow, Forge Lane, Kent Terrace, and Pear Tree Grove - if you would be willing to give up to two hours of your time on one day during the appeal, to collect in one or more of these areas, please contact me. For new collectors, I will provide all the support and assistance you need leaving you only the task of seeking donations in your allocated areas.
If you have any special orders for Poppy Appeal items, please contact me.
Also, I would welcome help with organising the Upchurch Appeal with a view “to learning the ropes” and taking over in 2024. This will be my last year as organiser of the Upchurch Appeal, which I have been associated with for 30 years.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Appeal Organiser
Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789
Email: lewing135@btinternet.com
Tuesday 1 August 2023
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