Temporary Road Closure - Halstow Lane, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close part of Halstow Lane, Lower Halstow from Thursday 8th February 2024, with estimated completion by 12th February 2024.

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

The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, The Street, Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, Breach 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 new connection works are undertaken by Southern Water.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Southern Water on: 0330 303 0368, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Kent Association of Local Councils - Community Awards Scheme 2024

Calling all Upchurch Parish Residents.

Upchurch Parish Council will once again be presenting an award to a resident or group that 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 family members may submit a nomination form.

The nomination form below can be downloaded and printed or requested from the Clerk at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk or by telephone: 07798 600696.

Tap and hold or right-click on the nomination form above to download and print it.

The winner will receive a certificate signed by the Chairman of Kent County Council and the KALC Chairman.

The Upchurch Parish Council Chairman will present the award at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday the 11th of April 2024.

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 Wednesday the 31st of January 2024.

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

Gerry Lewin in 2023

Upchurch Matters

Temporary Road Closure - Halstow Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Halstow Lane, Upchurch from Monday 19th February 2024, for up to one day between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.

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

The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, The Street, Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, Breach 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 new connection 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

New Music Director Required for Upchurch Choral Society

Following the departure of our Music Director, Upchurch Choral Society is now without a Conductor and requires a new one as soon as possible.

We are a friendly SATB choir of about 34 members with mixed musical abilities. The choir was formed over 50 years ago and has grown from a small village choral group to the society we are today.

We would like to increase our membership and musical standards, sing a varied repertoire and develop generally.

We perform two, sometimes three concerts every year using a variety of choral music. Rehearsals are in St Mary’s church in Upchurch on Friday evenings from 7:45pm to 9:15pm.

The church has an organ and an electric piano and we have an excellent Accompanist.

If you are interested in becoming our new MD, please contact our secretary for an application form and job description to be returned by Wednesday the 31st of January 2024 to:

Mrs S E Rossiter, 114 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7BH, or Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Sue Rossiter

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Upchurch Matters.

Thanks for all the support you have given the website throughout the year.

This year's lovely village Christmas tree was again kindly donated by Bob Friend and his family.

Thank you, Bob.

Upchurch Parish Councillors have added 'SANTA STOP HERE' to the village sign so he knows where to stop and deliver all the children's presents.

The sparkling Santa's sleigh with reindeer and twinkling lights with the star on top of the Christmas tree all look lovely.

The knitting group has done another wonderful job of decorating the centre of the village with knitted Christmas characters. The added colour they bring really brightens up our winter days.

Why not go and check them out during the holidays?

The lit Nativity Scene, beautifully built by the late Frank Osborne, has also returned to the Churchyard.

Thanks to everyone for all their hard work and generosity, once again.

To more peaceful and affordable times in 2024 🥂

Upchurch Matters

The Salvation Army and Swale Foodbank - Christmas Food Hampers Appeal - Thank You

Dear Upchurch,

You very generously donated three carloads, with boots, back seats and front passenger seats, all full of gifts for this year's joint Salvation Army and Swale Foodbank - Christmas Food Hampers Appeal outside the church on Wednesday the 6th of December.

My car carried the wonderful Hampers of Hope, but we also had bags and bags of Christmas goodies, toys, gifts, knitted items and staple foods.

What a generous village Upchurch is. Esther, the Project Manager at Swale Foodbank (the lady in the red standing in their Christmas aisle), was amazed, and she sends her blessings.

She did say out of all the collections she receives, Upchurch is the most generous.

So be proud, Upchurch, your Godly kindness is noted. You have spread joy and light this Christmas.

Thanks also to Sally at Upchurch's Co-op for their collection point in store, where you kindly left your donations.

Thanks also to everyone who joined us for Carol Singing in Upchurch on Wednesday the 6th at Beckenham Park, Monday the 11th on the corner of Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane, and Monday the 18th, opposite the church by the village Christmas tree.

Over the three nights, you helped us raise a total of £156.35 towards The Salvation Army and Swale Foodbank - Christmas Food Hampers Appeal.

As well as raising money to help vulnerable people, it was really good fun.

We finished by the village Christmas tree with mulled wine and mince pies.

Thank you, and may God bless you ❤️

Enjoy your Christmas!

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Vehicle Damaged | Attempted Burglary - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/219929/23

Between 10:30am on Monday the 11th of December and 4:00pm on Wednesday the 13th of December, somebody damaged a vehicle parked in the road and let air out of the tyres in Church Lane, Newington.

Crime Number: 46/223127/23

Between 00:01 and 23:59 on Friday the 15th of December, somebody tried to break into a residential property in High Street, Newington. They left when they were disturbed by the resident. 

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

Changes to Upchurch Surgery Opening Hours over Christmas and New Year

Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham, including Upchurch Surgery.

Upchurch Surgery will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday the 25th of December 2023, and New Year's Day, Monday the 1st of January 2024. Otherwise, the usual opening hours apply.

The practice website is: www.maidstoneroadsurgeryrainham.co.uk

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Email: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Chalkwell Bus Services Timetable for Christmas and New Year

Chalkwell bus services for Christmas and New Year will operate as per the graphic.

Normal bus services will resume on Tuesday the 2nd of January 2024.

The current 326/327/328 bus 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

The Christmas Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church

On the 2nd Thursday of each month.

The Christmas Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors on Thursday the 14th of December, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.

The café serves hot and cold drinks, delicious homemade cakes and savouries, including our £1 children's snack deal (5 items and a drink), with Christmas stories and crafts to entertain them.

You will receive a warm welcome and be helping us support four Ugandan children through school.

Everybody welcome!

Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Changes to Swale Borough Council Christmas and New Year General Waste and Recycling Collection Dates

Because Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on a Monday this year, changes to normal household bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year will last longer than usual.

Check the graphic for details on your revised collection dates.

Regularly scheduled bin collections will resume in Swale on Monday the 8th of January 2024.

To check your collection dates and what goes in which bins, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s4fj66d

Upchurch Matters

Electrical Inverter Stolen - Hartlip

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/213542/23

Between 20:00 on Saturday the 2nd of December and 13:00 on Sunday the 3rd of December, somebody broke into an outbuilding at stables and stole an electrical inverter in Warren Lane, 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

St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale

Saturday 9th December 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

Leaf Blower Stolen - Hartlip | Vehicle Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/207621/23

On Wednesday the 22nd of November, between 10:30am and 12:00pm, somebody stole a leaf blower from a residential garden in The Street, Hartlip.

Crime Number: 

46/211258/23

On Tuesday the 28th of November, around 3:30pm, somebody damaged a vehicle parked on the road in Horsham 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

Changes to Chalkwell 326/327 Bus Services from 3rd January 2024

Following a review of their timetables, Chalkwell Coach Hire will be changing various bus services from Wednesday the 3rd of January 2024.

The volume of roadworks and congestion in the area has been highly problematic, with major infrastructure schemes on the A249 and ongoing disruption with gas, electricity, water, internet and other utilities closing or digging up busy roads.

The 326/327 bus service will be retimed slightly to allow for congestion and improve reliability. The 7:20am from Sittingbourne to Medway schools will depart at 7:10am. The Saturday service will also be retimed.

The operator hopes these changes will improve the overall level of reliability without inconveniencing too many passengers.

The new 326/327/328 bus timetable will be published in the next few weeks.

The current 326/327/328 bus 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

The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers | Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection | Carol Singing in Upchurch

The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers

The hamper boxes are ready!

I know that with the help of Upchurch residents, UpARA and St Mary's / Uplift churches, they will soon be full of Christmas goodies for the four struggling families that are being supported by Swale Foodbank and the Salvation Army.

They have joined together this year to try and help vulnerable people through Christmas. You may have seen the posters. They are trying to fill over 400 hampers. You are doing your bit - bless you.

Please visit: www.giftofchristmas.co.uk where you can read what's happening and join their Facebook group with more info.

Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection

As well as the hampers, with the help of Santa's little helpers, Sue and Georgina, I will be collecting all your Christmas gifts for Swale Foodbank at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday, the 6th of December, between 10:30am and 11:30am. If you could go completely Christmas, that would be fantastic.

If you are able to provide long-lasting Christmas-type food, for example:

Christmas Pudding

Christmas Cake

Tinned Ham

Christmas Treat Stockings

Tinned Cream

After Eight Mints

Christmas Twiglets and other savoury treats

Biscuits to go with Cheese

Nuts and Crisps

Squash and Drinks

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.

We are also collecting new toys, gift sets and new hats, scarves and gloves if you would like to donate a gift. These gifts need to be unwrapped.

The Salvation Army will be running a pop-up shop where families known to them will be able to come along and choose a gift for each member of their family. 

I think that's such a wonderful idea.

Can you help?

Carol Singing in Upchurch

I haven't finished yet. I'm gathering groups for carol singing on:

Wednesday the 6th of December at Beckenham Park, between 5:30pm and 6:00pm.

Monday the 11th of December on the corner of Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Monday the 18th of December, opposite the church by the village Christmas tree, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Please come and lend your voice. Or come and pop some coins in our containers.

All proceeds will go to the Swale Foodbank and The Salvation Army appeal.

God bless you - you have stood with those struggling for the whole of this year.

I have no doubt that you will stand with them through this Christmas too.

Thank you, and may God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk