Swale Foodbank Collection - May

Swale Foodbank Collection

A big thank you to everyone who came and donated food and other needed items in April.

Again, you amazed us with your generosity. We filled three big trolleys with your gifts.

Thank you for standing with those who are struggling. You are a real blessing.

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 1st of May, 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.

Thank you

May God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Temporary Road Closure - Spade Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close part of Spade Lane, Hartlip from Monday 24th June, between the hours of 09.00 and 17.00, with estimated completion by 25th June 2024.

The road will be closed in the vicinity of Right Choice MOT Centre, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via A2 London Road, South Bush Lane, Meresborough 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 replacement pole 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

D-Day 80 Upchurch - Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings

The UK and France will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on the 6th of June 1944, with a series of major commemorations and events taking place on the 5th and 6th of June 2024 to honour the brave personnel who risked their lives for freedom and peace.

Also known as D-Day, the historic operation saw the Allied Forces mount a large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France that ultimately tipped the course of the Second World War in the Allies’ favour.

Please come and join with Upchurch Village to commemorate D-Day 80 at an event organised by Upchurch Parish Council at the Recreation Ground, Oak Lane on Thursday the 6th of June.

The beacon will be lit at 9:15pm, with the Scouts providing refreshments at the Scout Hut. There will also be a food vendor. 

Further updates with details of the day will be announced, and the commemorations will follow the national guidelines for timings for the whole day.

For more information, visit:

www.d-day80beacons.co.uk

www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/d-day-80
dday80.campaign.gov.uk
www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/d-day

Upchurch Matters

News from Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham, including Upchurch Surgery

Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham, including Upchurch Surgery.

Change to Upchurch Surgery Opening Hours

For one day only, there will be a change to the usual Upchurch Surgery opening hours on Wednesday the 15th of May 2024.

The surgery will be open between 9:00am and 1:00pm instead. Therefore, there will be no usual afternoon surgery appointments available on this day.

Spring Covid Booster Vaccinations

The NHS is now inviting patients aged 75 or over to receive their spring Covid booster.

If you are housebound, a nurse will come to your home to vaccinate you. The surgery will likely have already contacted you to discuss this.

Patients are already receiving Emails about the vaccination if they are eligible. The vaccination is available until the 30th of June 2024.

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

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Email: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Upchurch Players - The Sword in the Stone Open Auditions

If you missed the Launch Night, don’t worry, you can still get information about auditions, Email: playersupchurchsecretary@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UpchurchPlayers

Website: www.upchurchplayers.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Contacting Kent Police

PC Jez Chittim

Kent Police - Swale Neighbourhood Officer

Email: Jez.Chittim@kent.police.uk

Upchurch WI - Cake Sale in The Paddock

Wendy Pitts - Upchurch Women's Institute

Tel: 07751 013298

Email: marwen.pitts@btinternet.com

Art Exhibition & Craft Fair at St Mary’s Church with Proceeds Towards the Bell Tower Restoration Project

If you would like to have a stand/stall, please contact: elspethbaecke@gmail.com

Please join us for this very worthy cause.

Meanwhile please donate whatever you can afford at the JustGiving fundraising page, which has been published to help towards the restoration. 

Visit the link to donate: www.justgiving.com/campaign/upchurchbelltower 

Charity Registration No: 606311

Thank you

Elspeth Baecke

Website: www.thesix.org.uk

Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2024

Click photographs to enlarge.

Terry Lewis is this year's very worthy winner of the Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2024 in the community of Upchurch.

Parish Council Chairman Tyrone Ripley presented Terry's award to his wife Jill at this year's Upchurch Annual Parish Meeting held in the village hall on Thursday the 11th of April 2024.

The Lewis family moved to Crosier Court, Upchurch, in 1976, and the couple were together there until Terry sadly passed away in January of this year. They have a son, Garry, and a daughter, Anita.

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.

This year is the first time the award has been presented posthumously.

Jill was joined for the presentation by grandson Owen and granddaughter-in-law Megan.

Terry's certificate reads:

This certificate is presented to

Terry Lewis

In the Community of: Upchurch

For his dedication to helping the people of Upchurch's numerous village groups and activities with enthusiasm and a smile. Terry was part of village life and will be greatly missed.

Thank you, Terry, for everything you did for our village 👏🏼

Upchurch Matters

St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale

Saturday 13th April 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

Update from Swale Borough Council Regarding Household Waste and Recycling Collections

Upchurch Parish Council has been in contact with Swale Borough Council, asking why their household waste and recycling collection service has not been adequate since the new contractor took over.

Upchurch residents are understandably frustrated and would like an update and an explanation of how Swale will remedy the situation.

Please see their response below:

“Good afternoon,

We have had an uncertain start to the contract however feeling a little more positive this week.

Suez has 4 new drivers starting Thursday and 6 crews working over this weekend to catch up with outstanding bins.

Please help us to spread the message to all the residents affected by missed collections in your ward to continue to leave their wheelie bins and/or food waste caddies out for collection.

We apologise for the inconvenience with the delay in collections. We understand how frustrating this has been. We continue to work hard daily with Suez to resolve the issues.

Kind Regards

Contracts and Resources

Swale Borough Council”

For more information about issues with the new waste contract, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/news-and-your-council/news-and-campaigns/latest-news/waste-service-issues

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council

Tel: 07798 600696

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Vehicle Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/54702/24

Between 21:00 on Wednesday the 3rd of April and 10:30 on Thursday the 4th of April, somebody damaged a vehicle parked in Drakes Close, 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

Upchurch WI - Quiz Night

Wendy Pitts - Upchurch Women's Institute

Tel: 07751 013298

Email: marwen.pitts@btinternet.com

Temporary Road Closure - Breach Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Breach Lane, Upchurch from Monday 13th May 2024, with estimated completion by 17th May 2024.

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

The alternative route is via A2 Hartlip Hill, London Road, Oak Lane, The Street, Forge Lane, Halstow Lane (Forge Lane), The Street (Forge Lane), 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 utility 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

Temporary Road Closure - Lower Rainham Road, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Lower Rainham Road, Upchurch from Monday 20th May 2024, with estimated completion by 9th June 2024.

The road will be closed in the vicinity of The Three Sisters Roundabout, 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.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while drainage works are undertaken by Marron Civil Engineering.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Marron Civil Engineering on: 0208 601 7100, 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

Upchurch Choral Society Presents Music for Springtime

Please join us for a concert of favourite anthems and songs from the shows.

Entry and programme - £12 on the door (Children free).

Refreshments will be available during the interval, kindly provided by The Friends of St Mary’s.

For more information, contact UCS Secretary Sue Rossiter.

Tel: 01634 234780 Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Sue Rossiter