Upchurch Parish Council - Community Awards Scheme Winners 2025

Click the certificates to enlarge.

Congratulations to Gill Gay and Elspeth Baecke, this year’s very worthy winners of the Upchurch Parish Council - Community Awards Scheme 2025.

In a break from tradition, Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin presented awards to both Gill and Elspeth at this year’s Upchurch Annual Parish Meeting held in the village hall on Thursday, the 10th of April 2025.

Gills’s certificate reads:

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
UPCHURCH COMMUNITY AWARD

In recognition of the unwavering dedication to the Upchurch Food Bank, providing vital support to those in need with generosity, selflessly and consistently, in all weather conditions.

Elspeth’s certificate reads:

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
UPCHURCH COMMUNITY AWARD

The Upchurch Community Award is presented in recognition of your outstanding contribution and unwavering dedication to the community, particularly through your efforts in the Church Tower Restoration.

Thank you, Gill and Elspeth, for everything you do for our village and your support for those in need in the borough of Swale 👏🏼

In addition to their certificates, the ladies also received vouchers for Special High Tea for 2, generously donated by The BarnYard in Oak Lane, Upchurch.

You can view their restaurant menus at: www.the-barnyard.com/the-restaurant-menus

The previous winners of the Kent Association of Local Councils - Community Awards Scheme 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
Terry Lewis (posthumous) in 2024

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Village Hall - AGM

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 14th May 2025, at 7:00pm in the Back Hall

The Village Hall Management Committee is a group of volunteers that run the hall on behalf of the community.

It is made up of representatives from the regular users of the hall along with village reps.

The groups currently with an opportunity to nominate 2 reps each are the Parish Council, PCC, WI, Players, Bowls and UpARA.

At present, not all of these groups are part of the Hall Committee, and we hope to see this change at the AGM because we want all regular users to have a say in how the hall is run and to help shape its future.

The AGM is open to all as an opportunity for residents to find out what's been happening in the hall, what plans are being made, and to ask any questions.

Thank you

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Website: www.upvh.co.uk

Upchurch VE Day 80 Celebrations

VE Day Now and Then

Thursday, the 8th of May 2025, marks 80 years since VE Day when the Second World War ended in Europe.

The long-anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations across the country, and a national holiday was declared when people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.

However, the war in the East did not end until the 15th of August, 1945, when Japan finally surrendered. The day was celebrated worldwide as Victory over Japan (VJ Day). 

To mark this important anniversary, families and communities are coming together to unite and celebrate 80 years of peace since the Second World War ended in Europe to remember the enormous sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad and to celebrate as people did 80 years ago, the arrival of peace in Europe.

Beacon Lighting

Upchurch Parish Council invites all residents to the Recreation Ground, Oak Lane, for a beacon lighting event to commemorate the VE Day 80th Anniversary on Thursday, the 8th of May, from 7:00pm.

The beacon will be lit at 9:30pm.

There will be refreshments and music. Please bring your own seating and blankets.

VE Day 80 is a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today and a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.

For further information Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

And visit: https://ve80.com

Upchurch Matters

Movie Qwhizz in aid of Whizz Kidz at Upchurch Village Hall

Kay Wright - Chairman

Boom Hush Theatre Productions

Email: boomhushtheatreproductions@gmail.com

St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale

Saturday, 12th 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

Upchurch Choral Society Presents 80 Years On - Music to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe

Information: Contact Upchurch Choral Society Secretary Liz Walters.

Email: kbl.walters@talk21.com

Telephone: 01634 361897

Poolside Bar & Courtyard - Anniversary Party Night with Marylebone Jelly at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Email: bar@rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Poolside Bar Opening Times - April 2025 at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Email: bar@rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Window Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/50733/25

Between 18:00 on Sunday, the 23rd of March and 12:00 on Monday, the 24th of March, somebody damaged the window of a residential property in Poot 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

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church

On the 2nd Thursday of each month.

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 10th of April, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.

As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.

We will have our fantastic kid's snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?

There will be crafts, a story for the children and a warm welcome for everyone.  

This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?

Come and join us.

Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Swale Foodbank Easter Collection - April

Swale Foodbank Easter Collection

Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in March.

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 2nd of April, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

🥚 🌼 🐇 With Easter approaching, it would be lovely to deliver some children's Easter

                  goodies to the foodbank too.

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

April 2025 Edition of The Gabriel - Upchurch Village Magazine

The Gabriel team has gained access to their printing and collating machines and are cautiously optimistic that normal production and door-to-door deliveries can resume with effect from the May issue.

Editor Dave Candy would like this month's parish magazine to reach the residents, and we are pleased to help by making it available to read online.

Could you volunteer to help produce The Gabriel?

Please read the April edition online to find out how you can help the team.

Visit the link to read the magazine in PDF format: www.upchurchmatters.co.uk/Gabriel-April-2025.pdf

Email: upchurchgabriel@gmail.com

Upchurch Matters

Window Smashed - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/48888/25

On Saturday, the 22nd of March, around 14:55, somebody smashed the window of a residential property in Oak 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

Wilf Busbridge 1938 - 2025

Wilf Busbridge

Wilf sadly passed away on Monday the 10th of March, aged 86. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Marian, son Simon, daughter Kerry, and all his family and friends.

Born in Lower Halstow in 1938, Wilf moved to Drakes Close in Upchurch as a young child, where his sister still lives today.

Wilf's funeral will take place at 1:00pm on Wednesday the 23rd of April, at Garden of England Crematorium, Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8GZ.

Please visit Wilf's obituary: www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/132429

Thank you

Kerry Geer

Vehicle Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/48173/25

Between 8:00pm on Sunday the 16th of March and 7:52am on Monday the 17th of March, somebody stole a black Vauxhall Insignia, YO17***, from a driveway in Halstow 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

Upchurch Choral Society - Come and Sing Day

For more information, please contact Upchurch Choral Society Secretary Liz Walters.

Email: kbl.walters@talk21.com

Telephone: 01634 361897

Upchurch Parish Council - Schedule of Meetings in 2025

This is to inform you of the schedule of meetings for Upchurch Parish Council in 2025.

The next Full Council Meeting is Thursday, 3rd April 2025, at 19:30 at Upchurch Village Hall.

The Annual Parish Meeting - a public meeting that provides a platform for local groups and residents to come together to discuss community matters is Thursday, 10th April 2025, at 19:30 at Upchurch Village Hall. 

The May Full Council meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Council, is on Thursday, 1st May 2025, at 19:30. Due to the local elections taking place on this day at Upchurch Village Hall, this meeting will take place at Holywell Primary School, Forge Lane, Upchurch.

The schedule of meetings from June onwards will be agreed at the Annual Meeting in May.

Upchurch Parish Council meets on the first Thursday of each month at Upchurch Village Hall at 19:30.

Thank you

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council

Tel: 07798 600696

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch Annual Parish Meeting

This year's Annual Parish meeting is on Thursday, the 10th of April 2025, at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn about local groups and activities in the Village.

If you would like to speak or read out a report, please contact the Clerk.

If you are unable to attend but would like a report read out on your behalf, please send it to the Clerk no later than the 8th of April 2025.

The parish council will once again present a community award to a resident or group that has made a significant contribution to our village community over a period of years.

We hope you can all attend and look forward to seeing you.

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council

Tel: 07798 600696

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch WI - Quiz Night

Wendy Pitts - Upchurch Women's Institute

Tel: 07751 013298

Email: marwen.pitts@btinternet.com

Urgent Road Closure - Oak Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Oak Lane, Upchurch from Monday 17th March 2025, for up to 3 days.

The road will be closed between the junctions of A2 London Road and the Golf Course.

The alternative route is via Oak Lane, The Street, Forge Lane, Halstow Lane, The Street, Breach Lane, A2 Hartlip Hill, A2 London Road and vice versa.

This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.

The KCC Highways Helpline number is: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste