What has changed and why?
We want to take a moment to explain our decision to archive the main www.upchurchmatters.co.uk website after almost 21 years online.
Unfortunately, creating new posts has become increasingly pointless, as residents have likely already read the information elsewhere.
We made this decision nearly a year ago. And as the last Classified Advertisement expires today, we are now in a position to make this change.
While there are additional factors that have influenced this decision, we will keep this final post relatively brief.
We will continue to uphold our Upchurch Matters name online, including our social media accounts and this Notice Board page.
Thank you for your support
As we make this transition, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who has shared their village news and events with us over the years, as well as to our loyal advertisers for their continued support.
And, of course, a big thank you to our dedicated followers 🙏🏼
Final thoughts
In the end, the kind of local news and social media we engage with reflects what we truly deserve.
So we want to leave you with one particularly fitting saying to ponder:
“Gossip dies when it reaches the ears of a wise person”
With appreciation,
Upchurch Matters
9 out of 10 pharmacies in Kent and Medway can now offer prescription medicine for 7 common conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment.
This is called Pharmacy First.
Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
• Impetigo (aged 1 and over)
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 and over)
• Earache (aged 1 to 17)
• Sore throat (age 5 and over)
• Sinusitis (aged 12 and over)
• Urinary tract infections
• Shingles (aged 18 and over)
Mum-of-two Gemma used Pharmacy First when her 12-year-old complained of earache.
She said:
“I used Pharmacy First when my son complained of on-going earache. He was assessed by the pharmacist and prescribed ear drops. We were advised to return for prescription antibiotics if the problem did not resolve within a few days. It was a quick and brilliant service and one I would recommend.”
Pharmacists can also offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections, aches, and pains.
You may be referred to a pharmacy by your GP if you contact them for one of the above conditions or another minor illness.
You can also go to a pharmacy for these conditions, without contacting your GP.
Anna HindeCommunications and Engagement Manager
NHS Kent and Medway
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 13th of November, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kids' 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?
There is no heating in the church at the moment. Still, we have money to raise, and we will be there, though. Wrap up warm, everyone!
Come and join us.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in October.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 5th of November, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
If the lovely people of Upchurch could start adding a few Christmas treats, that would be great.
Please bring your items in carrier bags.
We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.
All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.
St Mary's and Uplift are putting together hampers and gifts for the Swale Foodbank/Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
Both have Gift Services on Sunday, the 7th of December. St Mary's at 10:00am and Uplift at 4:00pm.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
It will be necessary to close Holywell Lane, Upchurch, from Wednesday, 5th November 2025, for up to 1 day.
The road will be closed between the junctions of Breach Lane and Halstow Lane.
The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, The Street, Breach Lane, Holywell Lane and vice versa.
This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks, see: https://one.networkKent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
It will be necessary to close Poot Lane, Upchurch, from Friday, 7th November 2025, for up to 1 day.
The road will be closed at the junction with Callows Drive.
The alternative route is via Poot Lane, Wetham Green and vice versa.
This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
On Thursday, the 13th of November, Andy Sambrook, of the Upchurch running group NSD Runners, is attempting to run 170 miles to raise money for the local Mid Kent Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
It’s a charity close to his heart, as his uncle, Allan Blagden, passed away over 20 years ago from the disease. Since then, his auntie, Linda Blagden, has been volunteering to support MNDA and is now fighting her own health battles, but has continued to volunteer throughout.
So if you can, please sponsor him towards this great cause, that would be greatly appreciated!
Please visit Andy's JustGiving page to donate:
To cover the 170 miles, he’s going to be running 5 mile loops (day time) and 2 mile loops (night time) of Upchurch until the 170 miles is complete.
So if you see Andy, or any of the NSD Runners, running through the village from 13th - 15th November, please cheer them on.
There will be a tracker and a link for his progress towards the target of 170 miles that will be shared closer to the day.
Thanks all in advance!
Cheers,
Andy
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/177749/25
At around 23:01 on Sunday, the 12th of October, somebody smashed a window of a residential property 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.
Kent Community Messaging
It will be necessary to close part of Oak Lane, Upchurch, from 22:00 hours on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, with an estimated completion by 06:00 hours on 20th November 2025, or until the works are completed.
The road will be closed in the vicinity of the railway bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via Oak Lane, A2 London Road, Moor Street, Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane, The Street and vice versa.
Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while bridge examination works are undertaken by Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.
For information regarding this closure, please contact Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd on: 0345 711 4141, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
Saturday, 11th October, between 10:00am and 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
Kay Wright
Secretary - Upchurch Players
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
It will be necessary to close part of Breach Lane, Upchurch, from Thursday, 30th October 2025, with estimated completion by 8th November 2025, or until the works have been completed.
The road will be closed between the junction with Hartlip Hill and Domalee, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via A2 Hartlip Hill, London Road, Moor Street, Otterham Quay Lane (Rainham), Otterham Quay Lane (Upchurch), Horsham 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 installation works are undertaken by CityFibre.
For information regarding this closure, please contact CityFibre on: 0800 083 6160, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
We will be holding our joint harvest celebration on Sunday, October 5th, in St Mary's Church, starting at 10:15am.
All gifts of non-perishable foods (within date, please) and hygiene items will be picked up by the foodbank project on the Monday following the celebration.
Children are invited to meet our two puppets, Billy and Tilly, who will be in church to help us celebrate God's goodness.
We are a warm friendly, all age church, where everyone is welcome!
Gill Gay
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 9th of October, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kids' 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
To all our kind villagers who may not be on Facebook, please support Sarcoma research by sponsoring me 🙏🏼
I am going to do the ‘Swim 15k in October’ challenge in aid of Sarcoma UK.
Why 15k? Because every day, 15 people are diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer which affects the bones and soft tissue, about which little is known, and research so far has been limited.
As many of you know, our young granddaughter, Eva, was diagnosed with SEF (Sclerosa Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma) in 2023, which in itself is rare among the Sarcomas.
It does not respond to chemo, and so far, no treatment has been successful in stopping its spread.
If any of you kind people would consider sponsoring me to support this charity for future generations, I would be truly grateful.
Thank you
Angela Williams
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in September.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 1st of October, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Please bring your items in carrier bags.
We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.
All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
