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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
Kent County Council has launched a new online portal for reporting potholes.
Upchurch Matters
Our Christmas Concert 2025 will be on Sunday, 7th December at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch, ME9 7AL at 7:30pm.
It will be a festive mix of Christmas music and audience carols conducted by Derek Boyne and accompanied by Janet Stone.
Tickets £12 cash on the door with interval refreshments.
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If you think you’d enjoy singing with us, why not come and try?
We rehearse in St Mary’s Church from 19:45 to 21:15 most Fridays.
No auditions, but the ability to read music is helpful, but not essential.
Thank you
Liz WaltersSecretary Upchurch Choral Society
We are a well-established SATB choral society of 58 years based in Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, seeking a new Musical Director to lead weekly rehearsals and conduct three main concerts annually starting in February 2026.
Our repertoire spans classical works, folk arrangements, and seasonal music. We have around 30 members and rehearse on Friday evenings from 19:45 to 21:15.
We welcome applications from experienced conductors with strong communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to inclusive music-making.
The role is remunerated, with rates negotiable based on experience.
To apply or request further details, please email Secretary Liz Walters: kbl.walters@talk21.com by 7th November 2025.
Thank you
Liz WaltersSecretary Upchurch Choral Society
It will be necessary to close part of Breach Lane, Upchurch, from Thursday, 13th November 2025, for up to one day between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30, or until the works have been completed.
The road will be closed between the junctions with Boxted Lane and Bricklands, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via Boxted Lane, School Lane, Church Lane, A2 High Street, A2 London Road, A2 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 overhead cabling 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.
The KCC Highways Helpline number is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks, see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Alison Lewin
FOSM - Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch
Saturday, 13th September, 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
Wendy Pitts - Upchurch Women's InstituteTel: 07751 013298
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 11th of September, 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
Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward
Crime Number: 46/151722/25
Between 18:00 on Friday, the 29th of August and 09:48 on Saturday, the 30th of August, somebody stole a horse trailer from a farm in Breach 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
