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

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

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

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

Thank You, Marian Richardson from Everyone at Upchurch Surgery

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Email: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Kent Police - Register Your CCTV and Doorbell Camera

Do you have a security or doorbell camera?

Sign up to our CCTV Registry and help keep your community safe.

It’s free, secure, and quick to register.

Your camera footage could be used to support investigations, bringing criminals to justice and making your area a safer place to live.

Please note:

• We do not have access to your cameras.
• We can only view the location of registered cameras.
• We always contact the camera owner to request footage.

To register or learn more, go to: www.cctvregistrykentandessex.co.uk

Kent Police

URGENT - Can You Help Us to Save The Gabriel?

Dave Candy - Editor

Email: upchurchgabriel@gmail.com

Kate Johns 1948 - 2025

Kate Johns

Kate Johns, retired publican of The Brown Jug Pub, Upchurch, sadly passed away on Monday the 10th of  February.

Kate's funeral will take place at 11:00am on Monday the 24th of March, at Garden of England Crematorium, Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8GZ.

A celebration of Kate's life will be held afterwards at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course, Oak Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AY.

Thank you

Yasmin Pataria

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 13th of February, 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 Collection - February

Swale Foodbank Collection

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

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 5th of February, 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

Save The Date: My Shining Star - Fun Day

Margaret Stanley
My Shining Star - Children's Cancer Charity
Website: www.myshiningstar.co.uk

Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme

The Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme supports Kent pensioners in need of help with significantly rising living costs.

The scheme is available for pension-aged residents on lower incomes who are not eligible for Pension Credit or the government’s Winter Fuel Payment.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the UK government.

Please Note: You will need to provide an Email address and have online access for energy support activation. Food vouchers will not require online activation and can be issued by Email or post.

The scheme provides eligible residents with £200 towards energy, food, or both.

The scheme will close on Friday 28th February 2025, or when all funds are spent.

Kent County Council

Sittingbourne Baptist Church - Women's Conference Edition 25

Join the SBC ladies for their first ever Women's Conference Edition 25 from 9:30am until 3:30pm on Saturday the 15th of March, at Sittingbourne Baptist Church.

A time of worship, prayer and the word from honorary guest Elaine Simpson.

All women are welcome!

For FREE tickets, contact:

Telephone: 01795 420990

Email: office@sbc-church.org.uk

Website: www.sbc-church.org.uk

Link to Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/iu6YUYkyA

Sittingbourne Baptist Church

The High Street

Sittingbourne

ME10 4AQ

Julie Stride

Upchurch Parish Council - Community Awards Scheme 2025

Calling all Upchurch Parish Residents

Upchurch Parish Council will once again present an award to a resident or group that has made a significant contribution to our village community over a period of years.

If you know 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 1 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 Nina Henley at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk 

Please send your completed nomination form in a sealed envelope to:

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer

2 Alfriston Grove

Kings Hill

West Malling

ME19 4SR

Or Email it to: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk 

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

The winner will receive a certificate signed by Upchurch Parish Council Chairman Cllr Tyrone Ripley and Swale Hon. Alderman Cllr Gerry Lewin at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday the 10th of April 2025.

The closing date for receiving nomination forms is Tuesday the 28th of February 2025.

The previous winners of the (KALC) Community Award in Upchurch are:

Pat New - 2017

Tracey Snellings - 2018

Ray Kemsley - 2019

No award given - 2020

Cia Merrall - 2021

John Arnold - 2022

Gerry Lewin - 2023

Terry Lewis (posthumous) 2024

Upchurch Matters

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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

We're always grateful for the support you give the website throughout the year 🙏🏼

This year's lovely village Christmas tree and lit decorations are courtesy of Upchurch Parish Council.

The knitting group has decorated the centre of the village with skillfully knitted Christmas characters again. The added colour they bring really brightens up our winter days.

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

Thank you to everyone for all their hard work and generosity. 

To a healthy, happy and peaceful 2025 🥂

Upchurch Matters

Merry & Bright - Nursery Days Christmas Fayre

Join Nursery Days for an afternoon of festive fun with traditional games, crafts and some very special guests on Sunday the 22nd of December, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.

Everyone is welcome.

Address: Nursery Days, The Old School, The Street, Upchurch, ME9 7AJ
Telephone: 01634 376924

Email: info@nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Website: www.nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Sittingbourne Baptist Church - Afternoon Tea Presents Women's Conference Edition 25

Website: www.sbc-church.org.uk

Julie Stride

Win a Christmas Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op in aid of Barnardo's

Upchurch’s Co-op is fundraising for their chosen charity partner, Barnardo's.

Win a Christmas Hamper* 🧺 🎅🏼 🎄

Enter in-store for £1 per ticket - Please ask a colleague at the till.

The winner will be picked before Christmas.

*To be collected upon winning.

Good luck 🤞🏼

Upchurch Matters