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The Remembrance Sunday service was led by Archdeacon the Venerable Andrew Sewell and took place in the Church of St Mary the Virgin on November 10th.
The Upchurch uniformed youth organisations paraded from Drakes Hut and formed a guard of honour along the entrance to the south door of the church.
At the service, a very full church remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and subsequent conflicts for this Nation.
Many of those present wore their service medals or the service medals of their parents or grandparents. Eight wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were on behalf of the church, the Mayor of Swale, The Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association, Ferques (our twin village in France*), Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and the Upchurch Brownies.
The names of all those on the Upchurch memorial tablets in the Lady Chapel who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were then read out in the order recorded. At 11:00 hours, the bugler played the Last Post, and the two minutes silence was observed, followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
At the end of the service, the choir led the congregation to the middle burial ground. Wooden Remembrance crosses were laid at each of the five War Grave Commission graves by present or past members of the Armed or Civilian services.
Once the crosses were laid, all those present stood in silent Remembrance on what was a dull morning only brightened by the autumnal foliage. The Archdeacon concluded with prayers.
During Remberancetide it was pleasing to see the village showing poppies on lamp posts, knitted poppies on the church railings and elsewhere. In the cemetery, two tall crosses had been placed, guarded by two silhouettes of “Tommys”.
My Royal British Legion thanks to those responsible for these displays.
*Upchurch Parish Council sends a wreath to Ferques for laying on Armistice Day when the French remember their war dead.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin
The annual Service of Remembrance begins at 10:15am on Sunday the 10th of November, in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.
The young people of the uniformed sections and their leaders will make their parade from the Scout HQ on the Recreation Ground in Oak Lane to the church.
Leaving around 9:45am, they will march (accompanied by marshals) along Oak Lane and return after the service. Please be patient during this time.
If you need to drive through the village centre during their parades, please use Church Farm Road and Chaffes Lane instead. Thank you.
Wreaths will be laid at the internal war memorial in the Lady Chapel, and after the service, crosses will be laid at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves in the churchyard.
Upchurch Parish Council will send a wreath on behalf of all Upchurch residents to our twinned village of Ferques in France for laying at their service.
All are welcome to come and join us as we remember those from our village who died during times of war.
Sue Rossiter and Upchurch Matters
PC Jez Chittim.
Swale Neighbourhood Officer PC Jez Chittim is holding a police surgery at Holywell School, Forge Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7AE so residents can raise concerns about local policing issues they may have.
PC Chittim will be in the school reception on Saturday the 19th of October between 3:00pm and 5:00pm.
The surgery is for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch residents, and it is an opportunity to find out what is being done to tackle the issues that matter to you.
If you are travelling by car, please park in the staff car park at the front of the school, and PC Chittim will let you in the gate.
Is it an emergency? If so, please call: 999 now
Upchurch Matters
Upchurch Parish Council is thrilled to announce that it has secured grants from The National Lottery Community Fund and Swale Borough Council Prosperity Fund to install an exciting new piece of play equipment at The Paddock, designed specifically for children aged 5-12 years old (Key Stage 2).
The grants, which marks significant investment in the local community, will enable the council to expand The Paddock's play area with an engaging and adventurous play structure tailored to the needs of slightly older children. This new equipment aims to offer a fun, active, and inclusive space for children to play, explore, and develop essential physical and social skills.
Vice Chair of Upchurch Parish Council, Pam Denny, expressed their gratitude for the funding, saying:
"We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund and Swale Borough Council for their generous support. The addition of this new equipment will provide a much-needed resource for older children in our community, offering them a place to challenge themselves, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors."
The Paddock, already a popular destination for families, is set to become even more inclusive with the new addition, offering something for all age groups in the village. The design for the new equipment will be discussed at the next meeting of Upchurch Parish Council on Thursday 3rd October at 19:30 at Upchurch Village Hall, all members of the public are welcome. We hope to have the new equipment installed late 2024 / early 2025.
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
Upchurch Parish Council would like to remind all residents that the public waste bins placed throughout the village are intended for general public use and not for the disposal of household rubbish.
We have noticed an increase in household waste being placed in these bins, leading to overflowing containers and unnecessary strain on the waste management services.
These bins are provided to help keep public spaces clean and tidy, ensuring that litter from passers-by and small waste items are disposed of properly. However, they are not designed to accommodate large quantities of household rubbish.
Overuse and Overflowing Bins
When household waste is disposed of in public bins, it fills them up quickly, leaving no space for general litter. This leads to overflowing bins and litter scattered around the village, which not only looks unsightly but also poses health and environmental risks.
Collection and Capacity Issues
Public bins are collected on a regular schedule, and when they are filled with excessive rubbish, it can cause delays or require additional resources to manage the overflow.
Proper Disposal of Household Waste
All residents have their own designated household waste collection services, including bins for general waste, recycling, and other disposal needs. These are the appropriate facilities for household rubbish.
We kindly ask all residents to be mindful of the purpose of the public waste bins and to use them responsibly. Please refrain from disposing of household waste in these bins and ensure that all rubbish is placed in your own household waste containers for collection.
Upchurch Parish Council is committed to maintaining a clean, pleasant environment for all who live in and visit our village.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated, and together, we can ensure that our public spaces remain clean and welcoming.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
PC Jez Chittim.
Swale Neighbourhood Officer PC Jez Chittim is holding a police surgery at Holywell School, Forge Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7AE so residents can raise concerns about local policing issues they may have.
PC Chittim will be in the school reception on Saturday the 21st of September between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
The surgery is for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch residents, and it is an opportunity to find out what is being done to tackle the issues that matter to you.
If you are travelling by car, please park in the staff car park at the front of the school, and PC Chittim will let you in the gate.
Is it an emergency? If so, please call: 999 now
Upchurch Matters
Projects in Swale can receive funding from their local councillor to help them make a difference in their community.
Swale Borough Council has reopened the member grant scheme with £47,000 being available to support small-scale, local community projects.
Swale’s 47 councillors have £1,000 each available to fund projects that provide benefits in areas such as culture, sport, recreation, health, environment, community safety, crime reduction and education.
Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“The people who really understand what their area needs are those who live there, and member grants enable us to help these local people’s work to improve their community.
“We put aside this money every year so we can support as many important local community projects that we can.
“A small amount of money can make a huge difference for community groups and projects, so we want to make sure we’re doing what we can to support them.”
Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee, said:
“You can apply for anything that will provide benefit to your community in areas such as culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety, no matter how small it may seem.
“We as councillors are looking forward to hearing from, and offering support to, the people and organisations who are working incredibly hard to make Swale a better place.”
Last year over 200 grants were made to local groups to support projects, including:
• Iwade Parish Council receiving £1,100 to purchase a defibrillator for the village.
• Child’s Vision Charity receiving £150 to purchase storage boxes for their clothes bank.
• Children and Families charity receiving £2,250 to support their food bank and to run slow cooker cooking courses.
The application process simply needs the person or group to discuss the project with their local councillor to get their support.
They will then complete the relevant form and submit the application for approval to the council.
Interested parties can apply to one or more councillors for funding and could have all, or part, of their project funded.
Swale Borough Council
Our bingo sessions are held in the back room of The Crown, Upchurch.
The next session is on Tuesday the 16th of July.
We open at 7:30pm with eyes down at 8:00pm.
Entry is £1.
To play costs £3 to £6 per set of books, for 12 games.
We are a non-profit group and all book sales are distributed as prizes.
Why not join us for an evening of fun?
Sylvia Roberts
PC Jez Chittim.
Swale Neighbourhood Officer PC Jez Chittim is holding a police surgery at Holywell School, Forge Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7AE so residents can raise concerns about local policing issues they may have.
PC Chittim will be in the school reception on Sunday the 14th of July between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
The surgery is for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch residents, and it is an opportunity to find out what is being done to tackle the issues that matter to you.
If you are travelling by car, please park in the staff car park at the front of the school, and PC Chittim will let you in the gate.
Is it an emergency? If so, please call: 999 now
Upchurch Matters
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 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.
A reading of the proclamation will take place at 8:00am, and the beacon will be lit at 9:15pm, in line with the national commemorations.
There will be a food vendor, a licenced bar, an ice cream van and light refreshments in the Scout Hut provided by the Scouts. All are available from 7:30pm.
Please bring your own seating and blankets.
And visit:
NHS Constitution: 10 Year Review
The NHS Constitution sets out the principles, values, rights and pledges underpinning what our health service is about; free care when you need it, accessible to all.
Now, the NHS needs your input to help redefine and strengthen these fundamental principles for the years ahead.
Ready to Make a Difference?
You can share your feedback and suggestions online by completing the survey at: https://tinyurl.com/4myw6yde
The survey is easy and accessible and is open to everyone. The consultation period closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday the 25th of June 2024.
Communication and Engagement Team
NHS Kent and Medway
Do you use the Patient Transport Service?
If the answer is yes, NHS Kent & Medway would like to hear from you!
The Non-emergency patient transport service is a planned transport service provided by the NHS to help take patients with a medical need for transport to and from hospitals and medical centres that provide NHS healthcare.
The current service is reaching the end of its contract and NHS Kent & Medway need as many views as possible to help shape and design a new service for the next provider.
Tell them what your experience of the service has been, what your views are of the service and how you feel that patient transport can be improved in Kent & Medway.
The survey closes on the 29th of April 2024.
They would also like you to join their Patients Panel. The panel will help commissioners to understand the service from a user’s point of view and to support the project team in choosing a new provider.
If you are interested in coming on this journey, please leave your details on the survey or alternatively contact Aby at: kmicb.engage@nhs.net
Upchurch Matters
This year's Annual Parish meeting is on Thursday the 11th of April 2024, 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 9th of April 2024.
We hope you can all attend and look forward to seeing you in April.
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
Nursery Days Spring Fayre
Saturday the 20th of April
From 10:00am until 12:00pm
Come along and join the fun
At The Old School, The Street, Upchurch, ME9 7AJ
Telephone: 01634 376924
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 10th April 2024 at 7:00pm in the Main Hall
The Village Hall Management Committee is a group of volunteers who 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
As part of the Safer Streets Project for Folkestone and Swale, online bystander training has been organised to help equip residents with the skills to intervene and prevent harmful situations.
If you would like to join one of the free interactive online coaching sessions, please scan the Eventbrite QR code links in the poster to register.
Funding for the campaign came after Swale, through the Community Safety Partnership, worked with the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner to successfully bid for the additional resources.
Upchurch Matters
The local Appeal, organised in Upchurch during Remembrancetide 2023, raised over £3,145 in donations to The Royal British Legion.
As I indicated last year, the 2023 Upchurch Appeal would be the last Appeal that I would organise. This after being associated with the Appeal for 30 years after taking over from Mrs Vera Kew.
I am pleased to let you know that The Upchurch Poppy Appeal will, in future, be organised by Colin Sutcliffe, who, for the last four Appeals, has been a house-to-house collector in Crosier Court.
For me, it has been an honour to give 30 years of service to The Royal British Legion, during which time the Upchurch Appeals have raised in excess of £64,000.
In 1988, I became one of the first civilians to become a Member of the Legion.
My personal and RBL thanks go to past and present house-to-house collectors who also gave service to the Legion and equally to residents, organisations, schools and businesses who have donated so generously.
“LEST WE FORGET”
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin
Scout Group Chairman Jeremy Jobson MBE, joined by
Kent Trade Frames' Robert Sketchley with members and leaders of
the Upchurch Scout Group sections.
Young people from the Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, with their leaders and Chairman, have all thanked Kent Trade Frames for generously donating and installing smart new doors at their Scout HQ on the Recreation Ground.
They made cards, wrote messages of thanks and presented the popular local business with a hamper, all to show their gratitude.
To find out more about Scouting in Upchurch, contact GSL Julia Richardson.
For quality replacement windows, doors and conservatories with no sales representatives or pressure selling, supplied and installed by a local family-run business, contact Kent Trade Frames.
Upchurch Matters
Terry Lewis
Terry Lewis of Crosier Court passed away on Friday the 12th of January 2024.
Terry was a much loved husband, father, grandad, great grandad, brother, uncle and a good friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Our family moved to Upchurch in 1976, and Terry began helping with the football at Holywell School and with the fundraising for their new swimming pool. There were no checks in those days. You just joined in. The school pool later became the Pioneer and Challenger classrooms.
After Terry retired from working abroad, he helped run the Farmers Market at the Village Hall and played a large part on the committee that successfully returned the Village Fete back to the Paddock in Upchurch in 2014.
Terry enjoyed attending the many quizzes, dances and fundraisers organised by the various village organisations I have been involved with over the years.
As one of the knitting group husbands, Terry helped us decorate the centre of the village, many times with knitted characters at Christmas, Easter, Jubilees and with poppies, Tommy silhouettes, and a military arch specially built for Remembrance Sunday.
When I lost my regular cleaning partner at St Mary's Church, Terry started helping me and proved to be the better cleaner.
He was also a regular helper at the Scout's monthly Paper Drive and joked that his children had left over 30 years ago!
Terry loved village life and the people of Upchurch.
A positive service and appreciation of Terry's life will be held inside St Mary’s Church on Friday the 9th of February, at 10:30am, followed by his committal in the Burial Ground.
Car parking is available at Upchurch Village Hall.
A reception will be held afterwards upstairs at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course from around 12:00pm.
All who knew and loved Terry are welcome to attend.
We ask for family flowers only, please.
Donations (made in the box) will given to the Macmillan Nurses.
Thank you
Jill Lewis
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