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The Christmas Market at Upchurch Village Hall was very well supported and enjoyed by all last year.
The market was a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund with refreshments provided by Upchurch WI, and it raised a fantastic amount of £602 on the day!
The village children were very excited to meet Santa in his sleigh with giant reindeer, and the good news is that he will be returning this year to see if they have all been good again, courtesy of Upchurch Parish Council.
Thank you
Upchurch Matters
Swale Borough Council has launched the Community Infrastructure Grant (CIG) scheme to support projects to improve the viability and encourage the use of important community assets.
Grants of between £1,000 and £7,000 are available to cover up to 75% of the capital cost of projects that improve community infrastructure across the borough.
The CIG scheme will provide funding to projects supporting specific themes, and the type of projects that could be eligible for a grant include:
• Warm and sustainable - insulation, green power, LED lighting.
• Fit for purpose - alterations, improvements, and new facilities.
• Digitally connected - fast broadband and Wi-Fi.
• Welcome and work - café development, creating or improving meeting and workspace.
• Mobility - EV charging points, bike storage.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said:
“The Community Infrastructure Grant scheme has been set up to support a range of projects that benefit the community.
“This could be things like increasing the use of community buildings, through things like enabling improved or expanded activities or services.
“We’ll also support projects that can help improve the environmental and financial sustainability of community facilities through carbon reduction measures, or encourage walking, cycling or use of electric vehicles.”
Successful projects should be able to be completed by the 31st March 2024 and applicants will need to set out what outcomes are expected from the investment. This could be increased visitor numbers to a facility, a new service being delivered because of the investment, or a reduction in carbon footprint.
For any organisation considering investing in reducing their Carbon footprint and increasing energy efficiency, a bespoke advisory service is also available, free of charge.
Contact prosperityfund@swale.gov.uk for more information.
The CIG is funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The greater part of the funding available will be used in rural areas, but some funding remains available to the whole borough.
Applications for the CIG scheme are open now with a closing date of 21st August 2023. However, given the total fund is limited, if the fund becomes over-subscribed, applications may have to close early.
To find out more about the criteria for the CIG, and to apply for a grant, visit www.swale.gov.uk/cig
Swale Borough Council
Projects could get help with funding from their local councillor to help make a difference in their community.
Each of Swale’s 47 councillors has £1,000 available to support small-scale, local community projects through the council’s member grants scheme.
Community groups can bid for funding for projects that provide benefits in areas such as culture, sport, recreation, health, environment, and community safety.
Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“The people who really know what their area needs are those who live there, and member grants are part of our work to help local people work to improve their community.
“To neighbourhood projects, even a small amount of money can make a huge difference, so we want to make sure we’re doing what we can to support them.
“It’s a simple process - you just need to discuss the project with your local councillor to get their support and fill in the application form.”
Previous schemes that received funding from the member grants scheme include:
• Contribution towards redecorating Leysdown Village Hall.
• Funding for technology for projects at Old Forge Wartime House.
• Replacement lockers at Faversham Pools.
Swale Borough Council
WE'RE HIRING!
PART TIME MAINTENANCE PERSON
Maintenance person required to start as soon as possible, on a part time basis, to work at The BarnYard, Upchurch, helping to keep the venue in a tip top condition.
Varied duties to include DIY jobs such as repairs / upgrades / painting / DIY / rubbish clearing / tidying etc.
Good hourly rate for the right person.
The BarnYard
A very warm welcome awaits you at the Rainbow Café in St Mary's Church, Upchurch, when the doors hopefully reopen on Thursday the 14th of September 2023 - times TBA.
The café will again serve homemade, delicious cakes, savouries and drinks, with a great snack deal for the children.
The team hopes to use part of the café's income to fund the school fees for five children in Uganda again.
Enjoy the refreshments, and chat while the children play.
All ages welcome.
The rainbow team can't wait to welcome you all back!
Upchurch Matters
PC Jez Chittim.
I would like to introduce myself as the new Kent Police neighbourhood beat officer for Hartlip, Newington, Upchurch, Bobbing, Iwade, Lower Halstow and Kemsley wards.
I have worked for Kent Police for 17 years, mostly within neighbourhood policing and really enjoy this type of work. I will be on foot patrol throughout the area and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
If you see me please come and say hello and let me know of anything I can assist with.
Also please share the MCV link with any neighbours and friends so their local beat officer can also communicate with them. It is only with your support and engagement feedback that we can help to address what matters to you most in your communities.
Thank you for your support.
PC Jez Chittim
Kent Police - Swale Neighbourhood Officer
Is it an emergency? If so, please Call: 999 now.
Thank you, everyone, for your generous support for the foodbank.
You are amazing!
It is heartwarming to see how you turn up each month with your gifts of love.
Thank you, and God bless you ❤️
I will be collecting your donations for Swale Foodbank again next month at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday the 5th of July, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Congratulations to the Parents & Friends of Holywell School.
Lee Mitchell has collected a cheque for £150 on their behalf towards the children's Christmas lunch.
Upchurch's Co-op offered to donate to a local charity or school that fits the criteria of bringing people together or fairer access to food and, lastly, mental well-being.
Sally Butcher - Co-op Member Pioneer
Congratulations to Leah, winner of the Picnic Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op.
Thanks to everyone who bought tickets 🤗
You helped us raise £89 for our chosen charity partner, Barnardo’s.
A programme to support people struggling to feed their families and pay their bills has reopened across the borough.
Swale Borough Council has received more than £500,000 from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Household Support Fund to help households access food boxes, get vouchers to pay their electric, gas and water bills, and buy items needed to keep warm until March 2024.
The money is being used to support organisations within the local community who have been on the ground helping people navigate the cost-of-living crisis.
Swale Foodbank, Children and Families, Faversham Food Bank and Diversity House will be providing emergency food parcels.
West Faversham Community Association will be providing meals to the young people visiting their youth hub and Age UK will be delivering hot meals and shopping to pensioners.
The council’s fuel and water home advisor and Citizens Advice Swale will be providing Fuel Bank Foundation fuel vouchers to people with pre-paid meters as well as advice and support. Children and Families will be providing Mastercard vouchers for people with billed utility accounts.
Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“We were able to support almost 6,000 local households with the previous round of funding over winter.
“Unfortunately, just because the weather has improved it doesn’t mean people are finding it any easier to make ends meet.
“We’ll be continuing to work with our partners in the voluntary and community sector who have been doing a tremendous job of reaching those who need the help most.”
Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“The local organisations have done an amazing job reaching out to find and support people who are struggling with the cost of living.
“We can’t thank them enough for the work they’re doing, and we’re lucky to be working with such committed and hardworking partners.
“We’re committed to continuing the great work that has already taken place and supporting those most in need.”
Swale Borough Council
UpARA Chairman John Wishart presented fundraiser Elspeth Baecke with a cheque for £3,000 towards their chosen charity, St Mary's Church - Bell Tower Restoration Fund, at their monthly meeting on Friday the 19th of May 2023.
The association's fundraising events have raised £5,000 this year for worthy causes, including the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake and Ukraine Humanitarian Appeals, all thanks to its generous members.
Congratulations to UpARA members and the committee for another super year of fundraising!
Members had their Birthday Party in Upchurch Village Hall to look forward to after their guest speaker and AGM.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday, UpARA 🎉
Upchurch Matters
Holywell Primary School held our Coronation Picnic on Friday the 12th of May, in both the School Hall and Upchurch Village Hall as the weather conspired against us.
The children took part in a design a crown competition, and there was one prize for each class.
Commemorative Coronation Mugs were presented to every pupil and member of staff, which were kindly paid for by a grant from Upchurch Parish Council.
Thank you
Click the photo montage to enlarge.
Garden Parties 2023
To celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen, two Garden Parties took place in the Buckingham Palace Garden in 2023, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The first of the annual Garden Parties took place on Wednesday the 3rd of May when The King and The Queen were accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.
On the day of the Garden Party, the Palace gates are open at 3:00pm, and the Party officially begins when members of the Royal Family enter the Garden at 4:00pm when the National Anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.
While the bands continue to play, members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through 'lanes'. Each takes a different route, and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a member of the Royal Family. Members of the Royal family then arrive at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further guests. Guests are free to eat, drink and stroll around the beautiful Palace Gardens.
Established during the reign of Queen Victoria, Garden Parties are an important way for members of the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.
Throughout the country, an established network of sponsors is used to invite guests that include Lord-Lieutenants, societies and associations, government departments, local government, the services, the church and other faiths. They nominate guests for invitation as a way to achieve a representative cross section of the community.
A Grand Day Out
Upchurch Parish Council choose Sue Rossiter to attend and represent the parish as somebody who, over the years, has made an outstanding contribution to our village community.
Sue was accompanied on her grand day out by her husband Keith and has kindly sent us this thank you and account of their lovely afternoon spent together at the Palace Garden Party:
My husband Keith and I were privileged to visit Buckingham Palace on Wednesday the 3rd of May, to attend the first of two Garden Parties hosted by Their Majesties The King and The Queen.
Upchurch Parish Council kindly put my name forward, and lo and behold, an impressive invitation from the Office of the Lord Chamberlain arrived a month beforehand. We were very excited and invested in a new outfit each, so we looked the part.
The day was sunny, and we drove up to London and found the disabled parking allocated to us at Wellington Barracks, across the road from the Palace. Everyone looked after us, whether they were soldiers, police, or Palace members of staff. The afternoon tea was delicious and very well organised. The Gardens were immaculate, and there were two brass bands! Eight Thousand guests were there, in all their finery and array of summer dresses, hats and fascinators, lounge suits, morning dress and uniforms.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family duly appeared on the terrace and walked down to their tea tent, stopping at times to shake hands with the guests. As there were so many of us, we couldn’t really get close, although we did see them at that stage.
Later, as Keith was in a wheelchair, he joined a row of others, and we could see members of the Royal Family as they made their way out of the garden. We spoke to Queen Camilla and Prince Edward, now Duke of Edinburgh. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also spoke to us, and Keith was pleased to shake their hands. They were all so nice and wanted us all to have a good experience.
We certainly had a wonderful time, and we are grateful to the Parish Council for thinking of me as someone worthy enough to be chosen. I know there are many people in Upchurch who do much more than me or Keith. I like to think we proudly represented our lovely village on that day.
Sue Rossiter
Upchurch Matters
The Co-op Local Community Fund
The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects across the UK that its members care about.
Every time Co-op members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to them, and the Co-op gives the same to support community organisations and local causes.
Co-op members have helped raise £103.39 million for UK causes and £44,452 for causes near Upchurch.
Register your interest now
To apply to be a local cause, you must be part of a not-for-profit group and run a project that will benefit your local community.
If successful, you will be part of the Local Community Fund, usually for 12 months.
You can encourage Co-op members to support your local cause, and the more members that shop at the Co-op, the more money your project will receive.
Co-op membership
To become a Co-op member and choose a local cause to support, visit: coop.co.uk/membershipOur current 3 local causes are:
1st Upchurch Brownies and Guides
Upchurch Village Hall
SATEDA
Sally Butcher - Member Pioneer
Upchurch's Co-op is looking for a local charity or school that fits the criteria of bringing people together or fairer access to food and, lastly, mental well-being.
Our donation could be up to £150, and I will need to apply in-store on their behalf.
The Co-op then decides if they will receive goods or a cheque, whichever they apply for.
Thank you
Sally Butcher - Co-op Member Pioneer
As a way of marking the coronation of King Charles III, hall volunteers will be joining in the spirit of The Big Help Out and volunteering their time to add colour and tidy up the village hall grounds.
If you would like to help them on Monday the 8th of May, between 10:00am and 12:00pm, they will be very pleased to see you.
Equipment will be available to borrow/share, but if you have your own, please bring it along.
The hall will provide the bulbs, but if you have extra bulbs or plants to donate, please bring them along - Thank you.
UpARA will be using the hall but have kindly agreed for volunteers to use the facilities as and when needed.
Upchurch Matters
Coronation Celebration at St Mary's Church
Sunday 7th May at 10:30am
St Mary's and Uplift join together for this family-friendly service of praise and thanksgiving for King Charles III.
The celebration continues after the service with strawberries and cream. And there may even be a glass of fizz to enjoy with tea and coffee.
Everyone is welcome - We would love for you to join us.
Gill Gay
Click photographs to enlarge.
Congratulations to Gerry Lewin, this year's worthy winner of the Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2023 in the community of Upchurch.
Councillor Alan Horton presented Gerry with his award at this year's Annual Parish Meeting, held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday the 27th of April 2023.
The Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) Community Award acknowledges and recognises a resident or group that has made a significant contribution to their local community over a period of years.
Gerry's certificate reads:
Hon. Alderman Gerald Lewin
In the community of: Upchurch
Awarded for: To acknowledge and give recognition to the significant contribution and dedication to the community, Upchurch Parish Council and Swale Borough Council as well as the many other local community organisations.
Thank you, Gerry, for everything you have done for our village 👏🏼
Upchurch Matters
The Coronation Weekend
Their Majesties King Charles III and Camilla The Queen Consort.
Photograph: Hugo Burnand.
The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will be marked with events across the country and a concert at Windsor Castle.
Their Majesties want to encourage people to spend the Coronation Weekend celebrating with friends, families and their communities.
The Coronation Procession
On the morning of Saturday the 6th of May, Their Majesties will travel from Buckingham Palace in The King’s Procession to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Created for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Her late Majesty’s reign in 2012, the coach has only ever conveyed the Sovereign, occasionally accompanied by the consort or a visiting Head of State.
The Coronation Service
The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday the 6th of May 2023.
The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.
Their Majesties will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’.
After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family.
At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.
The Coronation Concert
On Sunday the 7th of May 2023, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC.
The Coronation Big Lunch
The Coronation Big Lunch, at which neighbours and communities are invited to share food and fun together, will take place across the country on Sunday the 7th of May 2023.
The Big Help Out
On Monday the 8th of May 2023, members of the public will be invited to take part in The Big Help Out, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.
The Coronation Emblem
The Coronation Emblem, which will feature throughout May's historic celebrations, pays tribute to The King’s love of the natural world, depicting the flora of the four nations in the shape of St Edward’s Crown.
Created by the internationally revered designer Sir Jony Ive KBE and his creative collective, LoveFrom, the emblem symbolises and celebrates the historic beginning of the new Reign.
For more information about the Coronation, visit: www.royal.uk
Upchurch Matters
Upchurch Parish Council invites you to attend the Annual Parish Meeting at 7:30pm on Thursday the 27th of April 2023, in Upchurch Village Hall.
If any local Upchurch organisations would like to attend and give a verbal report, then please let the Clerk know in advance.
If you are unable to attend and would like to send a report to be read out during the meeting, please send it to the Clerk as soon as possible - Thank you.
We hope to see many of you at this year's meeting.
