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SINGING IS GOOD FOR YOU!
Upchurch Choral Society are always happy to welcome new members.
We are a four-voice part choir that rehearses on Fridays in St Mary’s Church, Upchurch.
Our next rehearsal is on Friday, 5th September at 7:45pm, when we begin rehearsing for a concert featuring parts of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on Sunday, 23rd November.
There are no auditions, and while the ability to read music is helpful, it is not essential.
If you are interested, please call me on: 01634 361897.
Thank you
Liz Walters
Secretary Upchurch Choral Society
Author Richard Emmett’s new book, The Train that Jumped the Gap, examines the wartime railway disaster in Oak Lane, which happened on Wednesday, 16th August 1944.
Richard will be giving a talk for the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch, about his research into this disaster at 7:00pm on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch, where his book will be available to purchase.
The talk will examine the tragic WW2 disaster when a Doodlebug flying bomb demolished the railway bridge at Oak Lane, Upchurch, causing the derailment of the London to Margate train.
It examines the facts gathered from various sources, including eyewitness accounts, to evaluate what happened on that ill-fated day.
Tickets are £5 with proceeds to the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.
Tea and cakes will be available with donations appreciated.
Proceeds of the book go to the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne/The Heritage Hub.
Upchurch Matters
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 10th of July, 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
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in June.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 2nd of July, 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, provided the food is long life and well within date.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Saturday, 14th June, between 10:00am - 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
“Summer Serenade”
A classical evening of beautiful music from Handel, Brahms, Elgar and others.
On Sunday, the 20th of July at 7:30pm in St Mary’s Church, Horsham Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7AL.
Interval refreshments in aid of Friends of St Mary’s.
Tickets £12 cash on the door (under 12’s free).
For further information, contact Upchurch Choral Society Secretary Liz Walters: 01634 361897
Saturday, 10th May, between 10:00am - 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
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 8th of May, 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
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in April.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 7th of May, 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
Saturday, 12th April, between 10:00am - 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
Information: Contact Upchurch Choral Society Secretary Liz Walters.
Telephone: 01634 361897
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
Swale Foodbank Easter Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in March.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 2nd of April, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
🥚 🌼 🐇 With Easter approaching, it would be lovely to deliver some children's Easter
goodies to the foodbank too.
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
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.
Upchurch Matters
For more information, please contact Upchurch Choral Society Secretary Liz Walters.
Telephone: 01634 361897
Saturday 8th March between 10:00am - 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
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday the 13th of March, 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
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in February.
Upchurch, your hearts are full of godly kindness. Here is a picture of the three trolleys you filled with love.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 5th of March, 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
Saturday 8th February between 10:00am - 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
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
