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Exciting Improvements Coming to The Paddock Play Area!
We are thrilled to announce that work to improve The Paddock play area will begin the week commencing Monday, 9th December 2024.
These improvements will include installing new play equipment and enhancements to make the area even more enjoyable for everyone.
During this time, please note:
• Contractors will be on-site, working under strict health and safety guidelines.
• All equipment and materials will be securely stored within a fenced-off area to ensure safety.
• We kindly ask all residents to remain cautious around the site and keep children and pets
away from the work area.
We appreciate your understanding and patience while these improvements are carried out.
On behalf of Upchurch Parish Council, Thank you for your cooperation. Stay tuned for updates.
We look forward to unveiling the upgraded play area soon!
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
Because of the Christmas and New Year festivities, Upchurch Parish Council has amended their full council meeting dates for the next two months.
The December 2024 monthly meeting will be held on Thursday 12th December.
The January 2025 monthly meeting will be held on Thursday 9th January.
As usual, both meetings will be held at Upchurch Village Hall.
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
Because of the D-Day 80 commemorations on Thursday 6th June at the Recreation Ground and the General Election on Thursday 4th July 2024, when the village hall will be used as a polling station, both the June and July monthly parish council meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month instead.
The June monthly meeting will be held on Thursday 13th June 2024.
The July monthly meeting will be held on Thursday 11th July 2024.
There is no monthly parish council meeting in August.
The usual monthly parish council meeting dates will resume on the first Thursday of the month on Thursday 5th September 2024.
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:
Click photographs to enlarge.
Terry Lewis is this year's very worthy winner of the Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards Scheme 2024 in the community of Upchurch.
Parish Council Chairman Tyrone Ripley presented Terry's award to his wife Jill at this year's Upchurch Annual Parish Meeting held in the village hall on Thursday the 11th of April 2024.
The Lewis family moved to Crosier Court, Upchurch, in 1976, and the couple were together there until Terry sadly passed away in January of this year. They have a son, Garry, and a daughter, Anita.
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.
This year is the first time the award has been presented posthumously.
Jill was joined for the presentation by grandson Owen and granddaughter-in-law Megan.
Terry's certificate reads:
This certificate is presented to
Terry Lewis
In the Community of: Upchurch
For his dedication to helping the people of Upchurch's numerous village groups and activities with enthusiasm and a smile. Terry was part of village life and will be greatly missed.
Thank you, Terry, for everything you did for our village 👏🏼
Upchurch Parish Council has been in contact with Swale Borough Council, asking why their household waste and recycling collection service has not been adequate since the new contractor took over.
Upchurch residents are understandably frustrated and would like an update and an explanation of how Swale will remedy the situation.
Please see their response below:
“Good afternoon,
We have had an uncertain start to the contract however feeling a little more positive this week.
Suez has 4 new drivers starting Thursday and 6 crews working over this weekend to catch up with outstanding bins.
Please help us to spread the message to all the residents affected by missed collections in your ward to continue to leave their wheelie bins and/or food waste caddies out for collection.
We apologise for the inconvenience with the delay in collections. We understand how frustrating this has been. We continue to work hard daily with Suez to resolve the issues.
Kind Regards
Contracts and Resources
Swale Borough Council”
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
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
There is currently a mechanical problem with the motor on the Church Clock, which means there are no chimes.
Upchurch Parish Council is aware and has called the engineer to resolve the fault ASAP so the village will hear the chimes again in due course.
Upchurch Parish Council
Calling all Upchurch Parish Residents.
Upchurch Parish Council will once again be presenting an award to a resident or group that has made a difference to the village.
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.
If you know of 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 one 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 at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk or by telephone: 07798 600696.
Tap and hold or right-click on the nomination form above to download and print it.
The winner will receive a certificate signed by the Chairman of Kent County Council and the KALC Chairman.
The Upchurch Parish Council Chairman will present the award at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday the 11th of April 2024.
Please send your completed nomination forms in a sealed envelope to:
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer
2 Alfriston Grove
Kings Hill
West Malling
ME19 4SR
The closing date for receiving nomination forms is Wednesday the 31st of January 2024.
The previous winners of the KALC Award 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
Upchurch Matters
Christmas Market with Santa at Upchurch Village Hall
Saturday the 9th of December
From 11:00am until 4:30pm
The Christmas Market, organised by the Village Hall Management Committee, is a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund.
Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes will be provided inside the hall by Upchurch WI, with burgers and wraps available from Butlers Butties van outside. Both are donating from their profits to the Bell Tower Restoration Fund.
Thanks to Upchurch Parish Council, Santa, in his sleigh with giant reindeer and elves, will be visiting the children at the Village Hall from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.
Last year's Christmas Market was a big success!
Don't miss this excellent village event this year.
Upchurch Matters
The age-old nuisance of dog fouling around the village has been raised with the parish council by residents angry at irresponsible dog owners for not cleaning up after their pets.
Dog waste poses a significant health risk to humans, particularly young children, as their immune systems are not fully developed.
Children are also more likely to come into contact with soil or sand that contains dog waste whilst playing in parks, gardens and playgrounds.
All waste contains bacteria that can cause stomach upsets, but the greatest risk is from Toxocariasis, which can pass from dog waste to humans through contaminated soil or sand. Children are at particular risk. It is rare, but it can sometimes cause serious health problems and even blindness.
Would you really want that on your conscience?
It is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place, and Swale Borough Council has the power to fine dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.
You can receive an on-the-spot fine (FPN) of up to £100 if you do not clean up after your dog.
If you refuse to pay the fine, you could be taken to court and fined up to £1000.
There really is no excuse for not cleaning up after your dog.
The parish council has provided litter & dog waste bins at locations around the village where owners can dispose of bagged dog waste, as well as TiksPac dispensers at the Recreation Ground and near the Paddock in Chaffes Lane.
Please bag your dog waste and put it in any public litter bin or take it home to your household green wheelie bin.
Allowing your dog to foul in a public place and not clean it up is antisocial and totally unacceptable to all residents.
Please leave our village spaces clean, tidy and safe for others to enjoy.
Thank you
Upchurch Matters
Upchurch Poppy Appeal
A team of local volunteers will again be making the annual house-to-house collections in Upchurch between Saturday the 28th of October, and Saturday the 11th of November.
Upchurch Parish Council has displayed poppies on lampposts throughout the village. The knitting group has added poppy crosses and wreaths to the church and post office railings. Two Tommy silhouettes are standing guard in the churchyard with heads bowed on either side of a beautiful display of flowing red poppies with some purple poppies amongst them to remember the animal victims of war. A post box topper is in place again outside the post office. These will remain on display throughout Remembrance Tide.
Remembrance Sunday Parade to the Church
The Remembrance Sunday Service begins at 10:15am on the 12th of November in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.
The young people of the uniformed sections and their leaders will make their yearly parade from the Scout HQ on the Recreation Ground in Oak Lane to the church.
Leaving at 9:30am, they will march (accompanied by marshals) along Oak Lane and return at 11:30am.
Oficial KCC road closures and restrictions on driving will be in place this year during both the parades to and from the church. Further details are at: https://tinyurl.com/3ccuhfa6
Please be patient during this time.
If you need to drive through the village centre during the parades, please consider using Church Farm Road and Chaffes Lane instead.
Thank you
Wreaths will be laid at the internal war memorial in the Lady Chapel on behalf of the Church, Swale Borough Council, Ferques (our twin village in France), Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides and Upchurch Brownies.
After the service, crosses will be laid at the five Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves in the churchyard.
A wreath on behalf of all Upchurch residents from the Parish Council has been sent to Ferques for laying at their ceremony on Saturday the 11th of November.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Thanks to Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Appeal Organiser, for the information.
Upchurch Matters
Click the map to enlarge.
Dear Upchurch Residents,
We are writing to invite you to participate in a crucial decision-making process that will directly impact our community - the improvement of our local highways.
The Parish Council would like to invite you to participate in a public consultation and help the council to make informed decisions that align with the needs and preferences of the community.
Background:
KCC Highways has committed to look at one project for improvement from each parish per year.
We have a number of options UPC are considering.
The Parish Council has narrowed the options to just 3:
Option 1
Progressing the already approved plan for the narrowing of Oak Lane and giving priority to vehicles coming out of the village, north of the junction with Wallbridge Lane.
Option 2
Horsham Lane junction with The Street.
Option 3
Forge Lane junction with Holywell Lane.
Objectives of the Consultation:
To gather input from residents on what you feel in the most important highways issue that needs addressing.
This allows residents to have your say in the areas we request KCC to prioritise on your behalf.
Please let us know your top 2 priorities of the 3 options.
How You Can Participate
We value your input and encourage you to participate in this consultation.
There are several ways you can get involved:
• Write to the clerk at: 2 Alfriston Grove, West Malling ME19 4SR
• Attend our next Parish Council meeting on Thursday, November 2nd, held at Upchurch Village
Hall at 19:30pm
Timeline:
Consultation Period: 11-10-23 - 05-11-23
Next Steps:
Once the Parish Council has analysed all the feedback, we will work closely with KCC Highways to develop a plan for the future of our roads. We will ensure transparency throughout the process and keep you informed about any developments or decisions.
Thank you for your participation.
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
When Cllr Pan Denny met children from Holywell School last year, they gave her plenty of good ideas for the new woodland trail in the Paddock, including a wooden trim trail and boxes to encourage more wildlife to take up residence in the area.
Upchurch Parish Council installed the trim trail balance equipment the children requested in December 2022, funded by a collective grant from Queenborough Fishery Trust and Swale Borough Council.
And more recently, bat boxes were hung high from the large trees around the perimeter of the Paddock, adding to the bird boxes and bug hotels that have already been fitted in the wooded area.
The new boxes will hopefully encourage children to use this area to play and explore more, which will be educational.
Thanks to Phil Newbery for building the boxes for the parish council and to Les Oxley for climbing high to fit the bat boxes.
We are fortunate to have the Paddock as a lovely green space in the heart of our village, so why not take the children to go and explore there during the school summer holiday?
Please supervise them while they play safely and ask them not to disturb the birds, the bugs and the bats - Thank you.
Upchurch Matters
