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The doors to our Warmer Place at Upchurch Village Hall will be open to everyone again on Friday the 13th of January, between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
The heating will be on 🔥The kettle will be on ☕️
The toaster will be on 🍞
There will be hot drinks, snacks and cuppa soups 🥣 🫖
And everything is free thanks to the generosity of the Village Hall Management Committee, Upchurch's Co-op and a grant from Swale Borough Councillor Richard Palmer.
Bring a friend and stay warm without worrying about the cost!
There will be a warm welcome and some great company waiting for you.
Hosted by St Mary's and Uplift.
Gill Gay
The photographs show how the person or persons unknown decided to celebrate the new year by driving their car(s) so irresponsibly round and round on the grassed area of the village hall.
As you can see, the area has been badly damaged and will now need both a lot of work and expense to repair in order that it can be used again.
The grassed area is used many times during the year for parties, weddings and other social events, and because of the amount of damage done, it may not be fully usable throughout the coming year.
Upchurch Village Hall has been in our village for over 60 years and was largely paid for by villagers like you by holding fundraising events. The management committee is constantly fundraising to keep the village hall up to an acceptable standard whilst making improvements.
If anyone has any evidential information about this unnecessary act of vandalism, we would appreciate your help in finding the perpetrator.
Thank you
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
Telephone: 07368 461507
It was Friday the 9th of December and very cold outside, but there was a lovely warm glow inside our village hall.
We played Christmas carols, drank hot drinks and enjoyed delicious snacks together. And best of all, we chatted and enjoyed each other's great company.
And thanks to the Village Hall Committee, Upchurch's Co-op, and Cllr Richard Palmer, it was all free!
Our next Warmer Place will be in the village hall again on Friday the 13th of January from 11:00am until 1:00pm.
There will be a warm welcome waiting for you.
We hope and pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year ❤️
Hosted by St Mary's and Uplift.
Gill Gay
Swale Foodbank Collection
Dear Upchurch,
We will be collecting your regular Swale Foodbank donations of care at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 7th of December, between 10:30am and 11:30am. This will be our last collection before Christmas.
Please bring your items in carrier bags. Warehouse Coordinator Richard Divers will then deliver your donations to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.
Bless you, all for your kindness ♥️
Christmas Hampers
I have 2 Christmas Hampers that St Mary's and Uplift have put together.
Maybe we could make up a 3rd hamper, if you are able to bring a few Christmassy bits on Wednesday too, I will bring another box and we can turn it into another hamper?
But we still need your regular Foodbank donation this month. I know it's a big ask, but it's going to be so rotten for some people. Together let's spread the light, the love and the joy.
Thank you 😊
A Cuppa and a Chat
While you are there, why not call into the church for a cuppa and a chat in the Lady Chapel.
We will have the kettle on from 10:00am until 12:00pm. There will be mince pies and a warm welcome. Come and have a hot drink and enjoy some good company.
We will be praying for our village from 12:00pm until 12:30pm. Pop in and join us or write a prayer in our prayer book and we will pray for you.
Just call in, and we will be pleased to see you!
Warmer Place at Upchurch Village Hall
We will be flinging open the doors of the village hall for everyone on Friday the 9th of December between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
There will be Christmas carols. The heating will be on. The Kettle will be on. The toaster will be on. There will be hot drinks, snacks and cuppa soups - We just need you to complete the happy scene!
Everything is free thanks to the generosity of the Village Hall Management Committee, Upchurch's Co-op and a grant from Swale Borough Councillor Richard Palmer.
Bring a friend and stay warm without worrying about the cost!
Hosted by St Mary's and Uplift.
Christmas Market
On Saturday the 10th of December
From 11:00am until 4:30pm at Upchurch Village Hall
The Christmas Market is organised by the Village Hall Management Committee and is a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund with refreshments provided by Upchurch WI.
Market stalls include:
Teas & Cakes
Crafts
Grand Raffle
Upchurch Players Costume Shop
Usborne Children's Books
Art from Local Artists
And Many More!
Thanks to Upchurch Parish Council, Santa, in his sleigh with giant reindeer and elves, will be visiting the children at the Village Hall from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.
Gerry Lewin
Organiser of the Christmas Market for the Village Hall Management Committee
Christmas Market
On Saturday the 10th of December
From 11:00am until 4:30pm at Upchurch Village Hall
The Christmas Market is organised by the Village Hall Management Committee and is a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund with cakes and refreshments provided by Upchurch WI.
There will be crafts and much more, plus a grand raffle with the first prize winner to be drawn by Santa.
Thanks to Upchurch Parish Council, Santa, in his sleigh with giant reindeer and elves, will be visiting the children at the Village Hall from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.
Upchurch Village Hall is looking for local businesses to provide or sponsor Grand Raffle prizes.
Thank you
Upchurch Matters
Dear all,
Thank you for attending and making the Race Afternoon Fundraiser at Upchurch Village Hall so much fun and such a success.
I would like to thank all those who gave their time, contributed cakes and sponsored/donated to some of the races.
Also, a big thank you to the local businesses who sponsored us:
Rainham
Upchurch
Professional Property Renovation & Maintenance - Upchurch
I am pleased to say that, after deducting the hall costs, we raised the terrific sum of £710.15
This will be added to our running total towards the St Mary's Bell Tower Restoration Fund.
Don't forget to book your table (up to 8 per table) for our Quiz Night on Friday the 11th of November, our next fundraiser for the Bell Tower.
Kind regards
Bryn
Warmer Place at Upchurch Village Hall
Friday 14th October 11:00am - 1:00pm.
This is for anyone and everyone who would welcome a warm place to go to and enjoy some company.
Come and be warm without worrying about the cost!
There will be hot drinks and refreshments - all totally free.
We are really grateful to the Village Hall Committee for donating the hall to us for free - our church is a bit nippy in the Winter. We are also very grateful to Upchurch's Co-op for donating some of our refreshments.
Bless you all for your kindness ❤️
Gill Gay
The folk from St Mary's and Uplift will be celebrating Harvest on Sunday the 2nd of October, followed by Harvest Lunch in the Village Hall at 12:00pm.
This will be a songs of praise service at 10:30am, with a mixture of traditional harvest hymns and contemporary songs. We are blessed to have with us on the day, Esther, who is the Project Manager for Swale Foodbank. Esther is going to tell us a bit about the work of the Foodbank across Swale.
Our Harvest gifts this year will be going to Swale Foodbank.
After the service, we will be having a Harvest Lunch of homemade soup and bread, followed by apple crumble and custard/cream. This will be in the Village Hall.
We will be asking for donations for the food, with the money going to the work of Swale Foodbank. We will need a rough number for catering purposes.
All are really very welcome.
Gill Gay
Saturday 10th December
Teas, Cakes, Crafts, Grand Raffle and more!
With thanks to Upchurch Parish Council, Father Christmas and his giant reindeer have kindly agreed to make an appearance for the children.
The market is being organised by the Village Hall Committee and further details will follow.
Any local businesses and organisations wishing to take a stall should contact:
Gerry Lewin lewing135@btinternet.com 07946 996789
Thank you
David Steward
Chairman - Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
Click montage to enlarge.
Public proclamation
Following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a local ceremony to proclaim His Majesty King Charles III the new sovereign took place at Upchurch Village Hall on Monday, 12th September at 3:00pm.
Headteacher Darran Callaghan and teacher Jackie Warner accompanied children from Holywell School who joined residents and Parish Councillors in the sunshine to ensure this village tradition continued.
Swale Ward Cllr Alan Horton thanked everyone for attending and gave an introductory speech before Parish Council Chairman Cllr Tyrone Ripley made the local proclamation of the new monarch, which ended with GOD SAVE THE KING. Cllr Horton then proposed and led three cheers for His Majesty King Charles III to finish.
Protocol and guidance dictate the day and timings for local events following the national proclamation on Saturday, 10th September and further proclamations across the nations of the UK on Sunday, 11th.
Book of condolence open
A book of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is open at St Mary's Church for residents to sign and leave personal messages in the Lady Chapel.
Upchurch Matters
The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September at 1100hrs BST.
Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.
Nina Henley
Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
There is a vacancy for a cleaner at Upchurch Village Hall.
The work required will be up to 70 hours per month and is generally early mornings prior to the hall opening at 9:00am. Weekend working will also be required based on the hiring schedule.
For more details about the job responsibilities and terms and conditions, please contact David Steward on: 07526 661685 or Email: Upchurchvillagehall@yahoo.com. You can also message via the village hall Facebook page.
David Steward - Chairman
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
Upchurch Celebrates The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 🇬🇧 👑 🎉 🔥
Photographs 📸
Upchurch Players 31st Pantomine
Pinocchio
At Upchurch Village Hall on:
Thursday 1st December 2022 at 7:30pm
Friday 2nd December 2022 at 7:30pm
Saturday 3rd December 2022 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Kay Wright
Secretary - Upchurch Players
UpARA would like to thank all members, villagers, and village organisations who contributed to our fundraising day and quiz on Friday.
A total of £1,624.86 was raised, which is a fantastic sum, and will be passed on to the DEC Ukraine Appeal this week.
The winners of the 'Battle of the village organisations' were the UpARA 'Artists', followed by Upchurch WI, and Upchurch Players in 3rd place.
A big thank you to all those who attended, helped and donated cakes, also to Upchurch's Co-op for their kind donation and the Village Hall Management Committee.
Your UpARA Committee
As part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 celebrations, UpARA is holding a Jubilee Fundraising Open Afternoon in support of the DEC Ukraine Appeal at Upchurch Village Hall between midday and 4:00pm on Friday the 3rd of June.
There will be a variety of entertainment, plus tea, coffee, cake, baguettes, books and jigsaws on sale, raffles and fun fundraising activities.
UpARA would love to see as many people as possible - members, non-members, villagers, even if you just pop in and buy a cup of tea or a raffle ticket - the aim is that every pound spent will be sent to the appeal.
If you can donate a cake (bought or homemade to sell by the slice), please bring it along, or Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com to bring it earlier. Books and jigsaws will also be on sale, so if you have anything to donate, please bring it on the day - thank you.
There will be a quiz in the evening after, where other village groups and organisations will be entering teams to win the coveted title of 'The Biggest Brains in Upchurch'.
If your village group or organisation would like to enter a quiz team, please Email UpARA at: uparaupchurch@gmail.com
ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS THE DEC UKRAINE APPEAL
Upchurch Matters
Two additional Public Access Defibrillators have been installed in Upchurch and are available to use 24 hours a day, located outside of:
Maidstone Road Surgery56 Oak Lane
Upchurch
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 7AU
and
Upchurch Village Hall
The rear of the Crown Public House
The Street
Upchurch
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 7EU
Both Defibrillators were partially funded by grants awarded by Swale Borough Council through their Defibrillator Grants Scheme and significant contributions from Upchurch Parish Council and UpARA.
What is a Defibrillator?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.
Modern AEDs have been designed to be simple for the layperson to use.
In a medical emergency
In a medical emergency, you must dial 999.
The 999 operator will assist and instruct the user, particularly with CPR, and provide the unlock code to open the Defibrillator Cabinet.
No training is required to use the Defibrillator. The Defibrillator will talk to the user giving them instructions on how to use it.
The 999 operator will also dispatch an ambulance.
Parish Council Public Access Defibrillators are also available to use 24 hours a day, located outside of:
Snaffles Equestrian & Country Store
2 - 4 The Street
Upchurch
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 7AJ
and
The Park Office
Beckenham Residential Park
Otterham Quay Lane
ME8 7XF
Holywell Primary School has a Defibrillator inside the school building, which is available in an emergency only when the school is open.
If you notice a problem with the Defibrillators outside the Doctor's Surgery, Snaffles or the Park Office at Beckenham Park or if you have had to use them, please let Upchurch Parish Council know as soon as possible so that they can be made ready for future use - Thank you.
Tel: 07798 600696
If you notice a problem with the Defibrillator outside Upchurch Village Hall or if you have had to use it, please let Upchurch Village Hall know as soon as possible so that it can be made ready for future use - Thank you.
Upchurch Matters
It is recognised that during the SGN gas network upgrade works in The Street and neighbouring roads, some residents may have difficulty parking their cars.
For this period only, Upchurch Village Hall will offer parking in their car park for those residents to help alleviate the problem.
Any resident parking in the Village Hall car park must respect that those using the hall have priority.
We would suggest drivers park in an orderly fashion, to the left near the Churchyard.
Please respect this it is a private car park, and owners park there at their own risk.
Thank you
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
