We want to hear about your village news and events
The best way to tell us is through the contact form
here
Friday December 12th
Singer Lisa Mills
Friday December 19th
Singer Jamie from Talk of the Town
Saturday December 20th
Christmas Carols by Candlelight
led by our own Minister Will
Get into the Christmas spirit with an evening of
Christmas nostalgia, mulled wine, log fire and
a lot of sparkle to warm everybody's heart.
Children and everyone are welcome.
Song sheets will be available on the night.
Christmas Eve Wednesday December 24th
Karaoke with the Fabulous Luke
New Year's Eve Wednesday December 31st
New Year Karaoke with G & S
Sally & George
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VACANCY
Upchurch Parish Council wishes to appoint a Parish Clerk / Responsible Financial Officer with effect from January 2015.
The role responsibilities include:
Preparing agendas and minutes for monthly evening council meetings (usually first Thursday of a month); attending and recording ad hoc meetings; managing budgets and preparing annual precept submissions; arranging annual audits; HMRC / Payroll administration; administrative duties such as emails, phone calls and general correspondence; managing external contractors; managing the parish burial ground and allotments; updating the website and being custodian of all parish documentation and relevant paperwork.
The pay is set nationally and starts at spinal column point 15 at £8.42p per hour rising to spinal column 21 which is £10.04 per hour, as a guide our current Clerk works for 50hrs per month. Hours are flexible. Holiday and sickness entitlement are pro-rata according to the hours worked.
The clerk is required to work from home with adequate provision for office facilities. Equipment such as printer, stationery and laptop will be provided and payment will be made towards office overheads.
The successful applicant will have the following attributes:
· Self motivation with an ability to work on their own
· Strong financial awareness, knowledge of a financial package an advantage
(Scribe is the package used by the council)
· Willingness to learn and attend training courses
· Discretion
· Organisational and administrational skills
· Flexibility / adaptability
· Interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
· Neutrality when recording council business
Knowledge of local government procedures would be a benefit.
The closing date for this application is Friday 19th December and interviews will take place with the chairman, vice chairman and one other councillor. The start date for the successful candidate will be 5th January 2015.
Please apply by sending a CV and brief supporting letter explaining how you meet the requirements to the Chairman, either by emailing: chair@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk or via post to 1, Jubilee Field, Upchurch, Kent ME9 7AQ
Sara Tucker
Chairman Upchurch Parish Council
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Upchurch Parish Council
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With the war almost six months old the opposing armies were involved in a long battle of attrition along a line of trenches on the Western Front in Belgium and France. Already men from the village had been killed or wounded but life in Upchurch continued without much change and with various war based activities taking place.
Pupils of Holywell School held a Christmas bazaar to raise money for the HRH Princess Mary’s Soldiers and Sailors Christmas Fund. They formed a branch of the League of Young Patriots at the school with various officers and a committee. The pupils decided to run the bazaar themselves although parents helped them collect various items for the event. At the pupils request the school managers voted a half day holiday so that the bazaar could take place. Stallholders were appointed to sell needlework, fancy articles, stationary, cards, fruit and sweets while a bran tub, a weighing machine and a tea buffet were available and a raffle also took place. After a successful session all the items were sold and £10/7d raised. Pupils provided entertainment with songs and music while the national anthems of the five allied nations concluded the event. The school closed for the Christmas holidays on December 18th.
The Parochial Working Party proved to be very productive in December making 62 articles of clothing followed by a further 61. Of these 28 were sent to Fort Pitt and St Bart’s Hospital while two mufflers were sent to the Jodhpur Lancers in India. Mrs Trew, the vicar’s wife, wanted to publicly exhibit all the goods but the cold weather required that everything should be sent away immediately.
The harsh reminder of war remained close with the announcement of fatalities which in the December edition of the parish magazine included Herbert Hodges a private in the Buffs from Ham Green and Charles Gransden a lance-corporal in the Grenadier Guards from Seager’s Cottages, Gore Bank. Both men were killed in action in October and November respectively. Better news regarded George Sharp who had been wounded by shrapnel but had recovered from his wounds after spending time in Warrington Infirmary.
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Charles Gransden is commemorated on a plaque
inside St. Mary's Church, Upchurch. |
With Christmas approaching local businesses tried to cash in on the war with various offers. ‘Dolding’s The Overcoat Shop’ in Sittingbourne High Street advertised items for ‘Xmas at the Front’ in the East Kent Gazette. They offered warm cardigans, knitted vests, flannel shirts and sleeping helmets, obviously aimed at local men fighting in the war. The Queens Theatre in Sittingbourne held plays related to the war such as ‘The Bells of Rheims,’ a war drama based on the German bombardment of the cathedral. They also showed ‘Our Helpless Millions Saved,’ a drama about German spies who make an attack on English reservoirs.
During the Christmas week a ferocious gale of about 100 mph, the most powerful in living memory, struck the area uprooting trees and damaging roofs and chimney pots. The barge ‘Alpha’ moored at Otterham Quay suffered a battering and the folded sails were loosened and ripped to shreds by the power of the wind.
The pupils of Holywell School were unable to begin the new school term on January 5th due to gale damage to large trees situated around the perimeter of the playground and these had to be cleared because of the danger posed. After an extra week at home the pupils returned to Holywell on January 11th.
The December edition of the parish magazine announced the marriages of Fred Manser to Annie Tumber on November 4th, Stuart Mercer to Elsie Singyard and Jonathon Baker to Ellen Whiddett on November 14th. Stuart Mercer’s marriage proved to be short lived as he died of an illness aboard HMS Dominion in 1918 while serving in the Royal Navy as a stoker.
As people in the village celebrated Christmas in 1914 they probably thought of the young men from Upchurch serving in the war, although news later emerged that after a short truce on the Western Front German and British soldiers came out of their trenches, met up in no man’s land, celebrated Christmas, exchanged presents and even played football together. This turned out to be a temporary respite before the conflict resumed and claimed more lives during the following year.
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David Wood. |
About David:
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
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Upchurch Active Retirement Association
Our forthcoming meetings are as below;-
Monthly Meetings (2nd Friday of the month)
(Members Free; Guests £2.00)
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Friday 12th December 2014 - 12:00am
Christmas Special by Ticket Only
*
Friday 12th December 2014 - 2:00pm
With Entertainment
*
Friday 9th January 2015 - 2:00pm
Coffee Mornings (4th Tuesday of the month)
(Members £1.50; Guests £2.00)
*
Tuesday 23rd December 2014 - 09:30am until 12:30pm
*
Tuesday 27th January 2015 - 09:30am until 12:30pm
Village Walks (1st & 3rd Friday of the month)
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Friday 5th December 2014 - 10:00am
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Friday 19th December 2014 - 10:00am
Outings
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Thursday 11th December 2014
Winchester Christmas Market
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Thursday 22nd January 2015
Jersey Boys, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Help Kent Police protect rural communities by making sure your property is secure.
If you live in rural areas then isolated buildings, farms, machinery and livestock
are all targets for criminals.
Kent Police work with residents, landowners and organisations such as Country Eye to reduce crime in our rural communities and protect our countryside.
They have just produced a helpful leaflet full of advice and top tips called
“Shutting the Gate on Rural Crime”
Kent Association of Local Councils
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With the
Wide Eyed Theatre
Onboard the
Edith May, Lapwing Drive, Lower Halstow
Sunday 21st December
Two Shows: 4:30pm & 6:30pm
£5 per ticket; groups of children to be accompanied by an adult please!
Tickets: Send cheques payable to ‘Friends of the Brickfields’ to Michael at 19 The Street, Lower Halstow, ME9 7DR (tel 07824 392342 / 01795 843618) or buy onboard the Edith May (tea room open Friday to Sunday).
Soft drinks and home made cakes on sale from the Edith May’s galley.
Proceeds to go towards the maintenance and improvement of the
Lower Halstow Brickfields.
Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Village Fete Committee
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Hartlip Newington & Upchurch Ward
Reference: DY13068
Otterham Quay Lane. A burglary at a dwelling between the hours of 12:00 am and 10:46 pm on Monday 24/11/2014. Some cufflinks and a Jewellery box were stolen.
If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the Crime Number: XY/41610/14
Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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We are looking for a Midday Supervisor to work for 6.25 hours per week in our village school.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the supervising of pupils during the lunch break.
• promoting their safety and welfare, in accordance with the school’s Health and Safety Policy.
• promoting good standards of behaviour and orderly conduct, in accordance with the school’s Behaviour Policy.
The team of supervisors are responsible for:-
In the hall:
• supervising and organising the orderly collecting, eating and clearing of meals.
• helping children with use of cutlery.
• encouraging good table manners.
• supervising orderly departure from the hall.
Supervising the playground (or in bad weather, the classrooms) from 11.55am until 1.10pm.
In the playground:
• visiting all parts of the playground to supervise, encourage and assist constructive, friendly and safe play activities.
• acting where possible to prevent accidents and providing basic first aid or seeking help from a designated first aider, according to the Health and Safety Policy.
• acting where possible to prevent arguments and unkind behaviour and responding to such situations in a fair, firm kind manner according to the Behaviour Policy and our Restorative Justice approach (training will be given).
• organising and supervising orderly entry to the school hall and wiping down tables before the second lunch sitting.
Indoors, in bad weather:
• providing supervision as above, maintaining oversight of all classrooms, and seeking the help of the headteacher/deputising person if an accident or other difficulty prevents supervision.
To be available to attend staff meetings as required.
To maintain a lunchtime incident book.
Holywell Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Criminal Records Bureau.
For an application pack and further details please contact the school office on telephone number: 01634 388416.
Tracey Snellings
School Office Administrator
Holywell Primary School
Forge Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AE
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk
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The total donations to the Royal
British Legion from Upchurch are £2,575. Of this amount £875 was donated in
business or retail outlets and the pupils and staff of Holywell School donated
£48. The house-to-house Poppy Appeal collection in Upchurch was undertaken in
all areas of the Parish by twenty two collectors eight of whom were Upchurch
Scouts.
St Mary the Virgin had a large
congregation of all ages for the Remembrance Sunday service conducted by the Reverend
Jacky Davis. Wreaths were laid below the memorial tablet in the Lady Chapel on
behalf of the Church, The Mayor of Swale, Upchurch Parish Council, the Upchurch
Scouting movement and the Upchurch Guiding Association. After the service
Reverend Davis led the choir, the uniformed youth organisations and the congregation
in the warm autumnal weather to the burial ground where wooden crosses were
laid at the five war commission graves. A light shower of rain marked the end
of this Remembrance.
This year we were particularly mindful
of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who fought in World War I - a war that
started 100 years ago.
On behalf of the Royal British
Legion thank you for your generosity.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Cllr Gerry Lewin - Upchurch Poppy Appeal Organiser
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The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th November at the Village Hall where 6 Councillors were present and 8 members of the public.
Public Time – W.I. – The Chairman of the W.I. explained to members that next year was their centenary and they were looking to commemorate this. They were hoping to raise approx. £2,000 to purchase a Community Defibrillator. She had met with Cllr Tucker to explain this further and it had not been decided yet where this would be located. They were hoping to have it in place by September 2015. She explained that the W.I. was looking for the Council’s support in progressing with this. Street light in Bradshaw Close by footpath to Oak Lane – A resident raised concerns that this light was out. Cllr Arnold explained that this light was covered by trees and had been on daylight burning for around two years. Highways had contacted The Vicarage to request overgrown vegetation was cut back but as yet no action had been taken. He advised the resident that this light would be fixed before Christmas. Environment/Highways – A resident commented that The Paddock, Recreation Ground and Otterham Quay Lane were all looking presentable. He asked if there was any update on traffic calming along Horsham Lane. Cllr Lewin explained that this was an agenda item at the next meeting of the Joint Transport Board. This meeting could be viewed by members of the public, further details could be found at: www.swale.gov.uk clicking on Council “Councillors, Committees and meetings”.
Correspondence - Kent County Council Community Warden Service – It was noted that this public consultation could be viewed at: www.kent.gov.uk/communitywardenconsultation Sittingbourne Local Engagement Forum – Members noted that the next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 16th December 2014 at 7pm. The venue was to be confirmed. W.I. suggestion of a defibrillator in village– It was agreed to support the W.I. in locating a defibrillator in the village. It was commented that the W.I. will investigate the on-going costs of the defibrillator and that it would be helpful if a member of the Council could attend their meeting when this is discussed.
Planning - 14/503851/FULL Mill House, Otterham Quay Lane – Single storey side extension. The Planning Review Team had no objections.14/503022/FULL 17 Woodruff Close – Rear Conservatory. The Planning Review Team had no objections provided that neighbours views were given serious consideration. 14/504035/FULL/ROMC 36 Chaffes Lane – Single storey rear extension and side garage. The Planning Review Team will discuss this proposal and inform the Clerk of any comments.
Allotments and Recreation Ground – Plot 2/2a – It was noted that someone had shown an interest in taking over this plot. It was currently overgrown and two other plot holders had not been able to get the plot into a manageable state in which to grow anything. This would be discussed at the next GPC meeting.
Paddock - Upchurch Village Fete Committee – The Clerk reported that a request had been received from this committee to use the Paddock for a fete on 20th June 2015. If in agreement, it would be run very similarly to this year’s fete and the Council would be kept informed of any pre-event activity which may need to take place, for example, pitch marking and weed tidying. It was agreed to accept this request.
Burial Ground and Churchyard - Review Burial Ground fees – A proposal to increase some of the fees to cover maintenance costs had been circulated. It was agreed to accept this and the new fees would be effective 1st December 2014.
Environment - Proposal for a Bus Shelter in the Village Centre – It was commented that the Council had agreed to look into this but due to the timing of the suggestion for a Lych Gate, it went on hold. Further discussions with Mr Harris had highlighted that the Lych Gate may not be appropriate for a Bus shelter. It was suggested that the Council start looking into this proposal further, for example, by obtaining prices for bus shelters, designs suitable for a conservation area. It was agreed to progress with investigations into this proposal. KALC Community Awards – The Clerk explained that the 2015 scheme would run along the same lines as the 2014 one. The Council could identify a person or group in their community that had made a significant contribution to the local community. There was no pre-determined criteria for what the contribution to the community might be. It was noted that nominations needed to be submitted to KALC before 30th January 2015. Two nominations were suggested and the Clerk noted these. Christmas Festival at St Mary’s Church – Members noted that the theme was “Twelve Days of Christmas” and that the church would be open from 13th December for the trees to be put up. Cllr Rose and Cllr Denny will follow this up. Preparing for emergencies – It was explained that the Kent Resilience Team could help prepare an emergency plan and had published a Handbook “What should I do in an emergency”. A copy of the Handbook was circulated. It was suggested that the Clerk contact Gabriel to see if they could help with distributing this handbook. Cllr Tucker offered to follow this up with the Village Hall Management Committee to see if they could help by having a Handbook on display at the Village Hall.
Highways - Speed watch equipment– The Clerk advised that Unipar Services had been in contact to explain that no fault had been found with the battery that had been returned to them. Therefore they had asked for the remaining equipment to be sent to them. Street lights – Cllr Arnold reported that 6 lights would be reported to the contractor: Chaffes Lane opposite Church Farm Road, The Street junction with The Poles, Marstan Close o/s 5, Bradshaw Close by footpath to Oak Lane, Wallbridge Lane pop 101 and Horsham Lane s/o Garden Cottage Proposal for a new street light in Otterham Quay Lane – A request from Beckenham Park Residents Association for this new light would be discussed at the next meeting of the Budget/Precept committee.
Next meetings – 4th December 2014 (Holywell Primary School) and 8th January 2015 (Upchurch Village Hall) starting at 7:30pm.
Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road.
Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon - Thurs 9am to midday)
With local council elections coming up next year, have you thought about standing for election and representing your local community?
The Parish Council elections tend to 'get lost' amongst the Borough ones so I thought I would outline the process and encourage any interest to be notified to the parish clerk.
At the end of their 4-year term all parish councillors effectively retire. Any intent to re-stand is notified to Swale Borough Council by means of a nomination form. At the same time, any other qualifying resident of the parish can also submit their candidacy to Swale. At the close of registration the clerk is notified of the number of candidates. The cut off date for nominations is approximately 1 month before the election on 7th May 2015.
If there are more candidates than the designated number of councillors (currently 9 for Upchurch) there will need to be a local election. If this is not the case then these candidates automatically form the next parish council. They will then be in a position to advertise the vacancies and 'co-opt' applicants as and when they can.
An election does come at a cost to village residents via your council tax in order for Swale to facilitate it and will take place at the same time as the Borough elections.
This is your opportunity to get involved in local council business!
So, if you are interested in becoming a parish councillor please contact the clerk (clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk) and we will arrange for appropriate information and forms to be made available.
Regards
Sara Tucker
Chairman, Upchurch Parish Council
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Upchurch Active Retirement Association
Whilst we have reached our membership limit of 150, if you know of anyone else who will enjoy our activities encourage them to put their names on our waiting list. In October we had the trip to the theatre in Blue Town, and this last weekend a visit to the Greyhound track in Sittingbourne.
Everyone entered the spirit of the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, thanks to Bryn’s flawless organising. The next few events are detailed below and in more detail on the meeting notice boards. Particularly note the special walk we are doing at Upnor on 21st November. Since this takes a little more organising can you please sign up for it on the list at the meetings.
Our next events are:-
Monthly Meetings (2nd Friday of the month)
(Members Free; Guests £2.00)
*
Friday 14th November 2014 - 2:00pm
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Friday 12th December 2014 - 12:00am
Christmas Special by Ticket Only
Coffee Mornings (4th Tuesday of the month)
(Members £1.50; Guests £2.00)
*
Tuesday 25th November 2014 - 09.30am until 12:30pm
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Tuesday 23rd December 2014 - 09.30am until 12:30pm
Village Walks (1st & 3rd Friday of the month)
*
Friday 7th November 2014 - 10:00am
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Friday 21st November 2014 - 10:00am - Upnor Special
Outings
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Thursday 11th December 2014
Winchester Christmas Market
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Thursday 22nd January 2015
Jersey Boys, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Those who live in the village will know we have a successful club covering four senior teams and four colts sides from Under 9's upwards.
Furthermore, we have one Upchurch football team who take advantage of our excellent facilities during the winter. However, the club committee would like the football section to be extended to colts sides for age groups 8,9,10 and upwards.
With this in mind, are there any parents in the village who would be willing to become involved in the general running of such a football section?
If so, please visit our website: Upchurch.play-cricket.com for contact details or get in touch with Terry Lewis on: 01634 230643
Steve Parker - Terry Lewis
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With winter beginning to set in with morning frosts and early afternoon darkness, the first big news of the month involved Mr and Mrs Webb from Drakes Close presenting the church with a silver chalice and paten as a memorial for their daughter Barbara, tragically killed while serving as Carnival Queen the previous August. This was to be used regularly at the Holy Communion service in the church and replaced the old silver chalice presented to the church by Reverend Woodruff in 1850.
The village horticultural society which thrived during the 1960s experienced success with victory over Sheppey Dahlia and Chrysanthemum Society at its show enabling it to win the Chrysanthemum Challenge Shield for the second time in just three months. Successful Upchurch entrants included George Friend from Ham Green with eight first prizes which included the Chrysanthemum Cup which he won for the ninth time in twelve years, farmer Les Stevens from Lower Halstow won the L & H Starnes Cup, Charlie Langford the Vegetable Cup and Ernie Waters from Ham Green won the Potato Cup on a memorable day for the society.
The Women’s Institute monthly meeting didn’t get off to a good start when the main speaker failed to attend due to thick fog. However, the meeting continued with news that the institute’s trading stall for county funds had raised £7. Mrs Smith from Oak Lane announced that she had been corresponding with a pen friend from the United States for thirty years and urged other members to do the same. Mrs Woodford from Crosier Court and her helpers were thanked for running a successful jumble sale while Mrs Fredericks from Crosier Court volunteered to help with the institute scrap book during 1965. After this Mrs Nelson and Miss Staines tied in the home-made wine competition and the evening ended with a spelling game.
Upchurch Football Club First XI continued to play their home games at the Recreation Ground in Division 1 of the Rochester & District League while the Reserves competed in one of the lower divisions and committee meetings took place in ‘The Crown.’ Neither side won any league titles or cup competitions during 1964 but notable players included Basil Barden, ‘Trotter’ Horsnell, Ken Wildish and long serving players Brian Stephens and Colin ‘Nippy Edmonds.’
The Darby and Joan club experienced a successful month raising £170 in the village hall from various sales. Hilda Swan from Kent Terrace proved the most successful individual fund-raiser by contributing £66 from the sale of jam products that she had made during the year.
In church affairs the Friends of Kent Churches offered £100 towards the cost of repairs to the church tower. Architect Mr Hartland-Thomas from Forge Lane added this to £750 obtained from the Historic Churches Preservation Trust for the repairs. News also arose about Mr Brightman who had been assisting the vicar and he became Dean to the Archbishop of Canterbury on December 20th at Canterbury Cathedral. He also became curate in the parish of St James in Westgate. He had previously served as leader of the Young Communicants Guild in the village, a position taken over by Mr Langford.
In parish council affairs concern arose over difficulty in seeing roads leading into Upchurch at night, particularly at the junction of Oak Lane with the A2. Suggestions to improve the situation included placing white kerb stones either side of the entry point and luminous signs to mark the junction. The parish council also made contact with the County Roads Department to widen The Street between Forge Lane and Horsham Lane and to widen the junction of Wallbridge Lane with Oak Lane.
William Brignall from Oak Lane caused panic when he collapsed on the pavement in Rainham High Street and had to be rushed to St Bart’s Hospital and then on to Stoke Mandeville Hospital by helicopter. Meanwhile, the burial of Polly Sketchley aged 84 from Station Road in Rainham took place in Upchurch and was the only one reported in the parish register for November, while there were no recorded baptisms or weddings. This ended a fairly ordinary month in the village.
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David Wood. |
About David:
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
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Andrea Candy
Market Manager
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Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Carlos Smith
Education Support
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Edith May Trading Company
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Edith May Trading Company
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