Swale Weekly Planning List - 15th July 2016

The latest list of applications received by the Council under the Town and Country Planning Acts.

You may inspect a copy of any application on our online planning database or at the Sheppey Gateway, 38-42 High street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1NL, or Alexander Centre, 15 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NZ or Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT.

You can make your comments online or by email to: planningcomments@midkent.gov.uk or in writing to MKIP Planning Support Service, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ.  Applications with the following suffix: ADJ, AGRIC, COUNTY, CPD, DEMO, SUB, TELNOT, TCA, NMAND, EIASCR or EIASCO are for information only. If an application is a householder application, in the event that an appeal is made against a decision of the Council to refuse to grant planning permission for the proposed development, and that appeal then proceeds by way of the expedited procedure under the written representations procedure, any representations will be passed to the Secretary of State and there will be no opportunity to make further representation.

Please be aware that any comments and your name and address will be placed on file, which will be available for public inspection and published in full on the Internet.  We will not publish your signature, email address or phone number on our website.  If you make any written comments we will notify you of the outcome of the application.  We will not make a decision on any application referred to in this list before 21 days from the date when the application was registered as valid except for those with the following suffix: ADJ, AGRIC, COUNTY, CPD, DEMO, SUB, TELNOT, TCA, NMAND, EIASCR or EIASCO.

Application: 16/505168/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 601871/161285	Ward: Abbey Parish: Faversham Town
Address: 27A East Street Faversham Kent ME13 8AS Proposal: Demolition of existing side extension and first floor extension and erection of two storey infill side extension
Applicant: Mr Harry Ingham Contact Address: C/O DCM Architectural Consultants Ltd 25 Pigeon Lane Herne Bay CT6 7EH

Application: 16/505210/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 606340/160883	Ward: Boughton & Courtenay Parish: Hernhill
Address: 2 Mount Pleasant Cottages Kays Lane Hernhill Kent ME13 9JN Proposal: Erection of single storey side/rear extension with new pitched roof and detached replacement outbuilding
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Cooper Contact Address: C/O Edgington Architectural Services Ltd 12 Swale View Hernhill Faversham ME13 9JS

Application: 16/505239/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 606716/158647	Ward: Boughton & Courtenay Parish: Dunkirk
Address: Dorothy Caravan Dunkirk Road South Dunkirk Kent ME13 9PB Proposal: New single storey dwelling. (Part Retrospective)
Applicant: Mr Darrin Williams Contact Address: C/O Sterling Architecture 1 Yew Tree Cottage  Holt Street Nonington Dover CT15 4LP

Application: 16/505633/FULL	Officer: Claire Attaway
Grid: 588871/162901	Ward: Borden & Grove Ward Parish: Borden
Address: 134 Borden Lane Borden Kent ME9 8HR Proposal: Amendment to previously approved application: 15/505615/FULL (Demolition of existing garage and cat slide roof over and rear conservatory. Erection of two storey side and rear extension with roof conversion together with internal alterations. Proposed single storey rear extension.) to alter the design of roof and insertion of additional roof lights.
Applicant: Mr Gary Brown Contact Address: GPB Solutions 134 Borden Lane Borden ME9 8HR

Application: 16/505593/FULL	Officer: Ross McCardle
Grid: 590498/163843	Ward: Chalkwell Parish:
Address: 35 Station Street Sittingbourne Kent ME10 3DU Proposal: Conversion of former office building to 6no. one person flats (Retrospective)
Applicant: Family Homes Contact Address: C/O Woodstock Associates F.A.O Mr Keith Plumb 53 Woodstock Road Sittingbourne ME10 4HJ

Application: 16/505471/FULL	Officer: Andrew Byrne
Grid: 597089/158686	Ward: East Downs Ward Parish: Ospringe
Address: The Meads Farm Elverland Lane Ospringe Kent ME13 0SP Proposal: Application for the removal of condition 1 of SW/09/1142 (One caravan for traveller family) - to allow for the permanent permission of one caravan for traveller family.
Applicant: Mr And Mrs Eli Smith Contact Address: The Meads Farm Elverland Lane Ospringe Faversham Kent

Application: 16/505678/FULL	Officer: Martin Evans
Grid: 592289/174541	Ward: Sheerness Parish:
Address: 216 High Street Sheerness Kent ME12 1UN Proposal: Change of use from A2 to Sui Generis (retrospective)
Applicant: Miss Evelyn Nguyen Contact Address: 22 Shirley House Drive Fairlawn Charlton London SE7 7EJ

Application: 16/505845/COUNTY	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 591529/173847	Ward: Sheerness Parish: Sheerness
Address: West Minster County Primary School St Georges Avenue Sheerness Kent ME12 1ET Proposal: KCC regulation 3 for temporary single storey classroom building. Required for the period between September 2016 to February 2017. KCC/SW/0177/2016
Applicant: KCC Property & Infrastructure Contact Address: C/O KCC Planning Applications Group First Floor Invicta House County Hall Maidstone Kent

Application: 16/505653/OUT	Officer: Martin Evans
Grid: 586042/165098	Ward: Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Parish: Newington
Address: 82 Church Lane Newington Kent ME9 7JU Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 2 no. 3 bedroom Semi-detached houses with all matters reserved for future consideration
Applicant: Mrs Deborah Greene Contact Address: 135 Berengrave Lane Rainham Gillingham Kent ME8 7UJ

Application: 16/505663/OUT	Officer: Martin Evans
Grid: 586042/165098	Ward: Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Parish: Newington
Address: 82 Church Lane Newington Kent ME9 7JU Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 1 detached 2 bedroom bungalow with all matters reserved for future consideration
Applicant: Mrs Deborah Greene Contact Address: 135 Berengrave Lane Rainham Gillingham Kent ME8 7UJ

Application: 16/505491/FULL	Officer: Ross McCardle
Grid: 583079/163601	Ward: Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Parish: Hartlip
Address: Windmill Farm  Yaugher Lane Hartlip ME9 7XE Proposal: Retrospective application for the retention of change of use for the siting of two mobile homes; the erection of two utility blocks; and associated fencing, parking and landscaping for the use by a Gypsy Family
Applicant: Mrs G. Cooper Contact Address: C/O M P Foad Ltd 16 The Paddocks Herne Bay CT6 6QX

Application: 16/505541/FULL	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 590155/163352	Ward: Homewood Parish:
Address: Excelsior House  Ufton Lane Sittingbourne ME10 1JA Proposal: Conversion from B1 offices to a mixed use of A2 offices and 9 one bedroom residential apartments with external alterations
Applicant: Wildwood Ltd Contact Address: C/O Alpha Design Studio Limited 43 Park Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1DY

Application: 16/504646/LBC	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 585700/167234	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Lower Halstow
Address: Green Farm House The Green Lower Halstow Kent ME9 7DS Proposal: Listed Building Consent for internal alterations (ground floor) formation of glazed lobby to kitchen; new door to corridor, external alterations (ground floor) enlarged window opening to form new external door, internal alterations (first floor) replacement of existing boarded bedroom doors with new boarded fire doors.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Haines Contact Address: C/O Andrew Wittich Architects Limited Portland House 10 High Street Bridge Canterbury Kent

Application: 16/505246/FULL	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 587768/164360	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Bobbing
Address: 48 Keycol Hill Bobbing ME9 8ND  Proposal: Demolition of existing triple garage, erection of two storey detached dwelling and detached single garage and associated parking areas.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs D Blythe Contact Address: C/O Alpha Design Studio Limited FAO: Mr T Day 43 Park Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1DY

Application: 16/505299/OUT	Officer: Thandi Zulu
Grid: 589733/167147	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Iwade
Address: Coleshall Farm Ferry Road Iwade Kent ME9 8QY Proposal: Outline application for erection of a 60 bed care home with amenity space, car and cycle parking, associated development, landscaping and access (Access being sought)
Applicant: Middlefields Limited Contact Address: C/O DHA Planning Eclipse House Eclipse Park Sittingbourne Road Maidstone Kent

Application: 16/505327/ADV	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 588650/164895	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Bobbing
Address: McDonalds Restaurants Ltd Sheppey Way Bobbing Kent ME9 8RZ Proposal: Advertisement Consent for the replacement of existing freestanding pole sign with a new freestanding 8m internally illuminated totem sign.
Applicant: McDonald's Restaurant Ltd Contact Address: C/O Planware F.A.O Mr Benjamin Fox The Granary  First Floor 37 Walnut Tree Lane Sudbury

Application: 16/505403/FULL	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 589926/167302	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Iwade
Address: Land At 17/19  Monins Road Iwade Kent ME9 8TY Proposal: Erection of a two-storey dwelling with associated landscaping, gardens and garaging
Applicant: Plaxtol Investments Limited Contact Address: C/O Hume Planning Consultancy Ltd Innovation House Discovery Park Innovation Way Sandwich CT13 9FF

Application: 16/505832/PNEXT	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 585706/167357	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Lower Halstow
Address: 10 Curlew Avenue Lower Halstow Kent ME9 7DF Proposal: Prior notification for a proposed single storey rear extension which: A) Extends by 4 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling. B) Has a maximum height of 3.32 metres from the natural ground level. C) Has a height of 2.28 metres at the eaves from the natural ground level.
Applicant: Mr I Iamprell Contact Address: C/O SEHBAC 1 Olympus Close Ipswich Suffolk IP1 5LJ

Application: 16/505709/FULL	Officer: Mandi Pilcher
Grid: 595111/173753	Ward: Minster Cliffs Parish: Minster On Sea
Address: 89 Scarborough Drive Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 2NQ Proposal: First floor & single storey extensions.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs McKinley Contact Address: C/O Alpha Design Studio Limited F.A.O Mr Tony Day 43 Park Road Sittingbourne ME10 1DY

Application: 16/505833/PNEXT	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 590795/165126	Ward: Milton Regis Parish:
Address: 124 Langley Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 2EU Proposal: Prior notification for a proposed single storey rear extension which: A) Extends by 6.000 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling. B) Has a maximum height of 3.000 metres from the natural ground level. C) Has a height of 3.000 metres at the eaves from the natural ground level.
Applicant: Mr Mark Priston Contact Address: 124 Langley Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 2EU

Application: 15/506187/FULL	Officer: Martin Evans
Grid: 591985/164963	Ward: Murston Parish:
Address: Brickmakers Arms Gas Road Murston Sittingbourne Kent Proposal: Demolition of two existing industrial units, removal of various outbuildings and containers currently on site. Erection of eight B2 industrial units and change of use of existing dwelling to B1 offices.
Applicant: Mr John Millen Contact Address: C/O John Burke Associates 13 Morris Court Close Bapchild Sittingbourne ME9 9PL

Application: 16/505280/OUT	Officer: Jeff Sadler
Grid: 592488/164270	Ward: Murston Parish:
Address: Land At Swale Way East Hall Farm East Hall Lane Sittingbourne Kent Proposal: Outline Application with access matter being sought for residential development (up to 33 dwellings), and open space; including associated access (vehicular / cycle / pedestrian), alterations to levels, surface water attenuation features (including swales), landscaping and related development.
Applicant: Trenport Investments Limited Contact Address: C/O Vincent And Gorbing FAO: Mr Richard Lewis Vincent And Gorbing Sterling Court Norton Road Stevenage

Application: 16/505782/NMAMD	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 592488/164270	Ward: Murston Parish:
Address: Plots 4A, 4B & 4C Bingham Road  Eurolink East Sittingbourne Kent Proposal: Non-material amendment to omit the single storey plant area to the rear of the workshop and reinstate the single storey plant room facing Bingham Road, and also to include several ventilation louvers. (Original application SW/09/0630).
Applicant: Mr B. Lynch Contact Address: C/O Mr David Bellamy Harrison Mutch Chartered Architects Innovation Centre Medway Maidstone Road Chatham ME5 9FD

Application: 16/505732/SUB	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 592488/164270	Ward: Murston Parish:
Address: East Hall Farm East Hall Lane Sittingbourne Kent ME10 3TJ Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to Condition 1 (Vehicle management) of planning application SW/09/0630.
Applicant: Mr Guy Goodier Contact Address: Raymond Brown Construction 1 Exeter House Beaufort Court Sir Thomas Longley Road Rochester

Application: 16/505475/FULL	Officer: Sara Potter
Grid: 592367/172445	Ward: Queenborough & Halfway Parish:
Address: 5 Belgrave Road Halfway Kent ME12 3EA Proposal: Single storey rear extension.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Belgrave Contact Address: C/O Woodstock Associates F.A.O Mr Keith Plumb 53 Woodstock Road Sittingbourne ME10 4HJ

Application: 16/505697/FULL	Officer: Ross McCardle
Grid: 590708/172158	Ward: Queenborough & Halfway Parish: Queenborough
Address: Trafalgar Court West Street Queenborough Kent ME11 5AD Proposal: Change of use from light industrial (office/storage) B1/B8 to Micropub A4
Applicant: Mr Christopher Collier Contact Address: Nore View  Bell Farm Lane Minster Kent ME12 4JB

Application: 16/505777/AGRIC	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 592188/171587	Ward: Queenborough & Halfway Parish: Sheerness
Address: Netts  Queenborough Road Halfway ME12 3RH Proposal: Prior notification of agricultural development for a farm building for livestock feed and equipment. For its prior approval to: Siting, design and external appearance.
Applicant: Mr William Lawrence Contact Address: C/O Burden Bros Old Rides Farm Leysdown Road Sheerness me12 4bd

Application: 16/505623/FULL	Officer: Ross McCardle
Grid: 596557/172648	Ward: Sheppey Central Parish: Minster On Sea
Address: Land Next To 117 Chequers Road Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 3SH Proposal: Development of 5 detached and 4 semi-detached dwellings
Applicant: Mr Herman De Jager Contact Address: 56 Mayfield Road Belvedere Kent DA17 6DX

Application: 16/505763/FULL	Officer: Mandi Pilcher
Grid: 594197/172851	Ward: Sheppey Central Parish: Minster On Sea
Address: 7 Sunnyside Avenue Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 2EN Proposal: Demolish existing conservatory and hard standing base, erect single storey rear extension, and replace existing patio door with window. (Resubmission of 16/500935/FULL)
Applicant: Mr Anthony Gibbs Contact Address: 7 Sunnyside Avenue Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 2EN

Application: 16/505151/FULL	Officer: Ross McCardle
Grid: 603228/170386	Ward: Sheppey East Parish: Leysdown
Address: Harts Holiday Park Leysdown Road Leysdown Kent ME12 4RG Proposal: Part demolition and extension of existing clubhouse for Assembly and Leisure uses (D2) together with Shop (A1); Amusement Arcade; Laundrette; Reception and Office (B1); Storage (B8); Plant Room; WC's; Relocation of Play Area and Equipment; reconfigured Site Road; Parking and associated Facilities.
Applicant: Park Holidays UK Ltd Contact Address: C/O Rural & Urban Planning Consultancy 121 Abbey Road South Shore Blackpool FY4 2PY

Application: 16/505574/LAWPRO	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 601774/170621	Ward: Sheppey East Parish: Leysdown
Address: 19 Mustards Road Leysdown Kent ME12 4AN Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) for alterations to side entrance replacing existing doors with masonry and forming internal fireplace and external flue not exceeding one metre above roof plain
Applicant: Mr Cooper-Buckles Contact Address: C/O Nigel Sands & Associates Wises Oast Business Centre  Wises Lane Borden Sittingbourne Kent

Application: 16/505793/FULL	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 597252/172104	Ward: Sheppey East Parish: Eastchurch
Address: Norwood Cottage Eastchurch Road Eastchurch Kent ME12 4HP Proposal: Change of use from agricultural land to residential/nature area/orchard.
Applicant: Mr Engin Selcuk Contact Address: C/O Richard Baker Partnership F.A.O Richard Baker 31 Highsted Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4PS

Application: 16/505801/FULL	Officer: Claire Attaway
Grid: 602216/171734	Ward: Sheppey East Parish: Warden
Address: 25 Imperial Drive Warden Kent ME12 4SB Proposal: Conversion of loft area into 2 bedrooms and 1 shower room, flat roof dormer to rear elevation with 2 Velux rooflights, construction of new flat roof porch to front elevation, continue garage to line of front elevation with flat roof merging with existing flat roof.
Applicant: Mr Lee Cooney Contact Address: C/O Deva Design Dunelm Oak Lane Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 3QP

Application: 16/505573/TPO	Officer: Claire Attaway
Grid: 594261/160789	Ward: Teynham & Lynsted Parish: Lynsted And Kingsdown
Address: The Old House Ludgate Lane Lynsted Kent ME9 0RH Proposal: TPO application to 1 x Yew (on east boundary of the house) Prune - tree is approx. 15/20 meters high.  We seek approval to; a) remove top 2 meters of tree (to bring it away from the cables) and b) to prune the lower 3 meters to clear the pedestrian walkway and the boundary fence.
Applicant: Mr Emlyn Morgan Contact Address: The Old House Ludgate Lane Lynsted Kent ME9 0RH

Application: 16/505753/PNQCLA	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 595155/161812	Ward: Teynham & Lynsted Parish: Lynsted And Kingsdown
Address: Lambing Shed Cambridge Lane Cellar Hill Lynsted Kent Proposal: Prior notification for the change of use of agricultural building to dwellinghouse For it's prior approval to: - Transport and Highways impacts of the development. - Contamination risks on the site. - Flooding risks on the site. - Noise impacts of the development. - Whether the location or siting of the building makes it otherwise impractical or undesirable for the use of the building to change as proposed.
Applicant: Ms Carol Barret Contact Address: C/O Mr Paddy Miller 400 Rochester Road Aylesford Kent ME20 7ED

Application: 16/505702/FULL	Officer: Miss Alice Reeves
Grid: 600287/161103	Ward: Watling Parish: Faversham Town
Address: 2 St Peters Court Faversham Kent ME13 7PQ Proposal: Single storey side and rear extensions
Applicant: Ms C Kirkness And Mr W Bean Contact Address: C/O Clark Designs Limited 39 Reculver Road Herne Bay CT6 6LQ

Application: 16/505502/SUB	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 602405/160614	Ward: Watling Parish: Faversham Town
Address: George Beckett Close Faversham Kent ME13 8JH Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to conditions 4 (Remediation Works) and 5 (Contaminated Land Assessment) of Planning application SW/12/0758.
Applicant: Westridge Construction Ruskin House Contact Address: C/O Colin Sharpe Architects Plus 2nd Floor The Grange Market Square Westerham

Application: 16/505555/OUT	Officer: Andrew Byrne
Grid: 599880/161095	Ward: Watling Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Land At A2 London Road And Western Link Road London Road Ospringe Kent ME13 8TN Proposal: Outline Application with all matters reserved for erection of 54 houses, provision of open space provision (1 ha), new vehicular and pedestrian accesses, strategic landscaping and associated works.
Applicant: Shepherd Neame Ltd Contact Address: C/O Milliken & Co. Chartered Surveyors FAO: Mr Simon Milliken 1A The Pantiles Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 5TD

Application: 16/505866/TPO	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 601706/160682	Ward: Watling Parish: Faversham Town
Address: 30 Preston Park Faversham Kent ME13 8LN Proposal: TPO application to reduce 1no. Copper Beech tree by 25%
Applicant: Mr Couchman Contact Address: C/O Summer And Winter Services Ltd 154 Godinton Road Ashford Kent TN23 1LN

Mid Kent Planning Services

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Newington History Group - Uncovering The Roots

Malcolm Roots lived in Newington for more than 30 years but never realised that the F Roots whose name was engraved on the village war memorial was his great uncle.

The connection was made by researchers from Newington History Group and Malcolm was invited back to the village for a service at Newington CofE Primary school to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Frank Roots' death in WWI.

Malcolm, from Tanglewood Close, Wigmore, was the first baby to be born in Newington following the outbreak of WWII in September 1939 and lived in the village until 1971.

But it was not until recently that he realised a family member had given his life in service in the Great War. “I lived in Newington all those years, went to the village school and was even married in the church. But my parents never spoke about my great uncle when I was growing up so it's been really interesting to find out his story. As lads, we used to play in tunnels around Newington and I now realise that they were part of the WWI defences in case the Germans ever invaded.”

Malcolm Roots at the Newington War Memorial laying a commemoration cross against the name of

F Roots, his great uncle.

Malcolm is the son of the late Leslie Roots, known locally for being the nine times winner of the Newington Working Mens Club marathon. Malcolm, his son Daren and daughter in law, Diane, were guests at the school where head teacher, Trudi Godfrey, told pupils about Frank's life when he lived at Ellen's Place in Newington and his role as a driver in the Middle East in the war. Frank caught dysentery and died on 10 July 1916 as he was being invalided to India.

The school was also remembering telegraphist, Arthur Martin, who died in Africa on 12 July 1916 from malaria. His father, John, was Newington's sub-postmaster. Following the service, Malcolm and his family went to the war memorial to lay a commemorative cross and hold a minute's silence.

The 100th anniversary services at the school are based on the book, Newington Remembers, which was researched by local historians Thelma Dudley, Debbie Haigh and Dean Coles and identifies every man named on Newington's War Memorial. As a result, they have been able to tell several other families in Swale and beyond about ancestors many of them knew nothing about.

Sue Flipping

Newington History Group

Twitter: @NewingtonHG

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July Rainbow Café in St. Mary’s Upchurch

Gill Gay
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The Historic Upchurch Wedding of July 1908 by David Wood

With colourful decorations in the village centre, the church bells ringing loudly and a huge number of village residents lining the streets, the most historic and perhaps the biggest Upchurch wedding in history took place at the church involving the vicar’s daughter Winifred Trew and Lieutenant William Roberts of the Royal Engineers on Wednesday July 22nd 1908.

According to the parish records this was the first wedding at the church involving the son or daughter of a serving vicar and the villagers turned out in force to participate in the joyous event and to support the happy couple on their big day.

According to the East Kent Gazette of July 25th 1908 an extraordinary outburst of affection by parishioners towards the bride and groom and to Reverend Trew and his family became a noticeable feature of the event. This showed the popularity of the family who had got to know many Upchurch residents and were viewed with great respect.

In the days leading up to the wedding resident George Cremer organised the positioning of the village decorations. Multi coloured Venetian masts with strings of paper roses on top and bearing decorated shields and the initials of the bride and groom were erected on each side of the road with lines of fluttering pennants leading from the vicarage to the church. The ‘Village Ladies Working Party’ had carefully made the decorations.

A big triumphal arch spanned the vicarage entrance in Oak Lane and the inside of this bore the words ‘Good Luck,’ while the area from the churchyard gate to the church porch was covered with a light cover of apple green and white muslin. A display of white flowers decorated the church altar flanked by palms and ferns. Exotic plants and pots of lilies were arranged around the base of the palms to add extra style.

The bride wore a unique frock of Irish crochet lace over cream satin while her bodice was of folded satin with yoke and sleeves of hand tucked chiffon with laced motifs. The full court train was also of cream satin lined with silk and chiffon worn from the shoulder. On her head the bride wore a wreath of orange blossom and shamrock with a veil of Limerick lace which had been especially made for her by her mother who had worn it at her own wedding. She also carried a bouquet of lilies.

The bridegroom, dressed in full military uniform, an officer in the Royal Engineers named William Henry Roberts, was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Frances Roberts of the Royal Artillery. Bridesmaids included Miss Ousby Trew, younger sister of the bride, Leonie Brotherton, daughter of Colonel Brotherton and Penelope and Dolly Roberts, sisters of the groom. Train bearers included Rachel Webster, daughter of Doctor Irby Webster from Rainham and Donald Macneece, son of Colonel Macneece of the RAMC. Mr Hamilton Roberts from the Royal Garrison Artillery was ‘Best Man.’ Groomsmen included Mr C Palmer, Mr H Powell and Mr H Pollock of the Royal Engineers who like the groom were all dressed in full military uniform.

In an atmosphere of excitement and expectation amongst the villagers lining the street on a glorious summer day, the bride entered the church with her father and they were escorted by churchwardens James Holloway from Ham Green and Bill Hyland from Wetham Green carrying their wands of office.

In a fully choral service accompanied by choirmaster and organist Mr Maltravers, the service began with those present singing the opening hymn ‘O perfect love, all human thought transcending.’

Reverend R D Swallow, headmaster of Chigwell School and Canon of St Albans conducted the marriage ceremony while Reverend Leicester Selby the Rector of Great Durnford and Reverend H Creso the Rural Dean assisted him. The bride was given away by her father then after the bride and groom had signed the register they left the church to the accompaniment of Mendelsohn’s ‘Wedding March.’

The bride and groom were followed out of the church by eighteen little village girls dressed in white with chaplets of white lilies, white roses and white sweet peas on their heads. In the churchyard the girls lined the pathway and threw rose leaves on the ground which they carried in little baskets. The bride and groom passed through here and then returned to the vicarage to the lively sound of the church bells while villagers who lined the route in big numbers congratulated and loudly cheered them on their way. 

A big reception held on the rectory grounds included a refreshment buffet with the wedding cake on a table. The guests were given shamrock then the bride and groom took a position at one end of the lawn as villagers filed past in large numbers to congratulate and shake hands with them. After this the bridal party was photographed on the lawn while the Band of the Royal Engineers played music and guests crowded around the buffet area to eat.

At 4-30 pm the bride and groom left the vicarage by horse and carriage for Rainham railway station for the fast train to London from where they caught another train to begin their honeymoon in the Cornish resort of Penzance.

After the bridal party’s departure a large number of Upchurch residents assembled on the rectory grounds and were entertained by Reverend Trew and his wife. All were invited to view the vast array of wedding gifts then given a glass of champagne to join Holywell headmaster Mr Maltravers in a toast to the health of the bride and groom then to Reverend Trew and his wife. Next, Reverend Trew thanked everyone for attending and for making the occasion successful. He said that he felt proud that Upchurch villagers had shown such great affection towards him and his family. The festivities then ended with the National Anthem played by the Band of the Royal Engineers. The following Friday Reverend Trew and his wife entertained Upchurch children to tea in the rectory meadow followed by sports and games to commemorate the historic marriage of their daughter which had proven to be such a big and memorable event.

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

Upchurch Horticultural Society - August Farm Meeting

Upchurch Horticultural Society is having an evening out at a local farm for members, friends and family's on Wednesday the 3rd of August at 6:00pm.

If you are interested please send your name and numbers to me ASAP so I can finalise the evening.

Thank you.

Steve Laming

Email: slaming@tycoint.com

Tel: 07703 339290  01634 373723

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