Mr. Bridger

From left to right: Colin Wood, Dave Hursell and Mark Neilson.

Mr. Bridger are now signed to Paisley Archive.

Mr. Bridger a three piece band comprising of vocalist and lead guitarist, Dave Hursell, Colin Wood bassist and vocalist from Upchurch and Mark Neilson on the drums formed in April 2009. The band gig regularly right across the country.

Dave was the hinge pin in getting it up and running. He and Colin were already involved in musical projects but wanted to move things forward. Dave and Mark used to play in a band some 10 years before called The Spirals. So a meeting of minds was arranged. After weeks of deciding what to call the band, they chose the name Mr. Bridger.” An iconic character played by Noel Coward in 1969 film The Italian Job, Bridger was typically English, patriotic, had good values that represent the bands feelings perfectly.

In no time at all they had written and recorded their first album a 28 minuet 12 track album named “Change of Term” in two days recording time at Ranscome studios in Rochester there sound and influences were clear from their high energy and rawness compared to The Jam, The Who, Buzcocks and Small Faces.

After a gig filled summer they were contacted by 208 Records an independent label offering sales and distribution. Management came from the Help of Rob Holmes creator of the Underground Groove who projected the band forward to secure gigs with iconic bands such as The Purple Hearts, DC Fontanna and The Lambrettas .During this time a single was released “Got To Know Your Name” B/W Get Away.

The live musical experience is one not to be missed both Dave and Colin sing while Marks rhythms fuel aggression. Since they formed they have performed on stages where many of our great and legendary artists have at some of our greatest music venues across the country.

At this year’s Underground Groove they sold albums and merchandise, signed photographs and albums they were often seen talking to fans in the audience and was interviewed by Mark Sergent of Scootering Magazine for an article. This was a long way from their first gig in 2009 playing in Colin’s garden to friends and family.

A second album now completed Was released on 1st September 2011 “Out For Tea” ,available from “Paisley Archive” part of Detour records, slightly more refined and has been a working progression the band say, gigs are now being booked for a national 2012 tour to promote this.

Mr. Bridger is now pleased to announce that as from January 2012 all bookings and band related enquiries will now be taken care of by Hipster Lee at “Heavy Ears Promotions”.

For more information on the band, please go to:

Website:  mrbridger.com


Facebook:  Their Page


YouTube:  Watch the video to "GET AWAY"


Amazon:  The CD "OUT FOR TEA" for sale on Amazon


The OFFICIAL Mr. Bridger Fan Club:  On Facebook


iTunes:  Download tracks here


Colin Wood

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Upchurch Poppy Appeal 2011

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” 

The house-to-house Poppy Appeal collection in Upchurch was undertaken in all areas of the village by seventeen collectors.

The total collection in Upchurch in 2011 was £2,390. Of this amount £983 was collected in business or retail outlets and the pupils and staff of Holywell School donated £50.

St Mary the Virgin had a large congregation of all ages for the Remembrance Sunday service conducted by Reverend Jacky Davis. Five wreaths were laid below the memorial tablet in the Lady Chapel. After the service Reverend Davis led the choir and congregation in the autumnal sunshine to the burial ground were wooden crosses were laid at the five war commission graves. We were mindful of recent and current losses in Afghanistan suffered by our Armed Forces.

The need for the Poppy Appeal continues and the money donated will be used by the Royal British Legion entirely for welfare work including its Battle Back and Personnel Recovery Centres. It supports those who have served in the Armed Forces and their loved ones when they find themselves in need through bereavement, injury or other circumstances. On behalf of the Royal British Legion thank you for your generosity.

Cllr Gerry Lewin – Upchurch Poppy Day Appeal Organiser

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The Old Days of Hop Picking in Upchurch

Hop picking dates back hundreds of years in Upchurch with hop gardens and oasthouses once scattered around the parish. Although all have disappeared, 91 year old Marj Lacy from Bradshaw Close still has vivid memories of the hop picking season on those damp and misty autumn days of eighty years ago.

“I started when I was ten years old back in the 1930s and went hop picking with my brother and two cousins at Wakeleys’ hop garden in Hartlip. We shared a bin between us and picked into half bushel baskets which we tipped into the bin. I went picking to buy a new school uniform for myself each year. I earned about fifteen shillings a week and picked for the whole season which lasted for about five weeks starting in September. I worked in the Hartlip hop garden for four years and remember Seymour Wakeley from Rainham inspecting the picking and overseeing the payment of wages at the end of each week.

I worked at ‘Seventeen Acres’ hop garden in Oak Lane during the 1940s. Pickers from Upchurch brought their own equipment consisting of a stool and picking basket. Some pickers brought their equipment in a baby’s pram while others visited the workplace the night before to see which row they had been allocated.

Many Upchurch residents worked in ‘Seventeen Acres’ like Ellen Boast and Win Wraight from The Street, Mrs Goodall and Elsie Waters from Oak Lane and Win Edmonds and Molly Bass from Drakes Close. Mrs Neame from The Street Stores also came with volunteers to raise money for the Darby and Joan Club. Meanwhile, Mr Oldland, the foreman from Rainham, organised the pickers who came by bus from Chatham and brought their children with them while Brian Wakeley from Forge Lane often inspected the picking. Other visitors included a man with a basket of doughnuts and another on a horse and cart selling sweets. The pickers brought tins which were hung on a wire with a hook above a fire for making tea which they drank while they worked. Official tea breaks didn’t exist.

The pickers were paid per basket and chose the hours they worked although the usual working day began at 7 a.m. and finished at 4 p.m. A lunch break took place for one hour. The work was pleasant but the hops that dropped on the ground had to be picked up. This was the hardest work. I didn’t only do picking, I also did stringing and training. The hop bins were collected early afternoon by horse and cart and taken to Moor Street oasthouse situated nearby or to the Station Road oasthouse in Rainham for drying. At the end of a working day I returned home, did the cooking and housework and looked after my two daughters. I thought nothing of it in those days.

David Wood.

The last day of the season was usually a fun day when pickers arrived in fancy dress, had a good laugh and played tricks on each other. On one occasion my mother was put into a sack which was then tied up. I really miss hop picking, it was marvellous.”

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, 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 Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood

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Christmas Crafts and Produce Sale at St. Margaret's

Come along to St. Margaret's on the 3rd.

There will be a Christmas Crafts and Produce Sale at St. Margaret's Church Lower Halstow on
Saturday the 3rd of December from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Come and join us for a wide variety of local crafts including cards, calendars, jewellery, wood turned gifts and toys, traditional Advent calendars, African art, home made and home grown produce and refreshments.

The Reed Bed Studio is also open as is the delightful tea room on the Thames Sailing Barge, the Edtih May.

Come and spend the afternoon at arguably the prettiest location around !

Liz Mouland

Friends of St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow

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Upchurch Parish Council Report for December 2011

The Parish Council met on Thursday 3^rd November in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 5 members of the public.

Public Time – A resident raised concerns about a street light in The Poles, which was still not working even though it had been reported. It was explained that the Council was required to report four street lights before DW Lighting would attend. Another resident raised concerns about vehicles parking on pavements, particularly at night, which caused pedestrians to walk in the road. The Council would like to remind people not to obstruct pathways when parking. Another resident referred to the November report in the Gabriel, asking why it referred to the traveller’s site formally known as Hursell Farm. It was explained that a resident had raised this issue and the Council was unaware of the situation. The resident reported that a planning application was being prepared by Mr Cullen of Kent Drawing.

Correspondence – Monthly Indoor Boot fair to be held in Village Hall – A request from Lisa Older to use The Paddock as an overflow car park if required. Members considered this request and decided that more information was required about the people organising the Boot fair and also, highlight that a charge or donation may be made for the use of The Paddock. Swale Community Safety Unit – An email from Sergeant Tim Hill providing information about the unit and asking if the Council would like to gain a better understanding of this, the work they do and how they could assist our community. It was suggested that he might like to attend the Annual Parish Meeting in April 2012.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – Change of use to a residential unit caring for young mothers – babies - The following objections had been forwarded to Swale BC:-

·      The fact that it would be a business amongst residential properties and could possibly devalue them if the owners wish to sell at a future date

·      For Health & Safety reasons, it would not be appropriate for babies/toddlers to be in the vicinity of the covered swimming pool that takes up most of the garden at the rear of the property.  In this respect, it raises the question as to whether planning permission was sought or obtained for this to be built.

·      The residents adjacent to the property are elderly and one very elderly next door neighbour, who has a full-time carer, would find any excessive noise disturbing

·      It would be helpful if more information could be provided as to the ownership and management of the unit.  Are the staff to be subjected to CRB checks? The Council queries the need for such a unit in the 21^st. century when unmarried mothers are not shut away in disgrace.  Are the residents likely to be battered wives who could have abusive partners causing a nuisance?  Is their stay to be temporary or permanent?  Will there be a constant change of residents?

SW/11/1160 Field to the rear of 32/62 Hartlip Hill – Variation of condition 4 of SW/11/0653 to allow 3 mobile field shelters and two horse trailers –No objections.

SW/11/1161 Redbrick Cottage, Poot Lane – Rear extension. To be used as plant room (To house oil storage & boiler) No objections.

SW/11/1226 Unit 12, Oast Park Trading Estate, Spade Lane, Hartlip – Use of unit 12 for B1 purposes –No objections.

SW/11/1263 16 Oak Lane – renewal of SW/08/0942 for single storey side and rear extension- No objections.

Permissions and refusals

Permission granted:

SW/11/1020 18 Horsham Lane – demolition of existing conservatory and existing rear extension and erection of new single storey pitched roof extension

SW/11/0866 Four Gun Field, Otterham Quay Lane – Stationing of portable office/restroom

SW/11/0867 Four Gun Field, Otterham Quay Lane – Formation of areas of hard standing, siting of wheel spinner, CCTV cameras and stanchion

Local Needs Housing –  An email from Alison Thompson of English Rural Housing Association informing the Council that the land owners of the site in Forge Lane opposite Holywell Primary School had decided not to sell this land. Members discussed the process taken by the Council to date and how it could decide what to do next. It was commented that deciding on whether to progress with this scheme would be a strategic decision for the village to make. It was suggested that the working group meet to discuss what do to next and to find a way of getting an objective view from all residents. Cllr Catford, Cllr Lewin and Cllr New would meet to discuss this and it was agreed that Cllr Tucker would also join the working group.                       

Finance – KCC Community Engagement Grants Scheme 2011-12 – The Clerk reported that the grant for improvements to The Paddock was not supported by Keith Ferrin. Village Hall Asbestos Problem - A letter had been received from the Village Hall Management Committee requesting funding for the cost of asbestos removal, to the sum of £4,800. Members discussed various ways they could support this request. However, it was agreed that further information was still required, therefore the Clerk would forward them a grant application form in which to complete.                       

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Goal Posts in Recreation Ground – Advice from Graeme Tuff, Green spaces Manager at Swale BC had been circulated which suggested installing two 5 a side goal posts. The Clerk will obtain three quotes. Unfortunately, it was commented that the road cones, purchased by the Council, for the benefit of the footballers had been vandalised.  Allotment Rent Review – Members agreed that this be increased to £14 for a resident with a full plot and £23 for a non-resident, effective April 2012.
           

Paddock – Tree work required by 22 Chaffes Lane – It was agreed to accept the quote from Lindsay & Company to the sum of £150 to fell and remove 3 overhanging false acacia.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Marys Churchyard – Footpath to Burial Ground – Members had met with Neil sheppard of First Highways Ltd to discuss installing a footpath in the Churchyard, leading round to the Village Hall Car Park.

Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee – Cllr New, Cllr Rossiter and Cllr Tucker will be forming a committee to discuss ideas or suggestions on how to celebrate this occasion. Residents are invited to join this committee too, please contact the Clerk for further details or if you wish to suggest any ideas.

Highways - Small Profits– Track at end of Crosier Court – An email from Michael Ellis, Public Rights of Way Officer, explaining that this track was privately owned. The public had a legal right to use the track as pedestrians and the landowner can give permission to individuals to use their land. He advised that he would only get involved if the exercise of private rights i.e. the Lorries damaged the surface to such an extent that it was no longer possible for the public to walk up and down the track.

Next meetings – 1^st December 2011 and 5^th January 2012 in the hall of Holywell School at 7.30pm.

 Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk   Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Office opening hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00am till 11.30am

Upchurch Parish Council
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Kentish Beer Festival at the Three Sisters

Come along this weekend for a selection of Kentish Beers.

The Three Sisters Upchurch are holding a Kentish Beer Festival tomorrow and all this weekend, the 11th, 12th and 13th of November.


http://www.upchurchmatters.co.uk/Adverts/thethreesisters.html


Upchurch Matters
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