Upchurch Fifty Years Ago in December 1961

Memories of Upchurch.

The East Kent Gazette reported Christmas 1961 as the coldest for seventeen years with bitterly cold winds, frost and burst water pipes. To make matters worse tragedy struck on Funton Marshes when a group of Upchurch and Halstow boys went duck shooting. Using rubber dinghies they split into two pairs but after 90 minutes the second pair consisting of Graham Daniel from Oak Lane Upchurch and Peter McKenzie from Lower Halstow watched a hat float past and an upturned dingy floating on the water. After searching for their friends they called for help and the drowned bodies of Peter Shrub and John Gooding were recovered from the river. Because of their waders, heavy clothing and cartridge belts the boys had been pulled under the water after their dingy had capsized. The tragedy caused great sadness for local people.

With a surge in building there were many requests to Swale Rural Council and Kent County Council for planning permission in Upchurch. An attempt to have a site for 100 caravans constructed on a 5½ acre field next to the brickfield in Otterham Quay and another in Poot Lane were both rejected. There was also an application to put the defunct slaughterhouse in W. H. Hales butchers yard in Forge Lane back into use. Swale Rural Council refused fearing that residents would complain and that the building was not in good repair.

In social affairs the Darby and Joan Club held a Christmas party in the village hall where members were presented with gifts of biscuits and small parcels of groceries. The horticultural society held its annual dance in the village hall and raised £12 for a local charity, while Mr and Mrs Stevens from Holywell Farm presented the church with a Christmas tree. Rich Boakes of Chaffes Lane continued organising the weekly village youth club. Acting as doorman and DJ he spent much of his time playing loud musical hits. He even organised a football match between the youth club boys and girls on the recreation ground which the boys just won 3-2. Meanwhile, the village football team was performing very well and scored their 50th goal of the season when they defeated East End 6-1. Les Woolley scored four goals. Two weeks earlier he had scored four in an exciting 5-4 victory over Medway United.

While the village footballers were banging in the goals members of the Women’s Institute spent their December meeting listening to Mr Cooper talking about wine then after some sherry tasting elected their new officers for the year. Mrs Smith was elected president, Mrs Watson secretary, Mrs Gore treasurer and Mrs Tress auditor. A competition for the most articles in a jar was won by Mrs Tress.

Finally, only one funeral took place when Florence Robinson aged 75 of The Street was buried in the churchyard while birthdays were celebrated by Leonard Sketchley aged 13 from Chaffes Lane, Elaine Stokes aged 10 from Holywell Farm Cottages, Cristine Cripps aged 13 from Twinney Cottages, and Anne Clemons aged 11 from Gore Bank.

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
space

Stay Vigilant

Upchurch residents are reminded to stay extra vigilant over the Christmas period after a car was broken into in Woodruff Close at the weekend whilst parked on the owners drive. A Sat Nav along with some loose change were taken in the theft.


Sally Cushing
space

Roy's Karaoke

Come along and sing your favourite !

Roy Player brings his famous Karaoke to the Crown on Saturday the 17th of December. It all starts at 9pm and all are welcome.

Upchurch Matters

space

Upchurch Twinning Group News - December

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France.

Try the Holywell School website:  www.holywell.kent.sch.uk  or Upchurch Matters:  www.upchurchmatters.co.uk  for our news as well. In addition, visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

Happy Christmas !       Joyeux Noël !

Saturday 4^th February 2012 – Quiz night in Holywell School, 7:30 pm start. Tables of up to 8 (you can have 4 or 6 or whatever!), £4 each, bookable with Mike Johnson on: 01634 234226.  Bring your own drinks, nibbles and glasses etc. There will also be a raffle on the night.

March 2012 – Anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Charter in Upchurch – we’re planning an outing, possibly to the Historic Dockyard and some of the Ferques residents will be joining us.


Sunday 15^th April 2012 – Upchurch Choral Society will be performing in the church at Ferques – the concert will start at 6pm. The choir will be going by coach and we hope some of you will come along and listen !


Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780

space

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

space

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

space