The History of Poot Lane

Memories of Upchurch.

The name Poot is Anglo Saxon for Poult meaning place of game birds or chickens and it certainly lives up to this name as a large chicken farm existed there for many years. The road name dates back at least to the 1840s and it appears in the 1841 National Census List and probably existed well before then although pre 19th century maps show it as a narrow lane that merged into the marshes at the foot of Brick hill. Since the early 19th century the road has encircled the Ham Green peninsular and it has remained a popular route for walkers, cyclists and joggers.

During the early 19th century land at the top end of the lane was owned by Rainham farmer Thomas Dodd then later by Wakeley Brothers who established a brick works on Brick Hill in 1862. The brick works existed into the 20th century and a tram line connected it to Twinney and Lower Halstow creeks from where bricks were transported to different locations by barge. At Wetham Green the line branched off and doubled back to a sand pit located opposite The Poles. On the bottom left of Brick Hill is Piwit Marsh. This served as the home of Ham Green Cricket Club during the 1920s and then Upchurch Cricket Club and Upchurch Football Club during the 1950s.

Until the last part of the 19th century only two houses existed in the lane. Poot House has stood at the village end since the 1830s, Yew Tree Cottage at the lower end since the 17th century. Bayford House which lies back from the road on the bottom left is an interesting building made almost entirely of concrete and was constructed single handedly by inventor Mr Mantle in the early 1900s. He also established the Bayford Ironworks Company on the adjacent marsh in 1911. All that remains of this is an old brick built foundry, used as a fruit store for many years and owned by A Hinge & Sons. Bayford Farm which is situated nearby provided the village with milk for many years. This is situated just beyond Poot Lane and has been owned and run by the Barling family since the 1920s.

In the lower part of Poot Lane 150 acres of land were presented to the parish of Lower Halstow by the owners during the 18th century. This land was returned to Upchurch in 1882 but it wasn’t until 1961 that residents there had rights to baptisms, marriages or burials at Upchurch church. The lower left area of Poot Lane was once part of the Sharpneth’s estate, a 500 acre area incorporating Burntwick Island but during the 18th century it was dissected by the river and a large amount of land was lost. The orchard on the bottom left of Poot Lane is still known as ‘Sharps.’

During World War Two Poot Lane became a focal point for German fighter planes as anti aircraft gun positions and an army camp were established there. The lane became the most heavily bombed part of the parish during the war with some unexploded bombs still buried deep in the ground.

Familiar long term residents of Poot Lane during the 20th century have included farmers Charles Barling, Harry Witherden, Bob Witherden, Alf (Snapper) Clark, Bert Moon, golf club owners Bill and David Barling, bulldog breeder Dick Shrubsole, Georgine Gordon-Smith, Bett Kitney, Florrie Clark and the Hannigan family. These days there are more dwellings including Tanzor Riding Stables meaning that horse riders are now a familiar sight along the lane.


David Wood, who 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 on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood

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Thefts in Upchurch

A large empty red 49 kilo gas bottle, a blue gas bottle 19 kilo part full and an empty beige 10 kilo gas bottle were stolen from Upchurch Cricket Club pavilion in Holywell Lane, between the 10th and the 12th of January.

Just after midnight on 14th of January a red Massey Fergusson tractor and three other pieces of machinery were stolen from the same club.

Between the 8th and the 11th of January a Greyflex S Rod and a Ron Thompson Rod were stolen from a domestic garage in Wetham Green, Upchurch.

If you have any information please contact your local police on telephone number: 101 and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch.

Thank you that was message: 065.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Murder Mystery Evening

Holywell Primary School presents A Murder Mystery Evening ‘Class of 82 School Reunion’ to be held in the school hall at 7:00pm on Saturday the 28th of April.

A Fish and Chip supper is included with Tables of up to 8 people. Bring your own drink. Dress code 1980's (optional but preferred).

Tickets are priced at £8.00 each and are available from Ray Kemsley on: 01634 231585 or Brian Evans on: 07770 780839.

Holywell Primary School

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Important Message From Upchurch Scouts

From now on please leave out all paper for the paper drive tied in string.

Please can any paper left out for tomorrows paper drive and all future ones be tied up with string and not put in polythene bags.

Thank you


Upchurch Scouts
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St. Mary's Church Upchurch Online Survey

Please take time out to complete the survey.

St. Mary's Upchurch, which is part of a team of local villages churches - which together are called
The Six - would like to hear from everyone who lives in our villages.

We have set up a short online survey where you can tell us what you think about the church, what we do well, what we could do better and what other things we could be doing.

There are just 9 questions and it won't take more than 5 minutes to complete, but your answers will be very helpful to us as we plan for the future.


You can complete the survey by clicking  HERE


Thank you


Rev Hugh Nelson

Curate, The Six

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - January and February 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 1^st December in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 3 members of the public.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

 SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – Change of use to a residential unit caring for young mothers - babies. A further response will be submitted to Swale BC. Concern was expressed that some information was still not known, for example, who is behind this planning application, who is going to run the unit? It was noted that the service users would be voluntarily accommodated under S20 of the Children Act 1989 which stated that “Every local authority shall provide accommodation for any child in need within their area...” However, it was commented that they were not aware of any need being identified, therefore it was requested that this evidence of “need” be reported.

Permission granted:

SW/11/1161 Redbrick Cottage, Poot Lane – Rear extension. To be used as a plant room (To house oil storage & boiler)

vi) Proposal to hold a private party for Scout Leaders, Committee Members and Supporters of the Scout Group on 31 December 2011 at Upchurch Scout Group Headquarters, Drake Lodge Recreation Ground, Oak Lane – There were no objections.                                                

Rural Needs Housing – Members discussed a request from a resident asking that a full declaration of interest be made by each councillor on the working party. It was agreed that sufficient checks were in place to ensure that they all behaved properly in relation to this proposal. Members noted a suggestion forwarded by Tessa O’Sullivan (ACRK) that it may be viable to build 8 to 10 units. Alison Thompson (ERHA) had also agreed that this might be possible and that the site next to Holywell Primary School could be considered. However, the Planning Officer at Swale BC had commented that it would need to be demonstrated that the other, more preferable sites originally identified, were not able to come forward, and also state the reason. Support for this site would also be subject to the design, bulk and scale of the proposed houses and how they relate to their surroundings. It was decided that the working group would meet to discuss this and report back at the next Parish Council meeting.

Administration – Annual Parish Meeting – This has been arranged for Thursday 26^th April 2012 at 7.30pm in the main hall of Upchurch Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and wine and nibbles will be available after the meeting.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Bonfire at Allotments – Members considered a request by a resident to stipulate times of the day when bonfires were allowed at the Allotments. It was suggested that allotment holders were reminded to show consideration to the neighbours and ensure that bonfires were not left unattended.

Paddock –Dumping of garden waste – The Council would like to remind everyone that garden waste must not be disposed of in the Paddock and that it is considered as fly tipping.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Marys Churchyard – footpath to Burial Ground - Members were informed that a quote had been received from First Highways Ltd.

Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee – Please do consider joining the committee. They are hoping to plan an event which would be suitable for all ages. If you are interested, please contact the Clerk. Rural Broadband – Please consider completing a “needs” survey that is currently being carried out by KCC. You can access this by entering KCC Broadband in the search engine.

The Parish Council met on Thursday 5^th January 2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 4 members of the public.

Planning

SW/11/1527 39 Oak Lane – Two storey side and rear extension – No objections.

SW/11/1520 81 Beckenham Park, Otterham Quay Lane – Laying of hardstanding to provide disabled parking bay – No objections.

SW/11/1296 Frogs Farm, Susans Lane – Retrospective application for the building of an agricultural barn - No objections.

Permission granted:

SW/11/1263 16 Oak Lane – Renewal of SW/08/0942 for single storey side and rear extension

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

SW/11/1394 1 Macklands Cottage, Otterham Quay Lane – Erection of single storey conservatory to rear

SW/11/1369 8 Drakes Close – To convert an integral garage into a habitable room and alteration to front elevation to remove garage door and replace with brick and window.

Rural Needs Housing - The working group had met to discuss the next steps. They recommended that members consider the two sites at the next meeting and agree which one to pursue further for this scheme. There would be an opportunity for members to discuss the site selection at the next meeting before a vote was taken. Then there would be a public meeting to further discuss the site selected. Following this public meeting, a referendum would be arranged. Residents would be asked whether they would like the scheme to go ahead or not. It was made clear that no decision would be made until the Council had received the results of the referendum. The Council has yet to decide how the results of the referendum will be interpreted.           

Finance – Village Hall Asbestos Problem - It was agreed to forward a grant of £3,000 towards the cost of asbestos removal. Budget/Precept 2012/13 – It was agreed to submit a 0% increase in the precept.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Marys Churchyard – Members noted confirmation from the PCC that they would be willing to contribute half the cost for widening the footpath.

Environment - Poplars at front of Oak Lane and corner of Wallbridge Lane – A letter from Upchurch River Valley Golf Course explaining that during January they proposed to top out the Poplars. They requested that residents did not park on the site line during January. Queens Diamond Jubilee – Members are considering removing the tree stump in the Paddock and replanting a tree to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Highways – Proposed Bus Shelter - Advice from Conservation Officer at Swale BC had been received. However, members were concerned that the designs he had suggested were all made of wood. Therefore the Clerk will forward him a copy of the design which the Council was considering. Also results of a questionnaire prepared by a resident supporting the need for a bus shelter were circulated.

Next meetings – 2^nd February and 1^st March. Meetings start at 7.30pm and are held in the school Hall of Holywell Primary School.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Rd. Tel: 01634 363906
(office hours Mon-Thurs 9-11.30am)

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

Upchurch Parish Council

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