Community Message - Anti Theft Number Plate Screws

A number of Police staff will be at the Dagenham Motors Ford garage in Pier Road Gillingham tomorrow Wed the 25th to assist the garage in fitting free Anti Theft Number Plate Screws.


The staff will fit the screws while others will be there to give advice.
Please pop along to have the screws fitted and for a chat between 10:00am and 3:30pm.


Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Garages Broken Into

Two garages were broken into and a lorry tampered with in Bishop Lane, sometime late Friday night / early Saturday morning. Police have been informed and attended the scene.

David Bryant

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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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