The New Upchurch Matters - One Year On

The New website was a year old at the end of March 2012.

March 2011.

It's been a busy first year for us here at Upchurch Matters, starting at the end of March 2011 when the new website went live. We quickly hand delivered promotional flyers to every home in the village and put up signs in key locations. The launch was also helped along nicely by various mentions in the local press. Overall, the new website has been very well received, with just a few negative comments (mainly against change in the village and advocating the status quo). We did, however, receive quite a few admiring glances from other nearby villages who asked if they could have one too. In its first year, the website has grown as more and more people have chosen to get involved. We now regularly receive news items from nearly every village group and organisation, something we are very pleased about. With many print titles in decline, the future of media really is online and we're embracing this together with the use of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Our Facebook account has swelled to a huge 1400+ friends, while our Twitter account is acquiring more followers each week. Both are great modern ways to get messages to people fast!

So, what have we actually published and achieved in our first year?

In just over 12 months, we've had 51,157 page views from over 7,905 individuals in over 69 countries, and over 700 people regularly read our Facebook updates every week.

 We've posted 216 items on our Notice Board Page – most of which are emailed and phoned into us from village groups and organisations - along with messages from our Classified Advertisers. We have promoted many events and offers from our local pubs, and published 17 excellent articles from David Wood on the history of Upchurch; some taken from his book, "Memories of Upchurch". We have also kept residents up to date with regular neighbourhood watch messages relating to crimes committed in our village or the immediate surrounding area.

Our Village Diary Page is filling up nicely now and really is becoming the central online location to discover what is happening in and around our village. In addition to the Diary Page, the Village Hall and Twinning Group pages have proved popular too. Don't forget The "Quick links" on our homepage. This is where we've brought together all the most commonly searched for Upchurch-related website links and info, so you can quickly and easily find all things Upchurch related. Just remember to Start at Upchurch Matters!

In March 2012 we were thrilled to have been featured in the publication "Inside Swale", which is delivered quarterly to over 80,000 homes in the Swale Borough Council area. This was great publicity for our village and the website.



Over the last year, we've been pleased to support The Farmers’ Market by having a regular stall, and we're also involved with the new Upchurch War Memorial Project. Look out for us at other village events this year and please do come and say hello. It's nice to be able to put some faces to names and we're grateful for any feedback or ideas you may have for the site.

Classified Advertisements.

When the new website launched we had just 4 adverts in the new Classified Advertisements Section, but with lots of hard work we've boosted the number to over 40! Searching online, we still haven't found anything else like it (certainly not for the same rates anyway). Economic times are tough, with many people feeling the squeeze on their standard of living. We truly believe in the benefits of supporting local businesses, services and tradesman whenever possible, and that is what our Classified Section is all about.

So, as you can see it's been a busy first year online for us here at Upchurch Matters.

If you have any interesting village news, nice photographs or village events you would like publicized, please get in touch as the more we all contribute the better the website will be!

Once again, thank you to all our friends, supporters and advertisers and here's looking forward to many more years of a successful and thriving Upchurch community both off and online.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Farmers Market - Market Memoranda

OUR NEXT MARKET  will be on Sunday the 22nd of April 2012 at Upchurch Village Hall, 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Thanks & Apologies

Thank you to all our loyal customers who attended the March market and apologies for the small number of stalls. Unfortunately we can do little when expected stallholders do not appear without warning. We have assurances that many of the missing stalls will return this month so why not give us a try and bring a friend or two with you? We’re sure there’s something for everyone, including, this month, a demonstration of paella cooking!

Committee Vacancy

Unfortunately, one of our Committee members, Terry Lewis, has recently tendered his resignation and leaves with our gratitude for his hard work and enthusiasm in getting the market started. So, if you would like to be at the heart of this worthwhile community project, please contact Dave or Andrea on: 01634 361040.

Finish Time

Finally, the Committee apologises that some of the notices on the approaches to the village show a finish time of 2:00pm. Please note that we finish at 1:00pm throughout the year and are taking steps to correct the information.

Look Forward To Seeing Lots & Lots Of You On The 22nd.


For those that like to buy locally there is a monthly Village Market at Iwade.  Details here.

Dave Candy

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Beer Festival at The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters will be holding another Beer Festival on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May.


( Map )


Upchurch Matters
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Heating Oil Stolen - Poot Lane

[Reference: CB22]

This is a joint message, from Swale Neighbourhood Watch, and Kent Police.

Between 20th March and 7th April 2012, 220 gallons of heating oil were stolen from a Farm in Poot Lane.

If you have any information, please contact Kent police, on telephone number: 1 O 1, and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch.

Thank you,

That was message: 4 4 3.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Upchurch Choral Society seeks new Music Director

This 40 strong mixed voice non-auditioned, friendly choir, established since 1968, is looking for a Music Director to rehearse and conduct the 3 concerts it usually performs for charity each year.

Rehearsals take place weekly in St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch from 8:00 – 9:30 pm on Fridays. The repertoire includes both sacred and secular music.

For further details please contact the secretary, Liz Walters, on: 01634 361897

Liz Walters

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Upchurch Scouts - Appeal for help

Parents can you help us on Sat 14th April between 9am and about 10am ?

Every month we have a fantastic band of supporters that help to keep the hut running and the cost of scouting for your kids as low as possible by helping us collect recycled paper. This month other commitments mean our usual team of helpers is going to be very depleted.

We are usually collecting between about 9am and 10am. We then need help to empty carrier bags full of paper into the trailer and other people to collect any remaining paper. No special skills required lol.... Everyone welcome. Please pass this on to friends and relatives...the more the merrier. It would be great to see some of the kids helping with their parents as well.

Thanks for any support you can give.

Baloo

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