Hits, Flicks & Broadway

Glenn Atkinson

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Childhood Memories of Fruit Picking in Upchurch

Memories of Upchurch.

The smell of newly mown grass and early morning dew heralded the summer fruit picking season on our farm during the 1950s and my whole family, including my parents and grandparents would be up and ready for an 8 a.m. start.

My father collected the local pickers from The Street in his green lorry and transported them into one of four orchards that we owned at Ham Green. Wooden boxes and ladders were ready for use in the orchard as the pickers began their day. In those days fruit trees were taller requiring long ladders and the pickers used wicker picking baskets with a hook attached. The season began with Early River plums and ended with Comice pears but everyone eagerly looked forward to damson picking because filling up a basket took longer with less walking to empty. Pear picking in the tallest trees during strong winds became hazardous with both tree and ladder swaying precariously. Accidents rarely occurred but Mrs Duncalf from Oak Lane once had a nasty fall when her ladder tipped over and Cliff Wanstall from Chaffes Lane also went sprawling when his ladder snapped.

Local pickers included Lily Wanstall from Horsham Lane and Dora Mountford from Oak Lane, regulars for many years. Mr Jarman from Ham Green, although more than eighty years old, could jump a high fence wearing wellington boots while Elsie Waters from Oak Lane strapped a hot water bottle to her body in chilly weather to keep warm. Ellen Boast from The Street regularly had other pickers in fits of laughter with lively and amusing conversation while Derek Wraight from The Street became an efficient and long serving packer. The pickers, whose faces were sometimes burnt red by the sun at the end of a roasting hot working day, picked in all conditions with the exception of heavy rain and rarely complained. Many had picked fruit on local farms all their lives and were accustomed to working in orchards.

Gigantic farmer Harry Witherden sometimes peered over the fence of Sharp’s orchard in Poot Lane to have a chat. As we passed along the rough track to Bayford Field, Charles Barling and his son Philip often waved from a nearby field while resident dogs Bruce and Laddie chased us along the track barking.

In Four Acres Field, a little farther along the road, the pickers occasionally threw damaged fruit to our flock of geese that wandered around the orchard or peeked at owl chicks in the hollow trunk of an apple tree while at break time everyone sat on half bushel boxes and drank tea from flasks under the shade of the big old fruit trees.

Finally, the end of the day was signalled by Chatham Dockyard’s whistle which sounded at 4 p.m. then after a rush to finish the packing of fruit and gathering up of equipment, the pickers were transported back to the village in the old green lorry and sat under a tarpaulin to keep dry in rain. Meanwhile, Ernie Nicholls and his father usually arrived in their red lorry from Rainham to load and transport the fruit to Covent Garden market in London. With the passing of more than half a century those days seem far off as the whole nature of local fruit production and the village characters involved have disappeared for ever.

About the author:
David Wood 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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New Date For The Upchurch Charity Doo

Unfortunately yesterdays Charity Doo had to be postponed due to really bad rain causing the field to flood, but the new date is set for September the 8th 2012 !


All tickets purchased for last night (14th of July) are valid for the 8th and we still have a few tickets left if anyone can make it.


For tickets contact either Lucy Boakes or Helen Freeman, on: 07854 145014 or 07731 71308.

Donations of £15.00 per adult, £3.00 for 3 - 12yrs, £5.00 for 13 - 17yrs.

Please bring your own drink and something to drink out of.

All proceeds going to Clic Sargeant, Emily Ash Trust and Rainbow Trust who have supported a little 4 year old boy Jenson who is fighting Leukaemia.

Thanks everyone

Lucy Boakes
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Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 3^rd May in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 5 members of the public, including Cllr John Wright.

Public time - SW/12/0334 Oastfield Stud & Livery, Track off Holywell Lane- A resident explained that she was disappointed with the lack of support from the Council with regards to this planning application. Members agreed to arrange a meeting to have a look at the site. Hursell Farm – A resident wished members to understand her gypsy way of life.

Planning - The following applications were considered: SW/12/0331 Frog Farm, Susans Lane – Retrospective application for construction of barn -no objections.

SW/12/0334 Oastfield Stud & Livery, Track off Holywell Lane – Change of use from private stables to stud & livery farm including erection of 3 foaling boxes, static mobile unit and provision of parking and turning – The plans show a significant increase in the floor area of the buildings, on what should be green field. Therefore, the Council would object to the size of the mobile home if it was big enough for permanent habitation. Also, there is a risk that the road could begin to look like a suburban road with an increase in vehicular traffic.

TC/12/0040 St Marys Church, Horsham Lane – Remove 2 x Leyland Cypress, 1 x Sycamore and 2 x Ash trees –  no objections.

SW/12/0399 Co-Op, 3 The Street – Advertisement Consent for one internally illuminated wall mounted display unit – The majority of members objected to this proposal.

           

SW/12/0413 Court Lodge, Breach Lane – Lawful Development Certificate for occupation property without complying with the terms of condition VI (agricultural occupancy) appended to planning permission SW/78/1283 (existing) – no objections.

SW/12/0418 Land at Breach Lane – Change of use of land for the mixed use of agriculture and keeping of horses with the provision of three new stables, tack rooms, haystore, and sand school – no objections.

SW/12/0393 Land r/o 24 Wallbridge Lane – Demolition and replacement of existing building for use as a tractor and implement store and part domestic garage – no objections.                                   

SW/12/0464 The Oast, Holywell Lane – Single storey rear extension with room in loft area. No objections.

SW/12/0439 Bedfont House, Holywell Lane – Change of use from commercial offices to             private dwelling (5 in total), extend length of north facing dormers to accommodate juliette             balconies and additional windows in flank elevation – It was commented that members would             like to know if information had been provided that indicated whether there was a demand for this property to be marketed as offices.

                                   

SW/12/0330 Tanzor Riding School, Poot Lane – Retention of existing timber building in             support of livery use of land – The Planning Review Team will review this proposal.

                                                           

Other planning matters:

The Local Government Boundary Commission – Electoral Review of Swale: Draft Recommendations – the proposals for Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch ward remained unchanged.

Rural Needs Housing –Members considered the draft wording of the questions on the voting form “Do you support the development of a small, new, affordable, housing site in Upchurch? and “Which of the two sites A or B do you think is most suitable for such a development or do you think either site would be suitable? It was commented that the Council should be consistent when referring to the proposed scheme i.e. rural needs housing or local needs housing or affordable housing. Members discussed the possibility of asking ACRK or other body to independently supervise the count. The working group would meet to discuss further.            

Members were informed that a letter had been received from Mr Sketchley concerned by the proposed Rural Housing Needs Drop In event. His concerns were that opposition groups would not be allowed to oppose, local residents were being denied the same democratic right as those extended to external organisations, the draft voting form was obtained from the organisations wishing to promote the project and that many local residents had no idea what the proposal actually meant. The Clerk will forward a copy of the letter to all members.

Finance – Annual Audit Return – The Clerk had circulated copies of the relevant pages of the Audit return. It was agreed that section 1, statement of accounts, be approved. Section 2, Annual governance statement, was perused and completed satisfactory. Both sections were signed. Local Engagement Forum Grants Scheme - applications submitted for 2012-13 – the applications for Paddock Play Equipment and the re-pointing of the Church Wall have been approved at the Swale West Parishes meeting, totalling around £6,000. A highways grant application to the sum of £1,000 has also been submitted for Speed Watch equipment.

Administration - Vacancy for one councillor – Members will be arriving at 7pm at the next meeting, for a confidential session with any person interested in this vacancy. One person has expressed an interest.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Goal Posts installed in the Recreation Ground – It is hoped to fix pig/rabbit wire on the fence bordering Chaffes Lane to prevent footballs straying into the road.  Wigmore under 11s football team – a request to use the Recreation Ground for an awards ceremony on Saturday 26^th May 2012 from midday has been allowed.  Use of Hosepipes at Allotments – Southern Water have confirmed that hosepipes will not be allowed whilst the water restrictions are in place.

Burial Ground and Churchyard - Trees in Burial Ground – the removal of 8 x large conifers to ground level and one large ash tree will be carried out shortly. Availability of remaining space in the Burial Ground- It is hoped to carry out another formal assessment on the future capacity of the Burial Ground.

Environment - Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – The Committee are making good progress.

Highways - Speed Watch – Cllr Catford reported that he would be meeting the Police Officer responsible for Speed Watch on Friday 11^th May 2012 to discuss setting up this scheme. Parking in driveways, not in the road – due to the parking problems in Upchurch, residents are requested to use their driveway for parking if they have one.

                                               

Next meetings – Thursday 7^th June and Thursday 5^th July. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch.

Tel: 01634 363906  Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Parish Council website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Please note the office is open between the hours of 9am and midday, Monday –Thursday.


Upchurch Parish Council

The Well - The Monthly Cafe for the Local Community

The Well - The Monthly Cafe for the Local Community takes place on Sunday May the 13th, 12:30pm - 2:30pm at Newington Village Hall.

2 course home-cooked lunch for £2.50, kids activities, Sunday papers, milkshakes, free real coffee and cake.

All welcome. No need to book, just turn up.

Also this month including a SWAP SHOP - bring something you don't want and take something you do.

More information on the website at:  www.thesix.org.uk/thewell.htm

Hugh Nelson

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Storage Sheds Burgled at Upchurch Cricket Club

Between the 6th and 7th of May storage sheds were burgled at the Cricket Club Pavilion, Holywell Lane, Upchurch.

The padlocks and chains were cut and the ride-on lawnmower has ignition damage as if attempts were made to hotwire it. Also a Hayter mower was stolen.

If you have any information please contact Kent police on telephone number 1O1 and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch. 

[Reference: CB22]

 Thank you that was message: 611.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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