Upchurch Parish Council Report for August

The Parish Council met on Thursday 5th July in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 6 Councillors were present and 7 members of the public.


Public Time –  Local Needs Housing - A resident commented that English Rural Housing Association would let any homes built under this proposed scheme to whoever they wished. It was commented that the Council did not support this view. Voting form -  It was commented that the voting form should have been addressed individually to residents to avoid the opportunity of people filling it in on behalf of each other. It was explained that the Council was not allowed to access the Electoral Register for this purpose. ‘Drop-in’ - A resident commented that it was far too hasty to have the rescheduled ‘drop-in’ in September. 

Allotments - A resident asked if there were plans to tidy up the allotments. Members noted this. Trimming of Hedge in Oak Lane – It was requested that this hedge next to the Vicarage be cut back. Members will follow this up. Windmill Hill - A resident reported that his car had been damaged by bushes on Windmill Hill. The Clerk will inform Highways of this issue.

Correspondence – Southern Water – A letter providing an update on the water resources situation and water restrictions. Southern Water had removed the temporary use ban, currently in place in Kent and Sussex supply areas on Thursday 14^th June.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

SW/12/0841 11 Marston Close – Single storey rear extension. Demolition of conservatory – There were no objections to the proposals but members requested that serious considerations be given to neighbours views.

Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions had been received:

Permissions granted: 

SW/12/0393 Land r/o 24 Wallbridge Lane – Demolition and replacement of existing, agricultural building only for use as a tractor and implement store

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

SW/12/0330 Tanzor Riding School, Poot Lane – Retention of existing timber building in support of livery use of land

SW/12/697 Holywell Primary School, Forge Lane – Erect new palisade fencing 1.8 metre high powdered green (58 metres long) to east side of school’s main entrance

SW/12/0439 Bedfont House, Holywell Lane – Change of use from commercial offices to private dwelling (5 in total), extend length of north fencing dormers to accommodate Juliette balconies and additional windows in flank elevation

SW/12/0510 35 Forge Lane – Two storey side extension and single storey garage

Permission Refused:

SW/12/0399 Co-Op, 3 The Street – One internally illuminated wall mounted display unit

SW/12/0464 The Oast, Holywell Lane – Single storey rear extension with room in loft area

Local Needs Housing - It was hoped that four residents would come forward to join the four members of the Parish Council and the Clerk as part of the sub-group. It was confirmed that any meetings of this sub-group would be held in public. The objectives for inviting representatives to join were two-fold. Firstly, to remove any misunderstanding of the procedures followed to date. Secondly, to look at the detail of the voting form and consider any suggestions put forward by the representatives. 

‘Drop-in’ event rescheduled for 21^st September 2012 and ‘public count’ on 5^th October 2012 – It is planned to hold these two events in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome.

English Rural Housing Association – possible outcomes from the ballot – A copy of an email from Alison Thompson had been circulated. Cllr Catford had requested information on the process that would be followed if the Council wished to go ahead with the proposed scheme. It was felt that the information provided did not answer this question and would be followed up again. Nomination for Opposition Representative – It was agreed to accept the nomination for Mr B Sketchley to be a representative.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Water Meter – A request was made to Southern Water to replace this. Some minor repair was undertaken by Southern Water. 

Paddock – Footballs being kicked into Oak Lane – Members discussed issues being experienced by a resident in Oak Lane. PCSO Cork was following up these issues and was in contact with the resident. Members will meet to discuss possible ways of making the area unattractive to footballers. Some ideas are to plant trees or install fence posts in the end of the Paddock where footballers play.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Tree Related subsidence at 2 Horsham Lane – Members considered three quotes submitted for the removal of 16 x leylandi, 1 x ash and 1 x sycamore from the churchyard boundary wall with the garage. It was agreed to accept the quote from Lindsay & Co. Other tree works required - It was agreed to accept the quote from Lindsay & Co to trim the Yew Tree 3 metres from the Church. Rules and Regulations – Cllr Rossiter had circulated a discussion paper. The Chairman thanked Cllr Rossiter. The Clerk and Cllr Rossiter will update the rules and regulations to include the ideas in the discussion paper and present a draft at the next meeting. 

Environment – Internet speeds – Cllr Catford reported that Mr A Collier, Mr A Waterhouse and Cllr Arnold had offered to meet to discuss this further. Cllr Lewin also offered. Queens Diamond Jubilee – Members discussed the planting of the commemorative tree. Further investigations were needed, to see if a tree was available for the Council to use.

Highways  - Request to use Recreation Ground Car Park – Members considered this which a resident raised during public time. It was agreed to allow this request.

Opposition Representatives for the Local Needs Housing Sub-Group -  Mr A Waterhouse, Mr O’Neill and Mr R Higgs approached the Clerk after the meeting to put their name forward as representatives of opposition to local needs housing in Upchurch.

Next meetings – 6th September 2012 and 11th October 2012. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7:30pm.


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

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

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Lead Stolen From The Roof Of St. Mary's Church, Upchurch

[Reference: CB22]

A 10 x 4 foot strip of Lead was stolen from the roof of St. Mary's Church, Upchurch between the 6th and the 8th of July.


It had been removed from the gully between two pitched roofs. This had previously been security marked with smart water.

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: 8 7 7.


Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Theft Prevented - Oak Lane

[Reference: CB22]

A householder prevented the theft of a wooden Porters Trolley from his garden in Oak Lane, Upchurch,  just after 5:00 pm on Friday the 6th of July.

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

Thank you that was Message: 867.


Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Upchurch Farmers Market

 Our next market is on SUNDAY 22nd JULY

UPCHURCH VILLAGE HALL - 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

WE EXPECT over 20 stalls providing a wide range of local produce, services and crafts

• • We now have a BUTCHER [Just Cutts from Rainham] and are working hard to obtain the services of a BAKER

• • The KNITTING stall, which proved so popular last month, will also be back

• • KENT CIDER will be returning after missing last month

• • Hopefully, Steve from THE SEAFOOD CENTRE will once again have his full range of goods available.

• • We are introducing a RAFFLE, the proceeds of which will be evenly split between the Market’s “Community Project” Fund and prizes of £5.00 vouchers, redeemable at the stall(s) of your choice.

ALTHOUGH THE ATTENDANCE AT THE JUNE MARKET WAS MORE ENCOURAGING, WE STILL URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT. SO, IF YOU CAN COME, BRING AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS POSSIBLE WITH YOU. IF YOU CAN’T, TELL THEM ABOUT IT !

FARMERS MARKET COMMUNITY PROJECTS FUND

Calling all Village Organisations

Upchurch Farmers Market was established in June 2011 as a non-commercial community project with the express intention that all monies accruing from Stall fees (after deduction of essential expenses) would be offered in the form of modest grants to village organisations/good causes.

After one year, the Market Management Committee has agreed that a sufficient reserve has been accumulated to allow such grants to be awarded.

Accordingly, applications are invited from bona fide Village Organisations who wish to be considered for such an award. Each application should be forwarded in writing (by hand or e-mail) to The Market Secretary, David Candy, at 6 Bradshaw Close, Upchurch or:  dave_candy@sky.com  and must include:

o   Name of Organisation

o   Representative’s Name and Contact Details

o   Purpose for which grant required

o   Amount Required (Maximum gifted likely to be no more than £200)

Applications to reach The Secretary no later than midnight on Sunday 30th September 2012.

Dave Candy

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The Children’s Society

Collection boxes for the Church of England Children’s Society are due to be emptied soon. This year we shall be doing this at the Church Porch Sale in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday 14th July.

If you have a box would you please bring it along in the morning for counting anytime between 9:30 and 11:30am. Alternatively, boxes can be passed to any wives group member or left at 18 Crosier Court.

If you would like someone to collect your box, please contact me on: 01634 375109 and I will arrange this on your behalf and return the box to you when it has been emptied.

Thank you

Jan Bunting

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Upchurch 50 years ago in July 1962

Memories of Upchurch.

Few could complain about a boring village as expanding clubs and popular events like the village fete and marathon dominated a busy month in July 1962.

Holywell farmer Frank Stevens opened the fete in The Paddock on Saturday July 8th and the event raised £160 for the Church Fabric Fund. With The Paddock packed to capacity stalls offered a variety of products like flowers and cakes. Highlights included country dancing by pupils from Holywell School and a fancy dress competition in which Laurel Clegg from Horsham Lane won the ‘Up to Eleven’ group and Roy Hogbin from Drakes Close won the ‘Up to Seven’ group. Miss Upchurch Muriel Clemons from Chaffes Lane presided over the fete while Revd Bradshaw described the overall effort as ‘a splendid piece of community teamwork.’

Early in the month Barbara Webb from Drakes Close was chosen as Carnival Queen from eight candidates while Angela Hodgkin from Poot Lane and Patricia Allen from Highsted were selected as her attendants for the big annual village event due to be held in August.

The village marathon which had been revived for the first time in six years by Aubrey Smith from Oak Lane and assisted by Bryan Veale from Horsham Lane, took place on the last Friday of the month as a preliminary for the village carnival. The women were first away from The Paddock and after racing a relatively short distance Christine Cripps from Poot Lane won the event. Six boys next lined up with Robert Gregory from Drakes Close winning and Ian Daniel from Oak Lane second. The men’s competition, a three mile race to Breach Lane and back was dominated by Maidstone Harriers runner D. Norman who coasted to victory on a very successful marathon evening.

Early in July the parish council met to discuss better facilities for the village clubs as Chairman Mr Colven described present facilities as ‘few and far between.’ Improvements were needed for several organisations including the rapidly expanding horticultural society. In their summer show entries exceeded 300 with a high level of exhibits. Winners included Mrs E Chaplin with roses, George Friend with vegetables, A Hinge & Son with cherries, Ernie Waters with potatoes and Charlie Stokes with onions.

The cricket club also thrived and recorded several good victories in July with the highlight being the match against Riverside in which Peter Smith scored an aggressive 57 in only 26 minutes. In partnership with Don Diffey who scored 80, Upchurch totalled 201-4. Frank Cook then bowled out Riverside for 50 taking four wickets for only 14 runs. Frank continued his good form with 6-22 against Minster later in July. Meanwhile, the Women’s Institute attracted new members with the July meeting being dominated by a report read out by Mrs Porter from Ham Green about the recent national meeting at the Royal Albert Hall followed by a talk about heraldry by guest speaker Mrs Skinner. After this members were asked to design a coat of arms for Upchurch. Mrs Nelson won the competition with Queenie South second. This ended a busy and varied month in the village calendar.

About David:
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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