Upchurch Players AGM

Upchurch Players are holding their AGM on Monday, March the 4th at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

This year will be their 24th Pantomime and they're hoping for lots of support.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - March 2013

The Parish Council met on Thursday 7^th February in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 6 members of the public, including PCSO Cork.

Public Time – SW/12/1019 - A resident referred to this planning application at New Kaine Farm and commented that the solar panels were not right for the area. New Caravan Pitches - A resident commented that it was time to call a halt to this. Hursell Farm - The resident also queried whether the Enforcement Officer was aware of the structures being built there. It was reported that Swale BC was aware of the situation. Trees along boundary of Golf Course -The resident also raised concerns about these trees that front Oak Lane. He explained that around May each year there is a problem with a continuous snowfall which lasts up to 6 or 7 weeks. He asked if the Council could remind the Golf Course of their intentions to cut down these trees. Allotments – A resident asked if the issues with water had been resolved. It was reported that no issues were known at present. Local Needs Housing – A resident referred to the minutes of the previous meeting and the agreement by the council that, in accordance with the letter sent with the form, the site votes were not formally counted or verified at the public count and therefore this information would not be published. It was suggested that the resident put his request formally in writing to the Clerk. Pedestrian Safety in Horsham Lane – A resident asked members to consider this after he was nearly hit by a vehicle trying to pass a horse rider. He had left the Post Office, walked into Horsham Lane, came to the end of the pavement, checked to see if any traffic was coming and then prepared to put his foot in the road. He explained that had he stepped out, he would have been hit by the vehicle. It was suggested that PCSO Cork could consider this and the Council would consult Highways.

                       

Correspondence – Upchurch Horticultural Society – Members agreed to a request to use the Paddock for a Plant Sale on Saturday 27^th April.

Planning - The following application was considered: SW/12/1019 New Kaine Farm, Holywell Lane – Construction of Solar Farm comprising up to 7000 solar panels plus associated equipment, cabling and works, including a steel container to house invertors - Members had commented that they were concerned about the visual impact it could have on the countryside and had no major objections provided that it is erected sympathetically ensuring there is sufficient screening from the road and footpaths. Referring to Policies E7, E8 and E9 in the Swale Borough Local Plan 2008 they were we concerned that this could result in the merging of settlements and erosion of the rural countryside. They added that they understood that a condition to plant trees was placed on a previous planning application, yet this has not been compiled with. Therefore it was felt that should this application be approved, it could set a precedent for others to follow.

Permissions and Refusals – the following decision had been received:

Permission granted: SW/12/1511 Units Adj The Cottage, Otterham Quay Lane – Application for a new planning permission to replace extant planning permission SW/09/0642 for the erection of replacement building to provide two B1 (light industrial) units

Finance – Parish Precept 2013/14 – The Precept form had been submitted to Swale BC and it was expected that there would be a 2% increase in the Precept.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Request to use Recreation Ground for Community Fitness Class –Members agreed in principle to a request to use either the Paddock or Recreation Ground to hold a group exercise class for the community. Pot hole at entrance to Recreation Ground Car Park –Kent Highways had repaired this at no cost to the Council.

Paddock – Play Equipment –The Council had received a KCC grant of £4,000 towards toddler play equipment in the Paddock. Members agreed to install a Climbing frame from Wicksteed at a cost of £4,608 plus VAT for supply and installation.                       

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Tree work in St Mary’s Churchyard – Cllr Kennard had met with the Conservation Officer, Paul Hegley. Cllr Kennard reported that he had agreed that the Council could cut down the clump of Sycamore suckers to ground level and reduce the overall canopy of the Horse Chestnut due to its current poor structural condition. However, the cutting back of the canopy of the London Plane would require the submission of an application. The Clerk will submit this application and obtain a revised quote for the work agreed by Paul Hegley. The Clerk will also refer back to a report produced by Councillors from a site visit to the old churchyard on 16^th November 2012.            Request to remove 1 Leylandi and 1 Sycamore from Burial Ground –Councillors had arranged a site visit to review this request. It was agreed that on safety grounds that these trees should be removed as soon as possible.  Members agreed to accept a quote from Lindsay & Co. Re-pointing of Churchyard wall – A KCC grant of £2,120 had been received. The Clerk reported that a quote from Mr Troke was still valid and was awaiting two more quotes. Members would agree to accept a quote at the next meeting.

           

Environment – Footpath from Poot Lane to The Poles –Members noted the concerns of a resident when walking across a field where there were 3 horses. Residents can report any issues with Footpaths to KCC Countryside Access Service via the online reporting tool
at:  www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent  Trees – Cllr Kennard raised his concerns regarding the reporting of tree issues in areas maintained by the Council. He reported that any issues should be directed to him. It was agreed that members should be mindful of each other’s responsibilities.

Next meetings – 7^th March and 4^th April. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm. The Public are welcome to attend this meeting and may put questions and/or make comments to members. It is helpful if you let the Clerk know in writing prior to the meeting. Please contact the Clerk if you require further advice.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road.

Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon-Thurs 9.00am-midday)

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

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Contestants Wanted For Nation's Best Kitchen Gardener - TV Show

Click Poster To Enlarge.

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Choral Society Presents The Armed Man

Upchurch Choral Society Presents The Armed Man A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins At St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch.

On Good Friday the 29th of March 2013 at 7:00 pm.

Admission is FREE with retiring collection in aid of ELF (Elimination of Leukaemia Fund).

AS WE WILL NOT HAVE A MUSIC DIRECTOR AFTER EASTER THIS MAY WELL BE OUR LAST CONCERT !

If you know anyone who may be interested in the job please contact secretary Liz Walters on:
01634 361897

Liz Walters

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Holywell School Choir Perform At The O2, London

On Wednesday the 30th of January Children from the Holywell School Choir travelled to the O2, London to take part in the Young Voices Concert.

If you look closely from about 2:30 minutes in you'll see them!

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch 50 Years Ago in February 1963

The River Thames completely frozen over in 1963.

In the grip of a big freeze, the worst for many years, a surprising number of activities took place in the village considering the low temperatures, icy roads and periodic heavy snow.

The horticultural society dinner turned out to be the biggest social event of the month at which Reverend Bradshaw made a strong plea for old and new residents to integrate more in the village. Many newcomers had recently arrived because of the construction of several housing estates. Reverend Bradshaw always ready to speak his mind said:

‘Not only is the growing of dahlias and cabbages important but so is the growth in our village of a spirit of friendship. And I hope you will take into our village life those newcomers and those who will come amongst us, let them integrate into that life so that we just don’t know who is new and who has been here all this life. As we tear up the weeds in our gardens so let us tear up those things which might spoil the friendship and fellowship and the community spirit for which this village stands.’

After speeches Mrs. Bradshaw awarded prizes to the winners for 1962. These included the flower shield to George Friend from Ham Green, the vegetable award to Charlie Stokes from Holywell Cottages, the fruit shield to A Hinge & Son from Ham Green and the ladies section shield to Mrs. Carroll from Oak Lane. 

David Wood.

Otterham Quay caravan site made history when it held its first beauty queen competition during the winter with 31 year old Linda Tiny winning the title ‘Miss Otterham Caravan 1963’ out of 13 contestants at St Margaret’s Hall in Rainham. Otterham Quay Caravan Site Social and Welfare Committee organised the event and caravan site owner Ron Beckenham headed the judging.

The cold weather failed to perturb the Women’s Institute which held its monthly meeting in the village hall. Mrs. Burrows presided over about fifty members who listened to Mrs. Enwright talk about the life of country people in France. Mrs. Parker from Chaffes Lane won the competition for the best tune played on a comb with Mrs. Jones from Oak Lane second while Mrs. Nelson ran a produce stall. Other events included a visit to the village by the Bishop of Johannesburg who addressed a youth rally in the village hall about apartheid, a scout’s party in the village hall and a pancake race for men on Shrove Tuesday in which eight teams participated. The cricket club defeated the youth club in the final. Other organisations were not so lucky with their monthly activities such as the Upchurch Players who had to cancel rehearsals because members living outside the village had difficulty travelling on the treacherous roads while all the football club matches had to be cancelled because of unfit pitches.

The month ended on a sad note when the parish council reported that every street light in the village had been deliberately smashed by vandals and that ratepayers would have to bear the cost. However, a glimmer of happiness emerged with the wedding of Veronica Clark from Gore Bank to Anthony Carlton from Newington at the village church while burials included Edith Wyles from Brent Cottages aged 78 and James Crittenden from Webb’s Cottages, Wetham Green aged 71.

Overall, February proved to be a busy month in the village dominated by freezing cold and difficult conditions which continued into March.

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  or from us here at Upchurch Matters.

price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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