Charity Cake Bake at the Crown

The Crown Upchurch is holding a Charity Cake Bake on Sunday the 24th of March 3:00pm - 6:00pm.

Come and buy Homemade Cake and Scones to take home or enjoy them in the Pub with a lovely cup of tea or coffee.

Proceeds will go to Sarah Oakham who is running the 2013 London Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Sarah's giving page is:  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SarahOakham

Anne Marie Hoare
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Hugh Herland of Upchurch, King Richard II’s Chief Carpenter

Made by Betton & Evans of Shrewsbury in 1822, the stained glass East Window at Winchester College Chapel depicts what is believed to be the image of Upchurch, Royal Carpenter Hugh Herland.

Although former vicar Edmund Drake, father of famous seaman Sir Francis Drake is generally regarded as the first famous historical figure to be connected with Upchurch, research has shown that there was another 200 years earlier during the 14^th century.

Hugh Herland is believed to have lived in Upchurch with his wife Joan from 1378 to 1391 at a time when the village was divided into the four manors of Gore, Otterham, Ham and Horsham. He became chief carpenter to Richard II and designer of the great roof of Westminster Hall from 1373 to 1399. He was also responsible for work at Rochester, Leeds and Winchester castles. 

Hugh Herland initially worked with his father William who was also carpenter to the king and learnt the trade. On August 16^th, 1360 the Patent Rolls record that Hugh and his father were appointed to take carpenters for the King’s work at Westminster Palace, the Tower of London and elsewhere. On September 28^th, 1370 the king rewarded Hugh for his work with the following:

Commitment during pleasure, to Hugh Herland of the office of pesage of wools in the port of Queenborough, taking in that office the accustomed fees.

This position probably established Hugh as a member of the merchant class which would have been very small but very prestigious during the 14^th century. His father was also presented with a tenement in London as a reward for long service on March 21^st, 1371.

David Wood.

Hugh Herland’s connection with the royal family began in 1360 when he and his father were issued with funeral robes for the funeral of Philippa Hainault who became consort to King Edward III. Hugh is believed to have made the tester located over Philippa’s tomb in Westminster Abbey but his greatest achievement was his design and erection of the hammer-beam roof for the Palace of Westminster, regarded as one of the great architectural and artistic masterpieces of the Middle Ages. He did this in co-operation with stone mason Henry Yevele. It won praise from the king and brought fame for Hugh Herland.

By 1375 with the death of his father Hugh continued to work on the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London. For this work he was paid 12d a day and given a winter garment. The work continued until 1393. During the same period the Patent Rolls record that Hugh completed other jobs for the king. On March 14^th, 1381 he took fifty carpenters from Kent, Essex and Middlesex and delivered them to the sergeant at arms for the King’s service in Brittany. After this in 1397 he was employed to repair Winchester Castle and in August, 1398 he was appointed to conduct the construction of a new harbour at Great Yarmouth.

In 1391 Hugh Herland began a connection with Kingston-Upon-Thames in Surrey when he and his wife became beneficiaries of property in the town and obtained a mansion known as Bishop’s Hall. This is when they probably moved away from Upchurch. The Close Calendar Rolls of July 20^th, 1391 reports:

Phillippa, daughter of William Voirdyre to Hugh Herlande of Upchirche of Kent and Joan his wife and to the heirs and assigns of the said Hugh. Quitclaim with warranty of all the lands with houses, buildings, tofts, commons rights etc in Kingston-Upon-Thames sometime of her said father.

According to the Patent Rolls on April 28^th, 1396 Hugh Herland was also granted a house for the work he had done for the king. The building was located on the site of the present 24/25 Upper Thames Street in the City of London:

Grant for life to Hugh Herland, keeper of the king’s carpentry works, of a little house lying in the outer ward of the Palace of Westminster near the house of the clerk of the works for keeping within it his tools and for making models and moulds for his carpentry works.

Finally, in 1400 Hugh Herland was granted several sums of 10 marks yearly for life, 12d daily for life and of 18 marks 6 shillings for life by Richard II. After this records about him and his work as a carpenter cease but dates show that he lived to the grand old age of 81 and died in 1411. Surviving brasses now hanging on Upchurch church wall from a tomb under the organ in the vestry depicts an unnamed wealthy individual and his wife from the same period. Could this possibly be Hugh Herland and his wife Joan?  The image of the man is difficult to match with a recorded likeness of Hugh Herland in the stained glass window of Winchester College’s east chapel, but available documentation shows the royal carpenter to be the first recorded famous historical figure from Upchurch.

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 at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Upchurch Scout Group - Crew Day

Upchurch Scout Group

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Spring Craft Fair at St. Margaret's

The Friends of St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow are holding a Spring Craft Fair on Saturday the 13th of April, from 2pm to 4pm.

There will be a wide range of local crafts and home made produce with refreshments available.

The Thames Sailing barge, the 'Edith May' will also be open in the dock adjacent to the church, to welcome visitors, offering light lunches and refreshments. Come and visit, arguably, the prettiest location around !

Liz Mouland
Friends of St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow

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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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