The Gullands Guide To Motoring Offences

For most people the mere sight of someone being spoken to by the police on the side of the road prompts them to slow down and consider how they would feel if they were in the same position.

The penalties if convicted of a very serious traffic offence can be high. For example, causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

For many, however, the prospect of losing their driving licence is a much greater possibility, and in these circumstances it is prudent to take expert legal advice from a solicitor.

Most road traffic offences, such as going through a red traffic light or driving in a bus lane, will add penalty points to your licence. Offenders who reach 12 points within three years, known as ‘totting up’, become liable for disqualification. A first disqualification is for a minimum of 6 months.

Not all motoring offences are endorsable but those that are carry a minimum of three penalty points with some, such as speeding, carrying a range of points depending on the seriousness of the circumstances. If you are caught speeding on a motorway and the measured speed exceeds 100mph, for example, the magistrates’ court will always consider a period of disqualification.

Where a person is offered a fixed penalty, this would be for three penalty points and currently a £60 fine. If they wish to dispute the offence or where the addition of penalty points would result in the driver totting up, they will be summonsed to attend court. If convicted, the magistrates can impose a greater number of points and a higher fine.

A magistrates’ court has discretion not to disqualify a driver, or disqualify for a period less than six months if, on hearing evidence, it considers that loss of licence would result in exceptional hardship.

An alternative solution available to the court is to impose a discretionary disqualification for the new offence, typically for a period of between seven and 56 days. This allows the court to mark the offence with a shorter disqualification, avoiding the need to consider whether exceptional hardship arises.

If you have been stopped by the police about a driving matter or have been summonsed to appear before a magistrates’ court and would like advice contact John Roberts at Gullands Solicitors.

Phone:  01622 678341
Email:   j.roberts@gullands.com   

Website:  www.gullands.com

Gullands Solicitors

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News From St. Mary's Church

Easter Saturday  St. Mary's invites you to come and experience the events of Holy Week leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection!

Follow the steps around the church and see how the events led to the horror of the Crucifixion and the triumph of the Resurrection!

See the Cross and the empty tomb and imagine yourself there!

For the children, we have plenty of craft ideas and fun things to do. For you all we offer hot cross buns and also hot soup and rolls at lunch time.

We shall be open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and we look forward to welcoming you all!

Queries? Ring Revd. Jacky on: 01795 842557, Elizabeth on: 01634 364676 or Gabriele on: 01634 374136.

Holy Week Services

Palm Sunday  24th March 9:00 am Sung Communion and the giving of Palm Crosses.

Maundy Thursday  28th March. Stripping of the Altar and Sung Communion. 8:00 pm.

Easter Sunday  31st March. 9:00 am Easter Celebration Sung Communion for all the family.

Easter Sunday  You are invited to join Revd. Jacky and others at 6:30 am down by the Creek in Lower Halstow (behind L.H. church) for a service of light and celebration, continued in the church with Communion, and then after the service, stay for hot Bacon sandwiches and coffee!

Revd. Jacky Davis

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Upchurch Farmers Market

Upchurch Farmers Market is back this Sunday the 24th of March at Upchurch Village Hall, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Dave Candy

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Upchurch 50 Years Ago in March 1963

Once snow from the prolonged winter had completely cleared life became easier for village residents, particularly on the roads as the big freeze had curtailed travel and had periodically prevented the school bus from turning up to collect the village school children. Accidents became fewer although the last one reported in the East Kent Gazette involved 16 year old Ralph Stokes from Holywell Cottages who collided with a pedestrian in Solomon Road in Rainham on his motor scooter due to an icy road.

In religious affairs Reverend Bradshaw continued to educate villagers in the workings of the church and wrote about the importance of Lent as a period of penitence and self discipline in the village magazine. Meanwhile, the church choir which had made good progress under the leadership of Mr. Wheeler advertised for tenor and alto singers. Later in the month the Bishop of Dover visited the church to attend confirmation.

Although the football club didn’t play any matches until well into the month due to unfit pitches, fifty members of the Women’s Institute managed to attend their usual monthly meeting in the village hall. After arrangements had been made for the annual birthday party guests from the Darby and Joan Club were shown a film. The evening was rounded off with a competition for a child’s knitted garment won by Mrs. Turner.

David Wood.

In parish council affairs nothing happened in March as only four members turned up to the monthly meeting because of bad weather and important issues had to be shelved. At about the same time the council received an interesting letter from former Upchurch resident Frank Twort who wished to share some of his memories of the village from New Zealand. The letter revealed that he had been born at Anvil House, Forge Lane in 1884. He later attended the village schools and sang in the church choir before working in Lower Halstow brickfield for 1/6d a day doing hard physical work during the late 1890s. He also recalled enjoyable evenings at the vicarage in the company of Reverend Trew and his daughter where he played various games and was served with tea and cakes. He then moved to Newington and later to New Zealand where he became a magistrate and Justice of the Peace. He finally obtained fame when he became mace bearer in the New Zealand parliament and an example of somebody who had worked his way up in life from humble beginnings. 

Church burials for March included well known village character Kate Seamer aged 73 from The Street and Jacqueline Millen aged 44 from Jasmil Kennels while marriages included Peter Whitton from Kent Terrace with Patricia Haynes from Gillingham, Vicky Gardner from Oak Lane with Lionel Craggs from Abingdon in Berkshire and Roystan Wildish from Drakes Close with Valerie North from Newington. Finally, Malcolm Swift from Chaffes Lane, Michael Apps from Twinney and Stephen Bass from Webb’s Cottages, Ham Green all celebrated birthdays in a month where a big improvement in the weather brought relief to Upchurch residents after one of the longest and coldest winters in living memory.

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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Upchurch Parish Council Report - April 2013

The Parish Council met on Thursday 7^th March in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 10 members of the public.

Public Time – SW/13/0152 – A resident explained that he had come along to answer any questions the Council may have regarding this planning application at Horsham Plantation Yard. Swale BC Sports Development Service – Cllr Wright summarised the proposed changes to this service. Swale BC was looking at alternative ways to delivering this service due to financial pressures. Footpath leading to The Poles – A resident raised concerns about a continuing issue with human excrement along this path. It was thought that this issue was caused by people taking part in all night fishing. Members offered to look into this issue. Water at the Allotments – A resident asked if the water could be turned back on at the Allotments and the Council agreed. Lorries delivering to the Co-Op –A resident reported that a situation had occurred recently where 3 Lorries were all trying to deliver to the Co-Op causing chaos. Cars were trying to reverse in all directions and also the Bus was trying to get through. The Council offered to look into this and the resident gave members photographs she had taken. Broadband – Cllr Lewin reported that there was no update. BT had acknowledged his email and suggested that there may be a variety of possibilities to take this forward by involving communities. He encouraged residents to contact BT to let them know that they would sign up. He hoped that we could urge more residents to locally campaign BT and asked anyone who was interested in this to contact him.

Correspondence – Citizens Advice Bureau in Swale – It was agreed to forward a donation of £65 towards their operating costs in the coming year. 

Planning - The following applications were considered: 

SW/13/0046 49 Chaffes Lane – To construct a single storey one bedroom annexe for disabled accommodation – No objections.

 SW/13/0152 Horsham Plantation Yard, Horsham Lane - Change of use from B1 to car sales & showroom- No objections however the following comments were raised: Provision for visitor parking – ample parking should be provided, Volume of traffic generated – projected figures for vehicles accessing the site should be monitored, Lighting – this should be monitored and Other consultees’ comments should be given serious consideration.

SW/13/0190 11 Forge Lane – Single storey rear extension - Members were asked to review this planning application on line. 

Permissions and refusals – the following decisions have been received:

Permission granted (Temporary – whilst the applicant is resident on the site):

SW/12/1472 Hedgerows, Holywell Lane – Retrospective application for the change of use of land for the stationing of two mobile homes for use by a gypsy family with associated utility room, 4 vehicle parking spaces and hardstanding. 

Allotments and Recreation Ground –Planting of Trees for Jubilee Celebrations – Members thanked Cllr Kennard for planting the two trees in the Recreation Ground. The General Purposes Committee would discuss the arrangements for a plaque. Request to use Recreation Ground for fitness classes – The Clerk reported that these classes had started and there had been a good response. Vacant Plots at Allotments – It was agreed that allotment holders would be allowed no more than two full plots. 

Paddock –Fly-Tipping – It was reported that a sofa had been dumped in The Paddock behind the trees. Also, the Village Cleaner had cleared empty aerosol cans from this area. The sofa had been reported to Swale BC and also PCSO Cork had been informed of the situation. Funding opportunities – Cllr Steward reported that there were various grant funding opportunities available to the Council, in particular with BIFFA and Viola. However, in order to make a grant application, you needed to submit a plan. Sovereign Play Manufacturers had sent him a Play Equipment Funding Pack and would be prepared to draft a plan at no cost to the Council. It was suggested that the Council take up this offer and consult Phil Newbery. 

Burial Ground and Churchyard – re-pointing of churchyard wall – Members would discuss quotes received for this during confidential session at the end of the meeting. Laurel Bush in Lower Burial Ground - Members were asked if this should be removed or given a rigorous cut. It was suggested that the General Purposes Committee investigate this further, however it was noted that any trimming back would have to wait until July when the birds nesting time was over. Future capacity of the Burial Ground – Cllr Rossiter commented that the Council should be making positive moves to looking into an extension for the Burial Ground. It was suggested that this was a Policy decision for the whole Council and required further discussion. Cllr Rossiter, Cllr Denny and the Clerk would meet to discuss this further.

Environment – Village Cleaner – Members noted the appointment of Marina Fenton. 

Highways - Narrowing roads in Upchurch – Cllr Arnold reported that he had consulted Kent Highways regarding this. Highways will be contacting landowners to remind them of their obligations to keep hedges trimmed back. Pedestrian safety in Horsham Lane – Members was reminded of a request by a resident to improve pedestrian safety where the footpath ends in Horsham Lane opposite the garage. The resident had met with PCSO Cork. Cllr Arnold will request Highways use a white line in the road to define the footpath. Members discussed other suggestions e.g. installing a sign “Pedestrians in road”, laying cobbles in the road. Cllr Arnold will discuss this further with Highways and the Clerk will follow this up, copying in Cllr Keith Ferrin. Highway Issues – Cllr Arnold explained that members could report highway issues via the website:  www.kent.gov.uk  by clicking on the link “Report a fault on the road or pavement”. 

Next meeting – Confirmed as being 4^th April in the hall of Holywell Primary School starting at 7.30pm. Annual Parish Meeting 2013 –will be held on 25^th April at the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Please note the Annual Meeting of the Council will be held on 2^nd May starting at 7.00pm followed by the monthly meeting at 7.30pm. 

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road.

Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon- Thurs 9am – midday)

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council
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John Uglow

It is with a sense of deep sadness that the One O’clock Club report that we have lost one of our original members, John Uglow, who passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 5th March following a battle with cancer.

John moved to the village in 1964 and served the community on numerous committees including the Parish Council and the Village Hall besides fund raising with the One O‘clock Club.

The club organised Bonfire Nights in the Paddock for many years along with New Years Eve parties in the Village Hall and Scout Hut.

John’s generosity, expertise and commitment to our community will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts are now with Jill and all the family at this sad time.

The One O’clock Club
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