Upchurch Twinning Group News

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France. 

Try the Holywell School website:  www.holywell.kent.sch.uk  or visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

School visit to Ferques – On 25th March, years 5 and 6 from Holywell School visited one of the schools in Ferques, this time to Elinghen. As usual, the coach was funded by the Upchurch Twinning Group. As it was in the week leading up to Easter, the Twinning Group sent over small chocolate treats for the children in France with whom our Upchurch children would be spending their day. Many thanks to Upchurch Co-op for helping us pay for this seasonal gift.

16th June – visit to Hever Castle by a group from Ferques – Some of our French friends will be coming to Kent for a day trip on Sunday 16th June. They would love to see any of us from Upchurch at Hever Castle that day.

Sunday 14th July 2013– Bastille Day Fair in Ferques. We always have a stall at this street fair – do plan a day out over there and come and find us.

Sunday 1st September 2013 – SPORTS DAY! In Upchurch – do put the date in your diaries. This promises to be a day of fun and games and we will be welcoming friends of all ages from Ferques. With many thanks to Upchurch Cricket Club, this event will be held at their grounds on Holywell Lane and we look forward to using their wonderful facilities (including their bar!). More details will follow as the year unfolds.

Jim Harman: (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter: (Secretary) 01634 234780

Sue Rossiter
space

Barn Dance at the Village Hall

The Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club in conjunction with the Horticultural Society are holding a Barn Dance on Saturday the 7th of September at the Village Hall. Tickets £10 including a Fish and Chip Supper.

They are also holding a Halloween Dance on Saturday the 26th of October. Tickets £8 including a Jacket Potato Supper.

Prizes for the best fancy dress.

Both events start at 7:30pm till 11:00pm and tickets will be available in early July from either Julia Laming 1 Curch Farm Road, Tel: 01634 373723 or Brenda Groves 106 Chaffes Lane, Tel: 01634 388425.

Brenda Groves

space

Tug-of-War Teams prepare for St. George's Battle

Inter-village pub Tug-of-War Competition. The Three Tuns pub from Lower Halstow won the competition in 2012. Will they win this year ?

Something stronger than pints will be pulled at pubs in and around Sittingbourne over the next few weeks as teams get into training for the annual inter-village pub tug-of-war tournament at the St. George's Day celebrations in Newington on Saturday, April 27th.

The current title holders, the Three Tuns in Lower Halstow, are keen to retain their crown - and the silver trophy that has been proudly displayed in the bar for the past year.

Members of the 10-man squad are preparing to give up some of their Easter holidays to get fit and to practise their technique. The landlady Carol Haines said: "The lads enjoyed their victory last year and I think they're going to be even stronger this year. They're ready to take on any other pub."

However, they face determined opposition, notably from two Upchurch pubs, last year's runners-up the Three Sisters, and new entrants the Brown Jug. Kate Johns, the Brown Jug publican, said: "Bring it on. We're definitely going to take the trophy off the Three Tuns. Everyone's fired up and looking forward to a good day out."

The parish-council organised St. George's Day fete and music festival starts at noon on Newington primary school field with the tug-of-war beginning at 1:00pm. It will be umpired by an official from the England Tug-of-War Association.

Ten highly-talented bands and singers from across Kent and Medway will perform on the festival's main stage from noon until 9:00pm. Other attractions include the Newington School Choir, Newington Concert Party, an Assault Course, displays, sideshows, stalls, fairground attractions, hot food and a licensed bar.

For more information contact Parish Councillor Suki Calder on: 01795 843334

or visit:  www.facebook.com/Newington.Fete.and.Festival

Upchurch Matters

space

Friends of St. Mary’s Church - Photography Competition

The Friends of St. Mary’s church is holding a photography competition open to all. Prints (6in x 4in or 7in x 5in) of the church or its surroundings should be sent to 135 Oak Lane by 30th September. (Don’t forget to give details of the photographer!).

The entries will be displayed at the Friends of St. Mary’s AGM in October when the winners will be announced. Modest cash prizes for each class winner will be provided together with the opportunity for a small display of winners’ portfolios on the Upchurch Matters website.

The judges will be particularly interested in originality and innovation in the composition of the pictures. Entries at £1 each should be submitted in any of the following classes: 

• Black and white; 

• Under 16 years; 

• 16 years and over; 

• Creative i.e. manipulated images.

Ben Walters

space

Charity Cake Bake at the Crown - Amount Raised

The Charity Cake Bake on Sunday the 24th of March at The Crown raised a grand total of £230.

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

Upchurch Matters
space

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

space