Rob and Nick Sketchley Start Their Rally Across Europe Tomorrow

Please Sponsor Rob and Nick as they rally across Europe raising money for Well Child.

This Thursday the 2nd of May 2013 local brothers Rob and Nick Sketchley are taking part in the Scumrun a famous 4 day charity rally across Europe seen on Sky TV and now in its seventh year!

The brothers know roughly how many miles they will have to travel, but do not know where the finish line is. They will be given directions each morning with a set of check points where they have to achieve certain objectives. The twist on the event is that competitors are not allowed to spend more than £500 purchasing their car, in which they have to cover over 3000 miles in 4 days. There are more than 100 cars taking part and as you will probably have guessed not all of them make it back!

The original car they bought was a P Reg Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000. The engine was a complete mess when they bought the car and they had no choice but to purchase a nice shiny reconditioned engine.

But unfortunately this week and after hours and hours of working on the Impreza disaster struck and it became apparent it would not make the journey.

At the eleventh hour a Saab 900 Turbo convertible was bought, Sign written and made ready to go all on the day they are due to leave !

Their car will be seen in the official Scumrun DVD and on Sky TV. There will also be a press release in the local paper thanking our sponsors for their support nearer the event.

The brothers are looking for sponsors (individuals or businesses) to help raise money for Well Child their chosen charity.

You can sponsor Rob and Nick by visiting their just giving pages (links below) there's also a sponsor form and collection for the boys in the Crown if you'd rather donate in person.

For more info on the charity Well Child and the great work they do, visit their Website here:  www.wellchild.org.uk

The link to the official Website of the Scumrun is here:  www.scumrun.com 

If you'd like to sponsor Nick online click here:  www.justgiving.com/Nick-Sketchley

If you'd like to sponsor Rob online click here:  www.justgiving.com/robert-sketchley

Upchurch Matters

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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 !

16^th 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 16^th June. They would love to see any of us from Upchurch at Hever Castle that day.

Sunday 14^th 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. The village over there will be full of stalls selling all manner of stuff. Our stall will be selling our usual samples of English type goodies such as cups of tea and locally brewed beer plus our famous bacon rolls!

In addition there will be our bric-a-brac sale so we would greatly appreciate any donations to this, more or less anything as long as it’s good quality please! Do have a sort out and think of us in the next month or so – we can collect if required – just give us a ring or email Sue.

Sunday 1^st September 2013 – TWINNING SPORTS DAY!  In Upchurch – a definite date for your diaries. We hope to see lots of you there!

From about 10:00am to 4:00pm, at Upchurch Cricket Club – many thanks to the Cricket Club for making their wonderful facilities available to us.

There is lots of parking space, and loads of grass to play games and sports, also the bar will be open and we will have a barbeque around lunch time.

This promises to be a grand day full of fun and games and an opportunity to mingle with many friends of all ages from Ferques.

Annual General Meeting – Thursday 20^th June 2013 at 7:30pm. In Holywell School hall, followed by wine and nibbles.

Jim Harman: (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter: (Secretary) 01634 234780 or Email:  suerossiter@waitrose.com 

Sue Rossiter
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Entertainment coming to the Three Sisters

Friday the 3rd of May Karaoke/Disco with the ever popular Luke - come and try your singing skills or just come along for a dance.

Saturday the 11th of May ME & THEM a new band with a difference. Not just singers, plenty of banter with audience participation. Come along to be entertained.

This Years Beer Festival date to be announced shortly !

George & Sally
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Upchurch Parish Council - Annual Parish Meeting

I give you notice that  the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING of the Upchurch Parish Council will be held in the Main Hall of Upchurch Village Hall on THURSDAY 25^th April 2013 at 7.30pm.

Dated this 18th day of April 2013

S Tucker

Chairman to the Parish Council

AGENDA

1.  Chairman’s introduction

2.   Apologies for absence

3.   Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th April 2012

4.   Chairman’s report

5.  Matters arising and questions on the Chairman’s report

6.  Presentation of Accounts

7.  General Parish Business

Refreshments, including wine and nibbles will be available after the meeting.

Claire Attaway

Parish Clerk

33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch.

Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 12)

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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Upchurch Best Kept Garden 2013

Judging for the Best Kept Garden will take place during July.

Judges will assess what can be seen at the front of each house in the following categories. Firstly a garden which is predominately growing flowers, secondly a garden which is mixture of flowers, trees and or shrubs, and finally for those with only a small or no front garden the judges will assess any hanging baskets or flower troughs.

The prizes, currently sponsored by the Parish Council, will be presented at the Upchurch Horticultural Society Show during September in the Village Hall and the overall winner will hold the Barbara Webb Memorial Trophy for a year.

Contact me if you would consider sponsoring a prize [cash or in kind] - Gerry Lewin on: 01634 366113 or lewing135@btinternet.com

On behalf of the Upchurch Horticultural Society and the Parish Council

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News From St. Mary's Church

Sunday 14^th April  9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments (in the church)

Sunday 21^st April – No 9:00am service in church but there is a 10:30am Uplift All Age service in the Village Hall.

Sunday 28^th April 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments (in the church)

Sunday 5^th May 9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church.)

10:30am  Uplift All age service in the Village Hall followed by refreshments.

Sunday 12^th May  9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church)

Sunday 19^th May Day of Pentecost!  No 9:00am Service.

10:30am Uplift All age service in Village Hall with refreshments.

Sunday 26^th May  9:00am Sung Communion with refreshments after. (In the church) 

Also at 7:00pm on 26^th May, The 7@7 service will take place in Upchurch church. A quiet service of contemplative music and prayer and a chance to share together. Refreshments after.

Many thanks to all who helped to make our Easter Saturday so successful in the church!  We welcomed in many who followed the footprints of Jesus around the church depicting the events of Holy Week (esp. one little girl who wanted a guided tour with explanations 4 times!)  We used 4 large pots of home–made  soup  and fresh bread and nearly all the hot cross buns – hot and buttered!  Next year, we are aiming for a week  long event – watch this space.

On 5^th May, our six churches of Upchurch, Lower Halstow, Iwade, Newington, Hartlip and Stockbury officially become one benefice and to mark this occasion (which has practically taken an act of Parliament to make it complete!), we will be celebrating in L. Halstow church at 6:30pm with a service covering the music and traditions of all six churches. The  Archdeacon of Maidstone will be the guest preacher and very special refreshments are promised for after! What does it mean?  To be one benefice makes us stronger rather than remaining  as 6 individual churches...With lower church numbers and reducing numbers of clergy, we need to reform for the future! There will be increasing input from lay members and our Priest in Charge will become our Rector. Many exciting plans for the future are being discussed, and you will find them here!

On Thursday 9^th May – Ascension Day...We will be celebrating by having a service at Hartlip church with a Russian Orthodox Choir.  If you have never heard one, you are in for a treat, the harmonies are beautiful!  Come and enjoy the service with us all, it starts at 7:30pm Meet our Russian friends after and enjoy refreshments with them.

On the weekend of 31^st May and 1^st June, Canterbury Cathedral is hosting ‘THE GATHERING’ – a weekend festival of faith.  Many events involving clergy, laity and young people and children.   Each day has its own particular focus and flavour....this year’s theme is ‘Re-imagining.’ It is a ticketed event to which all are welcome. Visit the website:  www.the-gathering.co.uk

Sunday 30^th June is Canon Alan’s last service with us.  He would like it to be in Newington Church at 11:00am and hopes you will all join him. Varied service covering all our traditions, and there is a reception afterwards.

Saturday 4^th May, Lower Halstow Church  have their BREAKFAST CLUB PLUS for all junior school children (any junior school).  9:30-11:30am. in L.H. church -  it is non stop action with breakfast, Bible Story and then themed work and play all morning. Last month we had an outside bar-b-cue of fresh fish to mark Jesus’ appearance on the beach at Tiberius after the Resurrection, with His invitation to ‘bring some fish and have breakfast! So we did! Revd. Jacky leads it and you can contact her with queries on: 01795 842557. Parents needn’t stop, but the children must be accompanied and signed in.

Revd. Jacky Davis

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