Special October & November Offer at Nursery Days

Nursery Days
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Upchurch 50 Years Ago in October 1963

The month began with a wave of vandalism which hit the village and this had to be dealt with by the parish council who reported smashed street lights in Forge Lane caused by vandals thought to be from outside the village. 

At their monthly meeting the parish council announced the approval of street lighting for The Poles estate and reported that responsibility for field and fence management at the recreation ground had been given to the football club in return for free use of the ground. Both the football club and the parish council appealed to the public to stop dumping litter on the recreation ground explaining that it hampered the mowing of the grass. Meanwhile, at the same meeting Edith Colven and Cliff Wanstall were re-elected school managers of the Infant’s School.

 The parish council continued to search for a suitable location to be converted into a children’s recreation area while parish clerk Aubrey Smith reported that progress had been made for a new burial ground to adjoin the old one which had become full, a problem that has recently re-emerged in the village.

The biggest event of the month took place on the last Saturday of October with celebrations in the village hall for the building’s second birthday.  A variety concert raised money and many village organisations participated. These included the Women’s Volunteer Service, Young Wives, the church choir, the Brownies and The Upstarts theatrical group. Entertainment consisted of musical melodies, comical sketches and village rock star George Chaney gyrating with his guitar in front of large numbers of screaming teenage girls in the audience. 

A popular sketch that caused great amusement involved Aubrey Smith as a school headmaster trying to keep order with naughty children. As a school teacher in real life he played the part very well. This was followed by The Upstarts who performed a one act play called ‘Orange Blossom’ with actors Dee Eastwood, Christine Wright, Jayne Batchelor, Louie Parker and Mike Brady while at the end of the evening The Women’s Institute choir sang ‘Birthday Candles.’

The Women’s Institute had an interesting monthly meeting with a talk by Mrs. Griffiths about Staffordshire China. She showed examples of the items and told a series of fascinating stories from legends and fairy tales that the china represented. After the talk Mrs. Thompson won the monthly competition.

David Wood.

In sporting affairs the football club became involved in some high scoring and exciting games with a 4-4 draw against Walderslade, a 4-3 defeat against Hoo and an 8-5 defeat against Elliotts Reserves in the Kent Junior Cup. In a remarkable match in which Upchurch led 3-1 at half time, Elliotts staged a remarkable second half comeback to win the game. The matches involved well- known Upchurch players like Ken Wildish, ‘Nippy’ Edmonds, Basil Barden, ‘Trotter’ Horsnell, Wilf Busbridge and Brian Stephens. 

The scout group suffered a blow when Peter Bowden and his wife from Oak Lane announced that they were going to leave Upchurch and would not be able to continue running the scout and cub troops. Cyril Robinson from Drakes Close took over the scouts while Reverend Bradshaw and Kay Donald re-started the cubs. Mrs. Slight and Mrs. Cooling took over the guides and Mrs. Bradshaw took control of the brownies with the assistance of her daughter Jenny.

Finally, baptisms for October included Joanne Liston from Kent Terrace, Stephen and Lorraine Clark from Otterham Quay and Carl Bowden from Oak Lane in a month of varied activities in the village.

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 - Notice of Vacancy

Dated: 25th September 2013.

NOTICE is hereby given that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the above Parish Council.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, ten electors can petition for an election by writing to the Proper Officer at Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 3HT within 14 working days of the date of this Notice, ie. by 15th October 2013.

If no petition is received within that time period, the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-opting a person onto the Parish Council.

Persons wishing to be considered for this appointment should apply in writing to the Clerk to the Parish Council as soon as possible but no later than 31st October 2013.

Written applications should be made to the Clerk at the following address: -

33 Church Farm Road
Upchurch
Kent ME9 7AG

Please include the following in your written application:

• Contact details
• Length of residence in Upchurch
• Profession or trade
• Other relevant interests outside work including other Upchurch organisations
• Brief statement as to how you feel you can contribute to the work of the Parish Council

Claire Attaway

Parish Clerk

Holywell Primary School - PFHS Golf Society Day

Holywell Primary School - PFHS Golf Society Day Monday 21st of October 2013. Gillingham Golf Course.

Full English Breakfast with tea or coffee

18 holes Stableford competition

Cash prizes and trophies for 5 competitions

Dinner

Price £30

Breakfast will be served at 9:00am, followed by a Stableford golf competition.

The first T off will be 10:00am therefore dinner will be served at 4:00pm.

There will be many competitions on the day including individual winner, team winners, longest drive and nearest the pins. All of which will have cash prizes and trophies, which will be presented after dinner along with a raffle.

There is only 40 places available.

To book your place, simply contact me with your names and handicaps (you will get a confirmation reply).

Richard Divers

Mobile:  07905 507338

Email : buddyholly@blueyonder.co.uk

Website:  www.linwoodhe.com
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Temporary Off - Peak Road Closures - Wallbridge Lane

Temporary Off - Peak Road Closures - Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch 7th - 11th October 2013

It will be necessary to close Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch from Monday 7th October 2013 for up to 5 days, between 9:30am and 3:30pm each day.

Wallbridge Lane will be closed between the junctions with Otterham Quay Lane and Oak Lane.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, Canterbury Lane and Oak Lane.

The closures are to allow Openreach access to phone cables in the carriageway to carry out repairs.

For details of roadworks, please see:  www.roadworks.org

Customer Information Bulletin SW267P

Regards

Phil Lightman

Road Closures Co-ordinator, East Kent Division

Roadworks Team

KCC Highways & Transportation

Ashford Highway Depot

Ashford

TN24 8AD

0300 333 5539 (Local Rate 24 - hour Contact Centre)

Email:  roadworkseast@kent.gov.uk

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Stable Burgled - Breach Lane

Message 643 from Neighbourhood Watch

No: XY/029448/13

A stable in Breach Lane Upchurch was burgled and various horse related items were stolen. This happened overnight between the 16th and 17th of September.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number: 101 and quote the relevant crime number. 

For more information on crime prevention visit:  kent.police.uk

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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