The Westmoreland Trust

Westmoreland in Lower Halstow Dock in the early 1960s
with the Brickfields in the background. 

Westmoreland as she stands today.

The last surviving Kent Brick Barge and famous racer, Westmoreland has lain derelict for 40 years but a Heritage Lottery Bid is now underway to save her.

Westmoreland Trust CIC are a 'not for profit' community interest company established to restore Thames Sailing Barge Westmoreland and are speaking to Heritage Lottery Fund about a major grant application.

Westmoreland was saved from Standard Quay in Faversham and moved to Otterham Quay. Now she is back home in Lower Halstow Creek after many years away! This move has only been possible with the support of those willing to defer payment for towing her there.

Built in 1900 in Conyer, she worked from Lower Halstow for 60 years, taking bricks from the Brickfields there up to London. The Brickfields and the last Barge that serviced them are a vital part of the local heritage, Westmoreland Trust hope to tell the story of that lost industry using the Barge, once she is fully restored.

The Heritage Lottery process is likely to take up to two years but in the short term funds are needed to pay for moving Westmoreland to her dry Dock and for the ongoing insurance and ancillary costs until such time as other funding streams are secured.

It is intended that she be moored on a swinging mooring in Lower Halstow Creek prior to being moved back into the dock at Lower Halstow, from where she traded for 60 years. If the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is successful she will be restored to her former glory and operating from the dock once again.

The Thames Sailing Barge needs to be protected while the Heritage Lottery Fund bid is prepared. Westmoreland is slipping away and this project is no doubt the last chance to save her.

So please get behind the project and help raise the funds to keep her safe until the Heritage Lottery bid can be submitted.

Please pledge if you can by visiting the Thames Sailing Barge Westmoreland JustGiving page: Here

If you are on Facebook then you can stay up to date with her progress by visiting their page: Here and clicking 'Like'.

Upchurch Matters

SPACE

Nick Sketchley

Nick Sketchley 1976 - 2014.

Nick sadly passed away on Tuesday the 28th of January and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A family man and loving husband to his wife Joanne, Nick was Dad to two children, Annie and Billy and, along with his brother Robert, a loving son to his parents Chris and Bernard.

Many will remember Nick from growing up in Upchurch, and his school days at Holywell Primary and the Westlands School in Sittingbourne. He went on to study drama at Mid Kent College, during which time he worked at festivals and in the theatre. Nick went on to help run the family business for many years.

Before settling in Lower Halstow, Nick and Joanne travelled the world. Nick will be remembered as someone who embraced life fully and made those around him smile. His zest for life meant that he was able to experience many of his great passions. 

Nick had many good friends and the number of kind thoughts and tributes received this week are testament to a well-loved man who will be truly missed.

Robert Sketchley

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Winter Mix Salt/Sand Available For Residents Use

Upchurch Parish Council would like to advise residents that there is a bag of winter mix (salt/sand) located in the Recreation Ground Car Park for residents use.

If you would like to get prepared for the winter, please do help yourself to this salt using your own bag/container. We do ask that you clear away any spillage's to ensure the area is kept tidy.

Upchurch Parish Council

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Wienerberger Public Exhibition - Hartlip Parish Hall

On behalf of Wienerberger I would like to make you aware of a public exhibition which is due to take place at Hartlip Parish Hall on Wednesday 5th February from 2pm until 8pm. You are welcome to attend.

Representatives from Wienerberger will be at Hartlip Parish Hall to meet local residents to discuss plans for the proposed brick earth extraction site at Paradise Farm, Newington.

Plans will be on display and the team will be on hand to answer any questions from the local community. All issues including transport movements, the process of extracting the material and timings will be explained to anyone wishing to attend.

Feedback forms will also be made available on the day for any additional comments.

Terry Gilligan

Associate Director – on behalf of Wienerberger

Upchurch Players - AGM

Upchurch Players - AGM
Monday 10th March 7:45 pm

Please attend the AGM in the Back Hall at Upchurch Village Hall if you want to be part of putting on a Panto again.

If not enough people which means, Actors and Backstage Crew are not present at this meeting or notify me of their interest to help and in what way they will help....It won't go again and the chance is the group will be disbanded.

Please do not say you will help to bow out late but please do come and reinvigorate the group. Tel: 01634 363271 for notifications of interest or Email: pottibird-alias@yahoo.co.uk

Gloria Knight

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Upchurch Twinning Group - Quiz Night

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

Upchurch Twinning Group Quiz Night on Saturday the 1st of February at Holywell School.

If you are thinking of attending and having a table - then please book it very quickly with Sue Rossiter on (01634 234780) - If you are unable to reach Sue then please try my phone (01634 235420) or Email:  jimharman@talktalk.net

We currently have up to 13 tables. There is only room for a maximum of 15 tables in the School Hall.

Jim Harman (Chairman)

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