Promise Auction on behalf of St. Mary the Virgin Upchurch

We have had some great promises with full details on our website shortly available. Thank you to everyone who has offered their services, there are many amazing promises for all to bid for!

Bidding commences on the 1st June until midnight 27th June, closing with the final offers at the Grand Fete in the Paddock on Saturday 28th June 2014.

Watch out for the website address and final details on how to bid.

Brenda Kemsley on: 01634 231585

Email: brenda_ann@btinternet.com

space

Upchurch 50 Years Ago in April 1964 by David Wood

At a time when Upchurch had expanded substantially after the construction of several new housing estates, the parish council had more issues to deal with which characterised village affairs in April 1964.

The month began with Upchurch parish council having a busy time dealing with several local issues of concern. The first regarded the establishment of a new burial ground as the old one had become full. To achieve this the council needed a loan so they requested £600 from the Public Works Loan Committee. Chairman Tom Colven also applied to the Minister of Housing and Local Government to get approval for a children’s play area and the parish council asked the County Surveyor to improve road safety in the village centre. This necessitated a ‘Slow’ sign being placed near the bus stop in Horsham Lane and opposite ‘The Crown.’ The road surface in Forge Lane, Oak Lane and near Lower Halstow cricket ground had to be repaired. Reflector posts were recommended for Oak Lane and ‘No cycling’ signs were suggested for the old footpath between Oak Lane and Wallbridge Lane.

At the same meeting parish clerk Aubrey Smith announced that the maintenance of the allotments in Oak Lane and fencing for the recreation ground had become the biggest council expenditure for the year but it continued.

Although the recreation ground surface resembled that of today the surroundings were less attractive. The fencing which had existed for decades at each end of the ground had become dilapidated and the side where the Bishop Lane housing estate now stands remained an open and unsightly wasteland. A wooden shack existed on the Bishop Lane side of the ground for the football club to use as changing rooms. Large groups of village boys played football on the area during the evenings while the football club used it on weekends. The judging of the carnival floats and a fair took place there during the summer months.

At the end of the monthly parish council meeting chairman Tom Colven received thanks for his service to the parish council before he departed from the village to begin a new life in Cranbrook with his wife Edith who had played a big part in the organisation of the village Darby & Joan Club.

The Women’s Institute members had an evening of entertainment at their monthly meeting when they listened to an hour of classical music arranged by Mr. Featherstone after which he explained the meaning and construction of each musical piece. Arrangements were also made for a whist drive in aid of funds and a visit to the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. The meeting eventually ended with a knitting race won by Mrs. Adams from Oak Lane.

David Wood.

On the first weekend of the new cricket season Upchurch Cricket Club had a disappointing start when they suffered a narrow three run defeat against the Kent Farm Institute after being bowled out for 105 chasing a total of 108. The following day they bowled out Murston for only 48 with Len Harris from Drakes Close taking 8 wickets for only 21 runs but the Sittingbourne outfit also bowled well and dismissed Upchurch for only 34 leaving the village team without a win.

Socially, the village had a busy month with the horticultural society Easter Bonnet Competition taking place on April 4th with a high attendance, the Darby & Joan Club film show on April 5th followed by a dance in the village hall on April 10th and a cricket club dance on April 25th.

Only one burial took place in April with the funeral of Dora Everest from Otterham Cottages aged 75 while baptisms included Melissa Stevens from Gore Farm, Paul Barden from Wallbridge Lane, Beverley Warwick from Chaffes Lane, Glyn Humphries from Horsham Lane, Katherine Catford from Crosier Court and Andrew Waghorne from the caravan site. April birthdays were celebrated by Hilary Gilbert aged 11 from Drakes Close, Richard Murr aged 14 from Oak Lane and Linda Boakes aged 13 from Chaffes Lane.

Finally, Bryan Veale had to give up his position as choirmaster due to too many other commitments in a busy month where parish council affairs dominated.

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 at:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  or from us here at Upchurch Matters.

price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood.
space

Computer Stolen - Burglary Otterham Quay Lane

Hartlip Newington & Upchurch Ward

Reference: DY9920 from Neighbourhood Watch

DA36. Otterham Quay Lane. A burglary occurred between 12:00pm and 12:10pm on Thursday 10/04. Entry was gained, damage was caused and a computer was stolen. It is believed that 2 people are responsible:

Male 1- 30-37 years old, 5ft7, black short hair, stocky build and was wearing a blue and grey stripes top and grey jogging bottoms.

Male 2- 30-37 years old, 5ft7, black hair, slim build, pointed chin and was wearing a black jacket zipped upto the neck.

Did you hear or see anything? If so, please contact The Police on 101 and quote Crime Number: XY/12701/14.

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

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

space

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee - AGM

The Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee AGM is being held on Wednesday the 9th of April at 7:30pm in the Back Hall.

Upchurch Matters

space

Superfast Fibre Optic Broadband in Upchurch - Online Petition

When an Upchurch resident contacted BT  recently asking when Superfast Fibre Optic broadband will be available in the village the company responded saying that they can only give an estimate of between April and June of of 2014.

“When can I get fibre optic BT Infinity?”

“Sorry, fibre optic BT Infinity isn't currently available at your property. Fibre optic broadband is estimated to be in your area between April 2014 and June 2014. Please note that these dates have been provided by our supplier and are estimates. Dates may be subject to change due to factors outside our control such as; delays agreeing cabinet locations with your local council or unforeseen issues encountered during the construction of your st.”

To try and move things along an online Petition at the GoPetition website has been setup and you can sign it at the link below:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fibre-optic-broadband-for-upchurch.html

Thanks to Tracey Snellings for the info.

Upchurch Matters

Space

Upchurch Choral Society - 'O Sacred Head'

Upchurch Choral Society and the St. Mary's Church Choir are joining together to perform a programme of wonderful Music and Readings on

Good Friday evening.

St. Mary's Church, Friday the 18th of April 7:00pm 

Conductor: Helen Osborne - Organist: Sue Rossiter

Programme includes Music by:

Purcell, Victoria, Elgar, Bach, Stainer, Handel, Chilcott, Tchaikosvsky

and Mauder

Admission Free - Retiring Collection in aid of the
British Heart Foundation

Bryan Veale

space