A History of ‘The Three Sisters’ Public House

The Three Sisters circa 1910.

With the coming of the brickfields to lower Rainham in the mid-19^th century which required a large number of men to do hard physical work, the construction of The Three Sisters in 1863 came as no surprise. Throughout the second part of the 19^th century and into the 20^th century brickfield workers regularly drank in the pub and some even lodged there. This contributed regular business which is probably a major reason why the pub survived while the Anchor & Hope and the Lord Stanley at Otterham Quay eventually closed.

There are several theories about how the pub acquired its name but the exact reason is unknown. The first of these is connected with three sarsen stones which are situated at the south west corner of the pub. These mark the footpath that passes through Natal Farm. Secondly, there were once three beacons situated on the marshes to guide shipping that were known as The Three Sisters. Another theory is that the pub was named after the three Hubbard sisters who lived in a nearby cottage during the 19^th century.

George Freeman served as the first publican of the Three Sisters with his wife Ellen who originated from Ireland. In 1871 his niece Frances Sarden and a lodger named William Lacy also lived there. George Freeman’s name appears on the 1861 census list as publican of the Anchor and Hope pub in Otterham Quay where he worked before taking on The Three Sisters. By 1881 George Clark had taken over and he remained there until the 1890s. Bill Edmunds then took over with his wife Rose and two children William and Rose. Bill Edmunds, a short, stocky man with bushy black eyebrows and a mustache became well known in the area and became a prominent member of Rainham Cycle Club whose headquarters were based at the Green Lion Inn in Rainham High Street. While serving as publican at the Three Sisters he organised regular excursions to the seaside and short cycling trips for customers.

During the 1890s ‘The Jolly Brickmakers club’ became established in the pub. Members contributed money so that social trips could be organised to different locations. Many trips took place including one to Yalding in 1894. Concerts were also held at the pub in aid of needy parishioners. In August, 1899 a smoking concert raised £4 for blind parishioner Richard Turrell from Otterham Quay.

In 1900 brickfield workers like Richard Parr and Fred Wilkman lodged at the pub along with a servant named Edith Wills who helped out in the building. Landlord Bill Edmunds who had made a big contribution to the pub while managing it died prematurely from pneumonia aged 40 in 1902.

David Wood.

 After the death of Bill Edmunds Henry Tassell took over as publican in the period leading up to the 1920s. He married the former landlord’s widow Rose and they had two children named Alec and Ethel. Alec became a well-known cricketer with Upchurch and Rainham cricket clubs and a bricklayer with E.C. Gransden Ltd. William Edmunds, son of the former publican of the same name also played cricket for Upchurch and became landlord during the 1920s. When he left Albert Roche and his wife Caroline arrived. They were succeeded by Ernie Huseman and his wife Eleanor during the 1930s and 1940s.

During the 1960s brickfield workers, foreign seamen from Otterham Quay and locals continued to patronise the pub with characters like Bill Richardson who lived nearby in a bungalow. He personally constructed it single handed over more than a decade. ‘The Keg Boys’ from Rainham with members like Stan Peace, Neville Huggins and Colin Chapman also periodically drank there along with other locals.

Robert Moulton and his wife Margaret became long serving landlords at the pub until the 1970s but with the closure of the brickfield trade from brickfield employees ceased and the pub had to rely on a hard core group of locals to keep the pub going.

One of the most popular landlords and innovators at the pub, a former talented local footballer named Mick Harris, resided there during the 1980s to the mid-1990s. A very outgoing, sometimes outspoken and lively individual, he encouraged a younger clientele with discos and music nights and proved to be a very popular landlord with large numbers of customers attending at weekends. In 1997 Sue and Graham Fry took over and they stayed until 1999.

The Three Sisters as it looks today.

Sally Godden who is a familiar local figure in the equestrian world now runs the pub which is known to many customers as ‘The Six Tits’. The pub has a regular band of drinkers, it serves food and hosts regular, live weekly music with Karaoke nights. Singers and musicians like Mickey Blue Eyes, Annie Love and Lisa Mills perform there. With a main bar at the front, a functions room and a beer garden at the back, oak beams on the ceiling, an open fire in winter and pub games like pool, darts and cards, The Three Sisters remains a popular pub in the area and has developed a new image compared to the old days when it attracted brickfield workers.

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 + £3.50 postage and packing.

David Wood.

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Bricks, Brickmen & Barges

Jane Gransden
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Allotment at Upchurch

If you are interested in renting an allotment, please do contact the Clerk. The allotments are managed by Upchurch Parish Council and are located in Oak Lane opposite the Recreation Ground.

Currently, the annual rent is as follows:

Parishioner: £16 per full plot /£8 per half plot

Non-Parishioner: £25 per full plot/£12.50 per half plot

(Rates valid as at 1st April 2014. Please note that the rent is due on 1st April each year.)

Claire Attaway, Clerk to the Parish Council.
Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
Tel: 01634 363906.
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UpARA - Programme of Events

Upchurch Active Retirement Association

We had a very successful launch of our new association in Upchurch, with 77 members signing up at the inaugural meeting, which has now risen to 110, against our limit of 150.

Our next events are;-

Monthly Meetings (2^nd Friday of the month)

(Members Free; Guests £2.00)

Friday 13^th June 2014, 2:00pm

 Coffee Mornings (4^th Tuesday of the month)

(Members £1.50; Guests £2.00)

Tuesday 27^th May 2014, 09:30am

*

Tuesday 24^th June 2014, 09:30am

Village Walks (Every other Friday)

Friday 23^rd May 2014, tba

Outings

Thursday 24^th July 2014

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

“Oliver”

*

Wednesday 13^th August 2014

Day Trip to Brighton

*New members welcome*

David Powell - Chairman

Email: davidrpowell5@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: 01795 843550

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2014

The Parish Council met on Thursday 1^st May in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 9 members of the public.

Public Time – Gypsy/Traveller site – A resident reported that he had put up notices regarding the planning application at Orchard Park. He commented that it felt like the village was accepting travellers and that he can see caravans coming into the horizon. It was explained that the Council was trying to voice the concerns of the settled community. Highway issues – A resident raised concerns about the amount of damage the delivery Lorries were causing in the village, in particular the Lorries delivering to the Co-Op. He also reported that two road accidents had happened in one day. One in Forge Lane outside the Fish & Chip shop and one outside the Car Sales Showroom in Horsham Lane. It was explained that cars were being parked to close to the boundary with Horsham Lane and that they were using a full size transporter. It was reported that the Council had contacted the Co-Op to raise resident’s concerns about the delivery Lorries and it was hoped that the Store Manager would attend the next GPC meeting. Orchard Park – A resident reported that a fence dividing the small orchard/farmers field had been taken down. Overhanging vegetation – A resident commented that a large amount of vegetation would need cutting back. There were many sites in the village where the sightlines were poor. Swale BC Councillor – Cllr Lewin reported that the situation with a planning application for a gypsy & traveller site in Holywell Lane had changed. The site had been sold to a different family. He reported that there were now 4 touring caravans on site, with at least 2 of the families on site having 2 and 3 small children respectively. The Enforcement Officer had decided it was not appropriate at this time to serve an enforcement notice and had advised the occupiers to submit a planning application within the next 28 days, failing which they would move to serve an enforcement notice. Cllr Lewin explained that he had replied to this as follows:

I am amazed that we are not taking a firm stand on this. Holywell Lane has been transformed from a quiet rural lane to a lane urbanised by Gypsy & Travellers. This latest situation will undoubtedly create further issues of access to sites etc., which as happened recently will damage the environment.

We must put ourselves in control of these situation not put it in the hands of others. I do not accept that the land now newly occupied has deemed consent for use by Gypsies. This will be a retrospective application yet again.

Planning – SW/14/0423 R/o 124 Chaffes Lane – New dwelling within rear garden- The Planning Review Team commented as follows:

·      It believes it is an over-developed back-fill

·      It will impact on the owners of Nos. 134 and 132 Chaffes Lane

·      The owner of No.2 Marstan Close is a relative of the applicants and, although she may not object to the use of the right way of fronting her property, any future owner could find it intrusive.

·      The views of the owners of No. 3 and all neighbours in Marstan Close and the surrounding properties on Chaffes Lane and Oak Lane should be given serious consideration.

·      Marstan Close is a small, cul-de-sac with congested parking and the proposed development would exacerbate this problem with increased on-road parking for visitors or commercial deliveries.

Taking these views as a whole, the Planning Review Team objects to the proposals.

Permission granted: TC/14/0028 21 Oak Lane – reduce Holm Oak tree by 33%, annual pruning to maintain reduced size. SW/14/0161 Gibbens Farm Bungalow, The Street, Bredgar – The transfer of agricultural occupancy condition attached to the bungalow, Gibbens Farm, Bredgar to the cottage, Gore Farm. SW/14/0190 2 Church Farm Road – First floor extension over existing garage.

Other planning matters – Oast Field Stud, Gore Farm Track, Holywell Lane – Change of use of land to a 1 no. pitch gypsy site (1 no. mobile home, 2 no. touring caravans) with associated foaling boxes and parking bays. It was advised that this planning application would be reported to the Planning Committee of Swale BC on 8^th May 2014. Cllr Tucker will register to speak at this meeting.  

Finance – Final Accounts for approval – a copy of the accounts for the year 2013-14 had been circulated and approved at the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24^th April 2014. It was agreed that they be approved and it was noted that the Councils expenditure was greater than its income therefore it was necessary to move towards three year budgeting.

Administration – Resignation of Village Cleaner – It was explained that the current role was unmeasurable. Therefore the Council could consider other options. Cllr Tucker thanked Cllr Denny, Cllr Rose and Cllr Lewin for offering to help litter pick in The Paddock whilst the Council considers this role. Members expressed a preference to the possibility of employing a sub-contractor. It was suggested renaming the role to “Village Caretaker” which could include additional tasks, for example, cutting back vegetation overhanging sightlines.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Salt in Recreation Ground Car Park – It was reported that the salt bags would be removed by the end of May. Anyone wishing to collect some of this salt were encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Noticeboard for Allotments – It was explained that Mr Osborne had asked for a specification for this. A resident had offered to install the noticeboard. The design and specification would be confirmed at the next GPC meeting. It was also suggested to install a noticeboard in the Burial Ground.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Mary’s Church Clock – It was agreed to accept a quote to the sum of £368 + VAT from Gillett & Johnston for replacing the winding switch. Members requested that the engineer investigate why the clock is not working properly when they attend to carry out this repair work.                                     

Environment – Proposal for a Bus Shelter in the Village Centre– A paper prepared by those “for” and those “against” had been circulated. Members discussed this and then Cllr Tucker asked members to vote on the following proposal:

Those in favour of progressing the administration side of progressing the proposal for a Bus Shelter in Horsham Lane.

With 4 members for and 3 members against, it was agreed that the Council would contact the Conservation Officer to discuss further. It was explained that funding was an issue and that the Council would take time in making decisions on how and when this would move forward.

Barbara Webb Memorial – Cllr Apps reported that it was fifty years since the loss of Barbara Webb and commented that the Council should not let this anniversary go unmarked. Cllr Lewin reported that Mrs Madden had indicated her intention to replace the bowl used in the presentation for the Best Kept Garden Competition. Cllr New explained that the Village Hall Management Committee may like to be involved, perhaps by planting a tree or plant.

Highways – Identification of Street Lights – It was agreed to accept a quote to the sum of £235.50 for producing fifty labels. Replacement Street Light in Breach Lane – It was reported that the new light in Breach Lane had been installed. UK Power Networks grant – Cllr Arnold reported that he had submitted a grant application for installing energy saving street lighting at a cost of around £10,000.

Next meetings – 5^th June and 3^rd July. Please note that the meetings will now be held at the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Claire Attaway

Parish Clerk

Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon - Thurs 9am to midday)

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

A Tribute to Evelyn Veale

Evelyn Veale 12^th August 1936  - 16^th April 2014.

The Early Years

Evelyn was the only child of Reginald and Ethel Champion. She was born at Plantation Cottages, Horsham Lane, Upchurch, Kent on the 12th August 1936. Shortly afterwards, her parents and their new baby moved to a slightly larger property nearby at No.2 Otterham Cottages. She remained resident of the Parish of Upchurch throughout her life, marrying Bryan Veale in 1958, and bearing two sons, Mark Jonathan and Andrew Timothy.

Reginald Champion her father was, we believe born in Grain Village, his parents moving to Upchurch whilst he was a very young child. His education took place at the two village schools, the Infants School in The Street, and the Junior School at Holywell. He commenced work with Wakeley Brothers at the age of 15, initially as an apprentice shipwright working on the Company barges at Overshore, but moved to farming, as this was more to his liking. He was to remain with Wakeley Bros. all his working life, becoming eventually farm foreman, retiring in 1972.

Ethel, his wife was born to Ruben and Mary Wildish at Overshore Cottages, Overshore, The Wharf, Upchurch. She like Reg was to live in the Parish all her life.
Evelyn had a very happy childhood in the care of her two loving parents, enjoying the freedom to roam as she grew older in what was then an idyllic rural environment.
Both Ethel and Reginald are laid to rest in St.Mary’s churchyard/cemetery, Upchurch, as are each of Evelyn’s grand parents.

The Teen Years

Holidays as a child and a young teenager were often spent either at her auntie Ivy and uncle Bert Bishop’s home at the agricultural college at Hextable or with her uncle Bill Champion and Evelyn’s grandmother Champion at Wimbledon. Her grandmother living there to help bring up Bill’s two sons as his wife had died at a fairly young age.

Following her early schooling in Upchurch, Evelyn continued into her secondary education at Rainham School for Girls, Orchard Street, leaving there at the age of 16 to work as a book keeper and cashier at Rix’s Furniture and Hardware Store in Gillingham High Street

Rix’s was a respected and well-supported family run business of the old school. Mr. Rix  was a fair and generous employer, subsidising each year a trip to the coast for the staff, their family or close friends. Sometimes a visit to a London show, and always a Christmas Dinner and Dance, usually held at the Central Hotel Gillingham. Each member of the staff  received a Christmas gift from their employer.

Her closest friends came mainly from the village, and included her next door neighbour Margaret Everest, Mary Barden who lived at ‘Pendene’ in Horsham Lane, and a Pat Simmons who lived in the bungalow opposite the Brown Jug Pub. Evelyn had accompanied her to see a young man singing during the interval at the Ritz cinema, Chatham. It was that boy who was one day to become her husband.

From Teen to Adulthood

Around about 1952/3 Evelyn became members of the Hartlip Tennis Club, and Hartlip Youth Club. She with other friends would cycle to the village hall in Hartlip to attend club nights once a week, and dances run by local organisations. These were good times, and Evelyn built up many close friendships, many of who remain her close and valued friends even to this day. These were good and carefree times for those living in Upchurch and around because of the friendly and active communities.

It was at the Hartlip youth club that Evelyn met, courted and became engaged to Bryan Veale from Newington in January 1957, marrying at St.Mary’s Church, Upchurch on Saturday 9^th August 1958. Bryan by this time was a serving Merchant Navy Engineer Officer with the Union-Castle Line, but owing to dockworker strikes in South Africa he was in danger of not arriving back to the UK in time for his wedding to Evelyn. Fortunately, schedule changes to the ship’s ports of call allowed the ship to arrive back to London just three days before their wedding.

Following Bryan’s service in the Merchant Navy, and the years which followed in which he became a Commissioning Engineer, and later a manager with Fisher Controls often took him away for long periods. In his absence Evelyn had the responsibility of overseeing the many responsibilities of running the family home and caring for their children. She undertook these tasks both willingly, and certainly very efficiently. This dedication and skill was to be her hallmark throughout her life. 

In the early part of 1959  E.C Gransden and Sons commenced the building of their new house   opposite the church in Horsham Lane, and was completed and ready for occupation in the November of that same year. It was an exciting time for them both. Evelyn of course was still working at Rix’s, a family furniture and iron mongers business in Gillingham, and both of them had been saving to meet the costs of deposit and mortgage. In those days only the husband’s salary was considered for mortgage loans, and did not allow overtime/bonus payments as in the calculations of today. The house was named ‘Cedarstones’ because of the cedarwood and Kent Rag-stone features.

On the 20^th October 1961 Evelyn gave birth to their first baby, Mark Jonathan. Bryan was present at the birth at their home, the midwife being Nurse Harris. It was a wonderful moment. Mark was certainly a beautiful baby, and gave them both so much happiness and pride. Two years later on the 1^st November 1963 Evelyn gave birth to Andrew Timothy. Andrew, like his brother was to mature into a much loved and very caring son.

Wives Group

In 1960 Evelyn became a member of the Young Wives Group, which was then led by Phillada Bradshaw, the wife of the Vicar the Rev. J. McNeil (Mac) Bradshaw.

When the Rev Keith Chare became Vicar his wife Barbara agreed to take the leadership, and upon her retirement in 1981 Evelyn was invited to become the leader a post that she retained until retiring in 2008.

The Church Choir

Her parents Reginald and Ethel Champion were practising Christians, both attending St. Mary’s Church in the village. It was they who encouraged Evelyn to join the church choir at the age of eleven in December 1947. She was to remain as a regular member for the next 55 years, and was the longest serving member in living memory, and continued to be willing to assist when invited.

She was blessed with a lovely soprano voice, and even after her retirement continued to be invited to sing solo’s (particularly by former choristers at their weddings).

The Church choir was to play an important part in the lives of both Evelyn and her husband Bryan. He became choirmaster for period of 37 years, with both finally retiring in Dec 2001. Between them they encouraged and supported so many young people to enjoy music. They encouraged a great social side for the choristers, walks and picnics in the summer, and the popular Christmas parties in their home.

During  70’s, 80’s and 90’s the choir membership remained in excess of 20 choristers and senior members, and maintained a high standard.

Upchurch Choral Society (2014)

Up to her death Evelyn and Bryan were the sole remaining founder members of the U.C.S., the choir being formed in 1967 by the Rev. MacNeil Bradshaw and Tom Rider the husband of Doris Rider the then organist at St.Mary’s.  The choir has continued presenting two/three concerts each year. The choir’s first concert was the amalgamation of the Church and Women’s Institute choirs. Evelyn remained an influential member and was for many years its Chairman.

Evelyn was also, together with Bryan a long serving member of the Sittingbourne Orpheus Choral Society.

She was a tireless worker in her community and for her church, and will be remembered for the hours she spent raising funds for her church by organising and manning a stall at local ‘Boot Fares’, and for being one of the main organisers of  the monthly ‘Porch Sale’ at St.Mary’s.

She will also be remembered for her work and happy disposition whilst working at ‘The Barn Yard’

Her family and friends

Evelyn placed great value and importance to her family. She loved her parents dearly, and extended this love to Bryan’s family. All her six nieces and nephews received birthday cards each year up to their 21^st birthday, and their children in turn were remembered similarly up their 18^th birthday.

The birth of her grand children Ashley and Taylor brought her great joy, and the early death of her first grandchild Aaron great sadness. A day never went by without her speaking of them, and her trips to Italy to see them were such joy and so much looked forward to.

A Worrying Time

In March 2011 Evelyn was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in her right kidney. The operation to remove the kidney was undertaken at the Darenth Valley Hospital, Dartford in the April by Mr.Marsh and was a complete success. Andrew flew from Italy to be with his parents and was a wonderful support at this very worrying time. Evelyn’s progress following the operation continued to be good, allowing her to travel to Italy with Bryan in the following June.

In late 2012 further cancerous tumours were diagnosed and a process of radio-therapy followed by chemotherapy was commenced.  In spite of the many awful side effects she suffered Evelyn maintained a positive attitude, never complaining and would never allow herself to be seen suffering in public continuing to take part in the many activities she enjoyed.

She even took up ‘short mat’ bowls in the village and at Newington, which she really enjoyed.

On Sunday 13^th April 2014 Evelyn experienced terrible abdominal pain and was admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital. Her condition deteriorated and on Wednesday the 16^th April at 6.15am Evelyn died in the arms of her loving Bryan.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved people, and had many friends. She never sought thanks or favours in anything she did. She was, in every sense a beautiful woman, a true Saint, loved by all, and deeply mourned by those so privileged to have known her.

Goodnight my sweetheart.

“Granddad asked us to write just a few words about our grandma, but what can we say that you don’t already know.

Warming, loving, cheerful, radiant, firm, a little stubborn too, strong, enduring, full of energy, respectful and respected.

It’s impossible to even try to begin to express the impact she has had on us, but here are just a few thoughts that came to mind.

Our  Grandma!

An exceptional person. She taught us many many things, some of which, how to love, how to be patient, how to be positive and never give up, and most of all, how to make a great Gin & Tonic.

She had a special way with people, not just her family but everyone, making you feel somebody, because she really did care.

She always spoiled us grandchildren with her cooking when we visited; finishing every meal with a sweet of some kind, her fantastic crumbles and pies, and her wonderful Yorkshire puddings that dad has tried in vain to rival but with little success.

One of our favourite memories of grandma was at Christmas. Every year the same scene would repeat itself.  While waiting for the turkey to cook we would all open a couple of presents, each waiting to see what the other had been given, and then the time would come when grandma and granddad would give us their presents, and as we opened them, right on cue granddad would say, “ooohhhhhh well that’s nice, who gave you that”? quickly followed up by Grandma giving him a slap saying “we did Bryan, we did”. We all knew she was in charge of Christmas, come to that, in charge of just about everything. And we loved watching granddad getting told off every year and grandma pretending to be angry.

Silly memories but ones that we will always remember and laugh about.”

Bryan Veale.

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