Notice Board

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Upchurch Twinning Group Annual Quiz Night - All Tables Now Reserved

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

The Quiz Night is always a popular evening.

As most of you will already be aware - we are holding our Annual Quiz Night in the Hall of Holywell School on Saturday 7^th February, with tables of 6 to 8 (maximum) persons, at £4.00 per head, please bring your own drinks and nibbles. The school will be open from 7:00pm, with the first question at 7:30pm.

Good news - we have had reservations for all 18 tables now!

Still well over a week to go - if you have booked a table or are part of a team - please don't forget to turn up!

All proceeds go towards years 5 & 6 Holywell children visiting either Elinghen or Ferques schools.

You can read more about Upchurch Twinning Group at the link here

Ann Harman (Secretary) on: 01634 235420

Mike Johnson (Chairman) on: 01634 234226 Email mikeinupchurch@gmail.com

Ann Harman

Upchurch Twinning Group
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Money Stolen - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Hartlip Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: XY/001388/15

Money was stolen from the office area at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course, Oak Lane.

This happened between 8:00am and 12 noon on Sunday 11th of January.

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

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

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch

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Saturday, 17 January 2015

Upchurch Parish Council Report - February 2015

The Parish Council met on Thursday 8^th January at the Village Hall where 7 Councillors were present and 12 members of the public.

Public Time - Gullies – a resident queried about the gully cleaning – lots of intentional signs but no cleaning appears to have taken place. Cllr Tucker will investigate. Planning – a resident asked for clarification as to why Swale BC seem to refer to Mid-Kent Planning support. Cllr Lewin explained that back office planning administration for all of Mid-Kent in general is now dealt with at Maidstone, but any Swale area planning applications will always return to Swale BC for progression. Swale Borough Council is still our Planning Authority. Holywell Lane – the owner of the land at Tree Tops in Holywell Lane was supporting the local Travelling community by clarifying that much of the mess along that lane was not necessarily down to the travellers as had been reported in the local paper a few months ago. Cllr Tucker informed him that the newspaper has picked this up from the minutes of one of the meetings where a resident had reported the state of the lane, and it had subsequently been recorded that the statement was incorrect. However the Council is not responsible for what is reported in the newspapers.

Correspondence - River Basin Management – Cllr Lewin advised this was not of high relevance to Upchurch. Swale Rural Forum - The next forum is on 10th February 2015 at Lower Halstow Memorial Hall, 7pm – Cllrs Lewin and Tucker will attend. All are welcome and should be a useful evening. Cllr Lewin has asked for a discussion on bridleway system west of the A249 as there is so much “horsiculture” around such that horses are often seen on our roads. A discussion on safety issues as well as economical support of the industry would be beneficial. He asked that members inform him of any issues to include in his talk. Lord Lieutenant’s Civic Service at Rochester Cathedral on 10/3/15 – Cllrs New and Lewin would like to attend. Communication within the Parish – Upchurch Matters Website (Louis Newbery) had emailed with some suggestions of how to improve communication from the Parish Council to the village. The ideas were favourably received as it is important to get information out, but it was decided to await the new Clerk.

Planning - 14/505052/FULL Twinney Wharf, Susans Lane – Erection of a barn for storage of animal feed, bedding and associated plant and machinery. – the Parish Council response was that the amendments made were more in keeping with the rural area and therefore could see no planning reasons to object. SW/14/0074 Appeal Ref: APP/V2255/A/14/2224462 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. – Appeal hearing to be 28/1/15 10am at Swale House. Cllr Tucker will try to attend. In addition, Cllr Lewin has raised objections and has proposed refusal in committee, so he will be attending as Borough Councillor. 14/505230/FULL/EMEI Jack Russell Place, Halstow Lane – Variation of condition 2 and 4 of planning permission SW/08/0917 (Change of use to residential – stationing of one touring caravan and two mobile homes. Erection of a stable block and a storage shed (open sides).) to increase the number of mobile homes (from 2 to 5), and to have flood lighting security lightning for safety.– There has been an amendment to this application to vary conditions of SW/11/0496 rather than SW/08/0917. It was agreed that the Parish Council response should object this relatively considerable increase in mobile homes and to any lighting in this site as it is open countryside.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Allotments and Recreation Ground fences – Repairs to the allotment fence will be progressed as quickly as possible. The Recreation Ground fence along Oak Lane path is to be replaced with a grant from KCC.

Paddock -. Nothing to report

Burial Ground and Churchyard - Burial Ground Steps – Cllr Masson and the Clerk had met with the contractor regarding the steps which are sloping. Cllr Tucker will follow up the outcome. Churchyard path – Cllr New reported that she was aware that the faculty for this has been taken to the Diocese. Burial Ground Rules and Regulations – Cllr Rose is beginning to review the Rules and Regulations. This will be added to the agenda for the next GPC meeting.

Environment - Salt bag – The village annual salt provision has in incorrectly delivered to Nursery Days car park. A resident has been approached to help to move the bag to the Village Hall car park. The salt available for all village residents to use in event of icy conditions. Cllr Tucker will follow this up and also research the availability of smaller salt bags for people to fill. Church Christmas Tree Festival – this event was very successful and Cllrs Denny and Rose were thanked for their efforts with the Parish Council contribution.

Highways - Street lights – the light at the junction of The Street with The Poles is still not working. Cllr Arnold reported that the contractor is awaiting some brackets. He was also aware of the light opposite 101 Wallbridge Lane being out and others in Crosier Court and near Snaffles which are unreliable. All are being followed up with Highways. Pot hole in The Street – has been repaired. Oak Lane closure – Information that this road will be closed from Bishop Lane to Snaffles, on Sundays 18th and 25th January

Next meetings – Confirmed as being 5th February 2015 and 5th March 2015, 7:30pm in The Village Hall.

Mrs Julia Cura Parish Clerk

43 Woodside, Rainham, Kent ME8 0PL

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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Upchurch Village Hall Committee - Secretary Wanted

Upchurch Village Hall

Upchurch Village Hall Committee are seeking to co-opt a parish resident on to their Committee to undertake the specific role of Secretary. The committee seeks to manage all affairs of the hall such as financial affairs, rules and regulations, health and safety matters, bookings and general maintenance.

This is a voluntary position which requires attendance normally at 2 meetings a month, the main meeting being the evening of every second Wednesday of the month. The other is a sub-committee of the Officers which meets just prior to these to discuss agenda items.

The duties of the Secretary include:-

• Being a contact point for general enquiries relating to the village hall;

• Investigating and co-ordinating fund raising and grant applications;

• Obtaining quotes; Recording and storage of all correspondence, sent

and received, on behalf of the committee;

• Maintaining the attendance book;

• Taking, circulating and storage of all Committee minutes;

If you are interested in supporting your local village hall in this way please contact the Chairman, Keith Rossiter on: 01634 234780 or via email: keithrossiter@waitrose.com

Upchurch Village Hall Committee

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