Notice Board

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Road Closure - Windmill Hill

Windmill Hill will be closed for 4 days from Monday the 20th of July for work to patch the road and repaint the white lines. This can only be done under closure.

Otterham Quay Lane will be closed between the junctions with Lower Rainham Road and Horsham Lane, with no through access during closures.

Due to the nature of these works, it is unlikely the road can be re-opened outside the working hours, except on the evening of Tuesday 21st July when the road will be re-opened due to the overnight closure of nearby Breach Lane.

Access to Beckenham Park will be maintained from one or other direction, as signposted on site.

All other access will be maintained whenever it is safe to do so, but there are likely to be some delays and certain times when this is not possible, for safety reasons.

These works are weather dependent, and if adverse conditions prevent them going ahead on the planned dates shown, revised dates will be notified and signposted on site.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, A2 London Road, Oak Lane and

Horsham Lane.

Once Chalkwell are made aware of the exact times and location of the closure they will put notices out on their vehicles to advise their customers.

It's likely they will get to the Three Sisters Public House from Rainham then travel up Otterham Quay Lane and into Upchurch via Oak Lane then continue the route as normal, with the same working in reverse.

We are still waiting to hear back from Travelmasters regarding changes to the School Bus service during the closure.

Upchurch Matters

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Monday, 8 June 2015

Experienced Bar / Waiting Staff Required - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

EXPERIENCED BAR / WAITING

STAFF REQUIRED

FOR OUR BUSY POOLSIDE BAR

15 HOURS PER WEEK WORKED OVER 7 DAY ROTA INC. EVENINGS & WEEKENDS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS & APPLICATIONS PLEASE TELEPHONE:

01634 360626 OR ASK AT THE POOLSIDE BAR

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

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Upchurch 50 Years ago in June 1965 by David Wood

The month began with Swale Borough Council giving permission for land development at Otterham Quay but only for wharfage purposes and not for building. The previous four years had seen a significant increase in house building with three private housing estates appearing in the village. This had caused mixed feelings amongst parishioners about further construction.

Mr J Clark wanted to develop the Otterham Quay area but the council refused. They also turned down a request for street lighting at Drakes Close. More discussion took place regarding lighting at the junction of Oak Lane and the A2 which had been an issue for some time but with little progress being made. Parish clerk Aubrey Smith even visited the Ministry of Transport to get permission but failed.

In social affairs Linda Ellis from Plantation Cottages became Miss Upchurch at the annual competition and dance in the village hall while Linda Boakes from Chaffes Lane and Catherine Dubont became her attendants. Meanwhile, Carol Edmonds (now Carol Boakes) from Holywell became Upchurch Carnival Queen and Angela Gooding from Ham Green and Annette Devont became her attendants for the carnival due to take place in August. Other entertainment in May included three one act comedies staged by ‘The Upstarts’ in the village hall.

In sporting affairs Upchurch Cricket Club enjoyed a successful month with victories against Kent Farm Institute, Detling, Borden and Minster. Although the matches were generally low scoring Don Diffey hit 62 against Kent Farm Institute while bowler Alan Twist took 5-37 against Borden and Len Harris 5-23 against Minster. The club continued to play at their Poot Lane ground where Ted Tress umpired, John Brunning did the scoring while Mary Barden, Mrs Porter and Evelyn Veale usually prepared the teas.

During the long summer evenings large groups of boys played football on the recreation ground with regulars including Peter and Lawrence Duncalf, David Wood, Dave Diddams, Michael ‘Tich’ Parker, Chris Ballard, Mick Kearns, Bob and Philip Gregory and Derek Wraight with Peter and Brian Boakes sometimes joining in. The youths who hung around the village centre outside the Infant’s School were sometimes recruited by Eric Gransden to clear sheep droppings from the cricket ground for a fee of 6d each.

At other village organisations members of Upchurch Women’s Institute listened to a talk given by Miss Degan about diet and how this controls a person’s health and temper. During the same evening members voted to retain ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and sing ‘Jerusalem’ at future meetings.

As today crime periodically occurred in the village and in June 1965 Florence Crittenden’s house at Plantation Cottages got broken into and an eternity ring and money were stolen. The burglar stole £25 which Mrs Crittenden had saved for the Spastics lighthouse organisation and this caused widespread local condemnation.

In agricultural affairs Gore Farm went up for sale but it had to be withdrawn from the auction in Sittingbourne because the price fell too low. With a starting price at £30, 000 for 152 acres of land and a restored farmhouse the price fell to £22, 000. Edward Vinson & Son Ltd from Faversham eventually became the new owners while Mike Blee arrived as the farm manager. He later bought the farm in 1977.

In church affairs Mrs Wraight decided to retire as the church cleaner but her husband Ernie continued as verger and maintained the new churchyard. Miss Orchard finished as the church organist and her position was taken over by Mrs Bodley-Scott on Sunday mornings and Mrs Ryder midweek. Meanwhile, church services were conducted by Reverend Bradshaw with a full congregation attending most Sunday mornings.

The only recorded marriages of the month involved Kay Latter from Drakes Close and John Price from Chatham and Georgine Bateman from Oak Lane and Tim Long from Higham. The funeral of Harry Bass from Drakes Close also took place at the church to end a fairly typical month 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 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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