Changes to 326 / 327 Bus Services From September 1st

New local bus timetables are to be introduced by Sittingbourne based Chalkwell from September 1st. And they include re-investment.

The new timetables contain significant changes to seven of the services they operate through their long established Kent and Medway network.

And savings from services which are currently not fully used will be reinvested into other improvements to the network.

Significantly for passengers, say Chalkwell, there will be an increase in the number of 326 services to provide more direct links between Sittingbourne, Newington and the Medway Towns.

From September 1st nearly every 326 / 327 journey will be extended to include Gillingham and Mid Kent College. Peak journeys will actually go to the college campus and all others will stop along the main road within easy walking distance.

The Hempstead Shopper will also be extended and improved, Chalkwell reveal.

Of the 326 / 7, Chalkwell’s Commercial Director Roland Eglinton said: “The very last round trip of the day on Monday to Saturday will cease to operate due to low usage, with the cost savings reinvested back into the daytime service when people are more likely to make use of it.

“Saturdays will alter considerably with a revised timetable and a reduced number of journeys. We will still run regular services at the most important times on Saturdays, but savings generated have been reinvested back into the service as a whole through the other improvements.”

He said the number of 327’s will slightly decrease, but there will be an increase in the number of 326’s. The new timetable for September will be on the Chalkwell website very shortly.

Roland said the new timetable for 320 / 321 services was already on the website.

This affects services which run between the Isle of Sheppey, Iwade, Milton Regis and Sittingbourne, Monday to Friday on school days. The Leysdown and Warden sections of the route will be discontinued, but the 320 service will now serve Sheerness and Minster. All journeys will serve the rapidly-expanding Thistle Hill estate.

From September the 339 Hempstead Valley Shopper will operate on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays and will be extended to Medway Hospital and Chatham. He said this would give people from the Island the opportunity to travel to Chatham and the hospital – importantly without changing buses.

Said Roland: “Times for both of these services will alter so that they leave Sheerness slightly before 0930 before the concessionary passes are accepted.

“Anyone wishing to board in Sheerness before 0930 with a concessionary pass will be able to pay a reduced fare.

“Fares to Canterbury are reduced if someone buys the Adult Daily ticket – which we have already announced - that reduces from the current £8.30 to £6.”

The 322 service to Eastchurch Prisons will be slightly altered to go in and out of Sittingbourne via the Bobbing link road and Chalkwell Road.

This will eliminate the need for a double deck bus to go under the low bridge near the station or via Crown Quay Lane.

He said the new timetables would be on the Chalkwell website in the next few days.

Added Roland: “Information will be available in the next few days not only via our website, but through handouts for customers.”

Find out more at ☞ www.chalkwell.co.uk

Chalkwell

space

Open Day Celebrations at Snaffles Upchurch

Nick, Jan and Jo at Snaffles Upchurch would love to see everyone at the shops Open Day Celebrations on Thursday the 30th of July - from 2:00pm onwards.

Pop by for a Glass of Fizz, Goodie Bags, a Raffle, Cupcakes, Ice Cream, Teas & Coffees and Horses!

2-4 The Street, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7AJ.
Telephone: 01634 230761 - 07480 247448.

Nick Thompson-moore
space

Latest News from Upchurch WI

Hello readers, here's an update on the activities of the WI during the last couple of months.

We had a very interesting talk in June from a representative of the Kent Air Ambulance Service. He told us that the service is a registered charity and is funded by donations. £6.5 million is needed every year to keep it going and he asked us to spread the word and encourage people to support them in whatever way they can - after all any one of us might need their help at some time in our lives.

The speaker for the July Meeting didn't think it necessary to let us know that he wouldn't be coming and it was too late to find another one. We were to have learned how to look after our hair but instead we dealt with the monthly business, had an extended "tea and chat" and went home early. You win some, you lose some!

We don't have a meeting in August, but we will be getting together for a "posh tea party" in a member's garden.

We hope to see some new faces on the 8th of September in the Village Hall at 7:30pm when the speaker will be giving us "a taste of medieval cooking".

Christine Stevens

Upchurch WI

Website: www.thewi.org.uk

Kent Air Ambulance: www.kssairambulance.org.uk

space

Holywell Says a Fond Farewell to Mrs Bunting

We often talk about everyone who comes through our doors becoming part of our ‘Holywell family’. Today, we wish a fond farewell to the mother of that family – our friend, our Office Manager, our number one mainstay – Mrs Janice ‘Bunts’ Bunting.

They say a school can only be as successful as its team and that is certainly true for us with Mrs B at the helm for the last 26 years.

As her retirement has approached, we have decorated parts of the school with ‘Mrs Bunting bunting’ made by the children themselves. Although the images were all very different, the message was always the same: ‘We will miss you, Mrs Bunting’.

On Friday evening, we organised a celebration party with the theme ‘This Is Your Life’. We were lucky enough to have Jan’s family, friends and colleagues, both current and from days gone by, to celebrate with us. There were video messages from ex-head teachers and ex-colleagues and even a message from the man responsible for hiring Mrs Bunting all those years ago, Mr Peter Dixon. The many speakers regaled us with tales of fun times, hi-jinx and unfailing kindness and generosity. Those moments shared helped us all appreciate what a truly special person Mrs Bunting is to us all.

Holywell School would like to thank Mrs Bunting for her 26 years of service and wish her every success in her new adventures, whatever they may be.

Have a happy and restful retirement Jan, you deserve it!

Miss Taylor
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

space

Upchurch Parish Council - Casual Vacancy for a Councillor

Julia Cura

Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

space

Cricket Week at Upchurch Cricket Club

Upchurch Cricket Club would like to invite you to their annual Cricket Week starting on Monday 27th July, running through until Friday 31st, in memory of Don Macaulay and in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

As well as cricket fixtures to enjoy the BBQ will be running non stop all week and there's a well stocked bar with plenty of food available.

Upchurch's Don Macaulay sadly passed away to cancer in 2000 at the age of just 37 and the club have hosted Cricket Week every July since as a good way to remember him.

It is Dons parents wish that the money raised be donated to Macmillan Nurses. Last year Cricket Week raised over £3000 which was fantastic!

The highlight of the week will be Wednesday when the 1st team Captain Kevin Masters who is himself an ex professional cricketer is bringing a star studded team of ex and current pro cricketers including Amjad Khan who is currently playing for Sussex to play against our 1st XI, which will include 2 overseas players from the Nepal squad who are playing club cricket with us until the end of season.

This should be a good game and there is even a bowling master class being held in the morning by Chris Dale who is an ex Kent player and currently coaches Kent so any budding young or old cricketers who would like to take part in that, please feel free to get in touch.

Cricket Week finishes with a live band again, hog roast, raffle and an auction for our guests and members. This event is sold out, but we would just like to apologies in advance for any noise that may be heard. The evening is a one off and rest assured will not go on any later than 11:00pm. It's all for a fantastic charity so it's hoped residents will understand that the money raised helps make a great difference to a fantastic charity and ultimately peoples lives.

The Cricket Fixtures are as follows:

Monday 27th - Upchurch XI v Chatham Nomads XI - 2:00pm start.

Tuesday 28th - Upchurch XI v TKW Electrical XI 2:00pm start.

Wednesday 29th - Upchurch XI v KDM Masters XI 2:00pm start.

Thursday 30th - Upchurch u15/17 Colts v Lordswood u15/17 2:00pm start.

Friday 31st Upchurch CC XI v Upchurch FC XI 20/20 4:00pm start.

The Kent Trade Frames Pavilion and Upchurch Cricket Ground are set in one of nicest locations around and don't worry if you haven't been to the Cricket Club before, the club welcomes new faces and appreciates your support for this great cause.

If anyone would like more information or would like to make a donation, please feel free to get in touch with either Lee Stepney or David Lloyd. Email: lee106stepney@hotmail.com or david.lloyd@dgltesting.co.uk

Sponsored by:

Kent Trade Fames: www.kent-tradeframes.co.uk
Rainham Physiotherapy Centre: www.rainhamphysio.co.uk
BDL Gas Services Ltd: www.bdlgasservices.co.uk
DGL Testing Services Ltd: www.dgltesting.co.uk
KD Masters Building Contractors: www.kdmasters.co.uk

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you all - Lee Stepney.

Upchurch Cricket Club: www.upchurch.play-cricket.com

Macmillan Cancer Support: www.macmillan.org.uk

space