Recent Acts of Vandalism in the Paddock and the Burial Ground

We would like to bring to your attention some recent acts of vandalism to Parish Council property.

We have experienced fire damage to two of the rubbish bins in the Paddock. This is of serious concern as not only has it damaged the bins which may now have to be replaced (at cost to the Parish Council) but also as this presents a great risk to the surrounding vegetation and any ‘small’ fire spreading out of control, especially so at this time of year. It is not the first time fires have been reported in the Paddock with evidence of such activity not only in the roots of trees but also under the play equipment.

We also have experienced a rather sad act of vandalism in the burial ground where someone has removed a section of grass from one of the graves. This was quite distressing for the relatives. We have been unable to ascertain why this was done or by who?

Could we ask residents to be vigilant and if you see any such activity report it to the police on 101 or inform the Clerk to the Parish Council on:

01634 363906 or by Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Julia Cura

Clerk to Upchurch Parish Council

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Celebrating Haulfryn's 80th Anniversary at Beckenham Park

Haulfryn Kent Parks celebrated the company’s 80th anniversary at Beckenham Park, Upchurch this week by giving residents the chance to win a holiday in Devon.

To be entered into the prize draw, residents had to answer the following question: What does the Welsh word ‘Haulfryn’ translate into in English? The answer is sunny hill.

Aided by Kent Parks Manager, Cheryl Smith, Swale Borough Councillor, Gerry Lewin picked the winning ticket at the park office on Friday morning. A celebration cake was cut and residents enjoyed cupcakes and refreshments. Before making the draw, Councillor Lewin made a short speech in which he praised the investment in the park and its very smart appearance, describing it as a “little oasis”.

Mr Newborough was the lucky winner of a short break for up to 6 people in one of the company’s luxury lodges at their award-winning Finlake Resort.

Kent Parks Manager Cheryl Smith, Swale Borough Councillor Gerry Lewin, Julie Pike
and residents of Beckenham Park at Haulfryn's 80th birthday celebrations prize draw.

Founded by Frank Carl Minoprio in 1935, the Haulfryn Group has become synonymous with quality, exclusivity and luxury. Today, it is considered one of the largest and most respected of the country’s holiday park companies.

Find out more about the Haulfryn Group at their website: www.haulfryn.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

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Food and Friday Entertainment at the Three Sisters

~  ENTERTAINMENT  ~

Friday 31st July - Karaoke with Cassie
Friday 7th August - Disco with the Funky Soul Brothers

Friday 14th August - Karaoke with Ian

Friday 21st August - Karaoke with Ian

Friday 28th August - Super Rock 'n' Roll with the fabulous Sonny Ray

Friday 4th September - Karaoke with Ian 

Friday 11th September - Disco with the Funky Soul Brothers

~  FOOD  ~

Freshly Prepared Home Cooked Light Bites From Local Produce. Available From 1:00pm Daily - Jacket Potatoes - Tea & Coffee and more...

 
 
 

Sally

Telephone: 01634 231991

Email: sallygodden@btinternet.com

Website: www.threesistersrainham.com

Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, Kent, ME8 8QR

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Overnight Road Closures - A2 Upchurch and Newington

Temporary Overnight Road Closures of the A2 in Upchurch and Newington are planned for the nights of:

Friday 21 August 2015.

Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August 2015 inclusive.

Closures are between 8:00 pm through until 5:00 am each night.

The road will be closed between the junctions with Spade Lane, Upchurch and Playstool Road, Newington, affecting A2 London Road and A2 Hartlip Hill.

The alternative route is via A2, A278, M2 and A249, as fully listed below. There is also a route for non-motorway traffic.

The closures are to enable Kent County Council to carry out essential carriageway resurfacing works at the junction with Breach Lane.

Delays are likely, and it is recommended that motorists allow extra time for their journeys and find alternative routes.

Breach Lane will be closed between A2 Hartlip Hill and Boxted Lane. The alternative route is via Breach Lane and the eastern part of the non-motorway route shown below. 

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.

It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption. Access to properties within the closed section of road will generally be available throughout the works.

Access to properties directly fronting onto the area of the works will need to be restricted for short periods, but if you have any particular access needs, please let the workforce on the site know. If your vehicle is usually parked on the carriageway, please make sure you park it somewhere else away from the site whilst the works are carried out, so the road is clear to resurface.

Click Map to Enlarge.

The full alternative route is via A2 London Road, Moor Street, High Street (Rainham), London Road, A278 Hoath Way, M2 Motorway between Junctions 4 and 6, Stockbury Roundabout, A249 Maidstone Road, Key Street on/off-slips and Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill and High Street, Newington.

Non-motorway Traffic - the alternative route is via A2 London Road, Moor Street, High Street (Rainham), B2004 Station Road, Lower Rainham Road, Otterham Quay Lane, Horsham Lane, The Street, Forge Lane, Halstow Lane, The Street, Raspberry Hill Lane, Old Ferry Road, A249 Iwade Bypass, Maidstone Road, Key Street on/off-slips and Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill and High Street, Newington via The Street, Raspberry Hill Lane, Old Ferry Road and the A249.

The length of the diversion routes are because they must be of an equivalent standard to be suitable for use by all vehicles diverted.

If you need more information, please call: 03000 418181.

You can also visit the website: www.kent.gov.uk/highways

Upchurch Matters

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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

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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
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