Festive Restaurant Lunch Menu & Christmas Marquee Party Nights at The BarnYard

The BarnYard

space

Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at Upchurch Village Hall - 1973

The Cast of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! performed at Upchurch Village Hall in 1973.

Just after building contractor E.C. Gransden Ltd had completed the village hall extension (Stage, under stage storage, meeting room etc) I was approached to organise an evening of entertainment to celebrate it’s opening and a committee was formed.

The original concept producing a concert using local talent was very quickly over taken by enthusiasm for producing a shortened version of the Musical Oliver! which was then showing on the London stage.

The new stage was transformed with foot and spot lights, scenery and various effects for the big night by a dedicated and enthusiastic team led by Dick Borley, Vincent Webb and John Uglow.

The first half featured performances from members of the ‘The Upstarts’ drama group, notably John Tamsett and Mike Brady who were very funny, and musical items from other artists including children from the Leslie Nunn School of Dancing. The second half however was devoted to the performance of Oliver! which was a resounding success and destined to be repeated again in future years.

Lionel Bart’s Oliver!

The Cast:

The Beadle - Alec New
Oliver - Andrew Jacobs
Artful Dodger - Mark Veale
Fagin - Bryan Veale
Nancy - Evelyn Veale
Children of the Workhouse, Workhouse staff, Fagin’s Gang - Choristers and adult members of the Choir of St. Mary The Virgin, Upchurch.
Accompanist - Doris Rider

Lighting - Vincent Webb
Stage Manager - Richard Borley
Props and Scenery - Pam Borley John Uglow

Producer and Musical Director Bryan Veale

Bryan Veale

space

The Upchurch Village Sign by David Wood

Village signs are often displayed in a prominent part of the locality such as in the village centre or on the green showing different aspects of the community.  Features on these signs show historical or cultural images related to the village. The sign is usually made of wood or metal mounted on a wooden post with the village name clearly displayed. King Edward VII started the tradition when he asked all the villages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to erect village signs during his reign. He thought this would aid motorists and add an extra feature to the estate. After this more villages across England erected village signs as the trend became popular.

The idea of a village sign in Upchurch arose to mark the centenary of the Parish Council from 1894 to 1994. In the May 1992 edition of the Gabriel village magazine residents were asked to submit ideas to the Parish Council about how to enhance the corner of Horsham Lane and The Street. These were assessed then In December 1992 local resident and graphic designer Fred Richards from Wetham Green was commissioned to interpret the ideas for the design of a village sign. He later designed village signs for Bredhurst and Eastchurch.

Photos courtesy of Kim Taylor - Beryl Richards - AKN/KRN.

Fred first produced a set of visual ideas, one was chosen then a finished drawing made. Local builders E.C. Gransden Ltd produced a three dimensional model which Fred supervised and then hand painted after it had been cast in aluminium. E.C. Gransden Ltd also produced the post and its metal surround then erected the sign in the village centre opposite the church in Horsham Lane. Finally, a special unveiling ceremony took place in the summer of 1994. Amongst those who attended were the Mayor of Swale, Parish Council Chairman Wendy Moppett, Derek Gransden of E.C. Gransden Ltd and Fred Richards. The sign was erected on the corner of The Street and Horsham Lane so that it could be clearly seen by motorists and people passing through the village.

Parish Council clerk Pat New had earlier complimented Fred Richards on the finished sign in a letter written to him dated 29^th July, 1993:

“I have heard nothing but complimentary remarks regarding its design and execution (with only secondhand complaints about a waste of ratepayer’s money!) and the Council are very satisfied with the vastly enhanced appearance of the corner.”

The Upchurch sign includes colourful images of the church, a sailing barge and pottery surrounded by fruit and leaves, symbols of the village from the past and present. Under the pictorial design is the name ‘Upchurch’ in gold lettering on a black band with a general background of pale blue.

In addition to the sign the Parish Council also had the burial ground fenced in and part of The Paddock kerbed on the Chaffes Lane side near The Street. A centenary celebration in the form of a fete took place in The Paddock on September 10^th 1994. Documents and photographs related to the history of the Parish Council were exhibited in the former Infant’s School along with the launch of the Woodruff Diaries, based upon the writings of former Upchurch vicar John Woodruff who served the village during the early mid-19^th century.

The Upchurch village sign is now an important feature that can be clearly seen in the village centre and has only been repainted once since it was erected in 1994.

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

space

Rivers Restaurant Autumn Party Night at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
space

The Rivers Restaurant Wedding Fair at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
space

Look Out For The 327 Bus Service Questionnaire - Coming Through Your Door Soon!

Following a well attended public meeting on the 26th of August in Upchurch Village Hall regarding recent changes to the 327 Bus Service for Upchurch and Lower Halstow, Kent County Councillors Lee Burgess, Roger Truelove and Mike Baldock have prepared a residents consultation survey in order that they can make proposals to Chalkwell Coach Hire for a more satisfactory and usable Bus Service for the residents of both villages and one that will best reflect the needs of the local people.

Councillors will be out delivering the residents surveys over the next week or so.

Councillor Mike Baldock

space