Notice Board

Thursday, 4 February 2016

Upchurch 50 Years Ago in February 1966 by David Wood

Life continued as usual in Upchurch during February 1966 but a story concerning a 13 year old village schoolboy hit the local newspaper headlines and became the talk of the village. The boy admitted stealing £200 worth of property and cash in Upchurch, Rainham and Gillingham. When the police entered his house and lifted the floorboards in his bedroom they found a blue bag with a large quantity of cash. The boy told the court that he planned to burgle houses in Newington next. Sittingbourne Juvenile Court fined him 10 shillings and sent him to an Approved School.

In parish council affairs councillors wanted to improve some of the parish roads such as the bend at Anne’s Cottages at the bottom of Forge Lane. The council instructed Parish Clerk Aubrey Smith to contact the Kent Divisional Surveyor to request immediate repairs and to consider ways to strengthen the shoulder at the bend. The inner edge of the road had become softened by severe weather and several minor accidents had occurred because of this. At the same meeting the parish council announced that the new housing estate adjacent to the recreation ground would be named Bishop Lane in honour of former long serving councillor Cecil Bishop who had died in 1961.

Of the village clubs the Women’s Institute had a remarkably good turnout considering the freezing conditions to listen to Miss Larkin give a talk about flower arrangements for autumn and winter use. Prizes were awarded to Mrs Cox and Mrs Thompson for making toys for local hospitals. Mrs Hales received an award for coming first in the monthly competition for an indoor bulb while Mrs Langford presented the WI with an attractive cover for their scrapbook.

The football club did not have a very successful month with the First XI suffering a double blow against Northwood Diamonds losing 2-0 in the league and 4-2 in the Quarter Century Cup. While the First XI were placed second from bottom in Division Two of the Rochester & District League the Reserves were positioned about halfway in Division Five. For the First XI Wilf Busbridge and Ian Daniel were goal-scorers while veteran player Colin ‘Nippy’ Edmonds scored most times for the Reserves.

The Table Tennis Club recorded most success on the sporting front turning out seven teams in the Sittingbourne & District League on a regular basis. Every team held top position in their respective divisions in February. Top players were Keith Pamplin and Peter and Brian Boakes while other regulars included Stephen Davies, Janice Lacy, Bryan Veale, Frank Cook and Norman Bishop. Rich Boakes organised the club almost single handed and oversaw the matches and the practice night in the village hall every Monday evening.

In social affairs the Horticultural Society held a dinner and dance on February 5th while the cricket club held theirs on February 12th. Club Secretary Basil Barden and Treasurer Evelyn Veale gave speeches and said that the club had healthy finances and a good number of playing members with successful money raising social events.

The Darby & Joan Club visited the annual pantomime at the London Palladium and then followed this up with a visit to a party in Rainham. They continued their meetings every Wednesday afternoon in the village hall and maintained a sizeable membership and attendance.

In preparation for Lent Reverend Bradshaw organised Wednesday evening films at the vicarage which showed aspects of Christian work in different parts of the world. He also announced that at the church AGM to be held on March 6th everyone on the electoral roll from Upchurch could attend and that those under 21 years of age could also vote.

Baptisms for February included Tony Pamplin from Milton and Jonathan Kitney from Otterham Quay while the only recorded marriage involved Lawrence Taylor from Drakes Close and Janice Bearup from Chaffes Lane. Funerals were held for well-known village character Ellen Boast from The Street aged 74, Henry Murr from Oak Lane aged 75 and Nellie Ellen from Oak Lane aged 81. This ended a busy and freezing cold month in February 1966.

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

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Temporary Road Closure - School Lane, Iwade

It will be necessary to close part of School Lane, Iwade from Monday the 15^thof February 2016 for an estimated period of up to 1 week.

School Lane will be closed from the junction with Basser Hill north-eastwards to a point approximately 100 metres north-east of Orchard Farm, with no through access.

The closure is to enable works to construct a site entrance to be carried out by Fox (Owmby) Ltd.

Due to the nature of these works, it will not be possible to re-open the road outside the working hours.

The duration of works is advisory, and it is possible works may over-run due to such factors as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen engineering difficulties.

Click Map to Enlarge

The alternative route is via Stickfast Lane, Sheppey Way, Ferry Road and School Lane.

Phil Lightman

East Kent Road Closures Co-ordinator Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste.

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Monday, 1 February 2016

New Under 10s Players Wanted - Upchurch Colts FC

Under 10s are looking for players for next season when they become U11s. Your child needs to be in the current year 5.

If you are interested please Email: robcroome@sky.com

or Call: 07909 688456.

Thank you.

Rob Croome

Chairman - Upchurch Colts FC

Website: www.upchurchcoltsfc.co.uk

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Thursday, 28 January 2016

Newington History Group - Life in Milton Workhouse

Helen Allinson, a local historian and author, will be talking about life in Milton workhouse at the February 11 meeting of Newington History Group.

She will describe the harsh life of the poor in the workhouse which stood in Milton Regis. It housed the destitute from 18 surrounding parishes, including Newington, Upchurch and Lower Halstow.

The history group meets monthly on the second Thursday at the Methodist church hall in Church Lane, Newington, at 7:30pm focussing on the history of the village and neighbouring ones. New members are welcome and admission for guests is £3.

For more information contact thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk or 01795 842711.

Richard Thompstone

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