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Wednesday, 14 September 2016

Newington's Heritage with Cake - Newington History Group


The 9,000-year-old practice of beekeeping, 2,000-year-old Roman artefacts and life in 20th century Newington all formed part of a successful Heritage Open Days weekend held in the medieval St. Mary’s Church.

Volunteers from Newington History Group opened up the Grade I listed building for tours with the guarantee that everyone who visited would be shown something they hadn’t seen before - even if they knew the church well!


Finding medieval graffiti.

History goes high-tech.

The cake stall under the stairs.
Local historians entertained visitors with stories about the nobility and the ordinary people who’ve lived in Newington over the centuries. People such as John Blaxland, whose name appears on wine sold in major British supermarkets, Richard de Lucy, whose family came over with William the Conqueror and more recent residents, such as the soldiers from Newington who died in WWI and who are remembered in a unique Book of Remembrance at the church.

Many families also enjoyed going into the bell chamber - a dizzying trip up a 14th century narrow spiral staircase.

History Group Chair, Sue Flipping, says the weekend looks set to become an annual event.

“Many of us tend to travel away for a day out, forgetting that there’s plenty to find out about our home town. Heritage Open Days was a good opportunity to look back on Newington’s rich past and take time to explore the beautiful medieval church and especially the celebrated wall paintings.

“Plus we have some amazing bakers in the village who provided a feast of cakes for afternoon tea. It’s definitely worth doing again.”

Heritage Open Days is a national initiative where historic buildings and sites of interest open free of charge for four days in September.

If you would like more information about Newington History Group,
Email: NewingtonHistoryGroup@outlook.com or follow them on Twitter: @NewingtonHG

Sue Flipping - Newington History Group
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Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - July 2016


Here is a brief summary of the crime information for the past 2 months:
June 2016July 2016
All crime4834
Anti-social behaviour1612
Bicycle theft10
Burglary32
Criminal damage and arson84
Drugs10
Other crime00
Other theft22
Possession of weapons00
Public order00
Robbery00
Shoplifting30
Theft from the person00
Vehicle crime53
Violence and sexual offences911
Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Upchurch Matters
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Tuesday, 13 September 2016

Nursery Days Paddock Project Funday


Nursery Days are holding a Fundraising Event at The Old School, The Street, Upchurch on Saturday the 17th of September to raise funds for the Paddock Project.

Organised by their Sunbeam Room, it is taking place between 10:00am and 1:00pm. There will be lots of exciting stalls, including a cake stall, bric-a-brac stall, teddy tombola, treasure hunt, beanbag throwing, lemonade stall, guess the sweets, hook the duck, ice poles and a raffle. Prizes have already been donated by Sainsbury's, The Wildwood Trust, The Crown and The Three Tuns to name a just a few, as well as many other exciting things planned!

Please come along and help the Nursery raise as much money as possible to give to the Paddock Project for some lovely new equipment for everyone to benefit from.

Any donations for stalls would be greatly appreciated - teddies, cakes, bric-a-brac etc.

Telephone: 01634 263896 or

Upchurch Matters
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Monday, 12 September 2016

The Blythswood Care Shoe Box Appeal 2016


At the end of November and the beginning of December 2015, a few of us from Upchurch, spent some glorious hours, helping Anthony and Jenni from Blythswood check and sort the many thousands of shoe boxes that had been donated. 

We were humbled and amazed at the love and generosity that had been poured into the shoe boxes. These precious boxes were destined for struggling adults, teenagers, children and babies all over Eastern Europe.

We learnt much about the strict regulations that Blythswood have to adhere to. For instance knitted stuffed toys, as beautiful as they may be, are not allowed in the boxes – why? - security believe they could hold drugs within the stuffing. Although candles are allowed matches are not. Sweets have to be taken out if there isn’t a sell by date (multi packs only have a date on the outer wrapper). Teddies/dolls have to carry a CE authorisation on their label. Sprays are not allowed. Chocolate or biscuits are not allowed. These were the things we sadly had to remove from the boxes – but they weren’t wasted they were passed on to charity shops and the Food Bank.

What we also did was add things. If there wasn’t a knitted scarf, gloves or hat we added them. No sweets – we added them. No toothpaste or brush – those were added. The list goes on. What we learnt was that Blythswood needed an extensive supply of many of the basic things they suggest for the boxes.



Watch the video
The video may not be visible in our Email alert version of this post.
If not, you can watch it here: youtube.com

So now we have another opportunity to fill a box with love. There will be leaflets at Church, Uplift and at the Rainbow Café. Any questions please Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

or elizabeth.shorthouse@tesco.net

Boxes will be picked up from St. Mary’s the beginning of November so if you would like to donate a box we will need it by the last Sunday in October.

We would also be very grateful for any single items i.e., (new) scarves, hats, gloves, sweets, soap, flannels, toothpaste, toothburushes, shampoo. All these will be used to top up boxes where necessary.

The boxes bring great joy to people whose lives are often very bleak – they show them that someone somewhere cares. And for those of us that donate a box – we get the satisfaction that we have been able to make a real difference – how often can you say that.


You can learn more about the appeal at their website: www.blythswood.org/shoebox-appeal

Thank You


Gill Gay
St. Mary's - Uplift (Upchurch)
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Saturday, 10 September 2016

Ring in Our Heritage - Newington History Group

Newington’s bell ringers joined a ‘chorus of bells’ across England to mark the start of Heritage Open Days and to celebrate the 400 year old tradition of ringing. 

Jackie, Peter, Molly and Calum are four of a regular team of ten who practise in the ancient tower of the Grade I listed St Mary the Virgin every Monday evening.

The oldest bell at Newington is believed to be from the 14th century and the other five were hung in the 17th century.




Tower Captain, Jackie Dyson says “Together they are, we believe, a lovely ring; well-tuned and heavy enough to make a nice sound but not too heavy if you are ringing for a long period of time.”

The team aims to ring for all services and special occasions such as weddings. Jackie is always happy to welcome and train new ringers and can be Emailed: geoffdyson@mac.com or call her on: 01795 842669.

Bells rang out from towers across the country as four days of Heritage Open Days events got underway.

St Mary the Virgin will be open to visitors on Saturday 10am – 12pm and on Sunday 1pm – 4pm. There will be activities for adults and children, self-guided tours of the church and, on Sunday, the opportunity to visit the historic bell chamber.

Sue Flipping
Newington History Group
Email: NewingtonHistoryGroup@outlook.com or follow us on Twitter: @NewingtonHG
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Friday, 9 September 2016

Upchurch Parish Council Report - September 2016

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 1st 2016 in the Village Hall and all Councillors were in attendance. Also present were Ward Cllr John Wright and ten members of the public.

Cllr Ripley informed Members that Cllr Tucker has resigned and he thanked her for her service to the Council and gave appreciation for all her hard work over the past few years.
Cllr Lewin said that there have been very positive comments from residents for the work that Cllr Tucker had put into the Parish Council.

Cllr Ripley was elected Chairman and Cllr Arnold was elected as Vice Chairman.

Public Time
Residents raised concerns about the school bus service and Ward Councillors John Wright and Gerry Lewin had also been contacted by residents about the issue. The Parish Council will contact KCC about the problems.
A resident asked if the Council meetings could be held in the school as it is difficult to hear the meetings. The Parish Council is considering a PA system to address the problem.
Concerns about the caravan in The Paddock, 76 Horsham Lane were also raised and residents expressed disappointment at how long it has taken the Borough Council planning department to deal with it.        
Complaints about young men riding motor bikes around the village were raised. This has become a problem throughout the area and must be reported to the police with as much information as possible. The problem is affecting Newington, Lower Halstow and Hartlip as well and the police have photographs of the bikes. Residents are advised to report all incidents to the Police on 101.

Planning
i) Application Ref: 16/505960/FULL
Address: 119 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch ME8 7XD 
Proposal: Erection of a single storey and two storey rear extension.
Councillors considered the application and had no comments to make but views of neighbours must be taken into account.

ii) Application Ref: 16/506417/FULL
Address: 17 Horsham Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AN
Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension to dwelling.
Councillors considered the application and had no comments to make but views of neighbours must be taken into account.

iii) Application Ref: 16/506160/PNQCLA­­­
Address:  Holywell Farm Holywell Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7HN
Proposal: Prior notification for the change of use of two agricultural buildings to two dwellings with building operations. For its prior approval to: Transport and Highways impacts of the development. Noise impacts of the development. Contamination risks on the site. Whether the location or siting of the building makes it over wise impractical or undesirable for the use of the building to change as proposed. The design and external appearance impacts on the building.
Cllr Lewin informed Members that this is a redundant farm building and the application is permitted unless there are strong reasons for refusal.

iv) Application Ref: 16/506249/LAWPRO­­
Address: Twinney Wharf, Susans Lane, Upchurch Kent ME9 7HA
Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) for temporary use (i.e. not more than 28 days a year) for the holding of wedding receptions, corporate events and parties, with associated temporary structures e.g. marquees.
Cllr Lewin informed Members there are local objections to the granting of this certificate.

v) Application: 16/506353/SUB
Address: 18 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Kent ME8 7XH
Proposal: Submission of Details to discharge Condition 4 (Hard and Soft Landscaping); Condition 13 (dust suppression); Condition 14 (Reptile Mitigation Strategy) and Condition 19 (Water Energy Efficiency) all subject to 16/503183/FULL.
Cllr Lewin informed Members that this is a continuing series of applications and there is nothing to comment on.

vi) 16/503680/FULL - The Paddock 76 Horsham Lane
Councillors considered the application and AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.

Amenities     
i)  Bus Shelter
Work on the bus shelter will start later in the month and will take two to three weeks.

ii) To consider suitable site for defibrillator
Councillors agreed the second defibrillator should be sited at The Three Sisters with the agreement of the landlord.

iii) Village Christmas Tree
Councillors considered when to erect the Christmas tree and agreed it should be put up two weeks before the Christmas Tree Festival.

Paddock and Recreation Ground
i)  The Paddock Project
The Paddock Project group want to have a meeting with the Council and this will be arranged shortly.
Grass cuttings have been left in the area along the wall and in the hedgerow and a TV has been dumped in the area. The Clerk will contact the contractor.

ii) Recreation Ground – Update for fencing and quote update for parking area
Councillors considered three quotes for the parking area, two of the quotes only give a ball park figure and further details will be obtained.

iii) To consider RoSPA report
The Council needs to be confident with regards to providing a safe place for children to play and carries out an annual safety inspection. The report graded risks low and medium.

Burial Ground and Churchyard
Cllr Hunt and Cllr Denny have carried out a risk assessment of the Burial Ground.

Environment
The hawthorn by the recreation ground is covered with hops and the Clerk will contact the contractor to cut it back.
The Clerk will contact Swale Borough Council to see if a litter bin can be put in Oak Lane opposite the Recreation Ground.

Reports from Representatives
Members were informed that the problems with rough sleepers in the Paddock have been addressed. The Police are investigating the problems caused by nuisance bikers. Any antisocial behavior must be reported to the Police.
There is an app called Self Evident to which photographs of crimes can be sent to the Police.

Date of next meeting 6th October 7:30pm at Upchurch Village Hall.

Wendy Licence
Clerk to the Parish Council

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