Newington History Group

Hear about the hardships of a Victorian Christmas through the eyes of 'Navy', a Trafalgar 'veteran and scoundrel' at Newington History Group's Christmas social on Thursday, December 14th at 7:30pm.

Navy is part of Voices from Victorian London, a living history group that depicts the abject poor of Dickensian London during the 1840s. This month's event is limited to members and their guests.

Newington History Group, which meets in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane ME9 7JT, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome. There will be no meeting in January.

For more details contact Thelma Dudley on 01795 842711
Email: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk

Follow the History Group on Twitter: @newingtonhg

Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group

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UpARA - December 2017 Newsletter & Latest Schedule of Events

Sandy Tutt - Honorary Secretary UpARA

Tel: 01634 361516
Email: dylansnan@sky.com
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Swale Area Road Surface Treatments - Temporary Road Closure - Halstow Lane, Upchurch

Surface Treatment Road Closures 2018 - Swale Area

To allow Surface Treatment works to be safely carried out, it will be necessary to close a number of roads throughout the Swale area. Some roads may also need prior closures for patching works to be done.

At the time that this Bulletin is being issued, the dates of the closures are yet to be programmed.

Once known, the planned dates of closures and other restrictions will be notified in advance of the works, and indicated by signage displayed on site 14 days before works are due to start. 

Certain roads may require more than one closure.

• • For patching works (if required)
• • For the actual surface treatment works
• • For the subsequent reinstatement of road markings and adjustment of iron works (road drain covers, manhole covers, etc) needed to suit the new surface

Closures will generally be between the times 7:00am and 7:00pm hours each day, but there may be exceptions to this to suit local requirements.

A temporary speed limit of 20 mph may need to be imposed on certain roads for a period of about 7 days following the treatment. Where this does apply, the 20 mph Speed Limit will be clearly indicated by relevant signs clearly displayed on site.

This programme is subject to weather and other factors which may cause changes at short notice. Every effort will be made to keep as close as possible to the programmed dates that are notified, and any changes will be advised locally and signposted on site.

The roads affected, extent of closures and alternative routes are as shown below.

Halstow Lane, Upchurch     

Closure between Holywell Lane and Breach Lane 

Alternative route via Halstow Lane, Breach Lane, A2 Hartlip, A2 London Road, Oak Lane and Forge Lane.

Closures are planned to commence on or after Monday the 11th of December 2017, for a maximum duration of 18 months.

The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181 - please ask for Road & Footway Asset Team.

For details of roadworks, please see: www.roadworks.org

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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Upchurch Fifty Years Ago in December 1967 by David Wood

A month of parties and celebrations, Upchurch residents and village organisations prepared for the Christmas holidays during December 1967.

Members of the Darby and Joan Club feasted on a Christmas lunch in the village Hall which 400 people attended including special guests Reverend Bradshaw and his wife. Guests from Sandwich Darby and Joan Club provided entertainment while Mrs D Reader contributed a Christmas cake. One of the main features of the event was the presentation of long service medals to members of the Upchurch WVRS by area organiser Mrs B Tassell. Win Wraight, Rose Humphries, Grace Eastwood, Annie Bronger and Mrs Jeffries were all presented with medals.

A Christmas Fayre took place on December 9th organised by Upchurch Carnival Committee with the aim of raising money for the village hall. Father Christmas opened the event and then met a steady stream of children in his grotto during the afternoon. Other attractions included a doll’s boutique, table decorations and stalls with produce. A Grand Christmas Draw brought proceedings to an end with more than £100 being raised. A Playgroup Christmas Party, Upchurch Cricket Club’s Christmas Dance and end of term Christmas parties at the two village schools were also held.

On Christmas Eve a carol service in the church was followed by Holy Communion and Family Eucharist on Christmas Day with a children’s procession. Children were asked to leave a toy at the crib. These were later given to the Save the Children Fund.

At the end of the month the Church Choir accompanied by the Albany Players performed a recital of Handel’s Messiah in the church. Sisters Jane and Judy Bodley-Scott, Bryan Veale and Sam Plumb sang as soloists. Tom Rider trained the choir while his wife Doris played the organ at the main event. Mr E Holness Musical Director of the Albany Players led the orchestra. A big audience included Labour MP Terry Boston and Conservative MP Roger Moate and their wives. The recital received widespread praise because of its high quality.

In other village affairs the Scout Committee stressed concern about their future location after the announcement that the vicarage and the Church Room where the scouts and cubs met every week were to be demolished. The committee proposed that cubs and scouts should contribute 2/6 d per quarter or 10 shillings a year towards a scout hut and that the money should be paid to Treasurer John Uglow. A hut was eventually constructed beside the recreation ground in 1973 after Councillor John Ardley obtained planning permission and it remains there today.

In village sporting affairs the football club experienced a poor period with both teams positioned second from bottom in divisions two and five of the Rochester & District League. The First XI only had three points from seven games while the Reserves had three points from six games. The only good results in December were the First XI’s 1-1 draw with Mosquitoes and the Reserves 1-1 draw with Cuxton. All other matches ended in defeat for Upchurch. The First XI had progressed in the Quarter Century Cup and were due to play against Medway Postals in January, while the Reserves were knocked out when they lost 6-2 to Seeboard in the C section of the competition.

The only recorded marriage of the month involved Constance Pepperill of Horsham Lane with Alfred Hadlow of Chatham on December 26th. George King of Oak Lane aged 79, Edward Robinson of Drakes Close aged 82 and Mary Ann Tyler of Drakes Close aged 66 were buried in the churchyard while the cremation of Frank Porter of Chaffes Lane aged 69 took place at Vinters Park. Jennifer Letchford of Kent Terrace and Alison Rigg from The Street were baptised in the church. This ended a month mainly of Christmas parties and entertainment in the village.

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.

Memories of Upchurch is available direct from David

Email: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at

Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.

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Upchurch Village Christmas Tree 2017

Helping Parish Councillors - Tyrone Ripley, Peter Masson, Gary Rosewell, Stephen Hunt, John Arnold and Village Caretaker, Cliff Hansford to put up the village Christmas tree.

This year's lovely tree was once again very kindly donated by Bob Friend and family.

Thank you Bob.

Upchurch Matters
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New Tree Carving in Church Farm Road

Click pictures to enlarge.

A tree on the corner of Church Farm Road has been very skilfully carved into the shape of an owl, a hedgehog and a squirrel.

Upchurch Matters

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