Off-Peak Road Closure - Wardwell Lane, Lower Halstow

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - January 2018

Report of the Parish Council meeting 4^th January 2018

Paddock and Recreation Ground

Councillors have agreed to purchase two litter bins for the Paddock and have obtained a grant of £364.50 towards them from County Councillor Mike Whiting. New bollards have been installed around the perimeter of Chaffes Lane making the Recreation Ground more secure from illegal incursions.

A resident asked if there were plans for the Paddock to upgrade the play area. Play equipment had previously been removed because it had become unsafe. The Council has looked at purchasing more equipment but it was expensive and the area needs to be fenced in which increases the cost. Details are being obtained from a company which is able to help Parish Councils obtain grants for play equipment.

Concerns were also raised about the problem of dog fouling in Chaffes Lane near the Recreation Ground. Dog walkers are asked to clean up after their dog and to dispose of the waste responsibly, the waste can be put in litter bins and domestic waste bins. It is an offence not to clean up after your dog and a person who is guilty of an offence will be issued with a fixed penalty notice. The amount of the penalty is £100. Failure to pay the fixed penalty will result in prosecution and a fine of £1,000.

Environment

Cllr Ripley extended a vote of thanks to Mr Bob Friend for his generous donation of a Christmas tree for the village.

 

Planning

i. Application Ref: 17/503860/FULL Address: St Thomas Yard, Holywell Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Change of use of land for the stationing of 3no. Mobile Homes and 3no. Touring Caravans for residential occupation with associated utility building, hard standing, steps to mobile homes, fencing, cesspools and new access (Retrospective).

Councillors considered the application and agreed that previous objections stood. Concerns were also raised about the multiple entrances which have been created; the damage caused to the hedgerow; drainage and sewerage issues; and the telecommunications caused by the applicant removing the telegraph pole. Councillors agreed unanimously to object to the application

ii. Application Ref: 17/505765/FULL Address: 10 Horsham Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Creation of a first floor extension and alterations to fenestration (Resubmission of 17/503948/FULL)

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views should be taken into consideration.

iv. Application  No:17/503464/FULL Location:  Land Adj to 18 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch

Proposal:  Amended  levels to site and frontage walling.

Councillors said there were drainage and environmental impact concerns which would be dealt with by the planning officer. Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views should be taken into consideration.

17/505797/FULL 1 Callows Cottages Poot Lane Upchurch

Demolition of existing detached single garage and erection of a new detached double garage with a workshop.

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ comments be taken into account.

i. Ref: 17/506032/FULL  Address: 2 Grenadier Close Upchurch Gillingham Kent ME8 8NQ

Proposal: Garage conversion.

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make to the proposal save that the recommendation of officers, taking note of residents’ view, be accepted.

ii. Ref: 17/505463/FULL Address: The Paddock Holywell Lane Upchurch Kent

Proposal: Demolition of existing amenity building, erection of a replacement amenity building and extension of area to be used in association with the traveller site.

Councillors expressed concern that the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the area; the building would be closer to the boundary; there would be a bigger driveway; it is an expansion to the site. Councillors agreed to object to the proposal.

Burial Ground and Churchyard

The tree work has been completed in the church yard and this included a tree which was felled

because it had been highlighted a priority matter in the tree survey and it had to be addressed.

Church Clock

The Council is waiting to obtain a quotation to upgrade the clock. Next year will be the centenary of the clock. In a referendum held on 3^rd June 1919 residents voted overwhelmingly for a clock to commemorate the end of World War 1 and this was erected on Christmas Day 1919. Councillors suggested that residents may be asked to contribute towards the work as was the case when the clock was purchased.

Battle’s Over 2018 Commemorations

The Battle’s Over 2018 Commemorations are a national event with churches ringing out bells for peace. Some villages are lighting beacons and there has been a lot of interest in Upchurch. A working party has been formed to consider a suitable event in Upchurch.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 8^th February 2018 at 8:00pm in Upchurch Scout Hut.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 21^st February at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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The Angel Messenger Centre at Upchurch Village Hall

Evening of clairvoyance with Marion Fensome & Christine Rowe

Thursday 11th January at Upchurch Village Hall

Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start

The Angel Messenger Centre on Facebook

Becky Smith

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Emergency Road Closure - Iwade Road, Newington

For details of roadworks, please see: www.kenttraffic.info

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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January News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Club - www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

The New Year is upon us and we probably have the worst of the winter to look forward to. It takes a committed gardener to venture out this time of year, but a mild day, out of the wind with a bit of sunshine can be pleasant in the garden. I am looking at my weed ridden borders full of dead wet leaves and thinking that they need tidying before the early spring bulbs come through. Snowdrops, irises and daffodils are poking their heads up but are lost in the leaf litter. Freshly turned soil really shows off the spring flowers so well, but I have decided I still have a bit of time and put a fresh log on the fire instead.

The blue tits are also buzzing around the nesting boxes and taking a look. Curiously there are also 3 pairs of long tailed tits getting in their way. I am not sure if these nest in boxes but the blue tits are trying to bully them out of the way. A nesting box is a good idea in the garden. Not only does it provide a lot of entertainment if you have time to watch the birds, but a parental pair of blue tits feeding 7-9 chicks will scour a garden of all its pests. It’s always sad at the end of the year when you clean the boxes to see that some of the chicks didn’t make it, but most did and it helps to maintain healthy numbers.

There is always plenty to do in the garden if you can face it and it will get you ahead of the game if you can get outside, but I am in no position to preach and struggle in the winter. A better plan is to look after your patio plants at your villa in the Canary Islands. However, if you are serious about leeks and onions you need to start now and even I will sow my leeks very soon. 40 weeks are needed from sow to show and I actually won first prize last year for leeks. The competition for onions is serious and to grow the really big ones needs a lot of time and attention. If you are not a competition grower, stay in the warm, there are plenty of other opportunities to win a first prize in the yearly shows. There is a domestic cooking class this year for curry....men only!

Hopefully your plans are in place for 2018 and seed and plug orders are placed and some already delivered. I have a large number of seed packs for long flowering perennials and really want to get more colour in the borders for summer and autumn. It will mean high maintenance but hopefully worth it. Once established I can replace casualties by propagating from cuttings and seeds and slowly change the planting arrangement over time and introduce new varieties. That should keep me going until the day comes when I settle for a few well chosen shrubs and a thick bark mulch.

Last year I concentrated on monthly tips for the garden and will certainly identify the main tasks as we work through the year, but there are plenty of websites offering monthly gardening tips one of the best being the Thompson & Morgan website. This year I would like to take more time to discuss gardening themes like fertilizing, propagation, pruning etc in the hope that this will help to interest people in gardening and to encourage local gardeners to get more involved in horticulture.

We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

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UpARA - January 2018 Newsletter & Latest Schedule of Events

Sandy Tutt - Honorary Secretary UpARA

Tel: 01634 361516
Email: dylansnan@sky.com
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