Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
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Friday, 16 February 2018
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course - Poolside Courtyard Presents The Legends Show Performed by Paul Cantara
Upchurch River Valley Golf Course - Poolside Courtyard Presents Star Cabaret with Victoria Cluskey - Twisted Diva
Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk
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Thursday, 15 February 2018
Bygone Memories of Church Farm Road by David Wood
Four types of dwellings were constructed. Semi-detached houses with three bedrooms were available for £3,220, four bedroom semi-detached for £5,500, while bungalows with two bedrooms sold for £3,200. Two four bedroom chalet style detached houses were also constructed. According to some residents the flat roofed bungalows were conveniently placed in a location where Mark Hartland-Thomas’s view from his residence at The Old Bakery in Forge Lane did not get obscured.
Diane Macaulay who moved to the estate from Rochford in Essex in February 1965 recalls different events that took place at Church Farm Road. Residents designed, built and entered a decorated float for the carnival each year. Tutenkhamun became the most well-known, designed by art teacher Diane Wraight and entered in 1972. Others followed such as ‘Power Crunch,’ ‘The Wombles,’ the ‘NHS’ and ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.’ From 1968 to 1973 Church Farm Road recorded five consecutive wins with their decorated tableau at the carnival float judging event. Babs Smith remembers Doris Rider bringing her piano into the street and playing it on carnival day which enhanced the event atmosphere.
Every November 5th village milkman Norman Long constructed a bonfire on his land in Hartlip and invited residents from Church Farm Road to attend to watch fireworks. He later began the firework display at The Paddock. A Christmas celebration followed this in December each year when Hector Macaulay dressed up as Father Christmas and presented children and pensioners with a Christmas gift under the lamp post at the Chaffes Lane end of the estate. Male pensioners were presented with a small bottle of whisky and female pensioners with a plant. Alf Adams made reindeer from plywood for Father Christmas’s sledge in his garage and then painted them, while other residents pulled the sledge full of children’s presents on wheels along the road with ropes. Diane Macaulay warmed sausage rolls and mince pies for residents wishing to pop in while presents were being distributed outside.
One of the biggest events on the estate took place in 1977 with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebration when tables and chairs were set up in the road, residents dressed up in red, white and blue and everyone donated food and drink. During the proceedings all the boys were presented with a football and the girls with a doll as a special gift. This led to a controversy as Mr Rider who had continually complained about children kicking footballs into his garden refused to participate in the event when he discovered what the boys were going to be given.
Another street party took place to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 when chairs and tables were set up in the street, decorations and flags hung, music played and food consumed.
A wide range of different characters have resided on the estate. Tom Rider served as choirmaster in the church and his wife Doris became the organist, Ivy and William Reader became well known for adopting and fostering children, Peter and Olive Hand held regular parties for residents in their house, Brian Gibbs became a prolific goalscorer for Gillingham Football Club while Don Macaulay gained fame as a bowler with Upchurch Cricket Club. Vincent Webb obtained the first scout hut for the scouts on the recreation ground, Angela Partridge ran the village cubs and Marianne Chapman who worked as manageress at ‘The Little Chef’ became widely regarded as the friendliest resident on the estate.
Serious disasters have never taken place at Church Farm Road but one almost occurred when a fire started in the kitchen of house number 15. Wendy Moppett and Diane Macaulay had to gain entry to rescue ageing resident Betty Dodgson. Fortunately, the fire brigade were able to extinguish the fire before it caused widespread damage but the kitchen was badly burnt and had to be replaced. On another occasion Vincent Webb accidently destroyed his front lawn when he sprayed it with the wrong chemical and Babs Smith views the construction of the new Holywell School as a personal disaster because the school fuel tank replaced her attractive living room view of the countryside. Alf Adams also feels that his living room view has been marred by trees planted at the school.
What do the three longest serving residents think of Church Farm Road Estate? Diane Macaulay describes it as ‘a lovely and friendly place to live,’ Alf Adams says that he has ‘made lots of friends and cherishes fond memories there with his family,’ while Babs Smith views it as ‘a convenient spot where companionship is strong.’
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.
Upchurch Parish Council Report - February 2018
Report of the Parish Council meeting 8th February 2018
Environment
Residents have raised concerns regarding the recent spate of flytipping, in particular the amount of tyres which have been dumped in the village and surrounding areas. The Parish Council has reported this to Swale Borough Council which is monitoring the situation. Councillors thanked Mr Friend for removing fifteen tyres from around the village and disposing of them in the proper manner.
Residents are asked to report any incidents of fly tipping through the Country Eye App.
The Council continues to receive complaints about the problem of dog fouling in the village. 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. The Community Warden has started her anti-dog-fouling campaign and further action will be taken. 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.
Preparations for the Annual Litter Pick are progressing and it is hoped that as many people as possible will join in with the project. The school and young people's groups have already signed up to help.
Defibrillator
The Council has contacted SECAMB on several occasions and it has been confirmed that SECAMB do have the locations and codes for the defibrillator. The incident which happened last year has been referred to the Emergency Operations Team who have checked the incident and a report has been sent to the head of department. The Council will receive a response within the next seven days. The Parish Council is extremely concerned about the matter.
Recreation Ground and Paddock
The new bins have been delivered and will be installed in the Paddock shortly.
A new padlock has been put on the Recreation Ground gate and the gate loop stolen from the Paddock gate has been replaced.
Church Clock
Quotations have been received to upgrade the clock mechanism to include an uninterrupted power supply to prevent the clock stopped during a power cut.
Battles Over Commemorations.
Quotations are being sought for a brazier and the church has agreed to ring its bells to mark the end of the First World War.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 1st March 2018 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 14th March 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
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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Medway Hospital - Quiz Night
Calling all Quizzers!
We are holding a Charity Quiz Night at 7:00pm on Friday the 20th of April in the Common Room, Postgraduate Centre at Medway Hospital. Teams of six to eight players will compete for the title of Medway Hospital Quiz Champions. The price is £6 per person. Bring your own drinks and nibbles.
Over the past year, Medway NHS Foundation Trust has gone from strength to strength. Your support will enable us to make many more improvements for patient benefit and help us continue to provide the Best of Care.
For more information or to book a team, please contact the fundraising team on: 01634 830000 ext. 5398 or Email: medwayft.charity@nhs.net
Cheryl Jones
Fundraising Officer
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Website: www.medway.nhs.uk
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