Temporary Road Closure - Parsonage Lane, Bobbing

There is a chance that the works may over-run for such reasons as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen engineering difficulties.

The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Farmer Robert Hinge and a History of A. Hinge & Sons by David Wood

Robert Hinge, who is only one of a few resident farmers remaining in the parish, runs the fruit production part of A. Hinge & Sons on the Ham Green peninsular and has transformed and expanded the business since he arrived, but what are the origins of the company?

It all began around 1915 when Alfred Hinge from Bexley rented Horsham Marsh for sheep grazing. Already involved in the London markets with land in the Bexley area, the company later bought a substantial amount of land and farm workers cottages at Ham Green from previous owners Wakeley Brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Lumley-Webb and James Holloway during the period 1930 to 1950. This established A. Hinge & Sons as farmers in the parish. They also bought land in other parts of Swale.

During the 1940s John Hinge became the first family member to reside in the parish when he moved into Ham Green House and oversaw the business while still being involved with company outlets in the London markets. His son Richard later took over the daily running of the farm which consisted of fruit and mixed rotation farming. Richard gradually moved this towards cereal production. The company farm workers who were permanent employees were housed in tied cottages in the Ham Green area.

Robert Hinge and James Mair took over the running of the business in 1987. They ran the business together for a short period but then James departed leaving management in the hands of his partner. Robert had previously studied for a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at Hadlow Agricultural College and had then gained farming experience in the United States and Australia.

Robert took over a farm with an old system of fruit trees that had not proven very profitable then the hurricane of October 1987 destroyed almost every orchard. Robert faced the challenge of rebuilding the business with new facilities and began planting modern fruit tree systems. This later led to the establishment of irrigation which allowed for better and constant crops and for cold storage which meant the markets could be provided with fruit over a longer period.

During the 1990s with a decline in the wholesale markets Robert began selling fruit through organisations such as Worldwide Fruit and Fruition and direct to supermarkets like Waitrose and Marks and Spencer which proved to be very successful.

John Hinge with this year's crop of apricots.

Farm workers thinning apples.

Robert also experimented with new varieties of apples such as Braeburn, Gala and Jazz. After trials funded by Marks & Spencer he later planted an apricot orchard and had his first crop in 2010. Today A Hinge & Sons farm about 2,500 acres of which 253 acres are devoted to fruit production. This consists of 150 acres of apples, 50 acres of pears, 30 acres of plums, 20 acres of cherries and 3 acres of apricots.

With difficulty finding reliable local labour, Robert began employing Eastern European workers from the early 1990s. He says. “At first we employed five or six for the fruit picking season and we put them up in caravans, now we have up to fifty from March to November working as tractor drivers, machine operators, supervisors and fruit pickers.”

Already a thriving business what does Robert think about the future?

“Life will become much faster. In the future we may take out manual labour, pruning and thinning and replace these with machinery which will increase output and efficiency. New varieties of apples and pears will also be developed.”

With dedication to his work Robert is also chairman of Fruition and a director of Worldwide Fruit and English Apples and Pears. Now in his fifties, he is assisted by his son John, who he hopes will eventually take over what has now become a very successful business and which has existed in his family for about a century.

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

Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2018

Report of the Parish Council meeting 7^th June 2018

Councillors

Mr Neil Sheppard was co-opted to the Parish Council.

Planning

Ref: 18/501679/FULL Address: 4 Oast Cottages Breach Lane Upchurch ME9 7PH

Proposal: Erection of a stable block, horse walker and manège for private use.

Councillors considered the application and agreed to support the application subject to neighbours’ comments which must be taken into consideration.

Ref: 18/501788/FULL  Address: 89 Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BG  

Proposal: Erection of a first floor rear extension over existing ground floor extension. A loft conversion with the insertion of two new windows and 5 no. roof lights.

Councillors considered the application and agreed to support the proposal subject to neighbours comments which must be taken into consideration.

  

18/501667/FULL Address: New Acres Spade Lane Hartlip Kent ME9 7TT.

Councillors considered the application and agreed that:

Upchurch Parish Council would object to the extension on the following grounds:

·   The applicants were given three months to submit a site development plan and have failed to do so by the due date.

·   The site is subject to many rulings and the occupants have failed to abide by any of the planning decisions. The site continues to expand and be developed without the required permission.

·   The site is not sustainable and does not lend itself to blend in with the local community. It has a bad visual effect and is detrimental to the area. It is not in keeping or discreet, and can be seen from many areas of Hartlip.

·   It is an unnecessary loss of agricultural land.

·   Granting permission to this site will set a precedent to anyone wishing to flout the planning regulations. It will give a message that a persistent disregard to the rules and planning regulations will eventually reap rewards.

Allotments

Five plots have been cleared in readiness for renting. A deposit will be taken from all new plot holders and this will be refunded if the plot is relinquished in the same condition as when the tenancy began. Only watering cans are permitted to be used on the allotments.

Recreation Ground and Paddock

The Council has applied for a grant to purchase new play equipment for the Paddock.

Burial Ground

A new compost bin has been ordered for the Burial Ground and visitors are requested to sort their rubbish between the compost bin and the rubbish bin.

The Council is looking for a volunteer or a group of volunteers to help maintain the rose beds in the Burial Ground. Anyone interested should contact the Clerk. All expenses will be reimbursed.

Church Clock

The refurbishment of the clock has been completed although the west facing face is one and a half minutes slow and this is being addressed.

The Crowdfunding page, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/the-modernisation-of-the-church-clock-at-saint-mary-the-virgin-upchurch, has raised £745 from twenty-four people. The Crowdfunding page can only receive donations in multiples of £5 and it will be kept open until Remembrance Day.

Cllr Horton will be going into Holywell Primary School and give a talk to Oak Class and Cambria Class about the clock.  

The Beckenham Park Residents Association has made a donation of £60 towards the restoration of the church clock as their act of remembrance. 

The Brownies and Guides will contribute to the church clock funds from their Annual Strawberry Tea as an act of remembrance.  

The Council has obtained a grant of £750 from the Swale World War 1 Centenary Fund.

Finance

The Annual Return has been agreed.

A grant of £65 has been given to the Swale Citizens Advice Bureau.

Street Lighting

The Council is inviting tenders for the upgrade of the street lights to LEDs.

Power Disruption

Councillors heard that the residents of Beckenham Park have suffered from several power cuts. The problem is caused by leylandii growing through the power cables at the edge of the golf course. UKPN are taking steps to remedy the situation.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 5thJuly 2018 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18thJuly 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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KCC Grass Cutting Schedule

This year KCC is cutting urban grass 6 times from April to the end of October; about once every 6 weeks. It has reduced the frequency of grass cutting in accordance with its approved approach to asset management. Details can be found on our website at: http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/transport-and-highways-policies/highways-asset-management.

 

Occasionally cutting can be delayed or progress is slower than planned. KCC cannot cut grass in heavy or persistent rain or when the ground is too wet. Cycles of warm wet weather leads to greater growth between cuts and longer grass takes more time to cut. Sometimes cutting machines break-down, especially when they are working harder to cut long grass. Road-works, parked vehicles on verges and large amounts of litter can also slow progress.

 

KCC does not collect grass cuttings or edge around verges due to the extra costs of time, equipment and green waste disposal. The cuttings should be spread evenly over the verge and blown off footpaths, driveways and the road back onto the verge where it is safe for an operative to do so. Usually, it is not safe for an operative to stand and blow cuttings off a busy road. Heavy rain or high winds soon after a cut can lead to cuttings being washed or blown back onto the road of footpath. Street furniture and trees will be stimmed around.

 

KCC has cut the grass more frequently in previous years, so it is likely the grass will be longer between each cut. The long grass will result in more grass cuttings remaining on the verge. This year contractors are using different machines which cut and mulch to help reduce the amount of cuttings left on the verge; they are also better at cutting long grass and returning cuttings back on the verge.

 

The dates for grass cut 2 are: 14th May to 28th June.

 

KCC monitors a sample of roads on each cut to make sure the grass is cut to specification. It may also inspect roads where we are informed of poor cutting or missed verges. Where work does not meet specification, KCC requires the contractor to return and carry out the cut correctly. It works with the contractor for them to return as soon as possible, but sometimes there can be a delay. The contractor carries out correction work at their own expense.

 

KCC recognises that residents and communities in some areas wish the grass to be cut more frequently. If you would like to cut the grass more often than KCC does, this is acceptable provided you can do it safely. Grass cuttings can be left evenly spread over the mown verge or disposed with your lawn cuttings. Please do not pile them on the verge or leave them where they can block drains or ditches. KCC will not be able to collect the grass cuttings from you.

 

KCC is always pleased that residents report faults, and the best way to do this is online at: www.kent.gov.uk/highwayfaults. You will receive a unique reference number to enable tracking of progress. However, KCC asks residents to ring on: 03000 418181 if they spot a problem on the highway that could cause an accident.

Janet Dart | PA to Council Leader/Cabinet | Swale Borough Council

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Self Referral - Care Without Going to Your GP

Here you will find information for services that do not need a referral from your GP - you can refer to these services yourself.

More information is available on the NHS Medway Clinical Commissioning Group website at the link here >> http://bit.ly/2t7cNW0

If you have any questions or suggestions on the Upchurch practice, please Email
Jan Bunting (Secretary) janannbunting@outlook.com
Ray Kemsley (Chair) raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley
Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
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Upchurch Choral Society Presents Cantate!

Pat New - Upchurch Choral Society
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