Compulsory Horse Microchipping

A new law requiring horse owners to microchip their animals was introduced on 25th of June 2018.

From October 2020 it will be mandatory for all owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys.

The new Central Equine Database will allow local authorities and the Police to track down the owners of dumped horses and make sure they are punished so that the animals are given the care they deserve. It will also mean lost or stolen horses will be reunited with their owners more easily.

The RSCPA released figures this year showing they rescued around 1000 horses in 2017, to highlight the issue of horses being fly-tipped or dumped, often in horrific conditions. A large majority were not microchipped making it virtually impossible to trace the owners. RSPCA inspectors are frequently faced with horses which have been dumped whilst very sick, dying, or sometimes even dead.

The new regulations designed to prevent abuse and improve horse welfare have the full support of the British Horse Council and will help local authorities and the Police to identify abandoned animals, ensuring horses receive the care they deserve and that those who mistreat them will face the consequences.

The Central Equine Database logs all domesticated horses, including those required to be microchipped by October 2020. This will help with issues when horses are abandoned, making it easier to rehome the animals more quickly.

Horse owners have until October 2020 to make sure that all horses are microchipped. This extra time will allow horse owners to combine microchipping with a routine visit to or from their vet with the procedure costing around £25-30.

If horse owners do not microchip their horses by October 2020 they could face sanctions from their local authority including a compliance notice, and as a last resort a fine of up to £200.

Upchurch Matters

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Temporary Road Closure - Iwade Road, Newington

It will be necessary to close part of Iwade Road, Newington (also known as High Oak Hill), near Sittingbourne, from Tuesday 28th August 2018 for an estimated period of up to 4 days.

 

Iwade Road, shown on some maps as High Oak Hill or Church Lane, will be closed in the general vicinity of Snakesbury House.

 

Access to the remainder of Iwade Road continues from either direction up to where the road is closed, but there will be no through access during the works.

 

The alternative route for through traffic is via Wardwell Lane, Vicarage Road, The Street, Sheerness Road and Basser Hill back to Iwade Road

 

Due to the nature of the works, the road will need to remain closed outside the working hours.

 

The closure is to enable UK Power Networks to carry out works to provide a new electricity supply.

 

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

 

The UK Power Networks 24-hour number is: 0800 783 8866

Website: www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk

The Kent County Council Highways 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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Road Closure - Forge Lane, Upchurch

Post treatment ironworks between the junction of Holywell Lane and The Street/Oak Lane are programmed to start on 30th July 2018 and should take 2 days to complete. These activities will be undertaken during a working window between the hours of 7am and 7pm. This is to enable Kent County Council to carry out ironworks following carriageway treatment works.

During these essential works it will be necessary to close the road completely to carry out the works safety for both the workforce and road users. 

A signed diversion route will be in place during the closure via The Street/Oak Lane, A2 London Road, Hartlip Hill, Breach Lane and The Street.

This type of work can be affected by bad weather, so if it is not possible to carry it out at this time, a new date will be arranged and KCC will let you know via a letter drop to your home. Signs will also be put along the road before they start showing the date they plan to start work.

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

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Upchurch Best Kept Garden 2018 - The Winners

Overall Winner Paul and Pauline Knights - 66 Beckenham Park

All gardens in the Parish that could be viewed from the front were judged on Saturday the 21st of July 2018.

The judging took place without interviews with the occupants - so if you were shopping or on holiday your garden would have still been judged!

The winners and highly commended gardens in the following 3 categories are:

Overall Winner

Paul and Pauline Knights - 66 Beckenham Park

Small Garden

Winner
Margaret Packer - 11 Chaffes Terrace

Highly Commended
Rebecca and Kevin Pitt - 1 St. Mary's Mews

Highly Commended
Chris and Trudy Whelan - 2 St. Mary's Mews

Highly Commended
Geoff French - 1 Callows Cottages

Hanging Baskets and Containers

Winner
Paul and Pauline Knights - 66 Beckenham Park

Highly Commended
Fred Kemsley - 6 Beckenham Park

Highly Commended
Mr and Mrs Friend - 56 Beckenham Park

Highly Commended
Annmarie Hoare and Josephine Brigden - The Crown Public House

Flowers and Shrubs

Winner
Eddie and Helen Tydeman - 134 Chaffes Lane

Highly Commended

John Lewin - 21 Drakes Close

Highly Commended

Ted Mew - 24 Crosier Court

Highly Commended

Leslie Long - 130 Chaffes Lane

Margaret Packer - 11 Chaffes Terrace

Geoff French - 1 Callows Cottages

Annmarie Hoare and Josephine Brigden - The Crown Public House

Rebecca and Kevin Pitt - 1 St. Mary's Mews

Chris and Trudy Whelan - 2 St. Mary's Mews

Fred Kemsley - 6 Beckenham Park

Mr and Mrs Friend - 56 Beckenham Park

Eddie and Helen Tydeman - 134 Chaffes Lane

John Lewin - 21 Drakes Close

Ted Mew - 24 Crosier Court

Leslie Long - 130 Chaffes Lane

The overall winner was judged to be Paul and Pauline Knights for their beautifully presented garden in Beckenham Park. As overall winner, they will be presented with the Barbara Webb Memorial Rose Bowl to keep until next year’s winner is announced.

Paul and Pauline, along with all the winners and those awarded highly commended will be invited to collect their certificates at 3:30pm on Saturday the 15th of September at the Upchurch Horticultural Society - September Show, taking place at Peter Boakes', rear of 97 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch.

Everyone is welcome to visit the show.

Upchurch Parish Council will be in touch with all the winners and those awarded highly commended over the coming weeks. 

Thank you to all the Judges for their time and effort, particularly Brenda & Bob Quy. This Competition would not be possible without their support.

Paul and Pauline also pick up this year's 1st Prize of 'High Tea' for 4 people at The BarnYard who have kindly sponsored this years competition again.

Please see their menu below:

The BarnYard, Oak Lane, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 235059. Website: www.the-barnyard.com

Cllr Tyrone Ripley

Chairman - Upchurch Parish Council

Telephone: 07702 222093 Email: tyrone.ripley@yahoo.co.uk

On behalf of Upchurch Parish Council and Upchurch Horticultural Society

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Have Your Say on the KCC Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 - 2028

Have your say on Kent Footpaths and Bridleways

Kent residents are being asked for their opinions on the county council’s plans for maintaining and improving public footpaths and bridleways.

The 12 weeks consultation on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for the next 10 years is open until Wednesday 12th September 2018. The public are being asked whether the draft strategy has the correct priorities, and also to provide suggestions to improve it.

The vision outlined in the council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan is:

“To provide a high quality, well-maintained PROW network, that is well used and enjoyed. The use of the network will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.”

The plan identifies the following themes:

Active lifestyles - how use of the network has the potential to improve health and wellbeing;

Evolution of the network - changes required to meet current and future needs;

Knowing what’s out there - how the provision of information removes barriers to use;

Well-maintained network - how poorly maintained public rights of way act as a barrier to use;

Rights with responsibilities - responsible management and use of the network promoting good relationships;

Efficient delivery –-why the Public Rights of Way and Access Service must use resources available to secure the greatest benefits for the public.

However, members of the public have the chance to say whether these themes are the correct priorities and make other suggestions.

The consultation is open now and the online questionnaire can be completed here >> http://bit.ly/2mHf47y

To request hard copies of any consultation materials, residents can Email: alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or Telephone: 03000 421553.

Your responses will be compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

The consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday 12th September 2018.

Upchurch Matters

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Emergency Road Closure - Old House Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close Old House Lane, Hartlip from Monday 30th July 2018 for up to 3 Days.

The whole length of the road will be closed.

The alternative route is via Lower Hartlip Road - Mount Lane - Cowstead Road - Bull Lane.

This is to enable carriageway repair to be carried out by KCC Highways.

The Kent County Council Highways 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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