World's Biggest Coffee Morning at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Watch the Video

The video may not be visible in your Email version of this post.

If not, you can still watch it here >> youtube.com

Look out for our sign-up poster in the Poolside Bar. Anyone that turns up on the day and donates, with or without cake is very very welcome!

Find out more about Macmillan Cancer Support at: www.macmillan.org.uk

Thank you 

Jenny - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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Proposed Changes to the Traffic Pinch Point on The Lower Rainham Road adjacent to West Motney Way

Click plan to enlarge.

Michael Edwards, Head of Integrated Transport at Medway Council has written to residents inviting them to comment on proposed changes to the public highway on The Lower Rainham Road adjacent to West Motney Way, Mr Edwards writes:

"Over a period of time, the Council has received representations from users of The Lower Rainham Road about the priority working arrangement adjacent to West Motney Way. Users have commented on the disruption to the free flow of traffic it causes and expressed concerns about safety and speeds when the priority system is not adhered to and outside of peak hours when vehicles are often able to pass through without slowing down.

Highway Officers and your Ward Councillors have carefully considered these comments and spent a considerable amount of time assessing the current situation. A number of site visits have been undertaken, along with a Road Safety Audit and a pedestrian survey.

Following this assessment, we have come up with a proposal to replace the priority working system with speed cushions. This would involve removing the build-outs and widening the carriageway to allow two-way traffic. We would then install two new speed cushions to match the existing ones to the east and west. The 20mph speed limit would remain. In order to widen the carriageway, we would need to effectively remove a kerbed area on the northern side of the carriageway, which is sometimes used by pedestrians. Our survey indicated that the number of pedestrians using this section is very low, and we noted the absence of footway provision elsewhere along Lower Rainham Road.”

In addition, Rainham North Councillors David Carr and Martin Potter posted online:

“After our extensive work with Highway Officers in recent years on how we can improve the priority working "pinch" on the Lower Rainham Road at West Motney Way, the Council has sent out the attached consultation letter on a proposed new road layout. Some residents may not have received the letter but you are very welcome to get in touch with us with your opinion.”

The plan for the proposal is shown above and anyone wanting to comment should get in touch by Monday the 20th of August 2018 at the contact details below: 

Integrated Transport
Front Line Services
Medway Council
Gun Wharf
Dock Road
Chatham
ME4 4TR
Telephone: 01634 333333
Email: travel.safety@medway.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Charity Sports Day - Sunday 26th August 2018

This is a community event raising money for a good local cause and we'd like to involve as many clubs/groups/individuals from the local community as possible. One way in which you can be involved is to offer to help on the day.

Below is a list of vacancies for various tasks. The event will run from 11:00am till 2:00pm but some jobs will entail getting there earlier and leaving later. Please will you reply if you are able to offer to fill any of these vacancies - no interview is required! It would be wonderful if we could hear from you soon just so as to calm our nerves!

The vacancies are as follows:

◉ BBQ - 2 people are needed to take orders and serve the food to people - Ray Kemsley is doing the cooking.

◉ Manning buckets for donations to Demelza (2 or 3 people).

◉ Car park marshals (up to 4 people - we have permission to use the Recreation Ground provided the weather is fair).

◉ Compere on the PA - announcing times of dance sessions and other activities and giving regular updates on things happening around the field.

◉ Runners (or walkers) to pass messages from one to another (2 people).

◉ Supervising a sporting activity (4 - 6 people - you don't have to be sporty yourself - just explain what people have to do - you'll be given instructions).

◉ We thought we had someone to run a hockey skill activity but now it's looking iffy so does anyone fancy filling that gap?

If you can't fill any of these vacancies yourself but you know somebody who can it would be great to hear from you.

Please contact Ralph Liddell: ralphliddell@talk21.com or

Lee Cogger: mrmrscogger@gmail.com for more information.

If you can't be there but would like to make a donation there is a 'JustGiving' page where you can do just that (please see link below).

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/upchurchcharitysportsevent

Thank you 

Ralph Liddell

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - August 2018

Report of the Parish Council August 2018

Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence

Planning

i. Ref: 18/502708/FULL Address: The Old Woodyard Land Rear of Lord Stanley Bungalow Otterham Quay Lane ME8 7UX 

Proposal: Erection of two detached chalet bungalows with associated parking and extension of residential garden (serving Lord Stanley Bungalow) with revised access arrangements following demolition of existing building 

Councillors considered the application and expressed concerns about the exit onto the highway due to the bend.

ii. Ref: 18/503123/FULL Address: 131 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch ME8 7XD 

Proposal: two storey side and rear extension incorporating single storey entrance/hall and associated internal alterations.  

Councillors considered the application and raised concerns that there was insufficient off-road parking for vehicles.

iii. Ref: 18/503040/FULL Address: 27 Oak Lane Upchurch ME9 7AU 

Proposal: Single storey extension to provide adequate accommodation on ground floor for a person with disability 

Councillors considered the application and were fully supportive of the proposals and requested neighbours’ views should be taken into consideration.

iv. Ref: 18/503080/FULL Address: Bell Grove Stud Farm Halstow Lane Upchurch ME9 7AB Proposal: Variation to condition 4 of application SW/10/0485 (change of use from stabling for private use to commercial stud farming and livery) to allow unrestricted overnight use of an existing caravan/mobile home by the applicant, employees and customers of the stud farm.   

Councillors considered the application and objected to the proposal as there was insufficient reasons for an onsite residence.

v. Ref: 18/503039/FULL  Address: The Nesta Breach Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7PE 

Proposal: Change of use of a barn and the land around it to form a single dwelling 

Councillors considered the application and supported the proposal and requested that neignhbours’ views be taken into consideration.

vi. Ref: 18/503348/FULL Address: Mill Farm Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch ME8 7XA

Proposal: Erection of a detached outbuilding to provide garages with storage facilities. (Part retrospective) 

Councillors requested an extension of time to consider the application.

vii. Ref: 18/503499/FULL Address: 29 Drakes Close Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7BL 

Proposal: Installation of balcony to rear of dwelling and erection of a car port.  

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposals and requested that neighbours’ views be taken into account.

viii. Ref: 18/503009/FULL Address: Land at Kent Terrace Canterbury Lane Upchurch 

Proposal: Minor material amendment to 14/506519/FULL (Redevelopment of existing landscape contractor's yard and land surrounding Kent Terrace to provide 13 dwelling houses and an extension to the existing terrace with associated car parking and landscaping. In addition, a ground floor rear extension to Number 15 Kent Terrace. Amendments) - with minor amendments to dwelling plans and elevations, removal of carport to the rear of plot 16. Revised layout to external paving and landscaping

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposals but agreed there needs to be more detail regarding access and egress to the site.

ix. Ref: 18/503781/FULL  Address: 134 Chaffes Lane Upchurch ME9 7BD 

Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension 

Councillors considered the application and supported the proposals and requested that neighbours’ views be taken into account.

x. Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane,Upchurch ME9 7AB 

It was agreed that Cllr Rosewell will contact Paul Gregory at Swale Borough Council to ascertain the status of the site.

xii. Ref: MC/18/1796  Address: Land South of Lower Road, Rainham 

Proposal: Outline planning application (all matters reserved except access) for the development of up to 202 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), open space, landscaping (including Sustainable Urban Drainage), access, up to 455 car parking spaces and associated works. 

Councillors considered the application and were concerned about the impact the development would have on the Parish. Councillors objected to the proposals.

Paddock Play Area

The Parish Council is still waiting to find out if it is successful in its bid for lottery funding.

Burial Ground and Churchyard 

Upchurch Horticultural Society has started maintaining the rose beds at the Burial Ground and Councillors were pleased with their excellent work.

The new rubbish bin recently provided by Swale Borough Council has gone missing.

Signs have been put on the compost bins to remind visitors to put their waste in the right bin.

Church Clock 

The Parish Council has received £750 from the Swale Borough Council’s World War 1 Centenary Grant Fund towards the restoration of the clock. The Crowdfunding page stands at £950. Further donations towards the clock fund have been received: Upchurch Horticultural Society has given £150 as an act of remembrance; Upchurch Handbell Ringers have given £500 as an act of remembrance; Upchurch Fete Committee has given £1100 to the fund as an act of remembrance; Upchurch Guides and Brownies have given £317 as an act of remembrance and Upchurch Active Retirement Association have given £100 as an act of remembrance.

Donations from groups and individuals can be made by cheque payable to “Upchurch Parish Council” and sent to the Clerk at 14 Trapfield Close, Bearsted ME14 4HT or via the Crowdfunding page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/the-modernisation-of-the-church-clock-at-saint-mary-the-virgin-upchurch

Defibrillator

A confidential response from SECAMB has been received in response to the Council’s complaint about the handling of the investigation into the defibrillator code not being given to a resident last November.

New battery and pads have been installed in the Snaffles defibrillator by Cllr Sheppard.

Environment

The Best Kept Garden Competition 2018 went very well and the judges were pleased with the high standard of the entries. The presentation of the awards will be made at the Horticultural Society Show in September.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 6^th September 2018 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19^th September 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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Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Patient Non Attendance

Patients are still not notifying the surgery that they are unable to keep an appointment they have made. This includes seeing the Doctor and/or the Nurse.

During June 41 appointments were not kept.

Please telephone 01634 231423 to cancel an appointment

Hot Weather - Elderly Care

If you have elderly neighbours please make contact with them during hot weather, ensuring they are drinking plenty of water.

Also advise them to draw their curtains if they have windows facing the sun during that time of day.

Shingles Eligibility

To check whether or not you are eligible to have a shingles vaccination please log on to >> Public Health England then go to Search box and enter ‘shingles eligibility’ click on Calculator box and enter your date of birth.

Turmeric Pills

It was reported that Turmeric pills, easily obtainable from health shops, contain high doses of potassium and it is not always mentioned when buying them. Patients should be aware if they are taking other medication. If in doubt please consult your GP or Nurse practitioner for advice.

Morning Surgery Dates

To accommodate staff training on the following dates the normal afternoon surgeries at Upchurch will be replaced by a morning session from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Wednesday 22nd August

Wednesday 17th October 2018

If you have any questions or suggestions on the local practice, then please Email

Jan Bunting (Secretary) janannbunting@outlook.com or 

Ray Kemsley (Chair) raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

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Upchurch Village Hall

I would like to tell you a story, so please read on...

Firstly did you know that the hall desperately needs some work doing to keep it in use for all and secondly it just as desperately needs some improvements to make it more attractive for those many clubs and casual users that find the hall invaluable. So let’s start with the essentials. Although the main hall has a new heating system the rear hall needs one as well. The electrics are unreliable as the circuits trip out without good reason. The electrics are showing real signs of age. The rear hall is looking old and tired with redecoration badly needed. These are all short term jobs that the hall management have in hand funds permitting.

However there is no need to be despondent as the management of the hall have already completed a number of projects. As I mentioned the main hall heating, no small, achievement costing over £8,000.00. They have renewed the old guttering that was allowing water to cascade into the hall. They have spent thousands on the electrics so far trying to make them more reliable. The ladies toilet taps have been improved so now the ladies will not end up with wet feet. They have replaced the old water heater in the kitchen with a new reliable one.

So what more are they trying to achieve:

1. New flooring for the main hall stage and back hall. It’s coming to the end of its life.

2. The electric needs replacing soon.

3. Main hall ceiling is no longer suitable for the use the hall is used for and needs up-dating. It needs to be softened and lined to make it a lot more user friendly.

4. The hall storage rooms need redesigning and an allotted bar area created for social events.

5. A patio area at the rear over-looking the river in the distance. It’s a brilliant view. 

6. The rear hall can be subdivided making it multi functional for those wishing to hire it.

These are but a few of the projects the management have set as goals for the future. OK what future, how long will it take. It’s already started, but they expect it to take perhaps two years or may be three.

Is this achievable, they think so. They will need funding from many sources. They are already working to make funds available as I write. They also know that the projects in total will, depending on many factors, cost between 100K and 150k to complete. They know that most funding allocations require some funding to be raised locally. So the management with the help of The Friends of Upchurch Village Hall, UpARA, Upchurch Co-op, Upchurch WI, private donors, local business and yourselves by using the hall, they are trying to raise the expected 10% towards those funds that are required. They are well on the way but not all the way as yet.

I just thought you would like to know, I hope you did, but thanks for reading this any way.

John Tutt 
On behalf of The Village Hall Management Committee

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