Upchurch Charity Sports Day - Amount Raised and Thank You

The Charity Sports Day (in aid of Demelza Hospice Care For Children) happened at Holywell School on Sunday the 26th of August.

It was a wet one! But, in spite of the atrocious weather, surprisingly large numbers of people turned up to have a go at the many activities on offer.

The ice cream van did little business but the burgers, hot dogs and cakes went down well. We had a live band, ‘Cakehole’ and more singing from ‘Razzmatazz’. Upchurch Colts FC, UPARA, local residents and a number of ‘out-of-village’ organisations provided the sporting and dancing activities - thanks to all of them and to all who helped in any way, and especially for sticking with it until the bitter end!

Thankfully there were a number of indoor activities so thanks must go to Keeley from 'Zumba at Tonics Fitness Centre' (01795 423090) for giving those so inclined a thorough workout in zumba dancing, Jan Bunting for leading the line dancing and to UPARA for the curling.

Although the weather was foul, a good atmosphere prevailed and most people seemed to leave slightly sodden but with smiles on their faces.

Final figures need to be worked out but the total amount raised for Demelza is in the region of £800.

There is still time to donate online if you wish by visiting our ‘justGiving’ page >> www.justgiving.com/fundraising/upchurchcharitysportsevent

This is the first time we have put on an event like this and we would welcome your feedback. We would also love to hear from you if you might be interested in helping to organise a similar event in the future, please Email us at: upliftmail@ymail.co.uk

Thank you 

Ralph Liddell

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Dog Fouling In Our Village - Please Clean It Up!

Pictured above: Bags of dog waste littered around the route (pictured below).

Tanya is a relatively new resident in the village who really enjoys walking her dog around Gore Farm and the Golf Course, spotting the owl, woodpeckers and rabbits on the way.

However, over the last few months this has changed.

Very recently, Tanya began to notice dog waste collected in bags, neatly knotted together but left, dumped or tucked in the hedgerows, perhaps by a new resident or new dog owner? 

When she spotted a bag dropped in the middle of the road, just like that, Tanya decided to walk her normal route again, this time collecting as many bags as she could on the way. She spotted over 10 bags, some she couldn't collect due to overgrowth or fences, some of the bags she collected had already begun to degrade, so were empty.

Responsible dog owners will find it impossible to understand the ethos of picking up your dog's waste, bagging it up, and then leaving the plastic bag in the middle of our countryside.

The worst areas affected were to the East of Oak Lane, but the bags were not all from one area, but spread across the entire route. Even the bushes along the road from Gore Farm to Chaffes Lane were littered with bags.

It's an exercise Tanya hopes not to have to repeat too often - especially without a litter picker, but one she would like all residents to know about.

Pictured above: The route where the bags of dog waste (pictured above) were collected.

It is an offence not to clean up after your dog.

You can be given an on-the-spot fine (FPN) of £80 if you do not clean up after your dog. 

If you refuse to pay the fine, you can be taken to court and fined up to £1,000.

Registered blind dog owners can’t be fined.

Dog mess is a health hazard!

Apart from being an unpleasant nuisance if you step in it, fall in it, cycle through it, or wheel your wheelchair through it, dog waste can also be a health hazard.

Both dog and cat faeces can contain the eggs of the roundworm 'Toxocara'. These eggs can survive in the soil for several years. If they are ingested or inhaled by humans, they may cause eye, liver, brain and respiratory problems such as asthma, hepatitis and epilepsy.

Children playing in fouled areas are most at risk.

Dog waste is also a potential health risk to farmers' livestock if you allow your dog to foul in their fields.

Do you really want any of these consequences on your conscience?

Please bag your dog waste and put it in any public litter bin or take it home to your household green bin.

If you see anyone not cleaning up after their dog, please report it to either PCSO John Cork on: 07772 226217 or the Parish Clerk on: 01634 363906.

Thank you for your support

On behalf of Tanya and Cllr Tyrone Ripley

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Temporary Road Closure - White Hill Road, Hartlip

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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Santus Circus at Westmoor Farm

Click poster to enlarge.

Click poster to enlarge.

🎪 Santus Circus at Westmoor Farm, Rainham ME8 8QF 🎪

🤡 From Thursday 30th August to Sunday 2nd September 🤡

🎟 Book now: 07843 884787 or 07952 418487 🎟    

Website: www.santuscircus.com

Upchurch Matters

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Dead? Or Dead Slow?

Dead? Or Dead Slow?

Over 400 incidents involving Horses were reported to The British Horse Society between March 2017 and March 2018, with a quarter of riders reporting that they were subject to road rage or abuse.

If you or your Horse has been involved in an accident or incident, firstly make sure you report it to Kent Police then please let The British Horse Society know what happened by submitting a report on their Horse Accidents Website at the link here >> www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents/report-an-incident

Safety Advice and Information

4 Simple Steps for Drivers

If I see a horse on the road;

Then I will...

1. Slow down to a maximum of 15mph.

2. Be patient, I won't sound my horn or rev my engine.

3. Pass wide and slow (at least a car's width).

4. Drive slowly away.

Advice for Riders

There are many things The British Horse Society recommend riders can do to reduce the risk of becoming another statistic.

◉ Always wear hi-viz clothing and put hi-viz equipment on your Horse - even on bright days, it is surprising how well a Horse can be camouflaged against a hedge.

◉ Unless absolutely necessary, The British Horse Society highly recommend you avoid riding in failing light, fog or darkness or when it is snowing or icy.

◉ Show courtesy to drivers - if you show drivers appreciation of their efforts, then drivers should return the favour.

◉ If you are riding a Horse that is not used to roads, make sure you are accompanied by an experienced rider and Horse.

◉ Concentrate all the time.

◉ Make sure you have told someone where you are going and what time you are expected back.

◉ Whether you choose to ride off-road on fields and bridleways, or whether you have no option but to go out onto busy roads, there are always safety issues you need to take into account.

More Safety Advice and Information

For information about The British Horse Society's campaign 'Dead? Or Dead Slow?' visit the link here >> www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents/dead-slow

Further safety advice and Information from The British Horse Society is available at the link here >> www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents/safety-advice-and-information

#thinkhorsethink15

Upchurch Matters
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Beating Isolation - 'Friendly Friday Group'

The next Friendly Friday Group meeting is at The Spyglass and Kettle, Woodside, Wigmore, Rainham ME8 0PG on Friday the 31st of August

at 12:30pm

For more information and to book in, please telephone Gayle at the Bluebird Care (Medway) Office on: 01634 780909

Call today - we would love to hear from you!

Gayle Holmes

Office Administrator

Bluebird Care (Medway)

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