Medway Cycling Festival 2019

Get on your bike this summer with the Medway Cycling Festival.

The Medway Cycling Festival returns this year with nine days of events and activities to encourage residents to get out and about on their bikes.

The festival, from Saturday 8th June, until Sunday 16th June, marks the start of an exciting summer of cycling in Medway and is designed to encourage riders of all ages and abilities to explore Medway’s cycle routes.

There will be a number of free rides on offer of various lengths and difficulties exploring Medway’s landmarks, heritage and network of cycle paths, including a women-only Breeze ride on the popular Heron Trail. Suitable for people aged 16 and above. To find out more and to book onto one of the Active Medway Cycle Group Let’s Ride events Email: cycling@medway.gov.uk or visit: www.letsride.co.uk

Free adult beginners cycling lessons will also be on offer to help bike owners master the basics of riding a bike. Email: cycling@medway.gov.uk to book your place.

Cyclists will then have the chance to take part in a series of non-competitive rides as Medway Sport joins forces with Evans to stage a day of Ride It Sportives on Sunday 15th June. Three rides, ranging from 30 to 80 miles, will set off and finish at Medway Park and take riders on a tour of the Kent countryside.

On each ride there will be waymarked routes, feed stations sponsored by High 5 Sports Nutrition and mechanical and sweeper van support if things go wrong. There will be electronic chip timing to recorder riders journeys and everyone who completes a course will receive a finisher’s medal. Prices starts from £20 per adult, children ride free.

For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/cyclingfestival

Get pumped at Medway’s new BMX pump track at Queen Elizabeth Fields, Gillingham, on Saturday 15th June, from noon to 4:00pm. Young riders and families can enjoy free coaching and skills sessions with coaches from British Cycling, organised supervised races on the track, BMX tricks displays plus free bike servicing and repairs.

The summer of cycling continues in July when Rochester stages the British Cycling’s HSBC UK National Circuit Championships. On Sunday 21st July, the UK’s top elite male and female riders will race around Rochester’s cobbled streets. Previous winners of the national event include World and Olympic champions. The event will be free for spectators to enjoy, with the women’s race starting at 5:00pm and the men’s race at 6:30pm.

Before the elite men’s and women’s championships races the public has a chance to ride the course in the Medway Big Ride. From 2:30pm to 3:30pm you can register to ride on closed roads around the majority of the 1.6km looping race route.

There will also be a range of activities and family-fun in and around Rochester Castle Gardens including a pump track, stunt shows, British Cycling skills coaching, trade stalls, refreshments and more. There are limited places available for the Big Ride and registration opens on Tuesday 21st May. 

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “The Medway Cycling Festival is a great opportunity for residents to find out more about the 81.5 miles of cycle routes across Medway and experience them for themselves. Cycling is a great way for residents to become more active and I would encourage cyclists of all ages to sign up for the Medway Big Ride when registration opens. It’s a fantastic event and this year you will be able to ride the same course as elite cyclists.”

For more information about the Big Ride, and to sign up, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/bigride

For more information about the Medway Cycling Festival, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/cyclingfestival

Medway Council

Space

River Festival 2019 - Celebrating Maritime Medway

Residents are invited to spend Father’s Day celebrating maritime Medway at the River Festival.

The free family event will return to Chatham waterfront on Sunday, 16th June, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Enjoy demonstrations and have-a-go river and land activities. The popular fire tug returns to the River Festival and this year there will be performances by the army boat display team.

Visitors can step inside a giant 18m inflatable whale, meet the cheerful Navigator, and experience a funny and interactive show which aims to highlight the impact plastic has on the environment through a series of fun, learning and theatrical experiences.

There will be food stalls, Father’s Day activities and children’s entertainment alongside arts and crafts in Chatham Library.

Visitors can watch dance performances from a number of troupes at Dance on the Pier at Sun Pier House from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. With a mix of dance genres, visitors will have the chance to try out some of the styles.

Find out more about the exciting Command of the Heights project which is currently underway at Chatham Riverside and Fort Amherst. The project will transform areas of historic value including the Barrier Ditch, a critical part of Chatham’s defences. Work has also begun to transform the Spur Battery, which was once used for troop encampments, siege warfare training and military punishment, into an amphitheatre with seating for outdoor performances.

The significant heritage regeneration project has secured £1.78 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The council is also contributing £400,000.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “The River Festival celebrates Medway’s maritime history and gives residents and visitors the chance to watch river-based activities such as rowing, sailing and kayaking. There will also be plenty of activities on land including theatrical workshops inside a giant inflatable whale and arts and crafts. I would encourage residents to come along and celebrate the River Medway with us.”

The River Festival takes place along Chatham Waterfront, from Sun Pier to Gun Wharf, on Sunday, 16th June from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/riverfestival

Medway Council

Space

Avia Villanova d'Asti - English Summer Camp

Summer teaching experience in Italy

Come and experience northern Italian countryside life with Avia at their unique English Summer Camp opportunity.

Avia are looking to recruit English speaking young people (minimum age 18 years) to help teach, lead and organise games and projects through play with Italian children between the ages of 3 and 12 years.

StartIng in July and running through to September, the Camp is conducted in English and is designed to encourage young Italian people to learn the English language, whilst at play.

If you are looking for a fulfilling summer gap year experience, Avia are who you are looking for!

If you think you are a perfect match then they will be happy to welcome you on board. Flights and accommodation will be provided.

For more information, please Email: info@aviatranslations.it  Skype address: ileanaachino

Facebook: Avia Villanova d'Asti  Website: www.aviatranslations.it/en

Avia Villanova d'Asti has strong family ties with Upchurch and any residents who would like more information can contact Bryan Veale on: 01634 234047.

Sara Lanfranco
Space

Desert Adventure - Can You Survive It?

Looking for some half-term fun?

Desert Adventure is a FREE children's fun morning happening at St. Mary's Church, Newington on Thursday 30th May from 10:00am until 12:00pm.

A fun children's session with a desert theme and lots of craft and games activities, following the story of Moses.

For more information, to book places or download a registration form, please go to: www.thesix.org.uk/funday or you can register on the day.

Thank you

Rosie Liddell

Space

Announcement on Medway’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres

Everyone wanting to visit Medway’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will need to bring ID with them from Monday, 3rd June.

Following further discussions with Kent County Council (KCC) it has been agreed that KCC residents will continue to have access to Medway’s three HWRCs after Monday, 3rd June, for the next 18 months.

Earlier this month it was announced that, following KCC’s decision to charge Kent residents to dispose of certain materials at their HWRCs, Medway Council would be making changes to the centres in Capstone, Cuxton and Gillingham.

Medway Council has always been committed to ensuring that Medway residents do not have to pay at any of Medway’s three HWRCs.

Everyone will need to bring one form of ID with them if they wish to use the centres and their full postcodes will be recorded to enable us to identify and monitor usage by KCC residents.

This ID could be a:

• Council Tax bill from the current Council Tax financial year

• Driving licence (a photocard or paper licence will be accepted)

• Utility bill* (gas, electric or water)

• TV licence*

• Bank or building society statement*

• Benefits award statement*

• Letter from HMRC or the home office*

*less than a year old

Staff at Medway’s HWRCs will ask residents to show their identification at the entrance of each site.

To help ensure this process runs smoothly, each site will be closed to make changes to site entrances. The Capstone centre is currently closed and is anticipated to reopen from Thursday, 30th May. Further closures will be announced in due course.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “Medway residents are always at the heart of what we do and we are committed to ensuring that our residents do not have to pay at our recycling centres. We are pleased to have come to a pragmatic, sensible agreement with Kent County Council to ensure that our centres will also remain open to residents living in the Kent area. This will particularly benefit residents who live on the outskirts of Medway on our boundary with Kent County Council.

“It’s incredibly important to us that we all continue to dispose of our waste responsibly to protect our local environment. Allowing KCC residents access to our centres for the next 18 months will give KCC time to bring forward its own facilities to meet the needs of Kent residents.”

Medway’s centres offer an easy way to recycle as residents can dispose of more than 30 types of materials including scrap metal, wood and clothing.

For more information about Medway’s HWRCs visit: www.medway.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

Kent County Council plans to have a new HWRC in Tonbridge and Malling in place for their residents. 

Medway Council’s three HWRCs are:

• Cuxton Waste and Recycling Centre, Sundridge Hill, Rochester, ME2 1LF

• Hoath Way Waste and Recycling Centre, Ambley Way, Gillingham, ME8 0QH

• Capstone Waste and Recycling Centre, Shawstead Road, Lordwood, ME7 3JL

Medway Council
Space

Upchurch Parish Council Report - May 2019

Report of the Parish Council May 2019

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.

Councillors

Cllr Tyrone Ripley was elected Chairman of the Parish Council for another year and Cllr John Arnold has been appointed Vice Chairman.

Neil Sheppard was co-opted onto the Parish Council.

Paddock and Recreation Ground

A new bin has been installed at the Recreation Ground.

The Parish Council has agreed that all dogs must be kept on short leads in the Paddock and only four dogs per dog walker. Owners must clean up after their dogs as dog fouling can lead to an increased risk in and toxocara canis can pass from dog poo to humans as Toxocariasis through contaminated sand or soil, and children are at particular risk.

Planning

i. Ref: 19/501302/FULL

Address: Antolin Interiors Sittingbourne Distribution Centre Spade Lane Upchurch ME9 7TT

Proposal: Upgrade of gatehouse, extension to existing hardstanding and addition of 3 no. disabled parking spaces, 4 no. electrical vehicles charging points and 1 no. substation.

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal.

ACTION: Clerk to inform Hartlip Parish Council of the application.

ii. Ref: Ref: 19/501773/OUT

Address: Land off Jubilee Fields Upchurch Kent ME9 7AQ 

Proposal: Outline application for residential development of 41no. two, three and four bedroom houses. (All matters reserved except for access).

Councillors AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.

ACTION: Cllr Rosewell to draft response.

iii. Ref: 19/501816/FULL

Address: Whitegate Stables Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME8 7XH

Proposal: Change of use of the land for the stationing of a mobile home for a temporary period (Retrospective).

Councillors considered the application. Concern was raised that people should put structures on land and then apply for retrospective planning permission.  

Councillors AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.

iv. Ref: 19/501819/FULL 

Address: 16 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AT

Proposal: Construction of front porch and rear/side first floor extension. Conversion of extended loft into habitable space to include the installation of a rear dormer window and 2no. roof lights to front elevation. Internal alterations and changes to fenestration (Resubmission to 18/505524/FULL).

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ comments be taken into consideration.

Allotments

There are still a few plots available in Upchurch and anyone interested in having an allotment garden should contact the Clerk. There is a preferential rate for residents.

Parking issues at Holywell School

The Swale Parking Enforcement Team are continuing to monitor the area. Drivers are requested to park in a safe and considerate manner, failure to do so may result in a fine.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 6^th June 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19^th June 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

Space