Daks over Normandy - 75th D-Day Commemoration

Click the map to enlarge.

 THE CROSSING 

On Wednesday the 5th of June 2019, more than 35 Douglas DC-3/C-47s will take to the skies from Imperial War Museum - Duxford. Just like on June the 5th 1944, all these aircraft will fly in formation across the English Channel for an airborne parachute drop over the original 1944 drop zones.

Escorted by World War II fighters, they will set course for Caen-Carpiquet Airport in Normandy. The planned flight will pass Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, Maidstone and Eastbourne before heading out over The Channel. If we are lucky, we may just be able to see them from here in Upchurch.

They will then pass Le Havre and then the historic UK Drop Zone at Sannerville, where the skies will be filled with paratroopers jumping round military parachutes, as they descend in honour of the troops who did the same 75 years ago.

The fleet will then descend on Caen-Carpiquet Airport around 16:45pm (FR time) where they will be on display on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th of June.

 D-DAY HISTORY 

June the 6th 1944 is one of the most important dates in modern history. It marks the date on which almost 160,000 Allied troops stormed the Normandy beaches to start the liberation of Western-Europe. The assault was preceded by 24,000 troops who parachuted in or came by glider. The most important aircraft to support the airborne assault was formed by over 800 Douglas C-47 Skytrains (Dakotas). These carried the brunt of all men into battle across the English Channel. In June 2019 the D-Day Invasion will see her 75th commemoration.

It will most probably be the very last large commemoration of this historic day.

More information at: www.daksovernormandy.com

Upchurch Matters

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Swale Borough Council - Grants Funding Applications Open for Another Year

Local community groups and projects can get the extra funding support they need thanks to the member grant scheme.

Almost £113,000 funding is available from local councillors, as each of Swale’s 47 councillors has £2,400 available to support small-scale, local community projects through the member grants scheme. From Monday 3rd June, community groups throughout Swale can bid for funding for projects that provide benefits in areas including culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety.

The application process is easy; groups simply need to discuss the project with their local councillor in order to get their support and fill in a simple application form.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of Swale Borough Council, said:

“Local projects and community groups make such a difference to our neighbourhoods. From larger community led organisations, to smaller one-off projects, they all deserve as much help as they can get.

These grants are the perfect way for us to help these groups continue with their hard work and efforts.”

Just some of the previous projects and organisations that received funding from the member grants scheme include:

• Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta - £850 provided by five local councillors to provide a 10k and 2k fun run.

• Sittingbourne Food Bank - £3,050 provided by nine local councillors to help provide funds for storage.

• Children Centre’s Early Help - £1,000 provided by eight local councillors to fund a children’s Christmas party for disadvantaged families within the area.

• Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Association - £400 provided by two local councillors to provide an Autism Chill Out Zone at the Christmas Lights.

• Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey - £2,000 provided by three local councillors to help provide the Dementia Café for the local community. The group was named Alzheimer’s Society National Youth Champions 2018 for the Dementia Café. The award was presented by Angela Rippon CBE November 2018 Royal Horseguards Hotel, London. Paul Murray from the Oasis Academy Dementia Café said: “Without the funding this would have not been possible.”

To find out more about member grants visit: www.swale.gov.uk/member-grants or contact your local ward councillor.

The member grant scheme is not the only funding available this financial year. Organisations can also apply for:

• Heritage Grants - £10,000 is available in the Heritage Grants pot.

To apply, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/heritage-grants

• Culture Grants – there is £10,000 allocated in the Culture Grants Fund.

To find out more, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/culture-grants

• Sports and Physical Activity Grants - funding of £20,000 is available for this financial year.

To find out about how to apply, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/sport-and-physical-activity-grant 

• Environment Grants - after the successful trial of a new Environment Grants earlier this year, we have reopened it for this financial year, with £5,000 available: www.swale.gov.uk/environment-grants

Swale Borough Council

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The Spirit of Sittingbourne - Roadworks on St Michael’s Road

ROADWORKS ON ST MICHAEL’S ROAD DUE

TO BEGIN ON JUNE 10TH

The Spirit of Sittingbourne partnership will be undertaking roadworks on St Michael’s Road in June, as part of the regeneration of the town centre.

The works will be on the gyratory at the far western side of St Michael’s Road, before it intersects with Dover Street, beginning on June 10th and due to be finished in December 2019.

Work will occur across two stages, on each side of the road. This will mean a single lane will remain open throughout the works period, allowing traffic to flow through. The road will be converted to a single-lane route permanently following the works.

Whilst we are working to minimise any impact arising from these works, with a single lane remaining open throughout, we are advising residents to build additional time into their journeys once the works begin.

Local shops and businesses will remain open as usual. Access to Cockleshell Walk Car Park will be maintained throughout the works, though will result in a temporary reduction in the number of parking spaces.

Contact: Kevin McKeever or Gordon McKee

Email: roadworks@spiritofsittingbourne.com

Tel: 01795 602011

Website: www.spiritofsittingbourne.com

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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

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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

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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
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