A thank you from ex-Borough Councillor Gerry Lewin

Alison, Gerry and Sarah Lewin.

I have had the pleasure to represent Hartlip & Upchurch originally and then Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch as a Swale Borough Councillor since 1991, when I stood for election for the first time in my life. I was then re-elected at every subsequent borough election until this year when my name did not appear on the May 2019 ballot paper, a decision I had made in 2017.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the kindness and support that I have received in those 28 years. I am also happy to acknowledge that you all have offered me enormous amounts of advice at one time or another - most of which I was happy to listen too!

Thank you also to the many who have wished me a ‘happy retirement’, but you should know that I intend to continue to be active in the parish of Upchurch in which I live.

It goes without saying - but it needs to be said - that I owe a considerable debt of gratitude to my late wife Dianne and our daughters Alison and Sarah for their support which enabled me to spend a third of my life as an elected Councillor.

Gerry Lewin

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New Charges at KCC Household Waste Recycling Centres

Kent County Council will begin charging for the disposal of some non-household waste materials (soil, rubble, hardcore and plasterboard) at its 18 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) from Monday the 3rd of June 2019. in line with the non-household waste charging policy.

Even if produced at a domestic property, these materials are to be treated as non-household waste in accordance with the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012.

Non-household waste already charged for at HWRCs includes tyres from cars and motorcycles.

KCC HWRCs do not accept waste emanating from a business.

Plasterboard and tyres have designated recycling containers.

Other chargeable materials noted below must be placed in the soil, rubble and hardcore recycling area.

The list below details chargeable materials:

• Ceramic Bathroom and Kitchen Items (including baths, bidets, cisterns, shower
00trays, sinks, toilet pans, wash basins)

• Breeze blocks and bricks

• Cement (set and powder)

• Concrete

• Drainpipes (ceramic types)

• Flagstones

• Granite

• Hardcore, rubble, gravel and rocks

• Marble

• Plasterboard

• Sand

• Slate

• Soil and stones

• Tiles (ceramic/clay/slate)

Please note that tyres (car and motorcycles etc) are already chargeable on site.

Vehicle restrictions were implemented at HWRCs in 2012. If you wish to check restrictions, please see KCC’s vehicle policy regarding vehicles that require vehicle vouchers.

Chargeable waste should be brought to site in appropriately sized bags; no larger than a standard black sack.

Items such as sheets of plasterboard, paving slabs and sinks that don’t fit into bags will be charged per item.

A daily limit on soil, rubble and hardcore, in-line with current restrictions will apply - a maximum of 5 bags/items (a bag can be up to the size of a standard black sack). The policy to limit these materials was introduced in 2012 to prevent trade waste abuse. 

Site staff decisions are final.

For more information, visit: www.kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/rubbish-and-recycling/waste-charging-guide

Upchurch Matters

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Memories of Bishop Lane in the Early Years by David Wood

Before being constructed the area now known as Bishop Lane and the old people’s bungalows adjacent to it was nothing more than an overgrown wasteland with the recreation ground on one side and a rough dirt track known by locals as ‘The Donkey Path’ running down the other side. A row of old dwellings named Gore Bank Cottages (originally known as Seager’s Cottages, constructed in 1882) stretched along Chaffes Lane to the recreation ground on the same side. These were demolished to make way for Bishop Lane and the new houses.

Constructed in 1964/65 during a period of new housing expansion in the village, Bishop Lane which has twenty three houses and is named after well-known Upchurch organiser and parish councillor Cecil Bishop, came into existence and has flourished with a close knit community.

Two main types of houses were constructed on the site, with either two or three bedrooms. An outhouse is attached to the side of each house. Initially, the houses were council properties but most of these were sold off and became privately owned.

Some of the early residents were well known in the village because of their involvement in different organisations or clubs. Alan Bissell who lived with his wife Phyllis at number 21 had served in the Gordon Highlanders during World War Two and gained fame as a goalkeeper with Upchurch Football Club during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Jim Martin who worked as a Redlands lorry driver became a very successful bowler with Lower Halstow Cricket Club during the 1960s and Doug Sellen who lived with his wife Gladys at number 7 became a leading darts player for The Crown in the local darts league. Dave Bronger who lived with his mother at number 9 performed as a well-known local football referee, while his mother Annie, a very talkative and jolly woman, belonged to several village organisations which included the WRVS, the Darby & Joan Club and The Women’s Institute. She also served on the Carnival Committee and regularly appeared on carnival floats and in the carnival fancy dress parade. She also did seasonal work on local farms. As her elder son John said, “Mum was in everything.”

Annie Bronger and former brickfield worker Charlie Clark were two well-known characters at Bishop Lane in the early days. These are sadly long gone but Neville and Betty Wildish, Joan Bunting and Janet Gilbert are some of the original residents still living in the lane. Janet Gilbert says,

“The relationship between the residents has always been very good, particularly in the early days when everyone knew each other. We were like one big family. We looked after each other’s children. Many of the children played on the recreation ground and I used to go fruit picking with Iris Martin, Joan Bunting and Pat Friend. Residents designed and entered a decorated float in the village carnival. I remember we did St Trinian’s one year. A lot of younger people have moved in but Bishop Lane is still a very quiet and friendly place to live.”

Bishop Lane continues to thrive with its community of long term and more recent residents.

About David

David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and detailed historical study of the village.

David's book, ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters.

Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.

David Wood

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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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