UPDATE: Tuesday 29th October - Notification of Major Gas Works: A2 - High Street, Newington

I am writing to provide you with an update regarding our gas network upgrade in the A2, Newington.

Following agreement from Kent County Council we’ll continue to carry out network upgrades along the A2/ High Street, Newington.

 

To ensure everyone’s safety, temporary traffic lights remain in place on the A2 / London Road around our work area at the junction with Spade Lane.

From approximately 12 noon on Wednesday 30th October, we'll need to temporarily close Mill Lane for approximately 4 weeks. A signed diversion route will be in place for motorists via Spade Lane, Meresborough Lane, Dane Lane, The Street, Hollow Lane and Lower Hartlip Hill. We'll also have temporary traffic lights at the junction of Mill Lane with the A2 to carry out the necessary upgrades.

We would encourage all commuters to please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. Updates about our project can be found on our dedicated page here.

We appreciate your understanding and patience while we carry out essential gas mains replacement work and we welcome any feedback or questions.

If you would like any further information or advice, please let me know.

Kind regards

Paige Roberts

Stakeholder and Community Manager

SGN Gas

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UPDATE: The Co-op - Upchurch

We continue to receive a lot of messages asking when the Co-op - Upchurch is due to reopen. Thank you to resident Wendy Pitts for sharing this update she received recently from Robbie from the Co-op Executive Resolution Team.

“Hello Wendy,

Thanks for your email to Steve Murrells, Co-op Chief Executive. Your email has been passed onto the Executive Resolution Team to reply on his behalf.

I've recently spoken to those in charge of this store, following contact from another concerned local resident. I've been informed that the works are now due to commence on 11th November 2019. Due to the nature of the structural works that are necessary, the proposed completion date is 27th January 2020.

That said, once the works have started, the team are going to look for ways that this can be expedited. I've been asked by senior managers in our Property and Construction teams to pass on our apologies for the previous dates that had been quoted in the past. This has been due to a change in staffing of the project, as the construction project manager has now left the business.

A newer style temporary store will be on-site around the 22nd November.

Whilst I appreciate your continued frustration, I do hope that this helps address some of your concerns.

Kind regards

Robbie

Executive Resolution Team 

Co-op Service Centre

www.coop.co.uk”

Upchurch Matters

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Writers' Night at Upchurch Village Hall

Experience new exciting writing from new exciting writers at Upchurch Village Hall on Saturday 9th November at 7:00pm.

Advance tickets are £6.00 or £8.00 on the door.

To book, please contact Samantha on: 07469 728553 Email: samantha_grace1@yahoo.co.uk

Samantha Grace

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Thank You from the Village Hall Management Committee

The Trustees of the village hall would like to thank Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club and all those who attended their recent “Cockney Night” which raised £875.00 towards the village hall refurbishment fund.

To update you all, the sub committee is now arranging a number of firms to visit the hall in order to present quotes for the electrics, ceiling, floor and fire and security.  

Things are now moving in the right direction, we will keep you posted...

John Tutt

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Website: www.upchurchvillagehall.weebly.com

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KCC Mobile Library Service and Library Services Direct to You

Mobile library service

As well as operating library buildings, KCC also operates mobile libraries, visiting 100s of locations across Kent. Mobile libraries offer a book lending service for people living, working and studying in the county, including those who live some distance from a traditional library building. Stopping times and frequency of visits vary depending on location. The vehicles do not provide access to computers or the internet.

The mobile library visits Upchurch fortnightly and can be found parked in Church Farm Road between 12:15pm and 12:55pm - its next scheduled visit is on Thursday the 7th of November. Children at Holywell School also get to use the mobile library when it visits the school earlier the same day between 11:20am and 12:10pm.

You can use the search facility at the link here: http://bit.ly/2BH9ABj to find out where and when KCC mobile libraries stop or call: 03000 413131 for more information.

Library services direct to you

There are many other ways KCC library services can come to you if you can’t get to your local library, or don't have time to visit. Find out more at: http://bit.ly/2MPCrcU

Upchurch Matters

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Chatty Bench to Tour Medway

Staff from the A Better Medway team will

talk to residents during the talking bench tour.

The Chatty bench will tour Medway to highlight the importance of staying connected.

A chatty bench will tour Medway as part of Medway Council’s A Better Medway - Together campaign which aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

The talking bench will visit a number of locations across Medway to encourage residents to sit and talk to members of the council’s A Better Medway team to find out more about the importance of staying connected with others. The team will also provide information about a range of services and clubs across Medway where residents can meet new people and learn new skills. Residents can also pick up a free talking tips pack and other tools which can help build confidence and help encourage more residents to speak with others to help Medway being better connected and combat social isolation and loneliness.

The wooden bench was handmade by Men in Sheds, a project which supports local men to stay well by getting together to share their interests and skills, including sessions such as woodcraft, music sessions and art. Men in Sheds focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on men over 25 who are not in work and retirees.

Cllr David Brake, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, covering Public Health, said:

“I am extremely pleased that the Talking Bench will be visiting a number of locations across Medway. Loneliness and social isolation can affect residents of any age and I would encourage as many people as possible to visit the bench and start a conversation. We will continue to work with our partners to further help our residents make more connections in their local area.”

Tackling loneliness doesn’t have to mean making a big gesture. Sometimes a simple hello can make a big difference. We know it can be hard to start a conversation with someone new, so here are our top tips:

• Ask someone’s opinion, for example, ask what they think of the weather.

• In a queue? Say hello to someone.

• Ask open questions and avoid questions that only have a yes or no answers, for example, ask what someone’s plans are for the weekend.

The bench will start its tour on Monday 28th October at Chatham Library from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

For more information on our Together in Medway activities, and to get involved by making a pledge, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/community

Follow #MedwayTogether on social media to find out more about ways to connect with your community.

The Chatty bench will be at Rainham Shopping Centre on Friday 1st November from 10:00am to 2:00pm and at Rainham Library on Monday 4th November from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Medway Council

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