Swale Borough Council - Changes to Public Opening Times at Council Offices

From Monday, 23rd March, we will be reducing the public opening hours of our Sittingbourne and Faversham offices to:

• Swale House: Mon - Fri 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Faversham: Tue and Thu 9:00am - 12:30am

KCC has taken the decision to close Sheppey Gateway to the public from Monday, 23rd March.

Normal telephone availability will remain in place.

Swale Borough Council

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A Message from Mrs Warner

Click photos to enlarge.

If you’re passing the school gates, look out for the rainbow made by Mayflower Class. It’s in the entrance window to remind everyone we are thinking of you all.

The school children have also made cards to send love and thoughts to elderly residents in the village.

Mayflower and Richmond Classrooms are ready to support the children of our hard working key workers in Holywell.

Stay safe everyone.

Jackie Warner

Holywell Primary School

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - March 2020

Report of the Parish Council March 2020

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.

Events and Meetings

Due to the current situation with the coronavirus COVID-19 the following events have been postponed and will take place at a later date:

Upchurch Great British Spring Clean Saturday 18^th April

Annual Parish meeting on Thursday 30^th April

The VE Day 75^th Anniversary celebrations Friday 8^th May 2020

The situation and developments in this public health crisis seem to be very fast-moving and somewhat confusing, at the moment. The government now seems to be favouring a ‘delay’ strategy, but logically, it seems only a matter of time before meetings and assemblies will have to be shut down, if only for a short time, therefore Parish Council meetings and Committee meetings have also been cancelled until further notice.  

The Council will keep the public health situation and government advice under review.

Planning

Ref: 20/500305/FULL Address: Jack Russell Place Halstow Lane Upchurch  ME9 7AB. Proposal: Retrospective application for erection of a brick wall and gate posts to front of site.

Councillors considered the application and objected to the proposal as the walls, entrance and gates are intrusive and not in keeping with the area and visually intrusive. This application in this area of the village will cause harm to the appearance of the rural vista.

Ref: 20/500447/PNEXT Address: 108 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7AY. 

Proposal: Prior notification for a proposed single storey rear extension which: A) Extends by 4.35 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling. B) Has a maximum height of 3.663 metres from the natural ground level. C) Has a height of 2.475 metres at the eaves from the natural ground level.

Councillors considered the application and agreed to follow officers’ recommendations and asked that due consideration is given to neighbours comments.

Ref: 20/500622/PNEXT Address: 14 Homefield Drive Upchurch ME8 8RS

Proposal: Prior notification for a proposed single storey rear extension which: A) Extends by 4.950 metres beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling. B) Has a maximum height of 3.308 metres from the natural ground level. C) Has a height of 2.380 metres at the eaves from the natural ground level.

Councillors considered the application and agreed to follow officers’ recommendations and asked that due consideration is given to neighbours comments.

Paddock and Recreation Ground 

The Recreation Ground fence has been repaired following storm damage. Quotations are being obtained to replace the dog bin in the Recreation Ground, the bin will be a dual purpose bin.

Dog walkers are politely requested to ensure that their dogs are on leads when in the Paddock.

This is a precis of Council business, full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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Some Helping Hands for Upchurch

With the news that some villagers may be going into self-isolation, I just wanted to offer my support.

If you need shopping, prescriptions collecting, mail posting, errands running or even just a chat, please do contact me and I will help you for free.

I also have some care packages of essentials (and the odd treat!) to deliver to people who may struggle to get out and get supplies.

If you are over 60 and would like a care package or know someone who may need another one, please contact me on: 07916 151299 or Email: ciamerrall@hotmail.com

I am also gathering a group of volunteers to help. If you are interested please contact me on the number and Email address above.

If you would like to donate any food / UHT milk or treats for the care packages, please drop them into the box outside 15 Forge Lane, Upchurch.

Any leftover items will be donated to Swale Foodbank so everything will be used by those in need.

Many thanks to those who have already donated.

Please take care of everyone.

Thank you

Cia Merrall

15 Forge Lane, Upchurch

Just so you know

We have received many kind messages from residents offering support to the elderly and vulnerable in our village through this difficult time.

Many were not suitable to share, unfortunately. It is not that we don't care or were being awkward, we were just doing what we know to be safe.

We have since been contacted by Swale Borough Councillor for Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch, and Cabinet Member for Community Richard Palmer regarding gathering volunteers in a safe and coordinated way, in the hope they may eventually become volunteers in a more formal and coordinated council-run service, should one eventually come forward.

Councillor Palmer has now been in touch with Cia and so we are pleased to be able to share what we hope is a safe service for residents to use.

We would encourage residents to telephone Cia with any questions they have about her service and to always follow KCC and Government advice regarding allowing strangers into their homes.

Please support your local businesses

Wherever it's safe to do so, please continue to support all the great local and small businesses. Many are very worried about their survival. They are as much a part of our community as anyone.

It's great to see community spirit coming though and knowing that by working together and looking out for each other that we will get through this.

Please take care of yourselves and others.

Thank you

Upchurch Matters

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Closure of Upchurch Village Hall

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, for the safety of the community, all clubs and social gatherings at the Village Hall have been cancelled.

We have therefore decided to close the hall for the foreseeable future.

We will still be taking bookings for postponed or future events, so please contact Molly Harriss our booking secretary on: 01634 364859.

Thank you

We wish you all stay safe.

David Steward

Chairman - Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

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CANCELLED - Upchurch Village Fete Presented by the Parents & Friends of Holywell School

Dear All,

Unfortunately due to the Government’s announcement yesterday with schools being closed from Friday 20th March for the foreseeable future, it is with deep regret we have had to cancel this year's Village Fete.

We had an amazing day last year with fantastic support from our Village and local community and I will look forward to organising next years and having you all back.

If your children have been taking part in our Smarties Challenge please keep your tubes safe if you haven’t returned them to school yet. We will welcome these back as soon as we can return to school.

Thank you for your continued support in this uncertain time.

Kind regards

Katie Kemlo
Chair - Parents & Friends of Holywell School
Email: pfhs@holywell.kent.sch.uk

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