Coronavirus - Guidance on Access to Green Spaces

Guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others.

The government’s priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.

However, exercise is still important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise once a day.

Please use the following guidance in order to stay safe:

• Stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible - do not travel unnecessarily.
• You should only go outside alone or with members of your own household.
• Keep at least 2 metres apart from anyone outside your household at all times.
• Gatherings of more than two in parks or other public spaces have been banned and the police will enforce this.
• If you have a garden, make use of the space for exercise and fresh air.
• Take hygiene precautions when you are outside, and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors.

Please see the latest government guidance on social distancing

Please be aware that if you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19) or at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus, then you must stay at home. See the latest guidance from Public Health England

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Forestry Commission

Environment Agency

Natural England

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Upchurch Infant School - Christmas Show 1957/1958

Click the photograph to enlarge.

Just for fun

Thanks to Elaine Hare for sharing this old photograph she came across recently of children performing in the Christmas Show at Upchurch Infant School.

It's not known exactly which year it was taken, possibly 1957 or 1958.

The names Elaine remembers are:

Back row
Wendy Pamplin, Susan Carroll, Richard Daniels, Sylvia Murr, Pamela Griffin.

Middle row
Elaine Stokes (now Hare), Linda Waters, Geraldine Madden, Joy?, Bryan Andrews, Pamela Edmonds.

Front row
Derek Phillips, Carol Button, Marlene Ashdown, Stephen Murray?, Pamela Cripps, Glynis (Poppy) Tyler, Stephen Davies.

Who do you recognise?

Upchurch Matters

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Mr Fizz Sock Mask - Kid’s Magic Fun!

Click on my instructions to save or print them.

Hi Kids,

I've created a special Mr Fizz Sock Mask for all the children to have fun making at home.

Print out my simple A4 instructions above or follow them from your screen.

And don't forget to send all your finished mask pictures to Upchurch Matters. They will add them to the comments on their Facebook post.

Always ask a grownups permission first.

See you all soon.

And remember to always have fun and stay safe!

Terry Knight - Mr Fizz
www.mr-fizz.co.uk
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Swale Borough Council - Coronavirus Support Schemes Summary

The Government has announced a number of schemes for Swale Borough Council to administer to help people and businesses in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Following the receipt of more detailed guidance from the Government, officers have been working to prepare systems and processes to provide the support.

SBC has put together the attached summary of the support available so far. As and when other schemes are brought in, they will try to update this and circulate it so Councillors have as up-to-date information as possible.

Please bear in mind that there can be a delay between announcements being made by the Government and SBC receiving the details they need to put together the schemes. This is why they are encouraging people to keep an eye on the dedicated section of their website www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus and their social media channels where they will be putting as much information as they can.

Businesses should sign up to the Swale Means Business ebulletin where information is being shared as soon as possible.

Alan Horton

Ward Councillor serving Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch Ward

Email: alanhorton@swale.gov.uk

Tel: 07447 925760

Summary

Council tax support

Those residents who receive Council Tax Support will shortly receive an additional amount of up to £150 towards their council tax for 2020/21. This is from the government’s council tax hardship grant

If you are in receipt of Council Tax Support you do not need to contact the council, this will be awarded automatically.

If your income is currently reduced, you may be able to claim help towards your Council Tax. Further information and our online claim form is available at www.swale.gov.uk/ctax-support-scheme

Business rate relief

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no business for the financial year 2020-21. Following guidance published by the Government, we have identified businesses that qualify for the retail discount and are working to get your bills recalculated and sent out in the next few weeks.

Childcare providers

To support nurseries during this time, the Government has decided that providers of childcare who are Ofsted registered will pay no business rates for 2020-21. We will be provided with more information about this shortly and will send new business rates bills to those affected as soon as possible.

Business grants

The Government has made cash grants available to support small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through the period of disruption caused by coronavirus.

Only one grant can be awarded per property.

Small business grant

The small business grant is a support payment of £10,000 for small businesses. To qualify for this grant, the business must:

• have been liable for businesses rates on the property on 11th March 2020

• have qualified for small business rate relief or rural rate relief on 11th March 2020

• have a rateable value of under £15,000.

Retail, hospitality and leisure grant

The retail, hospitality and leisure grant is a support payment for businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000 who are eligible for the expanded retail discount.

• Businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.

• Businesses with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999 will receive a grant of £25,000.

To qualify for this grant, the business must:

• have been liable for business rates on the property on 11th March 2020

• have qualified for the expanded retail discount on 11th March 2020, had the scheme been in place on this date

• have a rateable value of under £51,000. 

We are currently working on system issues to enable us to make these payments.

Swale Borough Council

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Please Don't Block Deliveries to Upchurch's Co-op - Thank You

Thank you

Upchurch Matters
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Introducing the New Website www.helpkentbuylocal.co.uk

Support local Kent businesses during this difficult time and beyond.

The local Kent community is pulling together, reaching out and helping each other to get through this period.

Produced in Kent is not just promoting their member businesses in this uncertain time - they're trying to help the entire food & drink business community of the county!

helpkentbuylocal.co.uk is their brand new website where you can find your nearest businesses offering everything from groceries, home delivery, support to the vulnerable, community services, takeaway food and deliveries and online shops.

Have a look and see who you can support, and how they can support you in turn back!

If you're a food, drink or craft business who is offering a service that you're keen to promote, you can enter it on their website by visiting the List your Business page

If you have a good news story to share with them, please send it to: info@producedinkent.co.uk along with an image.

They want to hear about all the amazing work that is happening out there!

Visit the new website at: www.helpkentbuylocal.co.uk

#helpkentbuylocal

Please remember to only buy what you need and be kind.

Stay safe and follow Government guidelines at all times.

Upchurch Matters

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