Iconic Upchurch Phone Box is Now Fully Restored, Ready for VJ Day 75

A neglected phone box at the end of Crosier Court has been sympathetically restored and is now worthy of this great British icon again.

Stood in the same spot for 30 years, it has become the most photographed landmark in Upchurch other than St. Mary's Church, and has prompted many a small child to ask their parents “what is it and why is it there?”

This type K6 phone box was designed to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V in 1935 and was sometimes known as the “Jubilee Kiosk” when it went into production in 1936.

The K6 was the first red telephone kiosk to be extensively used outside of London, and many thousands were eventually commissioned in nearly every town and city across Britain, replacing most of the existing kiosks and establishing thousands of new sites.

In 1935 there were 19,000 public telephones across Britain, by 1940, thanks to the K6, there were 35,000. They survived the bombing during WW2 and served as a focal point in many towns and villages. Alas due to mobile phones only a few remain in place today.

Thanks to Kent Trade Frames for donating the new glass and everybody for their encouraging compliments on how smart the phone box looks now my restoration is complete.

If you'd like to take a look for yourself and maybe pose for a photo, please come and see me over the VJ Day 75 commemoration weekend.

Jim McAlpin

Upchurch Village Hall - AGM

As you are aware, the village hall has been closed since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown last March. In line with the Governments guidelines, the Trustees are now planning to re-open it again in October and prior to doing so, to hold their AGM as required by the village hall’s Trust Deeds. The date set for this meeting is Wednesday 9th September.

Unfortunately, because of the risk to public health due to COVID-19 and following Government guidelines to minimise social contact through public gatherings the Trustees have decided to hold this meeting without the public being in attendance.

However, notwithstanding this, the village hall Trustees are now inviting members of the public to submit any questions or comments that they have in respect of the village hall. These will then be dealt with at the AGM and a response made back direct to the Initiator. Following the meeting, Trustees plan to issue the minutes of the AGM on Upchurch Matters Facebook page and in the Gabriel village magazine if back in publication, along with details of any questions or issues raised by the general public along with the Trustees responses.

Please submit any questions, queries or comments you may have in respect of the village hall through the contact page on the village hall website at upchurchvillagehall.weebly.com to be received by Tuesday 8th September at the latest.

Thank you

The Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Making Miracles - COVID-19 Family Support

Making Miracles, a local Kent and Medway registered charity established over 6 years ago, has responded to the Coronavirus pandemic and is now also able to offer free bereavement and trauma counselling and other support services to residents in your local area.

We usually provide this counselling for families who have suffered miscarriage/baby loss but given that many people’s mental health will be severely affected by the loss of a loved one and probably not being able to visit them in hospital, say goodbye or attend a funeral, we felt that we needed to use our professionally qualified team of counsellors with experience of loss to help people through this pandemic.

In addition for anyone who has suffered a miscarriage or baby loss, please also remember that we continue to provide 6 free professional counselling sessions to both the mother, father, couple, grandparent or siblings (through play therapy) by our professionally qualified team of counsellors, and should you wish to refer anyone for this service please contact the team.

If you would like to know more or have any questions, please feel free to come back to me or visit our website: www.makingmiracles.org.uk

Thank you

Hayley Spooner

Shed Burgled, Bicycle Stolen and Window Smashed - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/136968/20

Between Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th of August, a bicycle was stolen when a garden shed was burgled in Merton Drive, Newington.

Crime Number: 46/139141/20

Just before 4:00am on Monday the 10th of August, a living room window was smashed, possibly with a brick, in Pear Tree Walk, Newington. 

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Space

Medway Libraries Update

Browse library book shelves

From Monday, 10th August, you will be able to browse Medway library book shelves again.

When you visit Medway buildings, they'll ask for your name, phone number and information about your visit. This is to keep you and others safe. You cannot enter the building if you do not give your details.

You will also be asked to observe social distancing guidelines and to wear a face covering (unless you are exempt).

For those who cannot make it to libraries or community hubs, the online click and collect service is still available. Find out more

Face coverings

From Saturday, 8th August, face coverings must be worn in more places, in line with government guidance. This includes Medway libraries and community hubs. Please ensure you have a face covering with you. Find out more

New online book club

Would you like to join a new online book club?

You'll be reading and discussing digitally downloaded books once a month using Microsoft Teams.

If you would like to join this group, please email Sandra - bookclubs@medway.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

St Mary's Church Fundraiser

St Mary’s Church suffered internal damage from birds and rodents during the lockdown meaning urgent repairs and deep cleaning were needed, at considerable expense.

Church Porch Sale organisers have been unable to hold regular sales within the church for several months so working with members of the Parochial Church Council they decided to hold a fundraising sale at number 3 Horsham Lane, home of Bryan Veale.

The sale held on the morning of Saturday 8th August was well supported by villagers, raising nearly £500.00 towards the cost of the church repairs.

Upchurch Matters