Future Forward - Free Business Recovery Support for Small Businesses in Kent

In normal times, small businesses across Kent and Medway would be powering the county’s economy. As lockdown restrictions ease many will be questioning how to get back to the success they were building - or planning for. 

Future Forward, a free business support service, will guide local businesses through the challenges they are now facing. Their mission is to help Kent and Medway SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to come back stronger.

It may be that you are a company needing advice on becoming more digitally focused, including skills and training. There may be new opportunities that your business wants to pursue, setting out on a path to future growth and expansion, or you are looking for some advice on funding schemes available to you.

Locate in Kent’s advisors are there to support businesses with all of this. Whatever your goals, their expert team will provide impartial business advice depending on your requirements and detail the steps you need to take to achieve your business objectives.

Find out more at: www.locateinkent.com/future-forward

Medway Council

NHS Knitter Presents Colleagues at Upchurch's Co-op with Uniformed Bears to Say Thank You

Shopper Lisa presented Jane and colleagues from Upchurch’s Co-op with 3 lovely bears wearing Co-op uniforms, beautifully kitted by her friend Evie Goss.

Evie knits the bears and gives them to NHS staff but decided to present 3 bears to Co-op staff in Upchurch for all their recent hard work 👍🏼 😀

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Brownies and Guides

Upchurch Brownies and Guides were meeting weekly on Zoom from Easter up until the school Summer holidays.

We have had lots of fun meetings from scavenger hunts, quiz nights, pet night, bingo and beetle drive evenings, dance nights and escape rooms.

We even managed to squeeze in achieving lots of interest badges!

We are hoping to start meeting face to face as soon as we are able to. In the meantime, we resumed our Zoom meetings in September.

If your daughter is interested in joining in the fun and friendship, please contact us:- 

By Email: 1stupchurchguides@gmail.com

Or register your interest at: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter

Or by phone: 07926 006153 to speak to Tracey (Tigger)

Thank you

Tracey Snellings

Good News from Upchurch Players

Hello fellow villagers,

This year has been difficult for so many of us in all sorts of ways. Unfortunately for us as an amateur dramatics group the ever-changing government guidance has prevented us from planning a live performance this year. Oh no! We hear you cry... Christmas without the Players panto?

Well, hold on to your hats... we wouldn’t let you down!

We have some incredibly determined committee, cast and crew that have amazed me time and time again this year. We’d love to thank all of the cast and crew that have volunteered in these uncertain times, especially our younger cast members that always bring such enthusiasm.

So we would love to entertain the village once more and keep the Christmas spirit alive even in 2020. (This must be the first time that the actual year is the pantomime villain) The show must go on and so must the fun.

This year we will be bringing the panto to the village once again... via social media so that everyone can join in with the fun. Our plan is to bring the pantomime to you as an online advent calendar releasing one episode at a time in the build-up to Christmas.

We will be releasing the videos on the Upchurch Players Facebook page. Please like and share our page to join in.

We look forward to connecting with you this year.

Rozz Dyett

Secretary - Upchurch Players
Email: secretary@upchurchplayers.co.uk
Website: www.upchurchplayers.co.uk

Upchurch Poppy Day Appeal - 2020

This year marks the 99th year of the Royal British Legion [RBL], the year in which the Poppy Appeal is being planned around COVID-19 restrictions.

The most recent guidance from the RBL is clear that house-to-house collections are not permitted as social distancing cannot be guaranteed. I have already “stood down” the collectors in Upchurch - we will miss paying our annual visit to you this year.

Poppies nevertheless will be available, nationally and locally, from shops, stations, service stations etc.

I will be able to supply wooden crosses, dated Poppy pins, and pre-ordered wreaths - please contact me.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal begins on Saturday 24th October and ends on Saturday 7th November. It will conclude with a pre-recorded Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday evening and a scaled-down Cenotaph Ceremony in Whitehall on Sunday morning.

In Upchurch planning is underway for the annual Remembrance Service on Sunday 8th November. This is always a well-attended service of Remembrance, however, the numbers attending will be determined by the COVID-19 restrictions of the day.

The Royal British Legion is tasked with responsibility for the annual national Remembrance and importantly looks after the welfare of the Armed Forces “Family” - its veterans and their dependents. Covid-19 has impacted their lives such that the need for support goes on.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Co-op - Co-operate

Making good things happen in your community

Co-operate is an online co-operation centre for groups and volunteers to upload their details and activities for local residents and the community.

It is for people who care about their community and want to join forces to get things done.

It’s created with communities, for communities, and is owned by communities.

More information can be found at: https://co-operate.coop.co.uk

Jamie Rhodes

Member Pioneer for Grove Park, Bobbing, Newington and Upchurch

Connecting our stores with the local community