UpARA - November 2020 Newsletter

Hello UpARA members,

Just under a third of our membership, have taken part in activities since restarting on the 6th October, and so far each activity has been well attended and well received, even though we are having to run them in a slightly different fashion.

The Village Hall reopened on 5th October as a COVID-19 secure facility, and it really does look very good with the works completed; we’re looking forward to trying out the new lighting with a social night whenever that becomes a possibility.

We are able to use the VH loos prior to our walks, which we hope will encourage many to join us, a great way of keeping in touch.

One change for all our activities is the pre-booking element. We need to know who is coming on every session so please continue to do this; it has worked really well so far.

We have put together this newsletter to share what has happened and let you know our plans for November; in these uncertain times, nothing is fixed, and any plans can of course, change.

The Thoughts of Chairman John

Hi Everyone,

Just a short update on our current activities.

Around 25-30 members have taken part in each of our Village walks, I personally have taken short local ones, with a short coffee stop at the golf club on the way! We also had the opportunity to check out the "New Look" Village Hall first-hand, I am sure we were all suitably impressed! Well done to all who were involved in the Planning and Fundraising, congratulations a job well done.

The Art Classes have been a great success on Tuesdays, utilising cameras and our big screen to help teach to a socially distanced class, and the Soft Tennis and Table Tennis activities were also a very nice reprieve from the tedious months in lockdown.

Another outdoor activity, Petanque, restarted last week and was also a great success on a lovely, bright sunny afternoon. We are looking to restart Kurling soon, if you are interested please book your places.

Fingers crossed, we all are waiting at the moment for any other "Lock Down" regulations being introduced! all we can do at the moment is to remain upbeat, "WE MARCH ON" despite whatever is in store for us.

Stay safe, John W

All Activities

We have produced risk assessments for each of our activities to mitigate any risks. Before attending any session, attendees will be made aware of what is required of them.

We march on! Our Chairman shows the way at our first walk out. Walking in groups of six, with walks to cater for all, including just up to the golf course, (for a cuppa), and back. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice the Southampton scarf - Yes, our Chairman is a Saint!

Our first Art lesson back - Using the whole hall, we’ve been able to use our screen and lapel microphone and audio equipment to help teach the lesson, so everyone can stay safely in their seat - Note the new ceiling, lighting and new floor!

We’re using just one of our two Petanque pitches, with six allowed at each 50 minute session. We had a great afternoon with 18 members across 3 sessions. We can manage more sessions if necessary and you can enjoy a coffee or a wine in the Golf course before or afterwards, (or both)!

It is essential that if you wish to participate in any activities you let us know beforehand by Email, text or phone:-

• Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com

• Text or call: 07802 250773

Please give your name and subject ‘eg, Village Walk’, and we will get back to you.

John Wishart - Chairman

Tel: 07971 511956

Email: john@togthedog.co.uk

Website: www.upara.club

Help Raise Funds for Upchurch Village Hall

Upchurch Village Hall has been selected to take part in the Co-op Local Community Fund.

As a Co-op Member, you can select Upchurch Village Hall as your local cause.

Join online at: coop.co.uk/membership or by downloading the Co-op app. Every time you spend at the Co-op and use your membership card the Co-op make a donation to our cause.

Check the link to our cause profile at: membership.coop.co.uk/causes/47462

Thanks for your support.

David Steward
Chairman - Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

HM Government - National COVID-19 Restrictions 5th November - 2nd December 2020

National COVID-19 restrictions will apply in England from Thursday 5th November until Wednesday 2nd December 2020.

You must stay at home, with a limited set of exemptions.

After 4 weeks we will look to return to a local and regional approach, based on the latest data.

How to protect yourself and others: nhs.uk/coronavirus

#coronavirus | #COVID_19

UK Prime Minister

Hundreds of Knitted Poppies Decorate St. Mary’s Church for Remembrance Sunday

Click the photo montage to enlarge.

For the third consecutive year, the ladies of the Kitting Group, along with their partners have decorated the railings at St. Mary's Church, Upchurch with hundreds of knitted poppies, as a special Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

They look beautiful again!

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal began 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 to include a two-minute silence at 11:00am. However, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it will have to be different from usual as the church cannot welcome the usual number of people.

The service will begin at 10:30am and there will be limited seating available. To reserve a place at the service, please ring:

Jill Rothery, the Church Warden, on: 01795 481694. From Sunday 1st November onwards.

Donations

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal British Legion will not permit or support house to house collections, and so there will be no one calling at your home for donations this year.

Nevertheless, poppies and dated poppy pins will be available from the Upchurch shops, public houses, clubs and restaurants. The school has also been given a pack for the benefit of the children and staff.

This year for the first time, donations can be made using your mobile.

If you would like to download a poppy for a donation, this can be done at the following link: www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate

Poppies printed this way are excellent for displaying in your windows especially the ones you can colour in yourselves.

Poppy Day Appeal organiser Gerry Lewin can supply - poppies, dated poppy pins, VE poppy pins, wooden crosses, car poppies and wrist bands etc. Please contact Gerry to see how he can help. Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789 Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Remembrance Sunday - November 8th 2020

Upchurch Matters

Remembrance Sunday Service at St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch

Remembrance Sunday Service

8th November 2020 at 10:30am

St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch

A service of Remembrance will be held in St Mary’s church, Upchurch on Sunday 8th November 2020 to include a two-minute silence at 11:00am. However, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, it will have to be different from usual as we cannot welcome the usual number of people into the church.

The service will begin at 10:30am and there will be limited seating available. To reserve a place at the service, please ring:

Jill Rothery, the Church Warden, on: 01795 481694. From Sunday 1st November onwards.

Please look out for further details on Upchurch Matters, on St Mary's Upchurch Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/stmarysupchurch and on notices at the church.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Sue Rossiter

Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah

The following items were discussed at the last PPG meeting:

Face Coverings

Face coverings are to be worn at all times when attending the Surgery for appointments with the Nurse/Doctor. This also applies to Healthy Living Centres and Hospitals in the area.

Face masks donated by the council have now run out, therefore it is imperative that patients bring their own with them when attending the Surgery for an appointment.

Flu Vaccinations 

All those requiring a Flu vaccination would have been dealt with i.e. 65yrs and above and all those that show at risk from their medical records.

The next batch is due in November for those 50-65yrs and when received, the dates will be circulated on Upchurch Matters website or the practice website in order for patients to telephone for an appointment.

Maidstone Road Practice - Targets

Staff have received training in respect of early cancer diagnosis, thereby ensuring an immediate referral to the cancer unit and monitor “follow up” appointments are being issued and kept by the patient, i.e. cervical screening for those females aged 25-64yrs. Nationally the level is 72.4%. Medway CCG is 74.9% and our practice is 83.7%.

Also training to identify patients who have learning difficulties and quite often attend on their own, ensuring they get the right support and regular “follow up”.

Letters received by patients from the Medway Hospital or other outside clinics

There is a delay in the practice receiving letters following an appointment at the Hospital or Clinic, therefore it is requested that patients drop into the Surgery with the letter they receive from the Hospital/Clinic in order for the Practice to update patients records locally. Thank you.

Maidstone Road Practice Website

The website is: www.maidstoneroadsurgeryrainham.co.uk

The Practice would like patients views/comments about the website.

Any comments, please Email: g82180.surgery@nhs.net and mark them “For the attention of Nurse, Bonnie Olsen”.

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham