Swale Borough Council Leader Gives Stern Warning About Further Restrictions as COVID-19 Cases Rise

Councillor Roger Truelove.

Swale could face a longer period of high-level restrictions for people’s social life and the economy if the rate of covid infection cannot be contained.

Swale Borough Council’s leader addressed councillors at last week’s council meeting as Swale’s infection rate inches towards almost 600 per 100,000 people.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“Unless we can level off the rate of growth in covid infections in the borough, we risk a longer period of high-level restrictions beyond 2 Dec.

“Infection rates have reached 584 per 100,000 people, and if we don’t do something to contain it we risk spending Christmas in lockdown.

“Before the Prime Minister introduced the new nationwide restrictions earlier this month, we were being pressed by the Government and Kent County Council to go into Tier 2 - the High-Risk status - and we risk being placed in this tier when national lockdown ends if cases continue to rise.

“Swale now has the second highest rate of infection in Kent with increasing numbers in care homes and a higher rate of infection amongst 65+ age group than in many parts of the county.

“The virus spreads virulently through close personal contact and we can only tackle the issue if we comply with government guidelines.

“It’s our duty as a council to encourage and urge people to comply with the restrictions in place and to closely monitor the business community to ensure people’s safety.

“I urge councillors to spread a message of compliance and to discourage anybody who wishes to glory in their non-compliance.”

Swale Borough Council

Upchurch Poppy Appeal - 2020

Covid-19 has affected fund-raising in the charitable sector this year.

The Royal British Legion’s response early on was “stand down” its house-to-house collections during Remembrance-tide in 2020 across the nation as this activity involved a high level of contact. This was a significant change to the traditional method of distributing poppies. Your local collectors in Upchurch look forward to returning to duty in 2021. Nevertheless this year poppies were available nationally in supermarkets, stations and many retail outlets etc. The Legion also enhanced how donations could be made electronically through mobile phones or its website e.g. scan QR Code below.

My thanks to Holywell School, The Crown PH, The Brown Jug PH, The BarnYard Restaurant, Snaffles, the Golf Club bar and shop, the Co-op, Cost cutters Newsagents and the Church for making poppies available in the village. I will publish amounts raised in a future article.

Many of you also ordered Poppy Appeal items through me and I am able still to supply poppies, 2020 poppy pins, VE75 pins, car poppies etc.

Next year, The Royal British Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Ald. Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

New Roundabout in Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham

Bowmer + Kirkland has begun work to construct a roundabout for the primary vehicular access to the new Leigh Academy Rainham secondary school in Otterham Quay Lane, at the junction with Blackthorne Road.

Working in agreement with Medway Council, the roadworks will take place under 2-way temporary traffic lights and will require lane closures for up to 12 weeks.

The developer aims to complete the works as quickly as possible to avoid disruption and make sure access for residents is maintained.

The academy will also have 2 separated pedestrian crossing points for safe access to the school for both students and staff, expected to arrive from different directions.

Upchurch Matters

Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - September 2020

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

Here is a brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months:

33 crimes are shown on the map in September 2020 including:

10 Anti-social Behaviour

1 Burglary
3 Criminal Damage and Arson
1 Other Theft
2 Public Order

2 Vehicle Crime
14 Violence and Sexual Offences

43 crimes were shown on the map in August 2020.

Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.

Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Lower Halstow and Iwade

Here is a brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months:

39 crimes are shown on the map in September 2020 including:

15 Anti-social Behaviour

1 Criminal Damage and Arson

6 Drugs

1 Other Theft

1 Possession of Weapons

2 Public Order

1 Shoplifting

3 Vehicle Crime

9 Violence and Sexual Offences

43 crimes were shown on the map in August 2020.

Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.

Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Upchurch Matters

Major Refurbishment Project Completed at Upchurch Village Hall

The new floor and ceiling in the main hall.

The Village Hall Management Committee has been busy during lockdown overseeing a major refurbishment project including new fire safety measures, lighting, heating, electrical work, insulation and a new floor and ceiling in the main hall.

Read their report at >> https://bit.ly/32H1q9M

Upchurch Matters

Remembrance 2020

The Remembrance Sunday service, led by Revd. Simeon Nevell, was held outside of the south porch of the church of St Mary the Virgin on November 8th. It was, because of COVD-19 restrictions, a “by invitation only” outdoor service. A number of residents stood on a calm, mild and sunny day in the bus stop area to observe. At this service we remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and in subsequent conflicts for this Nation. After prayers, five wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were from the Church, the Mayor of Swale, Upchurch Parish Council on behalf of all residents, Upchurch Scouts and the Upchurch Guiding Association. At 11:00 hours the two minutes silence was observed after which the names of all those from Upchurch who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were read out.

A further service was also held in the middle burial ground on Remembrance Day Wednesday November 11th and was led by Revd. Simeon Nevell. A large number of residents came to observe this further Act of Remembrance on a mild, calm but overcast day. After prayers, wooden remembrance crosses were laid at each of the five War Grave Commission graves by past members of the Armed or Civilian services. After opening prayers, the Last Post was sounded by a bugler. At 11:00 hours the two minutes silence was observed followed by Reveille and closing prayers.

During annual Remembrance tide the Royal British Legion undertakes its major fundraising - known as The Poppy Appeal. The work of The Royal British Legion continues and it stands shoulder to shoulder with all who serve in our Armed Forces providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served including their dependants.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Ald. Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com