Gigabit Broadband Available to Upchurch Properties on the Lower Halstow Exchange

With over 160 pledges so far, gigabit broadband is now confirmed for Lower Halstow in 2021.

There is still time for Upchurch properties that share the Lower Halstow exchange, who are also eligible to pledge.

I have included the Openreach list of these properties here: https://bit.ly/2J1z6bO

For all the latest news, head to: www.lowerhalstow.org where we have created a means of registering.

Thank you

John McGee

Thank You from Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay and Swale Foodbank

Thank you, Upchurch - we are going to need a bigger car! 

Your generosity is amazing ♥️

I will be making one more collection for Swale Foodbank before Christmas in the bus stop lay-by opposite the Church on Wednesday the 16th of December between 10:30am and 11:30am.

I will also be collecting toys for The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal at the same location between 10:30am and 11:30am on Wednesday the 2nd and Saturday the 5th of December - more details here >> https://bit.ly/2J3Uf4A

Bless you, all.

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Swale Foodbank - Hampers Of Hope

Swale Foodbank is excited to launch their Christmas campaign which they are calling ‘Hampers Of Hope’

If you have been following Swale Foodbank for a while then you will know they run a Christmas campaign each year.

This year, like everything else, it will be a little different - but they are determined to still ensure as many people receive a hamper as possible.

However, there will be some differences to previous years:

Firstly, they will be accepting hampers throughout the whole month of December and will be delivering them throughout December too. This will ensure their volunteers can socially distance and still get the hampers to where they need to be.

Secondly, they are not asking for any restock hampers this year - if you would like to help them restock their shelves this Christmas, please leave all donations at their existing donation points in Asda and Sainsburys.

Thirdly, they need everyone to Email them to let them know you are making a hamper (or more than one!) so that they can offer you a drop off timeslot.

Please Email them at: info@swale.foodbank.org.uk with ‘Hampers Of Hope’ in the subject heading and giving your name and how many hampers you will be making.

Hamper Top tips

Do decorate your box - even the most boring looking box can look wonderful with a bit of wrapping paper, tinsel, tissue paper or ribbon!

Don't include any alcohol. They do not give alcohol out and will have to remove it before the hamper goes out for delivery.

Do include at least 20 Christmassy food items: candy canes, chocolate coins, boxes of biscuits, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, pickled onions, trifle packs, selection boxes etc.

Don't include any fresh items that won’t last at least a week in a non-refrigerated environment. They cannot accept these.

Do feel free to include any small non-food items as well eg brand new hat/scarf/gloves, Christmassy stickers, small toys etc.

Don't forget to Email them on: info@swale.foodbank.org.uk to let them know you are making a hamper.

Do have fun making your hamper! The saying ‘It is better to give than receive’ is actually true!

Thank you

Swale Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust.

Find out more about the valuable work they do at: https://swale.foodbank.org.uk

William Little

Win a Christmas Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op - Raising Money for MIND

Upchurch’s Co-op is fundraising again for their chosen charity partner this year, MIND - the mental health and support charity.

Win a Christmas Hamper

Enter in store for £1 per raffle strip.

Please ask a member of staff at the till to enter.

The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve.

Good luck 🤞🏼

Read more about MIND at: www.mind.org.uk

Thank you 

Sally - Upchurch’s Co-op

The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

Give a gift and light up a life!

The Salvation Army believes every child deserves a new gift at Christmas (so they are unable to take used or second-hand items) and ask for donations with the following guidance:-

• 0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes, puzzles.

• 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, DVDs and CDs (music and nursery rhymes), colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles.

• 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family-friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords.

• 9-12: games and toys, stationery, DVDs, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats.
• 13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers.

Over the years, millions of children and young people have benefited from gifts donated to The Salvation Army.

Collection will take place at the layby next to the bus stop in Horsham Lane, Upchurch between 10:30am and 11:30am on Wednesday the 2nd and Friday the 4th of December.

By giving a gift to the Christmas Present Appeal you can make a real difference in someone’s life this Christmas.

Read more about the Christmas Present Appeal at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal

William Little

Swale Borough Council Emergency COVID-19 Partner Meeting

Councillor Roger Truelove.

An emergency meeting has taken place to help tackle the number of cases of coronavirus in Swale.

The meeting was called by Swale Borough Council in response to the recent rise in the number of cases in the borough, and included representatives from partner agencies such as Kent County Council, Kent Police, HM Prison Service and Public Health England.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“This was a valuable meeting where we were able to bring together a wide range of interested parties to discuss where we are and how we are going to improve the situation.

“We received the very latest figures from our public health colleagues, and these showed that whilst we do seem to be starting to see a fall in cases locally, they are clearly still too high.

“There are also worrying signs that the infection is growing among the over-60’s who are more vulnerable to this virus, and we are sadly starting to see the number of deaths increase.

“We also heard that Swale has the second highest level of testing in the county, which shows that the work we’ve been doing to encourage people with symptoms to get tested is getting through, and it will ultimately make a difference.

“We also had confirmation that only 12 per cent of cases in the last couple of weeks are related to care homes and prison settings, and that this isn’t a problem that is just on the Isle of Sheppey, but elsewhere across the borough.

“The overwhelming majority of cases are through community transmission. It’s spreading in residential settings, and through social activity and it only takes a small number of people to create the clusters of cases that are driving up our figures.

“This is why we needed to call the meeting, so we could be sure where we need to concentrate our resources to get the cases under control again.

“We will be getting in touch with local supermarkets to ask for them to be as vigilant as possible, and we will be carrying out work to make sure everyone involved understands the reasons why people might not feel able to follow the rules.

“Parents seen in supermarkets with children who should be isolating may not have any other childcare and can’t afford the minimum spend for a home delivery. People may be unwilling to get a test as they can’t afford to have time off work. These are issues we need to be able to identify so the relevant agencies can step in with the right support.

“Everyone is committed to making sure people understand the seriousness of the situation to people, and if we don’t follow the rules in place, we face a winter of further restrictions.”

The meeting was attended by officers from Kent County Council, Public Health England, Kent Police, HM Prison Service, the NHS, The Federation of Small Businesses, The Department for Work and Pensions, Optivo and Swale CVS.

Swale Borough Council