Swale Borough Council - Kent Moves Into Tier 3 - Very High from 2nd December

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The Government has announced that Swale, along with the rest of Kent and Medway, will be placed into Tier 3 - Very High, from Wednesday 2nd December.

Whilst falling, the number of cases in Swale remain among the highest in the country, and people are being urged to make sure they understand and stick to the new rules when they come in.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“With the number of cases we are seeing, we can’t be surprise to be placed in this highest tier, and it is now up to all of us to do all we can to get out of it.

"Our abiding priority has to be the health and safety of our residents, and that includes those with the covid infection but also others who might be at risk if our hospital are overcrowded.

“We need to make sure that when the national restrictions end on 2nd December we all know what we should be doing, and we do it.

“If we don’t, we will be stuck with the toughest restrictions for longer. More people will become ill, or much worse.

“The NHS is already under increasing pressure, and we need to try to make sure we don’t see other treatments being delayed or cancelled.

“Local businesses are also struggling, and jobs are at risk, so we absolutely must do everything we can to get the figures back under control.

“I am glad to see that the Government has promised to roll out mass testing for areas in tier 3 to help.

“As we have seen in Liverpool, this can make a massive difference to stopping the spread of this virus, so I look forward to hearing from them about when this will be rolled out locally.”

Swale Borough Counci

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