December News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

Well, the year is drawing to a close and I am settled down nicely beside the fire mugging up on vegetable seeds and looking at what to buy for next year. We had the first good frost on Nov 20th so I will start to lift the parsnips and get them into the casseroles. In a surge of “Dig for Victory” euphoria back in March I planted them in the flower borders as well as the vegetable patch. The problem is the tops die down in the winter so I need to find them before it’s too late! The weather has been mild so far, so I do venture out to do a bit of tidying but winter gardening is for the weather beaten.

There are vegetable and flower seeds that can be sowed in a greenhouse to get off to a flying start in the spring, but gardening should be a leisurely pursuit not a Le Mans style mad dash. I still haven’t forgotten getting hit by a late frost in April this year and losing most of the vegetable seedlings. I am going to go with the seasons and not try to get ahead of them.

Aquadulce Claudia Broad Beans can be planted this time of year, but I will go for Exhibition Longpod in March which provides a bumper crop in August. The Cobra Climbing Beans and Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans are on the list and will go in the sunniest spot next year. Swift Sweetcorn is another must with a wonderful flavour. Gladiator is the parsnip of choice and Badger Cross for Marrows. Personally, I am looking for girth in a Marrow so it can be cut into stacks, the seeds hollowed out and then stuffed with mince and onions, bolognese, curry or chilli. A new discovery is chorizo, bacon and tomato which works well with stuffed marrow and is also great with fish. Rocket for early Potatoes which lives up to its name and Picasso for maincrop which is the best mash known to man. That leaves Leeks which I will think about for a while… this year’s were a flop! I would love to do more but can’t squeeze any more into the patch. All the berry fruits can be planted as bare roots this month as well as Raspberry canes and Strawberries.

It’s amazing how many jobs you can think up while sitting by the fire. Personally, I enjoy the break which combined with Lockdown enables me to recuperate and recharge before March comes round and it starts all over again. That’s the seed order nearly completed, next on the list is the wine order. I have discovered a curious little white wine called Alborino which has Sulphites added and makes a lovely long drink when spritzered with soda water plus the Veltliner which is halfway between a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio and a good party wine... but will there be a party? Come on Boris don’t be a pooper otherwise we will all be raking up leaves this Xmas.

Whatever happens, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and if the worst comes to the worst we can all have a party on Zoom.

We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner - 2020 Annual Policing Survey

Matthew Scott.

Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has launched his 2020 Annual Policing Survey.

The survey is run every year and gives residents the opportunity to have their say on what Kent Police’s priorities should be, how safe they feel and on other matters, such as finances.

The results are used to shape the priorities in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, which he holds the Chief Constable to account for delivering.

Matthew said:

“PCCs are elected to fight crime, be a voice for residents and speak up for victims. The Annual Policing Survey is important because it leads to meaningful change. Burglary fell 13% last year and knife crime by a quarter - because more officers and staff were put into these areas. And new PCSO taskforces, which will prevent crime and antisocial behaviour, will start soon.”

The survey asks about the deployment of extra police officers, with Kent gaining a share of the Government’s 20,000 uplift.” 

Matthew added:

“Thanks to the work I have done with Kent Police since 2016, there are more officers now than ever before, and with Government funding, the number will grow even further. There is no doubt that this increase in officers and staff is Making Kent Safer.” 

The survey runs from 1st December until 5th January at >> www.makingkentsafer.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Children's Christmas Present Hunt

Hi all, 

As this year has been rubbish for us all, we have decided to spread a little Christmas spirit!

We have been wrapping small Christmas presents to hang around the village, it’s not a lot but we hope it brings a smile to a few children’s faces.

Presents will be hidden from 10:00am on Saturday the 19th of December at 2 main places, the Rec and the Paddock and around the circuit of the village. We will also be hiding pictures of Santa’s 9 reindeers for your children to look out for.

This is a community gesture and something to look forward to in Upchurch over the next couple of weeks.

Our only ask is that you take just one wrapped present per child so everyone can participate and with Santa helping he is asking if you can leave an extra mince pie or carrot just for him on Christmas Eve.

All presents will be wrapped with COVID regulations in mind.

We ask for no payment but to take photos of when you found your present and share them using the hashtag #upchurchxmas

If your child is in isolation or for any reason and can’t leave their house, please message me with your address and we will organise a present to your door.

Thank you

Have fun x

#upchurchxmas

Ella

Messenger: https://bit.ly/3o8VIpo

Changes to Swale Borough Council Christmas and New Year Recycling and Refuse Collection Dates

Check your collection dates at: www.swale.gov.uk/my-collection-day

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Parish Council - December 2020 Monthly Meeting Agenda

Upchurch Parish Council will be holding the above meeting via Zoom on Thursday 3rd December 2020 at 7:30pm.

Virtual meetings are open to members of the public.

Anyone wishing to join should contact the Clerk for the login details, they will also be allowed to raise questions or comments to Councillors during public time.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Flu vaccines for children 

Doctors in Kent and Medway are urging parents and guardians to make sure their children have a flu vaccine.

This year, two and three year olds, all primary school children, and children in school year 7 will be offered the flu vaccination on the NHS.

For most children the vaccine is a quick and easy spray up the nose, which is quick, painless and simple.

Dr Navin Kumta, Clinical Chair for NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, said: 

“It is important that parents make sure children are protected as they can easily spread the illness among their friends and family. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness. This can last several days or more."

Find out more

Have your say on improving dementia services

Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with its partners and people living with dementia and their carers to develop a proposal for a new model of dementia care.

We are seeking the views of:

• People living with dementia and their carers so the proposal will be informed by the lived experience of people with dementia.

• Families and carers so we can better understand what the effect can be on their physical and mental health.

• NHS and social care staff, domiciliary carers, care home staff and voluntary organisations to understand how our health care system is working, and to help identify any gaps and improvements.

• The public about how to improve the quality of care provided for people living with dementia.

Find more information and how to give your views

If you have any ideas about how we could gather views, or any other questions about this project, please Email kmccg.engage@nhs.net

Share your cancer treatment experience

NHS England and NHS Improvement are funding research to understand how patients with cancer feel about the care and treatment they receive.

Picker, an independent healthcare research charity based in Oxford carrying out this research, is looking for people aged 16 or older, who had a cancer diagnosis and treatment from the NHS for cancer in the past six months, to take part in a phone or online interview.

If you are interested, find out more on Picker’s website, Email them or phone: 0800 1975 273.

It's good to talk...

This month sees the launch of a new NHS campaign encouraging anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or other issues to come forward for assessment and treatment.

NHS talking therapies, also known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), is a confidential service run by fully trained experts. People can access the service by contacting their GP or refer themselves online.

Claire Murdoch, NHS National Director for Mental Health, said:

“Whether you are a new mum, an older person or struggling with work, please speak to your GP or self-refer online so we can get you the mental health support you need."

To find out more about talking therapies, visit the NHS website: nhs.uk/talk

Read the full bulletin at: https://bit.ly/37v5cF5

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group