Small Business Saturday

Saturday 5th December is #SmallBizSatUK 

Businesses have struggled through a turbulent 2020 and many are still not allowed to fully reopen to the public now Kent has been placed into tier 3 of the government's current Coronavirus restrictions.

So there has never been a better time to #ShopLocal than RIGHT NOW!

We have 43 small and local businesses advertising on our website at: www.upchurchmatters.co.uk/classified-advertisements.html

Upchurch Matters - Proudly promoting and supporting trusted local traders by encouraging people to ‘Try them First’

Upchurch Matters

Swale Borough Council - Payments for Those on a Low Income who Have to Self-isolate

You may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment if you are receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit and you:

• Are employed or self-employed.

• Have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

• Are on a low income, you can’t work from home and you will lose income as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Swale Borough Council could pay you £500 for the 10 days you self-isolate.

Please visit: https://swale.gov.uk/news-and-your-council/coronavirus/payments-for-those-on-a-low-income-who-have-to-self-isolate for more information and to make a claim.

You're not eligible if you:

• Are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless you test positive during the 14-day quarantine period).

• Continue to receive full wages or you can work from home while you self-isolate.

• Started your self-isolation period before 28th September 2020.

• Have not received a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate.

• Are applying more than 14 days after the end of your self-isolation period.

If you do not meet the main qualifying criteria for a Test and Trace Support Payment but are experiencing exceptional hardship, please contact Swale Borough Council by Email at: selfisolation@swale.gov.uk

Councillor Richard Palmer

Ward member for Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch
Cabinet Member for Communities

Public Consultation on Proposed Highway Improvements at A249 Key Street and Grovehurst Road Junctions

A249 Key Street and Grovehurst Road Junctions

A public consultation on proposed highway improvements at the A249 Key Street and Grovehurst Road Junctions is now open.

The consultation runs from Wednesday 2nd December 2020 until Tuesday 26th January 2021.

A consultation booklet is downloadable from the consultation website accessed via the following link: www.kent.gov.uk/A249swalejunctionimprovements

Comments regarding the proposals can be provided through the ‘Have you Say’ section within the Virtual Consultation Hall.

If you have any questions for the project team or require any of the consultation material printed, please Email a249swalejunctionimprovements@kent.gov.uk or leave a message on 03000 421437.

Upchurch Matters

Please Clean Up After Your Dog

The age-old nuisance of dog fouling around Chaffes and Oak Lane has been raised again in messages from residents angry after seeing irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their pets.

The Parish Council has placed litter & dog waste bins as well as TiksPac dispensers at the Recreation Ground and near the Paddock in Chaffes Lane and there are bins at other locations around the village where owners can dispose of bagged dog waste.

There really is no excuse for not cleaning up after your dog.

It is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place and Swale Borough Council has the power to fine dog owners who do not clean up after their dog.

You can report dog fouling to Swale Borough Council at: https://bit.ly/2VA0csW

Allowing your dog to mess in a public place and not clean it up is completely antisocial and unacceptable to all residents!

Upchurch Matters

Urgent Call for Volunteers to Help at Medway's COVID Test Centres

Click posters to enlarge.

Could you be a #MedwayHero and help your local community?

Medway Council is looking for volunteers to help at Medway's COVID Test Centres.

To volunteer, please Email volunteer coordinator George Kilaiditis: ats@medway.gov.uk

Thank you

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal - Thank You

Santa's been

What a fantastic response!

Yet again you have filled my boot with love ❤️

Thank you and God bless you.

If anyone still has gifts they would like to bring along for the Salvation Army, I will be back at the layby next to the bus stop in Horsham Lane, Upchurch between 10:30am and 11:30am on Friday the 4th of December.

This date has changed from Saturday because we have to get everything to the Salvation Army for Saturday morning.

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.

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

Thank you again

Gillian Gay