Upchurch Village Christmas Tree 2020

Upchurch Parish Councillors, Tyrone Ripley, Neil Sheppard, Gary Rosewell and John Arnold all helped to put up the village Christmas tree today.

The message 'SANTA STOP HERE' has been added to the village sign this year to go with the sleigh and reindeer lights.

This year's lovely village tree was very kindly donated by Bob Friend and his family again.

Thank you, Bob 🎄🎅🏼 😀 👍🏼

Upchurch Matters

Knitting Group Christmas Characters Decorate the Village Again This Christmas

Click the photo montage to enlarge.

For the fourth consecutive year, the ladies of the Kitting Group, along with their partners have very kindly decorated the railings at St. Mary's Church and outside Nursery Days as well as the Bus Shelter in Horsham Lane and the Post Box at Upchurch Post Office.

They have really brightened up the centre of the village again this year!

Thank you 😀 👍🏼

Upchurch Matters

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