Swale Borough Council Leader Statement on Covid-19 Cases

 Councillor Roger Truelove.

In response to the number of cases in the borough, leader of the council, Cllr Roger Truelove, said:

“It is very disappointing to see that Swale is again being reported as having the highest infection rate in the country, an unwanted position that Swale and Medway appear to alternate around daily.

“We have seen fluctuations up and down over recent weeks and whilst we have not returned to the position of 648/100K that we had a few weeks ago, it is still of great concern.

“There have been very significant rises elsewhere in Kent and the decision to put the whole of Kent into Tier 3, because of the county-wide impact on the NHS, has now proven to be sound.

“Whilst not unique to Swale, and without wanting to condemn anyone which can be unhelpful, we do still have problems with compliance in our community.

“People are worried about the loss of income if they have Covid-19, so can be reluctant to get a test. Some are finding it difficult to maintain social distancing in their workplaces. People are also tired of seeing others’ non-compliance and unwillingness to abide by rules, and fatigue around how long this has gone on means not everyone is observing the rules about not mixing households in their own home.

“The situation facing the NHS over the next few months is going to be very critical - and could impact on other, non-Covid services in the busy winter period.

“To prevent this, we need to have greater willingness to comply with the public health guidance, not just in Swale, but across Kent.”

Swale Borough Council

Gill Gay Will Be Collecting For Swale Foodbank Again

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank you all for the wonderful support we have received on behalf of Swale Foodbank so far.

My husband Ron and I will be collecting again in the bus stop lay-by opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday 16th December between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Please come along with your donations (in carrier bags would be helpful) and put them into our open car boot while we remain at a safe distance.

We will then deliver your donations to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

The items they are most in need of are:

PRIORITY ITEMS - FOOD

Tinned Potatoes

Instant Mash

Tinned Carrots

Tinned Meats

Jam

Tinned Fruit

Coffee

PRIORITY ITEMS - NON-FOOD

Cat Food

Toilet Rolls

Nappies sizes 3, 4 and 6

Wet Wipes

NEEDED FOOD ITEMS

Cereals

Jar Sauces

Tinned Fish

Pot Noodles

Rice Pudding

Custard

Biscuits

Crisps

Squash

NEEDED NON-FOOD ITEMS

Hand-wash

Toothpaste

Laundry Detergent

Shaving Gel/foam

Mens Deodorant

Kitchen/Bathroom Cleaners

Thanks so much for every single donation we receive - we are deeply grateful!

Thank you

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Roy Pullen 1950 - 2020

Roy Pullen.

I would like to advise on behalf of Mark Pullen and his brother Simon (deceased), sons of Roy Pullen of Drakes Close, Upchurch of Roys sad passing.

Mark 48 is devastated by the loss of his father.

Roy will be cremated at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane on Thursday the 10th of December 2020.

He is currently resting at John Weir Funeral Directors, Rainham.

Rest in peace Dad, you will be flying with Simon soon.

Roy has a son Stephen from his second marriage.

Thank you

Wendy Botting

FREE Christmas Parking Dates in Medway Council Run Public Car Parks

🅿️ Medway Council has announced FREE Christmas parking dates in Medway Council run public car parks from Thursday 17th December to Sunday 20th December 2020 inclusive.

🚙🚙🚗🚗🚙🚙🚗🚗🚙🚙🚗🚗

More info at: www.medway.gov.uk/parking

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Poppy Appeal 2020 - Amount Raised and Thank You

Covid-19 has affected fund-raising in the charitable sector this year.

The Royal British Legion’s response early on was to “stand down” its house-to-house collections during Remembrance-tide in 2020 across the nation as this activity involved a high level of contact. This was a significant change to the traditional method of distributing poppies in Upchurch.

Nevertheless, the amount raised was £1,934 from those listed below and donations received by me. I am conscious that many in the village donated electronically - I have no way of telling by how much those amounts would have increased the village total. I am convinced that if we knew that amount, the final total would have demonstrated the generosity of the village in this difficult time. My Royal British Legion thanks to all who donated.

My thanks are also owed to Holywell School, The Crown PH, The Brown Jug PH, The BarnYard Restaurant, Snaffles, the Golf Club bar and shop, the Co-op, Cost cutters Newsagents and the Church who once again made poppies available in the village.

Your local collectors in Upchurch look forward to returning to duty in 2021.

I am able still to supply Poppy Appeal items e.g. 2020 poppy pins, VE75 pins, car poppies etc.

Next year The Royal British Legion will celebrate its 100th anniversary. 

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Ald. Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Delays to Swale Borough Council Waste and Recycling Collections

There may be delays to waste and recycling collections this week as more members of staff have had to self-isolate to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

We have proactive plans in place for this type of occasion and additional staff are being brought in to help, but there may still be an impact on collections and street cleansing.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“Our contractors have clear processes in place to keep their staff safe, and if a crew member tests positive, those who work closely with them have to self-isolate to make sure there is no risk of further infection.

“With the high number of cases across the borough, we all need to make sure we are doing all we can to stop the spread of the virus. In this case, that may unfortunately mean some disruption to our collections, for which we apologise.

“If your waste or recycling is not collected on the day you expected, please leave it out and we will get to it as soon as we can including where needed on weekends.”

For information on the council’s work during the pandemic, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus

Swale Borough Council