Kent Moves Into Tier 4: Stay At Home

Click poster to enlarge.

Following the earlier announcement from the Government, the whole of Kent will be entering the new Tier 4: Stay At Home from Sunday the 20th of December.

Government guidance has been published at: www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

Upchurch Matters

Cancellation of Christmas Services at St Mary's, Upchurch

Updated Saturday 19th December 2020

Sunday 20th December 

Share the Light Experience - CANCELLED

Christmas Eve

Outdoor Carol Service - CANCELLED

All Midnight Services - CANCELLED

Christmas Day

Communion Service - CANCELLED

Reverend Julian Staniforth has taken the decision (with great sadness) to cancel all church services, including the Share the Light Experience event tomorrow. 

This decision was taken after the Prime Minister's announcement this afternoon that the whole of Kent is to be placed into Tier 4.

There will be online services which can be accessed via The Six website at: www.thesix.org.uk

Thank you

Gill Gay

Follow The Six Christmas Nativity Trail Around Upchurch

Each village within The Six Benefice will be hosting a Christmas Nativity Trail this year.

The trails are for everyone to join in with but especially for families as an activity to take part in together during the days leading up to Christmas.

Explore the nativity story in Upchurch from the 14th of December through the different displays specially put together in the roads identified on the map.

Keep your eyes peeled because they may not always be as obvious as you may think. There are guided prayers to use at each place when you find it and each trail ends with a crib scene and a blessing prayer.

Download the Upchurch Nativity Trail map at the link here >> http://bit.ly/3av2F0J and enjoy discovering the different images around the village together!

And click here >> https://bit.ly/34qGsgt to watch the video 'Encounter for Christmas' on The Six YouTube Channel.

Visit The Six website at >> www.thesix.org.uk

Upchurch Matters

Thank You from Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay and Swale Foodbank

Thank you ❤️ Thank you ❤️

Another very full car!

The photo only shows our boot but the whole of our car is full with the seats flattened.

Your generosity has again been amazing.

The words Jesus spoke to his disciples seem very appropriate:

"I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink".

And the disciples responded:

"Lord when did we ever see you hungry and not feed you or thirsty and not give you something to drink?"

Jesus replied:

"When you give food or drink to anyone of my children, you are giving it to me"

We will continue our foodbank collections in January when we will be back in the bus stop lay-by opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 13th of January between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Hoping your Christmas is joyful.

Bless you, all and keep safe. 

Gill and Ron

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Appeal Dismissed for Development of 41 Houses at Land off Jubilee Fields, Upchurch

The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed an appeal lodged by Gold Property Development Ltd against the decision of Swale Borough Council to refuse permission for outline planning application: 19/501773/OUT | For residential development of 41no. two, three and four-bedroom houses. (all matters reserved except for access) at land off Jubilee Fields, Upchurch, Kent ME9 7AQ.

The original planning application and inspectors appeal decision can be read at: http://bit.ly/2XBhll8

Upchurch Matters

Swale Borough Council Releases Winter Grant Scheme to Support Families Financially Impacted by Covid

People who have been financially impacted by the covid pandemic can now apply for a pre-packaged essential food box from Swale Borough Council to help feed their families.

The council’s winter grant scheme has been created to help support local families who have been financially impacted by covid and will help people who have received a reduction of income, loss of employment or other financial suffering due to the pandemic.

Nine different pre-packaged essential food boxes will be available to meet the various dietary, cultural and religious needs of local residents.

Each box will provide enough food for seven days and will be delivered within a maximum of two weeks of an application being accepted.

Bidfood and Diversity House will process and deliver the food boxes to residents’ doors.

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:

“The winter grant scheme is a new service that is in direct response to those who are suffering financial hardship because of the covid pandemic.

“This year has taken its toll on families in many ways and we want to help those who have been hit the hardest financially.

“We’ll be working with both Bidfood and Diversity House to deliver the food boxes to residents’ homes.

“Working with both organisations means we can provide a range of dietary requirements as well as cultural and religious specifications.

“If you’ve recently become unemployed because of the pandemic we encourage you to visit our website to see if you are eligible and make an application.

“Once your application is submitted, our community support team will carry out an assessment. If successful, the essential food box will be delivered to you within two weeks.

“We know this has been a difficult year for people and we’re doing everything we can to help support families experiencing financial hardship this winter.”

To be eligible for support you must:

• Have recently become unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Not already be receiving help from the Kent Support and Assistance Scheme.

• Not already be receiving benefits related free school meals.

• Not already be receiving support through all the available government benefits.

• Be experiencing current financial hardship, for example loss of income before benefits have been assessed.

• Be fleeing domestic abuse.

For more information and to apply for the winter grant scheme visit: www.swale.gov.uk/cwgs

Swale Borough Council