Centenary of The Royal British Legion

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY THIS YEAR

Formed in 1921 to provide welfare to soldiers returning from the First World War, the Royal British Legion is today the UK's leading military charity. In May 2021 the Legion celebrates its centenary. We Are the Legion is the first book to look at the whole hundred years, telling the extraordinary story of support to servicemen and women in the UK and around the world - from finding jobs and housing to healing the injuries and trauma of conflict.

In recent years the Legion has quietly transformed itself from an organisation of old soldiers to a modern media-savvy charity leading the country in remembrance but also lobbying the government on pensions and researching state-of-the-art rehabilitation while working alongside other leading charities on welfare provision.

We Are the Legion covers every aspect of the Legion's work: the history of the poppy, the Legion's international links, its role in fostering peace between countries and its latest work on rehabilitation and support. But the book also pulls together lesser-known aspects of the Legion's history, whether of the villages set aside for rehabilitation or the misguided trip to Germany in the 1930s as an attempt to foster friendship between nations.

Richly illustrated with over 350 images, including an extraordinary collection of early poppy designs, Legion posters and unseen archive shots, the book also includes original photography specially commissioned for the project.

We Are the Legion - Julie Summers.

We Are the Legion is available for pre-order on Amazon. The book, richly illustrated with more than 350 images, looks at the Legion’s 100 years, telling the extraordinary story of support to servicemen and women in the UK and abroad while covering every aspect of the Legion's work. The edition is offered at £16.71 reduced from £18.99 and pre-orders will be shipped on the publication date of 6th May.

The text above is copied from my RBL membership newsletter.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Hon. Ald. Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser 

Telephone: 01634 366113 - 07946 996789

Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

Knitting Group Decorate the Centre of Upchurch Village for Mothers's Day

Click the photo montage to enlarge.

The ladies of the Knitting Group, along with their partners have surprised everyone by decorating the railings at St. Mary's Church, the bus shelter in Horsham Lane and the post box and railings at Upchurch Post Office in a wonderful Easter theme of lovely Spring Daffodils and brightly coloured flowers for Mother's Day.

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

Thank you, ladies 👍🏼😀🐣🐇🌷🌼🌹

Upchurch Matters

125 Years of The Strand - What are Your Favourite Memories?

Strongman Geoff Capes astride the popular Miniature Railway at The Strand.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of The Strand since it first opened in June 1896.

The hugely popular Gillingham leisure park has brought joy to generations of families over the years. To celebrate, Medway Sport would like to hear your favourite memories of The Strand from years gone by and see your family photos which showcase the history of this iconic Medway attraction.

Your best memories and photos will be used as part of an exhibition to celebrate this very special anniversary - the details of the exhibition will be announced in April.

Perhaps you can remember your first visit to The Strand? or maybe a memorable summer's day at the Lido?… perhaps you shot an unbelievable hole in one on the Crazy Golf Course… or you had a lovely family picnic which you look back on fondly.

What’s your favourite memory?

Why do you love The Strand?

Help create a celebration of memories that will live on forever!

You can take part by sending:

• Your favourite memory

• Pictures of The Strand from your family archives

Send your Strand 125 entry along with a picture (if you have one) to: medwaysport@medway.gov.uk by midnight on Sunday 21th March.

#TheStrand125

Upchurch Matters

Temporary Road Closure - Breach Lane, Upchurch

Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Breach Lane, Upchurch from Wednesday 31st March 2021 at 22:00, with estimated completion by 1st April 2021 at 06:00.

The road will be closed in the general vicinity of the rail bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Breach Lane, The Street, Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while bridge maintenance works and other associated works are undertaken by Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.

For information regarding this closure please contact Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd on: 03457 11 41 41, who will be able to assist with the scope of the works.

Kent County Council 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - January 2021

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.

38 crimes are shown on the map in January 2021 including:

8 Anti-social Behaviour
5 Criminal Damage and Arson

1 Drugs

3 Other Theft
1 Possession of Weapons
3 Public Order

1 Shoplifting

1 Vehicle Crime

15 Violence and Sexual Offences
1 Other Crime

33 crimes were shown on the map in December 2020.

Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.

Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Lower Halstow and Iwade

A brief summary of crime information for the past 2 months.

33 crimes are shown on the map in January 2021 including:

9 Anti-social Behaviour

4 Criminal Damage and Arson

1 Other Theft

16 Violence and Sexual Offences

3 Other Crime

24 crimes were shown on the map in December 2020.

Not all crime that occurs is shown on the map.

Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Parish Council Report - March 2021

Report of the Parish Council March 2021

Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny,

Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.

Planning

i. Ref: 21/500004/FULL

Address: 15 Horsham Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AN

Proposal: Demolition of existing conservatory. Erection of a front, side and rear extension together with a new first floor and roof. Alterations to the existing front boundary wall and driveway and the erection of a detached double garage.

The application has been withdrawn by the applicant.

ii. PINS reference: APP/V2255/W/20/3261730

Ref: 20/501448/OUT

Address: Land At Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 7no. residential dwellings (all matters reserved except for access).

It was agreed by three votes to two, to submit previous comments to the Planning Inspector.

iii. Ref: 21/500582/PNQCLA

Address: Rickham Fields Farm Boxted Lane Newington Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7BY

Proposal: Prior notification for the change of use of agricultural buildings to create 2no. dwellings and associated operation development. For it's prior approval to: - Transport and Highways impacts of the development - Noise impacts of the development - Contamination risks on the site - Flooding risks on the site - Whether the location or siting of the building makes it otherwise impractical or undesirable for the use of the building to change from agricultural use to C3 (dwelling houses) - Design and external appearance impacts on the building, and - Provision of adequate natural light in all habitable rooms of the dwelling houses.

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal.

Local Plan Review (Reg 19)

The consultation deadline has been extended to 30th April.

Burial Ground and Churchyard

The overgrown bushes in the Burial Ground have been cut back. Planting to replace the laurel bushes behind the Village Hall is being considered.

Defibrillator

The defibrillator cabinet outside Snaffles has been flashing red due to temperature changes and the maintenance code has been used to reset the cabinet. The defibrillator works even if the box is flashing.

Residents are reminded that in an emergency, they need to call 999 to obtain the code for the cabinet.

This is a precis of Council business; full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.

Date of next meetings:

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 17^th March at 7:30pm 

Full Council - Thursday 1^st April 2021 at 7:30pm

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 14^th April at 7:30pm

The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) Regulations 2020 now gives Local Councils the power to meet remotely during this COVID-19 pandemic and Upchurch Parish Council is now holding meetings virtually.

Please check the website for details of the meetings.

All residents are welcome to view the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.

Please contact the Clerk, clerkupc@outlook.com to obtain login details for the meeting.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01622 739324
Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk