The Gore Farm Aircraft Incident of June 1912 by David Wood

Not many out of the ordinary incidents occur in quiet country villages like Upchurch but in June 1912 residents experienced a sensational event when a large mysterious aeroplane flying haphazardly and in flames above the village was spotted. The news spread quickly and curious residents rushed from their homes to view the spectacle.

The story, according to the 'East Kent Gazette' dated June 1912, concerned a French pilot named Mr Jules Nardini who was flying a monoplane from Dover to Hendon after completing a successful crossing of the English Channel from France. While passing over Upchurch the plane’s engine developed serious problems and Mr Nardini, without many options, was forced to crash land it in a wheat field at Gore Farm.

Famous aviator Jules Nardini about to take off from Whitfield Airfield

near Dover in May 1912.

Jules Nardini steeplechasing over crowds and aeroplanes at Hendon on

the Deperdussin monoplane.

After the plane looped down it landed heavily, the petrol tank was damaged and developed a serious leak. Mr Nardini, uninjured but shaken, climbed out to inspect the damage but as he did so a large crowd of Upchurch residents who had been watching the plane swarmed across the wheat field at Gore Farm to get a closer look. In the process of doing this, they trampled down a large area of wheat. In 1912 aircraft were not a common sight flying over the Kent countryside and this one probably had the same effect on the local population as a U.F.O would have today, especially as it had been encircling the village with visible serious problems.

Gore Farm owner Mr Crawford, who was not amused with what had happened, soon appeared on the scene. After inspecting the plane and his damaged wheat field, he invited Mr Nardini into his house to discuss the matter but in the process of doing this, somebody in the crowd dropped a cigarette or match on the ground. Petrol that had leaked from the plane on to the ground immediately ignited and the monoplane instantly went up in flames along with the surrounding wheat. The police were called to a chaotic scene and eventually drove the inquisitive but defiant crowd away while the blaze was tackled.

Eventually, the fire was extinguished and the monoplane survived but badly burnt and Mr Crawford estimated that about £50 worth of damage had been done to his wheat. In the evening he drove Mr Nardini to Chatham railway station from where the Frenchman was able to continue his journey to London. The damaged monoplane was then removed from Gore Farm and temporarily stored in the yard of 'The Key Inn' situated in Key Street.

In the meantime, Upchurch residents were able to gossip about the unexpected incident which appeared in both the national and local press.

David Wood

About David

David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.

David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.

Easter Sunday Garden at the Empty Tomb in St Mary’s Churchyard

Read more on the importance of the Empty Tomb

at: https://bit.ly/2Pe3WRp

The stone to the Empty Tomb created by Frank Osborne in the Churchyard at St Mary's, Upchurch has been rolled back to reveal the linen burial shroud in which Jesus was wrapped after crucifixion before he was placed into the tomb.

Potted plants have been left to create a glorious garden on Easter Sunday when Christians celebrate Jesus, their risen saviour.

From John's Gospel

“Mary ran to find Simon Peter. They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, she cried.

Then Simon Peter ran to the tomb, went inside the tomb and noticed the cloth laying there that Jesus had been wrapped in.”

Gill Gay

Upchurch Matters

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Covid-19 vaccines update

986,486 vaccine jabs have been given across Kent and Medway. Of these, 870,141 are first doses. This means 85% of the nine priority groups are now protected with a first dose.

First doses for 50+ and vulnerable groups

If you are eligible but not yet had a first dose, please do now call your GP to arrange an appointment for the next available clinic.

April first dose supplies

National supply constraints during April means limited appointments will be available for first dose vaccines at our large vaccination centres and pharmacies.

Services will be concentrating on second doses and outreach services until supplies increase.

Second doses

Supplies for second doses are not affected and appointments will be continuing across all services.

Second doses will be given by the same service that did your first dose.

For GP-led vaccination services, you should be contacted about second dose appointments no later than the Monday of the 11th week after your first dose.

If you have not heard by that point, please contact your GP to check.

There is more detail in our weekly vaccines update

Covid restrictions: what you can and cannot do

Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do have changed. You can now gather with either two households or up to six people outdoors, and outdoor sports facilities will also reopen for use.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you are no longer advised to shield. However, you should continue to follow the guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and take additional precautions to protect yourself.

Many restrictions remain in place.

You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have formed a support bubble with.

Where possible, you should continue to work from home and minimise the number of journeys you make.

Holidays abroad are not allowed.

You can read the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (roadmap)’ for more information on the roadmap out of lockdown in England.

Integrated Care System established

From 1st April 2021, the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership has been formally confirmed as an Integrated Care System.

Interim Chair, John Goulston, welcomed the move, saying:

“Together we can be more than the sum of our parts, and we will achieve more for the health and wellbeing of our population by maximising the integration of services.

“As a partnership, we have agreed a simple statement of our purpose: We will work together to make health and wellbeing better than any partner can do alone.”

Read more here

Help improve diabetes care in east Kent

People living with diabetes, their family and carers are being asked for their views on a major programme to enhance diabetes services. 

Led by diabetes specialists from the NHS and local councils in east Kent, the aim is to deliver more effective and accessible care, as well as prevent people from developing the disease through improved education.

Please find out more and complete a short survey online now until 23rd April.

Read the full bulletin at >> https://bit.ly/31O3X0V

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Gill Gay Will Be Collecting For Swale Foodbank Again

Hi everyone,

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

My husband Ron and I will be collecting again at the bus stop lay-by opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday the 7th of April 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 Foodbank is absolutely desperate for Long-life Milk. They are also short of Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned Fish, Tinned Meat Meals, and Hygiene Products for both men and women are always useful. 

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

Happy Easter

 Happy Easter 🌼🐣🥚🐇

 

To better days🤞🏼🍻🥂 

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷 

Upchurch Matters

Permission Granted for New Banqueting Hall at London Road, Upchurch

The former Medway Autos garage site on the A2 - London Road has

stood empty and remained largely unused for a number of years.

Swale Borough Council has granted permission for a new banqueting hall at London Road, Upchurch.

At a virtual Planning Committee meeting held on Thursday 1st April, councillors unanimously granted applicant Solid Rock Holdings Ltd change of use permission to convert the former Medway Autos showroom and workshop into Christine House.

Swale Borough Council recommended permission be granted subject to conditions having refused two previous applications for change of use. The application was referred to the committee because of objections made by Upchurch and Hartlip Parish Councils.

Proposal

The conversion proposes combining and converting the existing garage site with neighbouring semi-detached bungalows ‘Muriel and Christine’.

The intention is to change the use of the showroom and workshop to a banqueting hall, with food processing and distribution, including the creation of a mezzanine floor and alterations to fenestration. The main use of the building will be a mix of offices, food preparation/cooking and distribution and events management for weddings, receptions and parties of up to 300 guests. The business will be a mix of cooking food and sale as well as events management.

The uses will amount to: 

• Events hall for wedding, receptions or banqueting with a maximum 300 seat capacity.

• Local community use for meetings.

• Dedicated training centre for staff and food promotion training.

• Offices for sales/marketing/events and food promotion. 

• Commercial kitchen and food preparation for wholesale and catering sale/stock control. Preparation and sales of part and events related merchandise.

The eastern half of the building will be converted into the banqueting hall, with a movable partition to allow the space to be divided into 2 when required. A mezzanine floor will be formed above the toilet area to provide offices, a conference room and a bridal studio. The western half of the building is to be converted into a commercial kitchen and packaging area, event kitchen, office, and lounge area.

Prepacked frozen food will be delivered and food will be prepared on-site and provided for events only. It will not be available for the general public passing by, and the venue will need to be pre-booked for events and meetings.

The two residential bungalows ‘Muriel and Christine’ are to be converted into guest accommodation with 8 bedrooms, including a bridal suite. The rooms will be rented out to guests of events held at the banqueting suite and a wedding gazebo erected to the rear of bungalows.

It is proposed that the existing access and areas of vehicle hardstanding will be retained with 64 parking spaces, including 6 disabled spaces, taxi spaces and a coach space, plus additional cycle parking and storage for the main commercial building. A further 10 parking spaces, including 2 disabled spaces are to be provided for the guest accommodation.

The planning application, reference number: 20/503637/FULL including the report to the Planning Committee can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/31MjTAN

Upchurch Matters