Save Our Sea Wall iPetition to Help Protect Lower Halstow Brickfields

The Saxon Shore Way could be severed if

the solution is not found soon.

Resident Michael van der Straaten has started an iPetition on behalf of the Friends of Lower Halstow Brickfields to help save a small section of unprotected and eroding sea wall which forms part of the historic Saxon Shore Way used by walkers from all over the UK.

A survey in November 2020 revealed estuary defences could be breached within 1 to 2 years, endangering the Brickfields, which has become a much-loved village nature reserve.

The group dedicated to the maintenance and conservation of the Brickfields is concerned that if left in its current state, then vehicular access to other parts of the sea wall may no longer be possible for maintenance and repair by Southern Water and the Environment Agency. 

The new iPetition aims to raise awareness of the issue within the village and the wider community and the necessary funding to pay for either a temporary or more expensive permanent repair to protect Lower Halstow Brickfields.

Sign and support the 'Save Our Sea Wall' iPetition at >> www.ipetitions.com/petition/seawall

Upchurch Matters

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

Our car was heavy!

Thank you, and bless you all for coming and sharing your love and care.

You do it so cheerfully too. It is a real pleasure to chat and catch up. 

As usual, the Foodbank were amazed at your generosity. 

We will come and collect your generous donations again in June, but it will be a week later on Wednesday the 9th, due to the half-term holiday.

Keep well - Gill and Ron ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Get Together for Parents and Carers of Children with a Special Educational Need at Upchurch Village Hall

Laura and I will be hosting a free get together for parents and carers of children with a Special Educational Need. This can be anything from ASD, AdHd, Add, Dyslexia, Behavioural Needs, Anxiety and so many more.

Laura and I both have children on the ASD spectrum. Laura has a daughter who is 8 years old, and I have 18-year-old twin boys. Between us, we have a wealth of experience and knowledge we would love to share. I am also in education and work daily with children who have additional needs.

We would like to share our tips, strategies and ideas to help other parents and carers with education and home life balance. We all need to let off steam and talk to someone. So we believe this will be a great opportunity to voice concerns or suggest ideas.

Our children and young adults have a challenging journey ahead of them, and it is important that as parents and carers, we have the support we need to help us guide them along the way.

Please join us on Thursday 3rd June at 7:30pm in the Back Hall at Upchurch Village Hall.

For more information, and to confirm your attendance, please contact either:

Nikki: 07870 992216

Laura: 07834 270836

Upchurch Village Hall

The rear of the Crown Public House

The Street

Upchurch

Kent

ME9 7EU

Safe social distancing measures will be in place.

Thank you

Nikki Hansford

Part-time Gardener Vacancy at The BarnYard

The BarnYard, Upchurch is looking for a part-time gardener to help look after their stunning grounds.

The ideal candidate would be local with a keen interest in gardening, maybe with a horticultural background and OK to work a couple of hours a week or maybe more during the summer months.

Duties include keeping our raised flower beds and borders neat and tidy and weed-free.

Lawn and hedge maintenance or heavier duties are not required as we have a groundsman who does this.

If you are interested, please contact Jo or Dave ideally by Email at: office@the-barnyard.com

Thank you

The BarnYard

Oak Lane, Upchurch

Applications Now Open for the Co-op Local Community Fund

Co-op membership - supporting local causes

The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects across the UK that its members care about, helping communities come together, co-operate and make a difference.

Thanks to its members, the fund delivered an impressive £15,013,187 to over 4,500 local causes in 2020.

Apply to be a local cause

Groups that need funding for a particular project must apply by midnight on 30th May 2021.

The Co-op will let you know if you're successful by October 2021.

If you are successful, you will be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months from 24th October 2021 to 22nd October 2022.

You will receive your share of the funding in 2 payments - one in April 2022 and one in November 2022.

For information and to how to apply to be a local cause, visit: causes.coop.co.uk

How the Local Community Fund works

For every £1 Co-op members spend on selected Co-op products and services, 2p goes into your membership account and the Co-op gives the same amount to support community organisations and local causes.

When you become a Co-op member, you can choose a local cause to support through your membership. You can change the local cause at any time by logging into your membership account.

If you do not select a cause to support, the Co-op shares the funds you raised equally between the 3 local causes in your community.

The Co-op gives you a new set of causes to choose from every October.

Be a member - make a difference in your community

To get involved, join the Co-op as a member for £1 and earn rewards for you and your community.

To earn and spend your rewards, remember to show your membership card or the Co-op app every time you pay.

Become a Co-op member and choose a local cause at: coop.co.uk/membership

Upchurch Matters

UPDATED: Local Elections | May 2021

The Government delayed some local elections last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. They will now take place on Thursday 6th May.

Residents living in Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch and Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow wards, who are eligible can vote in 2 elections, both administered by Swale Borough Council.

Voters will choose who represents them at Kent County Council, and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.

1. To choose a Kent County Councillor to represent Swale West

Kent County Councillors represent their local area and residents at County Hall and contribute to the development of KCC policies for public services such as education, transport, highways, strategic planning, emergency services, social services, health, public safety, waste disposal as well as policies for the Kent economy and environment.

For more information, visit the Kent County Council website

The candidates are:

2. To choose the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled across the county. PCCs help control police budgets and hold the force's chief constable to account for the performance of officers and staff. They ensure your local police force are prioritising what matters to you.

In this election, you can vote for a first and second preference of who you want to win. 

For more information, visit the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner website

The candidates are:

Voting

You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections or referendums.

The deadline to register to vote in the elections taking place on Thursday 6th May was midnight on Monday 19th April.

If you are not already registered to vote, it is now too late to register to vote in these elections.

Polling Stations will be open between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm on Thursday 6th May 2021. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote.

A recent postcard mailing sent out to households from Swale Borough Council included advice about safe voting during the pandemic and encouraged anyone concerned to register for a postal or proxy vote.

For information and how to register to vote in future elections, visit www.swale.gov.uk/elections

Whichever way you vote, make your vote count on Thursday 6th May!

Upchurch Matters