Have Your Say: Review of Bus Services to Upchurch and Lower Halstow

Operator Chalkwell Coach Hire is currently reviewing their provision of bus services to the villages of Upchurch and Lower Halstow between the hours of 0900 and 1400 and would welcome passenger feedback regarding their current timetable.

Primarily this is the window residents would use for medical appointments, shopping and other socially necessary functions.

Are buses at the right times for residents, and do they need to be earlier/later?

What are the preferred destinations?

What is the optimum length of time at each destination?

Do residents mainly want to go into town for an hour or so, or is 3 hours preferable?

Please Email your comments and suggestions to: coachhire@chalkwell.co.uk

Chalkwell hopes that by slightly amending their timetable, they can improve their current bus times for passengers. At the same time, they are not proposing to reduce bus services or change any journeys outside of what is highlighted in yellow on the current timetable below.

Click timetable to enlarge.

Website: www.chalkwell.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Welcome Back to Upchurch Brownies and Guides

Upchurch Brownies and Guides have been meeting on Zoom throughout the pandemic.

The exciting news is we are beginning to start face to face meetings again at Drakes Lodge Scout Hut.

Would your daughter like to join us?

Brownies 7-10 years old.

Guides 10-14 years old.

Contact us through our Facebook page at: Upchurch Brownies and Guides or use the link: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter

Thank you

Tracey Snellings - Tigger

Email: 1stupchurchguides@gmail.com

Election Result for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

Thursday 6th May 2021

Elections for Police and Crime Commissioners have now taken place.

Conservative Party Candidate Matthew Scott has been re-elected as the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). 

Mr Scott has been Kent PCC since 2016 and increased his share of the vote at this election, winning 56% of first-choice votes, avoiding the need for a second count. 

The following results were declared by the returning officer:

Matthew Richard Scott - The Conservative Party Candidate

Votes 237,278

 

Lola Oyewusi - Labour and Co-operative Party

Votes 103,807

Graham David Colley - Liberal Democrat

Votes 69,464

The turnout was 31.8%

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Scout Group Are Back!

All sections have returned to meeting face to face again at Drakes Lodge Scout Hut on the Recreation Ground, Oak Lane.

Beavers

Ages 6 - 8 years, meet on Mondays between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.

Beavers enjoy outdoor fun activities such as scooter games, parachute games, campfires, marshmallow cooking, craftwork, and so much more!

If your child is interested in joining, call or text Cassie: 07706 187395 or Sarah: 07518 363652 for more information.

Come and take a look

Cubs

Ages 8 - 10½ years, meet on Mondays between 7:00pm and 8:00pm.

If your child is interested in joining, call or text Kim: 07876 457780 for more information.

Come and take a look

Scouts

Ages 10½ - 14½ years, meet on Fridays between 7:30pm and 9:00pm.

So far this term, we have had a campfire with sausages, s'mores and toasted marshmallows, a co-ordinates Easter chocolate hunt, made bread outdoors, taskmaster problem-solving games, online quizzes, a hike, and this is just the start!

If your child is interested in joining, call or text Julia: 07712 043621 for more information.

Come and take a look

Our mission

Scouting actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

Come and begin your adventure!

Julia Richardson

Group Scout Leader - Upchurch Scout Croup

Vehicles Vandalised - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/77320/21

Between Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of May, three vehicles were vandalised while they were parked on a driveway in Wickham Close, Newington.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Medway Council - Mental Health Awareness Week

Medway Council is encouraging residents to explore the great outdoors this Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday, 10th May to Sunday, 16th May).

The council is supporting the national campaign which aims to encourage open conversations around mental health.

This year’s theme is connecting with nature as it has a number of health benefits.

There are lots of ways residents can enjoy the great outdoors. Medway is home to eight award-winning parks that have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the best in the United Kingdom and around the world.

Medway also has a number of cycling groups and plenty of routes to explore. Last year, Medway Council also created new cycle lanes, installed new cycle racks and widened 11 miles of well-used public footpaths, thanks to active travel funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Release the Pressure

There are a number of support services available for residents who need extra support. If you’re feeling distressed, anxious or down, you can call: 0800 107 0160, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to speak to highly trained support workers who will provide emotional guidance and information.

Residents are also able to contact a mental health text service. Texts are free on all major mobile networks - by texting the word “Medway” to 85258, you will start a conversation with a trained and experienced volunteer who can give support at any time, wherever you are. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

Kooth

Mental health support is also available for children and young people across Medway.

Kooth is an online service that offers mental health and wellbeing support for young people, provided by, XenZone.

Kooth enables Medway’s children and young people aged 11 to 25 to chat to counsellors through their instant messaging service using their online drop-in service or during a scheduled session. Young people can also read and contribute to articles concerned with mental health, join moderated forums and discussions enabling peer support as well as benefit from online journals and goal trackers.

Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, said:

“I am pleased that we are supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, the health and wellbeing of all Medway’s residents is our top priority. It is incredibly important that we all look after our mental health. Although life is beginning to return to normal, the coronavirus pandemic is still affecting all of us and I would encourage residents to access the services available if they need extra support.”

Medway Council’s child health team offer a range of mental health training and support to professionals working with children and young people in Medway. For more information, Email: childhealth@medway.gov.uk

For more information about mental health support in Medway, visit: medway.gov.uk/abettermedway

Medway Council