New Kissing Gates Make Village Footpath More Accessible

New footpath kissing gates have been installed at both entrances to the field in Chaffes Lane, opposite Bradshaw Close.

The field is the first section of footpath ZR 23 that runs from Chaffes Lane to Holywell Lane.

Parish councillors raised concerns on behalf of a resident who highlighted the previous stiles had made the footpath inaccessible to all but the fittest.

Upchurch Parish Council wishes to thank the landowner and KCC public rights of way for their prompt action and for kindly giving consent to make the footpath more accessible.

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Parish Council - Notice of Vacancy

NOTICE is hereby given that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the above Parish Council.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, ten electors can petition for an election by writing to the Proper Officer at Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 3HT within 14 working days of the date of this Notice.

If no petition is received within that time period, the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-opting a person onto the parish council.

Persons wishing to be considered for this appointment should apply in writing to the Clerk to the Parish Council as soon as possible at the following address:-

Mrs Wendy Licence

Upchurch Parish Council

14 Trapfield Close

Bearsted

Maidstone

ME14 4HT

Or by Email to: clerkupc@outlook.com

Dated this 6th day of May 2021

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

SGN Gas Network Upgrade - Roadworks in Lower Rainham Road, Otterham Quay Lane, Wallbridge Lane and Oak Lane

Dear Stakeholder,

We are writing to let you know about our project to upgrade our gas network. We are replacing our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe. This essential work will ensure your community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.

In consultation with Medway and Kent County Council, our contractor, WCB Utilities will start work on Monday 26th July for approximately 9 weeks. We will be working in the following roads, some of which will overlap.

26th July - 20th August

Our engineers will start work in Lower Rainham Road. To access our network of pipes safely, it will be necessary to close the road between property 786 and the rear of property 21, then onto the junction with Otterham Quay Lane. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion will be in place via Station Road, High Street and Otterham Quay Lane.

9th August - 3rd September

We will be working in Otterham Quay Lane between the junction with Lower Rainham Road and the junction with Horsham Lane. This road will be closed for the duration of the work. We will also need to close Horsham Lane at the junction with Otterham Quay Lane from Monday 16th August until Monday 6th September. Access will be available for residents and a diversion in place.

23rd August - 4th October

Work will start in Wallbridge Lane between the junction of Otterham Quay Lane and the junction with Oak Lane from Monday 23rd August until Monday 27th September. The road will be closed to ensure the safety of our workforce and the community. We will also be working in Oak Lane, which will remain open. Access for all residents will be maintained and a diversion will be in place.

We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks. Therefore, we would only close a road if it was unsafe to keep it open.

We’re working closely with the UK Government and public health bodies to make sure we work in line with expert advice during the pandemic. We have extra safety precautions in place to protect our colleagues and our communities from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out our safety-critical project. There’s more information about our coronavirus response on our website: sgn.co.uk/coronavirus

We’re writing to residents and other local stakeholders to make them aware of our project and explain the details of our work. Please feel free to also share this information with anyone you think may be impacted by our project.

Kind regards

Sharon Dorrington

Stakeholder and Community Manager

SGN Gas

Help Medway Maritime Hospital Create a Patient Experience Strategy

Are you working in Medway or Swale?

Have you been a patient here at Medway Maritime Hospital?

Can you be the voice of the people who use your services who have also been a patient here at the hospital?

If the answer is yes, then we need your help!

We are currently creating our patient experience strategy here at Medway Maritime Hospital and we are looking for people in our community who would be interested in being part of our focus groups to help shape this going forward.

We want to hear about your experiences but focus on what a good experience looks like so that we co-design a strategy that has a vision for the Trust to improve the patient experience.

Below are the dates (you would be required to attend one of the following):

Tuesday 20th July, 9:30am to 11:30am - at the Hospital Lecture Theatre

Friday 23rd July, 9:30am to 11:30am - to be held online

We would love for you to take part!

If you would like to be part of this or have further questions, please Email me.

Many thanks

Sophie Cawsey

Communications and Engagement Officer - Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Email: sophie.cawsey@nhs.net                     

Website: www.medway.nhs.uk

Reopening of the Rivers Restaurant at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Swale Borough Council Member Grant Scheme

Voluntary and community groups can bid for money from their local councillor as Swale Borough Council’s member grant scheme opens again.

Each of Swale’s 47 councillors has £2,400 available to support small-scale, local community projects that provide benefits in areas such as culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety.

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

“Every year we support our local voluntary and community groups through our member grant scheme.

“We make £112,800 available for schemes that support and improve local communities around the borough.

“As expected, last year we had a lot of applications from organisations needing additional support through the pandemic.

“Upchurch Support Network received £550 to help provide food and care packages, Faversham Umbrella received £650 for project crafts kits, and Swale CVS received £3,050 for volunteer befrienders and drivers to vulnerable, isolated and lonely residents.

“Local groups can apply for anything that will provide benefits in areas such as culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety. No request is too big or small, and sometimes the smallest grant can make a big difference to a local area.

“Organisations can apply for as little or as much as they need by completing an application form and submitting it to the council or their local councillor.

“This year’s scheme will run until the end of February and we encourage all local community groups to apply.”

For more information on how to apply for a member grant, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/member-grants

Swale Borough Council