UpARA - October 2021 Newsletter

Hello UpARA members,

September turned out to be another great success with both our Runnymede / Saville Gardens trip and our first Social Afternoon (Quiz) going extremely well.

Our next Social will have Jeff Pedley entertaining us on the afternoon of the 29th of October. We hope that many of you will be able to attend; non-member friends are welcome too. However, we do need to know who is coming for tables and seating etc. Again, it is bring your own drink and nibbles, just sit back and enjoy yourselves with friends. (£5 pay on the day).

Please Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com or text: 07802 250773 to book a space.

The Quiz was a close-run thing with the winning team, (who celebrated with some nice bottles of Rioja and Prosecco) just a couple points ahead of the pack.

Some lucky holders of the free ‘Golden Tickets’ shared £100 in cash to boot!

The thoughts of Chairman John

Hi everyone, 

Time seems to have flown by since Lockdown, credit to all members who ensured all our activities re-started with great support.

The first Tenpin Bowling only tempted six members; however, it was good to see Perspex Screens between the lanes. I personally felt very comfortable and would recommend it wholeheartedly. The Bowling is very safe at the Hollywood Bowl, although my personal bowling left room for a great deal of improvement! Don't be afraid to give it a bash, even if you haven't done it for longer than you like to remember, don't worry…… you will be in good company.

We have had the same Committee with just a few changes over the past seven years, I'm sure amongst our membership of (200) there must be some who would like to join a very friendly group who are in need of new ideas. We have an option of co-opting at least 3 members (we are a little light on ladies!).

Finally thank you all for making our efforts all worthwhile, but so much is down to the enthusiasm of Bryn for all the admin and organization, and with no fewer thanks to Malcolm for all the Trips, with some still come!

The better news?? The social Degenerates Committee has resurfaced, watch this space with bated breath.

John W

London Walk

Weather permitting, we will be embarking on our first London Walk since restarting - on Friday 15th October.

This time, we are doing the ‘Southwark & Bankside’ Walk. Although the actual walk is just two miles, lots more yards will be added to this as the walk takes in many places. Some of these we will be stopping at, to allow everyone to have a nose around and at some point during the walk, there will be time to stop for lunch.

Sights on the way include Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, Globe Theatre and countless other interesting sites and tidbits of information.

We will meet at Rainham Station and purchase our group saver (to be confirmed but think the cost of a return ticket will be £15) and take the 09:57 Thameslink train to London Bridge.

Please Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com or text: 07802 250773 to register your interest and then further details will be sent out nearer the time.

Petanque

Please note the extra Petanque session this month, on 5th October, in no small part to its popularity and your support.

October Calendar

Monday, October 4th 2:00pm - Kurling

Tuesday, October 5th 9:30am - Coffee Morning & Art Class

Tuesday, October 5th 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Tuesday, October 5th 2:00pm - Extra Petanque Session

Wednesdays Oct 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, 10:15am - Line Dancing

Friday, October 8th 2:00pm - Monthly Meeting

(Speaker Maurice Chittenden - My Life amongst the Great Train Robbers)

Mondays October 11th, 18th, 25th, - 10:00am - Short / Soft Tennis

Tuesday, Oct 12th 10:30am - 10 Pin Bowling (Hollywood Bowl)

Wednesday, Oct 13th - Country & Western @ Inn on the Lake

Friday, Oct 15th 10:00am - London Walk (Southwark & Bankside)

Tuesday, Oct 19th 2:00pm - Petanque

Tuesday, October 26th 9:30am - Coffee Morning & Art Class

Tuesday, October 26th 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Friday, October 29th 2:00pm - UpARA Social - With Jeff Pedley

Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.

Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com 

Website: www.upara.club

Have Your Say - Kent PCC Matthew Scott's Police and Crime Plan Survey 2021

It's time to have your say on the future of policing in Kent

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has launched a survey that will determine his focus for the next few years.

Every 4 years, the Police and Crime Commissioner must decide the priorities for the Kent Police Force. To do that, Matthew Scott has launched a survey and is seeking your opinion on whether the force is performing as it should and where you think resources should be focussed in the future.

It asks what type of crimes matter most to you: it asks about victim support and violent crime, as well as road safety and antisocial behaviour. It also asks whether you’ve been a victim of crime and whether you have installed your own security devices, like alarms and doorbell cameras.

The results of this survey will influence the Commissioner’s new Police and Crime Plan, which sets out the strategy for the police for the next 4 years.

The anonymous survey only takes around 5 minutes to complete at >> www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PCC2021

Watch Matthew's survey video at >> https://youtu.be/g5bdBd3Foao

The Office of Kent Police and Crime Commissioner website is >> www.kent-pcc.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

St Mary’s Church: Uplift - A Cuppa and a Chat - Rainbow Café - Swale Foodbank

Uplift

Uplift will be celebrating Harvest in the Village Hall on Sunday the 3rd of October.

Starting at 10:30am - all welcome.

A Cuppa and a Chat

A Cuppa and a Chat will be on the 2nd week of the month. The next one is on the 13th of October, in St Mary's Church, 10:00am - 12 midday.

All welcome, come and have a cuppa. 

Rainbow Café

The Rainbow Café will be in St Mary's Church on the 1st Thursday of the month. October's Café will be open on Thursday the 7th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm.

Come and join us for homemade cakes and savouries. And kids, our snack deal is still available. Choose 5 items for £1. 

Swale Foodbank

Our monthly Foodbank collection will be on the 2nd week of the month. We will be opposite the Church on Wednesday the 13th of October from 10:30am - 11:30am.

After you have dropped off your wonderful donations, you can cross the road and get a cuppa!

Thank you

Gill Gay

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Temporary Road Closure - Horsham Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Horsham Lane, Upchurch from Monday 11th October 2021, with estimated completion by 15th October 2021.

Horsham Lane, Upchurch will be closed in the general vicinity of number 106, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, Moor Street, A2 London Road, Hartlip Hill, High Street, Boyces Hill, Keycol Hill, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Ferry Road, The Street, Old Ferry Road, Raspberry Hill Lane, Sheerness Road, Halstow Lane, Forge Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while maintenance works are undertaken by Southern Water.

For information regarding this closure please contact Southern Water on: 0330 303 0368, who will able to assist with the scope of these works.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Flu Vaccinations at Maidstone Road Surgery - Upchurch

Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah

Flu vaccines are now available to those 65 yrs and over: plus those vulnerable patients.

Please contact the surgery to make an appointment.

For those patients who are ‘house bound’, the surgery will contact you to make an appointment for a home visit.

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Improvements at Upchurch Scout Hut - Thank You

The Scouts have enjoyed their Summer break, but that doesn't mean the leaders have been resting!

Two new fire escape doors have been installed at the hut, with many thanks to Kent Trade Frames, who so kindly donated the door to the wheelchair ramp.

Much needed new flooring has also been laid. Thanks to Dave Ingall, another local business who had it completed and ready for the new term.

We must also thank the Coop and their customers for funds towards our two new climbing walls and all the parents and friends who contributed. A team of Beaver leaders helped to level the ground before and clear some weeds from the back.

We intend to get a bell to hang from the traverse climbing wall, named after former leader Jim Harman - my next task!

Thank you

Julia Richardson

Group Scout Leader - Upchurch Scout Croup