Changes to Opening Hours at Upchurch Post Office and Premier

Our new opening hours for both the Post Office and Premier are:

Monday to Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday 7:00am - 2:00pm

Post Office branch details and list of services available at >> www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder/1549413/upchurch

Thank you

Shagivan Kulasingam

Upchurch Post Office and Premier

Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club - Fund Raising Event

Malcolm Groves

Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club

Temporary Road Closure, Speed Reduction, No Right Turn, No Waiting and No Loading - Various Roads, Maidstone and Swale

To allow the National Highways M2 J5 Stockbury Roundabout improvement scheme to be carried out, Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily restrict traffic on various roads in Maidstone and Swale.

This order takes effect on or after 1st October 2021 for a period of up to 31 months or until works have been completed. Planned dates will be published in advance of the works on one.network and indicated by signage displayed on site 14 days before they start.

These works are subject to weather and other factors which may potentially cause changes at short notice; every effort will be made to keep as close as possible to the planned dates that are notified, and any changes will be publicised.

Each individual restriction will be signed on-site and will follow the construction programme as required.

The restrictions are required for the safety of the public and workforce while highway improvement works are undertaken by Graham Construction on behalf of National Highways.

For information regarding this order please contact National Highways on: 0300 123 5000, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works and any further enquiries.

Kent County Council - Growth, Environment and Transport

October News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

Finally, we got some dry weather in September and for the first time this year, the water butt ran dry. We have enjoyed a decent Indian Summer but now head into Autumn with October upon us. It can be a mild month, but the evenings will draw right in, the clocks go back and it’s time to light the fire. For me, October is the last working month in the garden and I aim to get everything tidied up and put to bed. There are always things to do through the winter like raking up leaves but I do not actively garden through the winter months. It’s time to take to the kitchen and rinse out the cook’s glass.

The lawn can do with any minor repairs or re-turfing and can have a last cut this month. Scarify with a spring tyne rake and get all the dead thatch out to keep it healthy during Winter. There is no reason why the mower cannot be wheeled out for a quick trim on a good day, but when it gets wet it’s best not to walk on it too much.

The summer crops will finish up in October and any frost tender vegetables should be taken and put in store. Dig a trench for next year’s climbing beans and fill it with compost. The trench can be left open to place kitchen trimmings in or raked over and the corners marked with canes. Winter crops like Parsnips and Leeks can be left in the ground and lifted when required. I also have a small crop of Turnips coming along nicely and looking forward to lifting them at the end of the month. Personally, I leave my Maincrop Potatoes in the ground because they last much better than in a canvas bag but the best advice is to lift and store. Give the patch a good digging over, remove all the weeds and leave it ready for next Spring. Mulch the Rhubarb with compost or manure when it finally dies down, although mine is showing no signs of slowing up.

Give the borders a final weed and tidy and plant out Tulip bulbs. Perennials can be divided and replanted. I like to prune back everything this time of year although some people argue that it’s best to leave it until the Spring to provide shelter for small creatures and insects. Tidy up pots and containers and replant for Winter/Spring. There will be a dazzling array of Primulas, Pansies and Violas available in the shops.

Last year was a bumper year for apples but my Braeburn hasn’t amounted to much this year. The fruits are small and blemished and I will pick them towards the end of the month and see what I can do with them.

The Potting Shed pub at Langley - Dog friendly.

My quest for the spiritual pub was finally realised when we visited The Potting Shed at Langley on the Tenterden Road. It represented a great union of gardening and drinking inducing a nirvana of extreme contentment that was shattered when the Junkyard Mutt took a dislike to a poor Labrador. The low menacing growl that emanated from her beastly form sent parents reaching for their children whilst fearing for their lower limbs. Before we knew it the place was empty.

UHS is always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

KCC Grants Available to Help Children and Young People Reconnect with their Pre-pandemic Lives

Clubs, community groups, schools, and early years settings are being invited to apply for funding to provide extra activities that will help children and young people reconnect to their pre-pandemic lives.

The funding is being made available through the Kent County Council-led Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People programme and can be used for activities, events or local projects that address gaps in learning missed, promote health and happiness, encourage the take-up of sports or other outdoor activities, help children and young people reconnect with friends, family or communities or generate more work-related opportunities.

Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to open up this latest round of funding so that more children and young people can take part in activities that will help them get back to doing the things they love or trying new pursuits.

“In the summer, thousands of children and young people were able to enjoy activities provided by local clubs and community groups and funded by Reconnect grants. Feedback from young people about these activities was so positive and we would really encourage local community organisations, schools, and early years settings to take full advantage of this funding to reach even more children and young people in the county.”

Amounts of up to £2,000 are available to small groups and organisations, schools, and early years settings to run local projects or events, while larger community organisations can apply for up to £8,000.

Young people can also apply for up to £2,000 to run their own projects or events if they are supported by a youth hub or youth organisation.

The activities need to be inclusive and provide equal access to all children and young people between now and the end of August 2022. Full details of the application process, funding criteria and the online form to apply are available on the Reconnect website

Funding applications will be decided by the 12 Local Children’s Partnership Group (LCPG)

The closing date for applications is Sunday, October 24th.

Suz Elvey

Kent County Council

Ferret Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/190762/21

Between 11:00am and 2:00pm on Monday the 27th of September, a pet ferret was stolen from its garden cage in Bishop Lane, Upchurch and found later on the green.

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