In a year dominated by the desire to obtain a new school for Upchurch, April 1972 was highlighted by news that the Department of the Environment had approved the siting of a new village school in Forge Lane to replace the old Holywell School in Holywell Lane, an important step in getting a new school for Upchurch.
A big row broke out after the Brown Jug publican Eric Funnell had been granted bar rights at Rochester Corn Exchange. Rochester publicans were angry and argued that the rights should go to a Medway publican and not to somebody outside the Medway area. Eric Funnell obtained a happy conclusion when Rochester City Council finally confirmed the bar rights to him.
The parish council had a busy month starting with the election of Mr E Weeks of Church Farm Road as a new councillor, a position left vacant by the death of former councillor Roy Bachelor. The parish council also fought with Swale Council about concessionary fares on the buses for elderly residents in the village. This came at a time when Maidstone & District Bus Company had increased fares for passengers. Medway and Swale councils decided to pay a proportion of the fares to the bus company.
The parish council had a discussion about the recreation ground after the football club had complained that after a period of heavy rain, the surface had cut up causing stones and flints to appear which caused injuries to footballers. This led to the parish council discussing the possibility of getting a new recreation ground for the village, but an alternative suitable site could not be found after investigations. Bob Witherden from Poot Lane re-turfed the goal mouth areas on the football pitch to help protect the goalkeepers from serious injury, and the football club continued to play home matches on the recreation ground.
The parish council turned down a proposal by Rainham farmer Jack Clark to establish a residential caravan park with 75 caravans on a site in Horsham Lane. A proposal also submitted by Mrs Kennard to build on her land on the hill at Oak Lane where her bungalow and cherry orchard were located was also turned down by Kent County Council. Building recently began on the site in 2022 after the new owners had submitted a new proposal to the council at a time when the bungalow had become derelict, the orchard overgrown and long after the death of Mrs Kennard. However, in April 1972, the council did give builder Eric Gransden permission to build houses on land close to Wallbridge Lane.
Village residents were informed that the Bishop of Dover would be coming to the village to consecrate the new burial ground near the village hall on 6th June. The parish council also decided that they would contribute £2.50 for a new citizen’s Advice Bureau due to open in Sittingbourne on April 21st.
Upchurch Women’s Institute had an enjoyable month organising a week of activities for the institute’s 41st birthday celebration. A birthday party took place in the village hall on Saturday 8th April. The ladies decorated the village hall with flowers, and Mrs Pilcher made and decorated the birthday cake with a Spring motif which members admired as a work of art. Later in the month, Mrs Pilcher gave an interesting talk to members about wine making. A music quiz also took place, won by Mrs Jacobs and Mrs Thompson.
The birthday week ended with a talk given by BBC newsreader Alvar Lidell speaking about his experiences as a newsreader at the BBC, which resulted in a good attendance by the ladies of the Women’s Institute.
BBC newsreader Alvar Lidell.
In Upchurch sporting affairs, Upchurch Cricket Club began preparations for the new season with net practice and work on their Poot Lane ground before matches began. Although some matches were affected by rain, the club started well with an easy victory against Minster, who they bowled out for 29 runs and defeated them by nine wickets thanks to an outstanding bowling performance by Bryan Veale, who took five wickets for only fourteen runs. In the other early season game, the team drew with Belnor. The club progressed to have a better season compared to the previous one, with brothers Derek and Raymond Hales making outstanding contributions with bat and ball.
In a month really dominated by council affairs, the parish orchards lit up the area with a mass of pink and white blossom on fruit trees, and newly born lambs skipped in the fields as summer drew a little closer.
About David
David was born and raised at Ham Green and still lives there today.
He writes from personal experience about Upchurch village life and the changes that have taken place over the years.
David's book, Memories of Upchurch, is a very readable and detailed historical study of the village and is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk price £12 + postage and packing.
