UpARA - July 2022 Newsletter

Hello UpARA members,

Our Fundraising Day

The UpARA Committee would like to thank all members, villagers, and village organisations who contributed to our fundraising day on Friday 3rd June.

A total of £1,624.86 was raised, which is a fantastic sum, and was passed on to the DEC Ukraine Appeal.

The winners of the 'Battles of the Village organisations' were the UpARA 'Artists', followed by Upchurch WI, and Upchurch Players in 3rd place.

A big thank you to all those who attended, helped and donated cakes and also to the Co-op for their kind donation and the Village Hall Management Committee for the use of the hall.

Evening Petanque

We have changed the evening Petanque during the summer to just one evening and changed from Thursday to Tuesday - the 4th or 5th Tuesday of the month - we will see how popular this becomes but have realised that Thursday is not the right day!

The thoughts of Chairman John

Hello everyone,

I'm not that superstitious, but out of habit, I tend to check my horoscope daily, knowing that it applies to around one in twelve of the population. Still, this morning it stated "time goes by so quickly when you are enjoying yourself" for once in my life I believed every word!

Looking back, could it really be a month since we had our Jubilee fundraising day and our Brain of Upchurch Quiz. A fantastic result with a sum in excess of £1,600 was raised for the Ukraine Charity, not only by our members but other organisations within the village who made the Quiz such a success, it was such that it's been suggested we make it an annual event, and UpARA donates a suitable Trophy. As with all events, so much work takes place behind the scenes, on behalf of all our members I would like to thank everyone behind the scenes who made the day such a resounding success.

We must be doing things right, as we continue to attract new members, some of whom came, and I believe enjoyed a Boules evening at the Golf Club.

Earlier in the month 50 of us enjoyed an evening trip on the Medway Princess down to Teston Lock together with a Fish and Chip Supper, once again Malcolm managed to organise the weather as well, an evening trip enjoyed by all. The Mystery Coach Trip is next on his list (my money is on Leysdown!).

John W

Crab and Winkle Way Walk 

We are planning to walk the ‘Crab and Winkle’ way at the end of the month. This walk takes in an old railway line that ran between Canterbury and Whitstable from 1830 and was the first railway line to operate as a timetabled service.

The walk is a little challenging, but not too much so and will take around 4 hours, being around 8 miles. If interested, please Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com and we will be in touch nearer the time with further details. We will be taking the train to Canterbury and returning from Whitstable after a well deserved end of walk drink. A packed lunch will be needed as there are no stopping places until we reach Whitstable.

Mystery Coach Tour

For those going on the Mystery Coach Tour on July 19th, the pick up times are as follows: -

• 9:00am Upchurch (opposite the Church)  
• 9:05am Otterham Quay Lane
• 9:10am Rainham (Lukehursts / Cricketers)
• 9:15am Rainham (bus stop opposite Pump Lane)

T-Shirts 

Having discovered (and remembered) the stock of T-shirts still in the cupboard from pre-lockdown, I thought it would be good to try and sell the rest. Great value, £15, all sizes available and ideal for attending our activities, please Email, or ask at the meetings.

July Calendar

Fridays July 1st, 15th at 10:00am - Village Walk

Mondays July 4th, 11th, 17th, 24th at 10:00am - Short Tennis

Monday, July 4th at 2:00pm - Kurling

Tuesday, July 5th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, July 5th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

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

Friday, July 8th at 2:00pm - Monthly Meeting

Dean Castor ‘History of the British Circus’

Tuesday, July 12th July at 10:00am - 10 Pin Bowling

Tuesday, July 19th at 2:00pm - Petanque

Tuesday, July 19th - Mystery Coach Tour

Tuesday, July 26th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, July 26th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Tuesday, July 26th at 6:00pm - NEW Evening Petanque

Wednesday, July 27th - Lunch Club at The Crown

Friday, July 29th - Crab and Winkle Way walk

Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.

Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com

Website: www.upara.club

Upchurch Horticultural Society - July Show

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Poolside Bar & Courtyard Music Night with Swing Dublé at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Free Entry - Non-Members Welcome

Food Served Until 8:00pm

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Free Microchipping for Dogs and Cats at Newington Recreation Ground

Swale Borough Council Stray Dog Service is offering free microchipping for dogs and cats at Newington Recreation Ground, Orchard Drive, ME9 7NH on Thursday 28th July, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

Have your pet's microchip checked free of charge, including small furries and even horses.

Please be aware they are unable to microchip cats or scan small furries unless they are bought to the event in an appropriate carrier.

Due to having only a limited number of microchips available, they will not be offering the service to litters of puppies or kittens.

For information, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/dogs-and-animal-welfare

Upchurch Matters

Temporary Road Closure - Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close part of Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow from Monday 18th July 2022, with estimated completion by 22nd July 2022.

Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow will be closed in the general vicinity of Stray Orchard Cottage, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is Sheerness Road, The Street, Breach Lane, Hartlip Hill, A2 London Road, High Street, Boyces Hill, Keycol Hill, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Ferry Road, Old Ferry Road, Raspberry Hill Lane and vice versa.

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

For information regarding this closure, please contact Southern Water on: 0330 303 0368, who will be 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

Vehicles Speeding in and around Poot Lane, Upchurch

I have received several reports from residents living in the Poot Lane area of vehicles speeding and racing around the lanes. The speeding is continuing into the 30mph zone on The Street and in the other direction, whereby people are travelling over 30mph prior to the national speed limit sign.

I would like to remind people that the speed limit is there for a reason.

There are numerous potential hazards in and around Poot Lane - horses, tractors, wildlife and pedestrians, including the local nursery school children who walk down the lane to one of the orchards.

The speed limit is a limit, not a target.

The reports I have received indicate that many of the offending vehicles belong to local people who should be more aware of the potential hazards along the lane than anyone.

I will be conducting speed checks in the area to record offending vehicles. I am also looking into other measures that could be implemented in conjunction with other partner agencies, such as reducing the speed limit and other restrictions.

PCSO Lorraine Holmes

Tel: 07970 458645

Email: lorraine.holmes@kent.police.uk