Upchurch Prayer Day for Eva

Dear Upchurch,

Angela Williams, who lives in Upchurch, has a 13 year old granddaughter called Eva. Sadly Eva has been diagnosed with Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma.

We will be opening St Mary's Church on Wednesday the 17th of August from 9:00am until 4:00pm to pray for Eva again as she undergoes another operation.

Come and join us as we pray for the ongoing success of Eva's care.

Come and pray with us that the doctors and nurses will be blessed with wisdom.

Come and pray as we ask God to surround Eva and her family with his love.

You will be able to light a candle and read a ready composed prayer. Write your own prayer. Or just sit and hold Eva in your thoughts and prayers.

From Sue, Angela's neighbour:

“I saw Angela Eva’s grandma yesterday, and she was pleased to report continued healing for Eva, plus the pain is well managed now. In addition, after a meeting with her Oncologist, it has been decided to push ahead with the operation for a growth in her lung. Then, after a period of healing, there will probably be some radiotherapy.

The operation is scheduled (at the moment) for Wednesday the 17th of August, so please lots of prayers for her continued wellbeing as she and her family prepare for another big day.”

Just come and go as you please. It's your church. He is your heavenly father.

Gill Gay

Swale Foodbank Collection - No 'A Cuppa and a Chat' in the Church this Time

Swale Foodbank Collection

Please note the change of collection point this month.

Dear Upchurch,

We will be collecting your foodbank donations again, this time, at the front of 14 Oak Lane, Upchurch, on Wednesday the 10th of August between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Please bring your items in carrier bags. Warehouse Coordinator Richard Divers will then deliver your donations to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

The Foodbank is really struggling to provide the extra food needed to cover the enormous increase in people needing help. They do thankfully have plenty of Baked Beans and Pasta but have had empty shelves for everything else. Below is a list of items that are family basics.

Items that go quickly from their shelves:

■ Tinned Fruit

■ Tinned Soup

■ Tinned Meat (Chicken in Sauce, Hotdogs)

■ Tinned Fish

■ UHT Milk

■ Squash

■ Tinned Tomatoes

■ Jars Sauce (Pasta, Curry)

Of course, all donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date. I hope this list helps and that you can donate some of the above.

Thank you in advance for your loving generosity ♥️

'A Cuppa and a Chat'

There is a funeral service in the church on Wednesday, so there is no 'A Cuppa and a Chat' in the Lady Chapel this time.

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

UPDATED: Online Donations Welcomed Towards The Restoration of St Mary's Church Bell Tower

Story

Essential repairs to the iconic Church Bell Tower

St Mary's Church is a listed building dating back over 1000 years. It is at the very centre of Upchurch and has been an important part of village life for centuries.

The candle snuffer spire is a local landmark and, together with the lower square roof, houses the church bells and clock mechanism. The iconic shingle spire is of an eight-sided cone placed over a pyramid and it is in urgent need of major maintenance.

The internal structure and floors are now dangerous, and the belfry is generally inaccessible, meaning that the six brass bells are not in use and the village has lost an important asset.

The maintenance requirement was identified by the church architect John Bailey of Thomas Ford & Partners, London, during his latest visit in 2021. He noted that the external boarding on the lower levels of the spire had started to fail, something that had been of concern for a number of quinquennials. Additionally, he reported that the internal floors are rotten due to water penetration, and these are to be replaced after new feltwork is laid to waterproof the roof itself. He drew up a detailed schedule of works required which also includes repairs to the louvres, the stonework around the louvres, and general bird proofing in the belfry.

The PCC will also use the opportunity of the contractor on site to repair the decayed internal plaster on the chancel walls where damp has penetrated. The cause has already been identified and is currently being addressed so that the walls will have adequate time to dry out prior to the contractor beginning works.

St Mary's Church, Upchurch

Upchurch church is a Grade 1 listed building dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It was built by the Normans in 1300 and the six giant bells were added from 1550.

The bell tower has an unusual upper octagonal 'candle snuffer' roof. The lower roof and the inside of the upper roof now need major renovation.

Please visit the link to donate >> www.justgiving.com/campaign/upchurchbelltower

Thank you

Charity Registration No: 606311

Coffee Morning

I am having a very informal coffee morning with Tori Akehurst to discuss fundraising for the church bell tower on Wednesday the 10th of August, and I wondered if there’s anyone that might be free to come along and be willing to help in the future.

You’d be very welcome to join us at my house at 10:00am. Please let me know though so I can get cakes etc to go with the coffee!

My address is 4 Bedfont House, Holywell Lane, Upchurch, and there’s plenty of parking if you don’t fancy a walk!

Elspeth Baecke

(Olivia’s Grandma) 

Website: www.thesix.org.uk

Emergency Road Closure - Horsham Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Horsham Lane, Upchurch from Friday 5th August 2022 for up to 7 days.

The road will be closed outside 122 Horsham Lane.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, Moor Street, A2 London Road, High Street, Keycol Hill, Sheppey Way, Ferry Road, Old Ferry Road, Raspberry Hill Lane, The Street and Forge Lane.

 

This is to enable water pipe repairs to be carried out by Southern Water.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Cyril Boakes 1927 - 2022

Cyril and Margaret Boakes on their wedding day,

Saturday the 3rd of April 1948.

Following a short period of ill health, my father, Cyril Boakes of 103 Chaffes Lane, passed away peacefully on Friday the 29th of July 2022, aged 95.

Born on the 27th of April 1927, Cyril was a resident of Upchurch his entire life, living as a child first in Chaffes Lane, then later in Wallbridge Lane, before returning to Chaffes Lane in the early 1960's.

He also worked in the village, spending his entire working life tending the family market garden on two sites off Chaffes Lane.

Now reunited with my mother, Margaret.

God bless them both.

Colin Boakes

New U13’s Players Wanted for Upchurch Colts FC

NEW PLAYERS WANTED ⚽️ 🏃🏻

Upchurch Colts FC - U13’s is looking for new players.

Currently training: Thursday at 7:30pm / Saturday at 9:00am.

Please contact Andy: 07921 267296

Lisa Dighton - Upchurch Colts FC