UpARA Newsletter - March 2023

Hello UpARA members,

Social Afternoon... Our next social afternoon is on the 24th of March, from 1:00pm, and costs £3.

During the afternoon we have a ‘mature drivers’ safety’ presentation from the road safety group at KCC. We all know that we are the best drivers, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the basics every now and then, does it?

There will also be some fun interactive quiz-type activities and another chance to listen to a few of our ‘sounds of our times’. If anyone has a tune with a reminiscence to go with it, let us know.

Membership renewals... are now overdue. There will be a one-month grace period for payments. If anyone is not intending to renew for the next year, please let us know so we can offer your place to others.

Membership cards... will be available for collection from the hall from the Friday meeting onwards. Now you’ve renewed, why not purchase one of our last remaining UpARA T-shirts, only about ten remaining, in various sizes, and for just £15!

The thoughts of Chairman John

Hi everyone,

Are we all getting the hang of 2023 and the unseasonal weather? Those of us who have just returned from our first holiday (in most cases), enjoyed a 5-day break at Bournemouth including "all Inclusive evening drinks”. With Today's cost of living, a welcome holiday bonus enjoyed by all!

As usual, the Hotel had arranged the evening entertainment every night. One of our number became an overnight celebrity with all in the hotel with her enthusiasm for singing and dancing but as they say, ‘what happens on tour stays on tour’!

Considering it was the third week in February, the trips (organised by Malcolm & Brenda, together with Captain Bob and Debbi from Jewels Coaches), managed to conjure up three full days on the Jurassic Coast and The New Forest, a fantastic endeavour, Thanks to them from all of us on the trip.

Back to the more mundane and after all the excitement, we are back to our normal activities. Why not come and try your hand at Kurling, it's much easier than you imagine - give it a try on the first Monday of the month. I’ll be ‘plugging’ more activities throughout the year and trying to encourage as many as possible to take advantage of all the benefits of being a member of UpARA. 

John W

Payments

Payments at the next meeting, Brenda and Malcolm will be taking any money due for the lunch at The Crown on 22nd March.

There are still places for the Frankie Valli tribute & lunch at the Inn on the Lake on 7th June, and potential places for Llandudno in November, (subject to hotel availability). Waiting lists are in place for everything else, contact Brenda or Malcom if you are interested.

Any queries on availability above, (also open to non-members), please Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com 

Pick-up times for Royal Albert Hall on 8th March:-

• Upchurch (opposite the church) 14:30
• Otterham Quay Lane (near Canterbury Lane) 14:35
• Rainham (The Cricketers) 14:40
• Rainham (opposite Pump Lane) 14:45

Please remember

There is now a £1 entrance fee at our Friday meetings, to help cover our costs.

Email addresses

Are you receiving our Emails? If not, please see Bryn.

Date for your diary

Watch this space as, for the first time, we have booked the hall, together with some great entertainment on NYE to see us into 2024 and our 10th anniversary year.

March Calendar

Wednesdays March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd at 10:15am - Line Dancing

Friday, March 3rd at 10:00am - Village Walk 

Mondays March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th at 10:00am - Short Tennis

Monday, March 6th at 2:00pm - Kurling

Tuesday, March 7th at  9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, March 7th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Wednesday, March 8th - Let’s Face the Music at The Royal Albert Hall

Friday, March 10th at 2:00pm - Monthly Meeting

Toni Mount, ‘They dared to be Doctors’ 

Tuesday, March 14th at 10:00am - Ten Pin Bowling

Friday, March 17th at 10:00am - Village Walk 

Tuesday, March 21st at 1:00pm - Petanque

Wednesday, March 22nd at 12:30pm - Lunch Club at The Crown

Friday, 24th March at 1:00pm - Winter Warmer Social Afternoon

Including mature driver safety presentation

Tuesday, March 28th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, March 28th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.

Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com

Website: www.upara.club

Poolside Bar Opening Times - March 2023 at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Frames and Signage Stolen - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/36110/23

Between 22:00 on Tuesday the 21st of February and 07:00 on Wednesday the 22nd of February, somebody stole frames and signage from a set of traffic lights in High Street, Newington.

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

Swale Foodbank Collection and Call into the Church for A Cuppa and a Chat

Swale Foodbank Collection

Dear Upchurch,

We will be collecting your Swale Foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 1st of March, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Please bring your items in carrier bags. We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

All donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date.

Your generosity always amazes us - Thank you 🙏🏼

A Cuppa and a Chat

While you are there, why not call into the church for A Cuppa and a Chat in the Lady Chapel.

We will have the kettle on from 10:00am until 12:00pm.

Followed by a prayer for our village from 12:00pm until 12:30pm. Pop in and join us or write a prayer in our prayer book and we will pray for your concerns.

A warm welcome awaits you - just call in, and we will be pleased to see you!

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

All Out Music Festival at Upchurch Cricket Club - Supporting Prostate Cancer UK

Early Bird tickets go on sale Wednesday the 1st of March at 9:00am.

Available from >> www.ticketsource.co.uk/upchurchcricketclub

Upchurch Matters

Survey: Share Your Views on Using Digital Technology in GP Primary Care

Text Messaging - Online Consultations - Video Consultations

We wish to hear from patients in Kent and Medway as to their future requirements for using digital technology in primary care services.

Over the last couple of years, NHS Kent and Medway have rolled out several digital healthcare solutions to primary care, some in response to the Covid pandemic. These were put in place to allow GP practices to continue to deliver healthcare to you in very difficult circumstances.

We are starting to review these digital healthcare solutions and are seeking your views on the use of text messaging, online consultations and video consultations in primary care. This is to understand how you currently use these to access care from your GP practice and how the features and functions support you and meet your needs over the next 3 years.

There are 4 sections to this survey focusing on each technology and a free text section for your comments.

The patient survey should take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

The survey will close at 9:00am on Wednesday the 1st of March 2023.

Please complete the survey at >> http://bit.ly/3m6oQBT

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

Katie Blissett 

NHS Kent and Medway