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Upchurch Matters

UpARA Newsletter - April 2023

Hello UpARA members,

Birthday Party... come and join us for our Birthday Party on the evening of Friday the 19th of May, from 7:00pm.

It is BYO food and drink, and you are sure to have a great time with entertainment from the very talented Nick Boswell.

Don't delay and reserve your places in the usual way, by Email to: uparaupchurch@gmail.com, or by text to: 07802 250773.

Tickets are just £5.

Please... turn your phones to ‘silent’ during our Friday meetings. At the last couple of meetings, it has become something akin to a ‘mobile symphonic orchestra’ at times. Whilst not intentional, it is very distracting to our speakers and audience alike. We will try and remind everyone at the start of the meeting (if we remember)!

Membership cards are available for collection from the hall.

Now you’ve renewed, why not purchase one of our last remaining UpARA T-Shirts, only about 10 remaining, in various sizes, and for just £15!

Note that Kurling times have reverted to 2:00pm for the period of BST.

The thoughts of Chairman John

Hi everyone,

As usual, when we change the clocks to summertime, the weather proves to us winter hasn't passed, proving many old sayings still ring true "Don't shed a clout until May is out" still rings very true even in this Hi-Tec age! 

At UpARA we still continue regardless; we had just recovered from our week in Bournemouth, only to then enjoy an entertaining evening ‘facing the music’, along with everyone's favourite- Bonnie Langford showing us all we are only as old as we feel, (I personally will pass on doing the splits though!) once again, we all had a terrific evening at the wonderful Royal Albert Hall.

Later in the month, all enjoyed another one of our "Winter Warmer Friday Afternoons" the guest speaker from Kent Road Safety managed to remind us how much we had forgotten about the Highway Code, but in all fairness when some of us passed our driving tests, motorways were only just being planned! By the way, how many of you have found the hidden message in the freebie pen?

Enjoy the forthcoming month, it's so good to see so many of our new members joining in all of our activities, welcome.

John W

Payments

At the next meeting, Brenda and Malcolm will be taking any money due for the lunch at the golf course on the 26th of April. 

There are still places for the Frankie Valli Tribute & Lunch at the Inn on the Lake on the 7th of 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 the Marlowe on 11th April

The performance starts at 7:30pm.

• Upchurch (opposite the Church) 16:15
• Otterham Quay (near Canterbury Lane) 16:20
• Rainham (The Cricketers) 16:25
• Rainham (opposite Pump Lane) 16:30 

Thank you

Thank you for your generosity with the impromptu collections at the Social Afternoon & Lunch Club. £182.79 was raised for the Malawi cyclone appeal.

A date for your diary

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

April Calendar

Mondays April 3rd, 17th, 24th at 10:00am - Short Tennis*

*No Tennis on April 10th

Monday, April 3rd at 2:00pm - Kurling

Tuesday, April 4th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, April 4th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Wednesdays April 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th at 10:15am - Line Dancing

Tuesday, April 11th - ‘Buddy’ at the Marlowe

Friday, April 14th at 2:00pm - Monthly Meeting

David Bowdler, ‘Instrumentals of the 50’sand 60’s’ 

Friday, April 21st at 10:00am - Village Walk 

Tuesday, April 18th at 2:00pm - Petanque*

*Please note the new summer times

Tuesday, April 25th at 9:30am - Coffee Morning and Art

Tuesday, April 25th at 2:00pm - Table Tennis

Wednesday, April 26th - Lunch Club at Upchurch River Valley Golf Club

Please note no Tennis on Easter Monday, no walk on Good Friday, and no Ten Pin Bowling this month due to the school holidays.

Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.

Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com

Website: www.upara.club

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

Swale Foodbank Collection

Thank you, Upchurch.

As usual, in March, you were very generous with your donations towards the work of Swale Foodbank. 

I know that February and March caught some of you out with the first Wednesday of the month actually falling on the 1st. 

This month the first Wednesday in April falls on the 5th.

So I will be collecting your Swale Foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 5th of April, 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.

When I started collecting for the Foodbank by waiting in the layby, those of you who were there from the beginning will remember that my husband Ron was helping me. Ron became ill around September 2021 and could no longer help. Sadly he passed away on the 12th of February this year.

Despite such a terrible loss, God willing, I will continue to be in the layby on the first Wednesday of every month because I want to support those who are struggling, as I know you also want to help them too.

Thankfully Sue and Georgina from St Mary's are helping and supporting me to continue - bless them.

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.

You will receive a warm welcome and there will be cake!

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. And if you have anything you would like to have a prayer for, speak to Jill, William or Elizabeth, and they will help you.

just call in, and we will be pleased to see you!

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

Temporary Road Closure - Dane Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close part of Dane Lane, Hartlip from Monday 15th May 2023, for up to one day.

Dane Lane, Hartlip will be closed in the vicinity of Ivy Cottage, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Place Lane, Mount Lane, The Street, Munns Lane, Dane Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while electrical installation works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.

For information regarding this closure, please contact UK Power Networks on: 0800 029 4285, 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

Upchurch Horticultural Society - Spring Plant Sale

Saturday 22nd April 2023

The Paddock, Upchurch

9:00am - 12:30pm

A wide variety of locally sourced plants will be available at

great prices with experts to assist you with your choice.

Homemade Cakes - FREE Parking

For more information, Email: upchurchsociety@gmail.com

Visit: https://linktr.ee/upchurchhorticulturalsociety

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

Upchurch Matters

M2 Junction 5 - A249 Stockbury Interchange Improvement Scheme: Additional Phase - Temporary Road Closures - Various Roads, Maidstone and Swale

Update:

An additional phase of works is now required, as detailed below.

11^th April Overnight 9:00pm to 5:00am

The A249 Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury & A249 Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham will be closed southbound between the junctions with A249 M2 J5 Roundabout and Rumstead Lane.

 

The alternative route for motorway traffic is via M2 J5 to J4 On Slip, M2, M2 J3 Off Slip, Taddington Wood Roundabout, Blue Bell Hill, A229 Chatham Road, Cobtree Roundabout, M20 J6 to J7 On Slip, M20, M20 J7 Off Slip.

 

12^th April Overnight 9:00pm to 5:00am

The A249 Sittingbourne Road, Detling, Detling Hill, Detling, Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham, Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury will be closed northbound between the A249 Newnham Court Roundabout M20 J7 and the A249 M2 J5 Roundabout.

 

The alternative route for motorway traffic is via A249 Sittingbourne Road, Newnham Court Roundabout, M20 J7 to J6 On Slip, M20, M20 J6 Off Slip, Running Horse Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Cobtree Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Taddington Wood Roundabout, M2 J3 to J4 On Slip, M2, M2 J5 Off Slip.

 

No Right Turn - Oad Street, Stockbury

From the 12^th April a No Right Turn will be in place from Oad Street onto the A249 until the end of the M2 J5 Improvement works.

 

22^nd April - 19^th June

Maidstone Road, Stockbury will be closed between the junctions with Wormdale Hill and A249 M2 J5 Roundabout.

 

The alternative route is via Maidstone Road, Chestnut Street, Key Street Roundabout, Key Street Slip Southbound On, A249 Maidstone Road, A249 M2 J5 Roundabout and vice versa.

 

*Please note once these works are completed the permanent traffic order will come into place and Maidstone Road will be closed indefinitely. Vehicles will need to use the new link road between Maidstone Road and Oad Street*

 

12^th - 15^th May, 9pm on Friday 12^th May to 5:00am on Monday 15^th May

The A249 Sittingbourne Road, Detling, Detling Hill, Detling, Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham, Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury will be closed northbound between the A249 Newnham Court Roundabout M20 J7 and the A249 M2 J5 Roundabout.

 

The alternative route for motorway traffic is via A249 Sittingbourne Road, Newnham Court Roundabout, M20 J7 to J6 On Slip, M20, M20 J6 Off Slip, Running Horse Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Cobtree Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Taddington Wood Roundabout, M2 J3 to J4 On Slip, M2, M2 J5 Off Slip.

Temporary Road Closures

Various Roads, Maidstone and Swale

1^st October 2021

It will be necessary to close various roads in the Maidstone and Swale district.

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 advanced of the works on https://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. 

Schedule

Road Closures

The A249 Sittingbourne Road, Detling, Detling Hill, Detling, Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham, Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury will be closed northbound between the A249 Newnham Court Roundabout M20 J7 and the A249 M2 J5 Roundabout.

The alternative route for motorway traffic is via A249 Sittingbourne Road, Newnham Court Roundabout, M20 J7 to J6 On Slip, M20, M20 J6 Off Slip, Running Horse Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Cobtree Roundabout, A229 Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Taddington Wood Roundabout, M2 J3 to J4 On Slip, M2, M2 J5 Off Slip. 

The A249 Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury & A249 Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham will be closed southbound between the junctions with A249 M2 J5 Roundabout and Rumstead Lane.

The alternative route for motorway traffic is via M2 J5 to J4 On Slip, M2, M2 J3 Off Slip, Taddington Wood Roundabout, Blue Bell Hill, A229 Chatham Road, Cobtree Roundabout, M20 J6 to J7 On Slip, M20, M20 J7 Off Slip. 

Maidstone Road, Stockbury will be closed between the junctions with Wormdale Hill and A249 M2 J5 Roundabout. 

The alternative route is via Maidstone Road, Chestnut Street, Key Street Roundabout, Key Street Slip Southbound On, A249 Maidstone Road, A249 M2 J5 Roundabout and vice versa.

Oad Street, Stockbury & Bredgar will be closed between the junctions A249 Sittingbourne Road and Woodgate Lane. 

The alternative route is via Maidstone Road, Stockbury Roundabout, A249 Sittingbourne Road and vice versa.

Honeycrock Hill, Stockbury will be closed for its entire length. 

The alternative route is via A249 Sittingbourne Road, A249 M2 J5 Roundabout, A249 Sittingbourne Road, Church Hill. 

Church Hill, Stockbury will be closed for its entire length.

The alternative route is via A249 Sittingbourne Road, A249 M2 J5 Roundabout, A249 Sittingbourne Road, Honeycrock Hill.

50mph Speed Restrictions

A temporary mandatory 50 mph speed restriction will be imposed on A249 Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury (Northbound and Southbound) & A249 Sittingbourne Road, Thurnham (Northbound and Southbound) between A249 M2 J5 Roundabout & 600m South of Chalky Road.

30mph Speed Restrictions

A temporary mandatory 30 mph speed restriction will be imposed on the following roads:

• • Oad Street, Bredgar & Oad Street, Stockbury between the junctions with A249 Sittingbourne Road and Woodgate Lane.
• • Chestnut Street, Borden between the junctions with Key Street Roundabout and Maidstone Road.
• • Maidstone Road, Borden & Maidstone Road, Stockbury between the junctions with Chestnut Street and A249 M2 J5 Roundabout.

No Right Turn Restrictions

A restriction on turning right will be imposed on the following roads:

• • A249 Sittingbourne Road, Stockbury - restricting traffic from turning right into Honeycrock Hill and Church Hill.
• • Oad Street, Stockbury - restricting traffic from turning right onto A249 Sittingbourne Road.

Width Restriction and No Parking Restriction

It will be necessary to temporarily suspend the width restriction Order and prohibit waiting on Chestnut Street, Borden for its entire length.

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 the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network

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.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste