The Spirit of Invicta - Talk by Bob Ogley at Lower Halstow Memorial Hall

This is a story about the county of Kent and why the motto for the county is Invicta.

Bob will take guests through the highlights of the 20th century from flying machines and sporting victories to archaeological discoveries and engineering achievements; a few major scandals, chilling disasters, artistic triumphs and dramatic moments in the most exciting and dramatic century Kent has ever known.

The talk at Lower Halstow Memorial Hall is on Tuesday the 25th of July at 7:30pm and is open to everyone.

Entry is £4.00 at the door, which includes refreshments, and a raffle will be drawn on the evening.

Volunteers from the Friends of St Margaret’s Church, Lower Halstow, organise monthly talks from guest speakers at their Tuesday Social Club to help raise funds for the village church.

For enquiries, contact Liz: 01795 842272

Upchurch Matters

Commercial Property Broken Into - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/96503/23

On Tuesday the 30th of May, at around 17:48, somebody broke into a commercial property in Oak Lane, Upchurch. 

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

UpARA Newsletter - June 2023

Hello UpARA members,

London Walks... return this month. We will be re-attempting the walk we had to cancel last year due to the train strikes - Paddington Basin to Kings Cross along the Regents Canal, taking in the Paddington Fan Bridge, Little Venice, under London Zoo’s Aviary, Camden Lock, Coal Drops Yard & Granary Square. We will stop for lunch at Camden Market. We’ll be travelling up via the Elizabeth Line and returning on the high speed from St Pancras. To register your interest and receive further details, please email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com or text: 07802 250773.

Tony Harris... returns as our speaker this month. Always entertaining, and very popular, this month his topic is ‘D-Day’.

Watch this space... Evening Petanque will return very soon during the lighter evenings, perhaps with a drink in the bar afterwards.

Dates for your Diaries:

• 13th October - Quiz Night

• 15th December - Christmas Party

• 31st December - New Year's Eve Party

The thoughts of Chairman John

Hi everyone,

It was with great pleasure that I was able to present the results of our fundraising efforts at our last meeting. It was a good turnout on what was a very busy day, taking in our monthly meeting, AGM, and 9th Birthday Party.

John Wishart presenting a cheque for £3,000 to Elspeth towards the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund. Together with funds raised for the Ukraine DEC appeal, Turkey/Syrian Earthquake Appeal and Malawi Floods Appeal, this totals over £5,000 that UpARA members have raised this year for charitable causes.

Unfortunately, I never made the party, but I’m told Nick Bosworth did not disappoint, entertaining over 80 of you pretty much non-stop for over 3 hours.

In fact, May was a busy month all round with our Potters break taking place the week before - once again, many thanks to Brenda & Malcolm for organising such a lovely break.

We are intending to re-establish the evening Petanque this month but haven’t got a date yet. Once decided, we will update you all via email.

John W

Payments

Payments... At the next meeting, Brenda and Malcolm will be taking any money due for the lunch at the Golf Course on 28th June. They will also be taking the balance due for the Northern Ireland trip in September. Please contact Brenda if you wish to pay by bank transfer or need any other information.

Brenda will also be asking if any members are interested in a short break to Potters 5 Lakes at the end of April next year. If you are interested, but will not be at the June meeting, please let Brenda know by email at: uparatrips@gmail.com

Pick up Times for Inn on the Lake Wednesday 7th June

• Lower Halstow (The Green) 10:50am

• Upchurch (opposite the Church) 11:00am

• Otterham Quay (up from 3 Sisters) 11:05am

• Rainham (The Cricketers) 11:10am

• Rainham (opposite Pump Lane) 11:15am

Please look... at the calendar for all the activities we currently undertake, and if you haven’t tried them, why not give it a go? Some of our numbers have been dwindling of late, and we need a new input of enthusiasm to boost this. The sad facts of all that we do, is that they can only continue with the participation of enough people. If you’re not sure, just email us and ask.

June Calendar

Village Walk at 10:00am on Friday 2nd June 

Short Tennis at 10:00am on Monday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th June

Kurling at 2:00pm on Monday 5th June

Coffee Morning and Art at 9:30am on Tuesday 6th June  

Table Tennis at 2:00pm on Tuesday 6th June

*Line Dancing at 10:15am on Wednesday 14th and 28th June  

Franki Vali at The Inn on the Lake on Wednesday 7th June

Monthly Meeting at 2:00pm on Friday 9th June

Tony Harris, D-Day

10 Pin Bowling - Hollywood Bowl at 10:00am on Tuesday 13th June

Petanque at 2:00pm on Tuesday 20th June

Please note the new summer times

Village Walk at 10:00am on Friday 16th June

Coffee Morning and Art at 9:30am on Tuesday 27th June

Table Tennis at 2:00pm on Tuesday 27th June

Lunch Club at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course on Wednesday 28th June

London Walk, Regents Canal - Paddington to Kings Cross on Friday 30th June

*Note - No Line Dancing on the 7th and 21st June

Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.

Email: uparaupchurch@gmail.com

Website: www.upara.club

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

Swale Foodbank Collection

Hi Everyone,

We had a great Foodbank collection last month.

Your generosity was overwhelming and heartwarming. I'm feeling the consequences of weekly price rises in my own shopping, and I'm starting to make different choices - but I still have food in my cupboard and fridge.

What scares me are those who haven't got room to make choices and changes to their buying because they are already at rock bottom.

I want to thank you for standing with me and helping me give those struggling a helping hand to put food on their tables for their families and themselves.

I will be collecting your wonderful foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 7th of June, 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.

Thank you, and may God bless 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.

There will be a warm welcome.

Followed by a prayer for our village from 12:00pm.

Is there someone or something you would like a prayer for?

Pop in and join us or leave a note.

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

Temporary Road Closure - Basser Hill, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close part of Basser Hill, Lower Halstow from Saturday 1st July 2023, with estimated completion by 9th July 2023.

Basser Hill, Lower Halstow will be closed between Raspberry Hill and Little Callum Farm, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is School Lane, The Street, Old Ferry Road, Raspberry Hill Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while main laying 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

Swale Borough Council - Help With Cost of Living

A programme to support people struggling to feed their families and pay their bills has reopened across the borough.

Swale Borough Council has received more than £500,000 from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Household Support Fund to help households access food boxes, get vouchers to pay their electric, gas and water bills, and buy items needed to keep warm until March 2024.

The money is being used to support organisations within the local community who have been on the ground helping people navigate the cost-of-living crisis.

Swale Foodbank, Children and Families, Faversham Food Bank and Diversity House will be providing emergency food parcels.

West Faversham Community Association will be providing meals to the young people visiting their youth hub and Age UK will be delivering hot meals and shopping to pensioners.

The council’s fuel and water home advisor and Citizens Advice Swale will be providing Fuel Bank Foundation fuel vouchers to people with pre-paid meters as well as advice and support. Children and Families will be providing Mastercard vouchers for people with billed utility accounts.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:

“We were able to support almost 6,000 local households with the previous round of funding over winter.

“Unfortunately, just because the weather has improved it doesn’t mean people are finding it any easier to make ends meet.

“We’ll be continuing to work with our partners in the voluntary and community sector who have been doing a tremendous job of reaching those who need the help most.”

Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee at the council, said:

“The local organisations have done an amazing job reaching out to find and support people who are struggling with the cost of living.

“We can’t thank them enough for the work they’re doing, and we’re lucky to be working with such committed and hardworking partners.

“We’re committed to continuing the great work that has already taken place and supporting those most in need.”

To find out how to access the support available, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/hsf

Swale Borough Council