Swale Foodbank Collection

Swale Foodbank Collection

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your generous support for the foodbank collection in July.

While the children are away from school, it would be wonderful if we could add a few summertime snacks and bottles of squash to the usual staples that help put meals on the tables of struggling families.

It's incredible how generous everyone is, even while facing the cost of living crisis that affects us all.

You show such kindness and care, and I am humbled every month when I receive Upchurch's gifts. 

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 2nd of August, 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 ❤️

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

Temporary Road Closure - Basser Hill, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close Basser Hill, Lower Halstow from Wednesday 23rd August 2023, for up to one day.

Basser Hill, Lower Halstow will be closed for the entire length, 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 drainage works are undertaken by Kent County Council.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Kent County Council, 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

Temporary Road Closure - Stickfast Lane, Bobbing & Iwade Road, Newington

It will be necessary to close part of Stickfast Lane, Bobbing & Iwade Road, Newington from Thursday 31st August 2023, for up to one day, between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.

Stickfast Lane will be closed between Iwade Road and Cambray Cottages, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Iwade Road will be closed between Church Lane and Basser Hill, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Basser Hill, Sheerness Road, The Street, Breach Lane, A2 Hartlip Hill, London Road, High Street, Boyces Hill, Keycol Hill, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Stickfast Lane and vice versa.

The closures are required for the safety of the public and workforce while pole testing works are undertaken by Openreach.

For information regarding these closures, please contact Openreach on: 0800 023 2023, 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

Part Time Kitchen Porter Required at The BarnYard

WE'RE HIRING!

PART TIME KITCHEN PORTER TO JOIN OUR AWESOME TEAM

Kitchen Porter required, on a part time basis, to work at The BarnYard, Upchurch.

Duties include washing up / drying up / helping keep the kitchen clean and tidy / some small amount of prep work for the chefs.

Please email your interest to: office@the-barnyard.com

The BarnYard

Kent PCC Annual Policing Survey 2023 - Get Your Views Heard

Get your views heard

Every year, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott conducts his Annual Policing Survey to help shape his Police and Crime Plan, which sets the priorities Mr Scott expects the Chief Constable to deliver. The priorities are shaped by what the residents and businesses of Kent tell him matters most to them.

The Police and Crime Plan is the document that outlines the priorities that Kent Police is held to account on by Matthew Scott.

This survey seeks to understand the views of Kent residents and businesses, whether they agree with the priorities that Mr Scott has set for the force, and to find out what matters to them and how safe they feel where they live.

It also focuses on how much you trust Kent Police, how safe you feel in your area, and your preferences on how offenders of crimes, such as antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, are punished through out-of-court orders.

It is that time of year when the PCC puts the spotlight on you, the public, to share your views on policing performance, your experiences of being a victim of crime, and what crimes matter most in your communities.

Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous survey.

Your responses will be carefully studied. Your voice matters to help shape what you want your police force to be focused on.

Complete the survey online at >> www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/KentPolicingSurvey2023 or you can ask for printed copies to be sent to you.

The Office of Kent Police and Crime Commissioner website is >> www.kent-pcc.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

Free Bus Travel for Eligible Families This Summer

Families with children on free school meals can enjoy free bus travel across the county during the summer holidays.

Thanks to funding provided through the government’s National Bus Strategy and the co-operation of Kent’s local bus operators, eligible families can benefit from the scheme, titled Bus About Kent, between 23rd July and 31st August.

Families of up to four can take advantage of the offer, as long as there is at least one adult in the party, and a maximum of two.

Families already in receipt of benefits-related free school meals will automatically receive an e-voucher that contains the digital bus pass via email from their child’s school before the end of term.

David Brazier, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:

“We are pleased to be able to promote this offer to some of the county’s most hard-pressed families and thank the bus companies and their staff involved for their co-operation in implementing it.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

“Supporting Kent County Council with providing free bus travel to children on free school meals during the holidays is yet another important way we’re helping families in Kent save money through the cost of living increase and make the most of the fantastic days out and holiday opportunities Kent has to offer.

“People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we’re providing Kent County Council with over £37 million to boost its bus services.”

To check if you are eligible for free school meals use our eligibility checker on our website: Free school meals - Kent County Council

Families, with up to four people travelling each time, will be able to use it as many times as they like between 23rd July and 31st August. Simply show it to the bus driver.

There are some restrictions on the use of this bus pass:

• At least one child and one adult must travel together;
• Journeys cannot start after 8:00pm in the evening;
• It is only for use by the family to whom it was allocated;
• These passes are only valid for journeys in areas maintained by Kent County Council. The passes cannot be used to travel into or out of the county (for example on services that start or operate in Medway, East Sussex, West Sussex or the Transport for London area); 
• Medway is covered by a different local authority so residents in those areas should contact Medway Council for information about support for children and families.

The pass is valid in Kent on the following buses:

• Autocar
• Arriva
• Chalkwell
• Farleigh Coaches
• Go Coach
• Hams Travel
• Kent Coach Tours
• Metrobus
• Nu-Venture
• R&J Coaches
• Redroute
• Regent Coaches
• Stagecoach
• Starline Coaches

For further information and to check your eligibility, visit: www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/bus-travel/bus-passes/free-summer-bus-travel-for-eligible-families

Kent County Council