Hopefully, see you all soon - your UpARA Committee.
Tuesday, 1 August 2023
Saturday, 29 July 2023
Temporary Road Closure - Keycol Hill, Bobbing
Keycol Hill, Bobbing will be closed between Rook Lane and Ladyfields, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill, High Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, London Road, Moor Street, High Street, London Road, Bowaters Roundabout, A278 Hoath Way, Hoath Way Roundabout, Hoath Way, Wigmore Roundabout, Hoath Way, M2 J4 to J5 On Slip, M2, M2 J5 Off Slip, A249 Maidstone Road, A2 Key Street Roundabout and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while excavation 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 Fifty Years Ago in July 1973 by David Wood
During July, various residents applied to the council for permission to begin a variety of businesses. Mr Calver of Danaway Fisheries in Forge Lane applied for a licence to make and sell ice cream at the premises, while Mr Bennett from The Poles applied for a licence to make and sell sausages. Some residents clearly saw new business opportunities in the village, which had expanded rapidly since the early 1960s.
Permission was granted to Mrs Swift to begin a business to extract and dispose of fumes, but it was discovered that she had installed the extractor without permission from the council. Residents had also complained about the smell from the building, but the council did not take any action.
The parish council complained to the National Bus Company for a more regular bus service for school children in the village. This was because about 80 children from Upchurch had been stranded in Rainham for about two hours, waiting for the bus to bring them home. The National Bus Company accepted responsibility and promised to provide a more regular and reliable service.
Sittingbourne Fire Brigade visited Upchurch Play Group, where they gave a demonstration of fire-fighting to the children who were allowed to participate, which caused a lot of excitement. This led to a photograph of the children in action with hosepipes being published in the East Kent Gazette newspaper.
Village sporting affairs were dominated by the successes of Upchurch Cricket Club, who were experiencing a good period in terms of results, mainly due to the exploits of well-known professional footballer Derek Hales.
Having returned to play cricket for Upchurch after a season playing football for Luton Town, Derek Hales had a great start by hitting 120 runs against Elham. Gerald Smith backed him up with a useful 25 as Upchurch totalled 200. In reply, Elham could only manage 130 all out, as Bob Goodson 4-38 and Basil Barden 2-35, were the pick of the Upchurch bowlers. This was a special month for the two Hales brothers as Derek was transferred from Luton Town to Charlton Athletic, while Ray Hales decided to join Chatham Town from Sittingbourne, on the basis that Chatham played at a higher level.
In the next match after Elham, Upchurch defeated Lenham Storage. Upchurch scored 192 mainly due to Gerald Smith hitting 50 runs and being well backed up by Tucker 37 and Dickenson 27, not out. Lenham Storage were then bowled out for 57, with Bryan Veale taking 4 wickets for 23 runs and Basil Barden taking 3 wickets for 18.
Derek Hales continued building on his early successes with a remarkable bowling performance which became a club record when he took all ten Cooling wickets for only 18 runs. Cooling were bowled out for 57 runs which left Upchurch with an easy victory after Ian Daniel had scored 24 runs.
Derek Hales’ relentless success continued against Gravesend NALGO the following week when he scored another century of 105. Upchurch scored 210. Gravesend managed to score 106 in reply, with Derek Hales taking 3 wickets for 10 runs and Bob Goodson taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. This ended a very successful month for Upchurch Cricket Club.
Another well-known local cricketer and footballer made the news when David Pullen from Rainham married Glynis Tyler from Chaffes Lane in the village church. David Pullen had played football for Gillingham Youth and Rainham Youth and cricket for Chatham Nomads Cricket Club. The married couple chose to live in Upchurch.
July ended with some remarkable cricket at Upchurch Cricket Club, still fourteen years away from getting its present ground at Holywell Lane, while the council dealt with numerous monthly affairs.
David Wood
About David
David was born and raised at Ham Green and still lives there today.
He writes from personal experience about Upchurch village life and the changes that have taken place over the years.
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
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk
Temporary Road Closure - Basser Hill, Lower Halstow
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.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Temporary Road Closure - Stickfast Lane, Bobbing & Iwade Road, Newington
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
