Thank You from Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay and Swale Foodbank

Dear Upchurch,

Again, your generosity was a delight to behold.

Lots of you dropped off your gifts this month, and we were able to give £50 to the foodbank, which was donated by a few people.

You are a real blessing to those in need. You filled 3 trolleys, and under Rev. Julian's direction, we gave 2 bags away to someone in immediate need.

See the photo above, which also shows the lovely Esther, who runs Swale Foodbank and her colleague.

God bless you all ❤️

I will be collecting your donations for Swale Foodbank again next month at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday the 4th of October, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Can I also remind you that the Rainbow Café opens again on Thursday the 14th of September, starting at 2:00pm in St Mary's Church.

We will have delicious cakes, savouries, and the same wonderful kid's snack deal of 5 items for £1.

As before, some of our income will be helping 5 children in Uganda go to school.

Please come and support us - which you will do by eating our delicious wares!

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

CANCELLED: Upchurch Choral Society - Choral Singing Workshop

Choral Singing Workshop

Saturday 16th September

Join Upchurch Choral Society for a day of choral singing and learn some beautiful music in the wonderful surroundings of our medieval church under the leadership of Vicki Stilwell, a professional soprano, singing teacher and founder member of Sonare

The day will start at 10:00am and finish around 4:00pm. The cost is £10 for UCS members and £12 for non-members. An informal performance of the music learned will be at 3:30pm.

Members of the audience will be charged £2 - thank you.

Parking is available at Holywell School.

All are welcome!

For further details and an application form, contact UCS Secretary Sue Rossiter.

Tel: 01634 234780 Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Upchurch Matters

Swale Borough Council - Rural Swale Small Business Grants

A new pot of funding to support rural communities and businesses has been launched by Swale Borough Council.

Eligible organisations are being encouraged to put forward small capital investment projects that support growth and carbon reduction measures, or which help develop the local visitor economy.

Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said:

“We want to support schemes that improve the environmental and financial sustainability of rural businesses through carbon reduction measures or, that help safeguard or increase rural employment.

“These grants can help give a boost to our distinctive rural communities, offering new funding opportunities for projects that specifically address rural needs.”

Using money from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the Rural Swale Small Business Grants scheme is focussed on projects in the wards:

• Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow

• Borden & Grove Park 

• Boughton and Courtenay
• East Downs
• Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch
• Sheppey Central
• Sheppey East
• Teynham and Lynsted
• West Downs

Projects outside these areas may be considered if they can show they will support local rural businesses.

Examples of schemes that can apply for funding of between £1,000 and £7,000 include:

• Investments which support carbon reduction and support the future financial and environmental sustainability of the business.
• Improving or creating business or visitor accommodation, venues and facilities that support the rural economy.
• Purchasing new equipment that supports business growth and productivity, for non-farmer owned businesses.

Applications for the Rural Swale Small Business Grants are open now with a closing date of 13th October 2023.

To find out more about the scheme, and to apply for a grant, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/rssbg

Swale Borough Council

Upchurch Horticultural Society - September Show

September Show

Saturday 16th September 2023

In the Barn at the rear of 97 Chaffes Lane

Open to the public from 2:00pm

A showcase of adult and junior plants, vegetables, flowers and arts & crafts

Plants for sale

Fun auction of homegrown showcase items

Refreshments and homemade cakes for sale

Toilets

Ample free parking

Open to all new members to enter and have fun

Membership is £10 per year

For membership enquiries, email: upchurchsociety@gmail.com

For more information, visit: https://linktr.ee/upchurchhorticulturalsociety

Upchurch Matters

Holywell School: New Entrant 2024 - School Tours

Click flyer to enlarge.

Holywell Primary School 

Tel: 01634 388416

Email: office@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

A Coffee and A Chat

To all who would like a chat.

I have learned that since I lost my husband in February, it is essential to be in the company of others and to chat.

So, I will be trying an experiment.

I will be at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course at 2:00pm on Monday the 11th of September.

Get yourself a drink and join me there in the conservatory.

Anyone, and there are no restrictions, who would like to chat, why not come and join me?

We will meet once a month at first, and who knows, we may make it more regular.

If you know someone who needs a lift, please let me know, and I will see what I can do. If you drive, why not offer a lift to a friend or a neighbour?

So you know who I am - you may already know me from the foodbank collections, the Rainbow Café or Uplift church, which meets in Upchurch Village Hall.

I look forward to chatting with you all.

Gill Gay

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk