Swale Foodbank Collection - January

Swale Foodbank Collection

Thank you, Upchurch, for all your love and care for vulnerable people throughout 2023.

We have begun a new year, and while there are still families in danger of going hungry, I will continue collecting your wonderful gifts throughout 2024.

I will be collecting your generous foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 3rd of January, between 10:30am and 11:30am. I know you will be there too.

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.

God bless your loving, generous hearts. May he pour many blessings into your lives in 2024 ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Temporary Road Closure - Halstow Lane, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close part of Halstow Lane, Lower Halstow from Thursday 8th February 2024, with estimated completion by 12th February 2024.

The road will be closed in the vicinity of Chapel House, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, The Street, Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, Breach Lane and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while new connection 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

Kent Association of Local Councils - Community Awards Scheme 2024

Calling all Upchurch Parish Residents.

Upchurch Parish Council will once again be presenting an award to a resident or group that has made a difference to the village.

The Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) Community Award acknowledges and recognises a resident or group that has made a significant contribution to their local community over a period of years.

If you know of someone who has given this kind of service and merits an award, please nominate them.

The person must live or work within the Upchurch Parish Council boundary. Parish residents can make just one nomination, but all adult family members may submit a nomination form.

The nomination form below can be downloaded and printed or requested from the Clerk at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk or by telephone: 07798 600696.

Tap and hold or right-click on the nomination form above to download and print it.

The winner will receive a certificate signed by the Chairman of Kent County Council and the KALC Chairman.

The Upchurch Parish Council Chairman will present the award at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday the 11th of April 2024.

Please send your completed nomination forms in a sealed envelope to:

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer

2 Alfriston Grove

Kings Hill

West Malling

ME19 4SR

The closing date for receiving nomination forms is Wednesday the 31st of January 2024.

The previous winners of the KALC Award in Upchurch are:

Pat New in 2017

Tracey Snellings in 2018

Ray Kemsley in 2019

No award given in 2020

Cia Merrall in 2021

John Arnold in 2022

Gerry Lewin in 2023

Upchurch Matters

Temporary Road Closure - Halstow Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Halstow Lane, Upchurch from Monday 19th February 2024, for up to one day between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.

The road will be closed in the vicinity of Ridgedale Stables, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, Forge Lane, The Street, Horsham Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, Lower Rainham Road, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, Breach Lane and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while new connection works are undertaken by Openreach.

For information regarding this closure, 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

New Music Director Required for Upchurch Choral Society

Following the departure of our Music Director, Upchurch Choral Society is now without a Conductor and requires a new one as soon as possible.

We are a friendly SATB choir of about 34 members with mixed musical abilities. The choir was formed over 50 years ago and has grown from a small village choral group to the society we are today.

We would like to increase our membership and musical standards, sing a varied repertoire and develop generally.

We perform two, sometimes three concerts every year using a variety of choral music. Rehearsals are in St Mary’s church in Upchurch on Friday evenings from 7:45pm to 9:15pm.

The church has an organ and an electric piano and we have an excellent Accompanist.

If you are interested in becoming our new MD, please contact our secretary for an application form and job description to be returned by Wednesday the 31st of January 2024 to:

Mrs S E Rossiter, 114 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7BH, or Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Sue Rossiter

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Upchurch Matters.

Thanks for all the support you have given the website throughout the year.

This year's lovely village Christmas tree was again kindly donated by Bob Friend and his family.

Thank you, Bob.

Upchurch Parish Councillors have added 'SANTA STOP HERE' to the village sign so he knows where to stop and deliver all the children's presents.

The sparkling Santa's sleigh with reindeer and twinkling lights with the star on top of the Christmas tree all look lovely.

The knitting group has done another wonderful job of decorating the centre of the village with knitted Christmas characters. The added colour they bring really brightens up our winter days.

Why not go and check them out during the holidays?

The lit Nativity Scene, beautifully built by the late Frank Osborne, has also returned to the Churchyard.

Thanks to everyone for all their hard work and generosity, once again.

To more peaceful and affordable times in 2024 🥂

Upchurch Matters