Notice Board

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

The Train that Jumped the Gap - New Book and Talk at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch

Author Richard Emmett’s new book, The Train that Jumped the Gap, examines the wartime railway disaster in Oak Lane, which happened on Wednesday, 16th August 1944.

Richard will be giving a talk for the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch, about his research into this disaster at 7:00pm on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch, where his book will be available to purchase.

The talk will examine the tragic WW2 disaster when a Doodlebug flying bomb demolished the railway bridge at Oak Lane, Upchurch, causing the derailment of the London to Margate train.

It examines the facts gathered from various sources, including eyewitness accounts, to evaluate what happened on that ill-fated day.

Tickets are £5 with proceeds to the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.

Tea and cakes will be available with donations appreciated.

The new book is currently on sale at the Heritage Hub, The Forum, Sittingbourne, price £12.00 and is available online through the HRGS website: https://hrgs.co.uk/shop/books-2/train_that_jumped_the_gap

Proceeds of the book go to the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne/The Heritage Hub.

Upchurch Matters

Thursday, 26 June 2025

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church

On the 2nd Thursday of each month.

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 10th of July, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.

As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.

We will have our fantastic kid's snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?

There will be crafts, a story for the children, and a warm welcome for everyone.

This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?

Come and join us.

Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Swale Foodbank Collection - July

Swale Foodbank Collection

Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in June.

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 2nd of July, 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, provided the food is long life and well within date.

Thank you

May God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk