Get the Care you Need Quicker with Pharmacy First

9 out of 10 pharmacies in Kent and Medway can now offer prescription medicine for 7 common conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment.

This is called Pharmacy First.

Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

• Impetigo (aged 1 and over)
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 and over)
• Earache (aged 1 to 17)
• Sore throat (age 5 and over)
• Sinusitis (aged 12 and over)
• Urinary tract infections
• Shingles (aged 18 and over)

Mum-of-two Gemma used Pharmacy First when her 12-year-old complained of earache.

She said:

“I used Pharmacy First when my son complained of on-going earache. He was assessed by the pharmacist and prescribed ear drops. We were advised to return for prescription antibiotics if the problem did not resolve within a few days. It was a quick and brilliant service and one I would recommend.”

Pharmacists can also offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections, aches, and pains.

You may be referred to a pharmacy by your GP if you contact them for one of the above conditions or another minor illness.

You can also go to a pharmacy for these conditions, without contacting your GP.

Find out more at: www.kmhealthandcare.uk/pharmacy

Anna Hinde

Communications and Engagement Manager

NHS Kent and Medway

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 13th of November, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.

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

We will have our fantastic kids' 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?

There is no heating in the church at the moment. Still, we have money to raise, and we will be there, though. Wrap up warm, everyone!

Come and join us.

Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Swale Foodbank Collection - November

Swale Foodbank Collection

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

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 5th of November, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

If the lovely people of Upchurch could start adding a few Christmas treats, that would be great. 

Please bring your items in carrier bags.

We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.

All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.

St Mary's and Uplift are putting together hampers and gifts for the Swale Foodbank/Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.

Both have Gift Services on Sunday, the 7th of December. St Mary's at 10:00am and Uplift at 4:00pm.

Thank you

May God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Urgent Road Closure - Holywell Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Holywell Lane, Upchurch, from Wednesday, 5th November 2025, for up to 1 day.

The road will be closed between the junctions of Breach Lane and Halstow Lane.

The alternative route is via Halstow Lane, The Street, Breach Lane, Holywell Lane and vice versa.

This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Urgent Road Closure - Poot Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Poot Lane, Upchurch, from Friday, 7th November 2025, for up to 1 day.

 

The road will be closed at the junction with Callows Drive.

 

The alternative route is via Poot Lane, Wetham Green and vice versa.

 

This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Andy Sambrook of NSD Runners is Raising Money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association

On Thursday, the 13th of November, Andy Sambrook, of the Upchurch running group NSD Runners, is attempting to run 170 miles to raise money for the local Mid Kent Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

It’s a charity close to his heart, as his uncle, Allan Blagden, passed away over 20 years ago from the disease. Since then, his auntie, Linda Blagden, has been volunteering to support MNDA and is now fighting her own health battles, but has continued to volunteer throughout.

So if you can, please sponsor him towards this great cause, that would be greatly appreciated!

Please visit Andy's JustGiving page to donate:

www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-sambrook-1759768904762

To cover the 170 miles, he’s going to be running 5 mile loops (day time) and 2 mile loops (night time) of Upchurch until the 170 miles is complete.

So if you see Andy, or any of the NSD Runners, running through the village from 13th - 15th November, please cheer them on.

There will be a tracker and a link for his progress towards the target of 170 miles that will be shared closer to the day.

Thanks all in advance!

Cheers,

Andy