Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway this Sunday

Come along this Sunday and make the most of the nice weather.

Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway's set for a fantastic day this Sunday. Good news - it isn't the last day either!

This Sunday is the last full open day of the year and it looks like the weather is going to be just fantastic so bring the picnic, kites and balls - so you can relax in the park, have fun AND ride the trains. We are expecting three steam engine to be running as well as the usual attractions - the difference is you aren't going to get wet this Sunday so swap the brolly and raincoat for sunblock and shorts.

Although this is normally the last event of the year we have two further events for your diary. An Autumn Steam Gala - Enthusiasts day on Sunday 30th October. We will be running 5 steam engines including both Mozambique Fowlers plus 2 diesels. We will be running passenger and goods trains - some double headed. If you have an annual ticket this will get you in for free. Gates open at 10:30 and we will be open till 6pm so we can run some "late" trains. Between 1pm and 3pm there will be guided tours of the workshops (subject to availability and demand). This will be a great day and we expect a good visitor turnout so arrive early.

Finally Thursday 10 November we have Coffee and Trains. A coffee morning in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice. For full details  click here  or  here. 

After last years successful issue of season tickets we are offering annual membership at an even lower price of £30 per adult which will include one child. Extra children are £12. This will get you into all public and any member only events for 12 months. Bring a passport photo with you and you can start saving on the day.

Did you know we can also run  Steamy Suppers,  an ideal event for Birthdays or even business dinners. You can also put yourself on the footplate and have a go at driving with our well managed, hands on, driving courses. You can also book the railway for special events or parties and have the railway to yourself and your guests. Call 01622 884254 for more infromation.


Visit us at:  www.bwlr.co.uk  to find out more about BWLR and events.

Best regards and see you Sunday,


Bill Best


BWLR
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Upchurch Village Hall 50th Birthday Fun Day

The Village Hall is 50 years old this year.

Upchurch Village Hall is celebrating it's 50th birthday this year with a Fun Day on Saturday the 12th of November.

There will be free children's entertainment from 12:15pm to 4:00pm, including face painting, arts & crafts, cake decorating and ending with a magician.

Admission costs just £3 for Adults and £2 for Children.

Ploughman's Lunches will be available between 12:00pm and 2:00pm and the evening entertainment will start at 7:00pm, with local talent performing sketches etc.

please contact:

Jan Lacy on: 01634 366729  or  Brenda Kemsley on: 01634 231585

Please support this important village celebration.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Village Hall at 50 Years Old

Memories of Upchurch.

Of all the schemes dating back in the village none had been so long awaited as the construction of a village hall. For many years the Old Forge in Forge Lane, the Infant’s School in The Street and the Labour Hall in Horsham Lane had served as social venues but were increasingly considered unsuitable. Mrs Margaret Neame from The Upchurch Stores in The Street opened up the discussion after World War Two and this led to the setting up of the Upchurch Victory Trust Fund Committee in 1953 with the aim of obtaining a village hall.

In the early years a search took place for a suitable location with the oasthouse on the site of the present day Crosier Court being considered followed by a proposed conversion of the old Elizabethan barn at Church Farm. After consideration neither plan became reality so the search continued and the Village Hall Fund was started in June 1954 with a committee chaired by Rich Boakes from Chaffes Lane. This led to fund raising events like a weekly member’s lottery, a Buy a Brick Club, whist drives, dances, raffles, and takings from the fete and carnival. Eventually, a suitable site was found behind The Crown public house and a plan was drawn up by architect Mark Hartland-Thomas from Forge Lane incorporating a hall and car park which local building company E. C. Gransden Ltd constructed. The building cost £6,750 helped by a £2,000 loan from the National Council of Social Services.

After initial problems over catering rights with Courage & Barclay Brewery, the village hall, designed to accommodate 300 people, was completed then opened on November 4th 1961 by Deputy Mayor of Gillingham Freddie Cooper. After speeches by local M.P Percy Wells and village hall chairman Rich Boakes, Revd Bradshaw and Methodist Minister Revd Groves conducted a dedication service. The debt for the building was paid off and a village hall extension fund set up for future improvements.

The new village hall soon became the base for organisations like the Horticultural Society, the Table Tennis Club, the Youth Club, the Badminton Club, the Darby and Joan Club, and various dramatic societies. With funds available the village hall extension was completed in 1974 followed by further changes in the mid 1990s and 2000 when better toilet facilities, wheelchair access, a new meeting room and storage room were created. The improvements made the village hall much more suitable for social events like wedding receptions, parties and dances. After fires in 1977 and 1995 which potentially could have destroyed the building, the village hall has survived and continues to play an important part in the life of the village.

A 25th anniversary was celebrated in November 1986 when several village organisations presented entertainment and a 50th anniversary is planned for Saturday November 12th 2011 when families will be encouraged to visit the village hall where stalls selling goods, competitions and entertainment will take place followed by entertainment for adults only during the evening.

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village.

David Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Splash the £ash

The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2011.

Need funding to help start a business idea ?


Money to make imaginative ideas happen ?

Provide money for fun activities and equipment ?


Splash The Cash is funding for young people in Swale with awards of up to £250 for individuals and £750 for groups. The idea came from young people in the Swale Youth Forum and Youth Advisory Group (YAG).

YAG Co-chair, Mike Whiting, and other members for Swale, along with the Deputy Mayor for Swale have contributed part of their members' grants towards a budget that promotes local decision making amongst young people.

If you are between 11 and 19 (or up to 25 with a disability) then you can apply as an individual (£250) or with a group of friends to receive up to £750 !

The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2011 Shortlisted projects will be invited to pitch ideas on the 15th of October 2011.


The scheme is being administered by KCC Youth Services and should you wish to find out more or have any questions about the scheme and it’s development please call Angela Ford, Area Youth Officer, Thanet Canterbury Swale on: 07919 535633.


The Application Form can be downloaded here:


Splash the cash application form (PDF, 121k)


Website:  http://www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/youth_service/youth_opportunity_fund/splash_the_cash.aspx


Martin Goodhew

Economy & Community Services Project Officer

Swale Borough Council

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Upchurch Twinning Group October News

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France.

Do look on the Holywell School website:  www.holywell.kent.sch.uk   for our news as well.  Also, try looking at:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff!
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Sports Day – We had a great day on 27^th August, with lots of games played and lots of French language tried out!  47 residents of Ferques joined us at the Recreation Ground and Scout Hall and they have written to express their thanks for a most enjoyable day.  Thank you to all those people of Upchurch who joined in with this event, which, apart from us all having a good time, was a valuable way of cementing our links with Ferques.

Diary dates for you:

Saturday 15^th October – Anniversary Dinner and Dance in Ferques, in Elinghen Village Hall.  A set meal with some Celtic music.  Cost will be 18€ each from 7.30pm.  Tickets now available from us but you need to book by 7^th October.  It’ll go on all evening so you’ll need a late ferry home or a stop-over in a hotel or B&B.  Come along – it will be a really good night!

Tuesday 18^th October – School children from Ferques will visit Holywell School – do say “bon jour” if you see them in the village!

Saturday 5^th November – Scout Group Fireworks at Westmoor Farm – Find the Twinning Group, who will be selling their famous, delicious bacon rolls again!

And for 2012:

Saturday 28^th January 2012 – Quiz night at our School – always popular, more details nearer the time!

Sunday 15^th April 2012 – Upchurch Choral Society will be performing in the church at Ferques – again more details nearer the time.

FRIENDS OF THE TWINNING GROUP – Our “Friends of the Upchurch Twinning Group” has a healthy membership now, but we would always welcome anyone who would be willing to give practical support e.g. on stalls, or at events, giving hospitality etc etc.  Just let us know!
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Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780

Upchurch Twinning Group

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Parents & Friends of Holywell School AGM

The 2011 AGM takes place at 7:30pm on the 29th of September 2011 at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course. All are welcome and this year they are looking for a new Chairperson to start ASAP.


Please help if you can !


Upchurch Matters.