The Windmill on Windmill Hill

These days Windmill Hill is just a name without significance for many people, other than having a dangerous bend in the road, but from the early nineteenth century a towering windmill stood there as a familiar building and landmark. It could be seen for miles around due to its high location and like Upchurch church it was used a navigation point for boats sailing along the River Medway. During the second half of the nineteenth century the building became the property of farmers ‘Wakeley Brothers’ but by the beginning of the twentieth century it was no longer in use. However, the owners allowed it to continue standing as a familiar landmark that had existed for about 100 years.

Wakeley's Mill 1903

Timber built with a brick base, old and well tarred wood, the windmill was highly inflammable and this eventually proved to be costly because on Thursday September 8th, 1910 it caught fire. A farm worker noticed a narrow plume of smoke coming from it after he had returned from lunch. Due to the inflammability of the building the fire took hold quickly and the high leaping flames and black smoke could be viewed for miles around. This caused crowds of people to converge on the scene to view the spectacle. Eventually, after a long delay, the Rainham Fire Brigade engine arrived but there was little that could be done to save the windmill. Nobody could get anywhere near the fire because it was so hot and intense. The situation worsened when the burning sails from the windmill broke off and fell into a nearby orchard causing considerable damage to young fruit trees that had just come into bearing. Many of these were badly burnt or scorched.

Police constable Jenner and Sergeant Ashton from Rainham assisted by several passers by were able to rescue some pigs in a sty close to the blazing windmill otherwise the animals would have been burnt alive. A timber built store owned by Mrs. Stokes, wife of late farmer Sam Stokes, also caught fire but the fire brigade were able to extinguish the blaze. Water was obtained from a standpipe at the top of Windmill Hill but the pressure remained low due to the high location and this slowed down the firemen who fought the fire for about three hours.

Eventually the fire subsided but the windmill was completely destroyed and the nearby fruit orchard badly burnt. Although Mrs Stokes store survived it was badly damaged. Several carts, a collection of fruit baskets, wheat and grain inside the store were destroyed or damaged. The cost to Wakeley Brothers was about £250 and Mrs. Stokes lost about £100. Both parties were later able to claim insurance but the windmill, such a significant landmark on the landscape, disappeared for ever and only the name and a few photos survive.


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

space

Fishy Friday today at The Brown Jug

It's Fishy Friday at The Brown Jug this Friday, December the 23rd. 6:30pm – 10:00pm.

Freshly cooked cod, chips, choice of peas or mushy peas at only £6.50 each. For further details or to book, Please call: 01634 366543.

Upchurch Matters

space

Christmas at The Three Sisters

Lots of things happening this Christmas at The Three Sisters.

Celebrate Christmas this year at the Three Sisters. On Christmas Eve there is a live singer and on Christmas Day the pub is open from 11:00am - 2:00pm.

Boxing Day there is Karaoke from 8:00pm until late and New Year's Eve a Disco and Karaoke (ticket only) at £5.00 which includes a free drink and buffet.

For enquires please phone: 01634 231991

Nicola Mccloud

space

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee - 2012

The Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne next year.

To mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign the Diamond Jubilee will take place in 2012. The celebrations will centre around an extended weekend in 2012 on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th of June.

Upchurch Parish Council are forming a working party to collect ideas and make arrangements for village celebrations for the Queen's Jubliee in 2012. Current proposals include a 'Party in the Paddock' where individual streets can have their own areas for celebrations with space for the younger generation to have various arranged activities once the tables are cleared.

BUT...... We' need some help ! If there are any residents that would like to join this working party and contribute ideas and effort in taking them forward then please contact Claire the parish clerk at: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk  

Sara Tucker
space

Upchurch Parish Council Report - January 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 1^st December in the hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 3 members of the public.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

 SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – Change of use to a residential unit caring for young mothers- babies. A further response will be submitted to Swale BC. Concern was expressed that some information was still not known, for example, who is behind this planning application, who is going to run the unit? It was noted that the service users would be voluntarily accommodated under S20 of the Children Act 1989 which stated that “Every local authority shall provide accommodation for any child in need within their area...” However, it was commented that they were not aware of any need being identified, therefore it was requested that this evidence of “need” be reported.

SW/11/1369 8 Drakes Close – To convert an integral garage into a habitable room and alteration to front elevation to remove garage door and replace with brick and window. – There were no objections provided neighbours views were taken into consideration.

SW/11/1394 1 Macklands Cottages, Otterham Quay Lane – Erection of single storey conservatory to rear – There were no objections provided neighbours views were taken into consideration.

SW/11/1296 Frogs Farm, Susans Lane – Retrospective application for the building of an agricultural barn. The Planning Review Team will review this proposal.                       

v) Permissions and refusals

Permission granted:

SW/11/1161 Redbrick Cottage, Poot Lane – Rear extension. To be used as a plant room (To house oil storage & boiler)

vi) Proposal to hold a private party for Scout Leaders, Committee Members and Supporters of the Scout Group on 31 December 2011 at Upchurch Scout Group Headquarters, Drake Lodge Recreation Ground, Oak Lane – There were no objections.                                                

Rural Needs Housing – Members discussed a request from a resident asking that a full declaration of interest be made by each councillor on the working party. It was agreed that sufficient checks were in place to ensure that they all behaved properly in relation to this proposal. It was commented that a register of members interests is maintained, and that at each Parish Council meeting, Councillors were required to sign that they either had no material interest on any item on the agenda or indicate items which they did have an interest. Members noted a suggestion forwarded by Tessa O’Sullivan (ACRK) that it may be viable to build 8 to 10 units. Alison Thompson (ERHA) had also agreed that this might be possible and that the site next to Holywell Primary School could be considered. However, the Planning Officer at Swale BC had commented that it would need to be demonstrated that the other, more preferable sites originally identified, were not able to come forward, and also state the reason. Support for this site would also be subject to the design, bulk and scale of the proposed houses and how they relate to their surroundings. It was decided that the working group would meet to discuss this and report back at the next Parish Council meeting.

Administration – Annual Parish Meeting – This has been arranged for Thursday 26^th April 2012 at 7.30pm in the main hall of Upchurch Village Hall. Everyone is welcome and wine and nibbles will be available after the meeting.

Finance – Village Hall Asbestos Problem – A grant application form had been received from the Management Committee and a decision will be made at the meeting in January 2012.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Bonfire at Allotments – Members considered a request by a resident to stipulate times of the day when bonfires were allowed at the Allotments. It was suggested that allotment holders were reminded to show consideration to the neighbours and ensure that bonfires were not left unattended.

Paddock – Installing a barrier at the entrance by 22 Chaffes Lane – An estimate from M Belsom to the sum of £215 + VAT for installing a Kee Clamp Barrier at this entrance was accepted. It is hoped to arrange this installation as soon as possible. Dumping of garden waste – The Council would like to remind everyone that garden waste must not be disposed of in the Paddock and that it is considered as fly tipping.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – St Marys Churchyard – footpath to Burial Ground- Members were informed that a quote had been received from First Highways Ltd. They requested that the Clerk contact the PCC to see if they would be able to contribute towards this cost.

Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee – Members are still considering many different ideas on how to celebrate this occasion. Please do consider joining the committee. They hope to plan an event which would be suitable for all ages. If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact the Clerk who will forward your details to a committee member.

Next meetings – 5^th January 2012, 2^nd February 2012. Please note that the meetings are held in the hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906.

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

space 

Fishy Friday at The Brown Jug

It's Fishy Friday at The Brown Jug this Friday, December the 9th. 6:30pm – 10:00pm.

Freshly cooked fish, chips and peas available at only £6.50 each. For further details or to book, Please call: 01634 366543.

Upchurch Matters
space