October 1962 began with a resurgence of interest in the theatre which led to the forming of the ‘Upchurch Players’ drama group, the first of its kind in ten years. Parish council clerk Aubrey Smith from Oak Lane thought up the idea and had discussions with Terry Ray from Horsham Lane who organised the group. Using the village hall as a base, the actors had to perform on the floor as a stage did not exist, but undeterred the group rehearsed hard and performed a series of one act plays with the first being ‘Home is the Hunted’ on October 26th.
In parish council affairs discussions continued about more recreational space for the community, complaints were made about the carelessness of refuse collectors and the mess they left around the village while permission was given for new street lighting in Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane. Mr R F Beckenham failed to obtain permission to construct a caravan site on the Wetham Green side of Poot Lane and the recurring problem of indiscriminate car parking on the recreation ground and in the bus stop lay by opposite the church was referred to the police.
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| Memories of Upchurch. |
The cricket club annual dinner and dance turned out to be the most significant village social event of the month. Held in the village hall and presided over by Chairman Ted Tress from Wallbridge Lane, Sussex county cricketer Ian Thompson attended as the principal guest of honour. Ted Tress announced that the club had experienced a successful season winning eighteen, losing nine and drawing three of its scheduled matches with three abandoned due to bad weather. Peter Smith and Don Diffey scored most of the runs while Alan Auger and Basil Barden took most wickets. After the dinner the club presented Eric Gransden with a barometer in appreciation for the work he had done over the years.
In other village club affairs Mrs Smith presided over the Women’s Institute’s meeting in the village hall and guest Mrs Pilcher from Rough Common spoke about ‘corn dollies’ after which members were given a handful of corn and challenged to make their own dollies with help from Mrs Pilcher. A competition for members to make a miniature scarecrow followed won by Mrs Cox.
Sad news revealed that former Upchurch vicar Reverend Hugh Clark had died in St George’s hospital Tooting after a long illness. Reverend Clark had served as vicar from 1951 to 1958. He had entered the clergy late in life after working as a bank manager for Barclays for more than 40 years and had had long term connections with the church having served as a church warden, a reader and a vicar. His funeral took place in Upchurch and he was buried in the churchyard. The only other funeral in October involved Susannah Hilburn aged 78 from ‘The Crown.’ Happier news concerned the marriage of Celia Clemons from Suffield House Cottages in The Street to Alec Hayward from Iwade and Janet Latter from Drake’s Close to Harry Fordham from Gillingham which brought October to a cheerful end.
About David:
Sad news revealed that former Upchurch vicar Reverend Hugh Clark had died in St George’s hospital Tooting after a long illness. Reverend Clark had served as vicar from 1951 to 1958. He had entered the clergy late in life after working as a bank manager for Barclays for more than 40 years and had had long term connections with the church having served as a church warden, a reader and a vicar. His funeral took place in Upchurch and he was buried in the churchyard. The only other funeral in October involved Susannah Hilburn aged 78 from ‘The Crown.’ Happier news concerned the marriage of Celia Clemons from Suffield House Cottages in The Street to Alec Hayward from Iwade and Janet Latter from Drake’s Close to Harry Fordham from Gillingham which brought October to a cheerful end.
About David:
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and 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's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters.
price £12 + p+p £2.
David Wood
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price £12 + p+p £2.
David Wood
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