July 1973 was not a busy month in comparison with other months in the village calendar apart from the parish council and the cricket club.
During July, various residents applied to the council for permission to begin a variety of businesses. Mr Calver of Danaway Fisheries in Forge Lane applied for a licence to make and sell ice cream at the premises, while Mr Bennett from The Poles applied for a licence to make and sell sausages. Some residents clearly saw new business opportunities in the village, which had expanded rapidly since the early 1960s.
Permission was granted to Mrs Swift to begin a business to extract and dispose of fumes, but it was discovered that she had installed the extractor without permission from the council. Residents had also complained about the smell from the building, but the council did not take any action.
The parish council complained to the National Bus Company for a more regular bus service for school children in the village. This was because about 80 children from Upchurch had been stranded in Rainham for about two hours, waiting for the bus to bring them home. The National Bus Company accepted responsibility and promised to provide a more regular and reliable service.
Sittingbourne Fire Brigade visited Upchurch Play Group, where they gave a demonstration of fire-fighting to the children who were allowed to participate, which caused a lot of excitement. This led to a photograph of the children in action with hosepipes being published in the East Kent Gazette newspaper.
Village sporting affairs were dominated by the successes of Upchurch Cricket Club, who were experiencing a good period in terms of results, mainly due to the exploits of well-known professional footballer Derek Hales.
Having returned to play cricket for Upchurch after a season playing football for Luton Town, Derek Hales had a great start by hitting 120 runs against Elham. Gerald Smith backed him up with a useful 25 as Upchurch totalled 200. In reply, Elham could only manage 130 all out, as Bob Goodson 4-38 and Basil Barden 2-35, were the pick of the Upchurch bowlers. This was a special month for the two Hales brothers as Derek was transferred from Luton Town to Charlton Athletic, while Ray Hales decided to join Chatham Town from Sittingbourne, on the basis that Chatham played at a higher level.
In the next match after Elham, Upchurch defeated Lenham Storage. Upchurch scored 192 mainly due to Gerald Smith hitting 50 runs and being well backed up by Tucker 37 and Dickenson 27, not out. Lenham Storage were then bowled out for 57, with Bryan Veale taking 4 wickets for 23 runs and Basil Barden taking 3 wickets for 18.
Derek Hales continued building on his early successes with a remarkable bowling performance which became a club record when he took all ten Cooling wickets for only 18 runs. Cooling were bowled out for 57 runs which left Upchurch with an easy victory after Ian Daniel had scored 24 runs.
Derek Hales’ relentless success continued against Gravesend NALGO the following week when he scored another century of 105. Upchurch scored 210. Gravesend managed to score 106 in reply, with Derek Hales taking 3 wickets for 10 runs and Bob Goodson taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. This ended a very successful month for Upchurch Cricket Club.
Another well-known local cricketer and footballer made the news when David Pullen from Rainham married Glynis Tyler from Chaffes Lane in the village church. David Pullen had played football for Gillingham Youth and Rainham Youth and cricket for Chatham Nomads Cricket Club. The married couple chose to live in Upchurch.
July ended with some remarkable cricket at Upchurch Cricket Club, still fourteen years away from getting its present ground at Holywell Lane, while the council dealt with numerous monthly affairs.
David Wood
About David
David was born and raised at Ham Green and still lives there today.
He writes from personal experience about Upchurch village life and the changes that have taken place over the years.
David's book, Memories of Upchurch, is a very readable and detailed historical study of the village and is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk price £12 + postage and packing.
