Temporary Road Closure - Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch from Monday 30th June 2025, with estimated completion by 1st July 2025, or until the works have been completed.

The road will be closed between the junction with Oak Lane and number 8, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Oak Lane, The Street, Horsham Lane, Wallbridge Lane, and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while water pipe repair works are undertaken by Southern Water.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Southern Water on: 0330 303 0368, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The KCC Highways Helpline number is: 03000 418181

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Upchurch WI - Cake & Savouries Sale in The Paddock

Wendy Pitts - Upchurch Women's Institute

Email: marwen.pitts@btinternet.com

Upchurch Parish Council - Community Awards Scheme Winners 2025

Click the certificates to enlarge.

Congratulations to Gill Gay and Elspeth Baecke, this year’s very worthy winners of the Upchurch Parish Council - Community Awards Scheme 2025.

In a break from tradition, Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin presented awards to both Gill and Elspeth at this year’s Upchurch Annual Parish Meeting held in the village hall on Thursday, the 10th of April 2025.

Gills’s certificate reads:

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
UPCHURCH COMMUNITY AWARD

In recognition of the unwavering dedication to the Upchurch Food Bank, providing vital support to those in need with generosity, selflessly and consistently, in all weather conditions.

Elspeth’s certificate reads:

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
UPCHURCH COMMUNITY AWARD

The Upchurch Community Award is presented in recognition of your outstanding contribution and unwavering dedication to the community, particularly through your efforts in the Church Tower Restoration.

Thank you, Gill and Elspeth, for everything you do for our village and your support for those in need in the borough of Swale 👏🏼

In addition to their certificates, the ladies also received vouchers for Special High Tea for 2, generously donated by The BarnYard in Oak Lane, Upchurch.

You can view their restaurant menus at: www.the-barnyard.com/the-restaurant-menus

The previous winners of the Kent Association of Local Councils - Community Awards Scheme in Upchurch are:

Pat New in 2017
Tracey Snellings in 2018
Ray Kemsley in 2019
No award given in 2020
Cia Merrall in 2021
John Arnold in 2022
Gerry Lewin in 2023
Terry Lewis (posthumous) in 2024

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Village Hall - AGM

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 14th May 2025, at 7:00pm in the Back Hall

The Village Hall Management Committee is a group of volunteers that run the hall on behalf of the community.

It is made up of representatives from the regular users of the hall along with village reps.

The groups currently with an opportunity to nominate 2 reps each are the Parish Council, PCC, WI, Players, Bowls and UpARA.

At present, not all of these groups are part of the Hall Committee, and we hope to see this change at the AGM because we want all regular users to have a say in how the hall is run and to help shape its future.

The AGM is open to all as an opportunity for residents to find out what's been happening in the hall, what plans are being made, and to ask any questions.

Thank you

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Website: www.upvh.co.uk

Upchurch VE Day 80 Celebrations

VE Day Now and Then

Thursday, the 8th of May 2025, marks 80 years since VE Day when the Second World War ended in Europe.

The long-anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations across the country, and a national holiday was declared when people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.

However, the war in the East did not end until the 15th of August, 1945, when Japan finally surrendered. The day was celebrated worldwide as Victory over Japan (VJ Day). 

To mark this important anniversary, families and communities are coming together to unite and celebrate 80 years of peace since the Second World War ended in Europe to remember the enormous sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad and to celebrate as people did 80 years ago, the arrival of peace in Europe.

Beacon Lighting

Upchurch Parish Council invites all residents to the Recreation Ground, Oak Lane, for a beacon lighting event to commemorate the VE Day 80th Anniversary on Thursday, the 8th of May, from 7:00pm.

The beacon will be lit at 9:30pm.

There will be refreshments and music. Please bring your own seating and blankets.

VE Day 80 is a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today and a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.

For further information Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

And visit: https://ve80.com

Upchurch Matters

Movie Qwhizz in aid of Whizz Kidz at Upchurch Village Hall

Kay Wright - Chairman

Boom Hush Theatre Productions

Email: boomhushtheatreproductions@gmail.com