The month began with Upchurch parish council having a busy time dealing with several local issues of concern. The first regarded the establishment of a new burial ground as the old one had become full. To achieve this the council needed a loan so they requested £600 from the Public Works Loan Committee. Chairman Tom Colven also applied to the Minister of Housing and Local Government to get approval for a children’s play area and the parish council asked the County Surveyor to improve road safety in the village centre. This necessitated a ‘Slow’ sign being placed near the bus stop in Horsham Lane and opposite ‘The Crown.’ The road surface in Forge Lane, Oak Lane and near Lower Halstow cricket ground had to be repaired. Reflector posts were recommended for Oak Lane and ‘No cycling’ signs were suggested for the old footpath between Oak Lane and Wallbridge Lane.
At the same meeting parish clerk Aubrey Smith announced that the maintenance of the allotments in Oak Lane and fencing for the recreation ground had become the biggest council expenditure for the year but it continued.
Although the recreation ground surface resembled that of today the surroundings were less attractive. The fencing which had existed for decades at each end of the ground had become dilapidated and the side where the Bishop Lane housing estate now stands remained an open and unsightly wasteland. A wooden shack existed on the Bishop Lane side of the ground for the football club to use as changing rooms. Large groups of village boys played football on the area during the evenings while the football club used it on weekends. The judging of the carnival floats and a fair took place there during the summer months.
At the end of the monthly parish council meeting chairman Tom Colven received thanks for his service to the parish council before he departed from the village to begin a new life in Cranbrook with his wife Edith who had played a big part in the organisation of the village Darby & Joan Club.
The Women’s Institute members had an evening of entertainment at their monthly meeting when they listened to an hour of classical music arranged by Mr. Featherstone after which he explained the meaning and construction of each musical piece. Arrangements were also made for a whist drive in aid of funds and a visit to the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. The meeting eventually ended with a knitting race won by Mrs. Adams from Oak Lane.
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David Wood. |
Socially, the village had a busy month with the horticultural society Easter Bonnet Competition taking place on April 4th with a high attendance, the Darby & Joan Club film show on April 5th followed by a dance in the village hall on April 10th and a cricket club dance on April 25th.
Only one burial took place in April with the funeral of Dora Everest from Otterham Cottages aged 75 while baptisms included Melissa Stevens from Gore Farm, Paul Barden from Wallbridge Lane, Beverley Warwick from Chaffes Lane, Glyn Humphries from Horsham Lane, Katherine Catford from Crosier Court and Andrew Waghorne from the caravan site. April birthdays were celebrated by Hilary Gilbert aged 11 from Drakes Close, Richard Murr aged 14 from Oak Lane and Linda Boakes aged 13 from Chaffes Lane.
Finally, Bryan Veale had to give up his position as choirmaster due to too many other commitments in a busy month where parish council affairs dominated.
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 at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters.
price £12 + p+p £2.
David Wood.
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