Speeding in Horsham Lane

I have written to the Parish Council regarding traffic approaching the village at high speed along Horsham Lane, also similarly leaving the village on the same route accelerating to above clearly the speed limit.

Although it is with some reluctance, I have suggested a speed calming scheme be urgently investigated and installed as a very serious accident is waiting to happen, having seen many very near misses when pedestrians, particularly children step out from the church gate.

I would be grateful for everyone's support in this matter by similarly contacting the PC.

Thank you

Bryan Veale

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Thank You from the Village Hall Management Committee

Thank you very much

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee would like to thank the Village Fete Committee for their very kind donation of £250.00 to the Village Hall Improvement Fund.

Sandy Tutt

Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Website: www.upchurchvillagehall.weebly.com

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Upchurch Charity Sports Day

St. Mary's Church and Uplift are organising a Community Sports Event on Sunday 26th August 2018 in aid of Demelza Hospice Care For Children to be held at Holywell Primary School from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

The sports event will centre around a number of sporting activities aimed predominantly at youngsters, but will include something for everyone - from netball and football to petanque and bat and trap, and from orienteering and keep fit to zumba and line dancing - the idea being to have taster skill sessions around the school field for each activity.

We see it as a real opportunity for the community to come together for an enjoyable day so we are looking to involve as many local groups and organisations as possible.

There is still time for any group that isn't yet involved to offer to run something if they would like to. Please contact Ralph Liddell: ralphliddell@talk21.com or

Lee Cogger: mrmrscogger@gmail.com if you want to be involved or if you would like to find out more.

This is all for a really good cause so let's come together in the sunshine (we hope) and see how much money we can raise for Demelza.

Thank you 

Ralph Liddell

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Start of Works Notification - Bull Lane, Newington

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, please see: www.roadworks.org

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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“How safe do you feel where you live?” - Respond to the PCC Annual Policing Survey 2018

Matthew Scott

The Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Scott, has just launched his Annual Policing Survey for Summer 2018 with the key questions being how safe people feel where they live, and how much value for money they feel they get from Kent Police. All residents are encouraged to respond to the survey and to highlight the survey to their family and friends.

“How safe do you feel where you live?”

That is the one of the key questions Matthew Scott, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, is asking residents this summer.

Mr Scott said:

“I set Kent Police’s priorities based on the things people tell me matter to them. My Annual Policing Survey is a key way in which I get to hear what you think about your police force. I want to know what you think Kent Police does well and what it could do better.

I’m responsible for ensuring Kent Police provides an effective and efficient service so I’m asking you, plain and simple, to rate how safe you feel in your community and also what to extent you think you get value for money.”

Mr Scott added:

“I’ve had a tremendous response from those I’ve met at big public events like the Kent County Show and the Kent Police Open Day so far this summer but I want as many people as possible to take the opportunity to have their say. Based on the results of last year’s survey, I took the decision to put more money into recruiting up to 200 more police officers, so your views really can make a difference.”

The survey, which only takes a couple of minutes to complete, is available online at: www.kent-pcc.gov.uk/consultations

A hard copy leaflet, and a large print version, are also available on request.

Questions about people’s gender, where they live, age and ethnicity have been included to enable the PCC to spot trends among different communities.

Upchurch Matters

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Compulsory Horse Microchipping

A new law requiring horse owners to microchip their animals was introduced on 25th of June 2018.

From October 2020 it will be mandatory for all owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys.

The new Central Equine Database will allow local authorities and the Police to track down the owners of dumped horses and make sure they are punished so that the animals are given the care they deserve. It will also mean lost or stolen horses will be reunited with their owners more easily.

The RSCPA released figures this year showing they rescued around 1000 horses in 2017, to highlight the issue of horses being fly-tipped or dumped, often in horrific conditions. A large majority were not microchipped making it virtually impossible to trace the owners. RSPCA inspectors are frequently faced with horses which have been dumped whilst very sick, dying, or sometimes even dead.

The new regulations designed to prevent abuse and improve horse welfare have the full support of the British Horse Council and will help local authorities and the Police to identify abandoned animals, ensuring horses receive the care they deserve and that those who mistreat them will face the consequences.

The Central Equine Database logs all domesticated horses, including those required to be microchipped by October 2020. This will help with issues when horses are abandoned, making it easier to rehome the animals more quickly.

Horse owners have until October 2020 to make sure that all horses are microchipped. This extra time will allow horse owners to combine microchipping with a routine visit to or from their vet with the procedure costing around £25-30.

If horse owners do not microchip their horses by October 2020 they could face sanctions from their local authority including a compliance notice, and as a last resort a fine of up to £200.

Upchurch Matters

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