September News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

It’s hard to believe that it is September already and coming towards the end of the summer. It is still possible to get some hot sunny days this time of year although the evenings start to get noticeably cooler. So it is very important to make the most of outdoor living this month before preparing for the Autumn. Hopefully you have managed to patch repair any lawn damage from last year and everything is looking a lot better. Now is the time to aerate the lawn after all the summer foot traffic that compacts the surface. This can be done with a garden fork and lift the soil slightly to break it up a few inches beneath the surface which also helps with drainage. Lift the blades on your mower as the growth slows down and apply an Autumn weed and feed. This will be low in Nitrogen (N) to avoid generating new growth but high in Phosphate (P) to stimulate root growth and also Potassium (K) for the general health of the grass. September is also a good time for laying new turf.

Keep deadheading and tidying borders and containers, although I must admit that the weeds have got the better of me this year. My borders are very scruffy and desperately need a good clear up. Divide perennials when they stop flowering. Start planting out spring bulbs like daffodils, crocus, iris and hyacinth. Prune summer flowering shrubs and climbing roses as they finish.

Take the crops in the vegetable patch as they come available and any surplus can normally be frozen, pickled or stored. There is nothing better than a large jar of shallots pickled with black peppercorns and chilli flakes put aside for Christmas ready for the boiled ham. Keep watering and picking beans so that they don’t get too large and stringy which will bring an end to the flowering. I took a large pick of rhubarb in mid August which has been cut up and frozen for rhubarb crumble and jelly through the winter. There was no further sign of growth so I have allowed the remaining stems to die back.

The Victoria plums have produced a good crop this year and been cut in half, de-stoned and frozen for more crumble and no sign of moth which deposits a pinky white grub in the middle of the fruit. The apples are coming on well and the pears are cropping nicely although a little small this year. I have inherited a variety of pear called Beurre Hardy from the old vicarage garden which is a dessert pear with a decent flavour and very juicy. However, like a lot of pears, they need to be picked before ripening and left on a window sill for a while before being ready to eat or frozen for even more crumble. If they are left on the tree either the wasps or the birds ruin them. It’s also blackberry time which is good for jams and jellies, although not sure if you can do a blackberry crumble, but then I don’t think I could face one!

I find September a slightly sad month as the evenings draw in and a blanket is needed on the bed. It’s because you know what’s coming and all the predictions of a hard winter start flying around. However, it also brings a well earned rest after the big tidy up in October before the clocks go back and the fires are lit. The log store has been re-filled thanks to Jim Lindsay but a few more weeks yet before it’s time to batten down the hatches. I am feeling a little melancholy... I know how to cheer myself up.

We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

Space

Postponement of Gas Main Replacement Works on the A2 from Oak Lane to Key Street

Works to replace 4.46km of 80 year-old iron gas main along the A2, between Oak Lane and Key Street Roundabout have been postponed until 2020. Contractor, SGN Gas originally planned to start the works near the junction with Oak Lane, Upchurch on Monday 16th September.

SGN Gas is prioritising the works because of the risk of further leaks and danger to workers, and residents, and to protect the supply to 40,000 households served by the main. Because this is such a large main, the work will be slow and complicated. SGN says it will take up to 42 weeks to complete the project. They intend doing this in 11 phases, one at a time. Beginning near the junction with Oak Lane, Upchurch, they will work their way towards Key Street Roundabout over the next 42 weeks.

SGN Gas do not intend fully closing the A2, but having two-way lights where necessary.

KCC Cllr Mike Whiting has agreed that SGN, working with KCC needs to ensure signage and general traffic management for each of the 11 phases of the planned works is subject to detailed audit and discussion between all parties. Both organisations say they will work on that basis and public proposals soonest. He has expressed concerns over the early schedule, traffic management and mitigation proposed and has asked for the works to be postponed until all those things raised by the public have been properly investigated, Cllr Whiting has now received the following response from KCC Highways:

“Dear Mike

Apologies for the delay in getting this to you. I can confirm that SGN have been advised that no planned works will be taking place on the A2 until next year.

This will allow more time for the complex traffic management needs to be fully explored and addressed in a plan.

SGN have made Sharron aware today that some sections of this main may not survive the higher pressure demands of the autumn and may become emergencies. I think we are all aware that this is a risk and we will need to see what happens.

As discussed, all of the comments and suggestions from local residents and businesses will be fully explored as part of this process. The planning is unlikely to have any aspects for discussion for several weeks as the project managers investigate issues and design solutions.

Regards

Kirstie”

Upchurch Matters

Space

Rainham Fire Station Charity Car Wash

Rainham Fire Station will be holding another charity car wash at Rainham Shopping Centre car park on Saturday 28th September.

Come along anytime between 10:00am and 4:00pm to have your car washed by firefighters in return for a donation.

All proceeds will be split between The Fire Fighters Charity and Demelza Hospice Care For Children.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for delivering fire and rescue services to more than 1.8 million people in Kent and Medway, from 55 fire stations and fire safety offices.

More at: www.kent.fire-uk.org

Upchurch Matters

Space

New Year's Party at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Space

Poolside Bar & Courtyard - September Music Nights at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Space

Swale Borough Council Win Gold Awards for Animal Welfare

The RSPCA has recognised Swale Borough Council’s commitment to animal welfare with two PawPrints Awards.

The council picked up Gold Awards for both its stray dog service and contingency planning team, which go the extra mile to promote animal welfare.

The stray dog service received the award for the tenth year in a row for going above and beyond their basic service requirements to ensure higher animal welfare standards, and actively promoting schemes and services such as micro-chipping.

The contingency planning team picked up the award for the third consecutive year in recognition of their work to make sure the care of animals and pets is included in the council’s plans for emergencies.

Leader of the council, Cllr Roger Truelove, who also has responsibility for emergency planning, said:

“To have our commitment to animal welfare recognised by the RSPCA is a great honour.

We know that in an emergency people want to be sure that their animals are safe, and it’s not unheard of for people to put themselves at risk for the sake of their pets.

By having plans in place to offer space in rest centres for pets wherever possible, and helping the public prepare in advance, we can ease the worry of people in an already difficult situation.”

Cllr Tim Valentine, the cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“I’m incredibly proud of the work that the stray dog team do, and it’s fantastic they have been recognised for the work they do to help lost or abandoned pets.

The award recognises the entire service - the initial call, the officer who retrieves a dog, the out-of-hours provision, and even the use of social media to reunite owners and pets.

Most dog owners will never use the service, but if they ever do, I hope it’s reassuring to know their pets will receive excellent care until they are reunited.”

For more information about how to plan for animals and pets in an emergency, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/emergency-pet-welfare

For news on stray dogs found in Swale, follow the council’s Twitter account or the service’s Facebook page

To report a stray dog during normal office hours, the public should call: 01795 417850 where arrangements will be made for the dog to be collected.

If a dog is found between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on weekday evenings, and between 9:00am and 9:00pm at weekends and on bank holidays, the public should ring the found stray dog line on: 07795 237479.

Swale Borough Council

Space