Changes to Swale Borough Council Christmas and New Year General Waste and Recycling Collection Dates

Because Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on a Monday this year, changes to normal household bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year will last longer than usual.

Check the graphic for details on your revised collection dates.

Regularly scheduled bin collections will resume in Swale on Monday the 8th of January 2024.

To check your collection dates and what goes in which bins, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s4fj66d

Upchurch Matters

Electrical Inverter Stolen - Hartlip

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/213542/23

Between 20:00 on Saturday the 2nd of December and 13:00 on Sunday the 3rd of December, somebody broke into an outbuilding at stables and stole an electrical inverter in Warren Lane, Hartlip.

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

St Mary's Church Fundraising Sale

Saturday 9th December between 10:00am - 11:30am

Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries

Also Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants

Something for everyone!

Refreshments

Please help support this ancient building - Thank you

🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕

Upchurch Matters

Leaf Blower Stolen - Hartlip | Vehicle Damaged - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/207621/23

On Wednesday the 22nd of November, between 10:30am and 12:00pm, somebody stole a leaf blower from a residential garden in The Street, Hartlip.

Crime Number: 

46/211258/23

On Tuesday the 28th of November, around 3:30pm, somebody damaged a vehicle parked on the road in Horsham Lane, Upchurch.

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Changes to Chalkwell 326/327 Bus Services from 3rd January 2024

Following a review of their timetables, Chalkwell Coach Hire will be changing various bus services from Wednesday the 3rd of January 2024.

The volume of roadworks and congestion in the area has been highly problematic, with major infrastructure schemes on the A249 and ongoing disruption with gas, electricity, water, internet and other utilities closing or digging up busy roads.

The 326/327 bus service will be retimed slightly to allow for congestion and improve reliability. The 7:20am from Sittingbourne to Medway schools will depart at 7:10am. The Saturday service will also be retimed.

The operator hopes these changes will improve the overall level of reliability without inconveniencing too many passengers.

The new 326/327/328 bus timetable will be published in the next few weeks.

The current 326/327/328 bus timetable can be found at >> https://chalkwell.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/326-8-chalkwell-timetable-wef290823-web.pdf

For further information on bus times, Call: 01795 423982 or Email: coachhire@chalkwell.co.uk

For travel information on routes, times, tickets and fares, visit >> www.chalkwell.co.uk/bus-services

Upchurch Matters

The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers | Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection | Carol Singing in Upchurch

The Salvation Army - Christmas Food Hampers

The hamper boxes are ready!

I know that with the help of Upchurch residents, UpARA and St Mary's / Uplift churches, they will soon be full of Christmas goodies for the four struggling families that are being supported by Swale Foodbank and the Salvation Army.

They have joined together this year to try and help vulnerable people through Christmas. You may have seen the posters. They are trying to fill over 400 hampers. You are doing your bit - bless you.

Please visit: www.giftofchristmas.co.uk where you can read what's happening and join their Facebook group with more info.

Swale Foodbank - Christmas Collection

As well as the hampers, with the help of Santa's little helpers, Sue and Georgina, I will be collecting all your Christmas gifts for Swale Foodbank at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday, the 6th of December, between 10:30am and 11:30am. If you could go completely Christmas, that would be fantastic.

If you are able to provide long-lasting Christmas-type food, for example:

Christmas Pudding

Christmas Cake

Tinned Ham

Christmas Treat Stockings

Tinned Cream

After Eight Mints

Christmas Twiglets and other savoury treats

Biscuits to go with Cheese

Nuts and Crisps

Squash and Drinks

Please bring your items in carrier bags.

We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

All donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date.

We are also collecting new toys, gift sets and new hats, scarves and gloves if you would like to donate a gift. These gifts need to be unwrapped.

The Salvation Army will be running a pop-up shop where families known to them will be able to come along and choose a gift for each member of their family. 

I think that's such a wonderful idea.

Can you help?

Carol Singing in Upchurch

I haven't finished yet. I'm gathering groups for carol singing on:

Wednesday the 6th of December at Beckenham Park, between 5:30pm and 6:00pm.

Monday the 11th of December on the corner of Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Monday the 18th of December, opposite the church by the village Christmas tree, between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

Please come and lend your voice. Or come and pop some coins in our containers.

All proceeds will go to the Swale Foodbank and The Salvation Army appeal.

God bless you - you have stood with those struggling for the whole of this year.

I have no doubt that you will stand with them through this Christmas too.

Thank you, and may God bless you ❤️

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk