Upchurch Players Present Sleeping Beauty

Village Pantomimes are always fun for all the family.

Upchurch Players proudly present their 22nd Annual Family Pantomime Sleeping Beauty by Alison Lewin and Kate Walters.


At Upchurch Village Hall on:

Thursday the 1st of December 2011 at 7:30 pm 

Friday the 2nd of December 2011 at 7:30pm

Saturday the 3rd of December 2011 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Tickets are obtainable price £5 from Andrea Candy, 6 Bradshaw Close, Upchurch.

Tel: 01634 361040

Dave Candy

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Upchurch Christmas Farmers Market

A fun day for all the family.

Upchurch Christmas Farmers Market takes place on Saturday the 19th of November from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Upchurch Village Hall.

There will be some 30 stalls providing a wide range of local produce, services and crafts including many with a seasonal flavour. Also for your enjoyment: 

A Hog Roast.

Musical Entertainment.

Children’s Amusements including a Bouncy Castle and Face Painting. 

There will be free visitor parking in the Paddock.

Affiliated to KENT FARMERS MARKETS ASSOCIATION.


Dave Candy
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Upchurch Family Fireworks CANCELLED !

Friday 3rd Nov 2011 - 22.00

Upchurch Scout Group regrets to announce that this year's Upchurch Family Fireworks Display has been cancelled. The site field is already very wet and with heavy persistent rain forecast between Thursday night and Saturday, the conditions in the field, particularly in the car parks would make it difficult to enter and exit the field safely. The very wet ground poses a potential safety issue in terms of access for emergency vehicles and a logistics issue for our deliveries. Those that came last year will recall the problems to traffic flow that the wet field caused. This year the field is already as wet and it is highly unlikely to dry out in time even if the weather did clear on Saturday as some are forecasting.

In 2008 we suffered losses for the first time in our history due to the poor weather. As a charity we could not justify risking the outlay required for the 2009 display. We came back in 2010 with an agreed set of procedures to minimise the risk to the group and its funds. During an emergency committee meeting tonight, it was decided, based on those procedures and the potential safety risk, to cancel the 2011 display and minimise the potential losses to the group by taking an early decision.

Upchurch Scout Group would like to apologise to our customers, stall holders and sponsors for any inconvenience caused. A vast amount of people give up their time to make this happen and because of the amount of volunteer work involved, it is not possible to reschedule the event.

It’s a very sad decision for those of us who have spent months working on the display but we hope you understand that we have a duty to ensure the safety of the display and also to protect the funding of the group.

We hope you will come back and support us again in the future. We’d be pleased to hear any comments you have on our Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/upchurchfireworks

Mike Powell

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UPCHURCH MATTERS STILL NEEDS YOU !

Don't miss out, Get involved !

If you run, represent or work for any of the following village groups or organisations then Upchurch Matters would like your help.

St. Mary's Church
Holywell School
Upchurch Beavers
Upchurch Brownies
Upchurch Guides
Upchurch Cubs
Upchurch Scouts
Upchurch Choral Society
Upchurch Darby & Joan
Upchurch Handbell Ringers
Upchurch Mothers Union
Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club
Upchurch Women's Institute
Upchurch Village Hall Committee
Upchurch Twinning Group
Upchurch Parish Council
Upchurch Players
Upchurch Farmers Market
Upchurch Short Mat Bowls Club
Upchurch Horticultural Society

Our regularly updated Notice Board and Diary Pages are already carrying lots of village dates and details of upcoming events for many of the village groups and organisations that have stepped up and got involved.

They are all making excellent use of our free methods of publicity by contributing to our Village Diary Page and emailing in details of their future events to go on our Notice Board Page and we couldn't be more happy with the way it's going !

It's easily done and not that hard we promise !

We post all new Notice Board Page items on Facebook and Twitter too where we currently have over 1400 friends, that's a lot of people and a great way to publicise your events.

If you're on the above list then please do  contact us  we'd love to hear about your village dates and events.

Thank You in advance,

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Twinning Group News

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France.

Try the Holywell School website:  www.holywell.kent.sch.uk  or Upchurch Matters: www.upchurchmatters.co.uk  for our news as well.  In addition, visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff! 

Anniversary Dinner and Dance in Ferques – held on 15^th October.  Several Upchurch residents joined in the festivities. The dinner was scrumptious and the entertainment was entertaining!  A good time was had by all!

School visit – School children from Ferques visited Holywell School on 18^th October and joined in with lessons, break and outdoor games.  They spent the morning in the school then visited Dover Castle in the afternoon.  It was voted a really good day by all concerned.

Diary dates for you:

Saturday 5^th November – Scout Group Fireworks at Westmoor Farm – Find the Twinning Group stall – we will be selling our famous, delicious bacon rolls again!  A great night out!  More info:  www.upchurchfireworks.co.uk

And for 2012:

Saturday 4^th February 2012 – Quiz night in Holywell School – PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE – due to circumstances beyond our control.  Tables of up to 8 (you can have 4 or 6 or whatever!), £4 each, bookable with Mike Johnson on 01634 234226.  Bring your own drinks and nibbles. 

March 2012 – Anniversary of the signing of the Twinning Charter in Upchurch – we’re planning an outing, possibly to the Historic Dockyard and some of the Ferques residents will be joining us.

Sunday 15^th April 2012 – Upchurch Choral Society will be performing in the church at Ferques – the concert will start at 6pm.  The choir will be going by coach and we hope some of you will come along and listen!

FRIENDS OF THE TWINNING GROUP – Our “Friends of the Upchurch Twinning Group” has a healthy membership now, but we would always welcome anyone who would be willing to give practical support e.g. on stalls, or at events, giving hospitality etc etc.  Just let us know!

Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780
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Old Reed Bed Christmas Open Studios

Click on either picture to enlarge it

Alison Swan


The Old Reed Bed Studios

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Holywell Primary School Christmas Fare

Please come along after school on the 2nd.

Holywell Primary School Christmas Fare takes place on Friday the 2nd of December 2011 from  3:30pm - 5:30pm.

There will be Tombolas, a Raffle, Christmas Money Tree, Hoopla, Craft Stalls, Coffee, Teas, Home Made Cakes & Refreshments and lots more !

Please come and join in our festive fun.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Julie Pike

Chair of the Parents and friends of Holywell school

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Upchurch Horticultural Society October Show

Presentations will be at 3:15pm.

The Upchurch Horticultural Society October Show takes place on Saturday October the 29th at the Upchurch Village Hall.

Doors open to the public at 2:00pm for: Flowers – Fruit – Vegetables – Domestic & Craft. There's also Refreshments – Tombola and a Raffle too.

The presentation of prizes will be at 3:15pm followed by the sale of produce at approximately 3:45pm.


Maxine Budden
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Indoor Boot Fairs

Come along on the 1st and the 6th.

There will be an Indoor Boot Fair on Tuesday the 1st of November at Upchurch Village Hall. 

Doors open at 10:00am until 12:00pm and admission is only 20p, which is donated to The Stroke Association. Tables  for stalls cost just £6.00.

For more information please contact Lisa on: 01795 428006 or 07968 792354.

The next sale will be on Tuesday the 6th of December 2011.

Lisa Older

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Darby and Joan Christmas Bazaar

All are welcome on the 23rd.

Upchurch Darby and Joan Club are holding their Christmas Bazaar on Wednesday the 23rd of November at Upchurch Village Hall.

Open to all ages with free entry it starts at 10:00am until 12:00pm. There will be all the usual raffles and other attractions with homemade cakes, tea and sausage rolls to.

Please come along and support this event.

Janet Gilbert

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The Village War Dead Remembered 1914-1918

Every year in November, Remembrance Sunday which is held in the church, allows residents to pay their respects and remember those who died in the two world wars. The names of the 39 men who perished are read aloud and a bugler plays ‘The Last Post.’

Memories of Upchurch.

James Robinson and Herbert Hodges, two agricultural workers from Ham Green and John Allen from Gore Bank became early fatalities when they were killed in action while serving in the Buffs in 1914. Albert Newman, a lance corporal in the Grenadier Guards from Otterham Cottages and Charles Gransden a lance corporal in the Coldstream Guards from Gore Bank also perished early in the war. However, Percy Hales, son of village butcher and stockman Jacob Hales from Horsham Farm joined the Grenadier Guards, fought in the early battles of 1914 and survived unscathed. After being promoted to sergeant he was later killed by an exploding shell on his 21^st birthday in France on September 6^th, 1917.

With the war well underway, Bill Clark from Yew Tree Cottage in Poot Lane enlisted in the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles in 1915. The eldest son of Ham Green farmer Henry Clark, he attended Holywell School and excelled as a talented sportsman, playing for the village football and cricket clubs. He was also a member of the church choir and served as a church sidesman. Bill went to France where he was attached to the Buffs and placed in the machine gun section and became a lance corporal. When returning home on leave in July 1916 he married his girlfriend Ellen Banfield and they later had a baby daughter but not before he had returned to the Western Front where he was killed by an exploding shell on June 15^th 1917 aged 22.

Arthur Faulkner, son of ‘The Crown Inn’ publican James Faulkner enlisted in the Buffs in February 1916 and went to the Western Front in May. About to return home on leave, he was killed by a bomb dropped by a German plane. Before joining up he had assisted his father in the pub and became well known in the village. Later in 1917 Tom Sifleet, another Buffs recruit, became a casualty when a shell exploded and shrapnel badly wounded him in the head. He died of his wounds on 8^th December 1917. He was one of five brothers sent to fight in the war. Before joining up he had become a well known member of the village football and cricket clubs. He left a wife and two young children.

The Banfield family from Bayford lost three family members. Fred was the first killed on September 7^th, 1916 just one week after being sent to the Western Front in France. His brother in law William Clark from Yew Tree Cottage in Poot Lane perished one year later then his older brother George was killed while serving in the navy as Chief Artificer Engineer on 4^th April 1918. George had been a member of the bellringers and the church bible class.

Several soldiers went missing in action and were later presumed dead. These included Fred Blewitt, a private in the Buffs from Church Farm Cottages in Forge Lane aged 25, Robert Tumber, a private in the East Sussex Regiment from Plantation Cottages aged 24 and Edward Muggeridge, a private in the Buffs from Gore Bank aged 25. All had served on the Western Front.

Some Upchurch men joined the navy like farmer’s son Roland Whitnell from Windmill Hill who served on H.M.S Dirk until it was torpedoed and sunk by the Germans on May 28^th 1918. The 18 year old had joined up only two months previously. Percy Betts also died at sea on 27^th March 1918 aged 26 when H.M.S Kale on which he was serving was mined in the North Sea. Wilfred Baker from Plantation Cottages died of pneumonia aboard H.M.S Valentine aged 24 while Walter Hatton from The Street was killed in a magazine explosion aboard H.M.S Vanguard in Scapa Flow harbour on July 9^th 1917 aged 24.

Henry Marsh from Rose Cottage in Forge Lane joined the 1^st Canadian Pioneers before the war but died of pneumonia aged 35 on March 7^th 1916 and was buried at Ross Bay in British Columbia with full military honours. Although many servicemen who died are buried in foreign war cemeteries some are located in Upchurch churchyard. These include Henry Thurley, a private in the Buffs and Albert Stapleton, a corporal in the Royal Engineers both from Kent Terrace in Canterbury Lane and Stuart Mercer a Royal Naval stoker from Breach Lane.

All those who perished and remembered on Remembrance Sunday have their names inscribed on a marble tablet located in the church.

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, 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 Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Friends of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin - Update

The new trust launched on the 8th of October.

Thank you to those who have responded to Upchurch Matters and have joined us as Friends of the Church of St. Mary in Upchurch.

It has been decided that for something as important as the historic Church building, that those who become members before 31st December 2011 will be recorded alongside the first Trustees as FOUNDER MEMBERS of the Friends.

If you want to join and would like a Membership Application Form  then contact Gerry Lewin on: 01634 366113 or send a text to: 07946 996789 or an email to: lewing135@tiscali.co.uk

Gerry Lewin - Chairman of ‘The Friends’

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - November 2011

The Parish Council met on Thursday the 6^th of October in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 5 Councillors were present and 3 members of the public.

Public Time - SW/10/350 Land rear of Wallbridge Lane- A resident expressed concerns about the Lorries that were coming down the footpath as they left no room for pedestrians. It was advised that in the future, this should only involve cars. A further concern was expressed regarding the amount of deliveries, which included large vehicles delivering hay. The Council will investigate. Traveller’s site – A resident referred to a traveller’s site that was located at the site previously known as Hursell Farm. The Enforcement Officer had been notified and the Clerk will contact him. SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – A resident expressed concerns about this application. He was advised to contact Cllr Lewin who had also expressed concerns about this planning application as it was not supported by any information about need or what accredited organisation would be running it.

Correspondence – The Local Government Boundary Commission – Electoral Review of Swale – A letter informing the Council of the review and to seek their views on the most appropriate number of councillors for the Borough.

Planning - The following applications were considered:

 i) SW/11/1027 Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane – Removal of condition (7) of planning permission SW/08/0710 to allow permanent occupation of 3 mobile homes for gypsy family - The Planning Review Team had objected strongly to yet another site within its boundaries commenting that there were now three sites alongside each other in Halstow Lane and were an eyesore.  They were clearly visible from the road with no attempts to provide screening or landscaping. 

ii) SW/11/0949 79 Chaffes Lane – Retrospective application for amendments to scheme approved under SW/10/0762 comprising additional bedroom and en-suite in loft space together with roof lights and light tube in roof slopes, barn hip to rear gable and porthole window to garden room – Members commented that this was a totally inappropriate dwelling.  It had not raised any objections to the original application which was for an additional storey on to a bungalow.  However, what had been built was a three-storey building which was inappropriate in this location, dominating a bungalow on one side and a two-storey one on the other.  It overshadowed both of these residences. Complaints have been received from neighbours about the external lighting which, again, was inappropriate in a rural area.

iii) SW/11/1020 18 Horsham Lane – Demolition of existing conservatory and existing rear extension and erection of new single storey pitched roof extension. The Planning Review had no objections. However, they commented that any external lights should be designed to have minimal impact on the neighbours.

iv) APP/V2255/A/11/2157895 Oastfields, Stud & Livery, Track off Holywell Lane - Change of use from private stables to stud farm and livery yard including the erection of foaling boxes and the stationing of one mobile home for residential accommodation in association with the stud farm and livery business – The Council supported Swale BC in its reasons for refusing permission for these proposals, i.e. that it fails to justify the size and nature of the mobile home for the purpose given.

v) SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – Change of use to a residential unit caring for young mothers – babies – Members referred to a letter from residents of Wallbridge Lane expressing concerns about this proposal. The Planning Review Team would forward a comment based on these concerns.

vi) SW/11/1161 Redbrick Cottage, Poot Lane – Rear extension. To be used as plant room (To house oil storage & boiler) – There were no objections.

vii) SW/11/1160 Field to rear of 32/62 Hartlip Hill - Variation of condition 4 of SW/11/0653 to allow 3 mobile field shelters and two horse trailers – There were no objections.

Permissions and refusals

Permission granted:

SW/11/0885 61 Horsham Lane – extension to side of house to provide 1 reception room and bedroom

SW/11/0749 32 Wallbridge Lane – Single storey pitched roof extension to rear of house

Permission refused:

SW/11/0925 The Oast, Holywell Lane – Single storey rear extension with room in loft area

Rural Needs Housing – It was commented that the Council often heard the views of residents who were against this scheme. Please do let the Council know if you feel you may have a need for this type of housing in the future.

Finance – Budget/precept planning 2012/13 – Members discussed possible ways for reducing costs, including reducing the number of meetings to one every two months. Village Hall Asbestos Problem – Members considered a request from the Village Hall Management Committee to contribute towards the cost of removing asbestos. It was agreed to support this request in principle but further information was required on the work involved before releasing any funds. Annual Audit 2010/11 – This has now been certified and completed. No issues have arisen from the audit.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Resurfacing of Recreation Ground Car Park – It is hoped that J Strevens will be carrying out this work shortly.

Paddock – Entrance by 22 Chaffes Lane – The Council is looking to install a barrier by this opening after consultation with the resident of 22 Chaffes Lane. New Play Area – It was agreed to install a climbing frame for ages up to 4 years old. This would be ordered from Wicksteed Playscapes once the grant funding from Kent County Council had been received. Footballs being kicked into Oak Lane/Goal Posts – A letter had been received from Upchurch Beavers supporting the installation of Goal Posts in the Recreation Ground. It was agreed to contact the Parks and Recreation Ground Officer at Swale BC for further advice.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Rules and Regulations  - It was agreed to include the permission of photo mounts on memorials, no greater than 9cm x 7cm. Parish Clock in Tower – Members agreed to arrange the renovation of the clock faces at St Marys Church. It is hoped to complete this work whilst the scaffolding is still in place.

Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012 – Please do let the Council know if you have any ideas or suggestions on how the Village could celebrate this occasion. Provision of extra waste bins in the Village – The Clerk will contact Swale BC to see if a waste bin could be installed outside the Fish & Chip Shop in Forge Lane. Footpaths – If you would like to report any issues with footpaths, please contact Cllr Brian Kennard by email: starborne@bushinternet.com

Highways – SW/10/350 Land r/o Wallbridge Lane – The Clerk will contact Anna Bloomfield, the agent of the owners of Small Profits, to raise the concern regarding the amount of Lorries delivering hay to the stables. Bus Shelter – The Conservation Officer will be consulted regarding a design for any such shelter before considering further.

Next meetings – Thursday 3^rd November and Thursday 1^st December 2011. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

 Office Opening Hours – Monday - Thursday 9.00am -11.30am.


Upchurch Parish Council

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Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch [Reference: CB22] Message: 823

[Reference: CB22] Message: 823

This is a joint message from Swale Neighbourhood Watch and Mid Kent Swale Police.

House burgled and keys along with Mercedes vehicle stolen from Forge Lane Upchurch between 9th and 10th of October.

If you have any information please contact local police on telephone number: 01622 690 690.

Thank you that was message: 823. 

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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Beaver Scouts Hall Display For Upchurch Fireworks

Upchurch Beaver Scouts have worked really hard on their hall display for this years Upchurch Fireworks.


Here's a picture.

Upchurch Matters.
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Upchurch WI Meeting

Come along on the 11th.

Upchurch WI will be meeting at the Village Hall on Tuesday the 11th of October at 7:30 pm, where Helen Kendall Tobias will be giving a talk on ‘‘ 50 ways to wear a scarf ’’.


Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Poppy Day Appeal - 2011

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

The Upchurch team of collectors will be making the annual house-to house collections from Saturday the 29th October until Saturday the 12th November.

Remembrance Sunday will be the 13th of November.

This is a special year for the Royal British Legion as it celebrates 90 years since being founded. Its purpose remains as always to look after the welfare of those who have served or the dependants of those who have served Sovereign and Country on our behalf.


The need continues - please donate whatever you can.


Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser
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Nursery Days Open and Coffee Mornings

Come along on the 15th and 18th.

Nursery Days Ltd Upchurch will be holding two Open and Coffee Mornings at The Old School, The Street, Upchurch  (map)  on Saturday the 15th and Tuesday the 18th of October between 9:00am and 12:00pm.

Upchurch Matters
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Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway this Sunday

Come along this Sunday and make the most of the nice weather.

Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway's set for a fantastic day this Sunday. Good news - it isn't the last day either!

This Sunday is the last full open day of the year and it looks like the weather is going to be just fantastic so bring the picnic, kites and balls - so you can relax in the park, have fun AND ride the trains. We are expecting three steam engine to be running as well as the usual attractions - the difference is you aren't going to get wet this Sunday so swap the brolly and raincoat for sunblock and shorts.

Although this is normally the last event of the year we have two further events for your diary. An Autumn Steam Gala - Enthusiasts day on Sunday 30th October. We will be running 5 steam engines including both Mozambique Fowlers plus 2 diesels. We will be running passenger and goods trains - some double headed. If you have an annual ticket this will get you in for free. Gates open at 10:30 and we will be open till 6pm so we can run some "late" trains. Between 1pm and 3pm there will be guided tours of the workshops (subject to availability and demand). This will be a great day and we expect a good visitor turnout so arrive early.

Finally Thursday 10 November we have Coffee and Trains. A coffee morning in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice. For full details  click here  or  here. 

After last years successful issue of season tickets we are offering annual membership at an even lower price of £30 per adult which will include one child. Extra children are £12. This will get you into all public and any member only events for 12 months. Bring a passport photo with you and you can start saving on the day.

Did you know we can also run  Steamy Suppers,  an ideal event for Birthdays or even business dinners. You can also put yourself on the footplate and have a go at driving with our well managed, hands on, driving courses. You can also book the railway for special events or parties and have the railway to yourself and your guests. Call 01622 884254 for more infromation.


Visit us at:  www.bwlr.co.uk  to find out more about BWLR and events.

Best regards and see you Sunday,


Bill Best


BWLR
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Upchurch Village Hall 50th Birthday Fun Day

The Village Hall is 50 years old this year.

Upchurch Village Hall is celebrating it's 50th birthday this year with a Fun Day on Saturday the 12th of November.

There will be free children's entertainment from 12:15pm to 4:00pm, including face painting, arts & crafts, cake decorating and ending with a magician.

Admission costs just £3 for Adults and £2 for Children.

Ploughman's Lunches will be available between 12:00pm and 2:00pm and the evening entertainment will start at 7:00pm, with local talent performing sketches etc.

please contact:

Jan Lacy on: 01634 366729  or  Brenda Kemsley on: 01634 231585

Please support this important village celebration.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Village Hall at 50 Years Old

Memories of Upchurch.

Of all the schemes dating back in the village none had been so long awaited as the construction of a village hall. For many years the Old Forge in Forge Lane, the Infant’s School in The Street and the Labour Hall in Horsham Lane had served as social venues but were increasingly considered unsuitable. Mrs Margaret Neame from The Upchurch Stores in The Street opened up the discussion after World War Two and this led to the setting up of the Upchurch Victory Trust Fund Committee in 1953 with the aim of obtaining a village hall.

In the early years a search took place for a suitable location with the oasthouse on the site of the present day Crosier Court being considered followed by a proposed conversion of the old Elizabethan barn at Church Farm. After consideration neither plan became reality so the search continued and the Village Hall Fund was started in June 1954 with a committee chaired by Rich Boakes from Chaffes Lane. This led to fund raising events like a weekly member’s lottery, a Buy a Brick Club, whist drives, dances, raffles, and takings from the fete and carnival. Eventually, a suitable site was found behind The Crown public house and a plan was drawn up by architect Mark Hartland-Thomas from Forge Lane incorporating a hall and car park which local building company E. C. Gransden Ltd constructed. The building cost £6,750 helped by a £2,000 loan from the National Council of Social Services.

After initial problems over catering rights with Courage & Barclay Brewery, the village hall, designed to accommodate 300 people, was completed then opened on November 4th 1961 by Deputy Mayor of Gillingham Freddie Cooper. After speeches by local M.P Percy Wells and village hall chairman Rich Boakes, Revd Bradshaw and Methodist Minister Revd Groves conducted a dedication service. The debt for the building was paid off and a village hall extension fund set up for future improvements.

The new village hall soon became the base for organisations like the Horticultural Society, the Table Tennis Club, the Youth Club, the Badminton Club, the Darby and Joan Club, and various dramatic societies. With funds available the village hall extension was completed in 1974 followed by further changes in the mid 1990s and 2000 when better toilet facilities, wheelchair access, a new meeting room and storage room were created. The improvements made the village hall much more suitable for social events like wedding receptions, parties and dances. After fires in 1977 and 1995 which potentially could have destroyed the building, the village hall has survived and continues to play an important part in the life of the village.

A 25th anniversary was celebrated in November 1986 when several village organisations presented entertainment and a 50th anniversary is planned for Saturday November 12th 2011 when families will be encouraged to visit the village hall where stalls selling goods, competitions and entertainment will take place followed by entertainment for adults only during the evening.

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, 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 Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Splash the £ash

The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2011.

Need funding to help start a business idea ?


Money to make imaginative ideas happen ?

Provide money for fun activities and equipment ?


Splash The Cash is funding for young people in Swale with awards of up to £250 for individuals and £750 for groups. The idea came from young people in the Swale Youth Forum and Youth Advisory Group (YAG).

YAG Co-chair, Mike Whiting, and other members for Swale, along with the Deputy Mayor for Swale have contributed part of their members' grants towards a budget that promotes local decision making amongst young people.

If you are between 11 and 19 (or up to 25 with a disability) then you can apply as an individual (£250) or with a group of friends to receive up to £750 !

The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2011 Shortlisted projects will be invited to pitch ideas on the 15th of October 2011.


The scheme is being administered by KCC Youth Services and should you wish to find out more or have any questions about the scheme and it’s development please call Angela Ford, Area Youth Officer, Thanet Canterbury Swale on: 07919 535633.


The Application Form can be downloaded here:


Splash the cash application form (PDF, 121k)


Website:  http://www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/youth_service/youth_opportunity_fund/splash_the_cash.aspx


Martin Goodhew

Economy & Community Services Project Officer

Swale Borough Council

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