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News Archive

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The best way to tell us is through the contact form here

Sunday 7 October 2012

Charity Fund Raising Event in aid of the British Heart Foundation and CRY



A Charity fund raising event takes place on board S.B. Edith May at Lower Halstow dock on Tuesday November 27th from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

The proceeds will be shared between the British Heart Foundation and CRY (cardiac risk in the young).

Tea and homemade cakes will be served and there will be various stalls including a bring and buy and a raffle. Prizes include a homemade christmas cake, a local artists Painting, a voucher from The Three Tuns and a golf lesson from Upchurch Pro Greg Diddams.

Jane Gransden
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Thursday 4 October 2012

World's Biggest Coffee Morning - Amount Raised

On Friday 28th of September Diane Macaulay hosted another Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

This year Diane and her guests raised an amazing £600 for Macmillan !

A brilliant total and well done and thank you to all who attended and contributed.

Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch Bellringers - Outing to ring the Bells in the Charing area


Eight Bellringers from Upchurch joined up with four Newnham ringers last Saturday (29th September) to go on an outing to ring bells in the Charing area. The churches we visited were: Egerton, Pluckley and Little Chart. All were 6 bell towers and nine of us undertook the trip on bikes - a ten mile round trip approximately. Lunch was taken after ringing at Pluckley in the Black Horse, a very handy pub right next door to the church. The ringing deteriorated slightly after lunch but, nevertheless, a wonderful day was had by all in beautiful weather.

If you are interested in learning to ring Church Bells then we practise on Wednesday nights (you may have heard us !) from 7:30pm. Contact either Ralph Liddell on: 01634 375481 or Norman Easterbrook on: 01634 371230 or just turn up on a Wednesday.

Ralph Liddell

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Tuesday 2 October 2012

Downloads from the Kent Police


A series of themed advice guides are now available as easy-to-read downloads from the Kent Police website.

The link is:  www.kent.police.uk/yourguide

Current titles: Home and garden security, Property marking, Anti-social behaviour, Contacting Kent Police, Safe cycling, Bike security, Motorbike safety, Vehicle security, Restorative practice, Bogus callers, Rural crime, Metal theft,Plant theft, Internet safety, Personal safety, Drug dealing and use (spotting/reporting).

Helen Marshall 57873
Public Information/New Media Officer
Corporate Communications
Headquarters, Sutton Road, Maidstone, ME15 9BZ.
Telephone: 01622 652162
Mobile: 07807 340356
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Upchurch Twinning Group - Anniversary Event


Visit to the Historic Dockyard at Chatham on Sunday the 7th of October

Don’t forget the above event – time is running out! It is happening this coming Sunday, 7th October.

We will meet in the Wheelwright’s Restaurant at 11:00am for coffee and pastries and to meet our friends from Ferques. Then we will look around, lunch at 1:00pm and then enjoy a tour of the Ropery in the afternoon.

Contact us NOW if you would like to join in.

Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780

Sue Rossiter
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Scrap Metal Stolen


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

On the 26th of September 2012, between 12:00 and 2:30pm, scrap metal was taken from a property in Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch. The metal was being used to block the side access of the house to keep dogs in.

If you have any information please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch.

Thank you that was message: 1159.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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Upchurch Local Needs Housing - Drop In Event

Upchurch Parish Council 
Upchurch Local Needs Housing
Drop In Event
Friday 12th Oct 2012
3pm to 8pm
Upchurch Village Hall
The purpose of this ‘drop-in’ is for residents to find out more information on the proposed Local Needs Housing Scheme in Upchurch. A ‘Public Forum’ will be held between 6.30pm
and 7.30pm.
New Voting forms will be distributed to all residents during
the week of 13th Oct- 20th Oct.
Claire Attaway, Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01634 363906 Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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Sunday 30 September 2012

Upchurch 50 Years Ago in October 1962

October 1962 began with a resurgence of interest in the theatre which led to the forming of the ‘Upchurch Players’ drama group, the first of its kind in ten years. Parish council clerk Aubrey Smith from Oak Lane thought up the idea and had discussions with Terry Ray from Horsham Lane who organised the group. Using the village hall as a base, the actors had to perform on the floor as a stage did not exist, but undeterred the group rehearsed hard and performed a series of one act plays with the first being ‘Home is the Hunted’ on October 26th.

In parish council affairs discussions continued about more recreational space for the community, complaints were made about the carelessness of refuse collectors and the mess they left around the village while permission was given for new street lighting in Marstan Close and Chaffes Lane. Mr R F Beckenham failed to obtain permission to construct a caravan site on the Wetham Green side of Poot Lane and the recurring problem of indiscriminate car parking on the recreation ground and in the bus stop lay by opposite the church was referred to the police.

Memories of Upchurch.

The cricket club annual dinner and dance turned out to be the most significant village social event of the month. Held in the village hall and presided over by Chairman Ted Tress from Wallbridge Lane, Sussex county cricketer Ian Thompson attended as the principal guest of honour. Ted Tress announced that the club had experienced a successful season winning eighteen, losing nine and drawing three of its scheduled matches with three abandoned due to bad weather. Peter Smith and Don Diffey scored most of the runs while Alan Auger and Basil Barden took most wickets. After the dinner the club presented Eric Gransden with a barometer in appreciation for the work he had done over the years.

In other village club affairs Mrs Smith presided over the Women’s Institute’s meeting in the village hall and guest Mrs Pilcher from Rough Common spoke about ‘corn dollies’ after which members were given a handful of corn and challenged to make their own dollies with help from Mrs Pilcher. A competition for members to make a miniature scarecrow followed won by Mrs Cox.

Sad news revealed that former Upchurch vicar Reverend Hugh Clark had died in St George’s hospital Tooting after a long illness. Reverend Clark had served as vicar from 1951 to 1958. He had entered the clergy late in life after working as a bank manager for Barclays for more than 40 years and had had long term connections with the church having served as a church warden, a reader and a vicar. His funeral took place in Upchurch and he was buried in the churchyard. The only other funeral in October involved Susannah Hilburn aged 78 from ‘The Crown.’ Happier news concerned the marriage of Celia Clemons from Suffield House Cottages in The Street to Alec Hayward from Iwade and Janet Latter from Drake’s Close to Harry Fordham from Gillingham which brought October to a cheerful end.

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 on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  or from us here at Upchurch Matters.
price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Saturday 29 September 2012

Pantomime 2012 - George & the Dragon


In honour of this patriotic year The Upchurch Players are proud to announce that their 23rd production will be the family pantomime "George & the Dragon"! The show is in true traditional pantomime style, although the story may differ slightly from the Legend we all know...

Performances Dates:
Thursday 6th December 7:30pm
Friday 7th December 7:30pm
Saturday 8th December 2:30pm AND 7:30pm

Tickets are £5 each and available from Andrea on: 01634 361040.

*** PLEASE NOTE TICKETS GO ON SALE ON OCTOBER 1ST ***


 We have sold out dates in previous years so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Facebook Page:  Here

Alison Lewin
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Beat the Quizmaster


Come and test your knowledge at The Upchurch Players Fundraising Quiz Night !

On Saturday the 27th of October, 7:30pm in the village Hall. Teams of up to 6 people - £4.50 each (bring own drinks & nibbles).

To book contact Gloria on: 01634 363 271.

Facebook Page:  Here

Alison Lewin
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Thursday 27 September 2012

Holywell Primary School Christmas Fayre


Please join us for the Holywell Primary School Christmas Fayre to be held in the School Hall on Sunday the 9th of December 2012 between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Parents & Friends of Holywell School

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Wednesday 26 September 2012

The Gullands Guide to Buying a Listed Property


Many buildings of historical interest are listed.
In Britain there are three types of Listed Buildings - Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. These properties carry restrictions on work that can be carried out, the higher the grade the more stringent the restrictions. The listed status is in place to protect buildings of historical interest and importance.

The major problem with listed buildings is that if works have been carried out to the property since its listing without Listed Building Consent the Local Authority has the power to ask for alterations to be put right regardless of the time that has passed since those works were carried out. When alterations have been made to buildings without requisite Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval there is generally a time limit for such enforcement action.

The legal process involved in the conveyancing of a listed property is not any different from that in respect of a non-listed building. The standard searches and enquiries will disclose whether the property is a listed building. Once this information is available then more detailed enquiries would be raised to ensure that if any works had been carried out to the property since its listing, that these had the appropriate Listed Building Consent in addition to any requirement for Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval. 


Buyers should usually have an independent survey carried out and it is prudent to use a surveyor specialising in listed buildings. A surveyor should be able to ascertain alterations that have been carried out to the property and this would enable the buyer and the solicitors acting on the buyers behalf to ensure that any alterations had the appropriate consent. 


If the appropriate consent had not been obtained (as there may be a requirement for the property to be put back into its original state) the purchase price could be renegotiated to cover the costs that are likely to be incurred or alternatively if time permits, the seller could be asked to remedy the works or obtain the appropriate Listed Building Consent prior to completion of the transaction.


If you are considering buying a listed building or have bought one and would like advice contact Alan Williams, Head of Residential Conveyancing at Gullands Solicitors, Maidstone. 


Phone: 01622 689790.
Email: a.williams@gullands.com
Website: www.gullands.com

Gullands Solicitors
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Saturday 22 September 2012

Community Engagement Meeting

PCSO Cork.
Our Local PCSO John Cork will be holding a Community Engagement Meeting outside of Upchurch Post Office on Friday the 26th of October from 10:00am until 11:00am.

PCSO Cork will be on hand to discuss any policing issues you have concerning the village.

Kent Police Website:   Here

Upchurch Matters

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 visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

Sunday 7th October – Anniversary Event – We’ve booked a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard to include a meal at their restaurant. A coach load of Ferques residents will be coming over the water to join us. The cost of a group entry for the day + a 2-course lunch in the Wheelwrights’ restaurant will be between £20 and £25. If anyone prefers the normal entry, that will give you a year’s ticket, but of course this is more expensive.

We hope to start the day with coffee and a Danish pastry (funded by the Twinning Group) at about 11am to greet the French visitors in the restaurant. Then we can look around the dockyard until lunchtime, when we are booked into the Wheelwright’s restaurant for our meal. This will be followed by two escorted tours of the Ropery, one with a French-speaking guide. The Twinning Group will fund the costs of French-speaking guides.

Do contact us to book a place in the group. Numbers may be limited, so ring us now! Also, the Dockyard’s website is worth a look:  www.thedockyard.co.uk

Saturday 3rd November – Scout Bonfire. We hope to have our yummy bacon rolls on sale at this event. Do come along and find us! The Scout bonfire website will be up and running soon – visit:  www.upchurchfireworks.co.uk

Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780

Sue Rossiter
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Monday 17 September 2012

Upchurch Parish Council Report - October 2012



The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th September 2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 2 members of the public.
Public Time – A resident raised concerns over the condition of the Churchyard wall. He was assured that this was being monitored.
CorrespondenceBennett’s Expedition to Peru –Members considered ideas for supporting the two residents in their objective to raise funds to participate in a 4 week expedition to Peru in July 2014. The Clerk was asked to contact another resident who was also hoping to participate in a separate expedition.
Planning - The following applications were considered:
SW/12/0906 The Paddocks, Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of SW/04/1302 to allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane. No objections.
ii) SW/12/1015 6 Wallbridge Lane – Variation of condition (4) of planning permission SW/11/1150 to permit four mothers & babies (plus staff) at any one time instead of three. The Planning Review Team had expressed concerns about the expansion of the facility so soon after the initial application. They commented that approval was given but the house now needed converting before even being set up. Members also commented that visiting hours should not be allowed outside normal social hours and asked if the applicant had properly accommodated parking spaces for staff and visitors.
Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:
Prior approval not required:
Proposed agricultural barn extension; Ham Green Farm, Ham Green
Permission granted:
SW/12/0906 The Paddocks, Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of SW/04/1302 to allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane
SW/12/0511 Dingles Field, Chaffes Lane – Side extension to existing workshop
SW/12/0675 97 Chaffes Lane – Rear conservatory
Application withdrawn:
Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane – Change of use of site to allow the siting of a gypsy mobile home with associated parking and amenity space (retrospective)
Other Planning matters Local Needs Housing - A positioning paper written by Cllr Tucker had been circulated to all members. Three meetings of the sub-group had taken place where representatives had attended. It had been agreed that there would be two letters accompanying the voting form, one from the Parish Council and one from the representatives. A copy of the letter from the representatives would be reviewed by members at the next sub-group meeting. A suggestion by the Clerk to enable residents to vote at the ‘drop-in’ had not been agreed by representatives. Members agreed the voting forms would be distributed after the ‘drop-in’ event as planned. It was requested that there would be no campaigning by any party after the ‘drop-in’ event and this had been agreed by all at the sub-group meeting. The Clerk insisted that a neutral collection point be allocated for the return of the voting forms to ensure that no accusations of tampering could be raised. The tampering issue was raised by representatives at the sub-group meeting. Members discussed this and suggested placing a voting box in the Church at various times.
Cllr Tucker had suggested that the Council vote on the following:
“Should the Parish Council return a decision to ERHA & ACRK that it is NOT the right time for the village to undertake such a scheme?” It was explained that this request had been made after the agenda had been distributed, therefore it would be difficult for members to vote on this at the meeting. Also an issue had been raised that two Councillors lived very close to one of the proposed sites under the scheme and therefore had a conflict of interest. The Clerk was asked to obtain advice regarding this. Members are planning to discuss this further at the next meeting. Residents are advised that the ‘drop in’ is provisionally planned for Friday 12th October in the Village Hall between the hours of 3pm and 8pm. This is still to be confirmed.
Finance Audit Commission – Annual return for the year ended 31 March 2012 – The Clerk reported that this had been completed and certified. No issues had been identified by the Audit Commission.

Allotments and Recreation GroundRelocating gate at Allotments - The Clerk reported that two quotes had been received and another was expected shortly. Recreation ground fencing cost – An email from a resident regarding the cost to install wire fencing to part of the Chaffes Lane boundary. Members discussed the possibility of advertising similar small jobs on the notice boards asking people to volunteer their services. It was agreed to discuss this again.                                   
Paddock Lease – The Clerk reported that Mowll & Mowll Solicitors had confirmed that they were preparing the lease. A cheque to the sum of £2,400 had been forwarded to Gullands Solicitors to enable them to enter into the undertaking. Mr Simmons had copied the Clerk in correspondence chasing Mowll & Mowll for the Lease. Football in the Paddock –Members are considering installing boulders in front of the trees to discourage footballers to play in the Paddock. The cost of this will be considered when preparing the budget for 2013/14. Trees overhanging properties in Bradshaw Close – A letter had been received from residents raising issues with trees which were overhanging their garden. The Tree Warden will investigate and discuss further with the Clerk.                       

Burial Ground and Churchyard Litter in the churchyard – It was reported that after weddings had taken place at the church, litter was accumulating in the churchyard. The Clerk will contact PCC asking who is responsible for keeping this area tidy after a wedding.
EnvironmentFootpath by fishing lake – An email from a resident reporting the state of the footpath that runs from Horsham Lane up to the footpath that crosses the horses fields and leads to The Poles. It was reported that the footpath end nearest the fishing lakes was being used as a public toilet. The Clerk will forward this information on to the owner of the lake and inform PCSO John Cork.                                                           

Highways - Street light at Windmill Hill – A quote to the sum of £358.52 plus VAT for the installation of a new lantern was considered. All agreed and the Clerk will arrange this.

Next meetings – Thursday 4th October 2012 and Thursday 8th November 2012. 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 Tel: 01634 363906
(Mon. – Thurs. 9am – midday)
Parish Council website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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Tuesday 11 September 2012

Final Summer 2012 Produce Sale and Crafts

St. Margaret's, Lower Halstow.
All are welcome to our final Summer Produce Sale with Crafts for 2012 on Saturday the 22nd of September from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow.

Please join us at arguably the prettiest location around for a wide range of home grown and home made produce and crafts including: jewellery, pens, wood work, needle work, cards and honey.

Refreshments available.  A warm welcome awaits you.

Liz Mouland
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Tuesday 4 September 2012

Holywell School during the 1860s

For many years the village children had been given a basic education in the church with money for teachers and books being raised from local donations then in 1811 National Schools were founded by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. These were established in villages and towns across England and Wales in the following years to provide the first universal system of elementary education. 

Holywell School, which opened on March 16th 1847 as a National (Church of England) School, was designed to educate the poor in the basic principles of the Established Church. It offered an education which consisted of reading, writing and arithmetic, scripture and an emphasis on moral and religious training. Singing and needlework were also taught with a small amount of time spent on other subjects. Teaching was conducted by rote learning with an exam at the end of the year.

Little evidence exists about life at Holywell School during the 1840s and 1850s but from 1862 schools were obliged to keep a daily log book. The surviving Holywell log book which is held at the Kentish Studies Archives in Maidstone begins in 1865 and gives a clear account about what was happening at the school. An entry in the log book for 23rd November 1865 by school mistress Mary Holland shows a typical day at the school:

“Gave the whole school in the morning a lesson on the creation. To the first class one also, on the boundaries, size and climate of England. Visited by clergyman. Explained the collect for Sunday to the whole school. Examined 2nd class in reading and found the reading of the boys improved. Cautioned D. Whitnall for fighting.” 

Attendance at school during the 1860s was not compulsory and children were periodically absent, particularly during the fruit picking and hop picking seasons or to work in the brickfields. Parents were obliged by their employers to make their children work when required. Entries in the log book complain about how this interfered with learning and caused bad behaviour. Maximum daily attendance during the 1860s was about 55. This became a less serious problem from 1882 when school attendance became compulsory.

Memories of Upchurch.


In 1861 Rebecca Hills worked as the school mistress but was later succeeded by Mary Holland who lived in the schoolhouse with her sister Isabella. They had rent free accommodation, common for teachers at the time. They were also assisted by volunteers. These included Mrs. Woodruff, the vicar’s wife who assisted with singing and needlework and a Mrs. Sibley who helped with other subjects. Revd Woodruff also visited the school every week to give religious and moral guidance. He usually visited the school during the afternoons and conducted prayers.

Pupils were generally well ordered but sometimes troublesome and according to the school log book were particularly difficult to control after returning to school from work. Mary Holland wrote on October 7th, 1866:

“Many children came in who had been working in the brickfield all summer; find them rather rough and wild.”

 Other entries in the log book outline common problems.

Dec 1st, 1865 “warned Gilbert Hepton not to interfere with girls going home, also against cruelty to animals”. Dec 13th, 1866 “…spoke to the children about pulling turnips as they go home from school.” Aug 14th, 1866 “punished J. Hubbard and J. Manser for disturbing a wasp’s nest.” Jan 21st 1868 “turned Daniel Whitnall out of the school.”

Holywell School offered a very basic education for its pupils at a time when the majority of boys left school and worked on local farms or in the brickfields while many girls entered domestic service.

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 on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  
price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Thursday 30 August 2012

Holywell Primary School - AGM

You are warmly invited to attend the AGM of the Parents & Friends of Holywell School on Monday the 10th of September in the school hall at 7:00 pm.

Please come along to meet the committee and find out about all the exciting things that have been happening this year and also about all the monies raised.

Upchurch Matters
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Thursday 23 August 2012

Local Needs Housing Sub-Group - Meeting Agenda


I give you notice that the meeting of the Local Needs Housing Sub-Group of Upchurch Parish Council will be held in the back hall of Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday 30th August 2012 at 7:30pm.

Dated this 22nd day of August 2012.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence

2. Notes taken from meeting of Sub-group held on 2nd August 2012

3. Notes taken from a meeting of the Chair and Vice-Chair held on 15th August

4. Voting form
      a) to consider arrangements for return of new voting forms
      b) to discuss the disposal of old voting forms
      c) to confirm dates for distribution of new voting forms

5. Public Forum – to consider arrangements for this meeting

6. Next steps – actions to be followed up

7. Confirmation of next meeting


Claire Attaway
Clerk to the Parish Council
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AG.
Tel: 01634-363906 Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council - Local Needs Housing


Four resident’s representatives have joined the Local Needs Housing Sub-Group of the Parish Council and will be meeting regularly.

The purposes and aims of the Sub-Group are to address issues that have arisen and to incorporate the representative’s ideas into the voting process and ‘drop-in’ event.

The Sub-Group has taken the decision to re-design the voting form. The arrangement for the distribution and collection of the new voting forms has yet to be confirmed.

Please note that it has become necessary to reschedule the ‘drop-in’ event that was provisionally arranged for Friday 21st September. It is hoped to hold this event within the next two months, please check:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk  and the Parish Council Notice Boards for updates.

Claire Attaway

Clerk to the Parish Council

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Tuesday 21 August 2012

The Three Tuns 2nd Annual Kentish Beer Festival


The Three Tuns Lower Halstow  (Map)  are holding their 2nd Annual Kentish Beer Festival this coming weekend the 25th, 26th, and 27th of August.

SATURDAY 25th

Doors open at Mid day for Hog Roast, at  2:00pm Chickory Tip play live, 6:00pm Curry Buffet for £6, 8:00pm live music with The Kulprits. Last orders 11:00pm.

SUNDAY 26th


Mid day doors open for Hog Roast, at 2:00pm the Chillbillies play live followed by Left of the Dial at 8:00pm. Sunday Roasts available from 12:00 - 9:00pm. Last orders 11:00pm.

MONDAY 27th


Mid day doors open for Hog Roast and at 2:00pm and we have a set from Long way Down.

Bar menu served 12:00 - 9:00pm every day, Stalls from The Seafood Centre and Taywell Ice creams.

There will be 15 REAL ALES plus 12 REAL CIDERS all from Kent.

All Food, Ales and Ciders are subject to availability so get in early to avoid disappointment !


Carol
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Kids Days Fun Day - Grand Total Raised


The grand total raised at the Kids Days Fun Day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on the 17th of August was £500 !

Thank you to Dick Steadman whose generous donation made sure the total was a nice round number.

Nursery Days wish to thank everybody who helped out and came along to ensure the day was a great success.

Stephanie Oakham
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Friday 17 August 2012

Upchurch Cricket Club 100 Years Ago in 1912


Upchurch Cricket Club 1912.
In 1912 Upchurch played at Holywell Meadow with the permission of farmer Mr. Stevens and had fifteen fixtures on their fixture card. Opponents included local village teams like Lower Halstow, Hartlip, Tunstall and Medway teams like the Army Service Core and MTE Chatham Dockyard. All matches were played on Saturdays as Sunday was regarded as a rest day. 

Holywell School headmaster Mr. J. H. Maltravers captained the team while George Holloway from Ham Green served as vice captain. The batting had been dominated by Mr Maltravers for some years but in 1912 Arthur Dartnell, a 21 year old shepherd who lived in The Street scored most of the runs. He was backed up by George Holloway and Alf ‘Snapper’ Clark from Ham Green, Edward Muggeridge from The Street and George Wildish from Rainham.

Arthur Dartnell and George Holloway dominated the bowling but Alf Giles a 34 year old farm labourer from Twinney also took wickets. He served as long term groundsman and character at the club and became affectionately known as ‘Uncle Alf ‘to the younger players. He went on to take many wickets for the club but was killed in an accident at Rainham Cement Works in 1923. Cecil Bishop also took wickets as a slow bowler and became a long serving player and official of the club.

Reverend Trew served as club president and Cecil Bishop from Forge Lane as honorary secretary while Alf Clark and Arthur Dartnell were elected on to the general committee in 1912. The main talking point of the year concerned a new pavilion with the hope that a small portable building could be purchased. After several local fund raising efforts by Mr Maltraver’s Minstrel troupe sufficient money became available for the purchase of a pavilion in early 1913. Without the facilities of the present village club a hand lawn mower was used to cut the wickets, the outfield was kept short by Mr Steven’s livestock that occupied the ground during the week and the club did not possess a roller so wickets were not as flat as today and scores were generally much lower than in modern times.
 



Memories of Upchurch.


With a full fixture list Upchurch began the 1912 season on May 4th at Holywell Meadow with a good win against St Paul’s who could only manage 37 after Upchurch had set them 58 to win. Arthur Dartnell did most of the damage by taking five wickets. He also took seven wickets in the victory against St John’s Chatham, six wickets in the return match against St Paul’s and nine wickets in the two innings game against Hartlip. In the annual local derby against Lower Halstow Upchurch recorded their highest score of the season with 147. Arthur Dartnell scored 38 and George Wildish 27. In reply Lower Halstow could only manage 14 all out with George Holloway taking seven wickets.

With Upchurch winning the majority of their games at a time when league cricket did not exist, the men who played for the club had a welcome break from hard physical work they endured on local farms, in the cement works or in the brickfields where most worked.

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 on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk

price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood
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Wednesday 15 August 2012

Upchurch Best Kept Garden 2012 - The Winners !


At the Upchurch Horticultural Society Show to be held in the village hall on Saturday 1st September we will award the Barbara Webb Memorial Trophy donated by her father and first won in 1977 to the overall winner in this year’s competition plus awards to the category winners. Christine Madden, the sister of Barbara Webb, has accepted our invitation to present the trophy.

Gardens that could be seen at the front of a house were inspected on 21st July across the whole of the parish by a team of six judges. The judges short-listed very few gardens for final judging this year which reflected the uncertain weather conditions experienced during the first six months of the year.

The category winners to receive prizes at 3:30 pm are:-

Flowers 92 Chaffes Lane Mr and Mrs Tandy

Small Garden 11 Chaffes Terrace Mrs Packer

Mixed Flowers and Shrub 106 Oak Lane Mr and Mrs Denny

The Overall Winner of the Barbara Webb Trophy in 2012 has been judged to be Mr & Mrs Tandy of 92 Chaffes Lane - congratulations !

Gerry Lewin on behalf of the Best Kept Garden Committee

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Monday 13 August 2012

Attempted Burglary - Holywell Lane

[Reference: CB22]

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

A front door was damaged during an attempted burglary between 10:00 p.m. on the 9th and 9:30 a.m. on the 10th of August at a property in Holywell Lane, Upchurch.

If you have any information about crime number: XY/024137/12 please contact Kent police on telephone number 101 and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch. 

Thank you that was message: 1007.

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
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Saturday 11 August 2012

David Wood - Travel Stories

David Wood.

Local author and regular contributor to Upchurch Matters David Wood has put together a website. carocol.weebly.com  is made up of 15 of David's  travel stories from around the world covering the period 1980 to 2011.

You can also access 50+ photos at the bottom of the homepage although eventually these will be replaced with better quality pictures of similar size.

All the sories are based on David's real life experiences.

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Friday 10 August 2012

Fresh Home Cooked Food at the Brown Jug

Fresh Home Cooked Food at the Brown Jug is served every Friday 7:00pm - 9:30pm. See Menu for details.

Bar Food always available.

Sunday Lunch from 1:00pm - 6:00pm 1 course - £6.95  2 courses - £8.95.

To book call: 01634 366543

Cask Ales:
Greene king IPA
Harvey's Sussex Best
Greene King King IPA Gold
Harvey's Dark Mild

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  for our news as well. In addition, visit:  www.ferques.fr  for interesting stuff !

Saturday 25th August. 2012 – Sports Day CANCELLED – Due to circumstances beyond our control this event has been cancelled for this year. Sorry if you were looking forward to a good day out, as we were, but an alternative date could not be found that would be sensible.

Sunday 7th October – Anniversary Event – We’ve booked a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard to include a meal at their restaurant. A coach load of Ferques residents will be coming over the water to join us. The cost of a group entry for the day + a 2-course lunch in the Wheelwrights’ restaurant will be between £20 and £25. If anyone prefers the normal entry, that will give you a year’s ticket, but of course this is more expensive.

We hope to start the day with coffee (funded by the Twinning Group) at about 10.15am to greet the French visitors in the restaurant. Then we can look around the dockyard until lunchtime, when we are booked into the Wheelwright’s restaurant for our meal. This will be followed by two escorted tours of the Ropery, one with a French-speaking guide. The Twinning Group will fund the costs of French-speaking guides.

Do contact us to book a place in the group. Numbers may be limited, so ring us now! Also, the Dockyard’s website is worth a look:  www.thedockyard.co.uk

Saturday 3rd November – Scouts Bonfire
 – We hope to have our bacon rolls on sale at this event. Do come along and find us!

Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 & Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780

Sue Rossiter
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