Search for News


---------------------------------------


---------------------------------------


Receive our latest Notice Board Page posts delivered daily to your Email inbox ▼


---------------------------------------

News Archive

We want to hear about your village news and events

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

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Upchurch Twinning Group - Sports Day


Upchurch Twinning Group

From 10:00am 

Sunday 1st September at

Upchurch Cricket Club, Holywell Lane


Join us for a fun time!

Barbecue lunch available £5

Sue Rossiter
Space

Monday 29 July 2013

Rocking Horse Stolen - Chaffes Lane

Message 514 from Neighbourhood Watch.

A Rocking Horse hand-made from dark brown Ash wood with varnished finish and black mane was stolen from inside a van in Chaffes Lane, Upchurch.

This happened sometime between the 26th and 27th of July.
If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent police on telephone number: 101 quoting Crime Number: XY/023309/13. 

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

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
space

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Copper Water Tank Stolen - Susan's Lane


Message 506 from Neighbourhood Watch.

Offenders have entered outbuildings at Frog Farm, Susan's Lane, Upchurch overnight between the 22nd and 23rd of July and stolen a copper water tank. 

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent police on telephone number: 101 quoting Crime Number: XY/022758/13.

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

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch
space

Friday 19 July 2013

TAI CHI Beginners Classes at Upchurch Village Hall


TAI CHI Beginners classes are starting on Thursday the 25th of July and throughout August at 11:30am at Upchurch Village Hall.

Over 250 million people worldwide practice Tai Chi as a gentle, flowing but very effective exercise system for maintaining and improving physical and mental health. Suitable for all ages.

For more information please contact David or Maria on: 01634 365069 or 07805 608003

Upchurch Matters
space

Thursday 18 July 2013

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 !

AGM this was held on 20th June in Holywell School.  Attendance was poor, two of our committee being indisposed but also only three members of the public were present. This is disheartening for our hard-working group as the AGM was well advertised. The committee was elected en bloc but new members will be vital in the coming year if the Twinning is to continue. Finances have been fair, with local fund-raising events such as the Quiz Night being supported and we are proud that we are able to help Holywell School maintain its links with the schools in Ferques.


Sunday 14th July 2013Bastille Day Fair in Ferques.  Four committee members, plus spouses, duly visited Ferques for the weekend of Bastille Day where we had our bric-a-brac stall at the street fair. Thank you to all who contributed to this stall.
This was next to a marquee where we were selling our English type goodies such as cups of tea and Kent brewed beer plus bacon rolls!  
The day was warm and sunny.  Ferques residents were out in force and lots of them visited us, including the Mayor, M. Denis Joly, and other members of the Twinning organisation out there.
It was a lovely day and we made a bit of money for the group. 

SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013 - TWINNING SPORTS DAY!

At Upchurch Cricket Club on Holywell Lane – from 10:00am into the afternoon.  We hope to see lots of you there and there will be a coachful of Ferques residents coming over to join in.  Many thanks to the Cricket Club for making their wonderful facilities available to us.  There is some parking space, and loads of grass to play games and sports, also the bar will be open if you wish to purchase drinks and we will have a barbeque available around lunch time, for which there will be a small charge.
This promises to be a grand day full of fun and games and an opportunity to mingle with many friends of all ages from Ferques.


Jim Harman (Chairman) 01634 235420 
Sue Rossiter (Secretary) 01634 234780 or Email:  suerossiter@waitrose.com
Sue Rossiter
space

Entertainment for July & August at the Three Sisters


Karaoke / Disco - the next dates are Friday the 26th of July, the 2nd of August and the 9th of August

Live Music - Singing / Guitar duo The Jammy Dodgers are back by popular demand on Saturday the 27th of July.

Regular Jamming Nights - 18th of July, then watch this space...

All information about the Three Sisters can be found on our website:  Here

or follow us on Facebook:  Here

Ales on Next

Caveman Brewery - Chumash 4.9%
Adventure Brewery - South 4.2%
Potton Brewery - Village Bike 4.3%
Penny Bitter 4%

Kent Brewery - Bramling Cross 4.5%



 




Sally
space

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Upchurch Parish Council Report - August 2013


The Parish Council met on Thursday 4th July in the main hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 3 members of the public.
Public TimeTree outside 21 Oak Lane – A resident asked if there was any update on this. A member of the Council will visit the resident living at this property. Paddock Project – A resident asked if the suggestion to install a lay-by on the corner of The Paddock would be followed up. It was explained that the Council do not own the land; it is leased from the Diocese. Many years ago the Council consulted the Diocese with this suggestion and it was met with a lot of resistance, delaying the renewal of the lease. Fly tipping – A resident thanked the Council for their assistance in putting pressure on Swale BC to clear dumped rubbish by the bottle banks in Oak Lane. However, he reported that more rubbish had accumulated that day. He suggested that the Council request that the bins are removed. Youths riding a motorcycle around village – A resident reported that youths were riding around the village, with motorcycles that had no number plate, and with a mask covering their faces. He had reported this to the Police and was surprised to discover that no other residents had reported it. Members noted his concerns and would follow this up with PCSO Cork. Borough Councillor Member Grant – Cllr Lewin reported that he had an allocation of between £2,000 and £2,500 to distribute to worthy causes. He requested that residents/village groups or organisations write to him with their request and he would give this due consideration.
CorrespondenceSchool Parking for Sports Day – It was reported that following this event, a number of emails were received, complaining about parking during the day whilst it was being held. A letter was sent to the School Governors and Head Teacher raising two issues. Firstly, parking issues with the day to day running of the school and secondly, when other events are being held i.e. how long will the event take? The Head of School Governors replied to explain that they discussed opening up the school playground for parking but had been advised that the surface was not suitable for this use. It was felt that the school should have a plan in place before the event rather than once it had arrived. It was commented that the school fete was being advertised in the local newspaper where “Mister Maker” would be opening the fete. It was agreed that the Clerk raise this issue with Kent Police and Highways. Community Governance Review – This consultation will be taking place during July and August and will be an opportunity for residents to comment on whether they wish to keep a Parish Council in Upchurch. Please look out for further details. 
Planning - The following applications were considered:
 SW/13/0517 The Oast, Chaffes Lane – Lawful Development Certificate for the occupation of dwelling house without compliance with agricultural occupancy condition (existing) – No objections.
SW/13/0440 51 Chaffes Lane – Demolition of existing garage and re-construction of new extended brick built garage with pitched roof. Plus extension to existing kitchen at rear – No objections.
 SW/13/0706 Orchard View, Otterham Quay Lane – Variation of condition (i) of planning permission SW/96/0329 to allow any gypsy family to live at the site – Members requested additional information.
Other planning matters –Four Gun Field – Cllr Lewin reported that outline planning permission had been granted on this site and were waiting on a detailed planning application. In the meantime, Swale BC Environmental Officer is monitoring the site whilst work is taking place to level the land for housing. They have asked them to screen the site to avoid dust blowing everywhere. We have been advised that Swale BC is well aware of and monitoring initial ground levelling work that is happening now.
Finance –  Kent County Council’s Members Grants Scheme 2013/14 – Cllr Tucker reported that she had attended a meeting with Cllr Mike Baldock and other parishes to discuss Highways grants. A grant for resurfacing the Recreation Ground and installing bollards was considered. It was hoped that the Council would receive 50% grant funding for the total cost of these projects. Also, details of the leak on Windmill Hill had been forwarded. Another meeting has been scheduled for September where community grants would be discussed. 
Allotments and Recreation GroundPolytunnel – It was reported that a request from an allotment holder to put up a 4 hooped only poly tunnel had been accepted. Bollards – It was agreed to install nine bollards on the far boundary of the Recreation Ground Car Park, subject to the following conditions: Firstly, grant approval from KCC Member Grants Scheme 2013/14. Secondly, if there were no significant objections from the Scout & Guide groups. Allotment Representative – It was reported that Cllr Apps had asked to stand down as Allotment Representative. Cllr Tucker had offered to take on this responsibility for the remaining year only.
Paddock Public Drop In held on the evening of 27th June in Village Hall Paddock Project – A copy of the comments/suggestions made by residents had been circulated. Members were pleased to see many residents attend where they found out about the plans to open up the Paddock as a “Village Green”. Most people agreed that it would be nice to have a new play area and some ideas seemed more feasible than others. Members of the sub-group were planning to meet with Helen Blanche of Swale BC, to discuss ideas for designing new play areas. An estimate for the tree work required under the plans had also been obtained from Lindsay & Co Tree Surgeon. It was commented that the Council should be looking at submitting a planning application for the tree work as soon as possible. 
Burial Ground and ChurchyardMeeting with St Marys PCC Churchwardens – Notes from a meeting held on 19th June had been circulated. Cllr Rossiter pointed out the list of proposals/questions and hoped to obtain some answers at a follow up meeting. Future capacity of Burial Ground – It was agreed to hold this follow up meeting on 18th July at 2pm. The Clerk will contact the PCC Churchwardens to see if this is convenient to them and also if the meeting could be held in St Marys Church.
EnvironmentCo-Op garden – Cllr Steward reported that he had spoken to the Co-Op manager about the poor state of the garden. Shortly after, the grass was cut but the garden was still in a poor condition. The Clerk will contact Head Office and include details of local contractors. Dog bin – It was reported that Swale BC would empty additional dog bins at a cost of £112 per bin per year. The Clerk had asked if any discount would be offered to the Council if they had more than one bin installed. It was agreed to install at least three bins should Swale BC offer a discount. 
Highways - Public Drop InSpeeding and Parking – A copy on the ideas/suggestions for traffic calming had been circulated. Cllr Steward reported that he was waiting to hear from the Police to arrange the safety awareness training session for Speed watch. It was also hoped to arrange a meeting with Highways to follow up resident’s ideas for traffic calming. 
Next meetings – 5th September and 3rd October. Please note that no meeting is held in August.
Please be advised that monthly meetings are held in the hall of Holywell School, starting at 7:30pm where the public may speak during the first half an hour only.
Claire Attaway
Parish Clerk
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch.
Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 12pm)
space

Friday 12 July 2013

Front Room Singers and Back Room Boys - Upchurch Festival of Music


The last concert of this years Upchurch Festival of Music takes place this Saturday the 13th of July at 8:00pm in St. Mary's Church.

A new group to our festival, Front Room Singers and Back Room Boys are a very talented choir who have taken part in national choir festivals and appeared on the popular television programme 'Last Choir Standing'.

Please support them by coming along this saturday.

Tickets £5 at the door.

A real bargain for a great evening's entertainment.

Read more about Front Room on their Website:  Here

Patricia New
space

Thursday 11 July 2013

Upchurch Parish Council Drop In - Thank You


The Parish Council would like to thank all those residents who were able to support us at the Drop in Session on the 27th June.

Your comments and thoughts on both the proposed Paddock Plans and Speed Awareness Plans were duly noted and much appreciated and are invaluable in reflecting the thoughts of the village on these matters.

Our next step is to contact all those interested in the schemes to arrange a sub-committee for the fund raising needed to move the Paddock Project forward and to arrange training for the Speed Awareness project.

Again - thank you

Claire Attaway
Parish Clerk
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch
Tel: 01634 363906 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 12pm)
space

Friday 5 July 2013

Burt Butlers Jazz Pilgrims - Upchurch Festival of Music


Burt Butlers Jazz Pilgrims play Upchurch Village Hall tonight (July the 5th) as part of the Upchurch Festival of Music.

This very popular Trad Jazz group will have your foot stamping for a great evening !

The show starts at 8:00pm. Tickets are £10 on the door.

Bring your own drink and nibbles.

Patricia New
space

New Mobile Police Contact Points


Kent Police has recently launched a fleet of mobile police contact points to enhance visibility of, and access to, the police particularly in rural areas.

The fleet of 6 mobile police contact point vehicles will visit 180 locations, mostly small and rural, on a significant and systematic basis. The fleet will be operational from Wednesday through to Sunday. Over 180 locations will receive a regular visit in each two week period.
 

The locations will be subject to review but will be spread all across the County. In a sense, this service offers a form of 'engagement infrastructure' which other agencies may wish to work with. The vehicles will be progressively rolled out over the next few months and the full service is expected to be operating by October. 

Full details of the routes and locations can be found on the Kent Police Website: Here

Kent Community Messaging
space

Thursday 4 July 2013

Upchurch Church by David Wood


St Mary's Church from Horsham Lane taken between 1886/1895.

The dominant building in the village centre for centuries and known as ‘St Mary the Virgin’, the Church has stood on the hill since 1100 and the community has gradually developed around it. The name Upchurch means ‘Church on the hill.’ The original church was burnt and damaged but rebuilt around 1300 while the tower and sanctuary arches were constructed in 1150.

The church tower is made of flint splints with an unusual shaped octagonal spire known as a ‘candle snuffer’. The tower is believed to have been used as a navigation marker by boats sailing up the river Medway. Only several other churches in Kent have similar towers and these are not close to a river which means that the tower of Upchurch church may not have been designed as a navigation point for passing vessels on the Medway but rather chosen by the crews of the vessels. The church tower also contains a hermit’s cell which dates from medieval times and six bells, two of which originate from the reign of Charles I.

In 1187 the church was presented to the Abbey of St Mary L’Isle Dieu in Normandy until Richard II seized it as a prize of war. It remained in the king’s hands until 1417 then it was transferred to Joan of Navarre, widow of Henry IV. In 1439 Henry VI gave Upchurch church to All Souls College, Oxford as a memorial for the dead in the 100 Years War. It remained in their possession until 1921. After this it was transferred to the Diocese of Canterbury.

St Mary’s is large compared with other English country churches. The interior has a high nave with huge oak beams and pillars that have supported the roof since the 13th century. The walls were once covered in paintings about the lives of the saints but these were whitewashed over with the coming of the Reformation in the 16th century. Reverend Trew commented in his personal handwritten history of the church in 1911 that a fresco representing the murder of St Thomas A’ Beckett once adorned the wall in the south east corner of the Lady Chapel and that paintings of two knights jousting and a portrait of a bishop existed on other walls.


David Wood.

In 1839 a painting was discovered on the south aisle wall of the nave which shows scenes from the life of Saint Spiridion, the Bishop of Trimithus in fourth century Cyprus. Several scenes show incidents from the life of the saint against the backdrop of a church with a bishop at the altar and a deacon at a lectern. The odd thing about the painting is how the story of a saint in such a far off place should end up being depicted in a Kent country church during the 13th century. The most likely theory is that the story was brought back to England from the crusades and then made into a painting on the church wall but the exact reason is unknown. The painting was uncovered in 1946 when the walls were being stripped for re-painting but before being covered over again Reverend Lightburne made a drawing which is held at the Centre for Kentish Studies in Maidstone.

Other decorations include a representation of a hunchback on the encaustic tiles near the vestry door. These are the oldest tiles in the church dating back to the 15th century and are made of red earthenware.

The North Chapel was probably dedicated to St John the Baptist as he appears in the stained glass window found there. Today the organ fills the main area. On the southern wall a board outlining the old Upchurch charities for the poor had existed from the early 19th century until recently but its condition had deteriorated so badly that a new copy was produced and now hangs opposite the church entrance on the north wall.

Several stained glass windows adorn the interior of the church. The old medieval windows have a green tinge but there are several other very colourful and attractive windows with religious themes.

The window above the high altar shows the ‘Communion of the Saints.’ This is a memorial to Reverend John Woodruff and his wife, fitted in 1896. Both Victorian and Medieval glass were used in the making of this. There is also a stained glass window named ‘Soldiers at the Crucifixion’ in the Lady Chapel dedicated to those from Upchurch who died in World War One. The money for this was raised by a group of twenty lady volunteers who made and sold 7,000 pounds of jam at the rectory. Two marble memorial tablets with the names of those who perished during the two world wars exist on the right hand wall of the Lady Chapel.

To the left upon entering the church and near the font is the Millennium Window which depicts Christ’s Nativity, designed by local resident Gwen Ardley and donated by the parish council on behalf of the people of Upchurch to commemorate the Millennium. On the north east wall almost opposite is a window dedicated to former well known and popular Holywell headmaster J. H. Maltravers who played a big part in village and church affairs and who died in 1931.

A crypt exists below the church and is accessed by a staircase below a trap door in the north chancel. This once contained bones and skulls which are thought to have come from a Danish burial site or were the remains from old graves but a definite reason is unknown.

Some well off parishioners left bequests to the church in their wills and have memorials in the church. In 1517 Robert Rider requested in his will that he should be buried in front of the high altar. The area marking his tomb is now covered by a red carpet that runs the whole length of the aisle. Above the crypt is the tomb of the Woodoaks family, former Upchurch landowners. The two marble pillars each side of the chancel are adorned with carved leaves and acorns representing the family, believed to have been early benefactors of the church. Near the entrance of the vestry are several other tombs. One of these is of John Packman and family members. John Packman was an 18th century tenant farmer who was based at Parsonage Farm which later became the vicarage. Others are of Reverend John Woodruff and family members, Daniel Wessex and William Young. A small memorial on the wall behind and to the right of the eagle lectern is in memory of John Peek, an 18th century farmer from Otterham Quay who had a connection with the church.

There are two brass effigies on the north wall that were previously set in a floor slab that is now beneath the church organ. Although the identity of the subjects has not been recorded they are figures from a wealthy mid 14th century family. The only possible known candidates for these figures are Hugh Herland, King Richard II’s master carpenter who designed the roof for the palace of Westminster and his wife Joan. Hugh and Joan Herland were known to have resided in Upchurch during the second half of the 14th century before moving to Kingston in Surrey.

Before the establishment of the Church of England there were many burning lights, a high altar and side altars in Upchurch church, similar to a present day Catholic Church. With the coming of Henry VIII and his break with Rome the church was stripped of its Catholic decorations but under Mary Tudor there was an attempt to reintroduce Catholicism and Archdeacon Harpsfield ordered that the rood loft that had previously stretched across the central aisle should be put up and painted. With the coming of Elizabeth 1 the church returned to the control of the Church of England and the rood loft was removed again, only the stone staircase that once led to it remains today.

In Medieval times most parishioners had to stand or kneel on the floor at church services but if they were infirm or sick they could sit on the stone seating which still exists by the wall. Much later wooden pews were installed and more added during the mid 19th century. Three stone seats can be seen near the high altar and were for the priest, deacon and sub deacon when celebrating High Mass.

The wooden pulpit was originally positioned on the right hand side of the chancel steps and not on the left. It was moved to its present position at the end of the 19th century. The lectern in the form of a golden eagle was presented as a gift to the church by the family of former vicar Reverend Tyrwhitt in 1898 and stands to the right of the pulpit. The Woodruff family donated the alms dish in 1904 and farmer Alfred Hinge donated the high altar in 1947.

The font which dates back to 1846 is a copy of the one in the church of St Mary Magdalene in Oxford. A barrel organ was also placed in the church in 1851. This was later replaced with a pipe organ in 1891 and again in 1905.

Since the 16th century the church has been associated with the Drake family because Edmund Drake, father of famous seaman Sir Francis Drake served as vicar from 1560 to 1567. Edmund Drake is believed to have been buried in the churchyard and his will of December 1566 requests this but a marked grave does not exist. Sir Francis Drake is believed to have spent part of his teenage years in the village before becoming a famous seaman.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is now a listed building of great historical importance and continues to dominate the central part of the village.

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
space

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Upchurch Festival of Music - Saturday 6th of July


Come and support Upchurch Choral Society at St. Mary's church, 8:00pm, with a concert under their new Musical Director, Peggy Moseley including:

1st. Half
With A Voice of Singing - signature tune of the Society
How Lovely are thy Dwellings Fair - Brahms
Bell Anthem by Purcell
Vivaldi's Gloria

2nd. Half
Light music including I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside
Night & Day - Cole Porter
Londonderry Air and Irish Blessing arranged by Bob Chilcott

Tickets a bargain at only £5 from Frank Osborne: 01634 361508 or at the door.

Patricia New
space

Orange-Losenge-Notice-Board

Notice Board

Notice Board

The Village Post EXTRA
+ Click here to join our new local newsgroup

Please-Support-Our-Advertisers-Orange-Losenge

Click the Adverts

Support-BG
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS BY TRYING
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ADVERTISERS BY TRYING

Classified Advertisements

Classified Advertisements