News
The latest news published by East Grinstead Town Council can be found below.
February 2012
Neighbourhood Plan – Your Views – Phase Two
3 February 2012
TOWN COUNCILLORS ARE ASKING FOR YOUR VIEWS in the next stage of consultation in developing the Neighbourhood Plan.
Responding to the first survey and priorities identified the Town Council is now seeking further clarification on the town’s views regarding Town Centre Regeneration and Business development which were the two areas that concerned residents the most.
The questionnaires will be available to download or complete on-line. Hard copies can be picked up at Market Square,
Sainsburys and The Library as well as the Town Council offices. All hard copies should be returned to the Town Council. The closing date for these questionnaires is 1 March 2012 and they will be followed by the next area of consultation.
The results will be used to determine the policies and details to be included in the Neighbourhood Plan which when complete will be consulted on yet further.
Cllr Heidi Brunsdon Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said “there was a fantastic response to the initial survey and it is hoped this survey will provide the evidence to support the plan that emerges over the next few months. Residents should watch for the advertising and check the website to make sure that they are part of this consultation and can express their views as to the changes they want in their town.”
Check out Chequer Mead
1 February 2012
For more information or to book tickets check out the theatre’s website or ring the box office on 01342 302000
1 February at 7.30pm: Theatre Unlimited presents Stalin’s Favourite
In 1941, the huge popularity of his poem Wait for Me projected Konstantin Simonov into the literary stratosphere of the Soviet Union. But becoming Stalin’s favourite writer came at a price. Years later, ageing and unwell, Simonov looks back on a lifetime as part of Stalin’s Soviet elite and confronts his demons…
2 February: Theatre Unlimited presents Defying Hitler
SEBASTIAN Haffner wasn’t a Nazi and he wasn’t Jewish. He was just a sensitive and highly intelligent, but otherwise ordinary German, striving to come to terms with the madness that was Nazi Germany. Adapted from the award-winning memoir of the same name, Defying Hitler is the candid, witty and moving account of a young man growing up in the shadow of Hitler’s Third Reich
4 February at 7.30pm: The Bohemians present A Night of Queen
THE Bohemians are the first Queen tribute to play every type of event run by the Queen fan club, and the first Queen tribute to play on the same bill as Queen guitarist Brian May, who described them as ‘brilliant’.
7 February at 7.30pm: DEPE Productions presents the H.U.G.S. Charity Concert
A Benefit Concert for HUGS (Help Us Give Support children’s charity) with three local bands
10/11 February: Bullfrog Productions presents Alice in Wonderland
BULLFROG Productions Youth Group presents Disney’s magical musical Alice in Wonderland. Based on the book by Lewis Carroll, Alice falls down a rabbit hole and meets The Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and many more. Her madcap adventures come to life on stage with a zany twist, wacky songs and chaotic plot.
15 February at 7.30pm: Pyramid Promotions presents Karnataka in Concert
KARNTAKA have gained an international reputation as innovators in their field, creating beautiful, melodic rock with a unique Celtic edge. Featuring an international line-up of world-class musicians including Hayley Griffiths from Riverdance.
16 February at 7pm: Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Cafe
Sit back, relax and enjoy the best of live Jazz provided by the amazing Institute Jazz Band – combined with the finest bistro menus at our regular Jazz Cafe evenings.
17 February at 8pm: Legends of Las Vegas
AWARD-winning Tribute Artist Fisher Stevens and his fabulous Legends Band bring theLas Vegas Legends Show to Chequer Mead. A professionally produced stage show celebrating the careers of two legendary icons, Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley.
18 February at 7:45pm: Flairz Glam Rock
FLAIRZ celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2012, so put on your best 70s fancy dress and come and celebrate with the Greatest Glam Rock Band in the world
21 February at 1.30pm: Chequer Mead Lunchtime Concert series presents Neil Crossland
YORKSHIRE pianist and composer Neil Crossland began playing the piano at the age of six and studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won major prizes in both piano and composition. Since then he has performed extensively at home and abroad, and written pieces in all genres.
Friday 24 February at 8pm: The Dixon Agency presents Re-Take That
AN evening of blockbuster hits from the UK’s most authentic and charismatic tribute band. Jason Orange says: “Brilliant! Just like watching my old mates on stage, the attention to detail is amazing.”
25 February at 2:30pm and 7:30pm: Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents Cold Comfort Farm
YOUTH Production CMYT presents a musical adaptation of Stella Gibbons’ classic comedy of rural life. The recently-orphaned Flora Poste decides to descend on her relatives, the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm, a dysfunctional family ruled over by the fearsome figure of Great Aunt Ada Doom, who once saw something nasty in the woodshed…
29 February/ 1 March: Imberhorne school presents An Evening of Dance
IMBERHORNE school presents an exciting evening of dance by students performing a variety of pieces from Key Stage 3 to 6th form.
Top choir supports appeal for landmark church
1 February 2012
THE award-winning Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir is giving a charity concert on 3 March to support the restoration of St Mary’s in Windmill Lane.
The choir, which reached the final of the 2010 Kent Top Choir competition, will be performing a rousing programme of spirituals, jazz, hymns and show tunes. Tickets/details £10 from Andrew Bass on 01342 850511.
St Mary’s launched a £100,000 campaign to restore the landmark Windmill Lane church in 2010, and has already raised enough to repair the distinctive bell turret.
But more work must be done to make the church watertight and fit to serve future generations in the town.
Works starts on King Street car park toilets
1 February 2012
WORK has now begun on the new public toilet block in the King Street car park, which should open this spring. The new toilets will replace the portacabin toilet block in the southeast corner of the town centre car park opposite the cinema.
Although functional and well-used, the portacabin was only ever envisaged as a temporary measure and councillors have always recognised the need for a permanent replacement.
The new building will have a pitched roof, exposed brickwork and plain tiling in a traditional style in keeping with an historic market town like East Grinstead. Traditional local materials will be used in its construction including bricks sourced from nearby West Hoathly.
In agreeing the design, councillors said the new building would enhance the character and appearance of its town centre location and significantly benefit both the local community and visitors to East Grinstead.
The new toilets will have distinct female and male areas, a separate wheelchair-accessible toilet and a baby-changing facility.
Mid Sussex District Council will fund its construction and East Grinstead Town Council will manage, maintain and clean the new public convenience.
“With the Olympic Games taking place just up the road in London this summer, and the prospect of the Bluebell Railway arriving in the town, we could soon be welcoming a significant influx of tourists,” said MSDC Councillor Pru Moore.
“East Grinstead is a charming market town steeped in history and attractive to visitors. If we want people to choose East Grinstead, and come back for further visits, then we must offer first-class facilities and the new public toilets will provide a welcome boost in this regard.”
East Grinstead Council leader Norman Webster also welcomed the news that work on the permanent toilet block is now underway.
“This is a project which MSDC and East Grinstead Town Council have worked on together, and I am delighted that this important facility for townspeople and tourists will be ready for use within a matter of months,” he said.
Going on in the Gallery
1 February 2012
16 – 22 February: Gillian Lloyd in her first photography exhibition.
Gillian, an amateur photographer, has been lucky enough to witness wonderful wildlife living in their natural habitat at home in her garden and much further afield.
Mayor’s events Feburary 2012
1 February 2012
Town Mayor John Saull will be attending the following events in February:
- Saturday 4: Mayor of Sevenoaks’ Charity event From Bond with Love 7 at the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks
- Tuesday 7: Talk on Being Mayor to Macular Society at Glen Vue Centre, Railway Approach
- Saturday 18: Senior Citizens Party at Sackville School organised by the East Grinstead Lions Club
- Wednesday 22: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Lunch at Crawley College
- Saturday 24: Mayor of Arun’s Charity Dinner/Dance at the Avisford Park Hotel, Arundel
East Grinstead hockey champs take fourth consecutive title in Maxifuel Super Sixes championship
1 February 2012
EAST Grinstead have beaten Beeston 8-5 in the 2012 Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals to earn their fourth consecutive indoor title.
Report and pictures from the official England Hockey in England website.
Men’s 2012 Super Sixes Final Result: East Grinstead 8 (6) - Beeston 5 (3)
THE crowd were in full voice as Beeston’s Adam Dixon got things under way in the 2012 final. Neither team allowed the other to settle early on; Richard Potton had the first save to make but it was a straight-forward ask. Davenport had been in fine scoring form in the semi-final and after some skilful work by German Paddy Schmdit, Davenport fired home a powerful shot to give Beeston a welcome lead.
Glenn Kirkham won a penalty corner for East Grinstead in the fifth minute but Ben Hawes was quickly out to snaffle an Ashley Jackson shot. Chances were coming thick and fast as opportunities went begging at both ends, Glenn Kirkham making a last-ditch clearance for the defending champions. A cleverly-worked opportunity from Jackson saw the ball come back off the upright from a reverse shot.
In the ninth minute David De Prez got on the end of a Barry Middleton deflection to bring things back on level terms. Another stunning finish by De Prez put his side ahead after a lethal pass put of defence from Mike Holland. A third goal for East Grinstead came courtesy of Daniel Koschyk who dinked his way through the opposition for a great solo effort. Middleton intercepted a pass on half way to lay off to De Prez, who enjoyed his second of the match.
