|
|
July 2010
CLLR David Banks joined Claire Hammond and Amelia Benwell of Orchard Nursery to help prepare 250 hanging baskets for display around the town this summer.
His duties done, David handed over to Mayor Stephen Barnett who helped to hoist the first basket into place in the historic High Street.
THE Town Council's outdoor staff have a new weapon in their bid to keep the town looking pristine while operating within budget. The addition of a highly-versatile red tractor means the number of vehicles in the Council's fleet can be reduced, and work previously contracted-out will now be carried out by staff with a subsequent
reduction in costs.
MAYOR Stephen Barnett performed the official opening of the Casablanca which has introduced a welcome touch of continental cafe culture to the historic High Street. Stephen, fellow councillors and town clerk Chris Rolley enjoyed the chance to watch the world go by while sampling some of Casablanca's cuisine. The outside space is also proving popular with shoppers and visitors to the town - although on Thursday mornings they have to give way to the equally popular Farmers Market.
Cllr Christine Mainstone said: "This is a great addition to the town's attractions and I can see it being a huge hit with anyone who enjoys people-watching over a cup of coffee."
DISABLED Sarah Mitchell can now use and store a mobility scooter at her home in The Weald thanks to the intervention of Cllr Paul Johnson and a team of willing volunteers, builders and fundraisers.
The 36-year-old, who suffers from a progressive terminal illness, has had her flat adapted for wheelchair use.
But despite inheriting a mobility scooter from her late grandmother two years ago, Sarah has been housebound because she had nowhere to store it, and no way of getting it on to the nearby pavement.
But after hearing of her plight Cllr Paul Johnson organised a willing team to come to her rescue.
Stuart Clark, trading as MTM (Made To Measure) Carpentry, volunteered to lay a concrete base in Sarah’s garden and made a shed to house the scooter, having received a generous discount from Mid Sussex Timber for the materials he used: and Peter Tolhurst of Tolhurst Electrical Services Limited provided an electrical connection for recharging the scooter’s batteries.
Sarah has also been given a portable ramp which allows her to access the nearby pavement on her scooter.
The money to pay for the project came from the ladies of St Luke's church who raised more than £130, the East Grinstead Lions Club who contributed another £400, and Martin and Barbara Groat who helped councillors including Bob and Christine Mainstone, Ginnie Waddingham and Margaret Collins to raise a further £420 with a bbq at Chequer Mead last summer.
“I am very, very grateful, and indeed feel quite overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness,” said Sarah. “This has changed my life but it is something I could never have afforded to do on my own - Paul is a wonderful man.”
Among the well wishers who celebrated the ending of the project was Cllr Bob Mainstone who took pictures to commemorate the event.
“It was particularly nice to see him there,” said Sarah, “as he used to be my headmaster at Imberhorne school.”
THE town museum is asking returning holiday-makers to donate their leftover foreign coins to boost its funds, rather than leaving them lying around in a drawer at home.
The ongoing appeal for obsolete and foreign currency was started a decade ago with the introduction of the euro across Europe, and has since raised more than £4,000 for the museum in Cantelupe Road, said town historian Michael Leppard.
"I realised when the euro was introduced that a lot of people would be left with coins they could no longer spend, but which we could put to very good use," he said.
ARIEL Company Theatre presents its Drama Plus Showcase 2010 on 6 July. An evening of dance and drama, it will exhibit the work of students who have been working with the East Grinstead branch of the Academy over the past year. Established in 1991, Ariel is highly acclaimed and recognised within the industry as a top modern theatre company which works hard to bring outstanding productions by an award winning team to its audiences. Tickets £11/concessions £9/wheelchair-users £8.
Estcots school brings its annual production to Chequer Mead on 7 July. Tickets £2.50. Live, Love, Dance will showcase the talents of the Tanzen Academy on 9/10 July. Tickets £10/concessions £8.50.
Kicks Dance presents an evening performance on 11 July. Tickets £7/concessions £5.
Chequer Mead Youth Theatre is back with Watch This Space on 14 July, an exciting and unique celebration of theatre with a huge dash of ingenuity. Tickets £10/£8.50 for groups 4 or more.
Cuisine Studio presents is popular Jazz Café on 16 July when the New Orleans Jazz Band are in town. Book a table in advance (no walk-ins) for some fabulous food from the Cuisine Studio's bistro menu. For table reservations or to reserve a ticket - £5 per person in advance only - ring Mandy or Paul at the Cuisine Studio on 01342 324860.
Bullfrog Productions presents a Summer Celebration on 17 July to mark the second year of its East Grinstead Youth Group when students between four and 20 will combine their talents in a stunning show. Tickets £11/concessions £9/family ticket £35.
Blackwell primary school presents Alice The Musical on 20 July in a summer production involving all the children in Key Stage 2. Private function.
Get Happy, with Choirpower, celebrates summer on 23 July. Choirpower’s easy-listening repertoire of jazz, pop, folk, musicals and modern classics will be accompanied by Sue Harvey (piano), Bill Gledhill (bass) and Brian Sharp (drums). Tickets £9.50/concessions £8. * To sing with Choirpower call Leigh on 07767 832049 or email her on leighkw58@homecall.co.uk.
Chequer Mead's Lunchtime Concert Series presents Serendipity - Clarinet & Cello on Tuesday 27 July from 1.30pm to 2.15pm. Jane and Justin Osborne, who formed Serendipity in 2000, are both professional musicians and teachers, and have performed in venues throughout the UK, Spain and Gibraltar, where they co-directed The St Andrew’s Music Academy. As well as the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra in Spain, they have played in some of the best orchestras in the UK including the London Mozart Players, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio can be made on 01342 324860. Tickets £4/concessions £3.50/ or £3 when buying three concerts in the series.
SACKVILLE Community College will be holding its Annual Exhibition from 2 - 14 July.
THE exhibition honouring the life and times of the pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe is on at the town museum in Cantelupe Road until Sunday 19 September.
Booklets to accompany the exhibition can be purchased from the museum at a cost of £2 each. Entry is free.
DROP In and Dig will take place on 6 August, when youngsters will have the chance to try their hand at being an amateur archaeologist - a Festival of British Archeology event.
Mini Gardens on 16 August will give budding gardeners the chance to make a model plot of their own.
Mini Beasts, on 24 August, will offer the opportunity to make some really creeeeeeeepy crawlies...
The activities are for five to 11-year-olds and cost £1 a head to cover materials. Times are from 10.30am until 3pm and there is no need to book - just drop in when you are ready and stay as long as you want.
MAYOR Stephen Barnett hands over a Local Champion Award to Trek Diagnostics.
The Awards, created by the Council's Business Support Group, have been designed to publicise and support the efforts of East Grinstead's business community, to encourage residents to support their local traders and to "promote the positive aspects of our town" said BSG chairman Cllr Bob Mainstone.
THE East Grinstead Society has produced a new leaflet outlining the history of Mount Noddy and the nearby Moat Road pond.
The earliest known record of the name Mount Noddy in East Grinstead is on a map of Moat Farm drawn in 1776, where it was named Mow Knotty Field by a cartographer who had obviously misheard the local name. A similar misspelling saw the site of the present recreation ground dubbed Mount Hoddy.
The Mount Noddy cemetery site and housing was once an arable field called Eight Acres but in 1906 the then Urban District Council hired the fields for their present-day use, although there was controversy over public money being spent on a recreation ground.
In 1910 the UDC acquired full ownership of the site, and established the cemetery six years later.
Today the Town Council still owns the cemetery, and the allotments which are managed on its behalf by the Mount Noddy Allotment Association.
Mid Sussex District Council is responsible for the recreation ground and for Moat Pond.
It is thought the name Noddy derives from the quantities of “slug, slag, shag, noddy or cinders” which were a byproduct of the iron industry and were left in heaps on the banks of many ponds in the Weald.
Two children were rescued from Moat Road pond in 1876 after their pram was accidentally pushed into the water.
A young RAF reservist called Monger crashed his plane into a tree beside the pond in 1929 while trying to impress a girlfriend, and in 1943 it was used as an emergency water source to help put out fires caused by the bombing of the Whitehall cinema.
The pond has also been the scene of at least one suicide and was used to hide silver stolen by the employee of a local solicitor.
* For a full history of the area see the new leaflet which costs 25p at the town museum or from the Town Council’s East Court offices.
ONE hundred years of Guiding have been marked with the launch of a new Nature Trail around the grounds of East Court mansion.
Town Mayor Steven Barnett unveiled the first marker post outside East Court before encouraging the watching crowds to explore the rest of the figure-of-eight route which meanders through the estate and Ashplats Wood.
The path is marked with posts each bearing a different plaque suitable for brass rubbing to record the various images.
THE town tourist desk will be hosting its annual childrens competition again this summer.
For details of how to enter see Simon Kerr or Dawn Spalding at the tourism desk in the town library.
THE Town Council is backing a scheme which encourages drivers to car-share as a way to cut costs and carbon emissions, and to reduce traffic congestion.
East Grinstead resident Elizabeth Morrison wrote to town clerk Chris Rolley asking if the Council would support the idea as part of its green initiative.
Chris took advice from The National Association of Local Councils which suggested drivers interested in saving both cash and the environment should register with https://carshare.liftshare.com/
The site is free to join, and anyone interested in sharing car journeys can find all the necessary information and search for others needing a lift to the same destination.
"As a Council we are committed to promoting the protection of the environment, so we were delighted to look into an idea which could bring about huge financial savings for members of the community and could potentially reduce traffic congestion", said Council Leader James Baldwin.
I would urge anyone with a journey to plan - and particularly regular commuters - to take a look at this site."
MAYOR Stephen Barnett opened this year's outdoor photographic exhibition at Chequer Mead theatre, and met some of the photographers whose work was chosen for display.
Among the winners was Andrew Trigwell who was interviewed about his striking image of a snowy East Grinstead for BBC South East.
TOURIST officer Simon Kerr has conducted a record number of town tours this year, including six for local packs of brownies. Simon, who usually mans the tourist desk at the library, enjoys getting out and talking his guests around the historical highlights of the town centre.
"It's always great fun, and on one memorable occasion a High Street resident actually opened their front door and invited us to look inside, so nearly 30 of us took a tour around the ground floor of his house. It was definitely not on the planned route, but it was really appreciated by the children and adults alike," Simon recalled.
"I'm always happy to set up town tours at times to suit any group and there's no official charge, but a donation to the town museum is always welcomed."
* To arrange for a tour of the town centre, contact Simon at the library on 01342 410121.
MAYOR Stephen Barnett joined other railway fans on the Hill Place Viaduct to check out progress on the Bluebell's planned arrival into East Grinstead station.
The open day at the viaduct, which featured in a recent episode of ITV's Foyle's War, gave visitors their last chance to check out its amazing views south to Ashdown Forest before work starts on hauling away the next lot of spoil from the nearby tip. The rubbish will be transported away along a newly-laid track throughout the rest of the summer.
June 2010
EAST Grinstead's new mayor is 50-year-old Stephen Barnett, who assumed his duties at the traditional mayor-making ceremony in May.
Stephen lives in Ashurst Wood with his wife Pauline and has two children - 22-year-old James, and 16-year-old Sackville student Elizabeth.
The couple moved to the area in 1997 when Stephen started started work for Seeboard (now part of EDF Energy) and have come to love their adopted home.
One of the key reasons we like living here so much is the character of local people and organisations, said Stephen. I find that representing a community that never holds back its opinions is both a challenge and a real bonus because it shows residents care so much about where they live.
Stephen was first elected to Mid Sussex District Council in 1999 to represent Ashurst Wood and the adjoining area of East Grinstead, at a time when the village was an integral part of the area covered by the Town Council. And he remains a district councillor for the Worsted area of the town.
He was elected to the Town Council in 2003 to represent the Town Centre ward and moved to the adjacent Herontye ward on re-election in 2007, following his involvement in contesting development proposals affecting the area along with Imberhorne.
On accepting the mayoral chain Stephen said: I have always taken the view that once elected any councillor should represent all residents in their area equally no matter what their political views.
The honour of being elected Mayor extends that responsibility to all residents across the town and I look forward to visiting as many of them as possible in the coming year.
Stephen has nominated two charities to support during his year as East Grinstead's first citizen - both of them connected with one of the towns most illustrious adopted sons, Sir Archie McIndoe, the pioneering plastic surgeon who treated many badly-burned airmen during WWII.
The first is the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation at the Queen Victoria hospital, which remains a world leader in the research of burns treatment.
The second is the Town Museum which has recently taken custodianship of an extensive collection of artifacts associated with Sir Archibald McIndoe and his famous Guinea Pigs as his patients were dubbed.
* Stephen's deputy is Cllr Bob Mainstone.
CLLR Lee Marmara ended his year as the town's first citizen by handing over a cheque for £7,000 to the East Grinstead and District Mental Health Association which was the charity he chose to benefit during his year in office.
THREE East Grinstead Businesses have been given Champion Awards by the Town Council's Business Support Group.
The innovative scheme has been designed to publicise and support the efforts and initiatives of East Grinsteads business community, to encourage residents to support local traders and to promote the positive aspects of our town said chairman Bob Mainstone.
The first three recipients were:
- Eclect for bringing a brand new design-led business to the town in the shape of their High Street furniture boutique (in the former Ann Dolphins dress shop).
- Bullfrog Music for their excellent enlarged music store in Ship Street which has seen the shop double in size and the upper floors of the building restored.
- Trek Diagnostics for their new UK headquarters on the Birches Industrial Park, an amazing state-of-the-art building where they develop cutting-edge machinery and techniques for their industry.
In choosing Trek for an award the BSG noted that the company's American owners had made the decision to keep their UK headquarters in East Grinstead as they feel so very positive about the town.
Although the ongoing award scheme will initially be used to recognise businesses which add to the quality of life in East Grinstead it may be extended to recognise excellence in other areas of town life in due course, said Bob.
*Members of the public can contact the Business Support Group to suggest the names of other businesses deserving of recognition via the Town Council's East Court offices.
CLLR James Baldwin retains his position as Leader of the Town Council following the mayor-making last month.
He also remains chairman of the Finance and General Purposes committee, with Cllr Ginnie Waddingham as his deputy.
The chairman of the Planning committee is Cllr Paul Johnson: his deputy is Cllr Barry Starmer.
The chairman of the Amenities and Tourism committee is Cllr Rob Musk: his deputy is Cllr Christine Mainstone.
The Public Services committee will be chaired by Cllr Lee Marmara, with Cllr Margaret Collins deputising.
REGULAR Tea Dances at the Meridian Hall are proving popular with dancers keen to practice some nifty footwork over tea and cakes on the first Tuesday of each month.
Jill and Adrian Lucas, who offered a free first session in March, were delighted at the turn out - and are hoping the number of dancers will grow even more during the summer months.
Anyone who would like to know more about the sessions, which take place from 2pm until 4.30pm, can contact the couple on 01342 714448.
.jpg)
Dancers stepping out at the new Tea Dance sessions in the Meridian Hall
THE Town Council has had its prestigious Investors in People award renewed with a further three year reaccreditation as an organisation which cares for its staff and their career development.
Cllr James Baldwin said: "This award is the bench mark of quality as far as staff are concerned, and it shows we value the people who work for us and help them to grow."
THE Town Diary, which is organised by tourist officer Simon Kerr and can be found on the Town Councils website at www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk, is filling fast with events coming up over the next few months.
Anyone with an event to publicise can submit details to Simon at the town library, or telephone him on 01342 410121.
ONE of new mayor Stephen Barnett's first duties in office was to congratulate the East Grinstead Hockey team for taking the Championship title in the Men's Premier Division. The title is the latest triumph in a season which has also seen the team take the National and European indoor titles.
Picture courtesy of John O'Brien
MAYOR Stephen Barnett jumped a queue of around 300 keen shoppers to perform the opening ceremony at the new Aldi store in London Road.
After cutting the ribbon, he said the opening of the budget supermarket was a very welcome event which would inject new life into a site which had been empty for far too long.
CLLR Bob Mainstone met the seven teams young business people who took part in the finals of the countys Young Enterprise scheme.
Students taking part in the event, which is supported by the Sussex branch of the Institute of Directors, had to set up and run their own company over the course of one academic year.
They had to design and market goods or services and then trade under an elected Board of Directors, raising share capital to finance their company.
At the end of the project the youngsters, who were given the advice of business people throughout the year, had to present a full company report, set up a trade stand and give a five minute presentation to judges from Business Links South East, the Sussex branch of the Institute of Directors, Armida Chartered Accountants, Prism Group Ltd and Cornhill group.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone, who presented all the finalists with certificates before the winning teams were announced, said he had been delighted to see the finals of such a prestigious event held at Chequer Mead again this year.
The winners were:
- Best Website: Eureka from Roedean School
- The Armida Corporate Governance Award: Fuse from Bishop Luffa School, Chichester
- The Best presentation: Zest from Hurstpierpoint College
- The Best Trade Stand: Poker Face from Brighton and Hove High School for Girls
- Runner-up Best Company: Fuse from Bishop Luffa School, Chichester
- The winning company: Quote Tote from Millais School, Horsham
Quote Tote now go forward to represent Sussex at the Regional final in Maidstone on 16 June, where they will compete with the winners from six other counties for a place in the July national final at the Savoy Hotel, London, against other regions from all over the UK.
CHARMAINE Hallmark became the fourth recipient of a Local Champion award from the Town Council's Business Support Group when she was presented with a certificate by the Mayor Stephen Barnett.
He made the presentation at an East Grinstead Business Association event held at the Jubilee Centre in Charlwood Road in May which was attended by representatives from more than 60 local businesses.
Business Support chairman Cllr Bob Mainstone said:
"This year Hallmark Travel celebrates 20 years of providing holidays for the residents of East Grinstead.
"This is an achievement which deserves congratulations, but of greater importance is the high esteem in which Hallmark Travel is held within the Travel and Tourism industry. They have won numerous awards and are one of the best travel agents in the country. The Town Council wishes them every success in the future."
Pictured is Charmaine Hallmark with Chairman of East Grinstead Business Support Group, Councillor Bob Mainstone, and Councillor David Banks.
Photo Coutesy of Pure View Photography.
Tourist officer Simon Kerr took representatives of our twin towns on a guided tour of East Grinstead before ending up in the town twinning garden opposite the library.
THE lashing rain which threatened to make the bank holiday May Fair a washout failed to dampen the spirits of hundreds of residents who flocked out to enjoy the day despite the weather.
Lee Marmara, making one of his last public appearances as town mayor, fell early victim to the downpour when a stall collapsed under the weight of water and drenched him.
Dried out and back on track, retiring mayor Lee Marmara tries out the miniature railway.
And InChoir must have had momentary doubts about their choice of repertoire with an opening number which began "The sun is shining in the sky..."
But it seemed the town was determined to make the best of the bank holiday whatever the weather and the Lions enjoyed an unexpectedly large turnout for their now traditional day of family fun.
"East Grinstead folk are made of tough stuff", said tourist officer Simon Kerr afterwards, "the weather cheered up eventually and everyone obviously had a great time."
DEPUTY Mayor Bob Mainstone joined fellow councillors Christine Mainstone and Bernard Gillbard to admire the gardening efforts of many of the towns school children in the newly-created community garden at Lingfield Road recreation ground.
Five schools - Imberhorne Lower, Halsford Park, St Marys, Baldwins Hill and St Peters - worked with the local neighbourhood panels, Mid Sussex District Council and Sussex Police to design the garden which was built out of railway sleepers before being filled with flowering plants.
Bob said: "This wonderful project has not only given the children who took part in it a great sense of achievement, it has also equipped them with skills they will enjoy throughout their lives - and created a garden which the entire town can take pleasure in.
"Everyone who was involved in the scheme deserves huge congratulations."
EAST Grinstead Bus Day proved a huge hit with passengers nostalgic for the good old days of the Routemaster.
Alan Charman who organised the event again this year estimated attendance was up by 15% on last time, with the 28 vintage buses making more than 3,000 passenger journeys on routes around the town to Forest Row, Newchapel and the Bluebell Railway.
The 494 was full on every journey out to Oxted but it was the 15 minute service to Forest Row which proved the most popular, with more than 1,000 passes issued during the day.
MAYOR Stephen Barnett attended the opening of a new exhibition at the town museum to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Archibald McIndoe.
A New Zealander by birth, Sir Archie is internationally renowned for his pioneering work to repair the flame-ravaged faces of airmen injured in WWII.
A collection of artifacts relating to his work, and to the patients he dubbed his Guinea Pigs, has been donated to the museum by the Queen Victoria hospital and will eventually be permanently housed in a new extension.
But in the meantime, a limited selection of items is on public display in a new temporary exhibit - some for the first time.
The occasion was attended by the late surgeons daughter Adonia, who was presented with flowers by museum trustee Dorothy Hatswell.
THE Town Council's outdoor staff have removed a dangerous tree from the East Court estate after a routine inspection showed it had split due to fungal infection.
The 100 foot tall lime, which was of indeterminate old age and situated between the play area and the Old Court House, was taken down in sections, before being cut into logs. Smaller branches were chipped for use on the estate.
HANNAH Kester has accepted the role of acting manager at Chequer Mead theatre, following the retirement of manager John Durrant on health grounds.
Hannah, whose previous job was at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, has been at Chequer Mead for the past four years and is looking forward to the challenges of her new position.
"Chequer Mead is a little gem. We not only have a lovely theatre and gallery space, but it is also much enjoyed as a place for conferences, classes and for our in-house restaurant.
"It has a special place at the heart of town life and people are actually very fond of it, so I am both honoured and delighted to be succeeding John and I hope to carry on his good work."
Town clerk Chris Rolley said: "Hannah has been an asset to the theatre for the past four years, and the Trust is pleased she has agreed to take on her new role while we review our options over the coming months.
"We wish John well in his retirement."
SUMMER kicks off on 1 June with The Essence of Ireland, a show of brilliant choreography, superb musicianship and dazzling costumes in the spirit of Lord of the Dance. To make a table reservation for a pre-show meal at Cuisine Studio ring 01342 324860. Tickets £18.50/concessions £17/family ticket £55.
Theres more essence on offer on 3 June in The Essence of Love, a new comedy by Phillip Ayckbourn. A mother and her daughter, a father and his son find themselves on adjacent hotel terraces in Marrakech. Theres anything but love in the air for the four British holiday makers - but when the gift of a magical elixir gets into the water, unlikely passions take root. Tickets £12/concessions £10.
The Phil Collins tribute show No Jacket Required is back by popular request on 4 June with a chance to relive ballads including Against All Odds, One More Night and Groovy Kind Of Love. Tickets £15/concessions £13.
An Evening with Gerard Kenny is on 5 June. The international songwriter, singer and pianist - who has worked with artists including Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Shirley Bassey and Jack Jones - makes a very welcome return appearance to support the work of Chequer Mead Friends. Tickets £15/Chequer Mead Friends £12.50.
East Grinstead Group of Schools (EGGS) presents Our World at a private function on 7 June to mark the culmination of an exciting year-long project which has seen the towns youngsters working together on aspects of the renewed curriculum. Their on-stage showcase of drama, music and dance marks the beginning of a week-long exhibition of the students artwork in the Garden Gallery. Free public entry to the exhibition.
The hugely popular Company of Friends presents Don't Dress for Dinner from 10 to 12 June. After the successes of See How They Run, Not Now Darling and Run for Your Wife, the Company is back with a 4th farce in the shape of Dont Dress for Dinner - a frenetic case of mistaken identity with more twists than a corkscrew.
Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £13/concessions £12.
Acoustic Sussex presents the Eliza Carthy Band on 14 June. Eliza Carthy has won an unrivalled seven BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and been twice nominated for the Mercury Awards. Tickets £15/concessions £12.50.
In The Mood with Five Star Swing comes to town for a matinee on 17 June with a line-up headed by Chris Smith, the former composer for Glenn Millers brother Herb, the BBC Big Band and the Royal Variety Performance. Special guest will be Simone, from the latter days of the Ivy Benson Orchestra, as seen on BBC TV's Children in Need. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £10.50/concessions £9.50/groups of 10-plus £9 each.
Cuisine Studio presents its hugely popular Jazz Cafe on 18 June when the Groove Chasers make a return visit to Chequer Mead. Meals must be pre-booked. Bistro menu available. For table reservations or tickets - in advance only - ring Mandy or Paul on 01342 324860.
The British Red Cross presents Dance for Life on 19 June, which brings together schools, youth and dance groups from communities throughout the southeast by making dance accessible to all under-18s, regardless of ability. This charity event is a celebration of youth dance and its ability to overcome cultural, social and physical barriers, by giving pupils the chance to perform and celebrate with their friends, family and school. There are two age groups - although some flexibility will be allowed: a junior group for ages 11 and under, and a senior group for ages 12 to 18. The event is open to dancers at all levels, including beginners. Tickets £8/children £5.
The Mayapuris hit town on 21 June to showcase their skills in chanting and musicianship. Their debut album Mridanga soars with fiery vocals, earthshaking rhythms and enchanting musical flavour. Named after the mridranga - a clay and leather drum from Mayapur in India where kirtan/chant music originated - the album showcases the musical versatility of The Mayapuris and the instruments they play. Special guests include grammy-nominated Jai Uttal, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits and Benjy Wertheimer of Shantala. Tickets £10 in advance/£15 on the door.
East Grinstead Choral Society presents Last Night at the Proms on 26 June when the biggest choir in East Grinstead will perform with the St Peters school choir to recreate all the traditional atmosphere of the famous Albert Hall concerts. Enthusiastic audience participation will be a vital part of the prom which will include Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, with the usual flag-waving. Other musical treats include Chilcotts charming Little Jazz Mass and the ever-popular Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £13/concessions £12/family £44.
Creative Cornucopia - until 9 June:
An exhibition of artwork by The Creative Expressions Art Group run by East Grinstead Mental Health Association and Sussex Oakleaf Housing Association. Many sketches, water colours, acrylic paintings and pastels will be on sale at very modest prices, the proceeds helping to fund this enterprise.
East Grinstead Art Society - 10 to 23 June:
The East Grinstead Art Society will be holding its annual exhibition at Chequer Mead. This is a great opportunity to buy a painting directly from a local artist.
Framed pictures Mounted only pictures Greetings cards.
Shapes, Colours and Emotional Landscapes - 24 to 30 June:
Barry Allen, a retired Geography teacher, has been painting for ten years and is known for his multimedia work. If he were to choose a specialisation it would be in boats and fossils but he admits abstraction does most for his soul, expressing his inner emotions through shapes and strong colours.
CAFE society has arrived in East Grinstead in the shape of the new Casablanca cafe, housed in the former Midland Bank premises in the High Street.
Outdoor tables and chairs will give customers a chance to sit and watch the world go by as they enjoy some refreshment - except on Thursday mornings when they will give way to the farmers market.
Cllr Bob Mainstone, chairman of the Council's Business Support Group, said: "We were fully behind the idea of a street cafe and wish Casablanca every success with this venture. I have no doubt it will prove very popular with townspeople and visitors alike."
A small number of Guinea Pigs travelled from different parts of the country for a reunion in East Grinstead at the end of May. Following a lunch at the Felbridge Hotel which was attended by Town Mayor and Mayoress, Steven and Pauline Barnett, and the Town Clerk, Chris Rolley, the party visited the Town Museum in Cantelupe Road.
There they had a tour of the McIndoe exhibition where Tourist Officer Simon Kerr gave a short speech about the plans for the new building to house the QVH collection. Simon said "you can understand what a thrill it was for me to show them around and to mix with some of the others. It was an awesome experience to address a group of people about whom I've known since I was a child, and read so much about all my adult life".
For Simon there was an added bonus as amongst the visitors was his Uncle Dennis (Guinea Pig Dennis Smith) and Aunt Nadia who he had not known would be there.
Chairman of the Town Council's Amenities and Tourism Committee Rob Musk was pleased to attend East Grinstead Rugby Club during the annual seven's tournament for the opening of the pathway project initiated by the Club to give all weather access to the Club's pitches for spectators (especially the mobility impaired) and for ambulance services.
Pictured are Councillor Musk alongside Club President Steve Cairns, Club Vice-President and
Town Councillor Peter Reed and Paul Templeman who co-ordinated the project. Photo by John O'Brien
Copyright © 2002-2010 East Grinstead Town Council • Printable version
