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July 2008
COUNCILLORS marked World Environment Day in June with a town centre clean-up and litter pick.
Council leader James Baldwin said: "We are all responsible for keeping the town a pleasant place to live and I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to keeping East Grinstead litter and graffiti-free."
* To notify the Council of problems including dumping, graffiti, vandalism and weed-growth contact Keith Astley and the House Keeping Team on 01342 323636.
EAST Grinstead’s own radio station is back on air until 12 July.
Based at East Court, Meridian FM broadcasts 24 hours a day, with a mixture of music, chat, sport and comment.
To find out more about becoming a Meridian volunteer, to suggest programme ideas or to help with Meridian outside broadcasts in your area, contact the team at admin@meridianfm.com or telephone 01342 325825.
THE East Grinstead in Bloom committee will be making a final inspection of the floral displays in the town centre and on roundabouts and flowerbeds to ensure everything is looking its blooming best for the arrival of the Britain in Bloom judges on 7 July.
The committee, under the chairmanship of Councillor David Banks, is also urging residents to do their bit by tidying up front gardens and community areas to impress the judges with the town’s commitment to its environment.
We're leaning on a stanchion at the corner of the street: Council outdoor staff with one of the new floral displays around the town this summer.
CHEQUER Mead will be hosting auditions for this year’s panto production of Peter Pan, which will be playing for 17 action-packed performances over the Christmas period.
The Company of Friends will be holding Open Auditions at the theatre on 20 July when director John Shepherd will be looking for two teams of “Lost Boys”, as well as a senior ensemble and a dastardly Captain Hook.
For more details contact Lesley Lowy at Chequer Mead on 01342 325577, or email lesley@theatrefriends.com
THE Ashgrove Duo will present a programme of classical guitar music as part of the theatre’s popular Lunchtime Concerts series from 1.30pm – 2.15pm on 1 July.
Ashley Hands and Laura Snowden will be playing a collection of Spanish and South American songs and dances to liven up lunch hour. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio can be made on 01342 324860. Concert tickets are £4/£3.50 concessions.
Chequer Mead’s Speakers Corner on 2 July will feature a talk on Standen, a National Trust property which houses one of the best Arts and Crafts collections in the country. David Moore, the House Manager, Head Gardener James Masters and one of the volunteers will be there to talk about the historic house and answer questions. Tickets £6/£5 concessions.
On 5 July The Magnificent Seven presents Hooked on Country - Sold on Sixties featuring four acts numbered among the finest in British Country Music. Tickets £13/£11 concessions.
Sackville School will present Bugsy Malone on 10 July, in a production featuring costumes from the original Alan Parker film. Tickets £6.50/£4 concessions.
The Tanzen Dance Academy will present their biennial Dance Show on 11/12 July. Tickets £9 direct from the Academy on 01342 328953 or via the box office.
On 17 July Dormansland Primary School will present Robin Hood. Tickets £7.
The Eunice Walton School of Dance production of Move will be on 19 July, and will feature a something-for-everyone programme of ballet, modern dance, jazz and tap.Tickets £9/£7 concessions.
Dapa’s End of Year Show will take place on 21 and 23 July for their East Grinstead and Horsham branches respectively. This family show will feature dancing, music and drama, with tickets at £8.50 adults/ £5 children. For more information see www.dapa.org.uk
The Waterloo Band and The Bugles of the Rifles present a joint concert in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund on 22 July when they return to Chequer Mead with a spectacular show including marches, solos, film and show music, light classics and some big band numbers. Tickets £11/£10 concessions.
An evening with Belgian master-florist Moniek Vanden Berghe will take place on 24 July. Moniek originally trained in painting, ceramics and sculpture but is now an internationally recognised floral artist, demonstrator and teacher. Known for her exhibition work and author of Flowers in Love 1 & 2, Moniek is one of Belgium's leading florists. Tickets £12.50.
Choirpower presents its Summer Concert on 25 July. The choir, which has given nearly 80 concerts since its inception 12 years ago, will perform the songs their audiences love to hear from shows, jazz, pop, folk and modern. Tickets £9/concessions £8/ family ticket £30.
On 26 July, Black and Gold Productions present Vegas Nights when Search for a Star winners Robin and Derek - and their friends - bring the glamour of Las Vegas to Chequer Mead. Tickets £11/£9 concessions.
Cuisine Studio Presents Jazz Café on 30 July when music lovers can enjoy the entertainment and a meal from the Cuisine Studio. Table reservations for meals in advance only, by calling Mandy or Paul on 01342 324860. Admission to the performance £5 per person payable on the night.
THE East Grinstead Art Society will be holding its Summer Exhibition until 16 July offering art lovers the chance to buy directly from artists many of who also accept commissions. The Society has a current membership of more than 80, and new members are always welcome.
Joining Threads from 18 - 30 July: Lorna Rebecca Miller & Kate Reynolds explore fabric, paper and stitch.
THE 65th anniversary of the WWII German bombing raid, which killed 108 people and seriously injured more than 230 others will be marked with the unveiling of a new memorial plaque, paid for by the Town Council, to the victims buried in the communal grave at Mount Noddy cemetery.
The service of dedication, which will take place at Mount Noddy on 9 July at 5pm, will include a minute’s silence at 5.17pm - the time the bombers struck.
NEWLY-elected town mayor Ginnie Waddingham has organised her first fundraising event in aid of Age Concern, the charity she has chosen to support during her year in office.
Ginnie’s Quiz Night will take place at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Meridian Hall on 19 July. Come along in teams of six, or join teams, which will be put together on the night.
Tickets are £10 a head, and include a light buffet. There will be a licensed bar and raffle.
TOWN councillors have given their backing to plans for an outdoor cafe on the paved area of the High Street adjacent to the former HSBC building.
The proposal has come from the town council’s business group, which is working with traders to find ways of making East Grinstead more attractive to visitors.
The provision of tables and chairs would require a licence, as would live music performances, but council leader James Baldwin has called the idea of an outdoor cafe “one whose time has come”.
“It would initially be on a trial basis to re-energize the town centre,” he told last month’s meeting of the Public Services committee.
THE town museum in Cantelupe Road will be celebrating National Archaeology Week with a free weekend of activities for children.
From 10am until 4pm on 12 July there will be a chance to dig for replica artefacts, and on 13 July, from 2 - 5pm, families can bring in objects they have discovered and have them identified by an expert. Visitors can also help to make a mosaic.
For more information contact the museum on 01342 302233 or email info@eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk
A three-month-long programme of works being carried out in the London Road is to be speeded up after traders and councillors complained about disruption to shoppers and town centre traffic.
The work was originally planned for last December, but was put back after shopkeepers expressed fears that it would interfere with Christmas trade.
But after receiving complaints about the length of time the work was scheduled to go on, town clerk Chris Rolley with full support of local West Sussex County Councillors has prevailed on West Sussex County Council and their contractors to put more men on the job.
“The original five-man team will be replaced with two four-man teams so that should reduce the work by four weeks,” he said, while warning that adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances could still delay the planned finish of the London Road refurbishment.
WARM, wet conditions have caused unprecedented weed growth along the town’s 83 miles of kerbs this summer.
But Town Council foreman Jon Ansley is keeping the kerbs - and another 264,000 square metres of paths - clear by taking to the roads on a specially adapted quad bike.
The £5,500 bike allows council staff to spray five miles of kerb on one tank of weed killer in under three hours - a job which it would previously taken a man on foot more than a day to complete.
“Despite the excessive growth West Sussex County Council has not received a single complaint about weed growth this summer,” said Town Council spokesman Keith Astley.
"The spray we use is completely harmless to animals and children, but unfortunately we have experienced some temporary scorching of verges alongside the kerbs this year due to the new method of working. The public can be assured that this will disappear by the end of the summer and that we will seek to ensure no repetition of this next year.”
MARTIN Duckworth, the man who has been responsible for the Town Council’s “housekeeping team”, has taken up a new post as town clerk at Telcombe, near Saltdean, on the south coast.
Paying tribute to Martin’s work over the last three years, Cllr Rob Musk said: “Our Housekeeping Team is one of the most effective in the county.
“Our streets are cleaner, we are free of graffiti and we have double the number of hanging baskets than in previous years, so we all wish Martin every success in his new post.”
CLLR Liz Bennett joined a youth group from New Life Church, council workers and local residents in a 60-strong "green and clean" around the town's litter hot spots last month.
An area of the Holtye Road outside the Queen Victoria hospital was tackled by New Life's Glo youth team under the leadership of Pete Benton, who also took his youngsters to litter-pick at the railway station.
While older members of the congregation, and of the Stone Quarry (Ashplats) Local Action Team, lent a hand with projects which including offering gardening help to the elderly and housebound.
One pensioner had a path cleared, so that she could access her garden again, while a second, with an invalid husband due home from hospital the following day, had overgrown ivy cut down and a flower bed tidied up as a surprise for him.
A third pensioner was delighted to have her overgrown lawn strimmed, and thanks to the generous sponsorship of Orchard Nurseries, the clean-up team took a gift of bedding plants to Dart Court and Spring Copse residential homes.
"We had a very productive afternoon, and it was only made possible by the support of the Council and the many people who gave their time and energy for this project," said Liz. "I am very grateful to all of them."
June 2008
EAST Grinstead Town Council leader James Baldwin has called a recent “softening” by Mid Sussex District Council in relation to proposals contained in its Core Strategy “very encouraging” and says the town’s councillors are responding by working on “a better local alternative”.
“MSDC has now recognised that its original Strategy did not engage as actively with local communities as it might have done when it adopted a ‘top down’ approach to developments within the District between now and 2026,” said James.
“So it has been encouraging its three Town Councils, at East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, to make local proposals regarding sustainable developments within their own communities.”
At the Town Council’s public meeting on the Core Strategy in February, there was discussion about the creation of a new group of Members from all three local Councils to spearhead work on developing a better scheme.
The Group - called the Three Tier Group - has now been formed and includes 11 elected East Grinstead town, district and county councillors. Having now met several times, the Group has agreed clear principles for the way forward:
- a clear evidence-based approach to underlie all Core Strategy proposals
- infrastructure provision to match development, in relation to which the Group is actively assisting with an infrastructure audit. This will help to identify existing infrastructure needs and requirements (including prioritisation) that will be needed to support expected levels of growth. The audit, when published, will form part of the evidence base for the Core Strategy and, in line with emerging guidance, the information setting out infrastructure deficits and needs will also be used to help establish tariffs for future development and, therefore, funding for them.
- an holistic approach on the provision of new homes in relation to local jobs, town-centre regeneration and communications links.
James went on: “The Group, which has now met on four occasions*, is now applying these principles in developing alternative proposals on housing and traffic relief to those put forward by MSDC. To assist in this the audit of infrastructure to identify existing shortfall is a critical component.
“Our proposals will start from the premise that Mid Sussex District Council’s proposed development of at least 4,550 new homes by 2026 is excessive and unsustainable, and will go on to outline a better way forward for the town.
“We intend to put our proposals forward for wide public consultation in the early autumn before they are finalised.”
* The minutes of these meetings will all be accessible on the Town Council’s website before 1 July 2008.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust is currently reviewing health and health services in the north-east of West Sussex. The review will consider the current health of the population, future health needs and access to primary, community and secondary care services; and listen to the views of local people and experts on health services in this area.
A series of information meetings is underway to give people and organisations in Crawley, Horsham, East Grinstead and surrounding areas the opportunity to learn more about the review and how they can contribute. Some meetings have already taken place, with further meetings planned as follows:
- Tuesday 3 June (2.30-4pm): The Holbrook Club, Horsham
- Thursday 5 June (2.30-4pm): Spotlight Room, The Hawth, Crawley
- Tuesday 10 June (2.30-4pm): Main Hall, East Court Mansion, East Grinstead
- Tuesday 1 July (2.30pm-4pm): Salvation Army Hall, Horsham
- Thursday 3 July (7pm-8.30pm): Spotlight Room, The Hawth, Crawley
- Friday 11 July (7pm-8.30pm): Meridian Hall, East Grinstead
Further information about the North East Review and ways that you can have your say are outlined in the North East Review webpages at: http://www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk/about-us/north-east-review/
THE West Sussex Primary Care Trust has decided to retain A&E services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
The decision will also see also emergency cover retained at two other West Sussex hospitals - St Richard’s in Chichester and Worthing.
John Wilderspin, Chief Executive of West Sussex PCT, called the move “the best model for providing hospital care for people in West Sussex”.
“This decision has the support of the local NHS and has been designed with the public’s views in mind,” he said. “It will ensure that the majority of people can still go to their local A&E, apart from those needing really specialist care who will be better supported in a hospital with more specialist services."
The news was also given a cautious welcome by Town Mayor Ginnie Waddingham.
"Although East Grinstead Town Council is naturally delighted that the A&E is to remain at Haywards Heath, this still leaves East Grinstead residents with the dilemma that when an ambulance is called we remain uncertain whether we will be admitted to Haywards Heath, Pembury, or East Surrey.
“As for maternity care, the PCT must recognise that East Grinstead is a long way geographically from Brighton, Worthing and Chichester and to put a 'centre of excellence' in one of these is not the answer for East Grinstead.
“We will remain dependent on East Surrey or Kent hospitals for our emergency maternity care, and all of these journeys are, in my opinion, too far for expectant mothers to make in an emergency.
“I would like to see a specialist maternity unit built in the Crawley area if Princess Royal is not a viable option, especially with all the possible housing expansion in both the East Grinstead and around Crawley.
“And I remain worried about the lack of air ambulances and trained paramedic crews.
“Assurances have been given that changes will not take place until these areas are adequately serviced: but training takes many years and it is of great concern that services will be cut at hospitals before these new services are fully functioning and able to cope with the care needed.
“In East Grinstead we will be relying heavily on air ambulance and paramedic services because of our geographic location and the poor road access that we have in and out of the town.
“We have constantly maintained that East Grinstead and surrounding areas are a special case and we sincerely hope that the PCT recognises the need to review our case individually."
Sir Graeme Catto, President of the General Medical Council and Independent Chair of the Options Assessment Panel which looked at all the proposed changes in healthcare cover for West Sussex, said he was pleased the board had approved the retention of the three hospitals’ emergency units.
“The case for change made by the PCT was very clear - healthcare cannot stand still and changes have to be made. But the public’s voice was also clear – the majority did not want to lose A&E services or see a reduction in health services at their local hospitals.
“By adopting this model for the people of West Sussex, I think that the PCT has listened to clinicians and the public but at the same time has ensured the model for hospital care is one that will last. Health services will remain local where possible and will only be centralised where the benefits for patients are clear – such as maternity services. I welcome this news.”
The decision means that A&E services will stay at Princess Royal, together with intensive care treatment and monitoring for people who are in a critically ill, or unstable, condition.
The hospital will also carry out routine planned surgery on patients who go into hospital on a specific day, for a specific operation, such as a hernia repair, and will treat acute medical emergencies, for example heart attacks.
However there will be a gradual centralisation to one hospital site of some services including consultant-led maternity services, in-patient children’s services, emergency surgery such as acute appendicitis and the majority of trauma cases, including hip fractures.
These changes will be supported by the development of services in primary and community care, and increased investment in the ambulance service.
As well as the consultant-led maternity service, West Sussex PCT has promised to increase the range of birthing options for local women by providing two midwife-led units at other locations in West Sussex, a service that is currently not available.
Town Councillors are now committed to contributing to the North East Review of Health services in West Sussex that is being driven by the PCT. The Public Services Committee will receive a presentation on this from Brian Hughes, Director of the PCT, at their meeting on 12 June and the Town Council has requested that the Town Mayor be appointed to the Stakeholder group. Councillors will also be attending the two public meetings to be held in East Grinstead. These are at East Court on 10 June between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm and in the Meridian Hall on 11 July between 7.00 pm and 8.30 pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these meetings also, to learn about the review process and make their voices heard.
THE Council Chamber was packed out to see Cllr Ginnie Waddingham receive the mayoral chain at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council on May 12.
She was nominated for the role of East Grinstead’s first citizen by Cllr Margaret Collins who commended Ginnie for her “tireless work” on behalf of the community, adding that she would make “an excellent ambassador” for the town.
In announcing her plans for her year in office Ginnie said that she would be concentrating on “the positives”.
In particular Ginnie welcomed the long-awaited arrival of the Bluebell Railway, which she called an event of “enormous significance” and one that would enhance East Grinstead’s identity as an “historic, quality and distinctive market town”.
She told the chamber crowded with friends, family, public and colleagues that her mayoral charity would be Age Concern.
“If you have been following the press reports you will know that the Town Council is devoting a substantial sum of money and time to renovating the Parish Halls in De La Warr Road. Both large and small halls will be upgraded and the centre section will be changed into a new home for Age Concern.
“Age Concern wants to provide things like IT suites for silver surfers, run a range of informative retirement seminars, provide a games room, run classes in everything from Keep Fit to Aromatherapy, and to ensure they are providing information and education on things that the retired person of today may enjoy, and which will give them the ability to keep healthy and happy into their later years, whilst continuing the dedicated care they provide at the moment. A light, airy café for general use will also be available, which could provide much needed funds to help the facility remain viable.
“But the kitting-out of the building will not come cheap. During my year I will be hoping that businesses and individuals may consider helping, if not in cash, then in kind, providing specialist new items that Age Concern will need to make this building somewhere we would all love to be.
“Soon, a ‘need list’ and a ‘wish list’ will be available and we hope the town will pull together to make this facility somewhere that we can be very proud of indeed.”
Outgoing mayor Ian Dixon, who presented Ginnie with her chain of office and a bouquet, gave a cheque for £4,700 to his chosen charity, the Greenstede Talking News, and one for £500 to the Chatter Box Club which gives speech therapy to stroke victims at the QVH hospital.
He also paid tribute with a trug of flowers to Sarah Bunting for her “marvellous secretarial and personal support” during his time as mayor.
Cllr Lee Marmara was named deputy mayor.
Cllr James Baldwin, who was re-elected to the post of Council Leader, thanked his colleagues for their “continuing confidence in me”.
“We must steam ahead on the mayor’s express and make this civic year a vintage one for both the Council and the town,” he said.
CLLR Paul Johnson has been reappointed as chairman of the Planning committee, and Cllr James Baldwin will resume his duties as chairman of Finance and General Purposes.
Cllr Rob Musk will be the new chairman of the Leisure and Tourism committee, while Cllr Bob Mainstone will lead Public Services.
A scheme to improve the pavements along the London Road between Railway Approach and the High Street will begin the week commencing 2 June.
The scheme was originally scheduled for last December but was deferred at the request of traders who didn’t want the work to interfere with their Christmas trade.
Expected to last 12 weeks, weather permitting, the scheme will see the removal of all the old paving slabs, which will be replaced with new modular block paving.
New bollards will also be installed at intervals along London Road: carriageway resurfacing in West Street between Ship Street and the top of London Road will complete the makeover.
The bulk of the work will take place between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, although on occasions work may continue on Saturday mornings between 8am and 1pm.
During the course of the £140,000 improvement works, traffic on London Road will be restricted to one way going Northbound.
Southbound traffic will be diverted along the Beeching Way and then into Lewes Road or the High Street.
This temporary restriction will improve safety for pedestrians and site workers during the course of the road works.
Old paving slabs removed from London Road will, wherever possible, be recycled.
SUMMER kicks off with the return of Cuisine Studio’s popular Jazz Nights on 6 June: book a table in advance on 01342 324860, then sit back and enjoy all that jazz. Tickets for the music only, £5 a head on the night.
On 8 June the British Red Cross will present Dance for Life, a celebration of youth dance in all its diversity, to raise money for the work of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent in caring for vulnerable people here and abroad. Tickets £6/£4 under-13s.
The Knack Singers bring their distinctive mix of much-loved opera classics to Chequer Mead at 1.30 pm on 10 June when they will perform during lunch. Table reservations on 01342 324860. Tickets £4/£3.50 concessions.
From 12 - 14 June The Company of Friends return with their production of the classic Ray Cooney farce Not Now Darling! Tickets for this hilarious look at the unintended repercussions of attempted infidelity are £12/£11 concessions/family ticket £44.
Chichester College presents Etch Dance Company on 17 June with its versatile company of young dancers on the brink of professional careers. Tickets £5/£3 concessions.
On 18 June Acoustic Sussex presents leading singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy whose album A Woman’s Heart stayed in the Top Ten for more than a year. Tickets £13/ £11 concessions.
The New Foxtrot Serenaders perform their charity concert in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice on 20 June with a seven-piece band whose varied repertoire includes trad jazz, ragtime and the timeless melodies of the 20s, 30s and 40s.Tickets £14/£12 concessions/family ticket £42.
The East Grinstead Choral Society will mark Midsummer’s Day at a concert on 21 June with an exciting programme which will include the choir of St Peter’s school with Captain Noah and his Animals, as well as negro spirituals and a Rodgers and Hammerstein medley. Tickets £13/£11 concessions/family ticket £42.
On 24 June some of the 850 children who attend the West Sussex Music Support Services centre will showcase their talents at a summer concert. Tickets £5.
The pupils of Stoke Brunswick school will be performing their summer concert on 28 June. Tickets £8.
Finally 30 June will see Thea Gilmore bringing her unique performing talents to Chequer Mead with an evening of haunting songs including tracks from her most recent album Liejacker. Tickets £14/£12 concessions.
Art is useless (Oscar Wilde) - until 4 June: an exhibition of work from young, local artists with a diverse range of styles at affordable prices.
Here, there and everywhere - from 6 - 11 June: artists Rosemary Clark, Graeme Connell and Steve Everest will be exhibiting work in a variety of styles and media from the Highlands of Scotland to the toe of Italy.
From 13 - 25 June: Robert Gearing will be showing work that is both deeply personal and remarkably wide-ranging. Introducing an extraordinary series of creative processes he demonstrates the evolution of his ideas through to the images themselves.
One of the highlights of the town’s vibrant Art scene is the annual East Grinstead Art Society Summer Exhibition, which comes to Chequer Mead from 27 June to 16 July.
Buy directly from the artists, many of who also accept commissions, or simply enjoy the wide-ranging selection of paintings and greetings cards.
The Society currently has a membership of more than 80 and new members are always welcome.
WORK has now been completed to restore the bank alongside Blackwell Hollow.
The road was reduced to a one-way traffic flow for several weeks while remedial work took place to prevent the slippage of banks originally damaged during the Great Storm of 1987.
TWO new members of staff have joined the Council’s outdoor team dedicated to keeping East Grinstead in trim this summer.
Simon Wheaton, who is 24, has previous experience in working for the Town Council after a stint during his teens doing holiday work.
But after a variety of indoor jobs including working in a climbing centre and as a pool lifeguard, Simon has decided he wants to work in the open air.
Simon will be joined in the fight against overgrowth and graffiti by 19-year-old Ed Astley, who will be lending a hand with general gardening and maintenance work before heading off to study aerospace engineering at Queen Mary’s College in London this autumn.
JUNE will see the welcome return of the town centre’s hanging baskets featuring multi-coloured plants which are “as sustainable as possible” said Council spokesman Martin Duckworth.
This year local businesses have sponsored almost 100 baskets, at £30 a time, up from 57 last summer.
Several local schools have also caught the ‘green’ bug with St Peter’s, Halsford Park, Baldwins Hill and Sackville all taking part in activities designed to promote biodiversity and local wildlife.
The town centre’s floral displays will be supplemented with extra troughs on railings along Beeching Way, five hanging baskets outside the new facade of East Grinstead Tyres, and another four new baskets outside Sainsbury’s.
Three new four-basket stanchions will be installed on the roundabout at the bottom of Blackwell Hollow this summer, and two four-basket stanchions, sponsored by solicitors Allen Ticehurst, opposite the Fire Station.
TOWN councillors will be setting an example for World Environment Day by cleaning up areas in the town centre and around their own wards over the weekend of 7/8 June.
THE East Grinstead in Bloom committee is appealing to everyone to do their bit towards getting the town ready for the inspection of the Bloom judges on 7 July.
The inspectors will not only be looking at public floral displays in the town centre and at roundabouts, but will also be checking for community involvement in allotments and front gardens.
RESIDENTS attending an open meeting to discuss a community theatre event have given the proposed £100,000 project a unanimous and enthusiastic thumbs-up.
The play, which is planned for the summer of 2010, would be written by a professional author with help from the community, and performed by a large cast drawn from volunteer actors.
Nick Watson, who has been working on the idea, said he had been inspired by a similar scheme in Groombridge, which had featured a cast of 130 ranging in age from babes in arms to octogenarians, with another 100 people giving support backstage.
“It’s a great way of bringing the town together, and we hope that it will bring the community spirit back - it’s about the history, the heritage and the future of our town,” he said.
* To find out more, or to get involved, ring 01892 537034.
THE Town Museum is promoting a ‘500 Club’ monthly draw, which will take place on the last Thursday of each month.
Membership of the Club costs just £1 a month and a share of the cash raised is divided between prize winners, with the remainder going to support the museum which is a registered charity.
To join, or to find out more, either visit the museum in Cantelupe Road or ring 01342 302233.
May 2008
Cllr Alan Lord died on Wednesday afternoon 7th May in the East Surrey Hospital, Redhill. James Baldwin, Town Council Leader, said:
"Alan was one of a kind and someone who sought only to serve the Town. He did this with distinction through a host of roles - as Town Mayor, Deputy Council Leader, District Councillor, Chair of Age Concern and Governor of the QVH. He had also served as a Chair of School Governors, a Director of Chequer Mead and was a stalwart of St Lukes and, above all, was a fighter for the community of Stone Quarry. The Town has lost a great servant and we are all the poorer for Alan's passing."
LITTER strewn land at the town railway station has been cleaned up thanks to the Council and volunteers from the East Grinstead in Bloom committee.
“We met station officials recently and expressed our concern not only about the litter, but also about health and safety issues after we found evidence of underage drinking, particularly under the footbridge,” said Council spokesman Martin Duckworth.
There were also worries about an unfenced 20 foot drop by the bus stop and loose sides on the footbridge.
After meeting Southern Rail’s Eddie Gordon it was agreed that the issue of secure fencing would be tackled “as a matter of urgency” and that in the meantime volunteers from the Bloom committee would be allowed to clear the footpath linking the station and the car park, and the bed by the bus stop.
“The East Grinstead in Bloom Committee volunteers are very aware that the station is a key gateway to the town and they already undertake a regular clearance of the lower station car park every three to six months. They cut hedges, remove litter and have established a small shrub bed in a corner of the car park to improve the visual appearance of the area,” said Martin.
So on 30 March almost 20 volunteers supported by Town Council staff removed 26 bags of rubbish, consisting mainly of bottles, cans and fast-food wrappers, plus three truck loads of overgrowth.
“It was a job very well worth doing and we received many favourable comments from passing residents who had been unhappy about the area's previous state of neglect,” said Martin.
THE dance section of the East Grinstead Music and Dance festival will take place on 3/4 May. For details about tickets contact the box office on 01342 302000.
On 7 May the U2 tribute show by U2UK will feature an awesome light show and spectacular visuals authentically reproduced from U2’s ground breaking stadium tours.This two-hour show, now in its fourth year, is bigger and better than ever. Tickets £13/concessions £10 and £6.
A Big Band spectacular comes to town on 9 May featuring the 18 strong Straight No Chaser band with a selection of swing, jazz and Latin classics. The band will be joined on this occasion by the singer Gary Wright and the sensation vocal trio Just the Three of Us. Tickets £10/concessions £8. Meals before the show can be booked at the Cuisine Studio on 01342 324860.
The second tranche of the Arts Festival Dance competition will take place on 10 May - contact the box office for details.
Chequer Mead Friends will be holding another of their popular Quiz Nights on 12 May. Teams of up to six will face questions from Cressida Potter, with proceeds going to support Chequer Mead. Tickets £7.50 (to include refreshments).
Chequer Mead lunchtime concert series presents the U3A Singing for Pleasure Choir who will be singing their excellent repertoire of songs to please all tastes from 1.30pm on 13 May. Formed in 2001 with just 20 members, the group now boasts 65 singers and has become a popular choir singing for local charities, clubs and associations throughout the year. Tickets £4/concessions £3.50.
Chequer Mead’s Speakers Corner presents The natural and unnatural history of Ashdown Forest at 7.30pm on 13 May, an hour-long talk by Dr Hew Prendergast, Clerk to the Conservators. Tickets £6/concessions £5.
On 15 May, Acoustic Sussex presents Tannahill Weavers one of Scotland’s premier traditional bands. The Tannahill Weavers’ diverse repertoire spans the centuries with instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads. Tickets £13/concessions £11. For pre-show dinner reservations contact the Cuisine Studio on 01342 324860.
Friday 16 May sees a Benefit Concert for the Court Meadows Special Needs school. Tickets £7.50/children £3/ family ticket £18.
The renowned artist and conservationist David Shepherd will be mounting an exhibition and sales event between 1-4pm on 17 May, with a presentation on his work at 7.30pm. Known internationally as one of the world's leading wildlife artists, he is also a passionate conservationist and through the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation campaigns tirelessly on behalf of endangered wildlife. His Foundation has raised over £3.5million which has been given away in grants to help save critically endangered mammals in their wild habitat and to benefit the local people who share their environment. All funds from tickets sales go towards the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Tickets £7.50/concessions £6.
Cuisine Studio presents its popular Jazz Café on 21 May. Table reservations in advance and tickets £5 a head on the night.
Escapade Theatre Company presents Generation X on 23 May, with the final showcase of a project which has brought together old and young in sharing experiences and memories through dance, drama and reminiscence workshops. Tickets £3.
Queen Victoria Hospital presents the Linden Wind Orchestra on 24 May in aid of the Headstart Head and Neck Cancer Support Group and Macmillan Nurses.
The orchestra was formed by Roger Phillips in September 1984 to dedicate high quality performances of an extensive repertoire in the form of public concerts, and fundraising performances for charities and societies.Comprising some 45 musicians, it is a past winner of the Boosey and Hawkes TV Times National Wind Orchestra Competition and has played for many charities including an appearance on BBC Children in Need. Tickets £10.
Chequer Mead lunchtime concert series presents Hilary Needham on piano and Ivor Humphries on the flute, with guest pianist Janet Gilbard from 1.30pm on 27 May. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860 This is a free event in the Pavilion as part of Museum and Galleries month
Bullfrog Productions presents half term treat Seussical the Musical on 29/30 May starring TV personality Cheryl Baker. Tickets £13/concessions £11/family ticket £42.
Finally the Company of Friends presents its Old Tyme Music Hall in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice on 31 May. Audiences are promised an hilarious blend of comedy and song, mirth and merriment with a veritable emporium of entertainment featuring salubrious solos and scintillating scenes. Tickets £15/concessions £13.
NICKIE Todd, Lynn Warren and Richard Wombell return with Marking Contrasts, another eye-catching exhibition of painting and sculpture. Inspired by both life and landscape, their work is an intriguing interplay of texture, marks, movement and vibrant colour. Until 7 May.
From 9 - 21 May Prism Techniques is an exciting display from a diverse group of young artists who move from fine brushwork to impassioned impasto.
Finally from 30 May until 4 June, there will be an exhibition of work from young local artists with a diverse range of work at affordable prices.
TOWN Council funding for the East Grinstead Community Partnership committee will end in March next year.
Councillors thanked committee members, including the past and current chairmen Don Cooper and Bobby Hamilton, for their work in helping to implement the findings of the Town Action Plan, but said the time had come to review its delivery of services for youth and the elderly, voluntary sector liaison, business development and matters relating to local transport and strategic planning.
The Town Council plans to progress the Health Check Action Plan through the use of community skills and input.
Despite the predicted forecast East Grinstead's Annual Vintage Bus Day was highly successful with only one downpour which did not dampen the proceedings.
About 800 people attended which was only slightly down on previous year's but with the advance weather forecast that was to be expected. Amongst those present was Town Mayor Ian Dixon and his wife Janet.
The Buses ran at over 85% of capacity. In total there were 86 departures during the day, the most popular destination being Edenbridge which showed 100% loadings on each journey .
Altogether there were 25 Buses running and three on static display at the top end of the High Street. The High Street road closure made the event so much more manageable and enjoyable and was certainly safer. Organiser Alan Charman said that there were no problems with local traffic and the diversions seemed to work well.
TOWN Mayor Ian Dixon was honoured to be asked to assist in the opening of the new Headquarters at Unit 29, The Birches Industrial Estate, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1XZ for MTU UK Ltd. The company has the regional responsibility for Marketing, Application and After-Sales for the complete range of MTU, MDE and Detroit Diesel products. They offer the most comprehensive range of products with diesel engines, gas systems and gas turbine solutions ranging from 15kW to 27,600kW for Marine, PowerGen, Rail, Industrial and Defence applications.
The photograph shows the Town Mayor and Rainer Breidenbach (right), Executive Vice President MTU Friedrichshafen, unveiling a commemorative plaque on Friday 25 April, when the new MTU UK office and workshop were opened.
THE Board of West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) will help decide the future of health service provision in West Sussex, including whether any services should be centralised on to a smaller number of sites, when it meets at 10am on 7 May at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath.
The agenda and papers for the meeting, which are available at public libraries and Help Points, can also be read online at http://www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/meetings/board-meetings/ from 5pm on 2 May.
The public may attend to observe.
THE Town Council was sorry to receive the sad news of the death of former Town Clerk Norman Collins on 22 April.
Norman, who served a lifetime in local government, joined East Grinstead Town Council as Town Clerk in 1979 and served for six years until his retirement in 1985.
His successor, Chris Rolley, said: "Norman was an excellent administrator, of firm but fair disposition, and when I took over from him I inherited a sound organisation moving forward in a positive way.”
Norman would have celebrated his 89th birthday on the day of his funeral, which will take place at Beckenham crematorium on 7 May.
EAST Grinstead could put on a community play in 2010 if enough residents agree to support the project at an open meeting to be held at 7.30pm in the Meridian Hall on 9 May.
The play, which will be written by Clack Theatre, a professional group with a Europe-wide track record in community theatre, will tell the story of East Grinstead and will involve a cast of hundreds drawn from the town’s schools, disabled groups, choirs and drama companies.
Spokesman Eric Mackie said the ambitious project, which will cost between £130,000 - £150,000, will involve a year’s work-shops and other fringe activities in the run-up to a series of promenade performances at a venue yet to be decided upon.
“With all the changes that are happening in East Grinstead, we thought it was time to do something which would unite the town and put it on the map,” he said.
CLLR Paul Johnson has reaffirmed the Town Council’s commitment to “combat the threat of indiscriminate housing demands” and said it would not support large-scale housing development without solid safeguards regarding the infrastructure necessary to support it.
But Cllr Johnson told the Annual Town Meeting in April that the Council is “generally supportive” of the scheme to enhance the town centre and Queen’s Walk area proposed under the Thornfield Plan, saying it was important that East Grinstead should retain its unique character and not become another “clone town”.
Speaking for the Public Services committee, Cllr Lee Marmara said they had played an active role in consultations regarding the future of health provision in West Sussex, and would “remain vigilant” as the Fit for the Future review continues.
He called on Mid Sussex District Council to review its provision of public lavatories in the town centre. and praised the community partnership between the police, Local Action Teams and Speedwatch.
The Leisure and Tourism committee, reported on by Cllr Christine Mainstone, included a report on the highly successful work carried out by the town’s Housekeeping Team in relation to graffiti removal, and general upkeep and repairs to keep the town looking at it best.
Finally Council leader James Baldwin, of the Finance and General Purposes committee said “good stewardship” of the town’s finances had “laid a strong foundation for further improvements in service delivery.”
The speaker for the evening was Christine Hardisty of the East Grinstead Council for Voluntary Services who said the sector was facing “many new challenges, threats and opportunities” as many groups struggle to continue their work amidst legislation, which requires them to become more professional to gain funding.
Finding volunteers willing to give of their time and talents to help others was increasingly difficult, said Christine, whose most urgent and pressing requests for help are for treasurers, trustees and volunteer drivers.
The key challenges facing the voluntary sector, said Christine, include:
- The squeeze on funding, which means local authorities have less money to fund its work
- Changing demographics as retired people want to do other things apart from volunteering, which means volunteers increasingly need to be recruited from younger age-ranges
- The Government's attempts to professionalise the sector, which could drive some smaller groups away if they feel that they cannot cope with the greater demands made of them.
- Government’s desire that the voluntary sector should deliver public services: many groups were developed to meet a specific need and do not want to expand to fit the government vision of what they should be doing.
- Tendering - small organisations don’t have the resources, expertise or time to compete with the big boys. This could threaten the diverse nature of the sector
- “Flavour of the month” as new initiatives are superimposed on existing structures that are working well.
- The move towards encouraging organisations to merge: while partnership working is always a good thing, amalgamated groups may not always deliver the service required and it remains important not to lose sight of the needs of the local community, and engage in local issues.
ESSENTIAL safety work to stabilise the banks either side of Blackwell Hollow is likely to continue for most of May.
Council spokesman Martin Duckworth promised the £96,000 project would be completed by 26 May “at the very latest” but in the meantime he urged drivers to be patient, and to follow the diversion signs around the town.
Work on the sunken Hollow was started when it became apparent that the roots of trees felled in the 1987 storm had rotted away leaving the soil bank unstable.
The first phase of the restoration project saw the land cleared and then “nailed” with rows of hollow rods into which grout was injected.
The second stage will see the bank covered in a plastic and metal wire mesh, and then planted to secure the surface soil.
THE East Grinstead Town Museum is looking for volunteer stewards, and for help from people with office and administrative skills.
To find out more contact the Museum on 01342 302233 or email: info@eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk
THE long-awaited arrival of the Bluebell Railway into East Grinstead could herald exciting changes for the town’s tourist trade and other local businesses as early as 2010.
At a special one day conference held at East Court chaired by Lord Lytton and fully supported by the Bluebell Railway plc and the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society to discuss the Bluebell’s likely impact on East Grinstead, Council leader James Baldwin said he had been “blown away” by the level of commitment shown by everyone involved in the project.
“Getting everyone in one room to talk about this really seems to have paid off,” he said.
Town tourism officer Simon Kerr agreed.
“I think if we can deliver everything that has been promised today , we will have made such a complete leap from the past into the future that it is going to tick all the boxes and press all the buttons,” he said.
The conference received a report from Colin Davis Associates, commissioned by the Town Council and funded by SEEDA proposing significant environmental enhancements to Railway Approach and the station forecourt area to present a more welcoming gateway into the town.
Among the proposals to achieve this were alterations to the road layout, a footpath through a gazebo with the words Welcome to East Grinstead, and some Bluebell Railway memorabilia on the roundabout.
Other ideas included building a wider tree-lined pavement along the south side of Railway Approach, refurbishing shop fronts and encouragement for homeowners to improve their front gardens.
These suggestions were welcomed by Cllr Liz Bennett who said they would be a “great way” to improve a run-down area which had always been “a bit of an embarrassment to the town”.
Town Clerk Chris Rolley agreed, saying the ideas produced at the one-day conference should not be “allowed to gather dust”. He added: “2010 will be upon us before we know it, and the need for decisive strategic action is clear.”
Bluebell facts
- The Bluebell Railway was the world’s first preserved standard gauge passenger line
- The existing track is just under ten miles long and runs between Sheffield Park station and Kingscote. Bringing the line into East Grinstead station will extend it another two miles
- The preservation society has 10,000 members and 800 working volunteers
- It takes 13 volunteers to operate a basic train service for a day
CHEQUER Mead theatre is now taking bookings for its Christmas Craft Fair on 6 December from 10am - 4pm. Single stalls £15, doubles £25. Contact the Box Office on 01342 302000 for an application form.
The town centre will be closed on Monday 5 May for the annual Lions Fair.
The traffic-free High Street will come alive with fun and games, stalls and events for all the family at East Grinstead's biggest and best outdoor event - the fun starts at 10am and goes on until 4pm.
THERE will be two free activity sessions for children at the town museum on 29 May based around the theme Fun and Festivals.
The first, from 10.15am to 11.15am is aimed at four to nine-year-olds: the second, from 11.30am to 12.30pm, is for 10 to 13-year-olds.
The event is free, and children can take home a sweetmeat at the end of their session, but donations towards the cost of materials are encouraged.
For more details see the web site http://www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk
To book a place, phone the museum on 01342 302233.
ALISON Merricks has joined the staff at the Town Council’s East Court offices as the new receptionist.
Alison has lived in East Grinstead since 1980, when she moved here with her parents, and is a former pupil of Imberhorne School.
After a working life spent in the insurance industry, Alison leapt at the chance to ditch commuting and work locally.
“I had reached that 40-plus moment and decided I wanted a change," laughed Alison, who is married with two children, Ben 13 and Jazmin 10.
Alison now enjoys cycling to work each morning across East Court’s grounds - and finding out more about the town where she has lived for almost 30 years.
“Since coming to work at East Court it has amazed me that you can live in a place for so long and know so little about it, and I am really enjoying meeting lots of new people and finding out more about the issues facing East Grinstead.”
TOWN tourist officer Simon Kerr has produced a new leaflet highlighting a safe route for walkers between East Grinstead’s historical Tudor High Street and the Arts and Crafts treasure house at Standen.
The easy downhill route takes hikers along Ship Street and Dunnings Mill to the Old Mill public house, before striking out across fields.
“It is a good way for anyone who wants to avoid the traffic although it is one which should only be undertaken when the ground has had a chance to dry out,” said Simon.
And the good news is that anyone who is tired out by their walk can always catch a bus back to town afterwards.
The new leaflet and map are available free at the tourist desk in the library.
* For details of opening hours and events taking place at Standen call the National Trust on 01342 323029.
THE poster advertising East Grinstead’s popular weekly Farmers' Market has gone international having made an appearance on the front cover of the American publication Farmers’ Markets Today.
Designed by artist Hannah Rolley, the picture was spotted on the internet by the magazine’s editors who contacted tourist officer Simon Kerr for permission to use it.
“I was absolutely staggered to see the market used so prominently but it is great to see the news about the town spreading so far afield,” he said.
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