28 September 2016

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Two of our local residents received awards from the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Mark Spofforth at the annual event held at Ravenswood.

They were both nominated by East Grinstead Town Council for their excellent contribution to the life of the town.

Ginnie Waddingham

The event brochure described her contribution as:

Ginnie’s nomination is for the unwavering work that she has done for many groups since standing down from the Council. Ginnie was Chairman of the Friends of Chequer Mead between 2011 and its closing in 2016, raising thousands of pounds to support the theatre. She is a driving member of the Town Traders committee who arrange “Twas the Sunday Before Christmas”, an annual event to promote shopping and bring the feel of Dickensian Christmas to our High Street. She is also involved in the Meridian Rotary Club where she broadcasts as Meridian on the radio at Meridian FM and has many ideas to improve events run by Rotarians in the town making the experiences for the residents as good as they can be.

Richard Leman

The event brochure described his contribution as:

Richard has been instrumental in putting East Grinstead on the sporting map, in his youth representing the town internationally at Hockey. He is a member of GB Hockey and a past Olympian, is a great supporter of youth sports development and is keen to attend events and display his medals for youngsters to be inspired. He is instrumental in developing sport in East Grinstead, being involved with the Sports Club and Hockey Club. He was involved in the organisation of the London Olympics, helping determine the route through East Grinstead where he was also a torch bearer. He is a member of the Sports Council and worked hard to put the Oaks Consultancy in place which brought over £100,000 in grant funding to East Grinstead Clubs.

Photo shows left to right: High Sheriff Mark Spofforth, Ginnie Waddingham, Cllr Bob Mainstone (Town Mayor)