Author: Andrew Taylor

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)

Town Mayor, Cllr Bob Mainstone took part in the fundraising events organised by White Stuff in London Road. Events included three legged races along the pavement and skipping competitions in the store. There were also lots of cakes and refreshments offered to customers.

The event was organised to raise funds for Jigsaw (South east) a charity supported by Bob during his mayoral year.

Cllr Bob Mainstone (Town Mayor) and his wife Christine danced the night away at the 70th anniversary of the East Grinstead Olde Tyme Dance Club recently. The club was formed in 1946 by a group of local people with the prime objective to assist the rehabilitation of the many injured airmen in the Burns Unit of the QVH who formed into the world famous Guinea Pig Club. Dancers travelled from all over the country to attend the event.

21 April 2016 was the special date that marked the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen and East Grinstead joined with a large number of communities around Great Britain by holding a Beacon Lighting ceremony. During the evening a special birthday card, designed by the Town Promotions team, was available for signing. The card, which  had previously been at the tourist information desk in East Grinstead library and taken to the local primary schools, was signed by the Mayor, Councillors and staff of the Town Council and East Grinstead residents and pupils. It was then sent to Buckingham Palace.

The Town Clerk, Julie Holden, has now received a letter of thanks on behalf of the Queen and copies will be presented to each of the Primary Schools as thanks to the staff and pupils who signed the card. As the letter has been received at the start of a new school year, many of the pupils involved will have moved on to secondary education, however, when contacted, head teachers at both Imberhorne and Sackville schools, said they would share the Queen’s good wishes with their current year 7.

The letter is also on display in the window of  East Grinstead Library.

East Grinstead Museum is looking for volunteers to meet and greet visitors to the Museum. With new displays about to be installed, the Rebuilding Bodies and Souls exhibit explaining the McIndoe/Guinea Pig Cub story will attract lots of new visitors to the Museum. We are also re-building the reception desk making it a more open and welcoming experience.

If you would like to welcome and share and explain to visitors the history of the town, then the Museum would like to hear from you. We have vacant slots either in the morning or afternoons from Wednesday to Sunday and there is no age bar to Sixth Form students who might like to add this to their future CV!

Full training will be given before you step out to welcome our visitors. Please apply either at the Museum or by phone on 01342 302233 or email us on info@eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk

A special event held at Charters retirement village in East Grinstead attracted over 120 guests, including Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone and representatives from a number of high profile local organisations, such as the East Grinstead & District Lions Club.

‘Jazz on the Green’, which took place on Thursday the 8th September 2016, celebrated the completion of Charters’ latest phase of development. This comprises 46 one and two bedroom apartments plus three one-bedroom bungalows, which are already 50 per cent sold.

Owner and operator Retirement Villages invited the Mayor and local businesses to join Charters’ residents and their families for a lunchtime barbeque and drinks with entertainment from a live jazz band.

It was a glorious day with plenty of Pimms and lemonade. Visitors enjoyed the sun, chatted with Charters’ residents and toured the new properties and facilities. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

The Mayor of East Grinstead, Cllr Bob Mainstone, said: “This is exactly the type of high quality housing and environment we need for the over 55 age group. I applaud what Retirement Villages has created here.”

Charters Village manager Nigel Walter added: “It feels fantastic to finally take the wraps off our latest phase of development and Jazz on the Green was a wonderful way to celebrate. Charters’ residents and its staff, myself included, are very proud. A big thanks to all those who joined us on the day!”

Healthwatch West Sussex are touring the county with the aim of bringing about change by listening and responding to people’s concerns and working in partnership with local health and care organisations. The tour has started in East Grinstead with surveys taking place throughout September at ten venues in the town.

Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone and Mayoress Cllr Christine Mainstone helped launch the first survey which took place in the High Street on Saturday 10 September. Many residents stopped to give their opinions about the health service.

Bob explained, “This was a very friendly way of finding out people’s views about one of the most important services we all rely on. The Healthwatch staff and volunteers really were motivated to collect as many views as possible. Once they have completed their tour of East Grinstead the Town Council will be interested to see the results.”

Photo shows: Mayor and Mayoress with Healthwatch coordinator Katrina Broadhill