Author: Andrew Taylor

Whizz-Kidz, West Sussex County Council and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust are organising workshops for young wheelchair users and their families in October. They are to help young wheelchair users gain new skills in their chairs. Members of the NHS wheelchair team will also be there to offer wheelchair reviews and maintenance checks.

Date: Tuesday 25 October

Location: K2 Crawley

Time: Morning session 10.30am – 12.30pm, afternoon session 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

Spaces are limited so book soon to avoid disappointment. To find out more, or to book a place, please contact Olivia on 07833 772949 or email her o.williams@whizz-kidz.org.uk

The MSOPC’s Heritage Website Monarchy, Music and Mid Sussex Memories www.90years.org.uk is now online. Put together by MSOPC volunteers Brian Dove and Linda Dove, both older people living in Mid Sussex, with many of the photos supplied by local older people, the website provides a snapshot of the towns and villages in Mid Sussex over the last 90 years, photos of MSOPC’s celebratory tea earlier this year in June and the Queen’s life.

Also launched today is a complimentary Souvenir brochure, which provides a summary of the website and is being posted out to MSOPC supporters tomorrow. An electronic copy can be obtained by visiting the News page of the MSOPC website www.msopc.org.uk.

MSOPC is a local charity, set up, run and managed by older people, all volunteers for the benefit of older people (aged 50+). The website development has been funded by the National Lottery. The Souvenir Brochure was largely funded by Mid Sussex District Council. The Celebratory Tea was funded by a number of organisations, details of whom are provided on the heritage website.

For more information please contact anita@msopc.org.uk, leave a message on 01444 242760, or visit www.msopc.org.uk. You can use these same contact details to sign up for a regular free newsletter giving details of forthcoming events and useful information.

The Town Mayor will be hosting a celebratory civic reception for the local members of Team GB during September.

East Grinstead was well represented in the Rio Olympics by athletes at the top of their game who were selected to represent the country.

3 players of the East Grinstead womens hockey club were selected for the team along with 2 players for the mens team. The ladies triumphantly brought back the Gold medal, the town council are keen to recognise this accomplishment and also that of the other members who were selected to represent Team GB. Tom Mitchell, who grew up in East Grinstead and initially played for the EG Rugby Team is also to be recognized for captaining the rugby 7’s to a Silver medal.

Town Mayor Bob Mainstone said “A civic reception is being planned to celebrate the EG success in Rio, it will acknowledge the athletes have performed on the highest stage and that the town is rightly proud of them. This will follow on from the National Celebrations that the players will also be involved with”

The date and details of the event are yet to be determined, East Grinstead Town Council is liaising with the Clubs and athletes on the detail.

The ChatHealth school nurse messaging service is available throughout the summer holidays. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust’s school nurse messaging service allows you to get confidential support and advice on any health issues from your school nurse via text messages.

The service is available for young people aged 11-19 who are attending secondary school by texting 07480 635424. The service is available Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm throughout the year. If you text out of hours, you will receive an automated message with advice on where to get help if the question or query is urgent.

The service covers a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, sleeping, eating and drug and alcohol issues.

For more information on the school nursing service and other ways to contact a school nurse visit www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/chathealth

The ATC 75 Anniversary Torch relay was received in East Grinstead on its way from John O’Groats to RAF Predannack on 19 August.

The torch is visiting every squadron in the UK and changing hands at important RAF institutions. The Sir Archibald McIndoe statue was chosen for East Grinstead.

Cadets of 1343 (East Grinstead) Squadron formed a Guard of Honour at the statue and longest serving member Bobby Roberts passed on the torch for its journey through Sussex. Bob has a remarkable 72 years service record.

Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone commented, “I would like to thank the cadets of 1343 Squadron who are a fine credit to the town. Their turn out was impeccable and they deserve the highest praise for their contribution to the event. Bobby Roberts is a legend in East Grinstead and it was fitting for him to perform the ceremony of passing on the torch.”

Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone wished Sarah Dodson success with her sponsored walk to raise funds for Jigsaw (South East). Sarah is walking from Eastbourne to Arundel on 27 August along the South Downs Way. The walk will involve hours of darkness in order to complete the walk in one day. Bob gave Sarah an official send off at East Court.

Bob explained, “Jigsaw is one of my chosen charities during my mayoral year so I am delighted to wish Sarah success with her walking challenge. It is a tough route along the South Downs Way but I know she is well prepared and determined to complete the distance”

Jigsaw support children and young people who have been bereaved of a parent. Families are supported during these difficult times. For further information and to find ways of supporting Jigsaw contact www.jigsawsoutheast.org.uk

Photo shows Sarah Dodson with Cllr Bob Mainstone at East Court