Author: Andrew Taylor

Outset Youth Awards Evening was held last weekend at the Fontwell Park Racecourse, to celebrate the work of the young people who volunteer throughout West Sussex and who are registered with Outset. Among those receiving awards from East Grinstead were Ben Ferris and Daisy Stahl (seen in photo with Town Mayor Dick Sweatman).

Outset Youth Action is a registered charity who work with young people aged 13 – 25 years. Each Outset Youth Advisor will work with and allocate volunteer placements within their local community, such as schools, care homes for the young, disabled and elderly, libraries, museums, wildlife centres, charity shops, just to name a few. During 2014/15 over 1,100 young individuals were engaged in a large variety of activities. The young people give up their time willingly, without any reward.

A house in East Grinstead that has stood empty for almost 20 years is set to be brought back into use.

Mid Sussex District Council has agreed to obtain a Compulsory Purchase Order for 125 Queen’s Road, East Grinstead following a number of complaints from local residents about the poor condition of the property and the state of the gardens.

The Council has been working with the owner for many years to try and persuade him to carry out the necessary improvements to the house but the property remains empty and in a poor state of repair. Three separate Section 215 planning notices have been issued on the property that legally require improvement works to be completed. The rundown property has become a blight on the neighbourhood and has caused considerable distress to neighbours.

“It’s such a shame to see empty properties going to waste when we have so many local families who are struggling to get on the property ladder,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community.

“We work with the owners of long-term empty properties around the district to try and help them bring their properties back into use. These homes can be empty for many different reasons and most issues can be overcome with time and support. But, in some cases it’s just not possible to reach an agreement and we are left with no choice but to step in.

“We always give the owners of long-term empty properties every opportunity to bring their properties into use or arrange a private sale. However, where the owner won’t work with us to improve the situation, then a Compulsory Purchase Order is our only option.”

Once the Compulsory Purchase Order is obtained, the house will be put on the open market with an agreement that whoever buys the property ensures all improvements works are completed and it is lived in once more.

As a grand finale to the town’s Fairtrade Fortnight a Rich Man – Poor Man lunch was held by the organisers on Sunday at St Peter’s School. Joining the guests were Town Mayor Dick Sweatman and Deputy Town Mayor Bob Mainstone. The Fairtrade Fortnight included Fairtrade breakfasts, stalls at Imberhorne, Sackville and St Peter’s Schools, a visit from a Fairtrade banana producer from Columbia and the Town Mayor and his Deputy representing East Grinstead at the Celebrating Fairtrade in West Sussex event in Horsham on Friday night.

Deputy Town Mayor Bob Mainstone joined a group of fellow Trustees of the Museum together with many of its volunteer staff at the Museum on Sunday morning. Bob, who is the nominated Town Council representative on the Museum’s Board of Trustees, was full of enthusiasm for the new plans to enhance the Museum’s displays about the work of Sir Archibald McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club. “It certainly is an important year for the town’s association with the Guinea Pigs”. Said Bob, “So we are all very excited that the Museum will be able to play an even bigger part in telling the story to a wider audience both of townsfolk but also a national and  overseas audience.”

Later this year the Town Council will welcome the last remaining Guinea Pigs to their final annual meeting at East Court.