Author: Andrew Taylor

Volunteers at Citizens Advice East Grinstead helped nearly 3,000 people last year from their local community with all types of issues.

We are in need of volunteers to deliver our service. We don’t just need advisers, we need volunteers in all sorts of roles; receptionists, trustees, administration, fundraisers, research and campaigning to name a few. You don’t have to have any qualifications or previous experience, just be able to commit time to us.

What do you get? You get full training & support, travel expenses, to meet new people, improved confidence and better health and wellbeing. Our volunteers say they gain new workplace skills, have gone on to find new employment and feel they make a great contribution locally.

Email Carolyne Smith at volunteer@westsussexcab.org.uk to find out more.

Need advice? We give free, independent, impartial & confidential advice on any matter. Your local CAB is at Cantelupe House and is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm, or call us five days a week on 0344 4771171-10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can access help online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

An act of remembrance for the 70th anniversary of  VJ  (Victory Over Japan) Day will be held on Saturday 15th of August.

The ceremony will take place at the War Memorial in the High Street at 3 pm. However the High Street will be closed to traffic fro 14.50 to 15.20

The East Grinstead branch of the Royal British Legion supported by East Grinstead Town Council will hold an act of Remembrance for this 70th anniversary.

Wreaths will be laid by Mrs Margaret Collins (Deputy lieutenant)  Cllr Dick Sweatman (Town Mayor) and representatives from the British Legion.

While the war in Europe ended in early May 1945 it continued in the Far East. The Japanese finally surrendered on 14 August 1945 following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria.

The next day, Wednesday 15 August 1945 was celebrated as VJ (Victory over Japan) Day

Parts of Worth Way, a footpath which links East Grinstead and Crawley, will be closed to the public during September and October.

The route between East Grinstead Station and Gullege House, will be shut for improvement surfacing work.

The section between Gullege House and Cob Close, Crawley Down, will also be closed between 9.30am and 3pm to allow access to construction vehicles.

The closures will last for the duration of the work, which is expected to take around six to eight weeks.

Residents will be able to follow an alternative route, using a public bridleway which runs parallel to Worth Way. Maps and signs will be clearly displayed on site to guide people.

David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The work is being undertaken because the path has become very rough and uneven, and parts of the path are not draining properly because the camber has being worn down.

“We know this section of Worth Way is extremely popular with residents and is used by around 90,000 people each year.

“It’s inevitable that this work will cause some disruption while it is being carried out but we’ll do our very best to keep this to a minimum.

“We thank people for their patience while the work is carried out and hope they will agree the work will lead to better journeys along this route when it reopens.”

Heidi Brunsdon, County Councillor for Imberdown, added: “I am extremely pleased that this section of Worth Way is being improved.

“We have been working very closely with the contractors to ensure residents and people who use the path suffer as little disruption as possible.

“The path has worn away through the constant use and I think once the work is finished we will all be very pleased with the new surface.”

For more information about the route and how you may be affected, please contact Simon Rowledge at simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk

A confirmed start date for the work will be announced in the next few weeks.

• When and where will the route be closed? The works will take place in September and October this year. The route will be completely closed between East Grinstead station and Gullege House for the duration. And between Gullege House and Cob Close in Crawley Down Between 9.30am and 3pm daily whilst stone is delivered.
• How long will the work take? The work should be completed in 6 – 8 weeks however weather conditions will be a factor.
• Why does the route need to be closed? During the works heavy machinery will be tracking up and down the path, due to the narrow nature of the site it would be unsafe for people and animals as there would not be a safe passing space.
• Is there an alternate route? An alternate route using the public bridleway that runs parallel to Worth Way from Gullege to East Grinstead via Imberhorne farm will be available. Maps and signs on site will guide you.
• I commute/travel to school this way will I still be able to? Yes, the stone delivery times have been specified so as to cause minimal disturbance to commuters and pupils travelling from Crawley Down to East Grinstead.
• The current surface is fine why is money being spent on a new one? This section of Worth Way has over 90,000 visitors per year which has resulted in the topdressing of the path wearing out leaving the surface un even and unpleasant to use particularly for the elderly and for cyclists and wheelchair users. The camber of the path which allows it to drain water effectively has also worn away. These works are being paid for with s106 money as mitigation for housing developments in the area not public money and will restore the camber and top dressing of the path.
• I am running a sponsored event in September/October can it still go ahead? Contact simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk and he will do his best to help you.
• Will the remainder of the route from Gullege to Crawley Down be resurfaced in the future? Additional s106 funds have been applied for, the remainder of the path will be resurfaced if they are awarded.
• For all other enquiries please forward to: email: simon.rowledge@westsussex.gov.uk, Tel: 0330 222 6730

Closures and diversions