Author: Andrew Taylor

OWN Mayor Dick Sweatman welcomed the modern day pilgrims taking part in the Refugee Tales walk, when they stopped at East Court for a buffet lunch provided by the East Grinstead Justice and Peace Group.

The J&P group supports the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group providing clothes, trainers and bags for detainees, and visiting those held at Tinsley House and Brook House, detention centres near Gatwick.

In all around 1,500 people enjoyed free Refugee Tales evening events across Kent, Surrey and Sussex as the hikers passed through on their 80 mile journey.

East Grinstead was the last stop on the route and after leaving town along the Worth Way, the walkers headed for Crawley and a celebration of Refugee Week at the Hawth, where Baroness Shirley Williams spoke in support of an end to indefinite detention.

* Further information about the work of the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group is at: www.gdwg.org.uk, or telephone 01293 657070.

A crowd of about 200 gathered at the East Court War Memorial on Saturday to honour our Armed Forces.

The event had particular poignancy this year coming as it did so soon after the three terrorist attacks of the day before in France, Tunisia and Kuwait, which served as a brutal reminder of the vital job our service people do in keeping us safe.

Rev Clive Everett-Allen led the service for the final time before his retirement next month, before wreaths were laid by Town Mayor Dick Sweatman, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex Margaret Collins, Sqn Ldr Graeme Stagg on behalf of the Air Training Corps, and Derek Capel, President of the town branch of the Royal British Legion.

After the prayer service and blessing, the air cadets carried out a drill in front of East Court mansion.

They were followed by performances from the choirs of Halsford Park and Baldwins schools, and the East Grinstead Concert Band, a military exercise put on by the A Company Surrey Army Cadet Force and a closing ceremony with the cadets and Standard Bearers.

A tribute was also paid to the work of the late Don Cooper who died in April, who has the driving force behind Armed Forces Day in East Grinstead.

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Photos courtesy of © East Grinstead Online

THE newly appointed Mid Sussex Council Conservation Officer Emily Wade was in town this week at the invitation of the Town Council.

With Councillors and Town Council officers she was shown round the historic High Street area of East Grinstead which is a protected conservation area. During the tour the listed buildings were studied and the history behind each one explained by Tourism Officer Simon Kerr.

Emily also admired the newly created flower beds in the High Street and chatted to the volunteer gardeners tending the area around St Swithun’s.

Chairman of the Town’s Planning Committee, Cllr Bob Mainstone, explained “We felt it was important for Emily to understand more about the most historic and largest conservation area in Mid Sussex.

“Our Planning Committee often has to make recommendations for applications within the conservation area so having an expert to advise us is very helpful.

“We will keep in close contact with Emily as it is important for Councillors to understand the tight restrictions involved with any changes proposed in our High Street conservation area or to any of the town’s listed buildings.”

DEPUTY TOWN Mayor Bob Mainstone joined East Grinstead’s Justice and Peace Group as it held its 25th Sleep Out at the High Street War Memorial on Saturday.

Over the past quarter century the EG J&P Group has raised at least £80,000 for homeless charities. This year’s beneficiaries are Crawley Open  House, The Easter Team and Worthing Churches Homeless Project.

Twenty three people slept out this year ranging in age from 15 to 70, on a warm night with a few light showers.

A street collection earlier in the day raised £450 and the group expects to raise £4,000 in sponsorship.

Crawley Open House sheltered 200 people in the last year at their hostel Riverside House and dealt with 70,000 “contact” enquiries from needy and marginalised people.

*Forest Row Orchestra is holding a concert at 11am on Saturday 4 July at Moat United Reformed Church. Tickets: adults £6, children £1.

Tickets on the door or booked through Julian Spencer on 01342 324560.

SGN have revised their proposed completion date to 3/7/15. One week earlier than their original proposed end date of 10/7/15.  WSCC have been working hard behind the scenes with SEW to establish if advantage of an early finish by SGN could be capitalised on, to reduce the impact of the overall project.

Unfortunately this has not been possible, which is due to the way that SEW have to complete their project, culminating with them working on London Road with traffic lights to connect, chlorinate and pressure test the new pipe.  This activity will take place mid to late August 2015, as originally planned, when they will also be installing their new pipe.

Therefore, once SGN have completed their works on London Road, their traffic management will be removed and the traffic lights at the Imberhorne Lane junction will be restored to normal service.

MID Sussex District Council has issued the following statement about the travellers who moved on to King George’s field last night.

“We have received reports that travellers have moved on to land at the Kings Centre in East Grinstead,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “Officers from West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police are visiting the site to assess the situation and take appropriate action.”

Town Clerk Julie Holden added: “The Town Council is aware of the presence of the travellers and report that Mid Sussex DC is working with the police following their approved procedures.

“Further updates will come via the Mid Sussex District Council which we will repost when available.”

THE Town Council has appealed for the return of a Union flag which has been stolen from the Waterloo bed in the High Street, jeopardising our chances in the South and South East in Bloom competition.

Last year the High Street beds won the award for Best War Memorial, and the Town Council team behind this year’s striking designs had high hopes for more success.

But the Union flag has been stolen from one of the wicker horses in the Waterloo bed, and with only a couple of weeks to go there is no time to replace it, said spokesman Katrina Hamill, who has now removed the French flag for safekeeping.

“So if you have the flag – or you know who took it – PLEASE return it to the horse’s head, no questions asked, so that the town’s entry is not jeopardised,” said Katrina.

Photo courtesy of East Grinstead Online

THE Spotlight Programme is intended to help Mid Sussex District Council support diverse sectors of the district, and each year the Council aims to ‘spotlight’ particular members of the community.

As part of the Spotlight Programme for 2015/16, the Council is pleased to announce that it will be awarding grants to voluntary organisations working to improve the quality of life for older people living in Mid Sussex.

So if your organisation works with older people, and needs some additional one-off help for projects such as funding to hold a special event for older people, or needs items of equipment but lacks the funds to do this, contact Mid Sussex District Council.

Grants are usually awarded up to £500 but will not cover retrospective items, or form part of a contribution towards other projects or running costs.

All applications must meet the terms of the Council’s grants scheme and further details including an application form. Council priorities and guidance notes can be found on this link www.midsussex.gov.uk/grants.

The grants will be considered at the next Cabinet Grants Panel meeting due to be held on 13th October and the deadline for receipt of applications is 31 August.

* For more details contact Lin Parkinson, Community Development Officer 01444 477495 email lin.parkinson@midsussex.gov.uk