Author: Andrew Taylor

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

CLLR Jacquie Russell and Town Clerk Julie Holden went on patrol as observers on Saturday night to see the work of the Street Pastors, who marked their second birthday at the weekend.

The Pastors, who are drawn from East Grinstead’s church community, routinely patrol the town centre from the late evening until the early hours every weekend to make sure that everyone gets home safely after a night out.

Thanking them afterwards, Julie praised the “great work” they do for the town.

Julie (left) and Jacquie prepare for a night on the town

Relaxing with a well deserved cuppa

Handing out lollies on patrol

TOWN Mayor Dick Sweatman and his wife joined Cllr John O’Brien and representatives of the town’s business community to hear a lecture by Jeremy Seigal, the CEO of White Stuff, at Chequer Mead.

The event was the Inaugural Lecture organised by the East Grinstead Business Association.

COUNCILLORS have approved in principle a plan to install a plaque in the High Street to commemorate East Grinstead’s Three Martyrs who were burned at the stake.

The three – Thomas Dunngate, Anne Tree and John Forman – all lived in or near East Grinstead and were arrested in 1556 for refusing to abandon Protestantism.

“Bloody” Queen Mary was on the throne and wanted the country to revert to Catholicism, the faith practised in England until Henry VIII’s Reformation.

They met their deaths at the stake, somewhere outside Broadley Brothers, where they had spent their last night on earth imprisoned in the cellars, joining the 284 people known to have been burnt at the stake as heretics during Mary’s ten year reign.

There are already three memorial stones commemorating the East Grinstead martyrs laid flat to the righthand side of the south door outside St Swithun’s. These are not graves, as the ashes of heretics were not interred in consecrated ground.

The stones were refurbished ten years ago but the incriptions are now worn, and it has been suggested that a heritage-style plaque should be added to the High Street to mark their deaths – although the exact spot where the stake was erected is not known.

“Much like the placing of the VC commemorative paving stone, it is suggested by officers that a stone or plaque be commissioned and placed within the Market Square.

“This is a central spot where many people pass, and where groups can safely congregate during tours or educational outings.”

It has been suggested that the official unveiling of the plaque next year, which will be the 460th anniversary of the Martyr’s death, should be accompanied by some sort of event in the High Street, possibly a street theatre performance telling their story.

CLLRS Norman Webster, Adam Peacock, Christine Mainstone and Bob Mainstone have taken a tour of Mount Noddy cemetery with Peter Carr, who manages it for the Town Council, to discuss issues related to its running, the Council’s responsibilities and future plans for the town burial ground.

Left to right: Norman Webster, Peter Carr, Adam Peacock and Christine Mainstone

Photo © Bob Mainstone

TOWN Mayor Dick Sweatman joined Rear Admiral John Lippiett in Brighton on Sunday for a rally to celebrate the 71st Founders Day of the Nautical Training Corps, of which the Admiral is Patron.

Twenty units from across the home countries, including East Grinstead’s own youngsters, and two units from the Isle of Wight, came together for a service of Thanksgiving and a parade, before spending a games afternoon at Preston Park.

Dick who inspected the youngsters on parade, said afterwards “It was a wonderful event and I was very pleased to be able to support it.”