Author: Andrew Taylor

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.”

WORK began on Monday work to replace the existing metal gas main in London Road at its junction with Imberhorne Lane.

This is the second phase of a four-phase £152,000 investment project to upgrade the local gas supply network and ensure a safe and reliable gas supply in the London Road area of East Grinstead.

The work forms part of an ongoing mains replacement programme, developed with the Health and Safety Executive, to replace the existing metal mains with plastic pipe, which – if left undisturbed – has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. The project has been closely planned with West Sussex County Council and co-ordinated with other companies working in the area.

Phase 1 of the project, which was carried out within the pathway in Copthorne Road opposite Felbridge Court, has now been completed, and crews are working extended hours to ensure that they complete phase 2 by 24 July.

At the request of the County Council, the Gas installations will temporarily stop after the completion of phase 2 to allow South East Water to install 230 metres of new water main in Imberhorne Lane and London Road. Their work will begin on 24 July and will last for approximately seven weeks.

The third phase of work on the gas mains, which is proposed for November, will involve replacing the gas supply to the Felbridge Hotel at the entrance to Furze Lane from London Road. Temporary traffic lights will be in place while the new pipe is laid across London Road.

The timing of this part of the project is subject to agreement by the hotel and the County Council.

For the fourth and final phase of project, we will return to Felbridge Court to complete the work identified as necessary in phase 1. This will not affect road users in Copthorne Road.

* Further information about the project can be found in a customer leaflet, but if you have any specific enquiries, please call 01444 240 733 during office hours (8am to 4pm) or on 0800 912 1700 outside these times.

A spokesman for SGN said “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience our essential work may cause you, including delays to your journey by car while temporary traffic lights are in use to ensure the safety of the public and our engineers.”

ARMED Forces Day, which honours all those serving in the nation’s military, will be marked at the East Court War Memorial on Saturday 27 June.

There will be a short short Service of Thanksgiving at 11am followed by celebrations, music and displays followed by a 2.15 pm Closing Ceremony.

Everyone is welcome.

Photo courtesy of East Grinstead Online