Author: Andrew Taylor

AN East Grinstead family whose Lingfield Road home was destroyed by a tumble dryer fire in March has now been offered a house in Newton Avenue.

The family will get the keys to their new housing association home tomorrow, but their new accommodation is bare, and needs to be redecorated, and to have flooring laid throughout.

So Amanda Clark, a friend of the family, is appealing for local residents or businesses to donate paint, carpet, lino and laminate flooring, and/or time to get the house ready for them to move into as soon as possible. The move will reunite them with  Alfie, the family dog, which has been in kennels since the blaze.

“It’s been an emotional and trying three months for the family,” said Amanda, “especially the youngest son who needs stability and routine more than most, due to his special needs.

“I can’t wait to see them settled in a house they can make into a home and start afresh.”

* Any enquiries can be directed to  Amanda Clark, via email: ALPC.campaign@gmail.com or Facebook: www.facebook.com/HouseFireSurvivors. Donations can be made via: www.gofundme.com/FireSurvivors

IN a regular feature on the Town Council website, we will be remembering, on the anniversary of their deaths, the East Grinstead soldiers who died during WWI,  and who are named on the High Street War Memorial.

This month we recall (as recorded on The Roll of Honour website):

Aylmer Vivian JARRETT, DSO

Captain 2nd Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment. 16th Division.

Died of wounds 22. 6.15. age 35.

Son of Colonel H.S.Jarrett (CTE) and Mrs. Agnes Jarrett of South Lodge, East Grinstead.

Buried Hop Store Cemetery, Belgium B.2.

Charles Henry KNIGHT

Stoker 1st Class K/15736 Royal Navy. HMS “Victory”

Died at home 23. 6.15. Aged 18.

Son of Frederick and Caroline Knight of 89, Dunning Road, East Grinstead.

Buried Rosskeen Parish Churchyard Extension. Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Albert John STRIPP

Bombardier 66690 26th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Killed in action on Gallipoli 20. 6.15. Aged 22.

Son of Paul Alonzo and Fanny Stripp 16, Anatola Road, Upper Holloway London. Enlisted in Islington.

Buried Redoubt Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey.

 

The High Street flower beds, which last year took Gold for the Best War Memorial, have another stunning theme this year with A Celebration of Freedom.

The beds are themed to remember Waterloo – complete with bombs and whicker horses – the 100th anniversary of the WI, the signing of Magna Carta and the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.

[AFG_gallery id=’38’]

TOWN Promotions manager Simon Kerr, is to retire next month.

Simon, who took on the role of putting East Grinstead on the tourist trail 20 years ago, is a very well known figure in the town, and one with an encyclopaedic not only of its present – where to go, where to stay, what to do – but also of its past history.

In the two decades since he took on the role, a new one for the town, Simon has made many TV and radio appearances to promote East Grinstead, worked with journalists from the national press and magazines on articles and projects, and met a great many prominent figures.

And a real bonus was the arrival into the town station of the Bluebell Railway.

“How often,” Simon said at the time, “does a town get a major new tourist attraction delivered to its doorstep?”

Renowned as a snappy dresser, thanks largely to his penchant for beautiful silk ties, Simon has never been shy if the occasion demanded – and demanded the occasion often has – to don fancy dress which is why he appeared as President Chester Alan Arthur to mark the 125th anniversary of the Meridian Line at East Court.

He also conducted several hugely popular High Street ghost tours for Hallowe’en dressed as his alter ego Professor Skull.

But the good news is that although he is stepping down from town promotion, Simon will be stepping up his involvement with both Sackville College and the Town Museum.

A man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of town history, he will also be working on a new book, The Invention of East Grinstead.

“I have tried to take all the opportunities which have come my way to raise the town’s profile,” he said, “and I believe I have done that – one person can make a difference.

“It has been a fantastic job – and a complete pleasure.”

[AFG_gallery id=’37’]

Photos courtesy of East Grinstead Online

NEWLY-elected Town Mayor Dick Sweatman made the formal presentation of a scroll recording the award of the Freedom of East Grinstead to the Rev Clive Everett-Allen last night.

Councillors joined Clive’s colleagues, parishioners and friends at a reception in the Meridian Hall to mark his retirement after 17 years as parish priest to St Swithun’s.

The Freedom award was a unanimously agreed recognition of service which will be awarded only rarely, said Dick Sweatman in handing over the framed scroll, but one which in Clive’s case was richly deserved.

“May this scroll mean that a part of East Grinstead goes with you. Know that you are always wlecome here, and we hope you will visit us from time to time,” he said.

In his speech thanking everyone for their support during his time in East Grinstead – including his wife Cyn – Clive said he could not believe that 17 years had passed since their arrival at St Swithun’s.

“But then time always goes fast when you are enjoying yourself,” he smiled.

Photos courtesy of East Grinstead Online

Town Mayor Dick Sweatman handing over the Freedom of East Grinstead scroll

Former Town Clerk Chris Rolley with his successor Julie Holden.

MERIDIAN certificates are available from East Court at £1 a time.

Anyone who has stood with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and one in the West can pop into East Court and buy a certificate for £1. They come with your name, are signed by the mayor and make an ideal souvenir for visitors to the town.

Parties can order theirs in advance.

To find out more phone 01342 410121

The Trust Is in the process of changing its constitution to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and needs to appoint trustees to the board. The maximum number of trustees is to be 7, with a minimum of 5. Up to 5 will be appointed from the elected members of the East Grinstead Town Council and 2 would be external appointments.

The Trust operates a 300+ seat purpose built theatre and ancilliary facilities including art gallery and meeting rooms. It is currently tendering the catering franchise for an external contract. The board will meet regularly and work with the Centre Manager to ensure that this valued community asset continues to prosper.

All appointments will be made based on the experience and skills that the trustees can bring to the Trust. Applicants will have a strong proven background in finance, fundraising or theatre management, be able to attend regular meetings during the working day and evening to a notified schedule. Trustees are not paid positions although reasonable travel expenses may be met for trustees living outside of East Grinstead.

Written applications highlighting experience and why you wish to be a trustee should be submitted to the Clerk to the Trustees, c/o East Grinstead Town Council, East Court, East Grinstead, RH19 3LT. Applications to be received by 12.00 noon on 15th June 2014.

NEW Town Mayor Dick Sweatman has chosen the East Grinstead and District Lions Club, and the town branch of Age UK, as the charities which will benefit from his year in office.

THE East Grinstead & District Lions Club has been serving the people of East Grinstead and District for the past 46 years.

The town branch is part of Lions Clubs International, which has more than 1.3 million members world wide, serving communities in 205 countries.

The Lions’ year runs from 1 July to 30 June and during 2013/2014 the town branch donated more than £17,730 to local and international charities, and to disaster funds in the UK and abroad.

They also gave 3,500 hours of voluntary service.

The Lions have a caravan based at Pevensey for the use of families who would not otherwise be able to afford a holiday. So if you would like to use it, or know someone else who could do with a break, contact the Lions who will make the necessary arrangements.

And if you would like to join them for fun, companionship and helping the less fortunate in the community, email Rob Holwell at rob.holwell@aviareps-group.com, or give him a ring on 0845 833 9506.

The Mission statement of the Lions Club is: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international co-operation.

AGE UK East Grinstead & District is run by an Executive Committee and Chief Officer, with a team of 23 staff and 12 volunteers.

The organisation receives local authority funding from WSCC and MSDC to help support the services it offers, which include the Swan Mead Activity Centre which was opened in 1974.

Swan Mead gets its name from a field on which the Queens Road cemetery is laid, which in turn took its name from the early 18th century Swan pub which fronted London Road and which was demolished in the early 1960s.

In 2003 Age UK East Grinstead, in partnership with the County Council and the Alzheimer’s Society, expanded its services to cater for a growing unmet need, dementia support, to assist the carers of people living with dementia.

The service operates on the second and fourth Saturday of each month between 10am and 6pm and gives carers the opportunity to bring their family members into a safe, stimulating environment. Carers are then free to spend some well-earned time on leisure or family pursuits, safe in the knowledge that their relatives are being looked after by trained staff.

The Help at Home service was established in 1996 and is now delivered by Age UK East Grinstead & District following many requests received by older and vulnerable people who needed reputable help to run their homes.

The service provides general housework, and help with shopping, pension and benefit collection, laundry, ironing and simple sewing repairs.

To find out more go to: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastgrinstead/about-age-uk-east-grinstead-and-district/