Author: Andrew Taylor

Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3BS

Charity No. 1108890

Registered office address: c/o Clerk of the Council, Council Offices, East Court Mansion, College Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3LT

Notice pursuant to section 121(2) of the Charities Act 2011

The Trustees of Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre give notice of their proposal to lease the Alfred Wagg Studio at the Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre of the above address to West Sussex Police for a period of 21 years for the police service’s use, which shall include public access to police services for the East Grinstead and District Community.  The Trustees invite representations from the public relating to such proposed lease to West Sussex Police.  Such representations must be received by the Trustees by [25^th June 2015] following which date the Trustees will consider any representations to them and make a final decision regarding the proposed lease of the Alfred Wagg Studio to West Sussex Police.

Dated this     18th  day of             May             2015

Please send any representations to:

The Trustees of Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre
c/o Clerk of the Council, Council Offices
East Court Mansion
College Lane
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3LT

CLLR NICK Hodges handed over the mayoral chain to his successor Cllr Dick Sweatman at last night’s Council meeting.

In his speech Nick said he had had a wonderful year in office, and one packed with highlights.

These had included meeting representatives of many of the town’s community groups, as well as town events which had included the visit by Princess Anne to unveil the statue of Sir Archibald McIndoe and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in honour of Private Sidney Godley, as well as social events such as the Edwardian Picnic and the recent VE Day Street Party.

During his year in office Nick also travelled to be with the East Grinstead Concert Band who played at the Menin Gate to mark their 40th anniversary and the Centenary of WWI, and to our French twin town Bourge de Peage to mark twinning’s half-century.

And he paid tribute to his wife Lucy and their daughter ‘mayorette’ Olivia, who raised £100 towards his charities with a bake sale, and had put up with having “an embarrassing dad” with a smile.

Nick presented newly-retired Sarah Bunting and Wendy Mackenzie with bouquets for all the help they had given him in their roles as Mayor’s secretary, and gave cheques for £5,000 apiece to each of his chosen charities for the year – the Town Museum and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

The new Town Mayor is Cllr Dick Sweatman, whose deputy will be Cllr Bob Mainstone.

Dick’s chosen charities for his year as East Grinstead’s first citizen will be the East Grinstead branch of Age UK and East Grinstead Lions Club.

TOWN Mayor Nick Hodges, who will hand over his chain of office to his successor at this evening’s Council meeting, posed for this official portrait by High Street photographer Frazer Visser. It which will join those of his predecessors hanging by the stairwell at East Court.

JOHN Saull represents Worsted ward on the Town Council.

John has lived in Ashurst Wood for 34 years with his wife and family, and their three children were educated at local schools.

In his professional career spanning 45 years, he spent 32 years with the UK civil aviation regulatory authorities, The Air Registration Board and The Civil Aviation Authority and  his experience included working with the development of the Concorde supersonic airliner and overseas positions.

He served as the East Grinstead Mayor for 2011-2012 and has represented the Council on several outside organisations throughout his term as a councillor. He is President of the East Grinstead Branch of the Conservative Party

ADAM Reeves represents Herontye ward on the Town Council.

Since joining the Council nearly two years ago he has taken an active role to oppose Gatwick’s expansion proposals

He also opposes the large housing developments at Hill Place Farm and Great Harwoods Farm as he feels any development in East Grinstead needs to be ‘sustainable’ for current and future generations.

“I believe we need better infrastructure right now to address issues such as traffic relief for our very congested roads and more places at our schools and doctors surgeries.”

He is also passionate about small business entrepreneurial success. “My career running a local financial services business has allowed me to take on a senior role managing the Town Council’s finances to help ensure value for money for the taxpayer,” he said

CHRISTINE Mainstone is a Town Councillor for Herontye Ward.

She has lived in East Grinstead for 45 years and has 16 years previous experience as a Town Councillor during which time she was Town Mayor, Chairman of Planning, Chairman of Amenities & Tourism and involved in making many important decisions for East Grinstead including the design of Chequer Mead.

She is also Chairman of the East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival.

Christine is proud to be an honorary Friend of the Guinea Pig Club and regularly links up with the former airmen and their families to help keep the connection with East Grinstead.

“I want, to take up the challenge of taking an active part in improving our town. We are fortunate to live in East Grinstead and there are many aspects we need to protect, but we must look to the future and make sure the town develops in the best possible way.”

PETER Wyan represents the Town ward on the Town and District Councils

“My wife and I came to East Grinstead 22 years ago, drawn not only by the character of the East Grinstead but also the excellent education provided by Sackville and Imberhorne Schools for our three children.

“When asked three years ago if I would consider being a Town Councillor, I was more than happy to do so because it gave me the opportunity to work towards giving back something of what the town had given my family and me.”

Since being elected in 2011, Peter has served as Leader of the Council, Chairman of Planning, Vice Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, as a Member of the Project EG Group and the Sports Developments Council, and also as Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee.

DICK Sweatman represents Herontye ward on the Town and District Councils.

He has lived in East Grinstead for the past 30 years and was elected Town and District Councillor for Herontye ward in 2011.

“I was tasked with organising the Queens Jubilee Parade through East Grinstead in 2012, and from that evolved the free summer events programme at East Court,” he said.

He has been involved in many community and planning issues and holds a ward surgery at St. Barnabas Church on the last Saturday of the month.

Adam Peacock represents the Town ward on the Town Council.

He has lived in East Grinstead for over 25 years, and since graduating has been employed in the technology and business services sectors.

A large part of that time was with United Technologies Corporation, a large US multinational company, working in Europe and South Africa.

He now has his own company, and his interests include rugby, swimming, football, cars and travelling.

“I have a positive vision for the future of East Grinstead, helping to make it more prosperous and enhancing the town’s heritage whilst at the same time recognising a sustainable approach is required for the town’s development.”