Author: Andrew Taylor

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.”

NORMAN Mockford represents the Town ward on the Town and District Councils.

He is the Chairman of the Imberhorne and Baldwins Neighbourhood Panel and is also Treasurer of East Grinstead in Bloom.

Regularly seen volunteering around the town, he is passionate about his local environment.

Norman’s aim is to forge community awareness so that all residents and businesses can work together for the common good of the town.

EDWARDS Matthews is town councillor for the Town ward, and represents Copthorne and Worth at Mid Sussex District Council.

He spent his early life in Reading and moved to Mid Sussex when he was employed as Chef/House Manager to a large country estate located just outside East Grinstead.

Now retired, he spends much of his time representing the local community.

He was a Governor at Estcots County Primary School for several years which he enjoyed, and has been a member of Copthorne Village Association since 2011.

He was first elected to Mid Sussex District Council and East Grinstead Town Council in 1995 and has been re-elected to MSDC every election since then.

He has served on a variety of committees and has a special interest in Planning issues

Edward was elected Town Mayor for East Grinstead in 2002/2003, and what little spare time he has is spent on his passion for gardening and reading.

HEIDI Brunsdon represents Imberhorne ward on the District Council.

Heidi and her husband have lived in the Imberhorne area of East Grinstead since 1996. They have two children – one at university, the other studying GCSEs at Imberhorne upper school.

Heidi entered politics following a successful campaign to oppose proposals for a relief road along the Worth Way.

She has served on East Grinstead Town and Mid Sussex District Council since 2007, and as a West Sussex County councillor since 2010.

Prior to this Heidi worked in public relations and marketing, and ran her own public relations consultancy specialising in the travel industry.

Her interests outside the Council are her family with whom she enjoys all outdoor pursuits. She is a strong advocate of the countryside and the environment, enjoys reading and is a keen dressmaker.

PETER Reed represents Ashplats ward on Mid Sussex District Council.

He and and his wife Judy have lived in East Grinstead for 31 years, and his daughter was educated at both Blackwell Farm and Sackville schools before attending university.

Peter has worked in the Hospitality and Catering industry in the UK and Paris, and  was also a member of The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.

Now semi-retired, he occasionally works as an invigilator at Imberhorne School.

He is passionate about education having been a lecturer at Crawley College Hotel School for 15 years, and is a Governor at The Grenestede Academy, comprising Halsford Park and Baldwins Hill Schools.

A keen sportsman, Peter has actively worked with Mid Sussex Wellbeing promoting a healthy lifestyle for our residents, and is is Vice President of East Grinstead Rugby Club of which he has been an active member for 29 years.

REX Whittaker represents Imberhorne ward on the Town Council.

He has lived in East Grinstead for 28 years and his two sons attended Sackville School.

He is a keen and active sportsman closely involved with promoting and supporting the town’s Sports Development group.

Since being elected a Town Councillor in 2011 he has been chairman of the Planning committee, chair of the Finance & General Purposes committee, and as Leader of the Town Council has worked very closely with the Town Clerk in the day-to-day administration of Council matters.

FRANK Osborne is on the Town Council seat to represent Imberhorne ward.

A long-time resident of the town, he served on the old East Grinstead Urban District Council and was a founder member of East Grinstead Town Council.

Always heavily involved in the community, Frank was the driving force behind the building of the Meridian Hall, and more recently led the Town Council in providing outdoor summer entertainment at East Court.

He has been, and remains, outspoken in opposing unpopular changes to the town especially in the field of Planning.

He is married with two adult daughters living locally and is the proprietor of East Grinstead Upholstery, though now semi-retired.

For the past 15 years Frank has led the ConChord Big Band which has entertained local audiences and raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.