Author: Andrew Taylor

The District Council Planning Committee were due to hear this application tonight (9 April) – however we have been advised that the plan has been withdrawn. For anyone who was intending to attend the meeting at Haywards Heath, please be aware that it has been withdrawn and will not be considered this evening.

EACH year, Sainsbury’s works in partnership with a selected local charity partner. The store will fundraise for and with the local charity as well as offer support where possible during the course of the year.

In return the charity needs to support the store efforts, for example supplying collection boxes, being available to attend fundraising events and providing coverage though their website and social media of the work that is being carried out at the store.

Any charity that would like to be considered should email Laura Bowes at PRL.EastGrinstead@sainsburys.co.uk or write directly to the store at Brooklands Way, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1DD. The deadline is 10 May.

Imberhorne School, East Grinstead, was awarded last month with FairActive schools’ status from the Fairtrade Foundation, in recognition of their hard work promoting and fund-raising for Fairtrade.

The Imberhorne Fairtrade Steering Group co-ordinates the Fairtrade movement in the school and submitted their successful application. It follows the school winning the nationwide Margaret Demidecka Fairtrade Award (secondary schools category) last year, and the prize of £350.

The school had already gained FairAware status, which showed the students had understanding and awareness of the Fairtrade movement. However, to gain FairActive, the school had to complete several challenges, host Fairtrade events, formulate an action plan, and host assemblies. Most of the activities centred on Fairtrade Fortnight (23^rd Feb – 8^th Mar), including the Imberhorne Fairtrade Day, when students set-up Unfair game stalls, and there was an Unfair Teachers vs. Students dodgeball match and Cllr Dick Sweatman (Town Council Deputy Mayor) attended. During Fairtrade Fortnight the school managed to raise £431.30.

Steering Group Chairman, Henry Grub, said: “we have been working for a long time to achieve this status. It’s great that our work and achievements are now recognised. I’m very proud of the school and the work done by the Steering Group, and the school’s students! We hope now to go even further with Fairtrade.”

The award is the second level out of three, the third, FairAchiever, being the most prestigious. The Steering Group say they will attempt the FairAchiever award when the applications open later this year.

The Reverend Canon Clive Everett-Allen was admitted by unanimous vote at the Special Council Meeting at East Court to be the first Freeman of the East Grinstead Parish.

Clive said “This is an overwhelming honour, I had no idea until the call came asking if I would accept, should the Council vote to approve. I was delighted to confirm that I would. That I am the first freeman is a great privilege and one I shall treasure”.

A Town Council Spokesperson said “Clive has served as Vicar of the St Swithuns’ parish including St Barnabas and St Luke’s for 17 years. He has officiated at civic services, Remembrance Day, special services for town events, dedications and anything else that the town has asked of him, happy and sad events. Whether you are a regular member of the St Swithuns congregation or not, the likelihood is that Clive has at some point crossed your path” The Council wanted to recognize his support to the town as a whole as he will shortly be retiring and leaving the Parish. It is nice that a part of the town that he has served so long will remain with him.

Note to editors:

The right to confer the freedom of the Parish was made available to Parish Councils in 2009, a Council meeting has to be specially convened to vote on the matter, which is why the ordinary Council meeting followed at 7pm.

The conferring of the title entitles the freeman to enjoy such rights and privileges as the town council determine. At this time the only right will be a life entry on to the Town Civic list to invite him officially to future civic events.

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):

Hugh Nisbet PEARLESS

Sergeant 16246 7th Battalion, The Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment) 1st Canadian Division.

Killed in action near Ypres 24. 4.15. Aged 30.

Son of Reginald Wilson and Alice Pearless later of “Heatherlea” Gratwicke Road, Worthing.

Commemorated on The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium MR. 29

Charles Harry Brownlow JARRETT

Major 1st Battalion, The Royal Munster Fusiliers. 29th Division.

Killed in action on ‘V’ beach during the Gallipoli Landings 25. 4.15. age 40.

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

Buried Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli.

Photo credit B. Hamill