Author: Andrew Taylor

THERE will be temporary road closures in the town centre on Sunday 26 April for the annual St George’s Day Parade.

THE hugely popular Bus Running Day is back on 12 April.

It’s an amazing sight to see the streets full of the old buses, running along their historic routes around the town and out to the surrounding villages, and a great day out for all the family.

And what’s more, it’s all absolutely free – just buy a timetable, and if you play your cards carefully you can spend the entire day hopping on and off buses along different routes, which will all eventually deliver you safely back to the High Street.

Organiser Alan Charman said: “The highlight this year is the 50th anniversary of the experimental Fleetline Class (XF) that spent their life at East Grinstead on the 424 to Reigate route.

“Two have survived – XF1 and XF3 – and both will be in East Grinstead, plus the London Transport Museum is turning out the one and only rear entrance Routemaster FRM1 for the day, so we will have a rear engine 1965 transport fest.”

A crew supplied by the Town Council helped a homeless family take their salvaged possessions into storage at Martells yesterday after a family friend alerted the Council to their plight.

The family – a mother, grandmother, three children and their pet dog Alfie – were all asleep at their Lingfield Road home when the their tumble-dryer caught fire in the early hours of the morning two weeks ago. They escaped with their lives, thanks to a smoke alarm, but their ground floor possessions were all destroyed in the blaze.
The family, which includes a disabled child, was already on a financial knife-edge, and this latest blow has made their lives almost impossible, said a family friend, Amanda Clark.

An appeal has raised almost £1,000 for the family, but yesterday Amanda contacted the Council needing some practical help to clear what could be saved from the family’s rented property and get it into storage at Martells, who have offered to keep it free for a month.

A woman in Ashurst Wood has also offered storage, and Purple Pets at Newchapel has offered to equip Alfie, with a new bed, food, bowls and toys.

*To make a donation go to http://www.gofundme.com/o315mo

To celebrate Volunteers Week (June 1 to 7 June), Mid Sussex District Council will be holding its second Young Volunteer Awards.

 

Many young people give up their time and effort to make Mid Sussex a better place, and the Council would like to recognise their work. The aim of the Mid Sussex Young Volunteer of the Year Awards is to give these outstanding young individuals their moment in the spotlight.

So, if you know a young person (aged from 11 to 18 years) devoted to helping others, the community or has made an exceptional achievement, why not nominate them for an award?

There are three categories:

1. Young Community Volunteer – recognising those young people who have made a difference in their local community
2. Young Mentor – (young people who have supported other young people, through education, campaigning or helping another overcome a difficult situation or personal problem)
3. Young Achiever – against all the odds, someone who has overcome significant obstacles and made a positive difference to their own lives or to others

Don’t let the efforts of some of these exceptional young people go unnoticed. Simply fill out the nomination form, return it to us, and help reward some brilliant Mid Sussex young volunteers.

Please think about any young person that has done something positive in your local community or what volunteer work has been done by a young person that has improved the area or lifestyles of others?

All shortlisted young people will receive a Certificate and be invited to the award ceremony on Monday 1st June at Wakehurst Mansion, Wakehurst Place at 4pm when the award winners will be announced.  The awards will be presented by the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council.

 

The Deadline for receipt of nominations is 11 May 2015.

 

For further information and to obtain a nomination form, visit Mid Sussex District Council’s website http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/youthvolunteerawards or telephone 01444 477518/01444 477057

As poll cards for the coming elections begin to be delivered across the district, Mid Sussex District Council urges residents to make sure they are registered to vote.

Last year the system used for voter registration in England and Wales changed to a system of Individual Electoral Registration. If you needed to do anything you would have received a letter requesting additional information to complete your individual registration.

Have you moved home? Maybe you are recently married or divorced? Or have you turned 18 and this will be your first election? All of these changes in your circumstances will require you to update your registration before you can vote.

If you do not receive a polling card in the next few weeks it is worth taking time to check you are on the register, because on polling day it will be too late. Registration is required by law and not registering can cause problems if you need to open a bank account, arrange a loan, some credit, or a mortgage. Registration for elections taking place on 7th May will end on the 20th of April 2015.

To check whether your name is on the register, or if you have any queries, contact the Electoral Services team on elections@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477003. To update your details using the simple online registration form visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You will need to supply personal details, including your National Insurance number.

AS a family left homeless by a tumble dryer fire try to rebuild their lives, they are appealing to the town for some practical help to move their belongings and find a new home..

The family – a mother, grandmother, three children, one of whom is disabled, and their pet – were alerted to the tumble-dryer fire in the early hours of the morning, but although they escaped with their lives, all their uninsured possessions on the ground floor were destroyed in the blaze.

Amanda Clark, a family friend who is trying to help them find a new home, said:

The family needs more storage space. Martells have provided free storage for one month, but it’s not big enough to hold everything – and it will likely take longer than one month for a house to be provided.

Tomorrow: They need people with cars/vans to help move things from the house on Lingfield Road into storage as the landlord wants everything out by the end of Wednesday night.

By Thursday at 5pm: we need a temporary home for Alfie the dog – he’s a beautiful Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is up to date on his jabs. He lives well with teenagers and adults, but is probably too bouncy and energetic for young children/babies or older people. He does not like cats!

As soon as possible: They need a house. The family have been moved from band D to band B and are awaiting housing. They are staying with a friend at the moment, but it is cramped. The youngest son attends Manor Green School in Crawley, due to learning difficulties as a result of a brain tumour, so they need to stay within the area.

If anyone can help with any of these requests, please contact Amanda’s email alpc.campaign@gmail.com