Author: Andrew Taylor

SUSSEX Police have reported the theft of several items of tack from a stable yard and caravan at Stroods Farm in Hassocks sometime between 7pm on Sunday 25 January and 7am Monday 26 January.

The stolen items are:

• 1 Albion legend 5000 leather saddle
• 4 trackright bridles
• 2 hunting breast plates
• 10 – 15 head collars
• 2 leather girths
• 2 material girths
• Lunging roller
• Leather side reins
• Lead ropes

If you are offered any of the above items for sale, or have any information regarding this incident, please contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 0167 of  26/01/15.

BRAMBLETYE teacher Dave Holden, whose pupils’ work is currently being exhibited at Chequer Mead’s Gallery, has written to the theatre to say how impressed he is with the new look in the foyer.

Thanking manager Pete Jenkins and the staff for their help, he wrote: “The foyer and bar area look stunning and help create an inviting West End feel to the venue. It looks polished and highly professional, and the new look certainly made a huge impression on the many parents who attended our private viewing last night.

“The Art gallery itself is also a fantastic facility and is a great showcase for East Grinstead town.

“Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to all your staff for re-vamping and giving the theatre a much needed uplift.”

TWO sessions for Councillors and Town Council staff, and another for 25 members of the public at East Court yesterday, saw East Grinstead take its first steps towards becoming a “dementia friendly” town.

Organised by Jacquie Pond of the charity Dementia Friends , the sessions explained how dementia affects sufferers and those who care for them – and how members of the Council and public can help them manage their illness.
Anyone can be a dementia friend – it just means understanding a bit more about how the illness affects people and doing the small things which can to help them cope with their condition.

People suffering from dementia still want to be part of their community and to feel included, and sometimes all it needs is for someone to give them a bit more time at a check-out, or help them to find the right bus to take home.

Being a good neighbour, being a friend in need, can make a world of difference to people with dementia and those who care for them.

It’s not about fundraising, or volunteering to do anything out of the ordinary – it’s about understanding the problem, and being kind enough to care about it.

To find out more go to https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/

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):

William Frederick Coppard:

Private L10386, 2nd Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment. Ist Division.

Died of wounds 28 January, 1915. Grave lost. Aged 22.

Son of Mrs Mary Warburton of St Andrews Cottage Laundry, Ashurstwood.

Born in West Hoathly and enlisted in Horsham.

Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial MR 22.

Lewis Victor Gasson: 

Private G/1499, 2nd Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment. Ist Division.

Killed in action at Givenchy, 30 January, 1915. Aged 24.

Son of Clement and Esther Gasson of 161 London Road, East Grinstead.

Born in Crowhurst and enlisted in Chichester.

Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial MR 22.

Photo credit B. Hamill

DOG owners in the Copthorne area being warned to ensure their pets are under proper control at all times and to make sure their fencing at home is in good order following two recent reports of sheep worrying.

The incidents occurred on Tuesday, 13 January and Monday, 19 January, at Woodman’s Farm, Copthorne. Two sheep were left badly mauled, and one has since had to be destroyed.

A large, dark-coloured dog is believed to have been involved, as clumps of its fur were left behind.

Farmers have the right to shoot dead any dog posing an immediate threat to their livestock if it seems reasonable to do so.

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act it is a criminal offence to let a dog worry sheep and owners/handlers risk a fine of up to £1,000 if they do so.

Anyone who has information about either sheep worrying incident is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 881 of 19/1.

THE Mayor’s Ball will take place at the East Grinstead Sport’s Club on 18 April 2015.

The price will be £40 a head which will include a three course meal and entertainment.

Put the date in your diary NOW.

We don’t want any disappointed people.

People will be seated at tables for ten, so i f you can get a party together, all the better.

Ticket can be booked at East Court, telephone 01342 323636 for details.

Imberhorne Lane	East Grinstead	Install ducting.	Multi-Way Signals.	19-Jan-2015	30-Jan-2015	Vodafone
Imberhorne Way	East Grinstead	Install ducting (from Imberhorne Lane to outside No. 2-3 Imberhorne Way).	Multi-Way Signals.	19-Jan-2015	30-Jan-2015	Vodafone
London Road	East Grinstead	Replace cover and frame in carriageway.	Stop/Go Boards.	16-Jan-2015	20-Jan-2015	Southern Water
London Road	East Grinstead	In conjunction with works further along on London Road and Copthorne Road.	Multi-Way Signals.	26-Jan-2015	06-Feb-2015	Vodafone
London Road	East Grinstead	Gas main abandonment.	Multi-Way Signals.	19-Jan-2015	27-Feb-2015	Southern Gas Networks
West Street	East Grinstead	Water main works.	Multi-Way Signals.	14-Jan-2015	16-Jan-2015	South East Water

The District Council are considering the result of the public consultation (a large amount from East Grinstead residents) and next steps of the process to determine where sites will be allocated in Mid Sussex. The timeframe is expected to submit to the Government by November 2015. The following link takes you to the report to the 20th January MSDC Scrutiny Committee:

http://mid-sussex.cmis.uk.com/mid-sussex/MeetingsCalendar/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/1326/Committee/50/Default.aspx

East Grinstead Town Council has objected to the site on Imberhorne Lane as unsuitable.

TOWN Mayor Nick Hodges presented a cheque for £200 to Christine Mainstone, the chairman of the East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival, in the Council Chamber on Tuesday.

The grant will help in the purchase of banners to advertise the annual Festival which will be held at Chequer Mead during April and May.

“The East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival is a very important and well-attended event in the South East of England,” said Christine. “We are pleased to have support from the Town Council to help us promote the Festival and my thanks go to Cllr Nick Hodges for attending our committee meeting and making the presentation of the grant.”

Photo, courtesy of Bob Mainstone, shows members of the EGMAF committee.