Author: Andrew Taylor

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL elected a new Town Mayor for 2014/15 last night at the Annual Council Meeting.

CLLR Nick Hodges received the chain and signed the declaration of office from the outgoing Town Mayor Cllr Margaret Belsey, at the meeting at East Court.  In accepting the role for the next year Cllr Hodges introduced his two charities The East Grinstead Museum and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).  The Town Mayor said “One local and one lesser known charity, but both are deserving and I look forward to raising their profile and hopefully some much-needed money over the next year”

In his acceptance speech Cllr Hodges outlined his admiration for the diligent way that the outgoing Town Mayor had undertaken her duties and highlighted the need for a good support system in her close family, which was recognized in gifts from the Councillors for both Margaret and her consort Edward.  The Town Mayor then said how he looked forward to his own family – Mayoress Lucy and daughter Olivia – helping him to discharge his duties.

Cllr Hodges first duty as Town Mayor will be attending the East Grinstead Meridian Rotary Club on Wednesday night: he has been invited to be an honorary member for the duration of his year in office.

EAST GRINSTEAD Town Mayor 2013/14 last night announced a provisional total of £15,000 raised for the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Unit in East Grinstead, her official charity.

CLLR Margaret Belsey chose the charity as she wanted to make the pledge that “no one should face Cancer alone” a reality in East Grinstead.  It has been agreed that a large portion of the money raised will be spent on the Macmillan service that is based at the Queen Victoria Hospital.

The former Town Mayor (who handed the Chain of office for 2014/15 over to Cllr Nick Hodges at the Meeting) said “I am delighted with this amount, the supporters of my events have been very generous, it is a charity that has so many demands placed on it and every penny matters.  It has been hard work but I have enjoyed it and seeing this total is so worthwhile”.

Events organised have included quiz nights, a Christmas bazaar, raffles, auctions and a James Bond-themed Casino and Ball.  One final event  –  a race night –  had to be moved from its planned date and is to take place on May 27^th in Meridian Hall.  Cllr Mrs Belsey thanked the incoming Town Mayor for allowing her to hold the event during his year of office.

Cllr Nick Hodges, Town Mayor 2014/15, has chosen The East Grinstead Museum and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) as his Charities for the year.

The Spotlight Programme is intended to put Mid Sussex District Council in closer touch with diverse sectors of the community across Mid Sussex.  Each year, the Council aims to ‘spotlight’ particular parts of the community that may need additional help.

As part of its Spotlight Programme for 2014/2015, the Council will be awarding small grants to voluntary organisations working to improve the quality of life for Mid Sussex communities – the theme will be “Commonwealth Games Legacy Events.”

To celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Council is inviting voluntary/community organisations to apply for grants for projects or events that will deliver a legacy of wellbeing beyond the Commonwealth Games.  Grants will be made available to organisations for one-off eligible inspirational projects that aim to improve the quality of life through sport, physical activities or cultural events.  Grants are usually up to £500 and the deadline for receipt of applications is 31st July 2014.

If your organisation is planning a one-off event, or need an item of equipment, but lack the funding to do this and need some additional help – contact Mid Sussex District Council.

Grant applications will be considered in September 2014, and the deadline to receive applications is Thursday 31^st July. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their project will meet the Council’s priorities as well as detailing how their project will encourage more people to take part in physical or cultural activities.  (Note: grants will not be awarded retrospectively).

For an application form and guidance on the application process, go to the Mid Sussex District Council’s website www.midsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01444 477495.

THE Town Council’s Katrina Hamill was on a family holiday in the Philippines when the organisers of the disaster relief charity Peter Project asked if she would like to attend the official hand-over of fishing boats paid for by East Grinstead in the wake of last November’s Typhoon Haiyan.

The town raised thousands of pounds for the devastated islands at a variety of events including a Flame of Hope concert at Chequer Mead theatre supported by the Trust and the Town Council, and a charity night at the Tarana restaurant in Lingfield, plus donations from Our Lady and St Peter’s Catholic church which numbers many Filipinos amongst its congregation. A further £750 was raised at a music festival held at Sackville school.

“It was so touching to be there in person,” said Katrina. “I got to meet all the recipients, who were very tearful at the town’s generosity, and to hear the stories about how Haiyan had affected their lives.”

Katrina said she was impressed by the organisation of the Peter Project which will take a continuing interest in the boats and their owners, and also by the fact that by donating fishing boats East Grinstead has made a real investment in the whole community.

“These boats have restored their livelihoods, and will sustain them and their families long into the future.”

But Katrina says she felt a little guilty at finding herself the recipient of such overwhelming gratitude on the part of the fishing community.

“I had to keep explaining that the new boats were a gift from the whole of East Grinstead and I was just representing the town because I happened to be there visiting my family.”

But the occasion has left Katrina with happy memories of a uniquely special and heart-warming holiday.

* The other half of the money raised by East Grinstead is being spent on the restoration of a school destroyed in the typhoon disaster which left swathes of death and destruction in its wake. Restoration work has started and we will keep you updated on progress.

Local residents can now find out who will be standing in the South East region of the European Parliamentary Elections on Thursday 22 May 2014.

In total, seventy-three MEPs are to be elected to the 12 electoral regions in the UK. Mid Sussex is part of the South East region, which is represented on the European Parliament by 10 Members.

The nomination period for prospective candidates has now closed and The Regional Returning Officer has confirmed that 15 political parties have put forward candidates to stand for election in the South East region.

The full list of nominees is available online at http://www.southampton.gov.uk/EuropeanParliamentaryElections/candidates%20and%20agents.aspx

If you have any questions regarding your registration or the electoral process please contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Registration Office on 01444 477003 or email elections@midsussex.gov.uk.

MID Sussex District Council is inviting the town’s voluntary and community organisations to apply for grants for projects or events that will deliver a legacy of wellbeing beyond the Commonwealth Games.

Grants will be made available to organisations for one-off eligible inspirational projects that aim to improve the quality of life through sport, physical activities or cultural events. Grants are usually up to £500 and the deadline for receipt of applications is 31 July 2014.

TOWN Mayor Margaret Belsey’s Casino Royale themed charity dinner, held at the Felbridge Hotel on 26 April, raised more than £5,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Support Centre, East Grinstead.

TODAY sees the official launch of the town’s first ever digital online news site for, by and about the people of East Grinstead.

East Grinstead Online is the latest example in a growing trend for hyperlocal news sites which target and promote the communities they serve.

The venture is the initiative of East Grinstead journalist and author Geraldine Durrant, who has worked on all three of the town’s newspapers in the past and is also responsible for the Town Council’s PR.

“I have felt for a long time that our digital online presence as a town is confused and confusing, not least because many of the town’s websites are dusty and seldom updated.

“What I hope to do with East Grinstead Online is to provide a one-stop shop for the town’s news and events where we can showcase our businesses, promote our town and publicise our talents as a community.”

“But this isn’t something I can do alone. The only way that a hyperlocal is going to succeed is if the community it serves gets behind it and contributes towards it.

“We will be providing top quality content, regular news updates and features, and we have some exciting ideas for the future.  Amazingly we have already been discovered ahead of launch day by readers in Spain, Germany, Canada, Dubai, America and Nova Scotia.

“So check us out at eastgrinsteadonline.com – and let us have your ideas for our new community venture.”

Town MP backs new venture

EAST Grinstead MP Nicholas Soames has sent a message of personal congratulations to the team behind today’s official launch of East Grinstead Online in which he spoke of his great enthusiasm for the project.

In a separate statement applauding the arrival of the town’s first-ever digital news site for, by and about the people of East Grinstead, Mr Soames said:

“I warmly welcome this tremendous initiative to bring immediate local news of community events and services from across the town.  It will become a very important community service and provide valuable local information to East Grinstead residents.

“I think this is a magnificent initiative and I am quite sure that it will be a great success.”