Author: Andrew Taylor

WEST Sussex Fire and Rescue has issued a reminder asking  people to check up on their elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours after a spate of home fires across the county.

Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex, Sean Ruth, said: “We  do a great deal of work to prevent fires before they start, and working with the public to help protect some of our older and more vulnerable residents is a big part of that.

“Social and physical isolation can mean people who are most at risk from fire may not have such easy access to our services, and may need someone to advocate on their behalf.

“Our Home Fire Safety Checks are free, as are the smoke detectors we fit including the more specialist equipment that is available for those who may have difficulty responding to a standard smoke alarm. We prioritise those who are over 65 and living alone or those with disabilities. The small action of recommending a Home Fire Safety Check from us could help save a life.”

So remember:

Smoke alarms save lives. Install one on each level of your home and test them on a weekly basis.

More than half the fires attended by the fire service start in the kitchen so take extra care when cooking.

Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires. Extinguish cigarettes carefully and never smoke in bed.

Unplug appliances when not in use – leaving electrical appliances on overnight or when you are out increases the risk of fire.

Don’t put anything on heaters or use them to dry clothes.

REMEMBER – in the event of a fire:

Get out

Stay out

Phone 999

POLICE have launched Operation Signature to tackle mail fraudsters after finding more than 400 elderly people across Sussex have been scammed out of £2million.

Most were over 80 and many did not realise they had fallen victim to fraud.

Criminals worldwide, who send millions of scam letters into the UK targeting vulnerable members of our communities, netted an estimated £3.5 billion pounds last year.

Until now very little has been done done to identify and support  victims – which is why West Sussex Police have launched Operation Signature.

For many vulnerable people, the bombardment of scam mail results in fear, severe financial difficulties and ultimately a decline in both physical and mental health.

And chronic victims of scam mail can find themselves hounded by numerous criminal organisations. After replying to the first ‘tempter’ letter, victim’s names and addresses are put on target lists which may then be sold on to other criminal organisations.

Scam mail victims are

• almost always elderly, often over the age of 80
• often lonely, socially isolated and recently bereaved
• in receipt of unusually high quantities of mail
• secretive about their mail and finances
• living in clutter
• hiding mail around the house
• denying there is a problem with scams despite evidence to the contrary
• in possession of cheap looking goods, products including, health products & toiletries,   trinkets, charms and foodstuffs.
• reluctant to involve family members in their situation
• getting through cheque books unusually quickly
• regularly visiting the post office and / or keeping lots of stamps

If you recognise these signs and have concerns about anyone you know, please contact Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk

ASHPLATS Conservation Group will be meeting at East Court Pavilion at 9.45am on 11 May.

This month the woodland volunteers will be carrying out a survey of the trees in Ashplats Wood.

Everyone is welcome to join the group who meet regularly on the second Sunday each month for some fresh air and healthy exercise.

No special skills are needed.

Accompanied children are more than welcome.

Wear old clothes and bring a drink and some lunch.

* For more information visit www.ashplats.org, ring Chris Nunn on 01342 311198, or just turn up on Sunday 11 May 2013, 9.45am-3pm

CHEQUER Mead manager Pete Jenkins is appealing for anyone with First World War memorabilia to take part in an exhibition which will be mounted at the theatre later in the year.

Pete particularly wants anyone with photographs of relatives who fought in WW1 to tell their story and have a photograph taken with the memorabilia by Hamilton Studios. The photographs will then be displayed at the theatre to commemorate the outbreak of the war in 1914.

The theatre is also appealing to the town’s ten to 18-year-olds to submit war-related artwork which will form part of the anniversary exhibition.

THE East Grinstead Stoolball Club is looking for new members.

The team plays on Mondays and Wednesdays, home games are played at East Court and away games as far as Ditchling.

Stoolball originated in Sussex and dates back to at least the 15th century.

It resembles  cricket, baseball and rounders and was traditionally played by milkmaids who used their milking stools as a wicket.

The game’s popularity has faded since the 1960s, but is still played at a local league level in the Home Counties and the Midlands.

The National Stoolball Association was formed in 1979 to promote and expand stoolball and the game was officially recognised as a sport by the Sports Council in 2008.

The Association changed its name to Stoolball England in 2010  and was recognised as the National Governing Body  in 2011.

Teams can be ladies only or mixed.

For more information telephone Ann Fraser on 0787 946 1252 or email her at ann.fraser@outlook.com.

THE Town museum which is currently playing host to a free exhibition on The Bluebell Railway, has a selection of souvenirs, books and postcards featuring the town and its long history.

COMING SOON: For King and Country – an exhibition to commemorate the outbreak of WWI, starting on 23 July and running until January 2015.

For more information contact the box office on 01342 302000 or see www.chequermead.org.uk

1 May: Dominic Kirwin on his 25th Anniversary Tour at 8pm

ONE of the most dynamic and best-loved entertainers that Ireland has ever produced takes to the road with the rich musical heritage of his homeland in a brand new show.

Join Dominic for an evening of fabulous live music, with a look back at some of his greatest hits and best-loved songs.

Tickets: £18.50/concessions £16.50

2 May: Queen Tribute band The Bohemians at 7.30pm

INTERNATIONALLY renowned Queen Tribute band The Bohemians return with a new tour, new costumes, new production, and a new set to recreate the decade that taste forgot.

The show reprises Queen’s Greatest Live Performances with the same style and pomp as fans expected of Queen’s magnificent live shows.

Tickets: £17.50/concessions £16.50

Saturdays in May: East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival

EGMA Dancing Section, adjudicated by Jill Baldock, LIDTA, ARAD.

For more information and times, please contact EGMAF directly or visit their website.

This is a youth production.

Performances: Every Saturday at 10am

No ticket information is currently available.

Sunday 4 May: EGMAF Speech and Drama at 10am

EAST Grinstead Music and Arts Festival Speech and Drama Section, adjudicated by Louise Manders LLAM ALAM GODA.

For more information and times, please contact EGMAF directly or visit their website.

This is a youth production.

No ticket information is currently available.

8 May: Ben Hart in The Outsider at 7.30pm
AWARD winning magician Ben Hart turns his attention to himself in an amazing show of skill and dexterity which combines magic with his need for a cup of tea and a cuddle.

Nominated for a Time Out & Soho Theatre Edinburgh Cabaret Award.

Tickets: £13/concessions £11

10/11 May: EGMAF Speech and Drama

ADJUDICATED by Keith Ralph LLAM.

15 May: The Reflections in Concert at 7.30pm

FIVE world class musicians, singers and songwriters – after years of touring and recording with some of the most iconic bands in the world – come to Chequer Mead with a great new show highlighting some of the best British Rock and Pop music of a generation.

Featuring special guest Mick Wilson – lead singer with 10cc – this band of current and former musicians with The Moody Blues, The Hollies, Cliff Richard, The Manfreds and The War of the Worlds, perform the hits which formed the soundtrack to a generation.

Tickets: £18/ concessions £16

20 May: The Carpenters Story at 8pm

CLAIRE Furley’s uncanny representation of Karen Carpenter brings back memories of pop’s most melodic duo. Featuring all the songs that made the Carpenters a legend in the world of music including They Long to Be Close to you, We’ve Only Just Begun, Please Mr Postman, Top of the World and many more…

Tickets: £20/ concessions £18.50

21 May: The Rite of Spring / Romeo and Juliet at 7.30pm

THE Rite of Spring / Romeo and Juliet combines twin tales of slaughtered innocence.

Stravinsky’s depiction of a young virgin chosen for the Dance of Death mirrors the hatred between Shakespeare’s Montagues and Capulets, whose children are fated to die in the ancient blood feud of their families. Performed in four-hand piano and commedia half-mask, the stories interweave passion, rage and despair before their dizzying climax of sacrifice.

This production by Concert Theatre, a young company which combines live classical music and theatre, brings together pianists from the Royal Academy of Music, Lecoq-trained performers and mask specialists Trestle Theatre.

Tickets: £13/ pensioners £11/ children and students £8

22 May: The Rollin Clones at 7.30pm

NO-ONE recaptures the originals’ edginess, masterly musicianship and charisma on the tribute circuit better than this strutting, trout-pouting troupe of Stone-cloners.

Tickets: £12

27 May: ‘Medium’ Derek Acorah at 8pm

Tickets: £17.50/concessions £16

28 May: King Silly and Friends – 2.30pm

KING Silly and Friends perform the greatest show on Earth. Well – the greatest show in the Kingdom of Silly anyway! The finest family-friendly acrobats, magicians, jugglers, dance crews, jesters, mime artists and puppeteers are gathering at the palace grounds to entertain King Silly – and as luck would have it everyone else is invited along too.

This fast-paced extravaganza is jam-packed with magic, mayhem, music and mischief suitable for all ages from tiny tots upwards.

Tickets £8/ concessions £7/family ticket (two adults, two children) £25

30 May: Grin and Bare it 2 at 8pm

GRIN and Bare It returns to Chequer Mead to showcase the best of the comic talent currently on the open mic circuit.

The performers include musical comedian Cecilia Delatori, Funny Woman of the Year Finalist Katie Lane and comic/magician Kyle Wallace, hosted by Stevenage’s funniest man, Steve Adams.

Tickets: £8

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, will be in East Grinstead next Tuesday (29 April) to speak with residents and local businesses about their views on local policing and crime.

Please come along and have a chat with your PCC. She will be between the library and Martell’s, Queens Walk from 3.30pm, weather permitting. However, should it rain she shall be in the foyer of the library so please still feel free to come down and say hello.

Ms. Bourne has said “I am delighted to be visiting East Grinstead next week. Having lived in the area growing up I am looking forward to coming back in my role as PCC.

The ethos of my role embodies the spirit of localism and, for the first time ever, really gives people in Sussex the opportunity to set priorities for local policing.

In my first 18 months in office I have been overwhelmed by the public enthusiasm in regards to matters of policing and crime in Sussex. It has been reassuring to see that people do care so much about their local community and are willing to work together to make it safer and an enjoyable place to live.”

This will also be a great opportunity to ask the PCC about her role and responsibility representing members of Sussex. If you are unable to join but have an issue you would like to raise please feel free to contact the PCC at info@sussex-pcc.gov.uk

WORK is now underway on the restoration of a Filipino school destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, thanks to the generosity of East Grinstead people who responded to fundraisers in the wake of last November’s disaster.

These included a Flame of Hope concert at Chequer Mead supported by the theatre and the Town Council, a charity event at the Tarana restaurant in Lingfield and donations from Our Lady and St Peter’s Catholic church, which numbers many Filipinos amongst its congregation.

It will take two months to complete building work on the Jaro 1 Central School in Leyte, which also needs desks, chairs, blackboards and other supplies to replace those lost in the typhoon which caused widespread destruction and loss of life across the islands.

Speaking on behalf of East Grinstead’s Filipino residents, Cllr Danny Favor said “It is our aim to personally oversee this project to ensure its effective implementation and success.

“Our representatives will closely monitor the project and keep everyone updated with its progress and outcome. The entire Filipino Community gives sincerest and endless thanks for all the kindness and generous support it has received in recent months, most especially to Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre, East Grinstead Town Council and all the wonderful people of East Grinstead and others who made this project possible.”

Money raised by the town has also been spent on replacing fishing boats lost in the disaster.

The Care Bill – a new world for social care?
10am – 12.30pm Friday 25 April 2014
Clair Hall Haywards Heath RH16 3DN

You are cordially invited to our AGM to hear what Mid Sussex Older People’s Council has been doing for you over the last year, and what it plans to do this year and next. Find out about the MSOPC volunteering opportunities.

Listen to what our Guest Speaker, Amanda Rogers, Director ofAdults Services, West Sussex County Council, has to say about the implications of the Care Bill, and ask questions. In addition, there will be presentations by the local Fire Service and Police. Over a cuppa, talk to these and other representatives of essential services.

Contact anita@msopc.org.uk, ring the helpline answerphone 01444 242760, or visit www.msopc.org.uk if you would like more information or would like to come along, but need help getting there.