Author: Andrew Taylor

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.

Location: The Meads School (Dunnings Road)
Hours: Part-time, term-time
Salary: £6.84 – £7.19 per hour
Closing Date: (ongoing)

School Crossing Patrols provide a vital service to the children of West Sussex by assisting them to cross the road safely on their way to and from school.

At 130 sites in West Sussex, School Crossing Patrols are employed at the start and finish of each school day. Although exact times vary from site to site, the commitment is usually 30-40 minutes each morning and afternoon.

The rate of pay is £6.84 per hour rising to £7.19 per hour by annual increments and of course you only work in term-time (38 weeks per year). In addition, you get full pay for 5 weeks holiday plus public holidays. Your salary will be spread equally over 12 months, so you get paid the same each month, even over the summer holiday and half-terms! There is no upper age limit and we do have several patrol people well into their seventies! Uniform and training are provided.

As the role involves working with children, a ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check( previously ‘Criminal Records Bureau’ check) will of course need to be undertaken.

For further information and an application form, please contact Julie Finn at West Sussex County Council on 03302 226713 or email to julie.finn@westsussex.gov.uk

CLLR Frank Osborne, the chairman of the Town Council’s Amenities and Tourism committee, has asked the public to be on the alert after several instances where plants around the town have been stolen and flowers vandalised.

Young plants have been taken from a newly planted area close by the public toilets in East Court’s award-winning gardens, and three planters by the fire station were also vandalised less than a week after they were planted up.

“Someone actually saw children dragging up the plants but when he approached the mother and asked her to stop them, she took no notice,” said a Council spokesman.

The town’s outside staff have also reported gaps in among a group of young rhododendrons planted on District Council land in Tanyard Way.

“The Town Council spends public money to keep East Grinstead looking beautiful over the summer months, and our outdoor staff take a great deal of pride in the work they do, which gives pleasure to our residents and our visitors.

“But we may have to reconsider the displays if the planters are not respected, and so would ask everyone to be on the alert and to report any instances of theft or vandalism to the police.”