Author: Andrew Taylor

THE museum’s current exhibition 150 years of Cottage Hospitals in East Grinstead ends this month.

Entry is free.

THERE are no exhibitions scheduled for the Chequer Mead gallery in January.

Norwell Lapley Productions presents magician Paul Daniels in The First Farewell Tour From Legend to Leg End on Friday 24 January at 7.30pm

FROM the moment Paul Daniels burst on to TV, his magic shows topped the ratings.  A true legend, Paul’s brand new show will feature a selection of his favourite magic and a number of new tricks never performed in public before.

Brian Shaw Concerts presents Marty Wilde on Thursday 30 January at 8pm

A chance to see live on stage one of the only performing Rock’n’Roll pioneers in the world today. Marty began his career in 1957 and was one of the first British singers to play a leading part in those ground-breaking years.

With his many hits and a host of wonderful songs from the era, Marty and his band The Wildcats recreate some of the most exciting musical times this country has ever experienced.

The Jive Aces – Friday 31 January at 7.30pm

RENOWNED for their swinging music and high-energy stage show, The Jive Aces play songs made famous by such greats as Bobby Darin, Louis Prima and Sammy Davis Jnr as well as a selection of originals.

THIS year proved that audiences – quite literally – can’t get enough of the Company of Friends’ pantos at Chequer Mead.

With sales soaring, the sky-high demand for tickets to see this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk demanded an unscheduled 17^th performance to accommodate the Friends’ ever-widening fan base.

But their commitment to Christmas – surely unparalleled for an amateur cast? – delivered yet another great show with a marvellous cast, great scenery and a tap-dancing cow…

Panto simply doesn’t come better then this.

Dylan Holdsworth was a perfect Jack.

Endearingly boyish, charming and handsome, Dylan was the very embodiment of a fairy tale hero. And with a voice to match his blond good looks, the little girls in the audience – and indeed their mothers – were quickly won over.

Skye Tupholme gave a winsome performance as his leading lady and brought a refreshing touch of the hoyden to her Jill.

Presiding over the madness which is panto was Michael Spencer, back again this year as the Dame.

I have seen Michael’s previous incarnations as Professor Higgins, Bill Sykes and Bob Cratchet and marvellous he was as all of them.

But there is something about his Dame  – Trott in this instance – which is simply irresistible.

Blessed with a  grin which is the cheekiest ever seen on stage, his knowing jokes, flirtatious interplay and audience participation routines had parents, grandparents and children eating out of his hand…even when he wasn’t throwing sweets at them.

Ashley Wolfendale’s Silly Billy lived up to his billing with a lovely turn as Jack’s simple sibling, while Antony Worssam brought a real frisson of terror to his villainous Fleshcreep, ably assisted by his sidekick Spinetingle, played by John Barnett.

Phil World  – often the panto baddie – was back playing an endearing King Crumble this year, and Jill Redford gave a sparkling performance as Fairy Moonbeam whose magical machinations brought everything to a very satisfying conclusion after the terrors of the plot.

Mike McMahon’s Voice of the Giant certainly terrified the small girl sitting behind me – which in theatrical terms is A Good Thing – not least because, when it comes to giants, imagination is far more potent than an actual appearance by the villain of the piece.

And a special word of praise must go to Gilly Mill and Phoebe Lowy who together made a marvellously mobile cow. It was lovely stuff, and although the same little audience member did remark after their tap dance “I TOLD you there were people in there” it in no way detracted from their overall credibility in a pivotal role.

As always the supporting cast of singers and dancers deserve praise for some lovely routines and a particularly effective – and scary – dance with Jack in the Giant’s wood – as does Stanley Tuesley who made a very endearing Golden Goose.

This was classic Christmas fare, beautifully delivered by a Company whose affection for each other and whose dedication to their loyal audiences made this year’s pantomime something really rather special.

Again.

Geraldine Durrant

THERE has been a sudden rise in a particular crime type where fraudsters are targeting the more vulnerable by telephone.

The fraudster will call the intended victim claiming to be from either the Police or a Bank. They will tell them that their card details have been fraudulently used and that they need to act urgently to protect themselves. They suggest that they hang up and ring the bank/ police back to ensure that the call is genuine. Don’t be fooled – they stay on the line and pretend to be the police or the bank. They then tell the intended victim to key in or read out their PIN number.

They will then send a taxi or courier to collect the bank card. With this and the PIN they will then have full access to spend the victims money.

We are aware that the fraudsters have targeted residents in Crawley and Mid Sussex in the last 24 hours, but urge all residents of East and West Sussex to be on their guard.

Ch Insp Beeken of Sussex Police stated: “Under no circumstances would the police or your bank request your pin number over the telephone or arrange collection of your bank cards from your home address in this manner, I advise all members of the public to never give out your bank details to someone who has contacted you on your home phone unsolicited. If you have any suspicions please do not use the phone you have just been called on to contact the police or your bank. If possible use another phone to contact the police to report it, or to contact a friend to relative to alert them.

I urge anyone reading or hearing this message to pass it on to any friends and relatives who may not be aware of this particular type of targeted fraud, to prevent any vulnerable friends or family members from becoming victims.

I urge anyone with any information to contact Sussex Police, whether you have received similar calls or know someone who has been a victim of this crime please contact Sussex Police quoting Op Galvani, e mail 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or dial 101 or 999 if appropriate, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

CONSULTATION on the possible withdrawal of the East Grinstead Town Council annual £3.30 discount on Senior Citizen Railcards from April 2014.

The consultation has now finished.

Why is this proposed?

The Council have provided a subsidy of £3.30 for a number of years. This is paid for out of the council tax precept, approximately £2,200 per year. From April 2014 the administration of the rail passes will change and the town council will no longer issue these. They will be issued directly by ATOC the administration company. ATOC currently give a discount of 15% to all Mid Sussex District Residents who are eligible for the card. This discount is worth £4.50. East Grinstead residents currently receive an additional £3.30 on top of this making their total discount £7.80.

Mid Sussex District have been offered an increased discount of 20% if the Town Council removes its discount. This will apply to all Mid Sussex eligible residents. This new discount will make the total discount £6. East Grinstead residents will therefore have to pay an additional £1.80 per year for their rail card. However the Town Council will no longer be paying this from the Council Tax precept.

How many people are affected and by how much?

Currently around 620 passes are bought by eligible residents each year. The passes cost £22.20 for the year after the discount and allow the user to have 1/3 off rail tickets for travel after 9.00am. The changes will mean that the pass costs £24.00, but they will still get the 1/3 discount off the rail fare for the whole year. If the subsidy is removed the £2200 budget can be put in to other projects that could benefit all East Grinstead residents. There will also be some administrative saving as the Council will not have to process the subsidy payments to ATOC.

What happens next?

The Council are considering withdrawing the subsidy from April 2014. If you wish to make a comment on this proposal you may write to the Town Clerk at East Grinstead Town Council, East Court, East Grinstead, RH19 3LT. or email townclerk@eastgrinstead.gov.uk. Please ensure that your email has the subject “Rail Card Subsidy”. Representations must be received by 20th January 2014.

The consultation has now finished.

JULIAN Spencer and a team of fellow musicians played a live concert for the staff and members of the town’s Saturday Dementia Respite Club of Age UK at Swan Mead on December 14.

The Christmas get-together was also attended by carers and family members who enjoyed the entertainment and ended up singing and dancing with the live music.

Cllr Danny Favor, who helped to organise the event, has also received a cheque on behalf of the Respite Club from Sue Joy of East Grinstead’s Justice and Peace group.

Cllr Favor thanked the J&P group for “their continued support, kindness and generosity” in contributing to the invaluable work carried out on behalf of members of the dementia club and their families.

AS the Town Mayor I would like to wish the residents of East Grinstead a very Happy Christmas.

Since taking office in May I have been very lucky to meet many kind and generous people – we are indeed fortunate to have so many fantastic people who give their time to help others.

I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and hope that I will have the opportunity of meeting many more of our townsfolk in the coming months.

With my very best wishes,

Margaret Belsey