Author: Andrew Taylor

At the present time West Sussex County Council do not plan to issue any more salt/grit supplies to top up the salt bins. Please use the salt/grit reserves in the salt bins near you appropriately and sparingly as we do not know when these are likely to be topped up again. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note the date of the meeting of the Charities Trustees for Chequer Mead Arts and Community Centre and the Parish Halls Trust has been changed from 14 March 2013. This meeting will now be held on 7 March 2013 in the Council Chamber at East Grinstead Town Council, East Court, immediately following the conclusion of the Public Services Committee meeting of the same date.

It is anticipated the start time will be 8 p.m. However, persons wishing to attend the meeting should arrive by 7.30pm as the meeting will start following the conclusion of Public Services.

East Grinstead Town Council last night set its budget and precept for the 2013/14 year.  The precept is set to rise by 2% to £67.02 per year per band D property. The annual rise ranges from 66p for a Band A to £2.64 for a Band H property, The annual Band D rise is £1.32.

Council Leader Norman Webster said: “In the challenging financial times that we find ourselves in, we have managed to make a number of efficiencies, whilst trying to maintain and indeed improve the services we provide for the town. We are aware of the national picture and proceed with the methodology of a minimal increase in precept to avoid large rises being necessary at a later time where the budget is out of step with real costs, which is the danger of a freeze.

The Town Council services include: civic planting, street furnishings, town promotions and concessionary bus and rail fares.   The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organizations, as the national picture contracts, support to the local community is essential through small grants.”

Capital projects will include renovations at East Court and Meridian Hall and a new platform for performances of entertainment at East Court through the summer.

The total East Grinstead Town Council band D council tax, equates to £1.28 per week, comparing favourably with other consumer costs such as 1litre of petrol at £1.36 or a loaf of bread at £1.35.

For more details about any of the shows at Chequer Mead see the website at www.chequermead.org.uk or contact the box office on 01342 302000

X-treme Beatz Dance Academy presents Streetbeatz 4 on Saturday 2 February at 7pm.

AN urban and street dance show presented by a local street and breakdance school.

This is a youth production.

Kean Productions presents In Extremis by Neil Bartlett on Wednesday 6 February at 7.30pm

ON the night of the 24 March 1895, Mrs Robinson, a society palm reader, agreed to see Oscar Wilde in her London flat, as portrayed in this diverting two-hander.

Ardingly Prep School presents Bugsy Malone on Friday 8 February and Saturday 9 February

ARDINGLY College Prep school’s year 7 and 8 pupils present the classic family musical.

This is a youth production.

Sussex Youth Ballet presents A Cautionary Tale on Sunday 10 February at 4pm and 7.30pm

A Cautionary Tale tells of two sisters whose kind hearts and forgiving natures are tested by a mischievous and ungrateful little elf who pushes their loyalty a little too far.

This is a youth production.

Bullfrog Productions presents Seussical the Musical on Saturday 16 February at 2pm and 6pm

ENTER the enchanting world created from the stories of Dr. Seuss’s favourite characters including The Cat in the Hat,Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and The Grinch. This charming family musical features JoJo, a young boy and ‘thinker of great thinks’ who brings the story together.

This is a youth production.

Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Café on Wednesday 20 February at 7pm

ENJOY the best of live Jazz with the Institute Jazz Band combined with bistro menus at Cuisine Studio’s regular Jazz Café evenings.

The Blues Band on Friday 22 February at 7.30pm with Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Rob Townsend.

IN their thirty-fourth year The Blues Band brings their new album Few Short Lines to Chequer Mead for an evening of classic and original Rhythm and Blues.

Magic Show Saturday 23 February at 11am

A Magic Show by Brekk Samey in aid of Wesley High School, Sri Lanka. During the interval balloon models and magic trick sets will be available for children at £2.

Classical Indian Dancing

Saturday 23 February at 3pm and 6pm

Classical Indian Dancing in aid of Wesley High School, Sri Lanka.

Imberhorne School presents an Evening of Dance on Wednesday 27 February and Thursday 28 February

IMBERHORNE School presents An Evening of Dance celebrating talented dancers throughout the school. The show includes a collection of choreographies produced by GCSE dance students as well as dances performed by Lower and Upper School dance clubs.

This is a youth production.