Please note that Blackwell Hollow will be closed between 9.30am and 3.00pm on Monday 11th May to allow urgent treeworks to be carried out. Diversions will be put in place
COUNCILLOR Danny Favor joined a group of parishioners from Our Lady and St Peter School and supporters from other organisations in the town on a Walk for Life along the Worth Way in October.
They were offered refreshments at Trinity Methodist church en route to Worth Abbey, and did a sponsored litter pick on the way to raise money to provide nursery equipment and practical help to vulnerable young mothers and their babies at homes run by Life Charity in West Sussex.
THE East Grinstead Business Association (EGBA) has launched a new town website in partnership with the Town Council at www.visiteastgrinstead.com
BASED in what used to be a pantry at East Court Mansion the CVS is about to celebrate two decades of helping voluntary and community groups in East Grinstead and the surrounding villages.
With their Board of Trustees, who are also volunteers, their job is to support, develop and champion local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.
The CVS has a membership of more than a hundred local organisations, ranging from small local groups like pre-schools, to branches of national charities like Standen, a National Trust house. It also serves unique local charities including Chequer Mead, the town museum and the EG Mental Health Association.
The CVS finds volunteers, and opportunties for people who want to volunteer, and offers practical help with applying for grants and other funding, supplies examples of good practice, holds networking and training events, and sends regular email news about relevant local and national issues.
And volunteers enjoy being able to “put something back into the community” and being available to plug gaps in services.
To find out more about the East Grinstead CVS Trustee contact them on on 01342 328080, or email christine@egcvs.co.uk
THE Christmas lights in the High Street will be clear for the first time this year at the request of traders who want to set a snowy traditional scene in the historic centre of the town.
But with cash tight – the Christmas Lights committee have been running at a deficit over the past couple of years – there will be no new displays this December.
Lights will be going up in early November but will not be lit until after Remembrance Sunday.
For more information about times and performances, contact the box office on 01342 302000
Quick guide – for more details see below.
November 1-3 at 7.30pm: Gala Olde Tyme Music Hall
Matinee on Saturday 3 November at 2.30pm
November 8 at 5pm and 8pm:The Vienna Festival Ballet presents Coppelia
November 9 at 8pm: Classic Clapton
November 11 at 7.30pm: Conchord presents East Grinstead’s Royal Poppy Appeal Concert
November 12 at 7.30pm: Winter Wonderland
November 14 at 7pm: Rotary Youth Speaks
November 16 at 7.30pm: Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele
November 17 at 7.45pm:The Ultimate Tribute to the Sensational 70s
November 21 – 24 at 7.45pm plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm: All Shook Up
November 26 at 7.30pm: Ariel Drama Academy – Crawley Showcase
November 27 at 7.30pm: Marks and Kennard
November 29 from 7pm: Jazz Café
November 30 at 6.30pm: Pirouette Performers with Around the World in 60 minutes
Gala Olde Tyme Music Hall: 1 – 3 November, plus Saturday matinee
THE Company of Friends’ infamous Olde Time Music Hall returns, despite popular demand, for a special fundraising event in aid of Chequer Mead. There’s a multitudinous cast of comedic genius, Gaiety Girls, titillating terpsichory and dramatis personae, with a prize for the best dressed Olde Tymers.
All proceeds to Chequer Mead.
Why not book an old time supper before the show by calling the Cuisine Studio 01342 324860.
Tickets £14/concessions £12.50
The Vienna Festival Ballet presents Coppelia: 5pm/8pm on 8 November
A production in traditional style of this well-loved ballet, danced to the music of Delibes: a light-hearted story to appeal to the whole family, about an eccentric toy-maker who makes a wonderfully lifelike mechanical doll.
Tickets: £18.50/ concessions for pensioners and students £16.50/ children under 14 £12.50.
Classic Clapton: 9 November 9 at 8pm
CLASSIC Clapton features front-man Mike Hall, who not only looks like Eric, but sings and plays guitar like him too in a two hour journey though his greatest hits including Wonderful Tonight, I Shot the Sheriff, Lay Down Sally, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven and Layla.
Tickets £15/ concessions £13.
Conchord Big Band presents East Grinstead Royal Poppy Appeal Concert: 11 November at 7.30pm
CONCHORD Big Band in concert for the East Grinstead Branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Tickets £15/concessions £13.
Sue Flight presents Winter Wonderland: 13 November at 7.30pm
A magical evening of seasonal floral art in aid of East Grinstead Mental Health. A Christmas demonstration by renowned Chelsea prize winner Sue, with ideas to create at home for Christmas.
All tickets £10.
Rotary Youth Speaks: 14 November at 7pm
PUBLIC Speaking Competition for local schools, East Grinstead Area local heat. Run by the Rotary Club.
Admission free
Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele: 16 November at 7.30pm
BARRY Steele presents his spectacular Tribute show featuring classic Orbison hits plus the sounds of The Shadows, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Tickets £17.50
The Jackie Generation presents The Ultimate Tribute to the Sensational 70s: 17 November at 7.45pm
A live show which will include the ‘pin-up’ pop of The Osmonds, David Essex David Cassidy & Sweet, The Carpenters, Abba and songs from ‘Grease’.
Tickets £15/ concessions £13.
Table9 Productions and MM Musicals presents All Shook Up:
21-24 November at 7.45pm, plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm
THE smash-hit musical comedy direct from Broadway, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, and a plot that fuses some of Shakespeare’s finest lines.
Into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, musical fantasy featuring over 20 Elvis Presley hits.
Tickets £15/ concessions £13.50.
Ariel Drama Academy – Crawley Showcase: Monday 26 November at 7.30pm
ARIEL Drama Academy (Crawley) presents an evening of Song, Drama, and Dance, celebrating the Academy’s work throughout the year, joined by the Ariel Musicality Choir.
Tickets £10
MK Entertainment presents On the Other Hand…Marks and Kennard: 27 November at 7.30pm in the Pavilion
MUSICAL Comedy duo Marks and Kennard return for one night only, by popular demand. Live entertainment the way it used to be – under-rehearsed. Book early to ensure disappointment.
Tickets £12/concessions £10. Free glass of wine and nibbles.
Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Café: 29 November from 7pm
ENJOY the best of live Jazz combined with Cuisine Studio’s finest bistro menus at their monthly regular Jazz Café. Reserve a table in advance by calling Mandy, Roger or Paul on 01342 324860.
Entry £5.
Pirouette Performers presents Around the World in 60 minutes:
30 November at 6.30pm
Tickets £8/concessions £6.
Book now for Cinderella
TICKETS are already flying out fast for this year’s panto at Chequer Mead which will be the familiar rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella. The most popular and romantic pantomime of them all, Cinderella will be brought magically to life by a superb cast, an abundance of comedy, stunning sets and costumes, and fabulous special effects in a Christmas-long programme with times to suit all the family.
Book early to avoid disappointment.
Performances:
Tickets: £15.00
Pensioners: £13.50
Wheelchairs: £13.50
Children: £13.50
Students: £13.50
Family Ticket: £54.00 (Two adults, two children)
Cuisine Studio: Pre-theatre meals are available for this show at Cuisine Studio, our in-house restaurant. To book a table, call 01342 324860.
COUNCILLORS are asking the town’s children for their opinions about the Neighbourhood Plan which will dictate the development of East Grinstead over the coming 20 years.
“Children currently at school in the town will grow up while the Neighbourhood Plan is being implemented, and will have to live with the consequences of whatever is decided, so it is important they have a voice,” said Cllr Bob Mainstone.
The six town councillors on the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will be liaising with all the local schools and with the East Grinstead Youth Council to canvas the younger generation’s opinions.
Cllr Bob Mainstone, a retired teacher with many years service at both Sackville and Imberhorne, is leading the initiative, and has already started work with the first primary school pupils.
“We want to give students the opportunity to express their views and to suggest ways East Grinstead could be improved in the future.
“We are asking them to imagine what their lives might be like in 20 years time and what their needs might be – and they have been quick to point out what will be important to them and what the town will need to help them lead those lives.”
All the students who take part will be asked to record what they like and dislike about the town, and what improvements they would like to see.
“We have so far worked with Student Councils at Estcots, Blackwell and The Meads, and received wholehearted participation from the children.
“The student ages range from five to ten and the older children help record the ideas and opinions which are expressed. It is vital that all the ideas we gather come from the children themselves and we avoid making any suggestions which could influence them.”
The results of the primary children’s contribution to the Neighbourhood Plan will be made available to the public once all the town’s schools have been involved.
The next stage will be to engage with the sixth form students at Imberhorne and Sackville who will be asked to take part in a more advanced consultation.
“In many ways the children’s opinions we have already gathered reflect those we have received from local adults but expressed from a child’s point of view.
“For example when discussing the range of shops in East Grinstead children might comment on a lack of toy shops while adults are more concerned about clothing shops.”
CHEQUER Mead theatre marked its 15th birthday last month with the arrival of its one millionth visitor.
The one million people who have poured through the doors of the community theatre and arts centre over the past 15 years include the many children who have come to playgroups, classes, workshops and rehearsals, or to take part in annual school productions and presentations.
Others belong to the many community groups who use Chequer Mead for exhibitions, youth theatre, and classes including Zumba, belly and tap dancing, choir rehearsals and karate, or who have taken part in other activities from meetings to conferences.
East Grinstead resident Mrs Judy Ross, who arrived ahead of friends for last month’s production of Calendar Girls walked through the doors to be greeted by a rousing chorus of cheers from patrons who had already gathered to see the Friday night performance.
Then Town Mayor Liz Bennett and the new centre manager Nick Byrne presented Mrs Ross with a bouquet, donated by local florist Zara Flora, and a bottle of celebratory bubbly given by H T White.
Mrs Ross, who was completely surprised, quipped “my friends will be furious that I arrived first!”
A regular theatre-goer, Mrs Ross described the community centre as “a terrific asset in a small town”, and said she had enjoyed “a great many wonderful productions” at Chequer Mead.
Nick Byrne said: “We now need to ensure that the centre and its theatre is ready for the next 1,000,000 visitors, by refurbishing the auditorium, and by continuing to develop Chequer Mead as a hub for the whole town community.”
* Chequer Mead is launching a fundraising programme to pay for a £60,000 refurbishment.
The two-stage programme will start by offering seat sponsorship at £100 a time, which will allow theatregoers and local businesses the opportunity to play a permanent part in the continued success of the town’s community arts centre.
MICHAEL Spencer, who is back in a frock again this Christmas playing one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella at Chequer Mead, has been moonlighting as an extra on the latest Bond movie Skyfall.
Michael, who has appeared in many films and TV programmes, can be spotted as a backgound artist during a high speed chase across London.
“It’s all a bit different to rehearsing panto,” says Michael, who lives in East Grinstead, “but in the breaks between filming I’ve managed to run through some of the Cinderella script. Of course I’m actually hoping to be the next Bond Girl – so I am going to do my damndest to ensure Daniel Craig doesn’t clap eyes on our lovely Cinderella.”
* The panto will be at Chequer Mead from Friday 21 December to Sunday 30th December.
“Just like 007, we’ve got a superb cast, comedy, stunning sets and fabulous special FX,” said Michael. “Not sure about a car chase – but the transformation scene will be amazing.”
Tickets are available from the Chequer Mead Box office on 01342 302000.
TOWN Mayor Liz Bennett attended the opening of the new squash club at East Grinstead Sports Club with the chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Mandy Thomas-Atkin.
TOWN Mayor Liz Bennett attended the launch of the first-ever Euro Hockey competition at the town hockey club, which celebrates its 115th birthday this year
