Author: Andrew Taylor

THE Parish Halls are now on the market with estate agents Park and Bailey. Offers for the town centre halls must be submitted by 31 August.

Proceeds from the sale will be used for the enhancement of existing facilities, and for additional community resources, at Chequer Mead community theatre.

THE new lavatory block in the car park opposite the town cinema is now open.

The building has a pitched roof, exposed brickwork and plain tiling in a traditional style which councillors believe with enhance the character and appearance of its town centre location and benefit both the local community and visitors to East Grinstead.

East Grinstead Council leader Norman Webster welcomed the completion of the new facilities, which have been opened before the expected inrush of visitors to see the Olympic flame pass through the town, and ahead of next year’s extension of the Bluebell Railway into East Grinstead station.

SUMMER Exhibition from the pupils of Sackville school: Monday 2 July to Thursday 12 July

Zhen – Shan – Ren International Exhibition: Thursday 19 July to Wednesday 1 August 2012

Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance are the characteristics of the universe, the cornerstones of human morality, and the foundations of peace and freedom. They transcend time and space, culture, religion and politics. These artists’ works glorify the divine, and grapple with questions of good and evil.

Kicks Dance –  3 and 4 July:

AN evening with the students of Kicks Dance

This is a youth production.

Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents  Uncle Tom’s Cabins – Friday 6 July at 7.30pm

FOLLOWING the success of Cold Comfort Farm and Son of a Preacher Man Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents Uncle Tom’s Cabins, a tale of holiday camp intrigues, world domination and knobbly knees. This is a youth production.

JC Vocals presents their Students Summer Show

Saturday –  7 July at 7.30pm:

THIS year sees the 7th annual JC Vocals show, an exciting evening with students old and new performing a wide variety of songs, from the latest chart hits, to excerpts from hit shows…This is a youth production.

Ariel Drama Academy presents the Ariel Drama Academy Showcase – Monday 9 July at 7.30pm

ARIEL Drama Academy is proud to present an evening of song, drama, and dance which their students have been working on throughout the year. This is a youth production.

Domransland School present Scheherazade – Tuesday 10 July at 7pm

This is a youth production.

Bullfrog Productions presents Sweet Charity –

Friday/Saturday 13/14 July

TAXI dancer Charity continues to have faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and dreams that one day she will finally meet a nice young man to romance her away from her sleazy life. This is a youth production.

Bullfrog Productions presents Rapunzel – Saturday 14 July at 2pm

AN enchanted story of a princess with long tangled hair who is put in a tower by a wicked witch, until she is found by a handsome prince.

Based on the film Tangled this is a youth production.

West Hoathly Church of England Primary School presents A Golden Grecian Odyssey – Monday 16 July at 7pm

Scenes and Sounds from Ancient Greece.This is a youth production.

Blackwell School presents A Summer Production –

Wednesday 18 July at 7pm

This is a youth production.

Choirpower present Diamonds – Friday 20 July at 7:30pm

CHOIRPOWER are looking forward to entertaining their audience this year with some lovely music and a few very modern arrangements.

Heathfield School of Dance presents Pure Imagination – Saturday 21 July at 2:30pm and 6pm

Summer Dance show by the Heathfield School of Dance. This is a youth production.

Jazz Café – Thursday 26 July at 7pm

ENJOY the best of live Jazz provided by the amazing Institute Jazz Band – combined with the finest bistro menus at our regular Jazz Cafe evenings.

For more information contact the box office on 01342 302000

EAST Grinstead’s famous Midsummer Market returns on Saturday 21 July, when London Road will be closed to traffic. This increasingly popular family event, which brings a taste of the Continent to the town, also offers local stall holders the chance to promote themselves.

Contact Simon Kerr at the Tourist Desk on 01342 410121, or email tourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk for more details.

THE Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team in partnership with Freedom Leisure has set up a new free Junior Wellbeing programme aimed at families with a child who is above a healthy weight.

This exciting and fun new programme provides expert one-to-one support from a qualified instructor over ten sessions to help improve health and wellbeing. The sessions will be tailored to individual needs and scheduled at a time which suits the family.

The programme aims to support families to eat more healthily and to be more active. Families will learn how to make small changes to their lifestyles which can be used in everyday life no matter what their ability levels or time constraints. Basic goals of the course are to:

• Support families to eat more healthily
• Increase confidence
• Increase fitness and activity levels
• Support children and adults to achieve and maintain a healthy weight

When and where will the session be held?

East Grinstead sessions will be run at the King’s Centre.

In the event that the family cannot get King’s, sessions can be provided in alternative locations considered to be safe and accessible by the instructor and family.

How to sign up?

Families with a school aged child or children can contact Mid Sussex Wellbeing by telephoning 01444 477191 or e-mailing info@midsussexwellbeing.org.uk

Referrals with consent may also be made by GPs, Practice Nurses, School Nurses, Health Visitors and Parent Support Team.

About Mid Sussex Wellbeing

The Mid Sussex Wellbeing service can help you to find local wellbeing information and services. You can also get advice and support on how to make small changes to improve your health and wellbeing, including how to stop smoking, how to become more active, or how to make your meals healthier.

The free, friendly and impartial service is provided by Mid Sussex District Council in partnership with the NHS. You can find out more about local activities and support services by visiting our website or talking to our friendly Wellbeing Advisors over the phone or in person.

How can the Mid Sussex Wellbeing service help me?

• Have you thought about losing weight, but don’t where to start?
• Do you want to get more active and energised, but aren’t sure what’s happening in your area?
• Do you want to stop smoking, but aren’t confident in taking that first step alone?
• Do you sometimes feel low and want a boost to your general wellbeing?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the Mid Sussex Wellbeing service can help you.

We can offer advice and information and we will also put you in touch with more specialist support if it’s needed.

There are three simple steps to get started:

1. Get ready – Think about the changes you would like to make to lead a healthier lifestyle
2. Get set – Check out the website for local activities or support that can help you achieve your goals. Phone or email for a one-to-one chat with a Wellbeing Advisor, or to make an appointment if you need that extra bit of help.
3. Go – We will give you advice and support on how to take control and build small changes into your life. We understand how hard it can be, but we can help to make it easier.

For more information please telephone 01444 477191 or visit our website www.midsussexwellbeing.org.uk

Down by the River – Monday 13 August

Make a collage and play games, all with a fish and frog theme.

Knights and Princesses – Tuesday 28 August

Part of East Grinstead’s Local Heritage Week. Come and make shields, swords, and hats.

There will be a prize for every child who comes in costume.

TOWN Tourist officer Simon Kerr dressed up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland to take part in the first-ever Hartfield Storyfest.

“I spend my working life in the library, I am a great supporter of children’s literature, and it was great fun to get out and see young readers and their parents having fun with books,” he said.

THE new manager for Chequer Mead is Nick Byrne.

Nick, who was born and bred in Devon and describes himself as ‘a lover of live entertainment’ since childhood, replaces former manager Hannah Kester.

His past experience includes a spell with the RAF and ‘extensive work’ within the hospitality industry.

Most recently Nick has been responsible for the programming and management of a small council-run arts centre called The Watermark, in Ivybridge, Devon.

During his four years in post Nick’s guidance has made the The Watermark one of the leading venues for touring musicians and local theatre groups in the county.

And it was his love of ‘putting on a show’, and its reputation as a successful community venue, which led him to Chequer Mead.

‘I am looking forward to continuing the excellent work done by Hannah and developing the venue as the heart of East Grinstead’s art community,’ he said.

‘Along with my young family I am also looking forward to working and living in East Grinstead – its excellent reputation as a fantastic place to live and bring up children has been one of the key factors for my decision to move “up north”!’

Barratt Homes have advised the Town Council that works at the back of Holtye Road, for the new development, are moving in to the road construction phase.

The new entrance being constructed as part of the planning conditions will start on 9th July and are scheduled to take 3 weeks. The developers are restricted in the hours of operation and therefore the 3 weeks cannot be reduced. Temporary traffic lights will be implemented for the duration of the works.

Residents are being maildropped notices through their letterboxes to explain the process and give the contact details for Barratt Homes should there be any enquiries