Author: Andrew Taylor
Armed Forces Day Saturday 30 June 2012
The parade of the band of the Grenadier Guards will start at King Street at 10.30am and proceed along London Road to the High Street and continue to East Court via College Lane.
As the Band passes the war memorial in the High Street the Salute will be taken by: Mrs Margaret Collins, Deputy Lieutenant for West Sussex; Mrs Elizabeth Bennett, East Grinstead Town Mayor; Col Peter Gilbert RAMC; The Hon Nicholas Soames MP and Squadron Leader Graeme Stagg RAF (Ret’d).
The reception party will then follow the band to East Court in a WW2 Staff Car. The parade watchers are asked to keep the road clear and if they choose to follow the parade, they walk along the pavements to East Court for their safety.
The celebration at East Court will include a brief act of remembrance at the war memorial at 11.00am and then after a Fanfare of Trumpets to open the event in the Meridian Hall, followed by some short addresses from the VIPs. The Grenadiers Guards will then play a half hour musical programme on the lower terrace in front of Meridian Hall until 1215. Around 12.20 the Halsford Park School choir will sing followed by the awards of the veteran’s badges and then refreshments will be served around 1pm. As larger numbers than normal are expected, the public are asked to please leave the seating and buffet in the Meridian Hall to the Veterans and the Invited Guests, a second buffet for the public will be laid out in the Cranston Suite (entered via the terrace) after 1pm.
The Roads will be closed between 10.00am and 11.30am to allow the parade to pass once the parade is safely on to the East Court Estate the roads will be reopened but this should not be expected before 11.30am.
The road closure is for:
| Kings Street (Christopher Road to London Road) | College Lane (High Street to Blackwell Hollow) |
| London Road (Kings Street to High Street) | Blackwell Hollow (College Lane to Holtye Road) |
| High Street (London Road to College Lane) |
There will be no access on to these roads during the road closure and while parts of the route may only be closed for 10-15 minutes motorists and residents are asked to be patient and take advice from the stewards. The presence of the Guards is a great honour for the town and underlines the importance of remembering all past and present serving personnel on Armed Forces Day.
East Court has limited parking and while the event organisers have asked that the estate be left open, there will be restricted car parking for invited guests and disabled. If the general public could walk or park in the town centre car parks this would be appreciated.
Road closures
On 17 July 2012 the Olympic Torch Relay will pass through Mid Sussex. As part of the traffic management for this event West Sussex County Council will shortly make a temporary Traffic Regulation Order that will enact a rolling road closure on the route followed by the torch relay. The Order will also make road closures on some strategic side roads for 1 hour before and 2 hours after the procession passes to ensure safety for spectators.
The roads affected in Mid Sussex are:
Rolling Road Closure
Lengths of roads in Worth: Copthorne Way (A264), Brookhill road, Shipley Bridge Lane, Copthorne Bank, Borers Arms Road and A264. Lengths of Roads in East Grinstead: A264, London Road (A22), London Road, High Street, Fairfield Road, Lewes Road (B2110), College Lane/Blackwell Hollow (B2110) and A264 Holtye Road.
Road closure for 1 hour before and 2 hours after the procession passes:
Lengths of roads in Worth: Knowle Drive and Lashmere. Lengths of roads in East Grinstead: Railway Approach (B2110), Queens Road, Kings Street, West Street, Cantaloupe Road, Portland Road and Hermitage Lane.
Teddy Bear’s Jubilee Picnic
TOWN Mayor Liz Bennett – and a giant Blue Bear – were guests of honour at a Teddy Bear’s Jubilee Picnic at East Court to mark the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
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Town Council Revenue Grants
SUBJECT to funding being available, East Grinstead Town Council is committed to providing assistance and support to local community groups which are set up to promote community life for East Grinstead residents. The Council’s financial support is provided by way of Grants which are decided against criteria set by, and which can be amended from time to time by, East Grinstead Town Council.
In order for the Town Council to be able to rationally and objectively assess applications, many of which will inevitably be totally dissimilar in content, it is both necessary and helpful to assess all applications received against a range of criteria. These are designed to be a general indication of need but are not exclusive and can be flexibly applied.
When considering Grants the Town Council will take into account the following guidelines.
- Activities of the organisation or association should be readily available to the community in general.
- Membership should be appropriate to the activity and should encompass junior, senior, full and part-time residents and be available for disabled people if possible.
- The range of activities undertaken and the programme of the organisation should be available for reference.
- The current financial situation should be substantiated by either audited accounts or a business plan for a new organisation or group.
- Groups and organisations will be expected to demonstrate self-help schemes in order to attempt to solve their own financial problems and/or meet their financial costs.
- Groups and organisations must demonstrate that they have applied for financial aid for other sources.
- Financial aid will not normally be offered to any commercial or national organisation, statutory body or group from outside the Town unless it can be shown that the local population will be able to derive some benefit from the services provided.
- Individual applications from Scout and Guide groups, playgroups and other organisations with a local parent body will not normally be considered. In such cases, due to limited funds available, applications will only be considered when made by the District Association, West Sussex Pre-school Learning Alliance or other parent body, as appropriate. This will ensure that the initial prioritisation of such applications is undertaken by those with detailed knowledge of specific local needs and requirements.
- Any youth organisations requesting a grant from the Revenue Fund must be affiliated to West Sussex County Council’s Youth and Community Service.
More information and the application can be found here . Hard copies of applications can be obtained from and returned to the East Court Offices.
If you are uncertain about any of the questions on the form, please contact the Town Council on 01342 323636. Applications must be received by 10 September and applicants will be contacted by 14 October with the Council’s decision.
Torch parade for Her Majesty
THE East Court Diamond Jubilee celebrations culminated in a torchlit procession by members of the Air Training Corps, Army Cadets and the Nautical Training Corps.
Each unit carried four torches through the darkened East Court estate, and Cadet Flt Sgt Simon Petitt presented his to Town Mayor Liz Bennett who lit the taper for the Jubilee beacon, with a little help from the town Fire Brigade.
Flt Lt Nigel Foster said: “The cadets were all extremely proud to be involved in the parade. It was a unique part of the celebrations and watching the torches move slowly through the trees down the drive at East Court gave a real sense of occasion. The young people who took part now have a place in the town’s history.”
The procession was a reprise of that held on Coronation Eve, 1 June 1953, when there was a torchlit procession from the High Street to East Court where a bonfire beacon was also lit in celebration.
Following the beacon lighting, the estimated 5000-strong crowd watched a 12.5 minute firework display while listening to Sing (the Commonwealth Jubilee song), I vow to Thee my Country, Jerusalem and the National Anthem.
Long to rain over us… Town’s celebrations triumph over the weather as record crowds mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
THE downpours which rained steadily on the Queen’s parade over the four day Jubilee weekend didn’t put a dampener on the town’s determination to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.
Heavy overnight rain may have put paid to picnics in the park on Jubilee Sunday, but there was a good turn out for the town’s procession of floats which made its way from Railway Approach to East Court.
And what is more, the estimated 6,000-strong crowd which then followed them to the estate surprised tourist officer Simon Kerr.
“Given the weather we thought people would just watch them go by, but a great many then followed the procession up to East Court afterwards.”
And once there business was brisk, despite the drizzle, with stalls for community groups, hot food, a bar and a fun fair for those determined to make the best of the historic day.
Monday afternoon saw the winners of the Town Council’s Jubilee Literary competition awarded their prizes.
The East Grinstead Soroptimists had sponsored the under-eights poetry competition, Hollywood’s Neil Gaiman had donated the 13-18s short story prize, and children’s author Geraldine Durrant, who also does the Town Council’s PR, had given signed copies of her latest book for the smallest winners (see full details of winners under Events).
Their winning entries will be recorded for broadcast by Meridian FM and copies put into a book which will be sent to Buckingham Palace.
But the real surprise was on Monday evening, said Simon, when the largest crowd he has ever seen at East Court assembled for the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon and firework display.
“East Court was absolutely rammed,” he said. “I have never seen so many people there at one time.
“The fireworks were absolutely magnificent, and incredibly noisy, and at the end everyone applauded and burst into a spontaneous chorus of God Save the Queen.
“It really was a night to remember.”
Simon also paid tribute to the Council staff who had spent months planning the weekend’s celebrations, and who worked all over the extended bank holiday to carry them out.
“It not only went off without a hitch, but by Tuesday morning East Court had been restored to its usual award-winning state, with nothing but a bit of squashed grass to show for a wonderful weekend which we will all remember for a very long time,” he said.
*Anyone who missed the East Court Jubilee Fireworks can see them on YouTube
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Jubilee thanks
A huge thank you to all of the organisations and individuals that made the Jubilee celebrations so spectacular. From the people who took their dogs walking at East Court earlier than usual to clear the car park to those who walked and played and danced in the parade, to those who simply came along and had a great time. Thank you so much for all your support.
Check out Chequer Mead
Lee Mason presents Let the Good Times Roll : Friday 1 June at 7.30pm
DIRECT from London’s West End, Lee Mason stars in the fabulous Let The Good Times Roll, a live 10-piece production which pays tribute to the music of the 50s and 60s, including Rock around the Clock, Teenager in love, Be my baby, The wonder of you, The Locomotion and Please please me….
Jazz Café : Wednesday 13 June at 7pm
ENJOY the best of live jazz combined with the finest bistro menus at Chequer Mead’s monthly Jazz Café.
Searchlight Theatre Company presents Chariot – The Eric Liddell Story : Thursday 14 June to Friday 15 June
THE inspiring story of Eric Liddell, Scotland’s finest Olympic Athlete, who ran with purpose in all areas of his life, with a desire to win and to be honourable to God.
Keith James presents The Great Canadian Songbook : Monday 18 June at 8pm
PERSONAL interpretations of the music of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen in an intimate solo concert.
Chequer Mead Lunchtime Concert Series presents Miyuki Kato – Piano: Tuesday 19 June at 1.30pm
MIYUKI has given a number of concerts in Wales, England and Japan. These include a recital in St Martin in the Fields and an interlude performance in a service of thanksgiving for Sir Hardy Amies at St James’s Church, Piccadilly. She won fourth prize at the international Piano Competition in Gargano, Italy in 2003, and first prize at the National Eisteddfod in 2004.
Sophie Eastwood Dance Academy presents The Tale of the Secret Beanstalk: Thursday 28 June to Saturday 30 June
THE children of the Sophie Eastwood Dance Academy, Forest Row, are proud to present The Tale of the Secret Beanstalk, an original and enchanting story told through the beautifully choreographed dances with inspiring music and sparkling costumes.
This is a youth production.
Your town. Your future. Your say.
THE latest East Grinstead Town Council Survey, which is being conducted to gather information for the Neighbourhood Plan, is now available online.
There is a link right at the top of this page – above the main heading. It takes just a few minutes to complete and the Council is keen to encourage residents to give their views.