Author: Andrew Taylor

Doris Rhindress, now an 88-year-old widow, has her own memories of the war, and the day when the Whitehall theatre, where she was an usherette, was bombed.

“History repeats itself,” said Doris. “88 years ago I was born to a Canadian soldier and an English nurse.

They had returned to BC, Canada from England and then moved to Portland Oregon, USA where I was born.

“Eight years later, my mother, sister and I returned to England after the untimely death of my father (we later learned that he had deserted us and lived until 1955 in British Columbia but that’s another story) and I met and married Bob, a Canadian soldier.

Continue reading “Doris ushers in old memories”

For more details about times and performances or to book tickets contact the theatre on 01342 302000 or see the Chequer Mead web site

Imberhorne  School presents An Evening of Dance on Thursday 1 March:

IMBERHORNE  pupils in a youth production perform a variety of pieces from Key Stage 3 to sixth form.

Roger Hind in concert on 2 March at 7.30 pm:

FOLLOWING their previous sell-out concerts, Roger’s quartet returns with singers Ruth Fahie and Gary Wright to present The Great American Song Book. The show will include arrangements of songs by Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin. In aid of the East Grinstead Town Museum.

Purple Dreams Productions presents Silent Echo on Saturday 3 March at 7.30pm

THIS tense new thriller tracks the relationships of two couples. Discussing their opinions and beliefs, they unveil secrets which threaten either to strengthen or shatter them.

Ariel Company Theatre presents Musicality 4 on  8 to 10 March:

ARIEL Company Theatre returns with the next production in their highly acclaimed MUSICALITY saga. Includes haunting numbers from many musicals including Spring Awakening,  Sister Act, Rent and Moulin Rouge.

Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Café on Thursday 15 March at 7pm:

SIT back, relax and enjoy the best of live Jazz provided by the amazing Rupert’s Bear Cats  combined with the finest bistro menus at Cuisine Studio’s March Jazz Cafe. Bookings in advance only please on 01342 324860.

Deborah Lamb Theatre School presents Interactive on Saturday 17 March at 1.30pm and 7.15pm:

AN exciting showcase of talent as musical theatre students take their audience on an interactive adventure.

Chequer Mead Lunchtime Concert Series presents harpist Margaret Watson on Tuesday 20 March at 1.30pm:

MARGARET started harp lessons at the age of 14 with harpist Susannah Shucksmith. She then continued her musical training under the late Sidonie Goossens OBE and Sussex harpist Helen Arnold. She has played for Royalty and has given recitals at National Trust properties, played at the City of London Guildhall, The Baltic Exchange, The Savoy, Ritz and Hilton Langham Hotels in London, The Garrick Club in London, Glyndebourne Opera House, The Royal Courts of Justice and at many weddings and charity functions.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue presents SAFE DRIVE – STAY ALIVE on Thursday 22 March at noon:

AN important talk for secondary school pupils on how to keep safe on the roads.

East Grinstead primary schools present a Festival of Dance on Thursday 22 March at 4.30pm.

Limehouse Lizzy present The Greatest Hits of Thin Lizzy on Friday 23 March at 8pm:

RENOWNED for a pyrotechnic-fuelled explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy is keeping the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band alive and dominating stages worldwide. Support act Saxonized.

Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents Cold Comfort Farm on Wednesday 28/29 March:

CMYT presents a musical adaptation of Stella Gibbons’ classic comedy of rural life. The recently orphaned Flora Poste decides to descend on her relatives, the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm, a dysfunctional  family ruled over by the fearsome figure of Great Aunt Ada Doom, who once saw something nasty in the woodshed…

THE East Grinstead Swimming Club will be celebrating its centenary by swimming 100 miles – in the High Street.

Swimmers and their families are being invited to take part in the Big Swim which will take place in an Aquatrainer pool donated for the event by Hyropool in Felbridge.

The pool will be placed on the paved area outside Broadley Brothers and the Casablanca cafe and swimmers will take it in turns to swim a non-stop 100 miles over two nights starting at 4pm on Friday 25 May and finishing on Sunday 27 May.

To support the event 100 local businesses are being asked to take an advert on the scrolling screen which will form a backdrop to the unqiue challenge.

For more details contact Paul Crowther on paul@planespeaking.wanadoo.co.uk

TO the Manor Born, a new exhibition at the Cantelupe Road museum, looks at two of East Grinstead’s largest houses –  East Court Mansion and Saint Hill Manor – the families who lived in them, and the servants who ran their homes.

Entry to the museum is free. The exhibition is on until 29 April.

FREE home visits for West Sussex residents from Warmer West Sussex

Warmer West Sussex is a winter warmth and well-being scheme. It is funded by the Department of Health and is a partnership between the seven local councils in West Sussex.

An energy expert from Climate Energy will visit your home to show you some simple energy saving changes you can make to keep warm in the cold weather. This will not only help save you as much as £200** every year on your gas and electricity bills, but will keep you healthy as well.

Book today by calling FREEPHONE 0800 0546815 or apply online using the form below.

What can you get for free?

• Practical energy saving advice from a qualified energy expert
• Improved loft and cavity wall insulation*
• The installation of simple energy and water saving devices suitable for your home, such as draught excluders, a hot water tank jacket, reflective radiator panels, light bulbs and an electricity monitor
• Assessment of eligibility for grants and discounts for heating improvements
• Information about further support on how to stay warm and healthy

Book today by calling FREEPHONE 0800 0546815 or apply online using the link below and an advisor will call you back to arrange an appointment.

Please note this scheme has limited availability and is only available until 31st March 2012.

See www.westsussexenergy.co.uk for more information.

WEST Sussex County Council is looking at ways to fund faster, Next Generation, broadband across the county.

The provision of a fast service is key to local communities, and to businesses which want to compete with other companies within the UK and abroad.

Recent upgrades have been made by Mid Sussex District Council in East Grinstead, Copthorne and Haywards Heath, and faster speeds should be available to Lindfield, Burgess Hill and Hassocks by early summer.

However many rural areas will not be commercially viable for upgrade in this way.

Last August WSCC announced funding of £6.2 million from Broadband UK, a sum which it has agreed to match. The private sector is expected to match the combined sum, making a total investment of around £25 million, which will enable all but the most rural areas of West Sussex to be brought up to Next Generation speeds by 2015.

As a result, WSCC is now looking at ways to prioritise this funding.

More information about the work is on www.westsussex-betterconnected.org.uk where it is possible for communities to register for improved broadband provision.

“I am am hoping we will get a high response rate from Mid Sussex residents and businesses, which will support our case to improve broadband within our District,” said John De Mierre, Cabinet Member for Economic Development.

THE East Grinstead Lions won the championship trophy in the Dream for the Streets Basketball Tournament held in Hastings on 15 February, against teams from Hastings, Eastbourne and Horsham.

The East Grinstead squad consisting of Filipino and British lads ranging from 15 to 23-years-old was established only a year ago, and finished fourth at last year’s event which was hosted by the town’s Filipino-British Association.

So it came as a real surprise when the team finished without a single loss this time around.

“Participation in sport is a great way to keep boys away from less healthy pursuits and we are very proud of their performance,” said team captain Job Rebustes.

The team was established thanks to Centre for Sight and Job Connections who have sponsored them from the beginning. “We owe the team’s overwhelming success to everyone who has supported them,” said Job.

“We’re all very happy right now.”

WHEN severe weather hit the south east during the first weekend in February, the outdoor team were on hand to clear paths at East Court and in the town centre to maintain access to shops and services.

Continue reading “Snow in East Grinstead”

Painted Ladies Art Exhibition from 1 to 7 March:

Contemporary Realism style by 12 artists from the Copthorne Art Club.

Figureworks from 9 to 21 March:

At first seemingly traditional in approach, some real surprises are revealed in the work of this eclectic group of Surrey artists inspired by the human form.

Hanging Together VIII from 23 March until 4 April:

An exhibition by six textile artists.

Meet the Artist Saturday, 31 March, 11am to 3pm.