Author: Andrew Taylor

Want to do something different? Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 18t May 2012 to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and support SIA’s (Spinal Injury Association) information and support services.

You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.
SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. Invite seven friends and ask them to donate an additional £5 and you will raise at least £35 from your supper – but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA.

Last year we had over 100 suppers in England and Wales and we raised £6,000. In the three years we have been running the event we have raised £20,000 to support spinal cord injured people.

The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives.

Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone.

Community Fundraising Officer, Elizabeth Wright, said: “The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds.

“Or you may be even a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group.

“So be a part of something special and make a real difference to help spinal cord injured people gain access to the information and support they need to enable them to live full and independent lives.”

For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or email fishandchips@spinal.co.uk or visit www.spinal.co.uk/fishandchips

WITH celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth taking place across the UK this year, town tourism officer Simon Kerr was determined to find a connection between England’s greatest novelist and East Grinstead.

His search paid off with the discovery that Dickens’ sister-in-law was from East Grinstead, after he spotted this notice in the window of the High Street Book Shop.

“You couldn’t ask for a more ‘Dickensian’ tale than this one,” laughed Simon.

In 1845 the 25 year-old Fred Dickens fell in love with 15 year-old Anna Weller, a match that Charles disapproved of as he did not trust the girl. His attitude caused a breach between the brothers, Charles believing by now that Fred possessed all the worst qualities of their father.

Fred married Anna on 30 December, 1848 despite Charles’s misgivings, but in 1858 the couple applied for a judicial separation on the grounds of adultery. Anna was granted alimony, which Fred Dickens refused to pay, leaving the country.

On his return in 1862 he was arrested and imprisoned for debt.

THE Meridian Probus Club of East Grinstead is now its second year and would like to welcome new members. If you are a retired gentleman, with a professional or business background, why not join us and meet others who have similar interests.

We meet locally over a coffee and a chat on the second Wednesday of the month, listen to a variety of interesting speakers and have the option of staying on for a pub lunch. The club also hosts a range of events and outings throughout the year, many of which are open to members’ wives, partners and friends.

If you are interested or would like to know more contact the club secretary on 01342 323098.

East Grinstead Town Council last night set its budget and precept for the 2012/13 year. The precept is set to rise by 3% to £65.70 per year per band D property. The rise is £1.92 per year or 4 pence per week.

Council Leader Norman Webster said “It is always hard to consider a rise on the precept, however last year the council did not raise the charge and had to use reserves to balance the budget, this cannot continue without building a significant problem in the future. The overall budget is prudent, costing less than last year as we have considered each line and cost centre, however without taking from reserves this means a modest increase for the precept.”

Town Council services include civic planting, tourist information, concessionary bus and rail fares and from 2012 will include the running of the new public conveniences in Kings Street. The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organisations.

Capital projects will include maintenance at East Court and Meridian Hall and provision for a new salt depot to ensure that winter weather contingency plans can be effective.

The total band D charge equates to £1.26 per week, compared with other costs such as 1 litre of petrol at £1.36 or a loaf of bread at £1.25.

This rise is in line with the other Town Councils across Mid Sussex, Parish and Town Councils have not received any grant to maintain their tax unlike the District and County Council who were awarded a government grant to hold the charge at 2011/12 levels.

Residents who receive maximum Council Tax Benefits will continue to have the rise covered by their benefits which will be adjusted by Mid Sussex District Council.

TOWN COUNCIL STAFF turned out on Sunday to clear the freshly fallen snow from paths and pavements around East Grinstead town centre.

West Sussex County Council had gritted roads and the snow plough was deployed to clear the High Street, London Road and the priority routes to keep the town open for traffic.

Pavements are not included in the WSCC clearing programme but East Grinstead Town Council bought a manual snow clearer and gritter in 2010 to use during bad weather to keep the town centre open and easier for pedestrians to navigate.

Volunteers from the Outdoor Services team turned out on Sunday to ensure that Monday would be better for shoppers and businesses, and worked all morning to clear and grit the pavements.

Council Leader Norman Webster said: “The Town Council believes this task is important to the town and we are grateful that residents have contacted us to say thank you. The Town Council is not required to clear pavements and the staff are not obliged to work on a Sunday, but getting fresh snow moved before it becomes impacted makes it easier for everyone. We do as much as we can and residents who have cleared snow from their drives, footpaths and residential roads have all helped to make sure the town stays mobile. It has been a great community effort.”

Weather reports show that the temperatures may stay cold this week slowing snow clearance but hopefully there are no more fresh falls on the way for the time being.

 

TOWN COUNCILLORS ARE ASKING FOR YOUR VIEWS in the next stage of consultation in developing the Neighbourhood Plan.

Responding to the first survey and priorities identified the Town Council is now seeking further clarification on the town’s views regarding Town Centre Regeneration and Business development which were the two areas that concerned residents the most.

The questionnaires will be available to download or complete on-line. Hard copies can be picked up at Market Square,
Sainsburys and The Library as well as the Town Council offices. All hard copies should be returned to the Town Council. The closing date for these questionnaires is 1 March 2012 and they will be followed by the next area of consultation.

The results will be used to determine the policies and details to be included in the Neighbourhood Plan which when complete will be consulted on yet further.

Cllr Heidi Brunsdon Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said “there was a fantastic response to the initial survey and it is hoped this survey will provide the evidence to support the plan that emerges over the next few months. Residents should watch for the advertising and check the website to make sure that they are part of this consultation and can express their views as to the changes they want in their town.”

For more information or to book tickets check out the theatre’s website or ring the box office on 01342 302000

1 February at 7.30pm: Theatre Unlimited presents Stalin’s Favourite

In 1941, the huge popularity of his poem Wait for Me projected Konstantin Simonov into the literary stratosphere of the Soviet Union.  But becoming Stalin’s favourite writer came at a price.  Years later, ageing and unwell, Simonov looks back on a lifetime as part of Stalin’s Soviet elite and confronts his demons…

2 February: Theatre Unlimited presents Defying Hitler

SEBASTIAN Haffner wasn’t a Nazi and he wasn’t Jewish.  He was just a sensitive and highly intelligent, but otherwise ordinary German, striving to come to terms with the madness that was Nazi Germany.  Adapted from the award-winning memoir of the same name, Defying Hitler is the candid, witty and moving account of a young man growing up in the shadow of Hitler’s Third Reich

4 February at 7.30pm: The Bohemians present A Night of Queen

THE Bohemians are the first Queen tribute to play every type of event run by the Queen fan club, and the first Queen tribute to play on the same bill as Queen guitarist Brian May, who described them as ‘brilliant’.

7 February at 7.30pm: DEPE Productions presents the H.U.G.S. Charity Concert

A Benefit Concert for HUGS (Help Us Give Support children’s charity) with three local bands

10/11 February: Bullfrog Productions presents Alice in Wonderland

BULLFROG Productions Youth Group presents Disney’s magical musical Alice in Wonderland.  Based on the book by Lewis Carroll, Alice falls down a rabbit hole and meets The Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and many more.  Her madcap adventures come to life on stage with a zany twist, wacky songs and chaotic plot.

15 February at 7.30pm: Pyramid Promotions presents Karnataka in Concert

KARNTAKA have gained an international reputation as innovators in their field, creating beautiful, melodic rock with a unique Celtic edge. Featuring an international line-up of world-class musicians including Hayley Griffiths from Riverdance.

16 February at 7pm: Cuisine Studio presents Jazz Cafe

Sit back, relax and 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.

17 February at 8pm: Legends of Las Vegas

AWARD-winning Tribute Artist Fisher Stevens and his fabulous Legends Band bring theLas Vegas Legends Show to Chequer Mead. A professionally produced stage show celebrating the careers of two legendary icons, Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley.

18 February at 7:45pm: Flairz Glam Rock

FLAIRZ celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2012, so put on your best 70s fancy dress and come and celebrate with the Greatest Glam Rock Band in the world

21 February at 1.30pm: Chequer Mead Lunchtime Concert series presents Neil Crossland

YORKSHIRE pianist and composer Neil Crossland began playing the piano at the age of six and studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won major prizes in both piano and composition. Since then he has performed extensively at home and abroad, and written pieces in all genres.

Friday 24 February at 8pm: The Dixon Agency presents Re-Take That

AN evening of blockbuster hits from the UK’s most authentic and charismatic tribute band. Jason Orange says: “Brilliant! Just like watching my old mates on stage, the attention to detail is amazing.”

25 February at 2:30pm and 7:30pm: Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents Cold Comfort Farm

YOUTH Production 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…

29 February/ 1 March: Imberhorne school presents An Evening of Dance

IMBERHORNE school presents an exciting evening of dance by students performing a variety of pieces from Key Stage 3 to 6th form.

THE award-winning Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir is giving a charity concert on 3 March to support the restoration of St Mary’s in Windmill Lane.

The choir, which reached the final of the 2010 Kent Top Choir competition, will be performing a rousing programme of spirituals, jazz, hymns and show tunes. Tickets/details £10 from Andrew Bass on 01342 850511.

St Mary’s launched a £100,000 campaign to restore the landmark Windmill Lane church in 2010, and has already raised enough to repair the distinctive bell turret.

But more work must be done to make the church watertight and fit to serve future generations in the town.

Continue reading “Top choir supports appeal for landmark church”

WORK has now begun on the new public toilet block in the King Street car park, which should open this spring. The new toilets will replace the portacabin toilet block in the southeast corner of the town centre car park opposite the cinema.

Although functional and well-used, the portacabin was only ever envisaged as a temporary measure and councillors have always recognised the need for a permanent replacement.

The new building will have a pitched roof, exposed brickwork and plain tiling in a traditional style in keeping with an historic market town like East Grinstead. Traditional local materials will be used in its construction including bricks sourced from nearby West Hoathly.

In agreeing the design, councillors said the new building would enhance the character and appearance of its town centre location and significantly benefit both the local community and visitors to East Grinstead.

The new toilets will have distinct female and male areas, a separate wheelchair-accessible toilet and a baby-changing facility.

Mid Sussex District Council will fund its construction and East Grinstead Town Council will manage, maintain and clean the new public convenience.

“With the Olympic Games taking place just up the road in London this summer, and the prospect of the Bluebell Railway arriving in the town, we could soon be welcoming a significant influx of tourists,” said MSDC Councillor Pru Moore.

“East Grinstead is a charming market town steeped in history and attractive to visitors. If we want people to choose East Grinstead, and come back for further visits, then we must offer first-class facilities and the new public toilets will provide a welcome boost in this regard.”

East Grinstead Council leader Norman Webster also welcomed the news that work on the permanent toilet block is now underway.

“This is a project which MSDC and East Grinstead Town Council have worked on together, and I am delighted that this important facility for townspeople and tourists will be ready for use within a matter of months,” he said.