Heroes and Villains
Thursday 8 December to Wednesday 14 December:
Heroes and Villains is a study in portraiture of some of the most influential political poets in Americas urban rap culture. It consists of 12 paintings, oil on canvas, and sees Joe Caprani return to classical realism.
Christmas Craft Market
Thursday 15 December to Friday 23 December:
In the Greenstede Gallery the week before Christmas, an opportunity to find handcrafted original gifts.
HAVING met its target of attracting 20 members in its first year, the Meridian Probus Club is now looking to expand its membership.
The word Probus derives from PROfessional and BUSiness and membership is open to retired professional business people who want to remain active and maintain social links with others who have similar interests.
The Meridian Club meets monthly and hosts a variety of speakers and events throughout the year.
Anyone interested in finding out more can contact the club secretary on 01342 323098.
THERE will be free parking in East Grinstead’s short stay car parks on Friday 16 December after 3pm.
Shoppers will be able to stay all day in the town’s long term car parks for a £1 on December Saturdays up to Christmas.
Google UK saluted East Grinstead’s internet savvy companies who have boosted the town into the nation’s top 20 towns with the highest rate of growth through the Internet.
Statistics show that local businesses are turning to online opportunities to drive growth during the present difficult trading conditions. East Grinstead came in 16th with almost 24% growth in 2010 to 2011.
Accepting the Google e Town trophy, Town MP Nicholas Soames said. “East Grinstead will be proud of its Google eTown award – I hope that this award encourages other local businesses to get on line and grow online.”
Town Council Tourist Information Officer Simon Kerr also reported a huge surge in enquiries on the Town Council Accommodation web pages “We have thousands of visits through the year and new visitors forming around 70% of those viewing our pages during the last 12 months”
Unlike many neighbouring towns East Grinstead’s Christmas lights remain undimmed this year thanks to the efforts of the voluntary fundraising that pays for the bulk of the costs.
The hard work of erecting the cabling and displays is always undertaken in early November, but the lights are not switched on until after the Remembrance commemorations after the 11th of the month.
The Bluebell Railway still needs just under a million pounds to complete the extension to East Grinstead. As part of their fund-raising, they have been accepted for the Reed Foundation’s "Big Give" Christmas Challenge which enables them to obtain some match funding for the extension.
What they have to do is raise £30,000 in 5 days (starting at 10am on 5th December) through the Bluebell’s page on the Big Give web site. Any donation made in that week will be matched POUND FOR POUND by a combination of their major supporters and the Big Give’s sponsor funds.
If you are eligible for Gift Aid as well, this will, for example, turn a £10 donation into £22.50 for the extension project.
West Sussex County Council are currently considering reducing or removing subsidy to these routes. They therefore need to hear your views if you are a user of the bus. To date the services that have been affected in phase one and two of the three phase review mostly centre around late evening, early morning or weekend services. The County Council is keen to ensure that the most used and necessary services remain funded and in place. The County Council are also keen to point out that even though they may remove subsidy this does not necessarily mean that services will be reduced as this is the decision of the bus operator.
If you have a view as to the services above you should tell West Sussex County County what you think. They are conducting surveys between 23rd November and 17th January. A web survey is available at www.westsussex.gov.uk/buses If you would like paper copies of the survey or alternative formats phone 01243 642105 or email buses@westsussex.gov.uk.
Further information on the routes affected by Phases 1 and 2 can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/buses
In preparation for the forth-coming winter the Town Council has purchased and installed 6 new grit bins; this bring the total number of bins around the town to 57. The new bins are located at:
It must be stressed that this grit is for use on the public highway and footpaths, should residents require to purchase salt or grit for their private use they should contact local builders merchants.
With weather forecasters predicting another cold winter, Mid Sussex District Council is encouraging residents to be prepared for snow and ice again this year.
The Government’s Chief Scientific Officer suggests that severe wintery weather is likely to become more common in the future and is advising residents to ‘Get Ready for Winter’. The Government has launched a new website www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter to provide practical advice about how to plan for winter and how residents can help themselves and the wider community when severe weather arrives.
The Government provides practical advice about clearing snow and ice from around properties such as:
Residents may also wish to stock up with fuel oil as well as with non-perishable foods in case of emergency and it is wise to secure all loose objects outside the home and regularly check the roofing. When snow arrives, only travel by car when it is absolutely necessary but if the journey is unavoidable, then take warm clothes, food, boots, a torch and spade. Try to wait until the roads have been gritted before travelling and let someone know your route and when you’re expected to arrive.
In icy and snowy conditions, West Sussex County Council is the local authority responsible for gritting the roads and Mid Sussex District Council is working closely with the Town and Parish Councils to ensure the areas’ needs are recognised by the County Council. The District Council treats its key car parks and footpaths in highly used areas to make them as safe as possible for the community.
“When heavy snow falls it is inevitable that there will be some disruption, but as residents we can do our best to keep it to a minimum by being prepared and helping each other,” said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “There is no law to stop us from clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside our property, pathways to our houses or other public spaces.
“As long as residents use common sense and are careful not to make the surface more dangerous than it was before then they are free and encouraged to help out. Clearing the snow at the front of your house may seem like a small step, but if we all do it then together we can quickly get our communities moving again after heavy snow.”
To find out more about being prepared and planning for emergencies, please visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/emergencies to read the Council’s ‘Guidance for Severe Weather’ and the ‘Emergency Plan’.
In the event of severe weather, Mid Sussex District Council will provide up to date messages on the www.midsussex.gov.uk website, or residents can visit the www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter pages for more information.