Author: Andrew Taylor

TOWN Mayor Danny Favor was guest of honour at the Sackville School production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat on 13 February.

After enjoying the show, Danny said it had “made him feel very proud” to see the talent displayed by the many pupils involved in the production, on stage, in the orchestra and behind the scenes.

Review of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Sackville School 12 – 14 February by Geraldine Durrant

“JOSEPH” has always been a particular favourite of mine, since the days when my children played it on endless repeats on long car journeys.

We wore out tapes, had the song book and once turned up a week early at The Hawth in our eagerness to see the show performed live.

So I looked forward with keen anticipation to Sackville’s production this week – and it did not disappoint.

There can be few more feel-good shows than this musical comedy with its catchy songs, clever pastiches and witty lyrics.

And while Rice and Webber may have gone on to more “serious” work, they will always be remembered most fondly for their first professional collaboration written originally as a choral piece for Cholet school, and since extended into a much-expanded and much-loved family show.

And Sackville’s production was terrific, fizzing with an infectious enthusiasm which delighted its audience.

Charlotte Nield gave a simply dazzling performance as the eponymous hero.

Her bright personality shone through as she soared effortlessly above the ensemble choir, flawlessly hitting all the high notes.

Her crisp diction ensured none of the lyrics were lost and her nuanced acting moved easily between Joseph’s strutting youth, resplendent in his multi-coloured coat, to real poignancy in her solo Close Every Door To Me when imprisoned and abandoned in Egypt.

Olly Howland, as Potiphar, also gave a lovely performance with some deft comic touches as the rich-but-unhappy husband whose wife – played with seductive charm by Eve Lewis – makes her move on the unwilling Joseph.

And Jack Charlton Nevitt made a marvellous Pharaoh.

With a physique born to wear Elvis’s flared jump suits, Jack’s strutting arrogance and terrific vocals were among the many highlights of the show.

Ollie Hodge and Rachel Davies turned in solid performances in their roles as the Butler and Baker, while Maud Kendrick, Peggy Wheeler, Nicole Noakes, Chloe Harman, Abi Hewitt and Lucy Barber all brought some lovely voices to their shared role as The Narrator.

There was sterling work too from Joseph’s band of bad brothers, with James, Batters, Eric Parker, Alex Flude, Jacob Knock, Tom Duncan, Seren Foulds, Rebekah Tyler, Keira Ellis, Katelyn Page, Freya Eastcott and Natalie Rathbone all turning in lively performances on their road from revenge to redemption.

But it is the entire ensemble which makes Joseph such a perfect production for schools and while the soloists certainly deserved praise, they were supported by an enthusiastic cast and dancers – and the school’s talented in-house orchestra of staff, pupils and parents under the musical direction of Tom Heatley.

All-in-all a marvellous evening which reflected enormous credit on Sackville’s staff and pupils, and which sent its audience out into the night humming the tunes…

Geraldine Durrant

An untidy corner of Vicarage car park has received a makeover and will be more welcoming to East Grinstead visitors this year. Mid Sussex District Council gave permission for work to be carried out on their land and an Environmental Improvements Grant to cover materials cost to East Grinstead Town Council to create a wild flower lawn. The Improvement works were undertaken by the outdoor services team seen here with Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee, Cllr Christine Mainstone.

The Met Office has issued an Amber Warning – Wind for Sunday the 9^th February 2020

Storm Ciara will bring very strong winds and potentially some disruption to travel throughout Sunday

View the full warning at the Met Office Severe Weather Warning site.

The potential impacts of this are:

• Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
• Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected
• Some roads and bridges likely to close
• Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties
• There is a good chance that power cuts may occur

Please follow this advice to keep safe and well:

The MET office website provides clear guidance on what to do before, during and after storms, please visit their website for more information at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/your-home/stay-safe-in-a-storm

For more information go to:

• WSCC Dealing with extreme weather
• WSCC Preparing for emergencies
• Follow us on Twitter for regular updates @WSCCNews and @WSCCResilience

Mid Sussex District Council adopted a new Animal Welfare Policy, approved funds for accessibility improvements to the Council Chamber and agreed new powers to combat anti-social behaviour at a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday 29 January.

The Council has adopted a new Animal Welfare Policy to provide additional guidance to current and potential licence holders and the public about how animal licensing is administered in Mid Sussex.

Businesses that work with animals such as pet shops, dog breeders, animal boarding establishments and riding stables must be licenced by the council to ensure their animals are safe and well.

The Animal Welfare Policy sets out all the conditions local businesses must follow to protect the welfare of their animals, prevent the spread of infectious disease and ensure the suitability of the business owner. Inspections are carried out by the Council to confirm that standards are maintained and any complaints are thoroughly investigated.

Councillors agreed a £584,000 budget for essential improvement works to the Council Chamber and public gallery. The Council Chamber has not undergone any significant changes since it was built in the 1960s and requires a number of changes to improve accessibility for disabled people.

Plans include the installation of a lift to provide physically disabled people with access to the Council Chamber and public gallery. There will also be work to replace old and obsolete equipment including heating, air conditioning, an audio-visual system and the installation of hearing loops for people with hearing and visual impairments.

New measures were agreed to help combat the ongoing issue of car cruising and racing in Burgess Hill. Between November 2017 and June 2019 Police data shows over 140 incidents of anti-social driving in the town. Residents and local businesses have complained specifically about organised meets in town centre car parks that lead to anti-social behaviour including speeding, careless driving and excessive noise.

The Council approved a Car Cruising Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to provide simpler and more effective powers to deal with car related anti-social behaviour. The PSPO lasts for a period of three years and covers the whole town. Anti-social acts such as speeding or racing, performing stunts, causing a disturbance by sounding horns, revving engines or playing loud music and causing damage to property could now result in a Fixed Penalty of £100 under the new PSPO powers.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said: “Animal welfare is an important issue and our new policy provides clear guidance for current and potential business owners about what is expected of an animal licence holder in Mid Sussex.

“Accessibility improvements to the Council Chamber and public viewing gallery are much needed, so it’s great to agree a budget for this important project and to improve our facilities for all the members of the public who come along to follow council meetings.

“Car cruising related anti-social behaviour is a nuisance and causes unnecessary disruption for many Burgess Hill residents. This new Public Space Protection Order responds to the concerns of residents and provides the Police with additional powers to tackle persistent offenders.”

East Grinstead Town Council on Monday night set its budget and precept for the 2020/2021 year.  The precept is set to rise by 6% to £88.16 per year per band D property. The annual rise ranges from £3.33 for a Band A to £9.99 for a Band H property, The annual Band D rise is £4.99.

Council Leader Dick Sweatman said: “the Council does not like to increase the precept, however being mindful of the need to respond to residents expectations for national celebrations such as VE Day 75, the real possibility of the County Council reducing winter maintenance services and the aspiration to bring St Margarets Loop and Queens Road Cemetery back in to use, these things are not possible without an increase.

The Town Council services include graffiti removal/ public works for the County Council / civic planting / street furnishings/ town events and promotions.   The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organizations.”

The total East Grinstead Town Council band D council tax, equates to  £1.68 per week, comparing favourably with other consumer costs such as a dozen large eggs at £1.80, a pint of beer at £3.93