Author: Andrew Taylor

A legacy left by a 16th-century salt merchant and philanthropist is still benefitting East Grinstead residents who find themselves in need at Christmas time. On his death in 1628 Henry Smith left £2000 for the purchase of land that would yield an annual income to help the poor, with which his trustees bought land in Kensington and Westminster.

The Henry Smith Charity’s capital endowment now consists of a substantial portfolio of stock market investments, property and investments in Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Venture Capital. Its grant making, which totals many millions of pounds each year, addresses a wide range of causes and extends throughout the whole of the UK.

East Grinstead residents, 65 years old and over and on a low income, are invited to apply for a grant. Successful single applicants will receive a £50 voucher for Sainsbury’s or Waitrose, £70 for a married couple. An extra £15 will be awarded to successful applicants 90 years old and above.

Applications open on the first of November and closes on Friday 15th November 2019.

Forms can be collected from and returned to: East Grinstead Town Council offices, East Grinstead Library, Citizens Advice Bureau East Grinstead, Judges Close Surgery, Age UK East Grinstead, Waitrose East Grinstead, Sainsbury’s East Grinstead, Moatfield Surgery, Ashurst Wood News Store, St Dunstan’s, Forest Row Parish Council, Ashdown Forest Health Centre.

Download application form

East Grinstead Timetable of Events Sunday 10th and Monday 11th November (times are approximate)

Sunday 10th November

10.00 – East Court short service – WW2 memorial East Court

10.15 – High Street from Middle Row… London Road (High St to Kings St) Closed

10.45 – Parade leaves base of London Road

10.50 – Parade arrives at High Street War memorial EG Concert Band finish playing

10.55 – Church Parade arrive

EG service follows Big Ben relay to the hour of 11.00 and silence

During the Wreath Laying … members of the public wishing to lay their own tribute (RBL crosses or wreaths) should make themselves known to the parade commander at the war memorial and they may then follow on from the marching groups

11.35 – High St closed from College Lane roundabout and at Portland Road to allow parade to pass

11.35 – Parade moves off toward Chequer Mead car park and disbands there

11.40 – Church Lane closed

11.45 – 12.00 roads reopen as soon as possible

There will be discretionary (steward controlled) access from Cantelupe Road turning left only, between 10.15 – 10.5 depending on size of the crowd, if it is not safe to allow traffic to enter the High St they will not be able to do so. No Vehicles will be able to enter the High St once the Choir have left St Swithuns.   Vehicles must not move from the parking bays during the closure.

Join us on the High Street to pay your tribute to those gone before – service sheets will be available

Monday 11th November

The Town Mayor will lay a Wreath at the High St Memorial at 11.00 am

Traffic will be held on the High St during a minutes silence

 

It is only 1 minute, please be respectful, think of those who gave up their minutes in past conflicts

Mid Sussex County Council are looking for an “Ambassador” for  a team of students from one of our local senior schools participating in a STEM Challenge.  All senior schools in the Mid Sussex district are participating. They have been set an identical technical challenge and at some point next year will compete against each other.  This year it is around building a high-speed radio-controlled car from a kit, then making some innovations to the design in order to win the challenge.

As part of the programme each school has an “Ambassador” assigned to them from a local company, who needs to be able to commit about 60-75 minutes one afternoon a week to visit the school and give the group of pupils some guidance.  Sadly, the organisers  have never managed to get a company from East Grinstead involved and just this week someone who was supporting an East Grinstead school has had to drop out.

They are now looking for a supportive East Grinstead company who could spare an employee (a few companies actually assign this role to an apprentice) to be an Ambassador to an East Grinstead school?  If this is something that you would like to get involved with, please contact Samantha West of East Grinstead Business Association.

From Friday 25th October the Town Council will be remembering all those lost in conflicts and supporting the Royal British Legion.

A display of crocheted poppies will be arranged at the High Street War Memorial flower beds in a moving tribute. These will remain in situ until the week after Remembrance Sunday.

Extra poppies have been turned into brooches and these will be available for a suggested donation of £1 from the Town Council Offices at East Court and the Tourist Information desk (a service of the Town Council) within East Grinstead Library.

Wooden poppies from the display of 2018 are also available for a suggested donation of £5

All proceeds will be given to the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

[AFG_gallery id=’82’]