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Author: Andrew Taylor

Wade the Dinky Donkey

Posted on by Andrew Taylor

East Grinstead Lions Club President and RDA volunteer Ron Millen presented Sally O’Neill with a cheque for £500, part of the proceeds from the Club’s July donkey derby.  Sally organises pony club jockeys to ride the racing donkeys and a number of the RDA volunteers come along and support by leading donkeys for child pony rides.

Taking centre stage in the photo is miniature donkey Wade who at 7 months old joins the stable to try to help nervous children overcome their concerns by stroking, petting and brushing him.

Wade has been purchased by the East Grinstead and District Lions Club in remembrance of their Club colleague and Thursday RDA volunteer Rob Holwell, who sadly collapsed and died from a heart attack just 2 days after what turned out to be his last session at East Park in March of 2017.  Rob’s Lions Club colleagues had voted unanimously to pledge £3,000 to buy a pony in remembrance of their friend.

However, a pony of the right temperament has proved difficult to find and in March Sally floated the idea of buying a miniature donkey.  Wade was born and bred in Wales, as was Rob, and since arriving at East Park has been getting up to mischief by jumping over stable doors and eating Sally’s shrubs and flowers and generally making everyone laugh and smile.  Anyone who knew Rob would know how appropriate this is as he had a wonderful sense of humour and did not take life too seriously.  Donkeys are very long lived and Wade will be around for many years to come – provided that is he doesn’t eat too many more of Sally’s shrubs!!

After Wade’s purchase, and in light of the sad loss of RDA pony Spice, the Lions Club have topped their pledge back up to £3000 so that East Park can continue to search for a replacement pony.

Rooms For Hire – Glen Vue Community Hub

Posted on by Andrew Taylor

Age UK East Grinstead & District have rooms available for hire at the Glen Vue Community Hub in East Grinstead. The rooms vary in size and can be used for small meetings, presentations, groups or clubs.

The Glen Vue Community Hub is very central, being close to the train station, bus network and a public car park is situated to the rear of the building. The Centre is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and Age UK East Grinstead & District would like community groups and local residents to be aware the building is available to book. Hourly room hire rates start from £8.00 per hour, dependent on room size, (a minimum of 2 hour bookings available). There is also a reception and waiting area.

Rooms available include:

  • Woodbury – for a maximum of 48 people, the room is 9 metres by 4.5 metres.
  • Imberhorne – for a maximum of 27 people, the room is 4 metres by 3 metres.
  • Ashplats – for a maximum of 3 people, the room is 2.6 metres by 2.9 metres.

If you want to hire a room, contact Katie McDonald on accounts@ageukeastgrinstead.org.uk or 01342 327046 (Option 2).

Changes to opening hours at Household Waste Recycling Sites

Posted on by Andrew Taylor

Winter opening hours at all 11 Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRSs) in West Sussex started on 1 October 2019.

Sites are now open from 9am until 4pm until 31 March 2020.

There are also some seasonal changes to the days sites are open. Burgess Hill, Chichester, Worthing, and Crawley will open for six days a week during the winter months.

Chichester closes on Tuesdays and Burgess Hill, Worthing, and Crawley close on Thursdays.

Householders who drive a commercial-type vehicle are also being reminded to obtain a free permit before visiting the HWRSs.

The permits are designed to help address congestion at the sites and eliminate illegal disposal of commercial waste.