Author: Andrew Taylor

East Grinstead Town Council is currently looking for tenders to create an historic trail that tells the story of the town down through the ages.  This trail will point out the various attractions and features as the traveller works their way from the our railway stations towards our historic High Street, and finally to the McIndoe Statue.

The closing date for tenders is the 2nd October 2019, and a full specification can be obtained by emailing j.ansley@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

The whole route of the trail is detailed below:

People in West Sussex are invited to take part in a public consultation about proposals to improve the quality and safety of mental health services for adults, older people and those living with dementia.

The consultation was launched today (Wednesday 17 July) by the local NHS for a 12 week period.

These proposals have been developed over many months by the three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in West Sussex and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, following input and feedback from doctors, specialists, service users and staff. They aim to:

• provide a higher quality of care by moving services from out-dated, poor quality wards in Chichester and Horsham to safer, more modern wards in Worthing and Crawley
• give patients the privacy and dignity they deserve and to meet national standards by making all wards single-sex, and
• provide an opportunity to create a centre of excellence in Worthing for people living with dementia which will improve the care for both their mental and physical health needs.

Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership, said: “We currently have buildings and accommodation which are old and of poor quality and do not meet the standards we expect for our patients, carers and families. This is something we need to address urgently and these proposals will help us achieve this.

“No final decisions have been made and we now want to hear from those people who may be affected by our plans and anyone interested in how we provide our services now and in the future. We would urge everyone to get involved and have their say.”

Adam Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of Sussex and East Surrey CCGs, said: “We have developed these proposals to make sure we lead the way in providing the best mental health care and support possible for local people.

“They not only address the challenges we have with some of the buildings in West Sussex but also allow us to improve the care for patients. We look forward to hearing from people during the next 12 weeks so we can work with them to help deliver the best possible care.”

A formal public consultation document is available online and in a printed version setting out the background to the proposals, what is being proposed and how you can have your say.

During the next 12 weeks, there will be a range of ways that people can get involved.

• There will be public events organised for across West Sussex. Dates and locations will be shared on the consultation website, with local partners, and by contacting the consultation team.
• Smaller events for organisations representing service users, carers and those with an interest in these proposals will be also be held. Anyone who wants to arrange a face-to-face meeting can contact the consultation team on the details below.
• All of the consultation documents, including business planning documents, are now published online for information on the consultation website.
• To make it as easy as possible for people to share their views, there is a survey that is available both in hard copy and online. The survey is also on the website and people can request a copy using the details below.

Full details about how to get involved can be found at:

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/west-sussex-consultation

Further information is available by:

Calling: 0300 304 0330 (local rates apply)

emailing westsussex.mh@nhs.net, or by

writing to:

Freepost RTKY-LXHG-BATT
Engagement Team
Coastal West Sussex CCG
The Causeway
Goring-by-Sea
Worthing
BN12 6BT

The consultation will close on Friday 11 October and all of the findings will be independently analysed to enable the three CCGs in West Sussex and Sussex Partnership to make a final decision on these services later this year.

East Grinstead youngsters helped celebrate the 250th Anniversary of East Court on Tuesday 6th August by enjoying an afternoon of fun in the sun.

Activities including a bungee run, total wipe out, mini tennis, soft play and shoot for goal were arranged by the Town Council and were free for the children to take part, there was also artists corner where the children could draw and a rainbow bubble party were children heard stories and had a chance to play some unusual musical instruments.

Families were invited to bring a picnic and have an afternoon on the Council as they celebrated East Courts birthday.

Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee Cllr Christine Mainstone said “this was a lovely way to celebrate the anniversary, children playing in the sun and families just having a wonderful time. We are so lucky to have the estate as the home of the Town Council and the Mid Sussex SANG as it means that everyone is able to enjoy it, from the formal gardens and war memorial to the football pitches and woodland walks”

There is an exhibition telling the history of East Court, on display most weekdays at the Mansion between 9 am – 4 pm. This will remain until the end of the year.

15th September was the decisive day of the Battle of Britain and 2019 marks the 79th anniversary. East Grinstead has great and lasting connections with the brave airman of the battle as many of them were treated for injuries sustained, mostly burns, at the Queen Victoria Hospital by pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe.  On this day Sunday 15th September 2019 East Grinstead will  come together to remember and commemorate the Battle, the injured airmen known as The Guinea Pig Club and and McIndoe.

There will be two elements to the day.

1 – A film festival , raising money for the QVH and Spitfire Society. Three films will be available to watch and also Paul Beaver will recount the battle in a historical presentation. Timings to be advised.

Chequer Mead, Cantelupe Road RH19 3BS

Tickets available from the Box office 01342 302000 tickets@chequermead.co.uk

2 – A civic dedication of the Sir Archibald McIndoe statue.

11.30am High Street East Grinstead.

On Tuesday 6th August East Grinstead Town Council celebrated the 250th anniversary of East Court by holding a family fun day. The event was very well attended with activities suitable for up to 16 year olds. The Town Council will look into the possibility of making this an annual free event.

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There were celebrations all round when the team at an East Grinstead care home welcomed the local community in for a day of art-themed fun and games.

The Care UK team at Mill View on Sunnyside Close were joined by local people for Care Home Open Day, a countrywide initiative set up to develop lasting relationships between care homes and local communities, and to dispel common myths about care home life.

This year’s theme celebrated the role of arts within care, which is important in encouraging residents’ self-expression, and helps to create meaningful experiences.

On the day, residents and visitors polished their artistic skills with a pottery session, and tapped their feet to live entertainment from Creative Notes during a special music therapy session.

As part of a nationwide competition for all Care UK homes, Mill View also developed a work of art in the lead up to the open day, which was unveiled at the event.

Debbie Wheeler, home manager at Mill View, said: “Creative activities are important for people in care, whether it’s painting to help enhance hand-eye coordination, or simply reminiscing by putting on some music – the arts are a vital part of life here at Mill View.

“We’re pleased so many people from the local community joined us for Care Home Open Day. We always have a great time hosting this annual event and opening our doors to local people in East Grinstead to show them just how much fun you can have in a care home. We’re looking forward to next year already!”

Mill View has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite.

To find out more about Mill View, please contact customer relations manager, Amy Batchelor, on 01342 887 940 or email amy.batchelor@careuk.com

For more general information visit careuk.com/mill-view

To find out more about Care Home Open Day, please go to careuk.com/carehomeopenday