Author: Andrew Taylor

Local children and their families enjoyed a free day of fun and activities in East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill on 30^th, 31^st July and 1^st August as part of Play Days 2019. Play Days is a celebration of children’s right to play and a campaign to highlight the importance of play in children’s lives.

This year’s Play Days were circus themed and Mid Sussex District Council organised a variety of free activities. Families enjoyed outstanding circus demonstrations performed by professionals Poi Passion, and the South’s leading children’s entertainer, Tom Foolery, captivated all the family. Trained Circus performers gave guidance to children on walking the tightrope, balancing on stilts, juggling and also enjoyed creative activities to celebrate national Play Day 2019.

Places Leisure organised lots of fun sporting activities and children were encouraged to bring their bikes and scooters along to take part in a prepared obstacle course. The local DJs filled the afternoon with music and WSCC brought their sensory bus to provide activities for youngsters.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said:

“The Circus themed Play Days this year were filled with a variety of fun activities throughout the day for all the family to enjoy during the school holidays. There was lots to keep the children entertained.

“It’s great that we were able to provide a great afternoon for the local community to enjoy, with free activities available at these convenient locations across the District”

If you missed the free Play Day events, there is a chance to catch Play Days on tour, which is travelling across Mid Sussex providing a series of free mini events. There will be lots of activities which are suitable for all ages such as a DJ workshop, circuit training, arts & crafts, free passes to try leisure centre activities and much more.

The free mini Play Days on tour will be held at:

• Court Bushes in Hurstpierpoint from 11am until 3pm on Tuesday 6^th August
• Worlds End Rec in Burgess Hill from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 7^th August
• Bentswood in Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Tuesday 13^th August
• Ashenground in Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 14^th August
• Cuckfield Rec, in Cuckfield from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 15^th August
• Rec by Millennium Hall in Scaynes Hill from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 21^st August
• Ardingly Rec in Ardingly from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 22^nd August
• Stone Quarry in East Grinstead from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 28^th August
• Rec by The Ark in Turners Hill from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 29^th August

Mid Sussex District Council Chairman Colin Trumble said:

“I opened all three of our Play Days events and it’s a fantastic day for the local people to enjoy with their families. I also visited one of our mini Play Days on Tour events at Court Bushes in Hurstpierpoint this morning and it was wonderful to see so many people taking part. ”

The 2019 events were organised by Mid Sussex District Council with support from Places Leisure, Burgess Hill Town Council, East Grinstead Town Council and Haywards Heath Town Council.

For more information contact Sally Blackmore, Community Engagement and Events Officer on 01444-477057 or email youth@midsussex.gov.uk

East Grinstead Town Council was pleased to work with Mid Sussex DC on the joint application for the estate to cover areas owned by Mid Sussex Council, East Grinstead Memorial Estate and the Town Council. The Green Flag award is prestigious and a known brand of quality. The Council is delighted that East Court has been recognised this way. On the day of the picture, we were celebrating the sestercentennial of East Court Mansion (250th anniversary), with a family fun day, showcasing the use of the estate as a giant playground as much as the sedate parkland and woodland walks.

The award has been granted for 2019/20 and will be reassessed annually.

East Grinstead and District Lions club would like to thank everyone who turned out to support the Donkey Derby and Dog Show on Sunday. Thanks go to those that responded to the pleas for help on social media and came along to help set up and take down and all those that attended as stall holders and visitors.

The Lions are very grateful for the support the club receives from the business community in the form of sponsorship. The event has raised a magnificent £4300 for our charities, over £1000 more than last year.

Meridian Rotary Fit For Life Event on Saturday 28 September, Sackville School, Lewes Road, East Grinstead between 10 a.m and 3pm.

On Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 July the Mid Sussex recycling and rubbish collections will start from 6am.

The hot temperatures we’re experiencing this summer mean working conditions are tough for our bin collection crews and this change will give them more time to work in the cooler part of the day.

Please ensure your bins and boxes are placed out ready for collection the evening before, in plenty of time for the early start.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 Heat Health Alert with a 90% probability of heat health criteria being met between 9.00am on Monday (22 July) and 9.00am on Friday (26 July) in parts of England.

View the full warning at the Met Office Heat Health Watch site.

Hot weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this hot weather period please help make sure that they stay cool and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this hot spell.

Please follow this advice to keep cool and comfortable and reduce health risks:

• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler.
• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11.00am and 3.00pm (the hottest part of the day).
• Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
• Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
• Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
• Wear loose, cool clothing and a hat if you go outdoors. 

For more information…

Met Office Heat-health watch

NHS Choices Heatwave: be prepared

West Sussex Wellbeing Looking after yourself and others in hot weather

WSCC Dealing with extreme weather

WSCC Preparing for emergencies

Follow us on Twitter for regular updates @WSCCNews @WSCCResilience@wspublichealth

Local children and their families are invited to come along and enjoy a free afternoon of fun and activities in East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill at the end of the month.

Mid Sussex District Council has organised a variety of live performances, games and creative activities for local families to enjoy on 30 July, 31 July and 1 August to celebrate national Play Day 2019.

The theme this year is the Circus and all the free activities inspired by the magic of the Big Top. A dedicated performance area will play host to captivating magic by award winning children’s entertainer Tomfoolery and spectacular demonstrations of circus arts by the experts at Poi Passion.

An arts tent will enable children to be creative and trained Circus performers will be on hand to show them how to juggle, hula-hoop, tightrope walk, and balance on stilts.

Places for People Leisure will be organising lots of fun sporting activities and children are encouraged to bring their bikes and scooters along to take part in a specially prepared obstacle course. Local DJs will ensure the afternoon is filled with music and youngsters can bounce along to the beats on two bouncy castles. WSCC will be bringing their sensory bus and will be providing activities.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said:

“Our Play Days are always tremendous fun for the whole family and we have another terrific selection of free activities for people to enjoy this year. There’s no need to pre-book, just come along on the day and join in the fun.

“Please think about using sustainable methods of transport when planning your journey by walking, cycling or using public transport if possible, as parking will be extremely limited at all three venues.”

The free Play Day events will be held at:

• King George’s Field in East Grinstead from 11am until 3pm on Tues 30 July
• Victoria Park, Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Weds 31 July
• Fairfield Recreation Ground, Burgess Hill from 11am until 3pm on Thurs 1 August

The Burgess Hill Play Day will be held at Fairfield Recreation for the very first time in order to provide more space for the activities.

Play Day is a celebration of children’s right to play and a campaign to highlight the importance of play in children’s lives. The 2019 events have been organised by Mid Sussex District Council with support from Clarion Futures, Places For People Leisure, Burgess Hill Town Council, East Grinstead Town Council and Haywards Heath Town Council.

For more information contact Sally Blackmore, Mid Sussex District Community Engagement and Events Officer on 01444 477057 or email communityservices@midsussex.gov.uk.