Author: Andrew Taylor

Situated only minutes away from East Grinstead’s town centre, the East Court Estate is nestled within the countryside of Sussex with sweeping views overlooking Ashdown Forest. The Meridian Line passes through the award – winning formal gardens making East Court a truly unique venue for any event to be held where East meets West.

Licensed for civil ceremonies and perfect for special events such as weddings, conferences, seminars and training sessions, East Court offers a choice of layouts that can accommodate your needs indoors and outdoors together with the flexibility of individual catering choices.

The Town Council is proud to announce that the latest room to be licensed for ceremonies is the Council Chamber and our enthusiastic staff can help you deliver a value for money solution to all your wedding and hospitality requirements from an intimate ceremony to a large celebration.

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East Grinstead Town Council is pleased to announce that the Bow Bells Mile marker on the A22 at North end has been repaired with the kind support of Mark Ridley of Oakhurst Builders who repaired the brickwork and Jenny Watson and Luc Pineau of the Town Council who repaired and repainted the Bow Bells.

The milestones lining the A22 from Lingfield to Hailsham are believed to be the longest and most visible sequence of milestones in the country. They were erected in 1754 by the turnpike trusts that ran the London to Eastbourne coaching road The provision of distance markers to London, each a mile apart, had to be provided by the turnpike trusts under acts of Parliament. Each milestone contains an image of a bow and three bells which represent the Bow Bells of London, on top of which is the mileage remaining to said destination. They were topped with either a dot or from the 44 to 54 mile markers (Uckfield to Horsebridge) a buckle representing the Pelham family who were large landowners who lived in nearby Halland at the time and were involved in financially backing the turnpike’s extension southwards in the 1750s.

There is a program of works scheduled by the Town Council to improve the appearance of the other markers through the town.

Chairman of Amenities and Tourism Committee Cllr Christine Mainstone, EGTC head Gardener Jenny Watson and EGTC Handyman Luc Pineau and Mark Ridley of Oakhurst Builders.

We’re looking for friendly and confident people to join our team of Temporary Electoral Canvassers – perhaps you, your friends or family would like to join in!

Each year, everyone in the UK must confirm their electoral registration details are up-to-date by responding to the annual electoral canvass. As a Temporary Electoral Canvasser, you will visit properties that haven’t yet responded to provide help and encouragement to reply.

You will help people to record or update their electoral registration details using a simple App on a handheld tablet. The hours are flexible and no experience is necessary because we will provide full training in August.

The household canvass starts on 26th August and runs until Mid-November. All canvassers will be paid at a rate of £9.00 per hour with the potential to increase this amount with each property you visit.

Full information about the roles can be found at www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/annual-canvass/

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Aidan.gaff@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477073

Click here for the survey

As part of St. Swithun’s, East Grinstead Festival of Arts, East Grinstead Meridian Rotary invited students from Imberhorne & Sackville schools to exhibit their artistic talents. The exhibition, in the church, included fine art, photography, 3D ceramics and textiles. The Festival of Arts will also include floral displays, music and choral entertainment. On Tuesday 2^nd July there was an award ceremony at 5.30pm when the Town Mayor announced the winners in each category, as voted for by the visitors to the Festival. Sackville School choir gave a performance prior to the ceremony.

In addition, voters choose their favourite from four winning dinner plates in the Create a Plate competition, created by children from Estcots, Halsford Park, St. Mary’s & Lingfield Primary schools, based on the theme ‘My Favourite Book Character’.

The winner of the Create a Plate competition was Charlotte Campion from Lingfield Primary School.

The overall winner of the Arts Society East Grinstead Award was Ellie Sargant from Imberhorne School for her painting on a bearded man and was included in the Drawing and Painting Section. Ellie’s statement on why she painted this was “This painting is based on a photo taken of a stranger in Horsham. I became particularly fascinated by this old man as I had been successful in capturing this man in his surroundings. I feel some people stand out from the business of towns and cities, and this man was one of them. I chose him as a subject as I feel that through his aged face, a story of his life can be seen. I hope to catch his inner peace as well as his loneliness.”

Meridian Rotary festival co-ordinator commented “I am constantly amazed at the quality of artistic abilities of our young people from primary school age to sixth form levels as shown in this exhibition. Rotary is appreciative of St Swithuns Church making the church available for the exhibition.”

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As nominations open for the Mid Sussex Applauds community recognition scheme, local companies CAE, Caravan and Motorhome Club, idverde and Places Leisure show their support.

Mid Sussex Applauds is the new Awards programme which asks local people to nominate companies, groups and individuals across a variety of categories in recognition of their positive work.

Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, Councillor Colin Trumble said:

“As we launch our new awards it is fantastic that local businesses have got behind this and will be helping us recognise positive stories in our community. I’d like to thank them and also to encourage other companies to come forward, we still have some very worthy categories which would benefit from support.”

Stronger Communities (sponsored by CAE) – a community group or organisation that has helped to bring together cultures and communities through a local project or community activity

Take Pride in Mid Sussex (sponsored by idverde) – This award will recognise residents who dedicate their time and energy to keeping Mid Sussex clean and green, take pride in their local area by creating community gardens, painting local spaces, upcycling or encouraging others to recycle.

Good Sport Award (sponsored by Places Leisure) – a club or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to supporting activity or sport in Mid Sussex

Business in the Community Award (sponsored by Caravan and Motorhome Club) – recognising a business which supports or makes a positive contribution to benefit and enhance community life

Young Achiever Award – against all the odds, someone who has overcome significant obstacles and made a positive difference to their own lives or to other young people through education, campaigning or helping another overcome a difficult situation or personal problem

Young Volunteer of the year – recognising those young people who have made a difference in their local community

Lifetime Achievement Award – an individual who has made a substantial commitment to the community in their lifetime

Stronger Together – an individual who has helped to bring together cultures and communities through a local project or community activity

The awards are also being promoted by Mid Sussex Voluntary Action (MSVA) which co-ordinates community and volunteer opportunities across the area.

Opportunities are still available for local businesses and employers to get involved in supporting Mid Sussex Applauds – contact comms@midsussex.gov.uk to find out more. Media support is being provided by the Mid Sussex Times and by the designers Sublime.

To nominate a person, business or group for an award please visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/applauds