Author: Andrew Taylor

Our weekly Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from 9.00am ‘til 2.00pm on the High Street’s Market Square.

We currently have four stallholders, comprising of the following:

Chris Veasey & Sons

Fresh fish from Sussex shores is a world away from shrink-wrapped seafood farmed in some far-off land. Veasey & Sons fishmongers stock their fish selections from their own catch, brought in by their crew and boat which fishes between Eastbourne Harbour and Poole Bay.

Further information can be found at: https://www.veaseyandsons.co.uk/

Lovetts Nurseries

Lovetts Nurseries is a friendly plants & flowers stall, run by Ian & Rosanna Lovett. Regulars at the Market for many years now, they sell a wide selection of quality plants & flowers, all at reasonable prices.

Further information can be obtained at their stall on Thursdays.

The Sussex Biltong Co.

The Sussex Biltong Co. is bringing fantastic biltong from the warm heart of Africa to the wonderful county of Sussex, and in particular our very own East Grinstead!

Further information can be found at: https://sussex-biltong.com/

Nature Squared

Turmeric (haldi) is perhaps better known for being a cooking ingredient, but has also been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties. Today turmeric is increasingly being recognised for its potential health benefits and is widely used to complement modern medicine.

Further information can be found at: https://www.naturesquared.co.uk/

 

Please help our Farmers’ Market to continue to grow by supporting us each Thursday on the Market Square between 9.00am and 2.00pm.

East Grinstead Town Council is proud to be able to support the Royal British Legion by offering residents of the town a chance to own commemorative poppies. The wooden poppies were part of the High Street War Memorial planting scheme during the 2018 WW100 commemorations.

The poppies are available for a £5 donation, all of which will be donated to the RBL, from the Town Council offices at East Court and the Tourist Information desk in East Grinstead library and will come with a commemorative certificate.

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East Grinstead commemorated the 100 year anniversary of the end of the first world war with beacon lightings, poppies, parades, services and thousands turning out to be part of it.

The day started at East Court where the Town Mayor lit the beacon at 9.45 before the well-attended first short act of remembrance at the East Court war memorial.

Then at 10.40 the parade left King St and marched to the High Street to roads thronged by residents, young and old to pay their respects. The church choir joined them and along with the East Grinstead Concert Band music filled the streets. The two minute silence was relayed via the PA system from the Cenotaph in London and a big screen positioned outside of the Market Square showed a recording of the Town Mayor lighting the Beacon earlier. As the image of the beacon burning filled the screen, the names of the East Grinstead fallen (as etched on the war memorial) were scrolled through. A poignant reminder of the reason for the silence.

Hymns and prayers were joined in by the 1000 plus attendees, wreaths were laid and the public invited to do so also. Pictures of the towns commemorations over the past 4 years were shown on the screen, the National Anthem was sung and then the parade marched away from the High Street.

The Big Screen then showed some short documentaries about war as provided by Mike Rumsey.

The Town Mayor returned to East Court along with 150 others, including an honour guard provided by members of Sussex bonfire society at 7pm to light the beacon a second time. The last post sounded and exhortation given by John Grantham from the Royal British Legion, St Swithun’s Bells were rung and a reading as to the entombing of the unknown warrior.

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Mid Sussex is set to take part in the next round of the 2019 Voter ID pilots along with 10 other local authorities across England.

The pilots will take place at the 2019 local elections, providing further insight to the Government into how best to secure the voting process.

At the last local elections in May, five local authorities took part in the first round of Voter ID pilots, which are being run by the Cabinet Office. The evaluation following the first trials showed they were a success, with the overwhelming majority of people able to cast their vote without a problem.

To verify that voters are who they say they are, each of the 11 local authorities in the 2019 pilot will test one of four models of Voter ID checks. In Mid Sussex, voters will be asked to present their polling cards as a means of identification.

Anyone who does not have their poll card with them on polling day will be asked to present another form of photo ID including a UK or EU photo-card driving licence (full or provisional) or a valid British, European or Commonwealth passport.

Local authorities will provide alternative methods of ID to individuals who do not have a specified form of ID, free of charge, ensuring that everyone who is registered has the opportunity to vote.

Mid Sussex Returning Officer Tom Clark said:

“We want to give everyone the maximum amount of notice that Mid Sussex is going to be one of the government pilot areas for voter ID. The government see this as a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of voting processes across the country and we are happy to be involved.”

Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith MP said:

“I am pleased to see Mid Sussex District Council is taking part in the 2019 pilots. Their participation will help us gain a deeper understanding of how voter ID will work on a wider scale ahead of a national rollout, and see what works best for voters.

“We want people to have confidence that our elections are safeguarded against any threat or perception of electoral fraud.

“People are already required to show ID to pick up a parcel from the Post Office, rent a car, or apply for benefits and this is a common sense next step to securing the integrity of our elections.”

To contact Mid Sussex electoral services about the 2019 Voter ID pilot or any other election matter, please call 01444 477003 or email elections@midsussex.gov.uk

Cards with a conscience, Charity Christmas card shop is open in east Grinstead library until 15th December.

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Town Mayor Rex Whittaker joined Weston Homes and Sharron Davies in welcoming the launch of the show flats within the Queens Walk development.

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