Author: Andrew Taylor

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Join us at East Court at 10am or the High Street at 11am on Sunday 11 November to mark this anniversary.

The 11am service will include the parade from King St, act of remembrance and singing of hymns and the national anthem accompanied by the Choir from St Swithun’s and the East Grinstead Concert Band. During the 2 minutes silence a big screen stationed on the market square will show the earlier lighting of the East Court beacon as part of the National Battles Over Beacon lighting.

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The East Grinstead Concert Band will form up around the jubilee fountain and the parade will form in the road by the war memorial. After the service the band and parade will move off to Chequer Mead Car park where they will disperse.

If you are not joining us, please be aware that the High St will be closed to traffic from 10:15am and will not reopen until the parade has cleared the high st. All will be open by 12pm.

• Service timetable
• Service sheet
• Road closure map

Beacon lighting

The Council have decided to light the Beacon at East Court twice on Sunday, once before the 10.00 service at East Court and again in line with the national lighting at 7pm. East Grinstead has been listed to be part of the national beacon lighting for over a year, but had opted for an earlier time so that the flame could be screened during the main act of remembrance at 11am.

The Chairman of Amenities and Tourism said:  This earlier time was welcomed by residents who are not able to come out at night time, but other residents had stated that it was a shame that East Grinstead would not be lighting at the same time as many other Mid Sussex Parishes.

Members of the public who wish to attend East Court in the evening are advised that car parking will be extremely limited as the beacon is in the car park, and there is a private event in the Meridian Hall. They are also advised to take extra care when walking around the estate in the dark, bringing a torch would be advised.

The Council have decided to light the Beacon at East Court twice on Sunday, once before the 10.00 service at East Court and again in line with the national lighting at 7pm. East Grinstead has been listed to be part of the national beacon lighting for over a year, but had opted for an earlier time so that the flame could be screened during the main act of remembrance at 11am.

The Chairman of Amenities and Tourism said:  This earlier time was welcomed by residents who are not able to come out at night time, but other residents had stated that it was a shame that East Grinstead would not be lighting at the same time as many other Mid Sussex Parishes.

Members of the public who wish to attend East Court in the evening are advised that car parking will be extremely limited as the beacon is in the car park, and there is a private event in the Meridian Hall. They are also advised to take extra care when walking around the estate in the dark, bringing a torch would be advised.

Mid Sussex District Council is inviting local independent retailers to take advantage of free training that will help them fight back against online retailers and keep Mid Sussex high streets vibrant and alive.

Retail experts Martec International will deliver a series of six free training sessions from Monday 19 November. The workshops will cover important topics such as honing a retail strategy, marketing, range planning, presentation, sales and customer service and inventory management.

Attendance at one of the events will make independent retailers eligible for a free coaching and mentoring session with a Martec consultant in their own store. These one-to-one sessions will enable the consultants to tailor advice to the specific needs of each business.

Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Deputy Leader of Mid Sussex District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development said:

“Independent retailers provide a unique shopping experience to our local towns and villages. We believe this free training will provide practical, down to earth training that will enable local retailers to increase profits and compete more effectively with the chains. We expect demand for places to be high and urge owners of independent shops to sign up now.”

Brian Hume, Managing Director, Martec International said:

“We look forward to helping independent retailers fight back and find out new ways to boost sales and increase profitability. Mid Sussex District Council is a very forward looking local authority and by offering this free training to independent retailers it will help shopkeepers make the most of Christmas trading and ensure New Year profitability.”

Local retailers can register and learn more about the training at www.martec-international.com/services/114/free-training-for-independent-retailers

IN a regular feature on the Town Council website, we will be remembering, on the anniversary of their deaths, the East Grinstead soldiers who died during WWI,  and who are named on the High Street War Memorial.

This month we recall (as recorded on The Roll of Honour website):

Henry ARGENT

Private G/42732 1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. 33rd Division.

Died 4.11.18.

Born in Maresfield and enlisted in Chichester. Next of kin East Grinstead.

Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery F. 13.

George LULHAM

Gunner. 237057 53rd Battery. 2nd Brigade. The Royal Field Artillery.

Killed in action 1.11.18. Aged 34.

Husband of Mrs. Florence Lulham of “Norcott” North End, East Grinstead. Enlisted in Chichester. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lulham of Guildford, Surrey.

Buried Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau F. 190

William Frederick Victor VICKERY

Private G/37223 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.

Died at home 9.11.18. Aged 24.

Son of George and Annie Vickery of 20, Durkins Road, East Grinstead. Born and enlisted in East Grinstead.

Buried Queens Road Cemetery, East Grinstead.

XenZone has worked in partnership with YMCA since May 2014 to deliver mental health support services to children and young people in West Sussex.

As of 1st November 2018 and following a successful tender, YMCA will now deliver mental health services weighted more towards offering face-to-face support. Kooth will no longer be part of that offer.

XenZone will be working with relevant commissioners to instigate a transition period for children and young people who are using Kooth.

According to XenZone’s CEO Zoe Blake, “We have delivered an excellent service in West Sussex, where the Kooth digital offer proved to be hugely popular with young people. We are proud of the support we have given to thousands of children and young people and wish YMCA well in continuing to provide accessible mental health support in the area.”