Author: Andrew Taylor

Town Council staff are gritting the pavements as best as we can in town centre, but please note there is no spare salt for any empty salt bins.

Glenbeigh Developments Ltd started work this month to ready a brownfield site for up to 325 new homes as part of the wider Burgess Hill Regeneration Programme.

The Fairbridge Way site, which is part of Burgess Hill’s Northern Arc area, was purchased from Southern Water by Glenbeigh Developments Ltd to provide up to 325 of Burgess Hill’s proposed 5,000 new homes.

The development area was formerly used as sewage treatment works but it was decommissioned by Southern Water many years ago and has been redundant ever since. Brownfield sites like this one require a huge amount of work to bring them back into use and Glenbeigh Developments Ltd has committed to do everything that is required to prepare the site for new housing.

Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, Mid Sussex District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning commented:

“It is especially pleasing to see these early works get underway in what will eventually become a superb new development and a great addition to the transformation of Burgess Hill.

“It is hugely satisfying to see that 30% of the new dwellings will be affordable housing. Further, Glenbeigh will be making substantial contributions towards sports provision, local community infrastructure, sustainable transport improvements and education, all of which will be realised off-site.”

Colin Whelan of Glenbeigh Developments Limited said:

“This is a significant Brownfield site being brought forward in Mid Sussex. The necessity to deal with the site’s previous use and removal of part subterranean super structures will see a wholescale remodelling of the site area to deliver serviced and landscaped plots for house builders.”

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 two silhouettes have appeared in East Grinstead High Street.  The Silhouettes mark all those who went to war in 1914-1918 but did not return.  East Grinstead Town Council have sponsored two of these which are currently sited in the High St Flower beds flanking the War Memorial.

The silhouettes are the idea of the Royal British Legion who have sent letters to Parish Councils in Sussex asking that they purchase and display the silhouettes this year.

One of the sentries will remain at the War Memorial while the other may travel around the town to highlight activities or events marking the end of the war throughout the year. At the end of 2018 the soldiers will be permanently displayed in East Court.

Cllr Adam Peacock Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee commented that “the Silhouettes make it clear that East Grinstead has never forgotten the sacrifice of the war and this tribute tying in with other events this year shows that East Grinstead continues to support the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal, 100 years later.  As a town we have been careful to ensure, over the past 4 years, that we have respectfully yet appropriately brought many poignant anniversaries to the attention of East Grinstead residents in the 21^st Century”

The East Grinstead War Memorial Flower beds will be planted in May, representing the anniversary of the end of the war, the special display for 2018 will be in place through to November (Armistice Day).

East Grinstead Station looks more welcoming to visitors after a new sign has been installed above the exit doors. The three metre long sign produced by the Town Council’s Town Promotions team show cases some of the attractions of historic East Grinstead.

Town Promotions Manager Dawn Spalding approached Govia Thameslink station manager Kate Richards last year with the idea of creating some artwork to enhance the station’s interior, especially the blank white wall facing passengers as they disembarked trains and was met with enthusiasm and support. Both Dawn and Kate are delighted with the improvement and met with Leader of the Council Cllr Dick Sweatman and Chairman of Amenities and Tourism Cllr Adam Peacock to reveal the new look.

‘I was taken by surprise as I expected there to be a lot of ‘red tape’ commented Dawn as she met with Kate to take a look at the newly installed sign. ‘Instead Kate’s enthusiasm made this project very easy. ‘I would like to thank Kate and the maintenance crew who installed the sign for all their help and I hope to welcome visitors into the town who are intrigued to find out what more East Grinstead has to offer’

Kate has now moved from East Grinstead Station and is based in Eastbourne.

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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):

Percy CURTIS

Private G/7659 7th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division.

Died of wounds 6. 2.18. Aged 19.

Son of William and Lucy Curtis of 16, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Guildford, Surrey.

Buried Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension. F. 769

James DOWNER

Private G/1137 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. 8th Division.

Died of wounds 20. 2.18. age 32.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Downer of 145, West Street, East Grinstead. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Fulham.

Buried Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium. B.3.

Lewis FARRAR

Private 33927 16th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. 5th Division.

Died of wounds in Italy 7. 2.18. Aged 23.

Son of Herbert and Elizabeth Farrar of East Grinstead.Born in East Dulwich, London and enlisted in London. Formerly with The Royal Army Service Corps.

Buried Giavera British Cemetery, Acade. Italy.

• Co-Option policy 2018

Call for candidates to be considered for co-option to the East Grinstead Town Council

The East Grinstead Town Council has a casual vacancy arising from the resignation of Cllr Adam Reeves who represented the Herontye Ward of East Grinstead

Eligibility criteria to be a Councillor –

[a] Be aged 18 years or over and included in the Electoral Register

[b] A British or Commonwealth subject or an EU state national

and

[c] Resides in the Parish or within 3 miles of its boundary

or

[d] Occupies land or property within the Parish

or

[e] Has his/her principal place of work within the Parish

Prospective candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the disqualification restrictions under Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to Bankruptcy Restrictions Orders and Criminal Convictions carrying a sentence of more than 3 months imprisonment, without the option of a fine.

Applicants are asked to submit a 1 sided A4 letter, giving their background and experience and what the candidate can bring to the role. Applications must be submitted to the Town Clerk at East Grinstead Town Council, East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead.  The closing date for applications is 5pm on 28^th February 2018.

Applicants will be invited to attend the Council meeting on 3^rd April 2018 when the co-option will be made.