Author: Andrew Taylor

After months of planning we are delighted to announce that our Quarry Café is opening it’s doors for the first time on Wednesday 27th September from 10.30am to 4.45pm in St Luke’s Community Room. The Quarry Café will gradually develop into a “Hub” for the residents of the community, providing not only a place to get together over a great coffee (or tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and snacks) but also bring much needed services and agencies the residents.

Plus if that is not enough we are also opening our Quarry Youth Cafe on Wednesday 27th as well, this will run from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. The Youth Café will act as a staging ground to enable us to expand our provision for the young people in the community as well as providing a safe place for them to get together.

Both of the Cafés will be open every Wednesday from here on in and from the 4th October the Quarry Café will be open from 10.00am to 4.45pm and the Youth Café will continue from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. We would be delighted if you wish to pop in and join us, either this Wednesday for our opening or any other Wednesday.

 

We look forward to seeing you.

Mid Sussex District Council celebrated the outstanding contributions local people make to the Mid Sussex community by hosting the Community Service Awards 2017.

Held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly on Sunday 17 September, the Community Service Awards recognised exceptional members of the community who give up their time to make Mid Sussex a better place to live.

Each year, Mid Sussex District Council invites its Members, and town and parish councils, to nominate residents who dedicate their time, skills and energy to enhancing the quality of community life.

The 2017 awards were presented by Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council and the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard. The awards recognised people from right across the District of Mid Sussex and here are just a few stories from the 34 winners.

Victoria Chalmers MBE was nominated by Mid Sussex District Council Leader Garry Wall for the instrumental role she has played in establishing the Time 4 Children charity. Based in Mid Sussex, Time 4 Children provides much needed emotional and practical support for vulnerable children in our communities, many of whom have experienced severe emotional trauma.

Phil Payne was nominated by Ardingly Parish Council because he has pushed his body to the limit in order to raise thousands of pounds for charity. In April 2017, he rode non-stop for 30 hours to raise funds for the NSPCC and in the past Phil has run the Marathon des Sables, a 6-day 251km ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert. This year he will be running the Brighton and Stockholm marathons in aid of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

Chris Lambe was nominated by Councillor Gordon Marples for the valuable contribution he makes to Hassocks village life. Chris and his family run the Hassocks Hotel and each year they hold a leaving BBQ for the village infant school. To help the local community come together Chris provides his hotel and gardens as the venue for village family fun days and this year he will host the village Dog Show. Chris also sponsors the local football and netball teams, and in the run up to Christmas he provides free dinners for pensioners.

“We are fortunate to have so many kind-hearted people in Mid Sussex who are willing to give up their time to help others and support their local community,” said Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council. “Looking at all the nominations I was amazed at the huge range of activities, fundraising and volunteer work that the nominees have undertaken.

“These Community Service Awards represent our opportunity to show the nominees just how much we appreciate everything they do for our community. They have all done remarkable work within the local community and I feel privileged to present them with these awards.”

Congratulations to East Grinstead residents recognised by the Mid Sussex Chairman for their community contributions:

• Steve Pond – Nominated East Grinstead Town Council
• Bob Marchant  – Nominated by Cllr Bob Mainstone
• Frank Osborne  –  Nominated by Cllr Norman Mockford
• Bob Marsh  –  Nominated by Cllr Peter Reed

The public toilet block in King Street East Grinstead is looking smarter now after a joint initiative by East Grinstead Town Council and Mid Sussex District Council to tidy the areas to the front and side.

 

Grant funding from section 106 contributions allowed for attractive resurfacing of the raised brick seating, improved hard landscaping and a large planter. East Grinstead Town Council funded the wooden surround for the planter, plants and undertook the works to complete the project.

The Town Council’s outdoor services team prepared and regenerated the raised beds, the handyman re-painted and improved the appearance of the base of the CCTV camera post and the head gardener planted and mulched all beds and planter.

Hanging baskets which will be replanted to remain in place during the autumn and winter complete the transformation which has already garnered praise from traders in King Street and local residents.

 

Under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure. This funding is commonly known as ‘Section 106’.