Our Tourist Information may be closed to the public at the moment, but information about East Grinstead is still available.
Our East Grinstead guide books, maps and walking leaflets can be downloaded from our website https://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/tourism/leaflet-stand/
Our staff can be contacted by email tourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk or why not connect via Facebook and Twitter.
We look forward to the time we can welcome you for a longer visit to our beautiful Medieval and Tudor town.
A Sussex rugby club have launched a special film to celebrate the efforts of key workers during the coronavirus lockdown.
Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, East Grinstead Rugby Club, West Sussex started work on the ‘ONE BALL – Pass it On’ challenge to keep rugby spirits lifted and to thank all the hero’s out there.
Tom Mitchell, England Rugby Sevens Captain said “There are so many heroic NHS and Key Workers who continue to put themselves at risk every day to try and keep us safe, to keep us healthy and to keep us happy during these incredibly challenging times. From every rugby family from around the world, we want to say a massive thank you.”
The idea was to see how far one ball could travel which not only included rugby clubs within the UK but rugby families, along with their animal friends, from across the waters including Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland.
Andy Poole, East Grinstead RFC President said “The club would like to thank everyone who got involved, we were delighted with the videos that were sent through, we just wish we could have used them all. A special thank you to our talented film maker, Mike Rumsey, Rumsey Films and the always so supportive Tom Mitchell, England Sevens Captain, RFU.’
Watch ‘One Ball – Pass It On’ – https://www.facebook.com/RumseyFilms/videos/812548315939695/
Rugby is one of the most popular participation sports in the world and East Grinstead RFC is committed to growing rugby at all levels. Why not take a moment to search out your local community rugby club. Rugby is a game for all.
#OneBall
Following government announcements this week, and the confirmation of timetable changes from Sunday 17 May, the following update has been issued :.
Informing travel decisions before the journey: only travel by public transport if there are no other options
At the station
We’re making plans to direct passenger flow in stations in a way that supports social distancing – especially at our larger stations where it may be necessary to have one way or queuing systems for example. We will be working with our colleagues at Network Rail on the approach at our London Terminals. We’ll use methods such as posters, monitor screens, stickers, floor markings and announcements to prompt passengers to maintain a two-metre distance where that’s feasible. These will gradually appear at stations over the next few days.
We’ll continually assess passenger flow through the day making amendments as required, for example changing entries and exits on a gateline to help manage people on concourses and platforms. We will monitor numbers very closely in real-time through our already established data gathering systems on trains, gateline information, and also from station teams who are linked into our control room at Three Bridges.
From this live data and staff feedback, our control room can make decisions to support the network depending on the situation, for example issuing website and social media announcements to encourage passengers to avoid a busier route or station, or to provide an additional stop at a station. We’ll also encourage passengers to check for latest advice before setting off, and to allow more time for any flow management or queuing in place.
Staff will continue to keep services running for those who must travel, as they have to date, providing good customer service to passengers. They will guide passengers in social distancing, although they are not expected to police this directly. We will have assistance from our colleagues in the British Transport Police should it be needed.
Communications
Supporting the national rail communications drive, we’ll be reminding passengers at stations to keep their distance, but also to wear face coverings, and to maintain the good hygiene that has been a key part of government advice since the start of the pandemic.
Cleaning and hygiene
We’ve already enhanced the regular cleaning regimes on stations and trains through extra staff, focusing particularly on high touch points such as handles and grab-rails. In addition, we’ve just completed treatment of our entire fleet of trains with a new viruscide which kills the Coronavirus for 30 days, and the same is in progress at our stations. The application of this product is undertaken after areas are thoroughly cleaned.
We have also ordered 1000 ‘no-touch’ hand sanitisers to be distributed to stations to bolster hygiene measures for those passing through.
Performance and punctuality
As we add to services from next week, we are continuing to work with Network Rail to ensure that our railway is as reliable and punctual as possible, and that issues that arise are dealt with quickly through the control room. We have also reviewed our standard operating plans to be more flexible in the event of any network disruption to ensure that we do what we can to manage passenger numbers on trains and at stations.
“if you have to travel to work because you cannot work from home, please avoid public transport – if possible walk, or cycle or go by car”.
Angie Doll
Managing Director, Southern and Gatwick Express and GTR Executive lead on COVID-19
For more information on the Government’s advice on safer travel go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
Survey from WSCC
Dear residents and partners,
We know that the current situation is affecting our residents in various different ways and we would like to understand how we can effectively support you.
We are launching a survey to gather your views and to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on your lives.
Tell us how your lives have changed, how you are coping and what your thoughts are on life after this crisis. Your answers will help to shape our response to the current crisis as well as our plans for the future.
Please take 10-15 minutes out of your day to complete this very important survey by Sunday 31 May 2020.
Thank you in advance for your time and for your continued support.
What a beautiful day in East Grinstead on Friday 8th May, as we came together in our isolation and celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.
The spectacular flypast of the Queen Victoria Hospital saw hundreds of people flock to the main parks in town to view the iconic Spitfire, however most adhered to the social distancing advice outlined by the Government and we applaud you all for that.
We had asked that residents dressed their homes in red, white and blue and if they were able, to hold household ‘street parties’ again whilst adhering to the restrictions, and many did.
Walking around the town it was clear that a lot of time and effort had gone into the individual decorations and neighbours were able to spend time together, albeit at a two metre distance!
The Spitfire is due to return to East Grinstead on 13th September as part of The Battle of Britain anniversary celebrations. http://spitfiresociety.org/content-News-Events
In the meantime ‘Stay alert, control the virus, save lives’
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Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Network Rail to support a step up in train services.
From Sunday 17 May 2020, the rail industry will introduce a new timetable.
The rail industry is committed to providing a train service that supports key workers to be able to get to work.
While the Government advice remains that anyone who can, should continue to work entirely from home, there are people who will need to go to their place of work. The Government has published guidance for people who cannot work from home and must use public transport.
As a starting point, passengers are being encouraged to avoid public transport where they have alternatives, this is to protect as much space as possible for those who must use it. This is because even as public transport begins to return to a full service, the 2-metre social distancing rule will leave effective capacity for one in ten passengers on many parts of the UK network. For those travelling, the guidance recommends that passengers:
This guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
The new timetable is an adapted version of the plan for the Saturday timetable in the original Summer 2020 plan, now operating on a Monday-Saturday basis. These adaptions are focused on matching where possible early and late-night services and uplifts in train frequencies to cover peak travel periods.
It is different to the timetable that is currently operating, so it is important that passengers check before travelling because the times of trains and station calling patterns will change. This timetable is available from 12th May on www.nationalrail.co.uk
Welbeck Stretagic Land is promoting “land at south and west of Imberhorne Upper School” for development.
They have updated their project website – https://www.
The Town Council is not promoting this site and have formed no opinion as to the planning merits at this time of the proposals, it will at some point (if submitted for planning) come to the Town Council for consideration and we cannot therefore make any comment before this.
Any questions or comments as to the proposals should to directed to the developers, as requested.
We’ve loved producing Taste West Sussex magazine for the past 13 years, but we wanted to let you know that, for now, we’re pausing production.
This Tastemail e-newsletter is also being suspended, but keep subscribed if you’d like to hear from us in the future.
We want to thank all our advertisers and readers who have supported and enjoyed the magazine.
If you would like to look at some back issues of Taste, please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/taste
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe; VE Day. The day in 1945 that marked the end to the hostilities and the end of WW2 across Europe.
To commemorate this momentous occasion the British Government has moved the early, May Bank Holiday from Monday 4th to Friday 8th to allow as many people as possible to celebrate and remember the heroes of the War.
East Grinstead has had a history of marking this occasion-
On VE Day May 8th 1945, many of the badly burnt airman (the Guinea Pigs) being treated by Sir Archibald McIndoe at the Queen Victoria Hospital, made their way into the town of East Grinstead to help celebrate the end of the war. During the evening they acquired kegs of beer from the local public houses, which they took back to the hospital to add to the bottles of stout they had already accumulated. The beer was tied to a portable bed table to create a make shift beer wagon which they wheeled around to the immobile patients so no matter what their ailments or injuries they all received a drink to join in the celebrations.
Photograph from East Grinstead Museum
Queen’s Road had a slightly less raucous street party for children complete with magician.
in 2015 to mark the 70th Anniversary, East Grinstead Town Council arranged a ‘Street Party’ which closed the High Street to traffic. Thousands of people come together to celebrate and it was a wonderful sight to behold. Many residents at the event, remembered attending street parties in 1945 and felt that the 2015 version was as joyous.
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Today the World faces another battle; the Coronavirus, Covid-19, and plans for events with mass gatherings have had to be cancelled or postponed indefinitely. The Town Council had plans for a party at East Court and has hopes that this too will happen at some point in the future.
In the meantime, however, even in this period of social distancing we can still celebrate and remember those that gave so much during WW2. The Council is encouraging residents to hold their own VE Day ‘Stay at Home’ family parties, following all Government restrictions and regulations of course. This is not an excuse to get together with friends, family members and neighbours outside your household groups, but a chance to dress your homes in red, white and blue and celebrate in any way you can. In this way even in our isolation, we can come together for a moment of shared joy.
East Grinstead Queen Victoria Hospital is expecting a flypast of the iconic Spitfire at around 1pm depending on the weather. PLEASE DO NOT GATHER AT THE HOSPITAL OR EAST COURT. ADHERE TO ALL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS.
From Daily Mail
There will be dedicated programming on the BBC, 40s music 2pm to 4pm on Meridian FM and other ideas on the Royal British Legion website.
The Original day was planned to follow a standard format
2.55pm: The playing of the Last Post
Buglers, trumpeters and cornet players might like to consider playing the Last Post from the safety of their front or back garden, outside their front door or from their balcony or window. We would ask you not to play in an area that could attract a group of people, however.
3pm: The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW II
We would very much like to encourage you all to still take part in the Nation’s Toast from the safety of your homes to pay tribute to the many millions in the United Kingdom and overseas who sacrificed so much to secure the freedom we have today.
We would invite you to join the Town Mayor, Cllr Danny Favor, live on the East Grinstead Town Council Facebook page at 3pm, stand and raise a glass or cup of refreshment of your choice and undertake the following toast: “For those that gave so much, we thank you.” This will be the first time such a tribute has ever taken place.
6.55pm: The Cry for Peace Around the World.
Town criers and others who wish to take part can perform the Cry for Peace from their front or back garden, at their front door or from their balcony or window. The words can be found on the Download page of the VE Day 75 website – www.veday75.org. Please don’t perform it from a place that might encourage people to gather.
We would love to see photographs and videos of your celebrations, so please post them to our Facebook or twitter @egcouncil and @VisitEG or send to towncouncil@eastgrinstead.gov.uk.
Please mark this momentous occasion in any way you can and enjoy!
People overcame adversity then and so, in time, will we.
Stay Home Saves Lives.
