Category: News

SOUTH East Water is asking its customers not to waste water following the grant of a Government Drought Order to conserve levels at Ardingly Reservoir.

But it has warned that unless seasonal rainfall increases for the remainder of the winter, customers could face shortages next summer.

Heavy rainfall in November brought the level of the reservoir up from 12 to 30% but it will need continuing steady rain in the coming weeks to refill reserves to the point where supplies can be assured.

“Recent rainfall has helped the situation, but it by no means solves the problem,” warned a spokesman, “and we still hope to see prolonged periods of rainfall over the remainder of the winter to bring our water resource levels back to ‘normal’ for this time of year.”

As well as asking consumers not to waste water, SE Water has increased its efforts to identify and repair leaks as quickly as possible, and to reroute water from areas which have plenty, to allow local reservoirs to recover.

* For advice, or updates on the water situation go to www.southeastwater.co.uk/waterupdate.

THERE is just one word to describe the Company of Friends’ production of Snow White at Chequer Mead this Christmas – FAB-U-LOUS.

Lovely Abbie Lomax, with her heart-shaped face and captivating rapport with her little co-stars, was born to play the princess abandoned to her fate by the wickedest Stepmother in all pantoland.

Warm, funny and with a voice as lovely as her face, Abbie’s performance was entrancing.

Slightly less lovely, but no less riveting to watch, was Friends’ veteran Michael Spencer as the Wicked Queen. Michael is well-known to Chequer Mead audiences from previous roles which have included the gentlemanly Professor Higgins and the villainous Bill Sykes. But this versatile player is also terrific in a frock, and it was good to see him back on top form in familiar territory as the panto dame.

An unsuccessful search for a Prince worthy of winning Snow White’s heart caused the Friends’ some anguish in the autumn until Nick Gibbs was discovered at a workshop in Kenley.

Tall, blond and very handsome indeed, Nick’s endearingly shy performance was straight out of the Prince William Charm School – and on the basis of his East Grinstead debut I suspect Nick will find himself much in demand for a reprise next year.

The comic interest in this year’s show was provided by Ashley Wolfendale as Muddles, who won his audience over with ease, great vocals and rather more sweets than were probably good for them.

Phil World as Herman and John Barnett as Hector, the Queen’s henchmen, are also Friends veterans, and their accomplished routines had the entire house on its feet for their lively audience participation numbers, The Time Warp and The Grand Old Duke of York.

While Sally Norris twinkled magically as Fairy Goodheart, and made sure that after a dodgy interval when things looked pretty bleak, everything did indeed end happily ever after.

But the little stars of the show were undoubtedly the dwarves, played not by vertically challenged adults, but by children.
From the moment the eponymous seven heroes marched on stage, they were simply adorable.

And while it would be invidious to single out any one of them for special praise, Grumbly Matthew Barnett’s perfect delivery had the house roaring with laughter at his misogynist one-liners.

The Friends’ ensemble were as step-perfect as ever, and they delivered a particularly effective night-time scene in the forest where the ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties probably gave one or two of the smaller audience members nightmares later.

But the traditional wedding scene was beautiful – and a fitting end to a show which sent everyone out into the dark feeling that Christmas had begun in earnest.

Geraldine Durrant

THE Town Council has warned residents to beware of firms offering to appeal their “banding” for Council tax after receiving complaints from householders who have been approached with offers of “help”.

“There is nothing illegal in offering services to look into the band and ask for a reduction,” said Town Clerk Julie Holden, “however it may build false hope as Council Tax Bands can only be rebanded in certain circumstances – and can go up as well as down.

“If you have moved in within the last 6 months you can ask for the band to be reconsidered. Likewise if the building has had a material change such as part addition or demolition. However a change in the value of the house itself (due to property prices) is not a reason for a reband.

“It is also possible to ask for a reband if you think that the band of your property is wrong and has been wrong since they were first valued in 1991.

“You do not need to ask anyone to do this for you.

“It can be done by writing to your valuation office agency, or using the online appeal submission at www.voa.gov.uk. You need to explain why you believe your band is wrong, which may be by referencing the other properties in your road if you know that they are a different band to you, in order to build your case.”

However firms which undertake this on a householder’s behalf will typically charge a fee of up to 25% of any reduction which is achieved, she warned.

“If you think the band is wrong you should make your own enquiries of your neighbours to find out if there is an anomoly, the District Council and the Valuation Office who will give you free and professional advice. You can then write in, and if you are successful you will receive a reduction.

“Bands are generally only altered after a move. Therefore if you have had an extension or addition to your home and you ask for a rebanding, you could find that the band goes up not down and in this case you would have to pay more Council Tax. I doubt the firms offering to help you with a reduction would then be prepared to contribute to the additional costs.”

IN keeping with tradition, East Grinstead’s Mayor John Saull has sent everyone his kindest hopes for Christmas and for 2012.

"I wish to send festive Season’s greetings and good fortune for the coming ‘Jubilee’ year to all families and residents of our historic town and its surrounding villages," he said.

 A Meet the Project Manager session will be held at East Grinstead station on Monday 19 December from 4.30pm to 7pm for anyone who would like to know more about the plans for East Grinstead’s new station building. Work is due to start on the rebuild in the New Year.

The Town Council will close at 2pm on Friday 23rd December and reopen at 9.00 on Thursday 29th December.

The offices will also be closed on Monday 2nd January in lieu of New Years Day.

The Clerk and Staff of the Town Council wish all residents and businesses a very happy Christmas and prosperous 2012.

TOWN Mayor John Saull will light the Rotary Club’s Christmas tree in the High Street on 3 December.

Rotarians will be making a collection for the needy in the town centre from 9am.

At 2.45 pm the Town Crier and members of the Company of Friends pantomime cast will circulate around the town to encourage members of the public to assemble at the High St. Rotary Christmas Tree for the official lighting-up ceremony.

East Grinstead Concert Band will start playing at 2.45pm prior to the Town Crier opening the ceremony at 3pm.

Introductions by the master of ceremonies will be followed by the Rev Clive Everett-Allen delivering a Christmas message, before Mayor John Saull throws the switch on the lights.

East Grinstead Concert Band will then play carols which the pubic will be encouraged to join in, with backing from the Sackville Junior Choir and the Sackville Adult Community Choir.

The junior choir will then sing with the Greendstede Singers, who will also perform alone.

The ceremony will be brought to a close by the Rotary Presidents giving their own Christmas message.

WITH cold snaps forecast, Mid Sussex District Council is reminding residents to ensure their supplies of heating oil and non–perishable food are well stocked in preparation for the winter ahead.

Last year’s prolonged cold weather increased demand for heating oil in the run-up to Christmas, but heavy snow and icy roads disrupted deliveries.

Despite the practical challenges, heating oil deliveries in December 2010 were up by 40% on the previous year to their highest level in past decade.

Given that the potential implications of late ordering was a key lesson learnt from last winter, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, has been working with the heating oil industry and consumer advisory bodies to ensure a more effective approach this winter.

“We do urge residents not to leave their preparations to a late stage,” said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “Heating oil needs to be ordered in good time. Putting off your order can result in delivery delays, especially if transport becomes difficult for suppliers.”

Stocking up on fuel and on essential, non-perishable food items and candles, was “clearly a sensible precaution” he said.

THERE will be a Christmas activity day for children at the town museum in Cantelupe Road on Sunday 4 December.

All activities run from 10.30 am to 3pm: there is no need to book – just turn up and stay as long as you want.

There is a charge of £1 per child to cover the cost of materials. The activities are for 5-to-11 year olds.

TOWN Councillors took it in turns to man stalls outside the old High Street sweet shop Wickenden’s, in Queen’s Walk and outside Sainsbury’s on three November Saturdays, to find out what townspeople see as the priorities for future development.

Residents were asked to fill in a form in person or online. The results, when collated, will form the basis for further public consultation.