Category: News

Google UK saluted East Grinstead’s internet savvy companies who have boosted the town into the nation’s top 20 towns with the highest rate of growth through the Internet.

Statistics show that local businesses are turning to online opportunities to drive growth during the present difficult trading conditions. East Grinstead came in 16th with almost 24% growth in 2010 to 2011.

Accepting the Google e Town trophy, Town MP Nicholas Soames said. “East Grinstead will be proud of its Google eTown award – I hope that this award encourages other local businesses to get on line and grow online.”

Town Council Tourist Information Officer Simon Kerr also reported a huge surge in enquiries on the Town Council Accommodation web pages “We have thousands of visits through the year and new visitors forming around 70% of those viewing our pages during the last 12 months”

Unlike many neighbouring towns East Grinstead’s Christmas lights remain undimmed this year thanks to the efforts of the voluntary fundraising that pays for the bulk of the costs.

The hard work of erecting the cabling and displays is always undertaken in early November, but the lights are not switched on until after the Remembrance commemorations after the 11th of the month.

The Bluebell Railway still needs just under a million pounds to complete the extension to East Grinstead. As part of their fund-raising, they have been accepted for the Reed Foundation’s "Big Give" Christmas Challenge which enables them to obtain some match funding for the extension.

What they have to do is raise £30,000 in 5 days (starting at 10am on 5th December) through the Bluebell’s page on the Big Give web site. Any donation made in that week will be matched POUND FOR POUND by a combination of their major supporters and the Big Give’s sponsor funds.

If you are eligible for Gift Aid as well, this will, for example, turn a £10 donation into £22.50 for the extension project.

http://new.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/13964

 In our on-going series introducing councillors elected last May, the December spotlight falls on Cllr Garry Sillitoe

GARRY Sillitoe and his wife moved to East Grinstead 32 years ago, and bought their first house on the newly-built Estcots estate.

Having worked at Gatwick Airport in Ramp Services for 25 years, Garry spent eight years as a Ramp Operations Manager.

He now has two grown-up sons, Ben and Dan, both of whom went to Sackville school, before going on to get their degrees at Sheffield and Manchester universities respectively.

In 1998 Garry had a change of career and started working as an estate agent, opening his own agency in East Grinstead High Street, which he sold in 2008.

“Having lived and worked in East Grinstead for more than 30 years I think I have sufficient knowledge of East Grinstead’s residents and business community to be able to represent them in my home town of which I am very proud”, he said.

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.

• December 1: Lecture at Air Training Corps at Morton Road
• December 2: An exhibition at Chequer Mead in connection with the Town Twinning Association’s "Europe on your Doorstep" events which will run between 2 and 7 December. The Deputy Town Mayor will be representing the Town Council at the SAAFA Concert at Chequer Mead that evening.
• December 3: Turning the lights on for the Rotary Club Christmas Tree in the High Street. The East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival Dinner at The Hedgehog
• December 4: The town’s annual Christmas Shopping Day and French market. Presentation of Chief Scout Awards at Felbridge Village Hall. The Mayor of Crawley’s Christmas Carol Service at St Andrews Church, Furnace Green.
• December 6: The Council for Voluntary Service Networking Lunch at Hapstead Hall, Ardingly
• December 9: Judging the Rotary Young Chef competition at Imberhorne School’s Food Tech department with the help and expertise of the Mayoress. Town Twinning AGM in Meridian Hall
• December 10: East Grinstead Choral Society Concert at Chequer Mead.
• December 13: East Grinstead Pensioners Association party at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Windmill Lane.
• December 18: Victorian Christmas shopping day ’Twas the Sunday before Christmas organised by the High Street Traders. The Mayor’s Carols and Reception at East Court. East Grinstead Town Twinning Dinner at the Star in Lingfield.
• December 21: Public Carol Concert at Sackville College by invitation from the Warden. Council leader Norman Webster will also attend.
• December 22: Delivering prizes at the Air Training Corps in Morton Road.

DEPUTY Mayor Liz Bennett was the envy of waiting fans when she attended the launch party for singer Peter Andre’s new New York Coffee Club in the London Road.

Tourist officer Simon Kerr said a good-natured cowd and ten police were at the event, which was also recorded by a camera crew for the ITV ‘reality’ programme documenting Andre’s life.

Other guests included Kerry Katona, and participants in The Only Way is Essex.

“Peter came over and introduced himself,” said Simon. “He was a really regular guy and obviously has a natural touch.”

Liz, who enjoyed meeting a great many of the town’s residents and business people at the launch, said. “Peter was lovely. He’s kind and attentive and makes a good cup of coffee!

“This was a high profile opening which made many of the papers the following day and we are proud to welcome Peter to East Grinstead with what hopefully will be the first in a successful chain of coffee shops.

“East Grinstead is always open for business, and the Mayor and the Town Council are pleased to support any new trading venture.

“This is good news for the town.”