Category: News

GRINSTEADS unstoppable hockey squad saw off Beeston to take their third consecutive indoor title at the Wembley Arena national finals in front of a 5,000 strong crowd in January.

England captain and East Grinstead midfielder Barry Middleton credited their triple triumph to a strong squad, a good bench and creative play, which he said was the key to the indoor game.

The England skipper also paid tribute to the 3,000 East Grinstead fans who made the journey to the finals.

A few of the players have been here their whole lives so their support has been fantastic for the side, he said.

THE many new businesses which have opened in East Grinstead during the past few months have seen the number of town centre premises standing empty drop to 6.8% compared to a national average of 14%.

The figures show a continuing downward trend from a previous survey in October carried out by Cllr Bob Mainstone of the Council’s Business Support Group, when 8% of the town’s shops were vacant.

“East Grinstead seems better placed than many similar sized towns,” said Bob, “and the influx of new business is a very welcome sign that we can hope for growth in 2011.”

Among the new shops which have opened over the past year are the Casablanca cafe, Market Square, Bluebells, Wear it Again Sam, Gmail, The Works, Master Fryer, the Print Shop, Matthew Hole and Fellows Bakers.

The town has also welcomed two new chain stores, Pound Stretcher and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

“The Town Council is always delighted to welcome new traders and if East Grinstead continues to respond quickly to consumers’ needs the town will thrive.” said Bob.

THE East Grinstead Life Show will take place at the Jubilee Community Centre in Charlwoods Road from 10am until 1pm on 2 April.

The event, which will be attended by the town’s GPs, is open to people of all ages who would like health advice, or to find out more from local voluntary, statutory and private organisations concerned with matters related to health and well-being.

There will be free refreshments and entertainment will be provided by local bands, dance troupes and choirs.

* For more details call Jakki Jackson at East Grinstead CVS on 01342 328080 or email her at jakki@egcvs.co.uk

THE Town Council has resolved a nil increase in Council Tax in the 2011/2012 financial year. This is the second successive year for which the Town Council’s element of the tax burden will remain unchanged. The Council’s net expenditure in the financial year will be £718,708 of which £691,600 will be achieved from Council Tax with the residual element coming from revenue balances.

TOWN Council elections for the next four-year period are to be held on Thursday 5 May, 2011. Anyone interested in standing for election is invited to attend one of the two dedicated information seminars to be held at East Court Mansion on Wednesday 9 March from 7 pm – 9pm, and on Saturday 12 March 2011 from 10am to noon, to find out more about the role and what it entails.

Just turn up on the day as there is no need to pre-book.

Being a Town Councillor can be a very rewarding way of contributing to the community and, in particular, making a difference in the way things get done locally.

Whilst the local Council cannot run everything, it does play a vital role in overseeing, guiding and directing community activity by other groups: and unlike others it has a legal status, the power to raise money through Council Tax, is subject to a code of conduct and is both financially and democratically accountable to the electorate.

* For more information contact Chris Rolley, Town Clerk, on 01342 323636 or email him on townclerk@eastgrinstead.gov.uk
 

A pioneering deal between the Town Council and Mid Sussex District Council could see the temporary public toilets in King Street car park replaced by the end of 2011.

Town councillors have repeatedly complained that the temporary facilities opposite the cinema are inadequate and reflect poorly on the town with visitors.

But negotiations now concluded between the two councils will see the District Council paying the £200,000 cost of building a permanent replacement, while the Town Council has agreed to take on the cost of cleaning and maintaining the new facilities.

The new brick-built block will include separate toilets for men and women, facilities for the disabled and a baby-changing area.

Cllr Ginnie Waddingham praised the two councils’ cooperative approach to the scheme saying it was “essential” to offer first class facilities to the influx of tourists expected to visit once the Bluebell Railway extension reaches East Grinstead.

NETWORK Rail has released an artist’s impression of its latest design for the town’s new railway station which has recently been approved by Mid Sussex District Council.

The design comes at the end of a two year discussion with town councillors who called an earlier proposal ‘drab and unprepossessing’.

Work on the new station, which will include ticketing facilities for the Bluebell Railway when its northern extension into East Grinstead is complete, is scheduled to start later this year.

EAST Court is now home to a new art school run by the South East School of Art which offers a wide range of classes for students of all ages and abilities.

Professional artists and experienced teachers help small groups of pupils develop their skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, lettering, calligraphy and sculpture.

There are also classes for A level students, workshops for 11 to 14-year-olds and an after-school drawing class for 7 to 11-year-olds.

To find out more visit the school’s website at www.sesart.co.uk, phone 01342 316315 or email info@sesart.co.uk

ACOUSTIC Sussex will present AHAB on 7 February, an exceptional group featuring four-piece harmonies and an impressive repertoire of self-penned songs.
They stole the show at last year’s Cropredy festival in front of a crowd of 15,000 and are predicted to be the “next big thing” in 2011. All tickets £10.

Bullfrog Productions present RENT on 11/12 February, the rock opera which tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York City under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets £11/concessions £9/family £35.

Bullfrog Productions presents Annie Junior on 12/13 February at 3pm. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie, and boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family. Tickets £11/concessions £9/ family £35.

Imberhorne School presents An Evening of Dance on 16/17 February. Celebrating talented dancers throughout the school, the evening will include a collection of choreographies produced by GCSE dance students as well as dances performed by Lower and Upper School dance clubs. Tickets £7/concessions £5.

Guilty Pleasurez with music from the Jackie generation will be appearing at Chequer Mead on 18 February with a live performance of the biggest hits from the 70s, when pop was at its peak. Tickets £12/concessions £10.

Acoustic Sussex presents Cara Dillon on 19 February. Winner of Best Album for Hill of Thieves in the 2010 BBC Folk Awards, Irish songstress Cara Dillon is an unmissably rare talent. Tickets £17.50.

The popular Chequer Mead Lunchtime Concert returns on 22 February from 1.30pm to 2.15pm with Choirpower. With more than 80 concerts behind them, Choirpower perform the music their audiences love to hear with a repertoire including songs from the shows, jazz, pop, folk and modern. Tickets £4/concessions £3.50 or £3 when buying three concerts in the series.

Wednesday 23rd February from 7.00pm sees Jazz Cafe in the Cuisine Studio. For details and to prebook tickets or a meal call 01342 324860.

THE High Jynx Magic Roadshow brings half-term fun to town at lunchtime on 24 February. As featured on Tricky TV, this amazing magical circus show is packed with awesome illusions, dangerous escapes, interactive panto-style comedy and pop. Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Michael Jordan guarantees a thrilling half term treat for the whole family. Tickets £7.50.

Roger Hind’s Charity Jazz Concert in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice is on 25 February. Following his sell-out concert last year, Roger presents over 20 marvellous arrangements of Gershwin favourites with guest vocalists Ruth Fahie and Gary Wright. Tickets £17/ concessions £15 (including programme).

Chris Black presents C’mon Everybody on 26 February. The greatest stars of the 50’s and 60’s come alive in this spectacular, vibrant, action packed, nonstop, live, rockin’ show. Tickets £15/concessions £13.

THE town’s tourism team has produced a new leaflet promoting many of East Grinstead’s attractions including places of historic interest, restaurants and Chequer Mead theatre, as well as attractions further afield such as Heaven Farm at Danehill, Tulleys Farm at Turner’s Hill and Drusilla’s Park near Alfriston.

“East Grinstead is not only a very pleasant town to visit in its own right,” said tourism officer Simon Kerr, “it is also an ideal jumping-off point for a great many other places within very easy reach.”

Simon’s comprehensive list of what-to-do and where-to-go, is available from the library’s tourist information desk, the museum and at tourist information points across the south east.

He will also be handing it out at the Group Visits Fair which will be held in the town on 18 February, which is an annual event for organisers of group visits and the owners of B&Bs across the county.