Category: News

15th September was the decisive day of the Battle of Britain and 2019 marks the 79th anniversary. East Grinstead has great and lasting connections with the brave airman of the battle as many of them were treated for injuries sustained, mostly burns, at the Queen Victoria Hospital by pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe.  On this day Sunday 15th September 2019 East Grinstead will  come together to remember and commemorate the Battle, the injured airmen known as The Guinea Pig Club and and McIndoe.

There will be two elements to the day.

1 – A film festival , raising money for the QVH and Spitfire Society. Three films will be available to watch and also Paul Beaver will recount the battle in a historical presentation. Timings to be advised.

Chequer Mead, Cantelupe Road RH19 3BS

Tickets available from the Box office 01342 302000 tickets@chequermead.co.uk

2 – A civic dedication of the Sir Archibald McIndoe statue.

11.30am High Street East Grinstead.

On Tuesday 6th August East Grinstead Town Council celebrated the 250th anniversary of East Court by holding a family fun day. The event was very well attended with activities suitable for up to 16 year olds. The Town Council will look into the possibility of making this an annual free event.

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There were celebrations all round when the team at an East Grinstead care home welcomed the local community in for a day of art-themed fun and games.

The Care UK team at Mill View on Sunnyside Close were joined by local people for Care Home Open Day, a countrywide initiative set up to develop lasting relationships between care homes and local communities, and to dispel common myths about care home life.

This year’s theme celebrated the role of arts within care, which is important in encouraging residents’ self-expression, and helps to create meaningful experiences.

On the day, residents and visitors polished their artistic skills with a pottery session, and tapped their feet to live entertainment from Creative Notes during a special music therapy session.

As part of a nationwide competition for all Care UK homes, Mill View also developed a work of art in the lead up to the open day, which was unveiled at the event.

Debbie Wheeler, home manager at Mill View, said: “Creative activities are important for people in care, whether it’s painting to help enhance hand-eye coordination, or simply reminiscing by putting on some music – the arts are a vital part of life here at Mill View.

“We’re pleased so many people from the local community joined us for Care Home Open Day. We always have a great time hosting this annual event and opening our doors to local people in East Grinstead to show them just how much fun you can have in a care home. We’re looking forward to next year already!”

Mill View has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite.

To find out more about Mill View, please contact customer relations manager, Amy Batchelor, on 01342 887 940 or email amy.batchelor@careuk.com

For more general information visit careuk.com/mill-view

To find out more about Care Home Open Day, please go to careuk.com/carehomeopenday

Local children and their families enjoyed a free day of fun and activities in East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill on 30^th, 31^st July and 1^st August as part of Play Days 2019. Play Days is a celebration of children’s right to play and a campaign to highlight the importance of play in children’s lives.

This year’s Play Days were circus themed and Mid Sussex District Council organised a variety of free activities. Families enjoyed outstanding circus demonstrations performed by professionals Poi Passion, and the South’s leading children’s entertainer, Tom Foolery, captivated all the family. Trained Circus performers gave guidance to children on walking the tightrope, balancing on stilts, juggling and also enjoyed creative activities to celebrate national Play Day 2019.

Places Leisure organised lots of fun sporting activities and children were encouraged to bring their bikes and scooters along to take part in a prepared obstacle course. The local DJs filled the afternoon with music and WSCC brought their sensory bus to provide activities for youngsters.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said:

“The Circus themed Play Days this year were filled with a variety of fun activities throughout the day for all the family to enjoy during the school holidays. There was lots to keep the children entertained.

“It’s great that we were able to provide a great afternoon for the local community to enjoy, with free activities available at these convenient locations across the District”

If you missed the free Play Day events, there is a chance to catch Play Days on tour, which is travelling across Mid Sussex providing a series of free mini events. There will be lots of activities which are suitable for all ages such as a DJ workshop, circuit training, arts & crafts, free passes to try leisure centre activities and much more.

The free mini Play Days on tour will be held at:

• Court Bushes in Hurstpierpoint from 11am until 3pm on Tuesday 6^th August
• Worlds End Rec in Burgess Hill from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 7^th August
• Bentswood in Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Tuesday 13^th August
• Ashenground in Haywards Heath from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 14^th August
• Cuckfield Rec, in Cuckfield from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 15^th August
• Rec by Millennium Hall in Scaynes Hill from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 21^st August
• Ardingly Rec in Ardingly from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 22^nd August
• Stone Quarry in East Grinstead from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 28^th August
• Rec by The Ark in Turners Hill from 11am until 3pm on Thursday 29^th August

Mid Sussex District Council Chairman Colin Trumble said:

“I opened all three of our Play Days events and it’s a fantastic day for the local people to enjoy with their families. I also visited one of our mini Play Days on Tour events at Court Bushes in Hurstpierpoint this morning and it was wonderful to see so many people taking part. ”

The 2019 events were organised by Mid Sussex District Council with support from Places Leisure, Burgess Hill Town Council, East Grinstead Town Council and Haywards Heath Town Council.

For more information contact Sally Blackmore, Community Engagement and Events Officer on 01444-477057 or email youth@midsussex.gov.uk

East Grinstead Town Council was pleased to work with Mid Sussex DC on the joint application for the estate to cover areas owned by Mid Sussex Council, East Grinstead Memorial Estate and the Town Council. The Green Flag award is prestigious and a known brand of quality. The Council is delighted that East Court has been recognised this way. On the day of the picture, we were celebrating the sestercentennial of East Court Mansion (250th anniversary), with a family fun day, showcasing the use of the estate as a giant playground as much as the sedate parkland and woodland walks.

The award has been granted for 2019/20 and will be reassessed annually.

East Grinstead and District Lions club would like to thank everyone who turned out to support the Donkey Derby and Dog Show on Sunday. Thanks go to those that responded to the pleas for help on social media and came along to help set up and take down and all those that attended as stall holders and visitors.

The Lions are very grateful for the support the club receives from the business community in the form of sponsorship. The event has raised a magnificent £4300 for our charities, over £1000 more than last year.

Meridian Rotary Fit For Life Event on Saturday 28 September, Sackville School, Lewes Road, East Grinstead between 10 a.m and 3pm.

On Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 July the Mid Sussex recycling and rubbish collections will start from 6am.

The hot temperatures we’re experiencing this summer mean working conditions are tough for our bin collection crews and this change will give them more time to work in the cooler part of the day.

Please ensure your bins and boxes are placed out ready for collection the evening before, in plenty of time for the early start.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 Heat Health Alert with a 90% probability of heat health criteria being met between 9.00am on Monday (22 July) and 9.00am on Friday (26 July) in parts of England.

View the full warning at the Met Office Heat Health Watch site.

Hot weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this hot weather period please help make sure that they stay cool and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this hot spell.

Please follow this advice to keep cool and comfortable and reduce health risks:

• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler.
• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11.00am and 3.00pm (the hottest part of the day).
• Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
• Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
• Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
• Wear loose, cool clothing and a hat if you go outdoors. 

For more information…

Met Office Heat-health watch

NHS Choices Heatwave: be prepared

West Sussex Wellbeing Looking after yourself and others in hot weather

WSCC Dealing with extreme weather

WSCC Preparing for emergencies

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