Category: News

East Grinstead Town Council is proud to be the current custodian of East Court. This year an exhibition celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the building.

Built in 1769, the house was initially a family home set in 900 acres, including three additional farmsteads.

Over the years it became an army barracks, was squatted and finally home to East Grinstead’s Urban District Council, later to become East Grinstead Town Council.

Come along to East Court, to see how the house has changed in this free an exhibition covering the last 250 years.

Open from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday – College Lane East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 3LT

This exhibition will run through to the end of the year, however opening times may change as events may make the hall inaccessible to the public. Please call to check if exhibition is open.

A family event and a mayoral quiz is planned to mark the anniversary on 6th August. Details to be advised.

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Mid Sussex District Council has awarded over £200,000 in grant funding to help local sports clubs and community organisations improve their facilities and services.

The Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Grants Panel met on 18 June to discuss the grant funding allocations and the award of £205,669 to the successful applicants was confirmed on 27 June.

Haywards Heath Rugby Club has been granted £150,000 towards construction of a new state of the art multi-sports pavilion at Whiteman’s Green in Cuckfield. The current clubhouse has been repaired many times over the years but is no longer fit for purpose. Over 1,500 Mid Sussex children and adults participate in sports at Whiteman’s Green every week and this new facility will become a valuable base for lots of different local sports clubs. It will also become a community social hub providing facilities to a wide range of other local organisations. The funding has been provided by Section 106 financial contributions, payments made by developers towards the improvement of local infrastructure.

Brighton Science was awarded £2,500 to provide Pocket Science Festivals at five venues across Mid Sussex. The festival uses exciting activities and hands on demonstrations to reach out to children who may not engage with science in schools. The aim of the project is to make science accessible, affordable, and most importantly fun, for both the children and their parents.

St John’s Church in Felbridge secured £714 towards a pilot project to engage local teenagers and help them to learn new skills. A group of five to eight teenagers will work to repaint and modify a Toyota Celica car during the school summer holidays. The project aims to increase social inclusion, improve mental wellbeing though accomplishment, provide ownership of a creative and practical project and establish mentors and role models outside school.

The charity Relate North & South West Sussex has been granted £2,000 to enable them to continue providing counselling services in East Grinstead and the surrounding villages. Relate champions the importance of healthy relationships as a way to create strong family ties. It’s an approach which helps people to engage with their local community and reduces the need for intervention by statutory agencies. Counselling for young people helps them to deal with challenges in life and provides skills that help them to remain in school.

Councillor Norman Webster, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Community said:

“We have some wonderful projects here that all contribute to the strong sense of community we have in Mid Sussex. There’s support for those who are vulnerable, community activities that families can enjoy together and lots of sporting opportunities that encourage people to be healthy and active.

“Many of these initiatives are only possible because local volunteers give up their time to do something special for others in the community. We must thank them for everything they are doing and I’m delighted that Mid Sussex District Council is able to demonstrate its support by providing this grant funding.”

For more information contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Services Team on 01444 477275 or email Elaine.Clarke@midsussex.gov.uk.

On Saturday 29th June East Grinstead commemorated the Armed Forces past, present and future with an event at East Court. After a short service and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial the Air Training Corps cadets performed a series of precision drills to music performed by the Nautical Training Corps cadets. Speeches and entertainment followed in the Meridian Hall and the Meridian Court yard.

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Mid Sussex District Council is offering grants of £250 to help local groups host fun events for older people as part of Silver Sunday 2019.

Silver Sunday is a national celebration of older people and their contribution to communities. This year Silver Sunday is on 6 October and Mid Sussex District Council is encouraging local people to show their support by organising an enjoyable activity for people over the age of 65.

The Council is offering grants of £250 to any group that would like to organise a Silver Sunday event. The offer is available to all, from large charities right through to small community groups who would like to show their appreciation for their older neighbours.

Silver Sunday is a special day in the national calendar when everyone can come together to celebrate older people: a day where older people feel valued and are given new opportunities to get out, keep their minds and bodies active, learn new skills, make new friends and connect with the communities and generations around them.

The opportunities for Silver Sunday activities are endless. Dance lessons, a theatre trip, museum tour or simply a coffee morning, a Silver Sunday event really can be anything as long as it brings older residents together.

To apply for a grant simply complete an online application form at www.midsussex.gov.uk/grants and submit it by Saturday 3 August June 2019.

For further information contact Regina Choudhury, MSDC Community Development Officer on 01444 477495 or email culture@midsussex.gov.uk.

East Grinstead Town Council is proud to be the current custodian of East Court. This year an exhibition in the main hall, celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the building. There will also be a family event followed by a Mayoral Quiz on August 6th. Details to follow.

Built in 1769, the house was initially a family home set in 900 acres, including three additional farmsteads.

Over the years it became an army barracks, was squatted and finally home to East Grinstead’s Urban District Council, later to become East Grinstead Town Council.

Come along to East Court, to see how the house has changed in this free an exhibition covering the last 250 years.

Open from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday – College Lane East Grinstead West Sussex RH19 3LT 01342 323636

This exhibition will run through to the end of the year, however opening times may change as events may make the hall inaccessible to the public. Please call to check if exhibition is open.

Chairman Cllr Colin Trumble has announced the first round of brand new community awards, Mid Sussex Applauds. The Awards aim to highlight the fantastic work of individuals and organisations across the district, recognising our connections and celebrating our community.

Mid Sussex Applauds will encompass two previous award schemes: the Young Volunteer Awards and the Community Service Awards. In addition there are new categories for those who help keep the community clean and green, support active lifestyles and sport, or work to bring communities together. In total there are eight categories –

• Stronger Communities – a community group or organisation that has helped to bring together cultures and communities through a local project or community activity
• Young Achiever Award – against all the odds, someone who has overcome significant obstacles and made a positive difference to their own lives or to other young people through education, campaigning or helping another overcome a difficult situation or personal problem
• Take Pride in Mid Sussex – This award will recognise residents who dedicate their time and energy into keeping Mid Sussex clean and green, take pride in their local area by creating community gardens, painting local spaces, upcycling or encouraging others to recycle.
• Young Volunteer of the year – recognising those young people who have made a difference in their local community
• Lifetime Achievement Award – an individual who has made a substantial commitment to the community in their lifetime
• Stronger Together – an individual who has helped to bring together cultures and communities through a local project or community activity
• Good Sport Award – a club or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to supporting activity or sport in Mid Sussex
• Business in the Community Award – recognising a business which supports or makes a positive contribution to benefit and enhance community life

Mid Sussex District Council Chairman Councillor Colin Trumble commented, “We know that in this area we have fantastically supportive people who, whether individually or as part of an organisation, go above and beyond what is expected, for the benefit of their community. Mid Sussex Applauds is our chance to recognise this, tell their stories and celebrate these achievements.”

Residents are encouraged to take part in the straightforward nomination process which will open on 1^st July and continue at www.midsussex.gov.uk/applauds until 31st August, when nominations close.

The very first Mid Sussex Applauds award ceremony will take place on Sunday 13^th of October.

Local businesses and employers are being encouraged to get involved by supporting Mid Sussex Applauds, contact comms@midsussex.gov.uk to find out more.