Category: News

SACKVILLE School raised the roof with its production of Back to the 80s this week, a fabulously nostalgic high school musical featuring many of the infectious chart toppers their own parents would have grown up with.

The evening kicked off with the upbeat scene-setter Kids in America and didn’t pause for breath thereafter.

Olly Howland gave an endearingly wistful performance as the narrator Corey Palmer, looking back fondly at the lives and loves of his classmates at William Ocean High.

Ethan Chapman, playing his youthful student self, was laid back and lovable as he hopelessly pursued Tiffany Houston, “the prettiest girl in the year” played by Juno Phitidis in a sweet performance which captured all the bouncy girl-next-door wholesomeness of her role.

Jack Charlton Nevitt was tall enough, and handsome enough, to play a convincing Michael Feldman, the hottest jock at Ocean High, and a shoo-in for senior school president, prompting a great ensemble performance of the Toni Basil hit Hey Mickey.

And there was a lovely turn too from his VP sidekick Olivia Ody, playing the all-too-obviously Material Girl Cyndi Gibson.

The role of class nerd Feargal McFerrin III was in the safe hands of Charlotte Nield, whose excellent comic timing channelled a Young Sheldon as the class swot eventually turned kung fu hero, who delivered Feldman’s well-deserved come-uppance.

Nuhazet Diaz-Cano brought maturity, great vocals and frankly some pretty hot moves to his Maths master Stevie Cocker: while Tia Bartlett soared effortlessly through her fabulous performance as his heartbroken love interest Miss Brannigan.

Grace de Souza was poignant and vulnerable as the cruelly-betrayed new girl Eileen Reagan, while Charlie Stripp – who I last reviewed in his heart-breaking performance as Gavroche in Les Mis – showed his versatility as the comical Alf Bueller, earning several well-deserved laughs.

There were lovely supporting performances too from Maud Kendrick and Lauren Bailey as boyfriend-fantasists Laura Wilde and Debbie Fox; Nicole Noakes as Feargal’s Sister; Peggy Wheeler and Seren Foulds as cheerleading twins Kim and Mel Easton; and jocks Kirk, Billy, Lionel and Huey ably played by Freya Eastcott, Jacob Knock, Chloe Harman and Finn Crawford.

The dancers shone in their many show-stopping numbers which they performed with precision and pizzazz, while the orchestra – composed of pupils, parents, friends and teachers – delivered a fabulous sound track to the evening which was a credit to themselves, and the school.

Sackville is to be congratulated for a night of unapologetic, good-hearted fun which eventually saw the right guy get the girl – even if it was just at the Prom.

And what could be nicer than that?

Geraldine Durrant

There is a tree down at East Court partly blocking the main road through the estate. This is impassable, due to the remaining part of the tree still being vulnerable. A tree surgeon has viewed the tree and will attend to deal with this over the weekend. In the meantime, for your own safety do not walk, cycle or attempt to drive through the barriers – please go around.

Mid Sussex District Council Chairman, Councillor Bruce Forbes welcomed  two exceptional local residents to a special coffee morning on Tuesday 29 January.

In the Queen’s New Year Honours, Paul Jackson, (Chief Executive of Into Film) was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to Film and the Arts. Into Film is a charitable organisation delivering a UK-wide film education programme that engages with over 12,000 schools and youth organisations, and one million children and young people aged 5-19.

The Chairman, along with the Vice-Chairman Cllr Colin Trumble met with Paul in order to show his appreciation for everything he has done.

Mid Sussex District Council Chairman, Councillor Bruce Forbes said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Paul to the Council and have the opportunity to personally thank him for his work in cultural education which benefits children and young people across the country.”

Another local resident Nicholas Coombe, (Principal Management Technical Adviser, London Fire Brigade) was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Fire Safety.

Councillor Forbes added, “They both deserve a great deal of credit for being such positive role models and I am proud to see them getting the recognition they deserve. I hope they thoroughly enjoy the investiture ceremony later this year.

“We are very fortunate to have such dedicated people living in Mid Sussex who work so hard to make our communities stronger.”

Annual Town Meeting – Wednesday 20th March 2019 in the Meridian Hall

The meeting starts at 6pm and will conclude at 7pm.

This year takes a different format with volunteer groups/charity groups each having a table whereby members of the public are invited to talk to the groups about their organisations over coffee.

Wheelchairs and pushchairs can now gain access to the East Court Upper Terrace which up to now has been step access only or a much longer route via the war memorial.

East Grinstead Town Council as part of its investment in to the estate, have built a ramp to allow wheelchair and pushchair access, between the upper and lower terrace at the north end of the terrace.

The Upper Terrace affords lovely views of the Ashplats Woods and distant Ashdown Forest, and also provides a vantage point to view the East Court Live events. It also has the Greenwich Meridian Line marker, placed there during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Improving the access to ensure that the top terrace can be accessed by all has been a goal for the Council for a while.

Vice Chairman of Amenities and Tourism Committee, and Town Council representative on the Disability Access, Group Cllr Christine Mainstone said “We are so pleased to be able to invite those with mobility issues to enjoy the grounds from all aspects. While it was possible to reach the terrace previously it involved a longer way round on the East Court drive, past the war memorial to reach the top terrace, which was difficult for many people who cannot manage steps or walk long distances, this will be much more convenient for many estate users.”

Photo Cllr Adam Peacock and Cllr Christine Mainstone; Chairman and Vice Chair of Amenities and Tourism.

The Public Toilets on the East Court Estate have reopened after an extensive refurbishment lasting 2 months. Having been available on the Estate for many years, the toilets were desperately in need of a refit. The Town Council, who own the toilets had determined that they would be updated and had reserved a budget, however the facility was funded using financial contributions paid by developers to mitigate the impact of local housing development. The funding is known as Section 106, a community infrastructure contribution paid by developers to the District Council for use in the community. The under spent Town Council budget, has allowed for works to upgrade the public toilets inside the Mansion, to start earlier than planned.

Cllr Adam Peacock, Chairman of Amenities and Tourism Committee said: “The toilets are well used, especially now due to the number of annual public events the Council organises. The toilets were badly in need of the refurbishment and we are grateful to Mid Sussex Council for allowing the Section 106 money to be allocated to this project”

The toilets were reopened by Town Mayor Cllr Rex Whittaker and Mid Sussex District Council Chairman Cllr Bruce Forbes, pictured along with Cllr Christine Mainstone, Vice Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee.