Category: News

A whole host of free exercise sessions, tailored to meet the needs of people over the age of 50, will be on offer, as well as advice and information on staying fit and well in later life.

There will be the opportunity to try Tai Chi, Pilates, bowls, walking netball, badminton, table tennis, yoga and line dancing with an organised sing – a-long at the end of the day.

Charities, voluntary groups and local organisations will be on hand to offer advice on topics such as developing a healthy lifestyle and staying fit. There will also be free audiology testing available on the day.

Trained Wellbeing Advisors from Mid Sussex District Council will be on hand provide free wellbeing health checks to help people spot potential health problems at an early stage. The checks take 30 minutes and include a BMI (Body Mass Index) reading that is calculated by measuring height and weight.

After the health check, there will be an opportunity to discuss the results with a trained health advisor, who will provide personalised advice on how to lower the risk of future problems and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Join us at East Court at 10am or the High Street at 11am on Sunday 11 November to mark this anniversary.

The 11am service will include the parade from King St, act of remembrance and singing of hymns and the national anthem accompanied by the Choir from St Swithun’s and the East Grinstead Concert Band. During the 2 minutes silence a big screen stationed on the market square will show the earlier lighting of the East Court beacon as part of the National Battles Over Beacon lighting.

The East Grinstead Concert Band will form up around the jubilee fountain and the parade will form in the road by the war memorial. After the service the band and parade will move off to Chequer Mead Car park where they will disperse.

If you are not joining us, please be aware that the High St will be closed to traffic from 10:15am and will not reopen until the parade has cleared the high st. All will be open by 12pm.

• Service timetable
• Service sheet
• Road closure map

Beacon lighting

The Council have decided to light the Beacon at East Court twice on Sunday, once before the 10.00 service at East Court and again in line with the national lighting at 7pm. East Grinstead has been listed to be part of the national beacon lighting for over a year, but had opted for an earlier time so that the flame could be screened during the main act of remembrance at 11am.

The Chairman of Amenities and Tourism said:  This earlier time was welcomed by residents who are not able to come out at night time, but other residents had stated that it was a shame that East Grinstead would not be lighting at the same time as many other Mid Sussex Parishes.

Members of the public who wish to attend East Court in the evening are advised that car parking will be extremely limited as the beacon is in the car park, and there is a private event in the Meridian Hall. They are also advised to take extra care when walking around the estate in the dark, bringing a torch would be advised.

Sussex residents now have the chance to pose questions to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in person at a meeting next month.

Questions are now being invited for Katy Bourne ahead of the next meeting of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel on Friday 5 October.

Having submitted questions in advance, residents can, if they wish, then attend the meeting to ask their question in person, hear the answer and then raise further points. Otherwise the Chairman will ask their question on their behalf.

This new approach was agreed by the panel at its last meeting.

Questions could be about any policy issue relating to policing in Sussex (but not related to operational matters, or a live case).

The deadline for receiving questions is midday on Friday 21 September and they can be submitted in writing to pcp@westsussex.gov.uk or by telephoning 03302 222542.

Councillor Bill Bentley, chairman of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel said: “As well as supporting the Commissioner, the role of the panel is to properly scrutinise all elements of her work on behalf of the public, to ensure the role is being carried out effectively.

“We want to make sure the issues we are raising are those that the public feel are important to them, and we periodically improve our working arrangements to ensure residents’ voices are heard. I would encourage people to submit their questions, and we look forward to welcoming as many as possible at our meeting on 5 October.”

The main items on the agenda at the meeting are an update on the Commissioner’s work in ensuring Sussex Police provides an effective response to our educational establishments and the Commissioner’s proposed new role in handling policing complaints.

The meeting will be held at County Hall, Lewes, starting at 10.30am. The meeting will also be webcast live at www.eastsussex.public-i.tv/core/portal/home.

Councillors from 15 local authorities across Sussex, plus two independent members, make up the Sussex Police and Crime Panel. The role of the Panel is to scrutinise the actions and decisions of the Commissioner.

A Charity Big Band concert will be taking place at Clair Hall, Haywards Heath on Sunday 14 October 2018 from 7.30pm, hosted by Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council.

An evening with Glenn Miller and friends will feature all the popular Big Band tunes that inspired a generation and boosted morale during World War II. The 17 piece ConChord Big Band orchestra will stunningly recreate the sound of iconic 1940’s Swing orchestras like Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Dorsey. Performing as the wartime US Army Air Force Band, ConChord will deliver music and songs from the Big Band Era to help get you ‘In The Mood’ for an unforgettable evening.

A raffle will be held during the intermission and prizes have been kindly donated by Waitrose Haywards Heath, Hall and Woodhouse, Marks and Spencer, The Entertainer, The Crown Turners Hill and The Orchards Shopping Centre. All funds raised on the night will go to Sullivan’s Heroes, a local charity based in Turners Hill that funds home adaptations for disabled children.

Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“This promises to be a fantastic evening so please join us for a trip down memory lane with  an uplifting visit to the age of Big Band and Swing music.

“Sullivan’s Heroes is a fantastic local charity and every ticket sold will help them to offer support and financial assistance to families with disabled children.”

Tickets are on sale now priced at £15 (£12 Concessions) and are available directly from the Clair Hall box office on 01444 455440 or online at www.clairhall.org

An evening with Glenn Miller and friends will feature all the popular Big Band tunes that inspired a generation and boosted morale during World War II. The 17 piece ConChord Big Band orchestra will stunningly recreate the sound of iconic 1940’s Swing orchestras like Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Dorsey. Performing as the wartime US Army Air Force Band, ConChord will deliver music and songs from the Big Band Era to help get you ‘In The Mood’ for an unforgettable evening

A raffle will be held during the intermission and prizes have been kindly donated by Waitrose Haywards Heath, Hall and Woodhouse, Marks and Spencer, The Entertainer, The Crown Turners Hill and The Orchards Shopping Centre. All funds raised on the night will go to Sullivan’s Heroes, a local charity based in Turners Hill that funds home adaptations for disabled children.

Councillor Bruce Forbes, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council said:

“This promises to be a fantastic evening so please join us for a trip down memory lane with  an uplifting visit to the age of Big Band and Swing music.

“Sullivan’s Heroes is a fantastic local charity and every ticket sold will help them to offer support and financial assistance to families with disabled children.”

Tickets are on sale now priced at £15 (£12 Concessions) and are available directly from the Clair Hall box office on 01444 455440 or online at www.clairhall.org

IN a regular feature on the Town Council website, we will be remembering, on the anniversary of their deaths, the East Grinstead soldiers who died during WWI,  and who are named on the High Street War Memorial.

This month we recall (as recorded on The Roll of Honour website):

John BENNETT

Corporal TF/200189 1/4th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 34th Division.

Died of wounds 27. 9.18. Aged 26.

Son of John and Mary Elizabeth Bennett of East Grinstead. Born and enlisted in East Grinstead.

Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium B.11

Thomas Harding BROADLEY

Lieutenant No 62 (F) Squadron The Royal Air Force. (Bristol Fighters).

Killed in action 15. 9.18. Aged 19.

Son of George and Elsie Broadley of Lonsdale House, East Grinstead.

Buried Chili Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle F. 1193

John Thomas CARTER

Private G/78636 2nd Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 29th Division.

Died of wounds 5. 9.18.

Born in London and enlisted in Brighton. Next of kin residents of East Grinstead.

Buried Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerck, Belgium.

Albert William COOMBER

Sergeant L.9162 1st Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. The Indian Army

Killed in action on attachment in Persia 25.9.18.

Aged 28 Regular.

Son of George and Maria Coomber of 5, Mill Cottages, Dunnings Road, East Grinstead

Born and enlisted in East Grinstead Buried Tehran War Cemetery, Persia (Iran) Asia 82

Thomas James DRAPER

Gunner 95855 Royal Field Artillery 1/36th Division. Ammunition Col.

Died 29. 9.18. Aged 25.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Draper of 9, Highfield, Forest Row.

Born and enlisted in East Grinstead. Buried Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium B. 84

J. GILROY

Stoker 1st Class 55462 Royal Navy HMS “Caesar”

Died 28. 9.19.

Buried Haidar Pasha Cemetery Istanbul, Turkey. (Possibility Only)

Arthur Thomas HARMAN

Private TF/505144 2nd Battalion, The Kings Royal Rifle Corps. 1st Division.

Died of wounds 7. 9.18. Aged 40.

Son of Thomas and Ellen Harman of East Grinstead. Born and enlisted in East Grinstead. Formerly with the 5th Londons.

Buried Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoignt F. 14

Francis James HILLER

Private G/31137 1st Battalion, The Royal West Kent Regiment. 5th Division.

Killed in action 26. 9.18. Aged 18.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hiller of 43, West Street, East Grinstead. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Brighton.

Commemorated on The Vis en Artois Memorial MR. 16.

Sydney George HUGGETT

Second Lieutenant ‘A’ Company 7th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 12th Division.

Killed in action at Epehy Wood 18. 9.18. Aged 31.

Son of Sydney and Emma Huggett of London Road, East Grinstead. Husband of Mrs. Bessie Huggett of 120, Tilehurst Road, Reading, Berks.

Buried Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery F. 369

Sidney JOHNSON

Private TF/ 200239 1/4th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 34th Division.

Killed in action near Ypres 2. 9.18. Aged 21.

Son of Herbert and Kate Johnson of 11, Green Hedges Avenue, East Grinstead. Born in Lodsworth and enlisted in East Grinstead.

Commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial Belgium MR.30

Herbert William KENT

Rifleman 43847 1/13th Battalion, The London Regiment. 56th London Division.

Died of wounds at home 16. 9.18.

Enlisted in Lingfield, Surrey. Formerly with the Royal West Surreys.

Buried Bear Road Cemetery, Brighton.

Charles Henry SLOMAN

Private 4564 2nd Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment. 19th Division.

Died in captivity in Hamburg, Germany, 26.9.18. Aged 37.

Son of Mr. J.H. and Mrs. Emma Sloman of 18, Council Terrace, East Grinstead. Born in East Grinstead. Enlisted in London.

Buried Hamburg Cemetery, Germany

John Lancelot SMEED

Private A/2685 1st Battalion, The Canadian Infantry 1st Canadian Division.

Killed in action 28. 9.18. Aged 24.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Smeed of East Grinstead.

Buried Ontario Cemetery, Sains les Marquion F. 481

Thomas Stewart SYMONS, DFC

Captain Royal Air Force.

Killed in action 29. 9.18. Aged 26.

Son of Alfred and Helen Symons of West Tarring near Worthing. Included on the War Memorials of Durrington, West Tarring and Worthing.

Buried Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers Plouich F. 379

This year Mr X Stitch, AKA Jamie Chalmers the Kingpin of contemporary embroidery is going to create a fantastic 20 foot tall decorated Christmas tree in the house courtyard at Standen House and Garden. Being the champion of contemporary cross stitch, Jamie will be festooning the tree and the courtyard with hundreds (if not thousands) of handmade brightly coloured cross stitched Christmas baubles and he wants your help to do this.

His plan is for people (that’s you wonderful people) to cross stitch baubles which he will then mount, label and use as part of the installation. Wouldn’t it be great to fill the house courtyard with works of art reflecting the style and talent of the local area and make this a truly local festive affair? Jamie has asked that due to the size of the workshops that there is a lower age limit of 10 for the workshops. I hope that this will be ok?

Jamie wants to invite groups to free workshops which will be based in East Grinstead in Sept and Oct this autumn to get the project going. Don’t worry if you are a newcomer to needle work… Jamie has created simple patterns to follow and will be providing you with all the materials, skills, encourage and inspiration needed to get you started… along with a great deal of fun and laughter. If you are already a dab hand with a needle and thread come along and learn something new, embellish the patterns and really put your stamp on the baubles and perhaps inspire other with your creativity.

There are going to be workshops on the 13^th and 14^th Sept (afternoon and evening) and two follow up Workshops (to finish off the pieces) on the 11^th and 12^th October. Everyone will be asked to commit to one in Sept and one in Oct so that Jamie can make sure all the works are completed in time.

The dates and times of the workshops are as follows:

PART ONE (Getting started)

Thursday 13 Sept

1.30pm – 3.30pm

5.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 14 Sept

10.30am – 12.30pm

1.30pm – 3.30pm

PART TWO (Finishing off)

Thursday 11 Oct

1.30pm – 3.30pm

5.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 12 Oct

10.30am – 12.30pm

1.30pm – 3.30pm

All the workshops will be in East Grinstead.

It is with great regret that we are cancelling this year’s FEast Grinstead event on October 7th. Our apologies to everyone involved.