Category: News

The Mid Sussex Marathon took place over the Bank holiday weekend 29th April to 1st May and saw record numbers of athletes entering.  Three races are held annually over three consecutive days in three Mid Sussex towns and in total the distance makes up the classic marathon distance of 26.2 miles. East Grinstead 10 miles, Haywards Heath 10miles and Burgess Hill 10K. Children and adults new to running, were invited to take part in ‘The Well being Mile’ on each day, hopefully to be inspired to take up the greater distances in the future.

East Grinstead kicked off the event with a challenging 10 miles cross country race, starting and finishing at the East Grinstead Rugby Club. More than 300 runners completed the course and were presented with their medal by Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone and Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Cllr Peter Reed. Runners who entered and completed all 3 races were given a forth medal which cliped the 3 together to create one ‘Marathon medal’.

The Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend is a community event organised jointly by Places for People Leisure, Mid Sussex District Council and Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath Town Councils.

Huge thanks go out to the many volunteers who marshal the course without whom these races could not be run.

Anyone keen to enter for the 2018 Mid Sussex Marathon can do so now https://midsussexmarathon.co.uk/how-to-enter/

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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):

Alfred JENNER

Bombardier 11546, ‘D’ Battery, 83rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Killed in action 6 May 1917. Born Croydon, Surrey, enlisted Reading, Berkshire.

Living at 23 Durkin’s Road in East Grinstead in the 1911 Census and was listed as being born in Croydon. He was also living in East Grinstead in 1901.

No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 1.

Harry KENTON

Private G/52520 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers 3rd Division.

Killed in action near Arras on the .3.5.17. Born in Shelford, Surrey and elisted in Guildford Resident of East Grinstead.

Formerly with the Middlesex Regiment.

Commemorated on The Arras Memorial MR. 20

George UNDERWOOD

Private 47963 25th Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers (Tynside Irish) 59th Division.

Killed in action 31. 5.17. Aged 41

Husband of Mrs. B.Underwood of 33, Durkins Road, East Grinstead. Born and enlisted in East Grinstead. Formerly with the Royal Engineers.

Buried Bailleul Road (E) Cemetery St. Laurent Blagny F. 644

 

West Sussex County Council is pleased to offer its large dog walking population a unique opportunity to come along and discover more about the County from a dog walker’s perspective. The sessions will bring together a host of partners who will present on a range of topics including;

• Sussex Police – Dog Walking and the Law; this is in response to the increase in livestock worrying and mythbusting around the law.
• RSPB – Protecting our environment
• South Downs National Park – Take the Lead campaign
• Community Safety – Being vigilant;

There are two events taking place on Tuesday 16^th May 6pm  – 8pm and  Saturday 20^th May 10am – 12 noon.  Both events are being held in the Main Conference Room at Brinsbury College, Pulborough with refreshments being served on arrival. The events are free to attend.

Spaces are limited so we are encouraging people to book directly via the following Eventbrite links:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-dog-walkers-guide-to-west-sussex-tickets-33461806163

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-dog-walkers-guide-to-west-sussex-tickets-33583094941

During Dementia Awareness Week, May 15 to 21 this year, Dementia Friendly Mid Sussex and West Sussex Council Council have sponsored the creation of a ”Dementia Day” to take place at Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, on Tuesday May 16 from 2 – 5pm.

Besides raising awareness of Dementia, other aims include, to enable Carers and those living with Dementia, to meet voluntary and National support organisations who offer practical help and advice available locally.

The Dementia Action Alliances of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath together with exhibitors including Waitrose, West Sussex Memory Assessment Service, Gatwick Airport, Mothers Union, Haywards Heath W.I. Carers Support, plus over 20 others, who can for instance offer access to Legal and Financial advice and information. There will also be presentations on local services from the stage.

A unique opportunity to experience what it feels like to be living with Dementia will be provided by the ‘Virtual Dementia Tour’. Places for the three tours which start at 9:15 and take around 90 minutes are limited, and pre-booking is essential. Sponsorship by local companies has enabled the tours to be offered free.

Space permitting, there will also be a “Dementia Friends Session”, a short presentation written by the Alzheimers Society, explaining what living with Dementia means, and how we as friends, relatives, members of the general public and any organisation dealing with the general public, for example retail establishments or public services, can recognise, and if required at the time, directly help those living with Dementia.

Entry to the afternoon is free, and there is even a cup of tea and a biscuit, courtesy of Waitrose, Haywards Heath.

Current Sponsors include, Waitrose, Right at Home, Michael Oliver (Financial Services), P&S Gallagher, Buss Murton (Legal Services),The Purple Fox, and Haywards Heath Lions.

For more information contact Guy Boyling Haywards Heath Dementia Action Alliance on 01444 616893 or email: dementiaday@haywardsheathdaa.org.uk

We are pleased to introduce our new Community Liaison Officer, Jonathan Ansley. Jonathan previously worked as our Outdoor Services Foreman, a position he held for over ten years. Previous to that, Jonathan’s background was in Insurance. Jonathan’s now role includes liaising with local businesses, community groups and the public in general.

“Jonathan has excellent communication skills, and will no doubt continue to be an excellent ambassador for the Council” said Head of Finance, Tony Neale. Jonathan will continue to be a regular sight around town, and please feel free to stop him for a chat.

“I’m really excited to be starting this new role within the Council, and I look forward to assisting the good people of East Grinstead wherever I can.”, said Jonathan.

Jonathan can be contacted at the Council’s offices on 01342 323636 or by email on j.ansley@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

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):

Arthur AGATE

Private G/8182 9th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division.

Killed in action near Arras 13. 4.17. Aged 32.

Son of James and Millicent Agate of Council Terrace, East Grinstead. Husband of Elizabeth Agate of Gassons Cottages, Baldwins Hill, East Grinstead.

Commemorated on The Arras Memorial MR. 20

Alec Henry BINGHAM

Private G/17787 12th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division.

Died of wounds 19. 4.17. Aged 21.

Son of Allan and Ellen Bingham of Chestnut Cottage, Crawley Down. Felbridge Estate Carpenter.

Born and enlisted in Horsham. Included on Felbridge Parish Church War Memorial Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium B. 11

Herbert BOYLETT

Private 703129 1/23rd Battalion, The London Regiment. 63rd Division.

Wounded in France and died at home 12. 4.17. Aged 25.

Husband of Elsie Kate Boylett of 144, Queens Road, East Grinstead.

Born in Purbright, Surrey and enlisted in Guildford Formerly with the Royal West Surreys. Buried Queens Road Cemetery, East Grinstead.

Alfred Baverstock DYKES

Private G/42003 24th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 2nd Division.

Killed in action at Arras 14. 4.17. Aged 38

Husband of Mrs. Rhoda Dykes of North Cottage, Limpsfield, Surrey.

Included on Limpsfield Parish Church War Memorial. Born in London and enlisted in Faversham, Kent. Resident of East Grinstead. Commemorated on The Arras Memorial MR. 20.

William F EDWARDS

Private G/4210 13th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 39th Division.

Killed in action 3. 4.17.

Born in East Grinstead and enlisted In Brighton.

Buried Railway Dugout (Transport Farm) Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium. B.127

Albert Edward PLEDGE

Private G/13158 6th Battalion, The East Kent Regiment. 12th Division.

Killed in action at Arras 9. 4.17 Aged 40

Husband of Mrs. Alice Pledge of Hillside Cottages, Tandridge. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Oxted, Surrey. Formerly with the West Surreys.

Buried St. Catherines British Cemetery. F. 96

William George THOMPSON

Sergeant. G/3707 9th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 24th Division.

Died of wounds 12.4.17.age 20.

Son of George and Annie Thompson of East Grinstead Born and enlisted in East Grinstead

Buried Fosse 10 Communal Cemetery Extension F. 570.

Arthur THORPE

Private PS/3499 17th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. 33rd Division.

Killed in action near Arras 28. 4.17.

Born in Forest Row and enlisted in East Grinstead. Resident of Ashurstwood.

Included on Ashurstwood Parish War Memorial. Commemorated on The Arras Memorial Mr. 20.

W.P. WHITING.

Shoeing Smith TS/8365 Royal Army Service Corps. No 4 Company 41st Divisional Train.

Died at home 3. 4.17

Buried Queens Road Cemetery, East Grinstead.

 

I was recently informed by a local resident that on 29^th March 2017 a documentary was uploaded to YouTube by a group of local university undergraduates entitled ‘The Town Run by Scientology’. The documentary features serving Councillors and is currently being shared on social media. Whilst I feel the overall accuracy of the documentary can be challenged on a number of levels, I do not wish to comment on this particular aspect, but felt it appropriate to address a couple of elements directed at the Council/Councillors and their conduct. It is suggested in the documentary, that there is the perception that the Council is ‘far too easy’ on the Scientologists and in terms of its lack of contribution to the documentary is ‘keeping quiet because it is in its best interests to do so.

The documentary refers in particular to the number of charitable donations Councillors have accepted on behalf of good causes in the town, and the perception that because these donations are received, the Council turns a blind eye to anything the Scientologists do for fear of upsetting them which is categorically untrue. The Council has no jurisidiction over the conduct of the Church of Scientology or any other organisation in the town it can only address concerns as and when they apply.

Councillors are duty bound by a code of conduct – a set of principles of public office known as ‘The Nolan Principles of which there are 7 – Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. The principles of Selflessness (to act solely within the public interest) and Honesty (to declare any interests as and when applicable) apply here and are wholly adhered to when any Councillor receives a donation for a good cause close to his or her heart and it is important to be aware that a number of these causes would not survive in this town without such charitable donations, as there are very few funding opportunities through more traditional channels.

The documentary also featured a scene depicting works being carried out at a Scientology owned property within the Saint Hill Green Area. It went on to imply that it was a regular occurrence for the Church of Scientology to disregard the Planning process. The property featured is subject to planning application DM/16/3611 which was originally submitted in September 2016 and initially refused by the Town Planning Committee. It returned again on the 23^rd January 2017. As Chairman of Planning, I have personally addressed the many concerns of local residents particularly relating to the level of impartiality that could be expected.  They were invited to attend the meeting and sit in the public gallery, to witness first hand the thorough scrutiny by the committee members and clear impartiality of process in an open and accountable manner – in line with the very principles already outlined. The committee were not in support of its retrospective nature, nor the impact any approval would have upon the immediate community in terms of loss of amenity and road safety and as such the application received a further recommendation for refusal and is now waiting to be scrutinised again at the District Council before a final decision is reached.

There is often a vast chasm between the public perception and the actual reality in terms of the day to day running of the Council, and documentaries such as this are one sided, misinformed and unhelpful to say the least.  In order to obtain the true perspective of how well run this Council is by its officers and how dedicated its elected members are, rather than choosing to perceive, I would urge the residents of this town to attend the many public meetings held – of which there are at least 35 a year – to witness for themselves the significant contribution that 19 Councillors make on behalf of the townfolk. I would remind you that Councillors are volunteers and the taxable £1000 annual allowance, which can be claimed, hardly covers the expenses of being a councillor and is no way a remuneration.

It is without question that the good causes of this town do receive financial assistance from the town’s largest resident and like any charitable donor this is acknowledged in the appropriate way. Perhaps more important to acknowledge is that our Town Council is not run by the Church of Scientology, it is run solely by the Officers who are employed and instructed by the Elected Members who in turn are voted in by the town people – that is the reality.

Cllr Jacquie Russell
Leader East Grinstead Town Council