The Town Council awards a series Youth Sports Grants each year. They are awarded in November and the good news is that there is still some spare capacity for last-minute applications. So if you have a group or cause that would benefit please complete an application form as soon as possible. The deadline is 20th of October, so get your skates on!
Category: News
Bus Station improvements
East Grinstead bus station forecourt is being upgraded to make it easier and safer for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians . West Sussex County Council is improving the area around the bus interchange, which is phase 2 of the investment in the railway station redevelopment programme, and which has been specifically agreed with Metrobus and Network Rail.
Improvements include:
- A larger modern bus shelter for passengers
- Relocation of the bus shelter position to make it safer for buses to manoeuvre
- Widening the footpath for pedestrians and cyclists
- Removing hedges to have a more open connection with the railway station interchange and cycle route 21
- Enhanced and improved directional signage
- Complete resurfacing of the public footpath and bus road and lay by
EGTC Leader Rex Whittaker said
“We welcome the WSCC investment into East Grinstead transportation upgrades for a new bus interchange, and whilst there will be some short term disruption during the works programme, we shall be liaising closely with WSCC Highways throughout”.
The scheme will cost £114,000 and is being funded wholly from the developer sourced infrastructure upgrade budget.
Local Global Mid Sussex

East Grinstead Bus Station improvements
East Grinstead Bus Station forecourt is being changed to make it easier for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.
West Sussex County Council is improving the area around the bus interchange.
Improvements include:
- A larger bus shelter for passengers to use;
- Relocating the bus shelter to make it safer for bus drivers to turn in and out;
- Kerbs realigned to make it easier for pedestrians; and
- Removing hedges and trees to connect the station interchange with existing cycle paths.
The footway at the junction of Brooklands Way and Panell Close is also being improved.
Work will start on the Brooklands Way footpath on Monday, October 5 and continue for nine days.
Work then starts on the bus interchange on Wednesday, October 14.
It will last for 10 weeks, subject to the weather.
All work will take place between 7am and 5pm.
Station Road, between the Station Road roundabout and a point north of the bus station, will close to traffic for the duration of the works.
This is to protect the public and the workforce.
A diversion route will run along Railway Approach and Beeching Way.
A temporary bus stop for passengers will be in operation throughout the closure, located at the railway station drop-off area.
West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John O’Brien, said: “This is an investment in improving sustainable transport for East Grinstead.
“The changes will make it safer and easier to use.
“It will enhance the station forecourt and make it look more attractive to visitors to the town.”
East Grinstead Town Council’s Leader, Rex Whittaker, said: “We have been fully informed of the works for a new bus interchange outside East Grinstead Railway Station.
“We will be liaising with West Sussex County Council as these works progress.”
The scheme will cost £114,000.
It is being paid for by developers’ contributions.
The Sidney Betchley Charity, Henry Smith’s Charity and John Smith’s Trust
If you are over 65, on a low income, could we help you with a Christmas voucher.
Pick up a form at East Grinstead Town Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK or the library.
Completed forms must be returned on or before Friday 23rd October 2015 to East Crinstead Town Council, Ashurst Wood Parish Council, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Age UK or the library.
Or download the Charity Application Form 2015.
Award for Simon and Tim
Former Town Promotions Manager Simon Kerr and Bluebell Railway Operations Manager Tim Baker were among the recipients of the Mid Sussex District Council Chairman’s Community awards, presented at Ravenswood on 13 September.
Both were nominated by the Town Council for their hard work in promoting the town to residents and visitors alike. Simon who still works for the Council in a part time role, retired from the town promotion role in July.
The pair are pictured with Town Mayor Dick Sweatman.

New Bus Operator for Route 261
Seaford & District will be the new company taking over the operation of local bus route 261, operating between Uckfield and East Grinstead, with effect from Monday 14th September 2015.
Operating daily Monday to Saturday, there will some changes to the current times and the route will terminate at Uckfield.
The new timetable can be found here: http://www.journeysolutions.co.uk/bustimes.html
CCTV camera upgrades open for consultation
Mid Sussex District Council has launched a public consultation to ask local people what they think about the location of CCTV cameras in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.
There are 24 CCTV cameras currently in operation in the three Mid Sussex towns. Monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Sussex Police, they play a vital role in helping to prevent crime and disorder, reducing the fear of crime and increasing public safety for both residents and visitors.
The existing CCTV cameras are in need of upgrading and Mid Sussex District Council, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath Town Councils are considering the introduction of four additional CCTV cameras at the following locations:
- St John’s Park, Burgess Hill
- King George’s Field, East Grinstead
- Holtye Avenue, East Grinstead
- Victoria Park, Haywards Heath
Mid Sussex District Council is now seeking the views of residents on the positions of the new and existing cameras, to make sure they are reinstalled where they are needed most.
“With our current town centre CCTV cameras coming to the end of their working life and in need of replacement, now is the perfect time to review their location and make sure they are being as effective as they can be,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community.
“We’ve worked in partnership with Sussex Police to review where crime and anti-social behaviour has taken place in our towns over the past few years. We’ve used this information to suggest the most appropriate, necessary and effective locations for CCTV cameras. Now it’s time for you to let us know what you think as part of this consultation.”
The Council carefully follows the Surveillance Code of Practice to ensure that all CCTV cameras are necessary, operated appropriately, do not negatively impact on the privacy of local people and are suitably located.
Consultation events will be held in all three towns during October and November 2015 for local people to talk about CCTV cameras and comment on the proposals. Residents can also view all the information and comment online now at. www.midsussex.gov.uk/Consultation/9512_10071.htm Anyone who would like a consultation form through the post can call 01444 477204 for a paper copy.
There are 24 CCTV cameras currently in operation in the three Mid Sussex towns. Monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Sussex Police, they play a vital role in helping to prevent crime and disorder, reducing the fear of crime and increasing public safety for both residents and visitors.
Dementia Friends Awareness Sessions
A free service to all those wanting to know how better to understand and help people with dementia. The three sessions on the 27th of October are held at the Glen Vue Centre in Railway Approach, and bring a great benefit to all those whose work, paid or as a volunteer, brings them into contact with the public.
There are now over one million Dementia Friends across England and Wales, who are going out into their communities with a greater understanding of dementia and some of the ways they can help people living with the condition. From being more patient in shop queues, to volunteering, to campaigning for change, Dementia Friends are helping to create communities in which people living with dementia feel more understood and included
https://www.dementiafriends.

Lest We Forget
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):
Henry BOURN
Private G/4351 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 1st Division.
Killed in action at Loos 25. 9.15. Aged 32. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bourn of Slaugham. Husband of Louisa Bourn (remarried) of London Road, Balcombe.
Born in Slaugham and enlisted in Brighton. Included on Balcombe Parish Church War Memorial.
Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR.19.
Sydney Gordon COOPER
Second Lieutenant 1st Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. 4th Division.
Died of wounds 17. 9.15.age 32.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cooper of Spring Place, Bexley, Kent.
Buried Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension F. 344
Wyndham Harold DICKINS
Captain 12th Battalion, The Notts and Derby Regiment. (The Sherwood Foresters) Pioneer Battalion, of the 24th Division.
Died of wounds after the Battle of Loos. 28. 9.15. Aged 45.
Son of Colonel and Mrs. H.F. Dickins. Husband of Mrs. Beatrice Dickins of 2, Belzize Road, Hampstead, Middlesex.
Buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery.F. 51
Ernest James RICE
Private G/4377 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 1st Division.
Killed in action at Loos 25. 9.15. Born in East Grinstead and enlisted in Poplar, East London.
Next of kin East Grinstead.
Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19
George SHEPHERD
Corporal S. 8117 9th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade. 14th Light Division.
Killed in action at Loos 25. 9.15. Born in Newtimber and enlisted in Horsham
Resident of East Grinstead.
Commemorated on The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium MR. 29
Reginald Charles WINKWORTH
Private 3242 ‘A’ Company 12th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. 24th Division.
Killed in action at Loos 28. 9.15. Aged 20.
Son of Richard and Fanny Winkworth
Commemorated on The Loos Memorial MR. 19
