Category: News

Wednesday 1 July at 7:30pm

Chequer Mead Silver Screen presents Boyhood

Boyhood is a true ‘coming of age’ film.  Written and directed by Richard Linklater, the film was shot intermittently over the course of a 12 year period from 2002 to 2014, depicting the life of Mason Evans from ages six to 18 as he grows up in Texas with divorced parents.Tickets: £5. Concessions: £4.

Thursday 2 July at 8pm

Gerard Kenny and his Musicians

International singer-songwriter Gerard Kenny returns to Chequer Mead for a relaxed evening of hits from his legendary songbook including Made it Through The Rain, I Could Be So Good For You and New York, New York (So Good They Named It Twice).

Tickets: £15.50

Friday 3 July at 7:30pm

Masters of Dance

Masters of Dance brings together the finest local talent for one spectacular night of dance supporting local children’s charity, Jigsaw (South East).Tickets: £10.

Saturday 4 July at 7:30pm

The Billy Joel Songbook performed by Elio Pace and his Band

Elio Pace returns to Chequer Mead with his stunning performance of The Billy Joel Songbook. Elio opened his last tour here and is giving people the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with him. Tickets £18. Concessions: £16.

Sunday 5 July at 5pm

The British Red Cross presents Dance: Make Your Move – Semi Finals

Tickets: £8.50, Concessions: £6.50

Tuesday 7 July at 7:30pm

Marion Shuster presents Choirpower Summer Concert

An evening of choral delights including songs from West Side Story, Oklahoma, Les Mis, HMS Pinafore and popular classics.

Tickets: £10.50, Concessions: £9.

Wednesday 8 July at 7pm

Step Up and Sing presents Summer 2015 Show

Come and support the very talented Step Up & Sing pupils as they perform their 2015 Summer Show.

For more information about the show and the classes, visit www.stepupandsing.com .Tickets: £7.50

Thursday 9 July at 8pm

Richard Durrant -The Guitar Whisperer

A chance to see the UK’s only stand up, barefoot, un-classical guitarist.

Richard Durrant has the virtuosity and spontaneity to generate an electric atmosphere. With animated film, projected artwork and his own very special connection with the audience, Durrant performs his new Guitar Whisperer show.

The programme includes JS Bach – Chaconne in Dm, Debussy – Reverie & Arabesque, Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells, JS Bach – for unaccompanied Ukulele, Durrant – Cycling Music (for guitar, sequencers and bicycles).

Tickets: £15. Concessions £13.50

Friday 10 July at 7:30pm

The Dutch Swing College Band

Officially launched on D-Day, 5 May 1945, the Dutch Swing College Band has created over 100 albums and appeared at festivals, theatre and for royalty.

The world’s longest established international jazz band are performing for their 70^th Anniversary.  Join them for a fun-filled evening of soulful jazz.

Tickets: £18. Concessions: £16.

Saturday 11 July at 7pm

Bullfrog Productions presents Hollywood and Beyond

Hollywood and Beyond explores the Golden Age of Hollywood with extracts from some of the world’s favourite movie musicals.

Tickets: £13, Concessions: £11, Family Ticket: £40.

Wednesday 15 July at 7:30pm

Ballet Virtuoso and Janet Lewis Enterprises presents

Ballerinas On Broadway

Directed by Janet Lewis MBE,  this gem of a ballet company presents the professional  principal dancers from  the award winning English Youth Ballet who appear throughout the UK in EYB’s full length classical ballets.

Virtuoso is an exciting and contrasting evening ranging from the romantic ballet era of Les Sylphides through to Gershwin-Motion Pictures Hollywood musicals.

The white and black swan pas de deux from Swan Lake is followed by the famous Spring Waters pas de deux very rarely seen outside Russia and made famous by the Bolshoi Ballet.

The grand finale of the evening is the wonderful Gershwin ballet based on the Hollywood musicals era of the thirties and forties.

The classical ballet dancers change their image and become  Garland, Astaire, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.

Choreographed brilliantly by Ian Mackenzie Stewart, the EYB dancers present a dazzling Hollywood finale to the evening.

Tickets: £18, Concessions: £16.

Saturday 18 July at 7pm

Andre Rieu’s Maastricht Concert

Affectionately known as ‘The King of Waltz’, André performs every year in front of thousands of fans at his beautiful home town of Maastricht, in The Netherlands.

The Maastricht concerts are André’s most popular of the year with his most dedicated fans flying from all over the world to see this incredible event live.

As always, CinemaLive’s programme will feature a host who will introduce the show as well as conduct an interview with André the moment he steps off stage, exclusively for cinema audiences.

The concert is approximately 3hrs including a 15 minute interval. Spoken parts in English and Dutch with some English subtitles supplied.

The satellite-delivered concert is recorded several days prior to the cinema screening, during André Rieu’s 2015 Maastricht Concert summer season.Tickets: £18. Concessions: £16.

Tuesday 21 July at 7pm

NT Live presents Everyman

Everyman is successful, popular and riding high when Death comes calling. He is forced to abandon the life he has built and embark on a last, frantic search to recruit a friend, anyone, to speak in his defence. But Death is close behind, and time is running out.

One of the great primal, spiritual myths, Everyman asks whether it is only in death that we can understand our lives.

A cornerstone of English drama since the 15th century, it now explodes onto the stage in a startling production with words by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and movement by Javier De Frutos. Chiwetel Ejiofor takes the title role.Tickets: £12. Concessions: £10.

Wednesday 22 July at 8pm

Peter Howarth

Over the past few months Peter has been touring as the lead singer with the legendary “Hollies” throughout  Scandinavia and in the UK. During this period he has also been co writing and recording with Bobby Elliot (fromThe Hollies).  Their composition, “Skylarks”  features on the band’s new album “The Hollies at 50”. Tickets: £12.Concessions: £11.

Thursday 23 July at 7:30pm

Good Times Promotions present Whole Lotta Led – The UK’s longest running, professional tribute to Led Zeppelin

Now in their 19th year Whole Lotta Led are undeniably the UK’s leading tribute to Led Zeppelin with their customary two and half hour shows receiving universal acclaim from Zeppelin lovers the length and breadth of the UK.Tickets: £16. Concessions: £14.

Saturday 25 July at 8pm

AM Theatre Productions presents Six Five Rock ‘N’ Roll Express

Tickets: £14.

Sunday 26 July at 1:30pm

Pongo’s Party

With CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as the voices of Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow.

Today is the day that Pongo the Pig has been waiting for. It’s his birthday and he’s been dropping hints to his friends all year but the trouble is, nobody seems to know.

Come and help make Pongo’s Party a day to remember, by joining in a show full of fun, songs and laughter.

Tickets: £10. Concessions: £9. Family Ticket: £35.

Going the Distance is an inclusive eight mile event that will take place on 20 September 2015 in London. The event will see participants enjoy the famous views from the Thames and over some of London’s most iconic bridges. It’s an event that everyone can take part in as they show their support of Spinal injuries Association, by gaining sponsorship for their efforts in walking, running or wheeling around the course.

The route will start at the Victoria Embankment Gardens and we will have a shorter 4 mile route, designed for families to tackle as a team.

Want to take part in Going the Distance, while raising money for charity?

Everyone is welcome to take part and Registration is £10 per adult, £5.00 per child, £5.00 and £25.00 per family entry.  We are not asking for a minimum sponsorship we ask that you try and raise as much as you can to support SIA’s vital services.

SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing your exclusive Going the Distance T-shirt, sponsorship forms and information. On event day there will also be a goodie bag to collect from the start.

The money raised from Going the Distance will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to rebuild lives after spinal cord injury.

Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone.

For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 01908 208541 or email fundraising@spinal.co.uk find more information and register at http://www.spinal.co.uk/page/goingthedistance

The Government have determined that a minutes silence will be held on Friday as a mark of respect to the 18 Britons who died in Tunisia last week at the hands of an Islamic State gunman.

The Town Mayor although away would like East Grinstead to show its respects by inviting all to stop and join in the 1 minute silence at 12.00 in the High Street.

The Town Mayor,  Cllr Dick Sweatman who will be in Mindelheim on a Town Twinning visit said “This barbaric attack on innocent holidaymakers has been felt by all back home in the UK. East Grinstead will join the nation in this mark of respect by observing the silence and although I shall be in Germany I shall invite the Twinning delegation to also observe this moment”

A crowd of around 1,000 enjoyed an afternoon of music at East Court thanks to the Town Council’s free Proms in the Park concert.

It was a dull afternoon and the parasols turned to umbrellas during the odd light drizzle, but nothing could dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm and everyone had a great time listening to Merry Opera, the Sackville school choir, East Grinstead Concert Band and Forest Row Orchestra.

It was the East Grinstead Concert Band’s second performance at East Court in two days as they had entertained good crowds the day before at Armed Forces Day.

And a familiar town figure – Margaret Cook – was also there at both events to wave the flag both literally and figuratively.

Below: Margaret Cook gives the Americans a cheer © Roy Henderson

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TOWN Councillors were invited to the Museum on 26 June for a special information evening that included a “behind the scenes” tour and a presentation of future plans.

Chairman Andrew Brock explained details of running the Museum and the financial challenge the Trustees face in maintaining the level of service it offers residents and visitors.  He also introduced the Councillors to the new Patrons’ Scheme and the plans for displaying the McIndoe collection.

Collections Officer, Jess Hadfield, showed the Councillors the research areas and the vast collection of artefacts that the Museum has in its stored collection.  Every item has been digitally photographed and can be made available for the public to examine on request.

Guinea Pig Club Secretary and Museum Trustee Bob Marchant was on hand to explain the importance of the McIndoe collection and the story of the Guinea Pig Club formed at the Queen Victoria Hospital during World War 2.

And Town Tourism Officer and Trustee Simon Kerr explained the vital role the Museum has in explaining the rich history of the town to visitors.

Museum Trustee and Deputy Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone said “We invited the Town Councillors so that we could remind them of the important part the Museum plays in the life of East Grinstead.  We have the amazing story of the Guinea Pig Club and the work of Archibald McIndoe to tell in our future plans.  Meanwhile we have the financial struggle of the daily running costs of the Museum and we look forward to our supporters joining the Patrons’ Scheme to help secure the future of one of our town’s vital assets.”

Attending the visit were:  Town Mayor Cllr Dick Sweatman, Deputy Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone, Cllr Danny Favor, Cllr Julie Mockford, Cllr Adam Peacock, Cllr Norman Webster, Cllr Peter Wyan, Cllr John Saull, Cllr Christine Mainstone

Horse riding and Stable management: Tuesday 7 July 7-8 PM (arrive at 6.45 PM) – half an hour of riding, and half an hour of horse grooming at Tremaines Stables, Treemans Road/Lewes Road, Horsted Keynes, West Sussex RH17 7EA.

Age: 10-15 year olds, cost £7 pp.  16 places available. Riders shouldn’t be over 12 stone in weight due to horses’ size. No trainers. Bring your own boots if possible, otherwise you will be fitted with boots at the venue.

Camping at Lodge Hill, nr Pulborough, West Sussex: 10-12 July for 11-14 year olds, now full. Contact us if you wish to be placed on the waiting list, in case of cancellations.

Climbing Wall at Adur Outdoor Activities Centre, Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 5LT: Tuesday 14 July, 7-9 PM.

Age: 10-15 year olds, cost £2 pp.  8 places available.  Come and have a go at scaling the 10 metre high wall.  Climbing is a great way to get fit and meet new friends along the way.

Girls’ Event at Landport Youth Centre, Landport Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2SU:  Thursday 30 July, 4-8 PM – take part in various activities incl DJ skills, graffiti, henna tattooing and face/arm painting, sports/dance, arts and more. For girls and young women aged 13-19. 50p pp.

For more information contact: 01273 420855 / Mobile 07702 036096, web site: www.sussexcyp.org.uk

OWN Mayor Dick Sweatman welcomed the modern day pilgrims taking part in the Refugee Tales walk, when they stopped at East Court for a buffet lunch provided by the East Grinstead Justice and Peace Group.

The J&P group supports the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group providing clothes, trainers and bags for detainees, and visiting those held at Tinsley House and Brook House, detention centres near Gatwick.

In all around 1,500 people enjoyed free Refugee Tales evening events across Kent, Surrey and Sussex as the hikers passed through on their 80 mile journey.

East Grinstead was the last stop on the route and after leaving town along the Worth Way, the walkers headed for Crawley and a celebration of Refugee Week at the Hawth, where Baroness Shirley Williams spoke in support of an end to indefinite detention.

* Further information about the work of the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group is at: www.gdwg.org.uk, or telephone 01293 657070.

A crowd of about 200 gathered at the East Court War Memorial on Saturday to honour our Armed Forces.

The event had particular poignancy this year coming as it did so soon after the three terrorist attacks of the day before in France, Tunisia and Kuwait, which served as a brutal reminder of the vital job our service people do in keeping us safe.

Rev Clive Everett-Allen led the service for the final time before his retirement next month, before wreaths were laid by Town Mayor Dick Sweatman, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex Margaret Collins, Sqn Ldr Graeme Stagg on behalf of the Air Training Corps, and Derek Capel, President of the town branch of the Royal British Legion.

After the prayer service and blessing, the air cadets carried out a drill in front of East Court mansion.

They were followed by performances from the choirs of Halsford Park and Baldwins schools, and the East Grinstead Concert Band, a military exercise put on by the A Company Surrey Army Cadet Force and a closing ceremony with the cadets and Standard Bearers.

A tribute was also paid to the work of the late Don Cooper who died in April, who has the driving force behind Armed Forces Day in East Grinstead.

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Photos courtesy of © East Grinstead Online

THE newly appointed Mid Sussex Council Conservation Officer Emily Wade was in town this week at the invitation of the Town Council.

With Councillors and Town Council officers she was shown round the historic High Street area of East Grinstead which is a protected conservation area. During the tour the listed buildings were studied and the history behind each one explained by Tourism Officer Simon Kerr.

Emily also admired the newly created flower beds in the High Street and chatted to the volunteer gardeners tending the area around St Swithun’s.

Chairman of the Town’s Planning Committee, Cllr Bob Mainstone, explained “We felt it was important for Emily to understand more about the most historic and largest conservation area in Mid Sussex.

“Our Planning Committee often has to make recommendations for applications within the conservation area so having an expert to advise us is very helpful.

“We will keep in close contact with Emily as it is important for Councillors to understand the tight restrictions involved with any changes proposed in our High Street conservation area or to any of the town’s listed buildings.”

DEPUTY TOWN Mayor Bob Mainstone joined East Grinstead’s Justice and Peace Group as it held its 25th Sleep Out at the High Street War Memorial on Saturday.

Over the past quarter century the EG J&P Group has raised at least £80,000 for homeless charities. This year’s beneficiaries are Crawley Open  House, The Easter Team and Worthing Churches Homeless Project.

Twenty three people slept out this year ranging in age from 15 to 70, on a warm night with a few light showers.

A street collection earlier in the day raised £450 and the group expects to raise £4,000 in sponsorship.

Crawley Open House sheltered 200 people in the last year at their hostel Riverside House and dealt with 70,000 “contact” enquiries from needy and marginalised people.

*Forest Row Orchestra is holding a concert at 11am on Saturday 4 July at Moat United Reformed Church. Tickets: adults £6, children £1.

Tickets on the door or booked through Julian Spencer on 01342 324560.