Category: News

REX Whittaker represents Imberhorne ward on the Town Council.

He has lived in East Grinstead for 28 years and his two sons attended Sackville School.

He is a keen and active sportsman closely involved with promoting and supporting the town’s Sports Development group.

Since being elected a Town Councillor in 2011 he has been chairman of the Planning committee, chair of the Finance & General Purposes committee, and as Leader of the Town Council has worked very closely with the Town Clerk in the day-to-day administration of Council matters.

FRANK Osborne is on the Town Council seat to represent Imberhorne ward.

A long-time resident of the town, he served on the old East Grinstead Urban District Council and was a founder member of East Grinstead Town Council.

Always heavily involved in the community, Frank was the driving force behind the building of the Meridian Hall, and more recently led the Town Council in providing outdoor summer entertainment at East Court.

He has been, and remains, outspoken in opposing unpopular changes to the town especially in the field of Planning.

He is married with two adult daughters living locally and is the proprietor of East Grinstead Upholstery, though now semi-retired.

For the past 15 years Frank has led the ConChord Big Band which has entertained local audiences and raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.

BOB Mainstone is a Town and District Councillor representing Imberhorne ward.

He has represented Imberhorne for eight years, served as Deputy Mayor and chaired the Town Council Planning Committee.

A tireless worker in the community many local organisations benefit from the time Bob is prepared to give to them and his vast experience in education has given him a clear understanding of the needs of young people and families.

Many residents will know Bob from his teaching career at Imberhorne School. He was Head of Lower School for many years and also a governor.

Bob is a supporter of local business, and works with the East Grinstead Business Association and the Young Enterprise scheme.

He values the importance of the Town Museum and Chequer Mead to the residents, and is a trustee of both organisations.

Sport features high on his interests and he retains links with East Grinstead Rugby Club as a vice-president.

JOHN Dabell is the Conservative councillor representing Ashplats ward on the Town Council.

A former Royal Navy flyer, he completed more than 30 years in business as a Nestle Business Manager, and has lived in East Grinstead for three decades years.

The untimely death of his son in 2004 inspired an annual memorial match between the sixth formers of Imberhorne and Sackville schools, and John says his affinity with young people has led him to various leadership roles with them over the years.

“After retiring from business, I was encouraged by my daughter, a local primary school teacher, to begin a second career as a Study Supervisor at Imberhorne School, where I am also actively involved with ‘careers’.

“I’m a Governor at Queen Victoria Hospital and at Felbridge primary school. And as an active Christian, I’m on the PCC of St John’s, Felbridge.

His main concern is “to see the best of the town conserved as we carefully manage an inevitable move forward, to improve housing, job and living opportunities.”

East Grinstead Town Council has received many positive feedback messages from people who attended the VE Day 70th Anniversary Street Party on Sunday. We would like to share this one letter as it sums up the day perfectly. Thank you and well done East Grinstead.

It was our pleasure!

VE day 70th Commemoration Street Party was brought to you by OUR UNSUNG HEROES – supporters and sponsors:

• Ashplats Conservation Group
• Bar Cuba
• Caffé Nero
• Coles Estate Agents
• Dorset Arms
• East Grinstead Sports Club
• East Grinstead Town Council Staff and Councillors
• Hire Centre
• Imberhorne School
• Judges Terrace Surgery
• Meridian FM
• Mid Sussex District Council
• Pizza Express
• Rotary Club of East Grinstead Meridian
• Sackville School
• Saint Hill Manor (Church of Scientology)
• The East Grinstead Book Shop
• Wear It Again Sam

Nick Hodges, who was East Grinstead’s 2014/2015 Town Mayor 2014 is East Grinstead born and raised.

He attended St Mary’s and Sackville schools in the town and is now partner in a solicitors’ practice in Redhill.

Married to Lucy, the couple have a daughter, Olivia, who attends St. Peter’s school.

Nick was elected to the Town Council in 2011, and has served as Chair of the Charities committee since 201, and also as Vice Chair of Public Services.

Nick said: “I love being able to put back into the town that has been so good to me.”

Julie is Chair of East Grinstead in Bloom, a Staff Governor at the Queen Victoria Hospital and Secretary of the Imberhorne & Baldwins Neighbourhood Panel.

“I was born and bred in East Grinstead, as were both my parents and grandparents. I am immensely proud of my local heritage, and I truly care about ensuring the community’s survival and growth for future generations including my own children and grandchildren, who also live locally. I both work at, and support, the renowned Queen Victoria Hospital.

“Forging links within our community to improve our town is vital. I am a passionate, driven and conscientious, and will listen to what our community wants.”

“I have lived in East Grinstead since 2001. My work background includes charity, medical equipment and running my own business. During the past four years I served as Town Council Leader, prior to my appointment to Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet with responsibility for Economic Development.

In December 2013 I became Cabinet Member for Planning.”

Norman has represented the Town Council on Queen Victoria Hospital’s Council of Governors and the East Grinstead Council for Voluntary Service, and worked with the EG Business Association and Kingscote Valley Project. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Church, and a volunteer for arthritis related charities.

“Since my previous election as a Town and District Councillor I have been busy assisting residents in respect of personal, housing, highway, planning and financial issues.

In 2013 I had the honour to be elected Mayor and represented the Town at numerous events.”

Margaret has sat on two Scrutiny Committees at Mid Sussex District Council, and on the Public Services and Finance & General Purposes committees at East Grinstead Town Council.

She also works in the family’s firm of insurance brokers in East Grinstead, and is a Trustee of the town branch of Age UK

A mother of five and grandmother of two, Jacquie has lived and worked in and around East Grinstead since 1984.

Her biggest passion is sport and she is a a qualified coaching assistant who supports the East Grinstead Athletics Club.

A campaigner for an athletics track in the town, Jacquie keeps bees and is one of the organisers of the quarterly Food Swap which encourages the community to get together, exchange ideas, recipes and home-made goods to bring the community together.