Category: News

THE 46th East Grinstead Music and Arts Festival was opened at Chequer Mead last weekend by Town Mayor Margaret Belsey.

The event has attracted a huge increase in dance participants from the South East this year as they compete for All England qualification.

EGMA chairman Christine Mainstone explained: “The festival is the largest event of its type in the town and attracts performers of all ages from the South East to compete in singing, dancing, speech and drama.

“There are 157 different sections scheduled over six days with performances running from 10am to 9pm. We have a first-class venue at Chequer Mead which is appreciated by both performers and the audience, and this year there are 104 trophies to be awarded to the outstanding performers in their sections.

“We welcome local residents to come along to Chequer Mead and enjoy watching the wealth of talented performers taking to the stage. ”

* For details of times and performances ring the theatre box office on 01342 302000.

The Festival continues with:

• Dancing on Saturday 3 May
• Dancing, Speech and Drama on Sunday 4 May
• Dancing, Speech and Drama on Saturday 10 May
• Dancing, Speech and Drama on Sunday 11 May
• Dancing on Saturday 17 May

Contact Christine Mainstone (Chairman) 01342 326454 or Janet Gilbard (Secretary) 01342 325184

Christine, left with the Town Mayor centre and Janet, right

COUNCILLOR Bob Mainstone has announced his decision to step down from the Liberal Democrats on the Town and District Councils.

In a statement issued today he said: “I have decided to represent Imberhorne Ward as an Independent Councillor from April 2014.

“This applies to my role as an elected member of East Grinstead Town Council and Mid Sussex District Council.

“I have become increasingly frustrated working within the constraints of an opposition party. As an Independent I look forward to working in a more positive way to support my ward residents and the people of East Grinstead.”

THE new souvenir tea towels are in stock at the town library and museum now – just right for drying your souvenir mugs.

YOUNG people from East Grinstead who volunteer their time to make the town a better place, or to care for family members or the environment, could be in line for one of Mid Sussex District Council’s first-ever Young Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The award ceremony will be held on Monday 2 June to coincide with National Volunteers Week, which runs from 1 – 7 June 2014.

Many young people give up their free time and put a great deal of effort into volunteering,  and the Council would like to recognise their triumphs and achievements.

The Mid Sussex Young Volunteer of the Year Awards are open to young people aged from 11 to 18 years and are split into three categories:

• Young Carer
• Young Community Volunteer
• Young Conservationist (sponsored by The Landscape Group)

* Mid Sussex residents have until Friday 16 May to submit a nomination for the Young Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Shortlisted youngsters will be invited to an awards ceremony at 4pm on Monday 2 June at Wakehurst Mansion, Wakehurst Place, where they will be presented with a certificate in recognition of their efforts.

The winners will be presented with their awards and a £50 High Street voucher by Councillor Gordon Marples, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council.

For further information or to fill out a nomination form visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/youthvolunteerawards or telephone 01444 477518.

TOWN Mayor Margaret Belsey was on hand to see the Samurai Bulldog team scoop victory in the 57th Sunshine Sevens rugby tournament last weekend.

The Plate Competition was won for the second year in a row by Esher Golden Lions, beating Bury Edmonds 28-14.

Pictured below are Margaret with the champions in white with their winners cup, and the Golden Lions below in their yellow shirts with their second successive Plate.

TOWN promotions officer Simon Kerr is hoping that the new souvenir mugs now available at East Grinstead library will fly off the shelves this summer.

The mugs are part of a specially-commissioned range which will allow visitors to take home a reminder of our lovely town.

But there’s no reason why residents can’t enjoy a cuppa in an East Grinstead mug too – so get along to the library or the Town Museum while stocks last.

The mugs are £4.50 each, erasers are 50p and fridge magnets are £1.

The range will be supplemented shortly with tea towels at £5, a second magnet and a sew-on badge.

WEST Sussex Fire and Rescue has issued a reminder asking  people to check up on their elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours after a spate of home fires across the county.

Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex, Sean Ruth, said: “We  do a great deal of work to prevent fires before they start, and working with the public to help protect some of our older and more vulnerable residents is a big part of that.

“Social and physical isolation can mean people who are most at risk from fire may not have such easy access to our services, and may need someone to advocate on their behalf.

“Our Home Fire Safety Checks are free, as are the smoke detectors we fit including the more specialist equipment that is available for those who may have difficulty responding to a standard smoke alarm. We prioritise those who are over 65 and living alone or those with disabilities. The small action of recommending a Home Fire Safety Check from us could help save a life.”

So remember:

Smoke alarms save lives. Install one on each level of your home and test them on a weekly basis.

More than half the fires attended by the fire service start in the kitchen so take extra care when cooking.

Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires. Extinguish cigarettes carefully and never smoke in bed.

Unplug appliances when not in use – leaving electrical appliances on overnight or when you are out increases the risk of fire.

Don’t put anything on heaters or use them to dry clothes.

REMEMBER – in the event of a fire:

Get out

Stay out

Phone 999

POLICE have launched Operation Signature to tackle mail fraudsters after finding more than 400 elderly people across Sussex have been scammed out of £2million.

Most were over 80 and many did not realise they had fallen victim to fraud.

Criminals worldwide, who send millions of scam letters into the UK targeting vulnerable members of our communities, netted an estimated £3.5 billion pounds last year.

Until now very little has been done done to identify and support  victims – which is why West Sussex Police have launched Operation Signature.

For many vulnerable people, the bombardment of scam mail results in fear, severe financial difficulties and ultimately a decline in both physical and mental health.

And chronic victims of scam mail can find themselves hounded by numerous criminal organisations. After replying to the first ‘tempter’ letter, victim’s names and addresses are put on target lists which may then be sold on to other criminal organisations.

Scam mail victims are

• almost always elderly, often over the age of 80
• often lonely, socially isolated and recently bereaved
• in receipt of unusually high quantities of mail
• secretive about their mail and finances
• living in clutter
• hiding mail around the house
• denying there is a problem with scams despite evidence to the contrary
• in possession of cheap looking goods, products including, health products & toiletries,   trinkets, charms and foodstuffs.
• reluctant to involve family members in their situation
• getting through cheque books unusually quickly
• regularly visiting the post office and / or keeping lots of stamps

If you recognise these signs and have concerns about anyone you know, please contact Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk

ASHPLATS Conservation Group will be meeting at East Court Pavilion at 9.45am on 11 May.

This month the woodland volunteers will be carrying out a survey of the trees in Ashplats Wood.

Everyone is welcome to join the group who meet regularly on the second Sunday each month for some fresh air and healthy exercise.

No special skills are needed.

Accompanied children are more than welcome.

Wear old clothes and bring a drink and some lunch.

* For more information visit www.ashplats.org, ring Chris Nunn on 01342 311198, or just turn up on Sunday 11 May 2013, 9.45am-3pm

CHEQUER Mead manager Pete Jenkins is appealing for anyone with First World War memorabilia to take part in an exhibition which will be mounted at the theatre later in the year.

Pete particularly wants anyone with photographs of relatives who fought in WW1 to tell their story and have a photograph taken with the memorabilia by Hamilton Studios. The photographs will then be displayed at the theatre to commemorate the outbreak of the war in 1914.

The theatre is also appealing to the town’s ten to 18-year-olds to submit war-related artwork which will form part of the anniversary exhibition.