Category: News

EAST Grinstead Town Council set its budget and precept for 2014/15 on Monday night. The precept is set to rise by 2.5% to £68.71 per year per band D property. The annual rise ranges from £1.12 for a Band A to £3.37 for a Band H property. The annual Band D rise is £1.69.

Council Leader Rex Whittaker said: “The Council has lost £30,000 in real terms from its income this year as the District Council is not passing on the government grant to offset the effect of the local council tax reduction scheme. Passing this along could have meant a 4% increase on the tax however the Council has reserves and is looking to cushion this change by a modest increase this year.

“We are also going to take the opportunity to use some of the Council’s reserves to carry out longstanding repairs to the Council’s buildings. These need constant maintenance but investment is also necessary to ensure that they remain in public ownership and available for public hire.

“The Town Council services include graffiti removal/ public works for the County Council/ civic planting/ street furnishings/ town events and promotions. The Council also gives financial support to business initiatives and many local community organizations; as the national picture contracts, support to the local community is essential through small grants.”

The total East Grinstead Town Council band D council tax, equates to less than £1.32 per week, comparing favourably with other consumer costs such as a family sized loaf of bread at £1.35.

TOP Elvis tribute act Fisher Stevens will be appearing at Chequer Mead on Friday 14 February, with a full live band – The CC Riders.

Fisher’s “Elvis” has won countless competitions both in Europe and the US.

His show features Elvis’s trademark jump-suits as he croons his way through the King’s chart-topping repertoire including Suspicious Minds, I just Can’t Help Believing, American Trilogy and Always On My Mind.

For a special Valentine’s evening combine your concert ticket with a meal at the theatre and Elvis will serenade you at your table.

For more details contact the Box office on 01342 302000.

For more information on any of these shows contact the box office on 01342 302000

Ardingly College Prep School presents Alice in Wonderland: Friday 7 February at 7pm and Saturday 8 February at 2:30pm

FOR the second year running, Ardingly College Prep School will be putting on their annual musical at Chequer Mead. This year’s is a stunning musical adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland written by Mike Carter and produced by Mary Spink.

The show follows Alice’s adventures as she makes her way through a magical world of make-believe, meeting such characters as the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and of course the terrifying Queen of Hearts.

Tickets £8 / £5.

The Upbeat Beatles  – Thursday 13 February at 7.30pm

IF you missed the Fab Four first time around, there’s a chance to recapture the magic of the Mersey beat on February 13 when the Upbeat Beatles come to Chequer Mead.

Four supremely talented performers in their own right, the Upbeat Beatles go on a Magical Mystery Tour of the songs that changed a generation, with 13 guitars and five costume changes.

The veteran tribute band have played for the Jordanian Royal Family, Hollywood film actor Michael Douglas, the Prime Minister of China and, more recently, The Lord Mayor of London, who said afterwards: “That’s the first time anyone has ever actually danced at this annual function…”

Tickets £17.50

Pavilion Café: Pre-theatre meals are available for this show. To book a table, call 01342 324860.

Fisher Stevens Presents Valentine’s Night With Elvis: Friday 14 February at 8pm

THE Elvis in Vegas show features the remarkable Fisher Stevens, a multi-award-winning tribute artist who has performed all over the world, including at Memphis during Elvis week 2013.

Elvis performed at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel 837 times between 1969 and 1976 and this vibrant tribute recalls that period in his career.

Tickets £16/concessions £15.

* Combine your Elvis in Vegas experience with a romantic two-course Valentine’s Dinner in the Pavilion Café, including being serenaded at your table by ‘The King’ himself. Combined meal and show ticket, £30 each.

ABBAMANIA: Saturday 15 February at 7.30pm

ABBA are still one of the most popular groups in the world and their record breaking songs continue to thrill new generations.

ABBAMANIA are widely regarded as the UK’s Top Tribute Show with countless sensational live performances throughout Europe to their credit.

So dust off your platforms, put on your flares and come and enjoy an unforgettable night with ABBAMANIA.

Ticket prices £17.50

Theo The Mouse in Magical Mayhem: Tuesday 18 February at 2pm

FROM the award-winning writer of TV favourites Sooty and Basil Brush comes the UK`s cleverest children`s character, Theo the Mouse. Join Theo direct from his sensational Blackpool season for this hilarious interactive show packed with magic, laughter and music for all the family.

Tickets £8.50.

Act One Beginners present Our House: 

20 February at 7.30pm

21 February at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

22 February at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

THIS British Olivier Award-winning musical is full of iconic songs by Madness.

Tickets £14/Concessions £11/ Family tickets £46/ 1 in 10 free.

Horse – Monday 24 February at 7.30pm

HORSE is a Scottish female singer-songwriter, with a huge fan-following in the UK and worldwide.

Noted for her rich, sonorous voice and songs which have been backdrops to lives, she can touch the coldest heart with one note. Her songs are devastating and uplifting, her voice stunning.

She has opened and toured with international artists like Tina Turner, BB King, Bryan Ferry and Burt Bacarach, and Will Young recently covered Careful, one of her best known songs.

Tickets £16/15.

The Blues Band:  Wednesday 26 February at 7.30pm

IF music matures like fine wine, 1979 was a vintage year. That’s when Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness, from the hugely successful Manfred Mann, returned to their first love, the Blues.

They imagined their Blues Band, would simply earn some beer money. How wrong they were – the public were ready and waiting. Into their ranks came slide guitar ace and superb vocalist Dave Kelly, legendary ex-John Mayall drummer Hughie Flint, (replaced in 1982 by the renowned Rob Townsend of Family), with solid bass provided by Gary Fletcher. The Blues Band’s new studio album, Few Short Lines amply demonstrates the veneration of their peers. Bob Dylan’s keyboard accomplice Al Kooper plays on six tracks, Bruce Springsteen’s comrade Southside Johnny provides harmonica and vocals, all lavishly topped off by Paul Jones raunchily duetting with Linda Lewis, plus Dave Kelly’s pairing with Scotland’s soul queen, Maggie Bell.

Tickets £25.

Grin and Bare It – Comedy Club in the Pavilion: Thursday 27 February at 8pm

AN evening showcasing some of the best new talent on the London open mic scene, Grin and Bare It is a two hour show featuring 8 comedians of widely different style and humour.

MC Alice Frick introduces Colin Galletly, Funny Women finalist Rachel Gleaves, Steve Adam, Californian Lauren Karl, softly spoken Glaswegian Kyle Wallace, Alex Henry Buchanan-Dunlop and native Dubliner Wes Dalton.

Tickets £8.

THERE will be by-elections for East Grinstead’s Town North Ward, and the Crawley Down Ward of Worth Parish Council on 13 February.

These elections only concern registered electors in the two ward and residents of other areas in Mid Sussex will not be eligible to vote.

For any questions regarding the electoral process contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Services team on 01444 477003.

CHURCHES Together has organised a free CAP money course for anyone who would like to improve their budget management whether they have lots of experience or none at all.

It does not include how to manage debt, but anyone who has attended the course, is welcome to access CAP Money Plus, which through an internet based counselling service and face-to-face counselling (if required), can help a person to pay off their debts.

The course is FREE and will help anyone who wishes to learn how to plan and manage their budget effectively. It uses a simple cash-based system to help a person get more in control of their finances, so they can budget, save money and reduce/prevent debt.

For more information please see https://capuk.org/i-want-help/cap-money-course.

Churches Together hopes to run an open course on a regular basis, and is also considering how to facilitate custom-designed courses to meet the needs of specific community groups including local churches, schools and societies.

Any community group who would appreciate a free course run specifically for them, can contact organiser Ian King on 01342 458633.

CAP Money Course Information

IF you missed the Fab Four first time around, there’s a chance to recapture the magic of the Mersey beat on February 13 when the Upbeat Beatles come to Chequer Mead.

Four supremely talented performers in their own right, the Upbeat Beatles go on a Magical Mystery Tour of the songs that changed a generation, with 13 guitars and five costume changes.

The veteran tribute band have played for the Jordanian Royal Family, Hollywood film actor Michael Douglas, the Prime Minister of China and, more recently, The Lord Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who said afterwards “That’s the first time anyone has ever actually danced at this annual function…”

Time: Thursday 13 February at 7.30pm
Tickets: £17.50
Pavilion Café: Pre-theatre meals are available for this show. To book a table, call 01342 324860.

This article and attached Frequently Asked Questions sheet seeks to inform you about the preparation of a new Minerals Local Plan for West Sussex.

The adopted West Sussex Minerals Local Plan (2003) includes strategic and development management policies; it also allocates sites for sand and gravel extraction.  The adopted Plan is now out-of-date.  In addition, the need for a new Local Plan is a requirement of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In May 2011, the County Council agreed to prepare a new Minerals Local Plan (MLP) for West Sussex in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority.  A commitment to produce the MLP is set out in the County Council’s approved Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (the statutory management plan).  Work on the new MLP has not progressed until recently as the priority has been to prepare the West Sussex Waste Local Plan, which is nearing adoption.

The new MLP will set a strategy for mineral development to 2031, safeguard resources, allocate sites considered suitable for the production of minerals, and include a range of land use-specific and generic policies to manage future mineral development.  The allocation of sites is important as it provides communities and the minerals industry with certainty about where mineral development can take place.

Work on the new MLP has commenced by gathering technical evidence which will be used to inform the emerging Plan.  The timetable for the development of the MLP is set out below.

Key Stage	When
Begin evidence gathering	Autumn 2013
Early Engagement on Mineral Planning Issues	Winter – Summer 2014
Public consultation on Draft MLP following approval by the Cabinet Member & South Downs National Park Authority	Autumn 2014
Public consultation on Proposed Submission MLP following approval by County Council & South Downs National Park Authority	Autumn 2015
Submission of MLP to Government	Winter 2015
Examination in public	Spring 2015/16
Public consultation on Modifications following approval by County Council & South Downs National Park Authority	Autumn 2016
Adoption by County Council & South Downs National Park Authority	Winter 2016

The County Council and South Downs National Park Authority are committed to listening to customers and ensuring that the diverse needs of our communities are taken into consideration throughout the decision making process. To that end, we will be actively seeking your views or the views of those you represent during the MLP preparation process, particularly at the consultation stages highlighted in the timetable above.

Please contact the Planning and Transport Policy Team on 01243 642118 or email the team via mwdf@westsussex.gov.uk