Category: News

East Grinstead Choral Society presents The Magic of Mozart – Saturday 6 July at 7.30pm

CELEBRATE the brilliance of Mozart with popular choral and instrumental pieces including Solemn Vespers, Misericordia Domini and arias from his best-loved operas. 
Also featuring local young instrumentalist Music Star 2013 winner.

Chequer Mead Youth Theatre presents Voice:Over – Wednesday 10 July at 7.30pm

CHEQUER Mead Youth Theatre presents an extraordinary multi-media production exploring the idea that the more technology we have to communicate with each other, the less we have to speak to each other. This is a youth production.

An Evening with Lizzie May – Thursday 11 July at 7.30pm

AN evening of romantic string quartet classics, followed by a dynamic fusion of classical and pop music featuring internationally renowned electric cellist Lizzy May.

This is a charity concert in aid of Crawley and Reigate Cats Protection Haven appeal.

Bullfrog Productions presents Just So the Musical Saturday –  13 July at 2pm and 6pm

BASED on the short stories of Rudyard Kipling, Just So takes you on a journey along the banks of Africa’s great Limpopo River to meet the Eldest Magician who tells us How the leopard got his spots and How the elephant got his trunk.

This is a youth production.

Choirpower presents Rhythm of Life on Friday –  19 July at 7.30pm

MEMBERS of Choirpower entertain with a selection of songs from the 60s to the present day accompanied by Sue Harvey on piano, Marianne Windham on double bass and Simon Cambers on percussion.

Special guest appearance from the unmissable Marks and Kennard.

Quicksteps School of Dancing presents Dream Believe Dance – Saturday 20 July to Sunday 21 July

TAKE  a magical trip you to the Land of Nod where animals dance, wizards cast spells and fairies rule with a glittery wand.

This is a youth production.

SB Vocals presents East Grinstead Sing Out – Friday 26 July at 7pm

SARAH Benton Vocals has organised a Showcase Performance called Sing out. SBVocals has been hosting showcase performances for the local community over the last two years, but after outgrowing its previous venues decided to hire Chequer Mead to showcase the talents of the town’s singers.

Dave B Promotions presents The Buddy Presley Show – Saturday 27 July at 7.30pm

AFTER his Observer Search for a Star victory in 1998 and appearances on the BBC and in the West End show Buddy The Musical, Dave B returns to the scene of his original triumph with his brand new show.

The Buddy Presley Band features four of the finest musicians from the European rock ‘n’ roll scene and the four piece vocal group The Harmonaires who back Dave B as he pays tribute to Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.

THE Royal Marines will be giving a concert at East Court from 3 – 5pm on Sunday 7 July.

Bring along chairs and a picnic  – admission is free and there will be a bar and refreshments. For more information contact East Grinstead Town Council on 01342 323636.

TUESDAY 9 July marks the 70th Anniversary of bombs dropping on the Whitehall Cinema in London Road, East Grinstead. 108 victims lost their lives, the largest number of civilian deaths from a single bombing during World War II.

East Grinstead Town Council, the War Memorial Company, East Grinstead Society and the Parish Church of St Swithun’s are marking this with the following events:

9 July:

Wreath-laying and short service at the War Memorial at East Court at 4.40 pm, and at 5.15 pm a wreath-laying by the East Grinstead Society at the site of the old Whitehall Cinema, London Road, East Grinstead.

14 July:

A Civic Service including a commemoration, together with a Patronal Festival of St Swithun’s Parish Church at Church Lane, East Grinstead at 10.30 a.m. at which the Bishop of Chichester will preside and preach, followed by a picnic lunch (bring your own picnic) in the Vicarage garden (Church, if wet).

As well as these tributes, the Town Council have dedicated the flower display in the high street to the bombings this summer.

The 108 white flowers in the beds surrounding the war memorial in the high street represent each victim. And there is a plaque to give a brief account of the bombings around the town during the war.

VISITORS to the Kings leisure centre will have even more ways to stay fit and active this summer after Mid Sussex District Council unveiled some brand new outdoor fitness and play equipment. Cllrs Liz Bennett, Peter Reed and Pru Moore of MSDC joined the Leader of East Grinstead Town Council, Cllr Peter Wyan, at the official ribbon-cutting for the new equipment.

TUESDAY 9 July 2013 marks the 70^th Anniversary of bombs dropping on the Whitehall Cinema in London Road, East Grinstead.  108 victims lost their lives,  the largest number of civilian deaths from a single bombing during World War II.

The bells will ring from 5.00 and at 5.17 will convert to a single bell tolling for one minute. For the duration of the single bell tolling –  we would welcome everyone pausing and joining one minute silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives 70 years ago.

East Grinstead Town Council, the War Memorial Company, East Grinstead Society and the Parish Church of St Swithun’s are marking this with the following events:

9 July:

Wreath-laying and short service at the War Memorial at East Court at 4.40 pm, and at 5.15 pm a wreath-laying by the East Grinstead Society at the site of the old Whitehall Cinema, London Road, East Grinstead.

14 July:

A Civic Service including a commemoration, together with a Patronal Festival of St Swithun’s Parish Church at Church Lane, East Grinstead at 10.30 a.m. at which the Bishop of Chichester will preside and preach,  followed by a picnic lunch (bring your own picnic) in the Vicarage garden (Church, if wet).

As well as these tributes, the Town Council have dedicated the flower display in the high street to the bombings this summer.

The 108 white flowers in the beds surrounding the war memorial in the high street represent each victim. And there is a plaque to give a brief account of the bombings around the town during the war.

THE emergency services descended on East Grinstead on Sunday 9 June.

Sirens sounded throughout the grounds, firemen doused flames and rescued passengers from crashed cars while paramedics rushed to aid the injured and police and search/rescue dogs sprang into operation closely followed by the forensics teams.

This wasn’t a scene from a major incident, or a blockbuster movie shoot, but the family-friendly 999 Day held annually at East Court to show the public what the emergency services do for us throughout the year.

Youngsters – and the merely young at heart – were able to sit in police cars and fire engines and watch demonstrations which included what to do in case of chip pan fires. There were also displays by police dog teams including a search and rescue operation.

Forensics teams showed off their specialist skills and East Grinstead Town Council was also on hand to remind people they can keep the contents of their handbags and garden sheds safe by purchasing alarms from the library Help Point or from the council offices at East Court.

The event was opened with the lighting of the East Court beacon by East Grinstead Town Mayor Margaret Belsey ably assisted by Fireman Sam.

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THE East Grinstead Art Society is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding with its annual Art Exhibition in the Greenstede Gallery at Chequer Mead.

The Society was founded by a group of enthusiastic amateur painters in 1983 to promote art in East Grinstead by bringing artists of various standards together.

The show was formally opened by Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Nick Hodges, seen in the photograph above with Jean Mendez.

The exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm until 19th June, plus some evening openings. Admission free.

For further details, or to find out about joining the Society, contact Jean Mendez on 01342 315225

Chequer Mead Manager Nick Byrne will be leaving the centre on 15th June. Nick who joined the centre in 2012 has decided to return to his family roots in Devon.

Chairman of the Charities Committee Nick Hodges said “we are sorry that Nick has decided to leave but respect his wish to be nearer his family on a day to day basis. We all wish him well with his future.”

Caretaking Manager for 3 days a week will be Keith Astley who recently reduced his hours to part time at the Town Council. Keith is very familiar with the Centre and has been a regular volunteer for some time. This temporary appointment while the Trust decides on permanently filling the position will be ratified by the Trustees at a meeting on 17th June.