Category: News

THOUSANDS of sports fans from across Europe are expected to descend on the town when East Grinstead Hockey Club becomes the first English club ever to host a round of the Euro Hockey League next month.

Twelve teams, including East Grinstead and Reading, will compete in Round 1.2 of the Euro competition which will take place from 26 – 28 October.

Calling it “the largest sporting event the town has ever seen”, first team manager Matt Jones said: “We are immensely proud to be hosting such a prestigious event. We always wanted to bring Euro Hockey League to England but felt we first needed more experience of playing in the competition.

“We are now in a position to host a showcase event of this size and importance. We are really looking forward to it, and hope it will be a success for the club, for the town and for English Hockey.”

*For ticket details email: EHL_EGHC@Live.com. See here for the Euro Hockey League Draw and Match Schedule.

THE West End casts of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera are going head-to-head in a charity football match on 2 September.

The match, to be held at the East Court grounds of the East Grinstead Football Club, is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support which is currently helping Les Mis wig mistress Melanie Oakley-Dow through her own battle with the disease.

The match itself will be part of a fun day with all sorts of entertainment, including some celebrity guests and ex professional footballers (to be announced). It will take place on Sunday 2 September – fun starts at 1pm with Kick Off at 3pm.

The match will end around 5pm. Tickets will only be available on the day at the stadium: adults £10, children/concessions £5.

The fun day and match will be taking place at: East Grinstead Town Football Club, The GAC Stadium East Court, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3LS.

MATT Pitts, The High Weald AONB’s woodland officer, is available to visit privately-owned woodland to tell owners about its history and management.

Anyone who would like a free visit and advice can telephone Matt on 01580 879959 or email him at matt@highweald.info.

Alternatively visit www.highweald.org/livingwoods for more details.

Meanwhile Damian Goodburn, one of Britain’s leading specialists in ancient woodworking, is demonstrating some of his skills on YouTube.

Archaeologists are gaining a fascinating insight into past woodland management and carpentry techniques, based on the evidence of ancient worked timber which is constantly being found all over the UK.

Evidence comes from the excavation of archaeological sites, in particular where the wood is waterlogged, and from extant historic buildings.

Damian, who has spent a lot of time testing replicas of old tools, including axes made of flint, bronze and iron, says ‘every tool leaves telltale marks in the wood’.

He has used reconstruction archaeology to compare his woodworking marks to those left behind in ancient timbers, and his fascinating talk on the subject is now available on line at www.youtube.com/highwealdaonb.

It in, Damian talks about the evidence for ancient woodworking techniques, demonstrates a variety of axes, including ones made of flint, bronze and iron, and hews oak using traditional medieval tools.

THE first Victoria Cross to be awarded to a private soldier in the first World War was sold at auction last month for £276,000.

East Grinstead’s Pte Sidney Godley, who is commemorated with a blue plaque at East Court, received the medal for his defence of the Nimy Bridge at Mons on 23 August, 1914.

His battalion, the 4th Royal Fusiliers, was one of the first to be sent to the Western Front following the outbreak of war in August 1914.

They arrived in Belgium on 22 August to defend two bridges over the canal at Nimy and prevent the Germans surrounding the British expeditionary forces.

During a German attack, Pte Godley was wounded by shrapnel in his back, and a bullet which lodged in his skull but despite his wounds, he took over a machine-gun from his fatally-wounded commanding officer and held the position single-handedly for two hours.

He was eventually captured by the Germans, and while imprisoned in Doberitz was told by the German officer in command that he had been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Oliver Pepys, a spokesman for Spink, the medal specialist which organised the sale of the VC, said: “The Godley VC is both hugely important and highly emotive, and is one of the most famous medal groups of the Great War.”

Pte Godley, who remained a prisoner of war for four years, was invited to dine with the German officers one Christmas in recognition of his courage.

In 1918 he managed to escape and returned to England via Denmark, from where he sent a postcard to his family.

Unfortunately it did not arrive until the same day he did, and the first they knew of his safe return was when he bumped into his sister who was out shopping close to home.

In 1956 Pte Godley took part in celebrations marking the centenary of the institution of the Victoria Cross at Hyde Park in London. He died in hospital on 29 June 1957 and was buried with full military honours in Loughton Cemetery in Essex.

Since his death blue plaques have been placed at East Grinstead Town Council offices and 164 Torrington Drive, in Loughton, Essex, where he lived for some time.

In 1992 Tower Hamlets Council named a block of flats “Sidney Godley VC House” in honour of the former private soldier who had worked as a school caretaker in the borough.

TOWN historian Michael Leppard was recognized along with other ‘unsung heroes’ at a Garden Party held by the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council on Sunday 15 July when he was presented with a Community Award.

Mr Leppard, pictured with East Grinstead Town Mayor Liz Bennett, was recognized for his contribution over many years to the East Grinstead Town Museum and the East Grinstead Society.

Mr Leppard is the public transport co-ordinator for East Grinstead, and is also regularly canvassed for his views by the Town Council on historic matters as he is the author of A History of East Grinstead.

Town Mayor Liz Bennett said: “This award puts on record the appreciation for Mr Leppard’s many contributions to our town, and to Mid Sussex District as a whole.”

The awards were presented to the nominees by Cllr Mrs Mandy Thomas-Atkin, the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, during the Garden Party at Borde Hill Gardens.

THE West Street library is running a StoryLab throughout the summer holidays to encourage children to keep reading during the summer break. The theme centres around a group of children inventing stories in the StoryLab. Youngsters taking part need to read 6 books, collect various stickers (bronze, silver and gold) and complete some activity challenges along the way to achieve a certificate and gold medal at the end. Last year’s summer reading scheme attracted 700 children.

On Thursday 16 August there will be a StoryLab activity between 10.30am and 11.30am for seven to 11-year-olds. Called In the Lab : Science at the Library it will be run by Professor Pete Free and will include lots of messy science activities.

THE Bluebell Railway will be holding a sponsored walk – the Track Trek – over its newly-laid track, to raise funds for the Northern Extension Project on Sunday 30 September.

The walk will be a round trip of approximately four miles over level but very rough ground and stout footwear will be required. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. All children aged under 16 must be accompanied, and the Trek is not considered suitable for children under seven, unless they are carried.

It will be possible to start from either end of the line. Walkers can start from the Bluebell Railway’s East Grinstead platform between 10:30am and 2pm, or from Kingscote Station between 11:30am and 1:45pm.

Walkers from Kingscote will be expected to park at Horsted Keynes Station and travel by train to Kingscote. As no parking is available at Kingscote, participants may be dropped off there.

Walkers from East Grinstead should use the Southern station car park or come by train. One return complimentary trip from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote will allowed for registered walkers. Registration and safety briefings will commence at 10:15am at East Grinstead and Horsted Keynes, and 10:45am at Kingscote.

At registration, walkers will be expected to show sponsorship to the value of at least £20 per person or £30 for each family group. Walkers who raise £100 or more in sponsorship will receive a commorative medal. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to registered walkers, and further refreshments will also be available.

This is likely to be a one-off event as it may not be possible to repeat it once the Northern Extension opens for service.
Numbers are expected to be high.

To book your place either send your party’s details to Track Trek, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL, or e-mail the details of your name, address, number in your party plus which end you wish to start from, and at what time, to track.trek@bluebell-railway.co.uk.

This is a chance not only for supporters to see the track and the route through the Imberhorne cutting and over the viaduct, but also to raise money by getting sponsorship from friends, family and work colleagues.

All sponsorship money will go to the NEP, since East Grinstead Town Council is supporting the Trek by paying the costs of staging the event up to £1,000.

* PLEASE check the Bluebell Railway the week before the proposed Trek, as the event could be cancelled in exceptional circumstances.

* To sponsor Town Mayor Liz Bennett go to: www.justgiving.com/LizBennett

EAST Grinstead will be holding a Local Heritage Week in September to highlight the town’s history and places of interest.
A joint venture between the library, the town museum and the East Grinstead Society it will focus on the town’s rich heritage, linked to the annual Heritage Open Days weekend of 8/9th September.

The week launches at East Grinstead library on 1 September with a Horrible History type event and craft session for children hosted by Sir Simon Smythe, a Victorian Railway Gentleman, who bears a remarkable resemblance to his descendant, tourist officer Simon Kerr.

There will also be a programme of guided walks and events for all ages, including a talk by Tim Stanton from Crawley called Death on the Somme.

Featuring the lives of three local young men who were killed at the battle, Tim uses their stories to focus on Family History methods. Tickets £3.

For details of these and all the other events planned for the week, see the programme attached.

ARIEL Company Theatre Young Actors presents Annie Junior on Saturday 4 August at 2.30pm and 6.30pm.

THE timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope.

The show’s hits include It’s a Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and N.Y.C.

This is a youth production

BORN 2 Perform Productions presents its Born 2 Perform Summer School 2012 on Saturday 11 August at 2.30pm and 7pm

BORN 2 Perform Productions will be holding its annual summer school from the 30 of July until the 10 of August, followed by two performances on the 11 of August at 2.30pm and 7pm. For two action-packed weeks work-shopping theatre skills, either on stage or behind the scenes, visit www.born2perform.org.uk, or email info@born2perform for more information. This is a youth production.

BULLFROG Productions presents Honk on Friday 24 August and Saturday 25 August

HANS Christian Andersen’s classic tale has been transformed into a modern musical comedy for all the family. From the moment ‘Ugly’ is hatched by the duck pond, the show brims with charm, witty lyrics and catchy songs plus a cast of ducks, geese, turkeys, bullfrogs – and an indefatigable cat. This is a youth production.

Monday 13 August – Down by the River: Make a collage and play games, all with a fish and frog theme.

Saturday, 25 August – Art Activities: Work with an artist to produce art works and lanterns inspired by the Paralympic Games and our museum exhibition.

Tuesday 28 August – Knights and Princesses: Part of East Grinstead’s Local Heritage Week. Come and make shields, swords, and hats. A prize for every child who comes in costume.