Category: News

The East Grinstead Social and Ex-Services Club made a presentation to the Chelsea pensioners of a ‘missing’ photograph taken in 1916 of The Royal Tank Regiment at their Members’ Day, Thursday, May 25th, 2017.

The photograph was found and rescued from a house clearance in Rutland Gate, Kinghtsbridge, by Mr Alex McLean in the 1970’s. It remained in his possession until he passed away on March 17th, 2011, St. Patrick’s Day.

The photograph was then donated to the East Grinstead Social & Ex Services Club by Mrs Anne Teagues, his daughter and long-time member of the Club.

After some research by fellow-member Bill Towers (ex Military Police), its secret was discovered…it turned out to be the missing photograph out of a set held at the tank regiments’ museum!

The photograph was presented to the Regiment by East Grinstead Town Mayor, Julie Mockford, together with Anne Teague, and will now reside at the Regiments’ Museum in Dorset.

Present, on the day with Mayor Julie Mockford, were Frank Cohen, Helen Andrews, Mary Johnston, Carl Hayhurst and Anne Teague (holding the photograph).

The Club celebrated its 70th birthday last year and, since it has opened its’ doors to non ex-service members, membership has increased and the club is thriving and happy to welcome new members.

You can contact the club on 01342 321 384.

The Council have been anecdotally told of difficulty in finding supported accommodation or accommodation appropriate for elderly persons in East Grinstead.

If you or your family have had experience of this please write to:

Mr J Ansley – Community Liaison Officer
East Grinstead Town Council
East Court Mansion
College Lane
East Grinstead RH19 3LT

Or email j.ansley@eastgrinstead.gov.uk

Please note that this is a call for evidence, not hearsay, and it may be necessary to pass your details in evidence to Mid Sussex District Council. Please, therefore, ensure that the person who had the difficulty is aware that you are contacting us, and that they are happy that their information be shared. Anonymous information cannot be accepted on this occasion as information may be called upon for corroboration.

The Closing Date for evidence is 30th June 2017.

East Grinstead now boasts a Community Clear Up Group whose vision is to make a visual improvement to the town and to build friendships and community as they do so. Initially they will focus on litter picking, but may move on to light gardening and other community projects.

The first meeting and litter pick took place around the Railway Station on Tuesday 9th May when the group was joined by Town Mayor Cllr Julie Mockford.

The group plans to meet for around 75mins an Tuesdays 16th, 23rd and 30th May Starting at a different place each week. Anyone interested in joining in with this project is asked to contact
Mark Berry mjberry@sky.com

Equipment and instructions will be provided but if anyone has their own high-viz and/or strong gloves they would be very welcome.

The Bank Holiday weekend proved to be a busy one for East Grinstead. Following on from the 10 mile race, forming part of the Mid Sussex Marathon on the Saturday, East Grinstead High Street was filled with vintage busses on Sunday 30th April.  For the  22nd consecutive year, Bus Running Day attracted large crowds of bus enthusiasts and families thrilled to recreate bus journeys  of yesteryear. The busses were free to ride all day, however timetables were available to purchase on the day for those who needed to know when to return! This is one of East Grinstead’s big days out and has become a much anticipated feature of the events calendar.

Former Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone and Cllr Mrs Mainstone were welcomed to the event by organiser Alan Charman.

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The third big event in East Grinstead over the Bank holiday weekend was the May Fair. Organised by the East Grinstead and District Lions, the fair brought charity stalls, entertainment and small fair ground rides into the town for the day. Despite intermittent showers, large numbers of people thronged the street and a good time was had by all. The day raised money for local charities.

The Town Promotions team were on hand through the day, handing out town events fliers.

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The Mid Sussex Marathon took place over the Bank holiday weekend 29th April to 1st May and saw record numbers of athletes entering.  Three races are held annually over three consecutive days in three Mid Sussex towns and in total the distance makes up the classic marathon distance of 26.2 miles. East Grinstead 10 miles, Haywards Heath 10miles and Burgess Hill 10K. Children and adults new to running, were invited to take part in ‘The Well being Mile’ on each day, hopefully to be inspired to take up the greater distances in the future.

East Grinstead kicked off the event with a challenging 10 miles cross country race, starting and finishing at the East Grinstead Rugby Club. More than 300 runners completed the course and were presented with their medal by Town Mayor Cllr Bob Mainstone and Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council Cllr Peter Reed. Runners who entered and completed all 3 races were given a forth medal which cliped the 3 together to create one ‘Marathon medal’.

The Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend is a community event organised jointly by Places for People Leisure, Mid Sussex District Council and Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath Town Councils.

Huge thanks go out to the many volunteers who marshal the course without whom these races could not be run.

Anyone keen to enter for the 2018 Mid Sussex Marathon can do so now https://midsussexmarathon.co.uk/how-to-enter/

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