Category: News

July is vehicle crime awareness month and Mid Sussex District Council is handing out leaflets in Council car parks to help motorists keep their vehicles safe.

With summer finally here, many people will want to enjoy the good weather and relax in the sunshine. Unfortunately, vehicle thieves are also looking to take advantage of the warm weather by targeting cars that have windows left open, so it is important to take precautions.

Mid Sussex District Council and Sussex Police work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across the District. They are asking residents to remember some key points to help reduce the risk of them becoming a victim of vehicle crime:

• Always lock your car; for however short a period of time
• Remove valuables from your car; don’t hide things in the glovebox
• Wipe off any tell-tale sat nav marks left behind on your windscreen and close your windows
• Never leave your valuables on display
• Double check the central locking has worked and your car is secure
• Where possible, park your vehicle in a busy, well-lit area
• Never leave your keys in the vehicle, even if you are just leaving it for a few seconds

“It takes just 10 seconds for a thief to empty your possessions from an unlocked vehicle,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “We’re urging all motorists to protect your belongings by following these simple crime prevention tips this summer.”

For more information about crime prevention in Mid Sussex, contact the Mid Sussex District Council Community Safety team on 01444 477550 or email communitysafety@midsussex.gov.uk.

Mid Sussex District Council is inviting the public to submit sites and broad locations for assessment and inclusion in the Strategic Economic Land Availability Assessment (SELAA). The Strategic Economic Land Availability Assessment is an assessment of sites of 0.25 hectares or larger across the district that may be suitable for development for B1, B2 and B8 uses and can include existing employment sites with potential for redevelopment, extension and intensification.

Sites should be submitted via the District Council website (http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/planning/10007.htm) and accompanied by a map clearly showing the boundaries of the site.

The Strategic Economic Land Availability Assessment forms part of the evidence base used to support delivery of sufficient land for economic uses over the course of the Mid Sussex District Plan period to 2031. All sites should be submitted by Friday 21st August for inclusion in the 2015 SELAA.

For more information, please contact the Planning Policy and Economic Development Team at planningpolicy@midsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01444 477435.

Households in Mid Sussex will soon be receiving an annual enquiry form asking residents to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for their address is correct, and everyone is required to respond.

Mid Sussex District Council must carry out a voter registration canvass at this time every year to ensure the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. With the Police and Crime Commissioner election taking place across Mid Sussex in May 2016, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure that when the elections take place they will easily be able to take part.

“Anyone that wants to vote must be registered. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections next year, simply check the form when it arrives and respond as promptly as possible,” said Tom Clark, Returning Officer for Mid Sussex District Council. “It’s simpler and cheaper to reply online as the form explains.”

“If you’re not currently registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”

It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and checks whether they are registered.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain, recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. The research showed that 94 % of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

The same research indicates that whilst almost 95% of outright home owners are registered, this is the case for only 63% of private renters.

Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions at the Electoral Commission said:

“The annual canvass is an opportunity for people to easily check whether they’re registered. It’s essential for a healthy democracy that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, and for those who need to, registering is now easier than ever with the online system of registration.”

“If you have changed address in the last year, it’s particularly likely that you will need to register at your new address, so check the form as soon as it arrives.”

For more information about registering to vote contact the Mid Sussex District Council Electoral Services team by emailing elections@midsussex.gov.uk or calling 01444 477003.

JUDGEMENT Day for the East Grinstead in Bloom Committee was on Tuesday when judges Barry Newman and Ruth Growney arrived in town to form a verdict.

They were welcomed at East Court by Mayor Dick Sweatman and Chairman of the committee Cllr Julie Mockford, and over a coffee the judges were introduced to the many residents involved with getting the town looking at its best this summer.

Following a presentation by Julie in the Council Chamber, the judges toured the town to look at some of the work carried out by the Bloom Committee and local residents.

Their itinerary included:

• The East Court Terrace and war memorial garden, where they were  shown round by Jenny Watson the East Grinstead Town Council gardener
• Sackville College where College Gardener Stephen Pearson did the honours
• The McIndoe statue, shown by Julie Mockford and EG in Bloom secretary Samantha Baldery
• St Swithun’s churchyard where their visit was conducted by Graham and Janet Everest, and Christine Armstrong. The work of the Guides was shown by Janet Templeman (Division Commissioner) and Deborah Mathews (1st East Grinstead Guides). St Swithun’s has also been entered in the “Best Churchyard of the Year” category)
• High Street.  Shown round by Jenny Watson and Simon Kerr the Town Tourism Officer
• East Grinstead Millennium Garden. Shown by Ken Averill of the Town Twinning Association
• Brook Close – to view the winner of last year’s “best front garden competition”
• Queen Victoria Hospital. Shown by Head Gardener John Hobden and gardener Kevin Tyrell
• Compass Garden Mount Noddy
• Mount Noddy Allotments – shown round by Alan Rumsdan, Chair of Mount Noddy Allotments.  These allotments have also been entered into a separate “Allotment Award”
• East Grinstead Station – shown by Gaurav Sachdeva, the Station Manager
• Bluebell railway Station flower beds – shown by Tim Baker,  Commercial Director of the Bluebell Railway
• Windmill Lane Community Gardens Project – shown by Lucy Doyle, resident
• Lingfield Road Recreation Ground Schools Garden – shown by Noreen Daw, Imberhorne School
• Imberhorne Lower School

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A sparkling new production of Snow White will feature as this year’s Christmas production at Chequer Mead, it was announced today. The East Grinstead venue has teamed up with leading family pantomime producer, That’s Entertainment Productions to present this year’s festive event.

“Snow White is one of the most popular panto`s ever,” said Sussex based panto producer, Chris Gidney. “It’s got everything a fairy tale should have, and everyone loves the story. This will be a sparkling production, with a headlining cast, a live band, glittering costumes and some very funny moments.”

Chris, who has worked in the entertainment profession since nine years old alongside legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra and on classic TV series such as Blue Peter, says that Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a glitzy panto. “It’s a unique British tradition that is loved by everyone. It brings families together at a very special time of year, it’s close to the hearts of all ages and backgrounds and that’s why I have dedicated my professional life to it,” he said.

Chequer Mead manager, Pete Jenkins said, “We are thrilled to have Snow White as our pantomime this year. The popularity of panto never seems to dwindle, and we are as keen as ever to offer the best family experiences. As Snow White is one of the most popular pantos we expect it to sell well, so we are advising people to book early, particularly groups. We are currently offering an early bird price on all tickets purchased before October 1st. Snow White is an enchanting story and will have something for everyone,” he said.

Whilst the cast is soon to be announced, there is the promise of local participation on stage too. “I know how important it is to involve the community in Pantoland,” Chris said. “In all our panto’s we try and use as much local talent as possible. It’s often how we discover the stars of tomorrow. Perhaps the ones we discover this year will one day headline their own Panto?!”

Tickets go on sale Monday 20 July

Performances daily from December 19th-30th 2015

Book Online at www.chequermead.org.uk

Box Office: 01342 302000

The youngest surviving member of the Guinea Pig Club, Jack Perry, returned to East Grinstead on Saturday to celebrate his 90th birthday with family and friends. Included in the party were former and current members of the Town Council who have supported the Guinea Pig Club over many years.

Jack was injured and sustained burns to his face and hands when his Halifax bomber crashed during the second world war. He was brought to the Queen Victoria Hospital and treated by Archibald McIndoe. Jack was just nineteen when he was injured. He became one of the founder members of the world famous Guinea Pig Club and has acted as their social secretary organising events and reunions through to the present day. Next year the Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Jack went on to a successful career as a draughtsman at Plessey and later at the Atomic Energy Establishment at Harwell.

The Guinea Pig club originally had a total number of 649 members and their names appear on the plaque at the Queen Victoria Hospital. There are now 39 survivors world wide and of these 23 live in the UK. Jack is the youngest at 90 and Des O’Connell the oldest at 96.

East Grinstead is the home of the Guinea Pig Club and the statue of McIndoe now proudly stands in the High Street. All the instruments invented by McIndoe and the story of the work he pioneered is stored at the Town Museum. The Museum are working to gain funding for a new display project so that the story of the Guinea Pigs and McIndoe can be put on view to the public. Cllr Bob Mainstone, a Museum Trustee, commented, “It was an honour to celebrate with Jack on the occasion of his 90th birthday and it is important that the Museum will be able to bring Jack’s amazing story of the Guinea Pig Club and the great work of Archibald McIndoe to the residents and visitors to the town. It is a question of raising enough funds to secure the future of the Museum and tell this incredible story of our town’s history.”

Group of family and friends – jack seated with his wife Mary.

Jack Perry with two trustees of the Town Museum. Bob Marchant, Secretary of the Guinea Pig Club, and Cllr Bob Mainstone, Town and District Councillor.

Imberhorne School, East Grinstead, has won the Fairtrade Fortnight Award for Schools this year, in a decision announced last week, and for the second year running, recognising the school’s activities in March.

The Imberhorne Fairtrade Steering Group coordinates the Fairtrade movement in the school and submitted the successful application. It follows the school winning the nationwide Margaret Demidecka Fairtrade Award (secondary schools category) last year, and the prize of £350. The award was renamed this year to the Fairtrade Fortnight Award for Schools, but still honours Margaret Demidecka, the late Fairtrade pioneer.

The school claims the £350 prize again to help further activities in the school. To scoop the trophy, the school had to put together a portfolio showing the judges everything that the school had done over Fairtrade Fortnight, and then beat secondary schools across the country to claim the prize. The judges were looking for imagination, impact, educational content and relevance to this year’s theme: “choose products that change lives”.

Kathy Wise, Education Campaigns Officer at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “we had a very high standard of entries this year and it was fantastic to see all of the different activities that schools got up to over Fairtrade Fortnight. Once again Imberhorne’s entry really stood out because of the extent of learning that they did around Fairtrade and the fact that they involved every year group. They also really increased impact by fundraising and getting radio coverage for their event”.

The award was started by the Tring Justice and Peace Group in 2006 in memory of Margaret Demidecka to recognise the Fairtrade Fortnight activities that take place each year in schools.