East Grinstead Courier • 1st June 2016

Can 12,466 dissatisfied Southern train users be wrong?

SO MANY concerned commuters have signed a petition demanding a review of Southern's "unacceptable" rail service – over 12,000 – that the Government is now legally required to respond. Southern is operated by Govia Thameslink, and while 10,000 signatures on the time-limited petition were required to compel the Government to respond, that figure was exceeded by 2,466. The petition stated: "This company's punctuality and level of customer service is severely lacking and is damaging the lives and

East Grinstead Courier • 16th May 2016

​Adder hiding in Wellington boots kills pet dog in Coleman's Hatch

A FAMILY dog has died after being bitten by an adder hiding among children's Wellington boots at a home in Coleman's Hatch. The shih tzu called Harry was bitten after coming across the snake in the porch at the back of Tessa Jelowicki's home in Hartfield Road on May 6. Tessa's dad, Krystian Jelowicki, was visiting from Scotland when the incident happened at her home where the back garden leads out to the Ashdown Forest. He said: "I'm talking to the gardener and the next thing I know the dogs

East Grinstead Courier • 5th May 2016

Entire village parish council resigns amid accusations of name calling and abuse from public

EVERY single member of Danehill Parish Council has resigned – after accusing the public of name-calling and abuse. The ten councillors resigned en masse during the annual general meeting on Tuesday last week. The mass resignation was announced by the chairman, Charles Critchley, who said he felt that the only way to bring the community together was to disband the council so a by-election could be held. In a pre-prepared statement, he said: "There has been accusation and name-calling. There ha

East Grinstead Courier • 30th April 2016

Anger as children miss out on 'first choice' primaries

DISAPPOINTED parents have criticised the way in which school places are allocated, and the lack of places at popular schools, after their children failed to get into their first choice primary last week. School places are allocated by the county council responsible for the catchment area into which each child falls – not individual schools. One of the popular schools affected is Blackwell County Primary School on Blackwell Farm Road in East Grinstead. Lea Turner, 32, said: "I didn't get any of

East Grinstead Courier • 30th April 2016

Forest Row woman aims to build bridges between Palestinian and Jewish communities

A WOMAN who lives in Forest Row is aiming to build bridges between Palestinian and Jewish communities in Israel. Michal Khan, a 40-year-old change management consultant from Park Road, said she was inspired to try to bring opposing groups together after learning about a group in the Middle East who was doing the sort of work she was interested in. And despite the possible dangers of travelling to the West Bank – which forms the bulk of the State of Palestine – she thinks the risk is worth it.

East Grinstead Courier • 29th April 2016

Is this the cleverest young mathematician in East Grinstead?

IS this East Grinstead's best young mathematician? Ten-year-old Brambletye School pupil Matthew Botten, of York Avenue, certainly proved he was top of the class when he took part in an elite national maths competition and was one of only a handful of pupils – out of 72,000 put forward – to take the top prize. The Primary Mathematics Challenge was open to children from across the country and entrants faced 25 tough questions – 20 multiple choice, and the remaining five requiring an answer where

East Grinstead Courier • 27th April 2016

Naming and shaming of parents by school ends problem parking

A SCHOOL plagued by problem parking has managed to get rid of it completely – by publicly naming and shaming offenders. Teachers at Felbridge Primary School, in Crawley Down Road, and residents living nearby had grown increasingly exasperated with vehicles parking on zig-zag lines and grass verges around the school, raising safety issues and inconveniencing other road users and pedestrians. The management at the school decided to publicly name and shame the inconsiderate drivers – and, almost

East Grinstead Courier • 7th January 2016

East Grinstead woman plans to reunite homeless people with their families

AN East Grinstead woman and her partner who spent Christmas Day handing out parcels of food and clothing are looking to start a charity. Lynette Sharkey, 43, of Yewhurst Close, drove around Crawley and parts of London with her partner Marc Roberts. "We did it completely off our own bats. It was something we'd been talking about for a while. "We decided to put some food parcels together ourselves. We put it out all over Facebook asking for donations of blankets, hats and gloves and things like

East Grinstead Courier • 5th January 2016

Zero convictions for burglaries in East Grinstead this year

PROTECT YOUR HOME: Sgt Graeme Prentice says burglaries on homes are down 54 per cent TAKE PRECAUTIONS: over 85 per cent of burglaries reported in East Grinstead over the last year remain unsolved THERE has not been a single conviction for a burglary committed in East Grinstead between the start of this year and October – and only one caution. More than 85 per cent of burglaries reported in East Grinstead over the last year remain unsolved, according to statistics from the Home Office. A tota

East Grinstead Courier • 4th January 2016

It's bloom time after white-hot Christmas in East Grinstead

EAST GRINSTEAD enjoyed its warmest December in recorded history – and the town could be in for a blooming lovely time as a result. The coldest day of December was Monday 14, when temperatures hit 9C (48F). But on December 19, there was a balmy spring-like feel in the air as temperatures soared to a very respectable 15C (59F), and December has turned out to be far warmer than March, when temperatures never exceeded 3C (37F). The mild winter means people can expect to see many more flowers aroun

East Grinstead Courier • 2nd January 2016

Chequer Mead given planning approval to make changes to accomodate East Grinstead police

CHEQUER Mead Theatre is to undergo substantial changes to accommodate East Grinstead Police, following a decision by Mid Sussex District Council. On Friday, December 4, the council granted planning permission to make the changes necessary to turn parts of the theatre into a station, allowing the move from its present home on College Lane, into Chequer Mead Theatre. Work will be done to convert the Wagg Studio into a "community police hub" with porch extension to south east. In addition to thi

East Grinstead Courier • 31st December 2015

Ten top suggestions about where to spend New Year's Eve in and around East Grinstead

Future of The Prince Albert pub in Copthorne to be debated Ten top suggestions about where to spend New Year's Eve in and around East Grins... IF you haven't yet made plans about how to spend the final day of 2015 – or how to see in the new year – then fear not. We asked Wojciech Zdrojkowski to put together a list of suggestions for places and events in and around the East Grinstead area... CAN you carry a tune? Well never mind – you will still be welcome at Bar Kuba. The East Grinstead High

East Grinstead Courier • 30th December 2015

Temporary fast train from East Grinstead is praised - despite the extra congestion at the station

Major engineering works over Christmas and the New Year period have caused chaos on the railway system leading to delays and replacement bus services at East Grinstead station. But despite disruption and additional traffic – the works have also led to the implementation of a temporary, fast connection between East Grinstead and London Victoria – which East Grinstead commuters are loving. Jonathan Game, of Willow Mead, an East Grinstead resident who commutes in to London regularly, said: "Right

East Grinstead Courier • 28th December 2015

Meet Lingfield's first ever traffic warden

NOW: John Wigley is now a volunteer on the Bluebell Railway LINGFIELD'S first ever traffic warden has spoken about some of the scrapes he got into with members of the public – including the odd celebrity. Nearly 30 years ago, in May 1986, the now 73-year-old John Wigley, first hit the streets of Lingfield to sort out any motorists flouting the rules. Last week the Courier ran a small article in the regular From Our Archives feature on Mr Wigley, who spent eight years covering Lingfield and Ox

East Grinstead Courier • 26th December 2015

Petition calls for 20mph zone on 'dangerous' road through Forest Row

FOREST Row residents are calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced to tackle what they feel is dangerous driving along a major road through the village. An online petition has been set up calling for Hartfield Road to have the speed limit reduced at the section where it joins Lewes Road, and for traffic calming measures to be put on Lewes Road itself close to the two roundabouts in the village centre. Since being set up by Alex McKinney on Sunday, December 13 the petition has gained mor

East Grinstead Courier • 23rd December 2015

Forest Row Christmas tree decorators can all 'take a bough' in competition

UNIQUE: Forest Row CofE Primary's entry was a made of snowflakes which were written on in different languages, to... REMEMBRANCE: The Royal British Legion's tree was covered in poppies, the symbol of Remembrance Day REGM20151217d A VERY PINE MESS: There were entries from Messy Church, the WI, Greenfields School the chess club and others WHILE all over the world on Christmas Eve excitement will be building among children and adults alike, in Forest Row that same anticipation will be doubled.

East Grinstead Courier • 19th December 2015

"Don't eat for two when you are pregnant," urges East Grinstead nutritionist following warning obesity now biggest threat to women's health

CULTURE SHIFT: Jenny Whitaker, who runs Weight Watchers at Moat Church, says part of the problem is the culture of... CULTURE SHIFT: Jenny Whitaker, who runs Weight Watchers at Moat Church, says part of the problem is the culture of... "Don't eat for two when you are pregnant," urges East Grinstead nutrit... THE country’s chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies warned last week that obesity is now the biggest threat to women’s health. Reporter Wojciech Zdrojkowski spoke to an East Grinstead n

East Grinstead Courier • 19th December 2015

East Grinstead gym owner who lost friends to depression turning his profits into help for the homeless

THE owner of an East Grinstead gym who lost friends to suicide after they suffered from depression is turning his profits into help for the homeless to prevent others from reaching the same crisis point. Kevin Sheridan, owner of Juggernaut's gym in Imberhorne Way, is giving all his profits from his new fitness class which he started two months ago to two homelessness charities. The 36-year-old, who lives in Hollands Way, is using the money to make donations of cash and essential items of cloth

East Grinstead Courier • 15th December 2015

Ten of the top children's Christmas presents for 2015

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and if you're looking for a present for the children in your life – and any big kids too – we're here to help. We sent Wojciech Zdrojkowski to take a look around Martell's in Queens Square to chat to staff in the toy department to find out what this year's must-have toys were likely to be. Here's their recommendation for children who managed to avoid Santa's naughty list in 2015. Do you remember the game Buckaroo? This is its newer and messier cousin. From

East Grinstead Courier • 14th December 2015

Plea to support East Grinstead Farmer's Market after it was reduced to just 2 stalls

SOS (SAVE OUR STALLS): There is new hope East Grinstead Farmer's Market could be revived but only if residents support... Plea to support East Grinstead Farmer's Market after it was reduced to just 2... THERE is new hope that East Grinstead’s dwindling farmer’s market will be revived – a month after it was down to just two stalls run by one trader. After the person in charge of running the market quit, it was left to East Grinstead town councillor Jonathan Ansley to run it, who admits he was