EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN CRIER ISSUE 9 JUNE 2025

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

The Town Crier Serving the communities of East Grinstead, Forest Row, Lingfield.

Crawley Down and the neighbouring areas

Issue 9 June 2025

Let’s thrive!

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Welcome to the June 2025 Issue of the Town Crier !

The cover photograph is by our resident genius with a camera, East Grinstead photographer, Russell Prain. Find him on Instagram.

In this Issue

Here is issue 9 of the Town Crier for the communities of the East Grinstead area. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it.

If you are a charity or any form of not-for-profit group, club or enterprise you will not be charged for being promoted in this magazine.

If you are a small local business you can have one advertorial feature equivalent to a full page of advertising free of charge so as to make yourself known to our readers.

In addition to the above, if you are a local small business, we now provide a limited amount of space for you to advertise at very reasonable rates which you can find here.

To view policies and prices in more detail, go to the website here The door is now wide open for your submissions for the July issue. Here’s a rough guide to the type of features we are looking for: •

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• • • • • •

Information, news, updates, announcements about your club, society, charity, good cause, art, event, community activity, show, service or small local business.

Promote yourself as an artist (photographer, painter, sculptor, band, musician, composer, film-maker, cartoonist etc.)

Healthy wholesome organic recipes.

Humour and satire Poetry and verse Book and film reviews Health tips and life hacks Commended and Recommended - sing the praises of someone who has provided an exemplary product or service.

And I’m sure there are many other topics I haven’t thought of so be daring, be creative! Get in touch.

Email: egtowncrier@gmail.com The deadline for the July issue is 6pm on July12th.

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East Grinstead Museum page 3 Lingfield Farmer Market page 3 East Grinstead Women’s SHARE page 4 Christians Against Poverty page 5 A Heartfelt Thanks by Steve Ody page 6 St Piers Colour Run page 7 Forest Row Repair Café page 8 Claridge House Open Day page 9 The French Connection page 10 South East Open Studios Event page 11 Feeling Good! By Judith Thomson page 12 East Grinstead Bowling Club page 13 Tipping Point by Alison Earnshaw page 14 Crawley Down Ladies Choir page 15 What is East Court Live? page 15 The RH7 History Group page 17 EG Lions May Fair page 18 The Value of Creativity by Gill B page 21 EG Lions at East Court Live page 22 East Grinstead Jazz Festival page 23 St Swithuns Festival of Art page 24 Unlock your Best Skin page 25 Making it Count Maths Tuition page 26 Sonnet page 26 TMD Dragon Boat Race page 27 Eaterie of the Month - Tablehurst Café page 27 Bee Friendly EG is Buzzing page 28 Lifesavers in our Community page 29 WellHealthy -Samantha Fords Column page 30 Satire page 31 Recipe page 34 Portland Vets page 36 Modality Mid Sussex PPG page 37 The Breathing Room by Judith Rayner page 38 Staying Healthy at Your Computer page 39 Alice Watkyn’s Monthly Marketing Tips page 39 Commemorating Railway 200 page 40 Dormansland Carnival page 41

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

SPORTS DAY !

We are proud to announce a Drop-in Activity Day for children 4 years and above at the East Grinstead Museum in Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead.

Come & join us for a fun day of indoor sports!

Don't worry: no running or jumping is involved as we will be making games for your children to play safely indoors.

Create a twirling acrobat or a feisty footballer !

Make your own bowling game!

Or how about a miniature parachute ?

You don't have to be athletic to have a great day !

All are welcome on Tuesday 29th July.

This day is for children aged 4 years and above. The cost is just £4 per child and the museum is open from 10.30 am - 3 pm (only for participating children and their families/guardians).

There is no need to book a place. Just drop in!

For more details, • please check our Facebook page • or call the museum (01342 302233) • or email: info@eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk

Community Spirit, Fresh Produce, Local Charm

The Lingfield Farmers’ Market Since its launch in April, the Lingfield Farmers’ Market has quickly become a cherished monthly event for the local community and visitors alike.

With just three markets under its belt, the response has been overwhelmingly positive - a real buzz of community spirit, fresh produce, and local charm.

have been delighted by the turnout and enthusiasm, with many already confirming their return each month.

Held once a month, on the second Sunday, the market Whether you’re shopping for your weekly groceries, runs from 9am to 1pm at Lingfield Primary School, looking for a treat, or simply enjoying the vibrant Vicarage Road, RH7 6HA. atmosphere, the Lingfield Farmers’ Market has something for everyone. It’s fast becoming a It brings together a variety of stallholders offering highlight on the local calendar and a lovely way to everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables to support small producers and local businesses. artisan bread, cheeses, meats, plants, crafts, and more.

If you haven’t been yet, come along and see what the It’s not only the shoppers who are happy: stallholders excitement is all about!

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

'East Grinstead Womens S.H.A.R.E Support, Heal, Affirm, Respect, and Empower.

Our meetings are scheduled on Wednesdays from terrace to be shared.

6.30 to 8.15pm at The Old Court House, East Court, East Grinstead, RH19 3LY. A special message goes to Darren at the Dorset Arms, High Street, East Grinstead for his support of Our last meeting before the Summer break is on our group. With many thanks.

Wednesday 2nd July 25.

We are always looking for speakers, especially in We have a structured format, to meet other women areas of assertiveness training, coping with and cover topics like relationships, parenting, emotions, relaxation techniques and improving isolation, grief and mental health issues, with our lives so please get in touch, if interested. If new relaxation techniques and speakers on set dates. to the area or feeling isolated, come and join us for friendship. You don't have to be in crisis to join!

Our meetings are free for all women over 18 to attend, confidential and supported by experienced Email egwomensshare@outlook.com. volunteers, so come along and help support others Facebook East Grinstead Womens Share whilst meeting new women.

After the Summer break, we will be meeting on THURSDAYS 7pm-8.30pm restarting on 11th September 2025, at Dorset Arms, on the first floor.

We will be located at Dorset Arms, High Street until the end of October (excluding 2nd October - Comedy Night at Dorset Arms) Our Music Quiz night will be on Friday 5th September 7-9pm, also at Dorset Arms, in the Barn, at the rear of Dorset Arms, High Street, East Grinstead to raise awareness & funds for a more permanent venue.

Please come along and help fundraise for EG Womens Share.

Snacks, prizes and fun company, with a lovely 4

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Five ways to overcome loneliness when you’re struggling financially Facing financial struggles and unmanageable debt can cause people to experience immense loneliness. emotional support, or perhaps chat with your local At Christians Against Poverty (CAP), we find that church minister who may be able to provide a home those suffering from debt and poverty are often visit and offer both pastoral and spiritual support. trapped in an endless cycle of isolation and fear that can prevent them from seeking help for a long time. Attend free financial workshops/groups Joining a local community group will really help People don’t need to suffer in silence. With you connect with others. Some even offer financial Loneliness Awareness Week taking place in June, support, such as CAP’s life skills groups, job clubs we want to share some practical ways to help you and money coaching workshops which provide overcome the loneliness that can be brought on supportive peer-to-peer relaxed sessions. CAP group through financial hardship. sessions are encouraging, practical, and many people who attend them form long-lasting Access free, professional debt help friendships.

At CAP, we recognise the value of being able to offer face-to-face support to those in need. Our debt You can find more information on all CAP’s coaches and befrienders meet people in their homes services in your area at capuk.org/help. and are therefore able to provide in-depth, holistic and emotional support which can really help those For wider support, you can visit experiencing loneliness when trapped in financial moneyhelper.org.uk difficulty. So if you’re struggling with debt, call CAP’s free helpline 0800 328 0006 to see how CAP Or contact your local Debt can help you.

Coach fionastraszynski@capuk.org for an informal chat.

Utilise safe places From weekly drop-ins to community cafes and Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity Warm Welcome spaces, many local churches and working with over 1,100 affiliated churches to organisations offer plenty of free safe places to go deliver debt help, budgeting guidance, support to for somewhere to belong and connect with others, find work, life skills education and more. build friendships and receive support. Why not check your council’s website to see what’s available Visit capuk.org to find out more or contact your loin your area or check local church notice boards/ cal Debt Coach fionastraszynski@capuk.org for an websites? informal chat.

Share your difficulties It can be difficult to confide in someone about your financial worries but if you are experiencing financial problems, it won’t do you any good to keep your anxieties bottled up. If you have a friend or family member that you trust, you could try speaking with them about it, so you’re not carrying the burden alone.

“The budget CAP set for me gave me a plan of attack for managing my money in the future. Now instead of spiralling down, I’m spiralling up! “ Pete, outdoor enthusiast, now debt free

Get emotional support We understand that some people who are financially struggling can find it difficult to even leave the house, and if trapped indoors, loneliness can become even more prevalent, so it’s really important to be able to chat to someone. Consider using a listening service such as the Samaritans (116 123) for 5

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

A Heartfelt Thanks!

by former East Grinstead town Mayor, Steve Ody Thank you so much to everyone who donated and supported Maria and me throughout the last year with our fundraising.

The aim was to raise enough money to buy one trishaw bicycle for Being Neighbourly EG to bring to the community. We can definitely do that as I'm really chuffed to announce that we managed to raise a whopping £25,015!!

We couldn't have done this without the help of our friends, the whole town, including local businesses and organisations and everyone that came to our events and also sponsored me on the Mayor's Big Bike Ride. I think this might have to become an annual event!

Special thanks goes to the following for their fundraising support and re-enforces the strength and power of our community in EG: Tim Burberry Plumbing & Heating.

Steve at Penny Farthing Jewellers Nick at Tree Frog John Pye at the Bookshop Kingscote Estate & Vineyard East Grinstead Triathlon East Grinstead Cycling Club East Grinstead Meridian Rotary Paul Grief and the team at East Grinstead Veterans Breakfast Club Adam at Portland Physio Bonnie Ellis and Three Old Birds Celine Seror Yoga Jenny and the East Grinstead Jazz club Oliver Tully and Grinstock Comedy Club South East Water Anna Morris Tropic Skincare Andrew Bowley Sturdy Edwards Insurance Brokers The Elite Venue Selection Felbridge Rick & Millie at Harbour Fish & Chips East Grinstead Middle Row Barbers East Grinstead Sports Club Emma Louise EG Andy White Lisa at The Old Dunnings Mill Darren & Emma at The Greenaway Foundation Mims Davies MP True Potential Thank you again to East Grinstead for being such a wonderful town and for the incredible love and support we have received over the last 12 months, its been an awesome year, one that we will never forget.

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Meet the Menders

at Forest Row Repair Café As part of an ongoing series, Fleur Britten introduces the brainy IT repair team.

Tucked away in our drawers, cupboards and got-to-sort-out piles is a nationwide hoard of broken devices – from phones that won’t charge, to laptops with sticking keyboards and tablets with cracked screens. According to businesswaste.co.uk, around 20% of all electronic devices in UK homes are unused, slowly slipping into obsolescence because we just don’t know what to do with them.

diagnosing why computers keep crashing or run so slowly, or advising on new parts needed, where to buy them, and even helping customers fit them, too.

They’ll also help with tablets and phones, advising on software fixes or settings problems, though Keith warns, “These repairs often require micro-soldering, which is best done by specialist repairers – but we may be able to point you in the What’s more, a new survey by Una Watch found right direction.” (Printers, annoyingly, have a that 47% of us would rather buy a new device lower success rate, due to their “complexity”, than try to fix a broken one. This means that huge Keith explains.) amounts are being discarded -UK households produce over 400,000 tonnes of e-waste each year (in As with all our Repair Café volunteers, the IT fact, e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing solid team brings a can-do spirit: “It’s worth trying us waste stream), with only 31.2% being recycled. on anything,” says Keith. “We can always say if As well as the loss of recyclable rare-earth it’s beyond us.” materials, e-waste is also an eco hazard, with toxic elements (eg, lead, mercury and cadmium) The next Café is Saturday 21st June at the Community Centre, Forest Row RH18 5DZ. potentially leaching into the soil and water.

10am-1.00pm with last orders at 12.30pm.

Enter the Forest Row Repair Café, or more specifically, our wonderful IT volunteers!

Repair Café dates for the next six months are:

Keith Weir, a retired computer specialist, has worked on operating system and distributed systems development, network communications and standards,

21st June 19th July

Nic Gibson is a technical account manager specialising in server and database technologies and other matters too complex for us to grasp. His very capable son, Peter, also often helps out.

Together, they’ve saved countless devices from landfill.

16th August 20th September 18th October

Computers are their speciality, whether it’s installing necessary software, fixing bugs, resolving password problems and printer jams,

15th November 8

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

You’re Invited to Claridge House Open Day Event Please join us on Saturday 19th July from midday for an afternoon of fun, food, discovery and all things wellbeing!

loved vegetarian/ vegan home cooking whilst enjoying our beautiful 2acre garden.

If you’ve ever walked past and been curious about what you see over the fence, or if you’re ready to start prioritising your self-care, this is the event for you.

As your local retreat centre, we’re passionate about our community. For those that aren’t From yoga retreats, watercolour workshops, familiar with Claridge House, this is the perfect Tai Chi and Qi Gong to mindfulness days and opportunity to come along and discover quiet days, it’s time you tried something new! everything we have to offer.

Families welcome! We look forward to seeing What to expect on the day: you on the 19th July.

Workshops Mini Treatments (reflexology, Indian head massage) Healing Sessions Talks from Course Leaders We’ll have refreshments available and of course you’ll be able to sample our much-

Website: www.claridgehouse.org.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ ClaridgeHouseRetreat/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ claridgehouseretreats/

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

French Connection: tips & tricks

We are very pleased to feature this monthly column by French tutor, Christine Sotiriou, whose mission is to help you improve your language skills and become the French speaker you want to be.

The French and Gastronomy*

pastry and apples – nothing else). For more elaborate meals, sauce is essential and constitutes the pillar of French cuisine.

Local Markets, Bistros and the Joy of Eating In France, la gastronomie is a way of life. Loving To truly understand French gastronomy, one must France is to revel in the experience. There is nothing experience it in its natural habitat. The open-air like dunking your croissant in your coffee, or market is a cultural institution where you can pick soaking up the sauce with a piece of bread. It is all your vegetables, check the ripeness of the succulent about the senses. fruit before purchasing it, or even taste it.

French cuisine is not only about food, it is about the Then there are the bistros and brasseries – at the joy of savouring every bite, whatever the region or heart of daily French life. Enjoy 3-course menus tradition. wherever you go, with wine of course! The accent is always on honest food made with care. There, you A Regional Diversity can also enjoy apéritif even if you choose to cook a French cuisine is extremely diverse. Each region home meal afterwards. To be enjoyed with friends tells its own story through ingredients and techor family! nique. In Normandy, taste moules à la normande and find fruits de mer platters like you have never A Global Legacy seen before.

French gastronomy’s influence is global and enduring. It has shaped fine dining, showed the way In Provence, the air is hot and perfumed with to numerous chefs and introduced the world to the lavender and olive oil is omnipresent, pleasures of wine and cheese pairing. complementing dishes like ratatouille and bouillabaisse.

A Well Deserved Recognition It is no wonder that in 2010, UNESCO* recognised Head west to Brittany and you will find buttery the gastronomic meal of the French as an Intangible galettes and savoury crêpes to savour with cider.

Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Burgundy will seduce you with coq au vin and escargots with garlic and parsley butter while in Alsace, German and French cuisine combine to become choucroute garnie and tarte flambée. And let’s not forget the rich food of the Southwest – confit de canard, cassoulet and foie gras.

The Art of Simplicity At the heart of French cuisine is complexity born of simplicity. A baguette is made of flour, water and salt, nothing more. A salade niçoise or even a quiche lorraine have very simple ingredients, but treated with respect and made with care, they can really exude flavour and character.

An example of a simple favourite meal would be: For starter: Crudités (grated carrots, cucumber and tomatoes) For main: Steak with Sautéed potatoes and green beans.

For dessert: Apple tart (flour, water and salt for the

French food, despite the prestige has never lost its soul. It remains rooted in seasonality, hospitality and the joy of gathering around a table.

Delighting in the flavours of France – whether the tang of Roquefort or the golden crust of a gratin, France invites us not just to eat but to savour. This brings us closer to the essence of joie de vivre. *Gastronomy: anything regarding knowledge of cuisine, preparation of meals, the art of enjoying food. *UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation . It is a specialized agency of the United Nations and it promotes international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

Visit our website and contact us today to learn more. www.sussexfrenchtutor.co.uk Email: christine@sussexfrenchtutor.co.uk 10

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Something for Everyone!

Visit Local Artists at the South East Open Studios Annual Event @Christineblenyart. You can visit Christine in Tudor Close. (SEOS Studio 73)

The annual event on the art calendar South East Open Studios is currently taking place again across Kent and East & Mid Sussex.

With circa one hundred studios taking part, there’s something for everyone, across painting, sculpture, glass, jewellery, wirework, woodwork, photography, textiles, and more.

The event runs until 22 June, with all open days and times listed in the event booklet or on the event website.

Here in East Grinstead, three local artists will be taking part.

Sheri Gee is a figurative and landscape painter. She will be showing a new collection of landscapes inspired by the local area, at Kingscote Vineyard. To see more of Sheri’s work, see www.sherigee.com or on Instagram @sheri.gee.art (SEOS Studio 74).

Kingscote will be running a BBQ on the final weekend of the art exhibition, on June 21st and 22nd.

For tickets see here: https://tinyurl.com/yx7pmcb5.

Why not make a day of it, and try to see all three studios. There are also some artists opening their doors in Forest Row - Richard Heys and Anoushka Cole.

For more details on each studio, with addresses and Jennifer Pullin is a mixed media artist and painter, opening times, visit creating vibrant, colourful pieces at her home-studio https://www.seos-art.org/search/? on Garden Wood Road. (SEOS Studio 72) _district_council=wealden-mid-sussex.

While stocks last, you can pick up an event booklet during the open studios at Kingscote Vineyard and East Grinstead Library.

QR Code for the Wealden list of artists on the South East Open Studios website:

Christine Bleny creates beautiful paintings, often combined with metallic leaf to dazzling effect. To see more of Christine’s work, see https:// www.christinebleny.co.uk/ or on Instagram 11

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Feeling Good!

Novelist and radio presenter Judith Thomson reports on the joys of standing outside the East Grinstead bookshop, writing great books, making great radio and more!

I spent a wonderful day on Saturday the 10th of May standing in the street! East Grinstead High Street, to be precise, outside The Bookshop, where the lovely owner, John Pye, lets me sell my own books outside his shop.

And what a shop it is!

Housed in a 16th century building, it is truly a part of the town’s history and the shop itself plays a very important part in the town today, from the events John organises to the chess tables out on the pavement and, of course, the amazing selection of books inside, including, I am pleased to say, my own seven historical novels!

John is a great supporter of local authors like me and so, I have discovered time and again, are the people of East Grinstead, friendly people who love to stop and chat and have some interesting things to say. I’ve met quite a few real characters too!

When I’m not writing books, I can be found ‘wearing my other hat’ as a radio presenter and co-owner of The Feelgood Station where we love to involve local people on our daily Feelgood Morning Magazine Show talking about their interests or upcoming events.

I have my own Saturday morning Show too, Judith Looks at Love and Romance, when I include a guest spot where I invite a musician or singer to come on the show and talk about themselves and their music and I follow the interview by playing one of their tracks. I am always particularly interested in featuring local talent.

If you would like to appear as a guest, either on our Morning Show or on my Saturday Show then do contact us on our website.

Lester and I can be reached there or by Facebook Messenger, or you can email us at thefeelgoodmorningshow@gmail.com You can find Judith’s books on Amazon, here 12

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Big Bowls Weekend at East Grinsted Bowling Club East Grinstead Bowling Club, based at Mount Noddy off St Johns Road area are part of Bowls England.

They arranged an annual Big Bowls Weekend for affiliated Clubs to join in, which was to support Cancer Research UK.

shone.

The East Grinstead Bowling Club participated this year on Sunday 25th May. There was great support from Club Members to make it a super and memorable afternoon - and the sun

They were delighted to have many people turn up to 'have a go' as well as some fun games for children. The new East Grinstead Town Mayor, John Belsey, also came along to give support.

It was a great afternoon with great weather and everyone had a lovely time. There was a target game and for people to have a go at Bowls.

Afterwards there was some seriously good cakes available, baked by Members as well as a fantastic raffle. In total they raised £144.70 for Cancer Research UK. For further details about East Grinstead Bowling Club visit www.egbc.org.uk

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

‘Tipping Point’ ‘Town Crier’ columnist Alison Earnshaw finds East Grinstead Recycling Centre to be rather more than a load of old rubbish!

Fundraising, excavating to reclaim the cutting, moving and disposal of 90,000 tonnes of compacted It’s been quite a while since we last offloaded at our waste from the site. Track was then re-laid where local recycling centre… a visit usually necessitated the rubbish tip had once been and on 23rd March by a house move or Spring clean; this time it was 2013 steam trains were able to travel from due to the dreaded and long-postponed sorting out Kingscote once more, across the repaired and of the garage. restored Imberhorne Viaduct and into East An indoor Spring clean may reveal a treasure or two Grinstead. Bringing this stretch of track back into service was a lengthy feat of engineering, tenacity for the charity shop. Pre-loved items in good and goodwill. The Recycling Centre remaining condition, surplus ornaments, books that won’t be read again or clothes that have been ‘outgrown’ due today borders the re-opened track and whistles from the historic steam trains are audible to those using to increasing age or (whisper it!) size. The garage this present day recycling facility. I like to think that sort-out unearthed a more daunting haul. Stained every whistle is in celebration of the Bluebell carpet offcuts, empty paint-cans, cardboard containers too big for the household recycling bin, Railway’s incredible achievement! broken kitchen appliances… surveying this pile of But back to the disposal of unsalvageable leftovers detritus there was clearly only one solution: ‘The from our garage-clearing. These days, new Tip’! procedures are in place at the Recycling Centre; I The East Grinstead Recycling Centre is situated in discovered that an advance appointment booked on line is now required. My inner Luddite (never far green and leafy Imberhorne Lane and was once a from the surface!) did tut and harrumph a bit about very much larger facility. Sussex residents, of this but in fact the process was very user-friendly longer standing than I, may recall offloading all sorts of mixed domestic rubbish into a huge pit, part and I was able to book a slot for the next day. We of a former railway cutting decommissioned in the arrived to a friendly wave-through at the gate once late 1950s. The surface of this was then compacted the car registration had been checked and made the circuit past various clearly signposted categories of by heavy machinery to enable yet more general recycling. At the main drop area there was no rubbish to be added and compressed in its turn. queueing for a space; we parked up and staff were Full to the brim by the end of the 1970s, this huge immediately on hand to direct our items to the rubbish dump was to prove a challenging barrier to correct section or assist with manoeuvring more the long-envisaged re-opening of the former railway unwieldy pieces. The area in front of the drop line northwards from Kingscote to East Grinstead. chutes was being meticulously swept and kept free Hence the decade-long mission undertaken by the of debris. Within 5 minutes we were on our way Bluebell Railway, including many stalwart again, the whole experience as efficient and volunteers such as my late father, Eric. streamlined as could be hoped for.

So in place of a huge rubbish dump on the edge of town we now have a Recycling Centre (apparently over 90% of what is disposed of there can be repurposed) plus a splendid heritage railway line extending right into East Grinstead with beautiful historic engines and train carriages.

My inner Luddite has had to concede that sometimes progress can steam its way in the right direction …and I’m delighted with my newly sorted out and decluttered garage!

Alison is a former Modern Languages and S.E.N.D. teacher currently working on an original music production with 'Shot Full Of Rock & Friends'.

To find out more, go to: www.shotfullofrock.co.uk 14

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Crawley Down Ladies Choir This year’s Crawley Down Ladies Choir Summer and perhaps even join us! We are always happy to has just happened at The Haven Centre in welcome new members, both altos and sopranos.

Crawley Down on Saturday June 14th at 7.30pm. Although useful, you do not need to read music several of our members do not. There is no formal Our programme included a broad variety of songs audition, the main qualification is a love of from musicals to folk to contemporary rock. singing. Come and find out which suits you and make new friends at the same time.

The evening was complemented by our two guest acts, Jonna Klebom who sang “Hallelujah” You will also find our stall at the Crawley Down written by Leonard Cohen and Emily Fuller Fayre which is taking place this year on Saturday singing “Until I found You” written by Stephen September 6th. We will have examples of our Sanchez. These were much enjoyed by choir and sheet music to peruse in folders, information audience alike. The audience was also encouraged available about us and offers you the opportunity to singalong to three songs, one of which “The to ask questions and meet some of us too. We do White Cliffs of Dover” was chosen especially to hope to see you there. celebrate this year’s 80th anniversary of VE Day. Meantime let’s hope for a pleasant summer Monday 16th will see us enjoying our usual before we return post-concert social evening, which will take the with a certain form of a ‘Dutch Supper’. This involves everyone December bringing along food to share with everyone else, festivity in mind thus offering us a variety of choices. for our next concert on Entertainment will be by way of two light-hearted Saturday quizzes, which always prove popular and December 13th. encourage chit-chat - not that we really need much encouragement when it comes to using our For more information, voices being singers! please see: We are now on our Summer break, returning for crawleydownthe new term on September 8th which will also be ladieschoir.co.uk our “Come and Sing” evening. It is open to anyone who loves singing to come and sing with us, so why not come along at 7.15pm, try us out

What is East Court Live?

The following is from the East Grinstead Town Council Website: “East Court Live is a successful summer programme consisting of three annual live music events held outdoors on the terraces of the East Court Estate, College Lane, East Grinstead RH19 3LT. This was started in 2012 and popularity has grown with it now being a well-known town event, with attendance being approximately 2,000 people. These events are organised by East Grinstead Town Council as a free entry event for the local community to enjoy. The estate is set within picturesque parkland in the tranquil Sussex countryside, offering breathtaking views of Ashdown Forest in the distance and is home to East Court Live! Each year, on the first Sunday of June, July and August, the terraces of East Court Mansion play host to a series of free, live music, events for the enjoyment of the residents of East Grinstead (and beyond!).” For more detailed information please click here 15

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

The Thatched Cottage and the Famous Author

by Bill Stevenson

If you travel to Lingfield from the A22 at Blindley Heath, then The Thatched Cottage (pictured right) is one of the first buildings you see as you enter the village. Originally it was the barn for the Old House, which is situated behind it.

The Old House dates from the end of the 14th Century with the Thatched Cottage being built in the 16th Century. It was converted to a house in the 19th Century and is the only thatched building in the village.

In October 1927 Bill Johns and his wife, Doris, bought The Thatched Cottage. Bill had served throughout WW1. Initially he served in the Army in Gallipoli, Egypt and Salonika before being invalided home. He then retrained with Royal Flying Corps where he served as a bomber pilot. In 1918 he was shot down behind enemy lines and captured.

stories in the magazine and this was soon followed by a further six stories.

Such was the success of the stories that his publishers persuaded him to release them in book form. The stories revolved around a young RFC pilot Captain James Bigglesworth and the book was the first of He managed to escape from his POW camp a number over 100 “Biggles” books that he was to publish. of times but was recaptured. Finally, he was told if he escaped again and was recaptured, he would be shot. By early 1937 he had become a famous author and He escaped and was recaptured, but fortunately the was finding the Thatched Cottage too small to cater Armistice was signed a few days later so he survived. for the number of visitors he was receiving. As a result, he and Doris moved to a much larger new Following the end of War, he continued to serve in house at Reigate Hill. the now renamed RAF, mainly as recruitment officer.

During that time one of his recruits was John Hume Two important points to note; he was not a Captain Ross who turned out to be Lawrence of Arabia. and Doris was not his wife. To find out more go to our fact sheet on him at https://rh7.org/factshts/ When his commission came to an end in 1927, he wejohnsv2.pdf decided to turn his hobby of drawing aviation illustrations and writing aviation related articles into Our next talk is on Monday 14th July at the Jennings a career. It was then that he moved to Lingfield in Hall, behind the Lingfield & Dormansland order to set-up a studio.

Community Centre, in the High Street, Lingfield.

Jeremy Clarke will speak about “The History of As Captain W.E. Johns he Newchapel”. became a regular contributor to a number of publications, and The talks start at 8pm, with doors open from 7:30pm. this led to him being made Non-members are very welcome to attend our editor of the “Popular Flying” meetings - there is a £2.50 charge for visitors. magazine. The magazine quickly attracted a large For more details of future talks, see the “Events” following both in Britain and page on our website, “rh7.org”. internationally. It received articles from around the world If you have any historical queries about our area, including one from Hermann then please contact us by email at Goering. rh7histsoc@gmail.com.

In April 1931 he included one of his own short 17

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Bumper crowds attend East Grinstead Lions May Fair Huge crowds turned out on Bank Holiday Monday for the East Grinstead & District Lions Club 45th May Fair.

It was great to see the High Street lined with stalls and the crowds being entertained throughout the day with a variety of acts on stage.

This year, an added incentive was a £500 Cash Prize Draw obtained by purchasing a programme. The lucky winner has now received their prize. Here's to the 46th May Fair in 2026!

More pictures on next page

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

More May Fair pictures

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

In this monthly column, Forest Row’s renowned artist Gill Bustamante, shares some of her hard-won knowhow with all you budding artists out there.

The Value of Creativity

by Town Crier columnist, Gill Bustamante

What is the value of creativity?

As an artist and art tutor I see people’s outlook on life literally change when they are in the process of creating something.

Creating something puts you in a zone of operation which is out of the mundane everyday stresses of keeping your body functioning and dealing with daily life demands.

Everyday life consists of pretty much doing what needs to be done in order to get paid or rewarded or validated by others in some form or another but when you create something - no matter how amateur or expert it is - you are creating something according to your own rules and not those of others – this is priceless!

When you watch an artist or a dancer or a musician in action you see more than just that person’s body going through motions, you see their soul too.

And a creative activity is not just what we traditionally call ‘The Arts’. A person’s passion and life force can also be very much witnessed in the man who paints models for the train set in his shed, the lady who decorates cakes for birthday parties, the maid who makes models out of towels, the classic car enthusiast who lovingly restores his car etc.

I hope my message is clear – find something you want to create and indulge in it!

Gill, artist and art tutor www.gillbustamante.com

Painting called ‘Beltane’ (by a very fortunate artist who found her art form very early in life) 21

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

The Lions kept busy at East Court Live event A fabulous afternoon was had by all at East Court Live on Sunday 1st June!

It was a great way to start off the Summer; with a lazy afternoon in the sunshine, listening (or dancing!) to great music.

The Grinstead & District Lions were kept busy on their refreshment stall and candyfloss was in great demand all afternoon!

Looking forward to the next East Court Live on Sunday 6th July!

Find out more about East Court Live here

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Some dates for your diary The Inaugural Bookshop Schools Chess Tournament 2025. Sunday 29th June 2025 The Book shop on East Grinstead High Street is launching its first Schools Chess Tournament. Open to anyone Under 18 at midnight on 31.8.24 living in or attending school within a 15 mile radius of East Grinstead, or who already plays at The Bookshop. There are two sections: U11 and U18. For more information click here

St Swithun's Festival of Arts 2025

27th June to 1st July 2025 Events include Comedy Club for Kids and Sackville Musicians For details click here

The East Grinstead Records Fair

Saturday July 26th at the Trinity Methodist Church Lingfield Road, RH19 2HA 9 am to 3.30pm Free parking

Armed Forces Day 2025 East Court Mansion East Grinstead Saturday 28th June 11 am to 3pm For more information click here

East Grinstead in Bloom Garden Competition 2025 Win the First Prize of a Garden Voucher worth £250!

Is Your Garden in Bloom?

It’s time to take your pics and enter!

Scan the QR Code for your chance to win!

Tel: 07813 691 360 Or email: info@eastgrinsteadinbloom.org.uk

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Unlock Your Best Skin Yet

Why a Personalised Skincare Routine Matters Your Skincare and Beauty Tips with Sarah Dell

Where Science Meets Sensory: The Radiance Ritual In a world filled with “miracle” products, it’s rare to find a treatment that offers both clinical-level results In the ever-evolving world of skincare, it’s easy to feel and pure indulgence. But that’s exactly what the overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products Radiance Ritual – Heat & Ice Signature Facial delivers. promising to transform your complexion overnight.

This 90-minute skin therapy experience blends Serums, peels, masks, acids… but which ones actually powerful techniques with moments of deep calm, work for you? The truth is, there’s no universal answer working through a series of phases designed to because skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. rejuvenate, refresh, and deeply relax.

Just like our personality, our skin is entirely individual. The ritual begins with warmth: soft hot towels, steam, It responds to the seasons, to stress, hormones, lifestyle, and a gentle double cleanse melt away impurities while and age. So, when we talk about the importance of a preparing the skin for a brightening enzyme peel. A personalised skincare routine, we’re really talking warm oil massage across the face, neck and chest helps about learning to understand and support your skin in a to improve circulation and lymphatic flow, while easing way that’s both intelligent and intuitive. built-up tension in the neck, jaw and shoulders.

Knowing Your Skin is the Real Game-Changer Most people fall into one of five broad skin types: dry, oily, combination, balanced, or sensitive but even within those categories, there are infinite nuances. And the wrong skincare choices? They can make things worse. From clogged pores to unexpected breakouts or irritation, misreading your skin can lead to a cycle of trial, error, and frustration.

Next comes the transformation phase: dermaplaning to smooth and brighten the skin, followed by microneedling using a targeted ampoule tailored to your skin’s needs. This encourages deeper product absorption and collagen stimulation, leaving the skin plump and receptive.

When you understand your skin’s specific needs, it becomes much easier to choose the right products and stick to a plan that works.

This experience is particularly suited to dull, ageing, congested or fatigued skin and those seeking more than just a facial. It’s a full-body reset for your skin and your nervous system.

To balance the heat, the ritual ends with a cooling cascade. A customised mask calms and soothes, paired That’s why the foundation of any effective skincare with LED Light Therapy to enhance repair and journey is knowledge. A proper consultation with a radiance. As the mask works, a blissful scalp, hand and skincare professional allows you to understand not just arm massage helps you fully unwind. Finally, a serumyour type, but your skin’s current state. Skin is everinfused ice globe massage works to lift, tighten, and changing, and its needs shift depending on internal and reduce inflammation, leaving your skin visibly firmer, external factors, something many people overlook. smoother and glowing with vitality.

The Virtue of Patience (and Consistency) We live in an era of instant gratification. It’s easy to fall The Takeaway for the before-and-after transformations that promise Understanding your skin type, choosing the right dramatic results in just 24 hours. But the reality? products, and sticking with them long enough to see Healthy, glowing skin takes time. results might not be the most glamorous skincare advice but it’s the most powerful. And when you need a Good skincare isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about deeper reset or a boost, a professional treatment that consistency and choosing products with proven blends science and self-care can be just the thing to take ingredients that work in harmony with your skin. Most your glow to the next level. quality formulations need at least four to six weeks to begin delivering visible results. It’s not about perfection So, whether you’re just beginning your skincare overnight, it’s about sustainable, long-term journey or looking to refine your routine, remember: improvements. great skin isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention, consistency, and a little bit of pampering along the way.

Trust the process, give your skin time to adjust, and focus on building a routine that’s realistic and right for With love, you.

Sarah xXx The SLB Beauty Studio SLBBeautystudio.com 25

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

From Puzzles to Power: How Logic Games Build Brains Maths tutor, Helen Chisholm’s monthly column gives valuable tips on how to excel, or help your children excel at maths.

As exam season draws to a close, a huge well done to all the students who have tackled their GCSEs, ALevels, or end-of-year assessments. Whether the journey felt smooth or challenging, completing those papers is an achievement in itself - congratulations to you all!

mentally active. They allow children to approach maths creatively and without fear of getting it wrong.

Turning Play Into Progress Whether it’s a quick brain teaser, a strategy board Now, as minds begin to unwind and routines shift, it’s game, or a challenging logic grid, these activities build focus and flexible thinking. Even classic games like a great time to remind ourselves that maths isn’t just Battleships and chess help children plan ahead and about exams. In fact, some of the best mathematical thinking happens during play - and logic games are the think strategically. perfect example.

In my tuition sessions, I often use logic games especially with learners who benefit from a hands-on, Problem-Solving in Disguise Sudoku, codebreakers, and logic puzzles help develop engaging style. They’re not just fun; they’re a powerful way to build confidence and mathematical fluency. sequencing, reasoning, and deduction - all vital skills in maths. When children explore these through play, If you’re looking for ways to keep maths ticking over they’re sharpening their problem-solving without even post-exams - or to spark new enthusiasm -I’d love to realising it. help. Maths can be playful, purposeful, and powerful.

Maths Without the Pressure Let’s explore it together!

For students who have just finished exams, or for For more information, contact me at younger learners gearing up for next year, puzzles makingitcountmathstuition@gmail.com offer a relaxed, confidence-boosting way to stay

SONNET

by Steve Cook

Who will put a song in the hearts of To script an end to grief upon life's men page?

And light once more the spark that long since died?

Who'll say to mothers they need weep no more

Who'll raise the dead so they might Or troubled fathers tell there's live again naught to fear, Or laughter bring to children who once cried?

For shadows of their dread to distant shores

Who'll make the silence ring to joy- Have fled to lift the siege of careful chords worn years?

Or daub bold dreams upon the slate Who'll to their rescue ride and fears of days dispel And raise his pen where once he raised a sword

If not the hero sleeping in themselves?

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

TMD Dragon Boat Race 2025 Last summer we entered our first Dragon Boat Race, and it was such a fantastic time racing and fundraising with our community, we had to sign up for 2025. Team TMD did amazingly, winning a race and fundraising over £5,000! A huge fundraising effort that has had a big impact on the families supported by TMD services.

Joining team TMD for an event supports all of the services provided for Taylor-Made Dreams families. From fulfilling their biggest wishes, to easing medical travel costs through the Medical Travel Fund, your support can have a big impact when you fundraise for Taylor-Made Dreams.

Looking for a fun challenge this year? Then look no further. Support children with life-limiting illnesses whilst completing a personal challenge at this year's Dragon Boat Race.

lots of friendly competition all day! Each team has a space on the green by the lake (as pictured), so you'll be amongst all of the teams/charities for a wonderfully social day.

What to expect?

Time: Morning start (Timings to be announced soon) Location: Bewl Water Date: Saturday 30 August 2025

Join the team!

If you would like to join one of our Dragon Boats, please email our fundraiser simon@taylormadedreams.org.uk or get in touch about anything TMD on our website: www.taylormadedreams.org.uk/contact

The day consists of multiple races, so there will be

Eaterie of the month

The Café at Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row My wife and I popped in for lunch and were very glad we did.

We each had a café mocha and both agreed that it is the very best cafe mocha we have ever had. Absolutely gorgeous!

Apparently the secret of their superb mocha is the fact that to make it they use raw unpasteurised milk.

To go with our coffees we had a Cornish pastie and a quiche with salad, followed by a sugar-free cake.

Each item was perfectly made and delicious - and of course made from all natural unadulterated organic ingredients.

Pricewise we reckon in all we paid roughly the same as we would have paid in an ordinary café for poorer-quality nonorganic equivalents but we noticed we would not usually feel as thoroughly fed as we did after eating what Tablehurst had to offer. This was so much so that by dinner time some 6 hours later, we still were not very hungry and made ourselves a much smaller dinner than usual.

Oh, and the service at the Tablehurst café was efficient and friendly so this is an eaterie we have no hesitation in strongly recommending.

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

East Grinstead is Buzzing with the Bee Friendly Award

by Cllr Steve Ody, Chair of Environment & Sustainable Travel Committee World Bee Day was on 20th May and I’m absolutely delighted to share that East Grinstead has been named a winner of the 2025 Bee Friendly Awards by the Bee Friendly Trust. This recognition is a huge milestone for us, as becoming a Bee Friendly Town So why is being a Bee Friendly Town so important? was a key goal we set for the Environment & Sustainable Travel Committee.

• Bees and other pollinators are vital for This achievement has truly been a team effort. I want pollinating crops and wild plants, which means to extend my thanks to our brilliant Estate Team at they help put food on our tables and keep our East Grinstead Town Council for their creativity, hard ecosystems healthy. work and dedication in making this vision a reality.

• Creating bee-friendly environments ensures They’ve transformed our public spaces into the future health and biodiversity of our local area welcoming habitats for bees and other pollinators, and and supports a more sustainable way of living. it’s wonderful to see the results. I’m also grateful to the many community groups who have contributed • Pollinator-friendly spaces make our town more their time and passion to support this project. vibrant and beautiful, encouraging community As part of the award, we’ve received a certificate, engagement and even attracting visitors. stickers, and a fantastic supply of wildflower seeds.

I’m really proud of everyone who’s played a part in We’ll be sharing these seeds with the community this achievement. Let’s keep the momentum going groups that got involved, so we can keep East whether it’s planting wildflowers, supporting Grinstead blooming and buzzing for years to come. pollinator habitats or simply appreciating the bees If you’ve been to East Court Play Area recently, buzzing around our gardens and parks. you’ll have seen the eye-catching World Bee Day banner, featuring posters designed by our local youth Together, we’re making East Grinstead a truly beeclub. These wonderful posters raise awareness about friendly town. bees’ vital role and show how engaged and creative our younger residents are. The East Court Fairy Trail has also been brought to life with fun bee facts, adding a touch of magic while educating visitors.

And if you’ve been out and about in town, you might have noticed the painted bees popping up.

They’re a playful reminder of just how important these little creatures are to our local environment.

John Belsey, our new Town Mayor, summed it up perfectly: "This award is a fantastic recognition of the dedication and teamwork that has gone into making East Grinstead a bee-friendly town. It’s a real testament to the passion and creativity of our community, especially the Town Council’s Estate Team, who have worked hard to create spaces where pollinators can thrive. I hope everyone takes the time to explore the beefriendly areas around town and join us in celebrating this brilliant achievement."

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Lifesavers in Our Community A Salute to Volunteers hope, time and second chances.

If you’re already a donor: thank you! You may never meet the person you helped, but rest

by Samanatha Ford assured, you’ve made a difference that echoes June marks Volunteers’ Week and World Blood far beyond the donation chair.

Donor Day, making it the perfect moment to Not Donating Yet? Here’s Why You Should celebrate the incredible individuals who give Consider It their time, energy, and even their blood to help It’s quick, safe, and relatively painless and others - often without expecting anything in you’ll be part of a powerful, life-saving return. community.

As a Community First Responder (CFR), I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing, and often life- Most importantly, you never know when saving, impact volunteers make. Whether it’s the someone close to you might need it. One day, it might even be you. trained CFR who responds to a 999 call before the ambulance arrives, or the person quietly rolling up their sleeve at a blood donation centre, You can register to donate blood at www.blood.co.uk, and local donation centres their contributions ripple through families and regularly visit our area. communities in profound ways.

Shout-Out to All Volunteers

Want to Volunteer?

Let’s take a moment to recognise all those who give their time for free, whether they volunteer for the ambulance service, support local charities, help out at food banks, coach kids’ sports, or check in on elderly neighbours. These actions may seem small, but they are the threads that hold our communities together.

There are countless ways to get involved locally, from joining our First Responder team to helping out at local community events. If you’ve got a little time and a big heart, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteering isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for you too.

It’s proven to improve mental well-being, reduce loneliness, and give you a real sense of purpose.

In particular, CFRs like myself are often the first on scene in emergencies, providing reassurance, This June, let’s celebrate our volunteers, seen CPR, defibrillation, or just a calm presence. and unseen, and if you’ve ever thought “I’d like We’re not paramedics, but with training and to help, but I’m not sure how,” now’s a great compassion, we bridge the gap until help arrives. time to start.

It’s a role that blends responsibility with community spirit and it’s one I feel privileged to You don’t need superpowers to be a hero - just a willingness to care. be part of.

Blood Donors – The Silent Heroes Blood donors are another group of unsung heroes. World Blood Donor Day on June 14 is a global reminder that every blood donation could save up to three lives. In the UK, someone needs blood every few seconds: for surgeries, cancer treatments, childbirth complications, and accidents.

As a responder, I can tell you how vital donated blood can be in emergencies. When you donate blood, you give more than red cells: you give 29

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Well Healthy

Helping you live a freer, healthier life

This month, Samantha Ford of Unique Welllth presents:

Men’s Health & Loneliness Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call June includes Men’s Health Week, and while we talk about physical strength and success, too many men are silently battling stress, burnout, and loneliness behind closed doors.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone There’s no weakness in asking for help: there’s wisdom in it. Imagine if you could prevent the crash before it comes. Imagine thriving, not just surviving.

As a Health & Wellness Coach, I work with professionals who’ve spent years achieving on the If you’re feeling: outside, often while slowly breaking down on the inside. And here’s the pattern I see far too • Constantly tired but always ‘on’ often: men waiting until a health scare, relationship breakdown, or mental health crisis before asking for • Frustrated with your health or weight help.

• Disconnected, irritable, or overwhelmed Loneliness Doesn’t Always Look Like Loneliness … it’s not “just life”; it’s your body telling you Loneliness isn’t always about being alone. Many something. men surrounded by colleagues and family still feel disconnected, misunderstood or unable to open up. My Invitation to You They’re often the ones holding it all together, until If you’re a man who’s always been the rock for one day, they can’t. others, let this June be the month you invest in your own strength, from the inside out.

That’s why Loneliness Awareness Week, also in June, pairs so powerfully with Men’s Health Week.

That may be in the form of reaching out to book one It’s time to shift the narrative from “man up” to of my FREE WELLth checks calls, grabbing my “speak up.”

FREE guide “Bring Calm to Your Life in 5 Easy Ways in Just 10 Minutes” or some other forwardThe Cost of Waiting focused way. It really doesn’t matter which way, Chronic stress, sleep issues, poor nutrition, and low quite simply whatever is best for you. But if energy are warning signs but many men push anything here resonates with you, then PLEASE do through, thinking, “I’ll deal with it later.” find your way.

But later isn’t always an option. Left unchecked, Because asking for help isn’t a last resort; it’s your these symptoms can lead to serious health first step to a better future. conditions like: •

Cardiovascular disease

•

Type 2 diabetes

•

Depression and anxiety

•

Burnout and adrenal fatigue

•

And yes, suicide.

Samantha Ford Health and Wellness Coach Unique WELLth

Your body sends signals long before the crisis arrives. The key is learning to listen.

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Not at all shifty guy announces the Greatest Business Idea in History!

by Steve Cook

You and everyone you know can be billionaires by this time next week with this new Business Opportunity that cannot possibly fail! You too can get rich without any effort and become a pet food billionaire overnight and we're not even lying.

Thanks to a miracle discovery by our resident Pet Food Guru, it is our great privilege to offer this brand new, cannot-fail, sure-fire-winner of a business investment opportunity to all our readers.

and small bears is absolutely certain to be popular with cats everywhere. Cats will clamour for interestingly-shaped food and are certain to reject food that is served them in uninteresting amorphous blobs that more often than not look like poo.

So those high-powered business decisions led me inevitably to my coup de grace.

Both of you can be rich almost overnight without having to do anything except send us £10,000, which How about cat food fashioned into letters of the is as easy and completely without any risk whatever alphabet?!!??! as tapping a few keys on your computer keyboard.

We all know how popular Alphabeti Spaghetti is So, do not hesitate: do this simple action today and with small children and cats are kind of like small set yourself on the path to unbelievable wealth! As children, except with more hair and fleas, right? you can imagine, we here at the Town Crier are almost hysterical with excitement!!!

Obviously cats are going to love bowls full of their little tidbits fashioned in the shape of letters of the !!!!! alphabet! Imagine the hours of fun they will have rearranging their Alphabeti-kit-e-kati into fun But what is this sure-fire, dead-cert business words and sentences such as: investment opportunity? We hear you breathlessly ask.

“Hungry” and Pet Food Guru answers all your questions.

“I hate you, human scum.”

Well, let me start off by saying: welcome to the high Once their food has been served them in fun letters-powered, mega-profit, magical goldmine of cat of-the-alphabet shapes, they are not going to want food. anything else!

My story started a little while ago when I noticed This is a real winner that will make all investors in that the tiny little biscuits of dry cat food my cat and my new business idea, Alphabeti-kit-e-kati bilso many other cats love so much are sort of heartlionaires almost overnight!!!!!! shaped.

They will be able, for instance, to arrange their food So, in a flash of inspiration of the kind that has to spell their own names! Imagine the hours of fun propelled so many moguls from obscurity to obscene they will have with that! (The cats that is, not the wealth, I asked myself one important groundinvestors). breaking question: Research has suggested that just that one simple Does the shape of these tiny morsels have anything exercise will raise your cat’s IQ several points! (and to do with their popularity? probably the investors' too). To prove this, only yesterday my own cat, fortunate enough to have the And in another moment of inspiration I was able to role of guinea pig upon whom I have been able to answer that question with: yes, it does! Obviously, rigorously test my new concept, actually spelled out cats love the fact that their food is heart-shaped!!!! correctly the twelve letters of his own name!

So in a further leap of irrefutable logic I was able to connect this fact with the fact that cats love to play with their food and conclude that cat food fashioned into interesting shapes such as hearts, stars, camels

So to the clever little feline genius I say, “Well done and thank you, Cilhgkjbfkmjv!!

Related Article: Introducing Alphabeti Winalotti 31

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Phone: 07948702788

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CONTACT ME NOW! Dominique Cook French translator since 1995 MCIOL, DipTrans, CIOL Phone: 07948 702788 Email: domicook64 @gmail.com

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Promote Yourself in the Town Crier

Become a Columnist If you belong to or are active in the communities embraced by this magazine, you can promote yourself, your community activity, charity, club society, special interest, hobby, cause célèbre or small local business in it.

Free promotion

Another way to promote your enterprise (whether for-profit or not-for-profit) is to become a columnist for the magazine providing a monthly article that gives people advice and tips from your area of expertise - a great way to promote your competence and good will. In exchange for providing interesting material for our readers and perhaps a small donation you get monthly free advertising. To apply to have a column please email the editor at egtowncrier@gmail.com and we’ll give your proposal fair consideration.

If you are a charity or not-for-profit club, society, association or group, you can promote free of charge. In exchange, if you can contribute a small donation this will be appreciated. Donations are not obligatory but in the interests of fairness, those who have helped with donations will, where need Paid Advertising in the Town Crier In order to avoid becoming just another advertiser arises, be given priority in proportion to their over-filled with ads, we are making only a limited generosity. amount of space available for advertising. This amounts to the equivalent of one page of As we want to avoid the Town Crier becoming advertising for every four pages of articles. It is to just another advertiser in which articles play second-fiddle to advertisements, we ask that where the benefit of advertisers in any case to have a possible you submit an article about your charity, magazine full of content people will want to read without a barrage of advertisements competing for activity, event and so forth that will provide an interesting and engaging read. Such articles can be their attention. any length up to about 600 words and should be Advertising costs are being kept low and amount accompanied where possible with some pictures to the equivalent of roughly £10 or less per week that will help grab attention plus any contact/ website/social media details you would like people for a quarter page ad. Our full pricing structure can be found here to have.

Having said that, we will also do our best to place To give further value for your paid advert, while your announcements, event promo and so forth so you have a paid ad running in the magazine we will not run a paid ad for a competitor selling the please do send them in. same product or service. Where your ad clashes with a free advertorial by a competitor the Best formats for images are JPEG and PNG. advertorial will be placed in a different part of the magazine and every effort made to have your paid Free Promotion for Local Businesses ad appear earlier in the magazine. Our policies If you are a local for-profit operation we will regarding paid advertising are further explained provide one free advertorial-style article per here business. As described above we are looking for something that will engage, inform, inspire or We have also made advertising space available on interest our readers. Length can be up to 600 the Town Crier website. See the details here words, which would give you a full page of free advertising. Please also provide some pictures and The door is also open for you to submit humorous/ full contact/website/social media details. satirical articles, poetry and verse, “how-to” tips Alongside the opportunity for a free advertorial we and advice, interesting/entertaining news and also provide very affordable advertising space (see titbits, recipes etc and if we publish your below). submission you can include a link to the website of your choice.

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

And here’s a book that probably won’t kill you either

A RECIPE THAT PROBABLY WON’T KILL YOU I’ve been experimenting with creating healthy organic chocolate bars.

Here is a recipe I just developed, which started as a variation on my recipe for a “Snickers”-style sugarfree chocolate bar, which I published in Issue 7 (April 2025) of the Town Crier.

This one is even easier to make and only takes a few minutes.

Here’s the procedure.

Gently melt a half-cup of organic coconut oil in a saucepan.

Place a nice hefty spoonful of organic crunchy peanut butter in a cup and stir in a little bit of the melted coconut oil, just enough to make it runny and easy to work.

Measure out a half cup of organic cacao powder and add to it a spoonful of stevia sweetener (you can vary the amount as you wish). Add about a large spoonful of ground organic walnuts (again, you can vary the amount according to your taste) then a spoonful of sesame seeds and a spoonful of linseeds.

Add all this to the melted coconut oil and stir thoroughly until well mixed.

Pour the mixture into ice-cube trays to make several small chocolate squares (depending on the trays, you’ll have about twenty squares, the equivalent of about three chocolate bars.

Whilst the mixtures is still liquid drop into each compartment a small blob of sugar-free jam in whatever flavour you prefer (St Dalfour is best).

A housewife, an accountant, a shopkeeper and a chicken factory manager inadvertently start Earth's first interstellar war and they are very sorry about that.

Plus Earth's first interstellar sing-song, featuring a well-known rugby song and they are very sorry about that too!

Also features some attempted probing and quite a lot of running away.

"Excellently hilarious book! " GK "I thoroughly enjoyed it but I think you should put a warning on the cover, advising people not to read it in public, I giggled a lot & laughed out loud several times, very embarrassing when I'm sitting in a coffee shop! " GF "The author’s signature blend of wry humour and observational skill makes this short story a joy to read. Gently satirical, it good-naturedly pokes fun at human society while hinting at a darker reality beneath.

"Treat yourself to a copy, you won't regret it. Be warned though, this is not a book to read in a library . . . too many laugh-out-loud moments."

Ingenue Magazine

Put it in the freezer until set.

Take it out and scoff it.

Got a healthy recipe you want to share?

Please send it to the editor at horleytowncrier@gmail.com

Buy it now while Earth is still free or join the Earth Resistance (Library Branch) Available in eBook and Paperback: Find more details here

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Modality Mid Sussex Patient Participation Group We published our previous Newsletter in February 2025.

Here is a brief update on what has happened since then.

Members of the PPG committee are also patients and are thus just as frustrated at times as other patients.

We were hoping that the CQC would speedily carry In the previous Newsletter we announced “Rapid out their re-assessment of the performance of Health went live on 23 October 2024. Initially, M.M.S. and publish their report so that we could patients were very sceptical, but it quickly became gauge the extent of the improvement. apparent that the new booking system was a massive Disappointingly, this has not been the case. improvement on the previous system. Negative comments and abuse on social media dropped Now that the situation is improving, members of our dramatically. Many patients made positive committee are able to devote more of their time to comments. Some patients even praised Modality!” carrying out tasks that other PPGs routinely do as an We have continued to carefully monitor the service ancillary service to their patients. being provided by Modality. There has been a With the ever-increasing use of modern technology, noticeable, steady improvement, but there is still a e.g. smart phones, tablets and laptops, being utilised long way to go. Complaints in social media and by the NHS, we recognise that there is a significant submitted to the PPG committee have virtually number of patients that are effectively being disappeared, but we acknowledge that is not the way excluded from communication. With this in mind, to judge how satisfied patients are. your PPG is about to embark on a project to ensure that those patients are not ignored. We call it As a PPG we are privy to data relating to the work carried out by the MMS health centres. From this we “DIGITAL INCLUSION”. can see that some aspects have improved, but not to In the next few months, we will communicate in any the extent that we want, or expect. way we can, both new and old, details of how we will be reaching out to those vulnerable patients to We continue to meet regularly with various representatives from Modality, both locally and their ensure that they are included in all necessary information with regards their personal health. operations centre. Our discussions are very frank!

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

The Breathing Room: Mid-Year Moments for Realignment

by Judith Rayner June often feels like a quiet threshold.

The energy of spring has lifted us out of hibernation, and the pace of summer hasn’t quite taken hold. It’s a pause, a moment to look both ways.

I often encourage my coaching clients to use this time for a gentle check-in. Not with pressure or a list of things they haven’t done, but with compassion and curiosity. Halfway through the year, we have a choice: to keep moving on autopilot, or to realign with what matters most.

Sometimes it starts with one small conversation… and a little space to breathe.

Judith Judith@walkandtalk4success.com

Ask yourself: What do I want more of in the second half of this year? What feels off course - and what’s quietly calling me back?

These aren’t questions to rush. Sometimes the clearest answers emerge when we give ourselves space to breathe.

Try this: take yourself for a short walk, even ten minutes. Tune into your senses: what can you see, hear, feel, and smell? Let yourself arrive fully. Then pause, place a hand on your chest or belly, and take five slow, conscious breaths. Breathe in through your nose… and gently out through your mouth.

Notice the shift.

This is a powerful reset, a reminder that clarity often comes through the body, not the mind.

You don’t need to overhaul everything.

Often, one breath, one intention, or one simple shift in rhythm is enough to set change in motion.

If you’re craving a deeper pause, a space to reset or realign, through breathwork, coaching, or both, I’d love to help. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Some useful tips for Staying Healthy at your Computer don’t move much, you’ll put on weight more easily, especially as the years add up, so will the extra pounds.

5. If you can have a walk outside at lunch time, then do so. You’ll get fresh air and exercise and There are many people who, like me, spend most of putting your attention on the things around you will their days at a computer and research has found that refresh you mentally too, making you ready to take unfortunately this is not good for anybody’s health. on the rest of the day.

Prolonged sitting can affect blood circulation and slow 6. If like me you are on the short side, get a footdown metabolism, so it is important to move in rest. You’ll avoid sitting in awkward positions that between tasks. are detrimental to your posture and blood circulation.

Here are a few tips to stay healthy and sprightly as a 7. Make sure your chair is comfortable and at the desk/computer worker: right height, and the right depth, for you.

1. Make sure to stand up at least every hour, 8. At the end of the working day, if you are workstretch and walk about for around 2 minutes. You’ll ing from home, try and go into the garden or go for avoid getting stiff, backache and you will “reset” a walk, and if working in an office, see if you can your concentration. My favourite two-minute walk bike or walk home. is to the kettle for a nice cuppa, but I sometimes just 9. To protect your eyes, get an anti-blue screen to go and ruffle the cat’s hair. put on top of your computer.

2. If you can, work part of the time sitting down, and part of the time standing up, if you have a desk Do you have any tips on staying healthy? Write in to that enables you to do so. the Town Crier and let us know.

3. Make sure to hydrate enough throughout the egtowncrier@gmail.com day. It is easy not to notice that you are dehydrating Dominique as you don’t feel like you are doing much. But you French translator and interpreter are.

Passionate about good food, organic growing and 4. Don’t snack unless you really are hungry. If you herbal remedies domicook64@gmail.com As a professional translator of 30 years, I have spent a lot of time sitting down at my desk, typing away in English or in French, depending on the work received.

5 Ways to Use AI Without Losing Your Brand Voice Monthly Marketing Tips by Alice Watkyn of Mouthy Marketing AI is brilliant for speeding things up: writing blogs, drafting web copy, pulling together email content. But hand over too much, and suddenly your business starts sounding like it’s run by a corporate fridge.

Your tone of voice is what sets you apart and builds trust with your customers. Keep hold of it. Here’s how:

3. Be ruthless with fluff Watch out for the usual suspects: em dashes, semicolons and words like ‘fostering’ or ‘solutionsdriven’. If it feels stiff or overcomplicated, simplify it.

Your customers aren’t reading for fun, they want clarity.

4. Give it something to work with If you’ve got old emails, blog posts, or landing pages that really hit the mark, feed them into the tool. Ask it to match that tone, not invent a new one.

1. Start with your own phrasing Before you ask AI for help, write a sentence or two in your natural style. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just enough to anchor the tone. Otherwise, you risk sounding like a press release.

5. Always do the read-aloud test If it doesn’t sound like something you’d say out loud, it’s not right. Your tone of voice isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ — it’s part of what builds trust.

2. Edit with intent AI is a great drafting partner, but not a final editor. If it gives you something that sounds generic or overly AI should support your voice, not replace it. Use it polished, cut it back. Remove anything you wouldn’t wisely and you’ll stay fast and on-brand. actually say to a real customer. https://www.mouthymarketing.co.uk 39

East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

East Grinstead’s Unique Commemoration of a Rich and Enduring Legacy This summer marks the 200th anniversary of a landmark moment in transportation history.

As part of Railway 200 - a year-long celebration of the railway’s extraordinary past, its essential role in modern life, and its promise for a sustainable future - East Grinstead Town Council is commemorating the occasion in a unique way.

Specially designed flower beds have been planted to symbolise the deep connection between nature, community, and the enduring legacy of the railway.

Among the displays is a striking replica of Locomotion No.1, lovingly handcrafted by the Town Council’s own handyman, accompanied by other iconic railway symbols and local landmarks.

An information board near the flowerbeds provides visitors with more details about the railway’s rich heritage and the significance of this bicentennial celebration.

Chairman of the Amenities and Tourism Committee, Cllr Ed Godwin, said: “ An eye-catching tribute to Railway 200, huge thanks to our gardener, handyman, and outdoor services team for bringing this tribute to life with their creativity and hard work”

www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

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East Grinstead Town Crier, Issue 9, June 2025

Farewell for now!

We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Town Crier.

The July issue is already under construction so please don’t miss out and get your submissions in early.

Browse this website for more info and look out for Town Crier bulletins and updates.

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