The Town Crier
For and by the communities of East Grinstead, Forest Row, Ashurst Wood, Lingfield, Dormansland, Newchapel, Crawley Down, Turners Hill and the surrounding areas
Welcome!
to the February 2026 issue of your Town Crier community magazine
The cover photograph is by our resident genius with a camera, East Grinstead photographer, Russell Prain. Find him on Instagram.
Unique Wellth page2
Enjoy this month’s wealth of contributions from local charities, community groups, clubs, artists and businesses. communities.
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, we provide of space for you to advertise at very reasonable rates which you can find here.
The door is now wide open for your submissions for the March 2026 issue.
For more information tour the website or Email: egtowncrier@gmail.com
Crawley Down Ladies Choir page 3
Community First Responders page 4
The East Grinstead Society page 6
St Catherines Hospice page 7
East Grinstead Bowling Club page 9
East Grinstead rt Society page 10
Lingfield Farmers Market page 11
Age UK page 13
MNDA page 15
Sofa, So Good! Page 17
Multiplication Mastery page 18
Ace Theatre Company page 20
Brendon Care page 21
It’s Feel-Good Time! page 22
CAP page 23
If Life Seems Overwhelming page 24
East Grinstead Town of Culture p 25
Activity Day for Children page 26
French Lesson of the Month page 28
Mouthy Marketing page 34
Helping you live a freer, healthier life
This month, Samantha Ford of Unique Welllth presents
From Survival Mode to Sustainable Living: Easing Out of Winter and Into Spring
For many of us, winter isn’t just a season it’s a state of being.
Shorter days, colder mornings, financial pressure, illness, and a slower pace of life all quietly nudge the body and mind into survival mode. We get through the days by doing what needs to be done. And often, we don’t notice how much we’ve been carrying until the season begins to change.
As spring approaches, there’s an unspoken expectation that we should suddenly feel more motivated, and full of energy. But if your body has spent months simply getting through, that switch doesn’t always flip overnight.
Survival mode is the body’s natural response to prolonged stress. It prioritises safety over creativity, rest over growth, and familiarity over change. In this state, tiredness lingers, patience wears thin, and even positive changes can feel overwhelming. This isn’t a failure of willpower it’s physiology.
Spring doesn’t need to be about forcing yourself forward. Instead,
it can be a time of gentle transition.
Rather than rushing into new routines or expecting instant renewal, sustainable wellbeing starts by listening to what your body actually needs after winter. For some, that might mean more rest before more activity. For others, it might mean reconnecting with daylight, fresh air, or small moments of pleasure that were harder to access during colder months.
A helpful way to move out of survival mode is to think in terms of signals of safety. The nervous system shifts when it receives consistent messages that it’s okay to soften. Simple practices can help stepping outside in the morning light, eating regular meals, creating small pauses in the day, or allowing your evenings to slow down rather than staying in constant “doing” mode.
Spring is also an opportunity to release the pressure of perfection. You don’t need a full reset, a new identity, or an ambitious plan. Sustainable
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living grows from small, repeatable habits that fit your real life. One mindful walk a week is more supportive than an unrealistic daily routine you abandon by April.
It’s also worth noticing the emotional side of seasonal change. Spring can bring a real mix of emotions. Letting yourself acknowledge all of it rather than only the parts that seem positive creates more space for genuine wellbeing.
Moving from survival mode into a more sustainable way of living isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, more intentionally. It’s about asking: What helps me feel steady? What helps me feel supported? What actually restores me?
As the days grow longer, consider giving yourself permission to transition slowly. Nature doesn’t rush buds appear gradually, warmth builds over time, and growth unfolds at its own pace.
Spring doesn’t ask us to bloom immediately. It simply invites us to begin again, gently.
Join the Thriving Times community to receive fortnightly emails packed with hints, tips, and practical ways to support your wellbeing. Or, if you’re ready to explore what you want from your health, book your complimentary WELLth Check and take the first step toward a more sustainable, energised you.
The Crawley Down Ladies Choir
The Crawley Down Ladies Choir AGM was held on Monday 16th February reflecting a year of challenge, change and growth. At the conclusion of the formal business, we spent the rest of the evening socialising instead of singing i.e. chatting and enjoying drinks and nibbles.
We are an amateur, not-for-profit community choir who sing for the sheer joy of singing.
Since our return in January, we have welcomed some new members and have continued to meet on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Birch Room at The Haven Centre.
We are currently practising a new selection of songs, a variety ranging from stage musicals and films to classic to pop and more ready for our Summer concert. This will be held on Saturday 13th June in the Dorothy Hatswell Hall at The Haven Centre starting at 7.30pm. A date for your diaries - we do hope to see you there.
For more information about the choir please see our website at: crawleydownladieschoir.co.uk
Spring Allergies and the Sweet Support of Local Honey
March is a month of change. The days are getting longer, buds are appearing, and the first hints of spring pollen are in the air.
For many people in our community, the shift from winter to spring can bring more than just a feeling of renewal it can also bring sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue, and the general irritation of seasonal allergies.
Allergies can affect anyone, symptoms including fatigue, reduced concentration, and discomfort which can make routine tasks more challenging. Recognising and managing these symptoms is important.
One natural remedy that often comes up this time of year is local honey. The idea is simple: eating honey made from local flowers exposes your body to small amounts of pollen, which some believe may help build tolerance over time. As a beekeeper, I love sharing the sweet results of our hives with neighbours and colleagues it’s one of the joys of spring.
It’s important to be realistic: scientific evidence does not support honey as a cure for hay fever.
Most allergy symptoms are triggered by different pollens than those foraged on by bees. Even if some allergenic pollen is present in honey,
the amounts are inconsistent and unlikely to reduce symptoms significantly. That said, many people report feeling relief, so it can be a gentle complement to other strategies, why not try it for yourself and see.
Honey still has practical uses. Raw, local honey can soothe a sore throat or irritated nasal passages, which is helpful when allergies kick in. It also contains antioxidants and other compounds that support general wellbeing. Choosing honey from local hives supports beekeepers and helps sustain the biodiversity that underpins our local environment.
Managing seasonal allergies effectively requires practical, evidence-based strategies:
• Stay hydrated to reduce fatigue and irritation.
• Plan outdoor activities when pollen counts are lower, usually in the morning.
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• Prioritise rest whenever possible.
It’s also crucial to recognise when allergies become severe. For some people, pollen exposure can exacerbate pre-existing conditions like asthma, and in rare cases, trigger anaphylactic reactions. If that’s you be sure to always carry your rescue medication where appropriate, monitoring symptoms, and for friends, family or bystanders be sure to act promptly, it can be lifesaving.
Spring is a season of transition, and it’s a reminder that health and alertness matter for everyone, especially those who keep our community safe. Taking small, practical steps whether enjoying a spoonful of local honey, staying hydrated, or following allergy management plans helps keep you in control.
Follow us on Facebook for more insights into your local Community First Responders.
Sussex Hospices join UK-wide effort to protect the future of hospice care
Sussex-based hospices have joined a national campaign to raise awareness of hospice services and highlight the importance of gifts in Wills in funding hospice care.
Many people think hospice care is only there for the final stages of someone’s life, but it’s so much more than that. It’s specialist care that reaches into homes, communities and families, offering support that goes far beyond medical needs, and it’s delivered free of charge to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK each year.
Hospices support around 300,000 people every year across the UK, alongside 60,000 family members, carers and friends. Yet with NHS and government funding covering, on average, less than a third of hospice costs, and with a national funding crisis affecting services everywhere, hospices are under significant financial pressure.
In response, three Sussex-based hospices – St Catherine’s Hospice, St Wilfrid’s Hospice (Eastbourne) and St Michael’s Hospice – are taking part in a national campaign
coordinated by Hospice UK, which shines a light on the importance of protecting hospice care for the future.
The Hospice Care campaign aims to raise awareness of hospice services, shift public perceptions of hospice care, and highlight the vital role that Gifts in Wills play in sustaining hospice charities for the future.
Giles Tomsett, Chief Executive of St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley said,
“Gifts in Wills are vital to help us fund our specialist palliative care that so many people in our community rely on. With the hospice funding crisis continuing to impinge on the sustainability of hospice services to dying people across the UK, donations through Wills help St Catherine’s safeguard our care and make a lasting and positive impact.
“Every legacy gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that people can be cared for with dignity and compassion at the most difficult time of their lives.”
Gifts in Wills are essential to the survival and growth of hospices across the UK. On average, these gifts fund the care of one in four patients.
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Hospice Care
Every gift, regardless of size, helps hospices reach more people at a time when as many as 90% of those who die in the UK could benefit from palliative care. Leaving a gift in a Will is a meaningful and personal way to support your local hospice and ensure that compassionate care continues for generations to come.
David has left a gift to St Catherine’s in his Will after the hospice cared for his wife Pauline. David said: “I’ll always remember Pauline telling me she felt safe at the hospice. That was such a relief. The staff were so welcoming. It doesn’t matter how much you leave in your Will, any donation would be very welcome. Leave what you can afford.”
Richard, who volunteers at St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne, echoes this sentiment: “I’m leaving a gift in my will because I see day to day how well patients are treated and the benefits of being at St Wilfrid’s. When I speak to patients, they always say they were so relieved to get to the hospice. It would be very sad if we lost it due to lack of funds.”
To find out how to leave a gift in your Will and help hospice care continue for all, for now, forever, visit thisishospicecare.org.uk.
East Grinstead Bowling Club Welcomes the 2026 Season
With spring just around the corner, East Grinstead Bowling Club is preparing to welcome members old and new for the start of its 2026 lawn bowls season, beginning inApril.
Located at Mount Noddy, right in the heart of East Grinstead, the Club prides itself on being friendly, welcoming, and open to anyone interested in enjoying an outdoor sport in good company. The new season officially gets underway on Saturday 18April at 2pm, marking the start of another summer of relaxed competition, social roll-ups, and community spirit.
For those who have never tried lawn bowls before, the club is hosting an Open Day on Saturday 25April from 2–4pm. It’s open to anyone aged 18 and over and the afternoon offers the chance to “have a go,” learn the basics, and meet Club members no experience is required.
East Grinstead Bowling Club will also once again be taking part in the Bowls England Summer Event.
This is designed to introduce new players to the game in a fun and informal way. This will take place on Sunday 24 May from 2pm, with games, guidance, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
The bowls season runs from April to September, with regular roll-ups held throughout the week:
Mondays: 2–4pm Tuesdays: 6.45–8pm Fridays: 6–8pm
Lawn bowls offers a unique combination of light exercise, fresh air, and great social interaction, making it ideal for those looking to stay active while enjoying a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to visit www.egbc.org.uk.
East Grinstead Bowling Club looks forward to welcoming new faces to the green this season.
East Grinstead Art Society
Upcoming Events
8th April at the Meridian Hall 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. A Demonstration by Sue Cooper - A Portrait in Pastels or Charcoal.
22nd April in the Cranston Suite, East Court, 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. AGM and our new Members’ Choice Competition, followed by a party.
Lingfield Farmers’Market Celebrates Its
First Birthday – Saturday 12thApril
The Lingfield Farmers’Market is turning one – and we’re inviting the whole community to celebrate with us on Saturday 12thApril!
Since launching inApril last year, the market has grown into a thriving monthly event, welcoming hundreds of visitors and supporting over 25 wonderful local producers, makers and artisans. What began as a small community venture has quickly become a vibrant village morning filled with fresh food, friendly faces and a real sense of connection.
For our 1-year anniversary, we’re makingApril’s market extra special. Visitors can look forward to:
Even more stalls than usual, with several exciting new local producers joining us
A wider range of fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses and sweet treats
Beautiful handmade crafts and artisan products
A celebratory atmosphere to mark this important milestone
We’re incredibly proud of how the market has grown over the past year. It has become not just a place to shop, but a place to meet neighbours, support small businesses and enjoy the best of what our local area has to offer. Whether you’re a regular visitor or have been meaning to come along, this is the perfect month to join us. Bring friends, bring family, and help us celebrate a fantastic first year.
Lingfield Farmers’Market, Saturday 12th April. 9am –1pm. Lingfield Primary school
Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our first year – from our brilliant stallholders to our amazing volunteers and our loyal customers. We can’t wait to celebrate with you inApril!
We are here to make East Grinstead & District a more age-friendly place. We do this by providing services that make a difference, improving understanding of what older people need, standing up for their interests, enabling their voices to be heard and fostering a sense of community and belonging for all older people.
We offer a range of activities and services from Tai Chi to Indoor Curling. See below for activities on every weekday during March.
– 10:15
13:30-15:00 Quiz Morning 11:00-12:00 Bingo 13:15-15:00 Knit & Natter 11:00-12:00 Fish & Chips Bingo 12:30-15:00 Booking Required
Come along and see what else we offer! You can find us at the Glen Vue Community Hub, Railway Approach, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1BS
Phone: 01342 327046
Email: enq@ageukeastgrinstead.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk/eastgrinstead/
East Grinstead Natural History Society welcome you all to their March meeting.
A fascinating and informative talk about Wildlife on The Wey and Arun Canal.
Monday 16th March at 7.30 pm. Trinity Methodist Church, Lingfield Road, RH19 2 HA.
Refreshments will be provided. £ 4.50 on the door (£ 3.00 for members).
Please do come along and hear all about The Wey and Arun canal and we are planning a trip to the canal in the summer.
MND WEST SUSSEX (NORTH) NEW CHAIR & EAST
GRINSTEAD NEWVOLUNTEER HUB
Mid Sussex resident Michael
Stratford has been appointed as the new chair for MND West Sussex, North
Michael has a wealth of knowledge of management in the business world and uses these skills in the competitive world of charitable organisations.
He has spent the past 22 years involved within the charity sector, firstly with ‘Bluebird Community Transport’as Chair and subsequently CEO, during that time Michael volunteered for ‘Friends of Princess Royal Hospital’, ‘4Sight’, plus team leader for the 2012 ‘London Olympic Games’and has previously fundraised for MND.
Recently Michael had a lead role in Mid Sussex with ‘Community Transport Sussex’as Business Development Co-ordinator, involving networking, fund raising and new initiatives (covering the same area as MND West Sussex, North),
Having lost a close friend to MND, plus relationships with three others, he has a full understanding of the requirements for MND members, their carers, family and friends
Michael is passionate about the charity sector, added to his love of sport, especially football, cricket and stoolball.
His first aim is to recruit volunteer ‘Ambassadors’for the support of MND members, plus a Mid Sussex fund raising team (better known as the volunteer ‘Funsters’) with many events in 2026
Horsham is well established, Burgess Hill formed in 2025 has its first event in May, now it’s East Grinstead’s turn to support this worthy cause.
For details contact Michael 07837 916087
Michael.stratford@mndassociation.org
Sofa, So Good!
Town Crier columnist Alison Earnshaw researches a Springtime purchase
This Winter has felt like a long haul, weather-wise. I do like a good quotation and have found myself greeting rather too many January daybreaks with a Shakespearian “The rain it raineth every day”. For a bit of variety when we were without mains water for a week, I switched to Coleridge’s “Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink”. However, at last, at long last, I’m moving over to a cheerier Beatles’ “Here comes the sun”. The hosepipe ban is at an end and Spring approaches with thoughts of warmer days, blue skies and flourishing gardens stretching ahead like a promise.
We’re not quite there yet, however, and a task that’s been under review throughout the gradually lengthening days since the New Year is a furniture upgrade, specifically a new sofa in time for Spring. “Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted” as the saying goes and looking for ideas, I discovered you don’t have to go far for inspiration.
Showrooms at Collingwood Batchellor or Barnes & Fadden in East Grinstead have both got
amazing selections and my experience at both stores was of incredibly helpful staff and great sofas that could be ordered in a wide range of styles and colours.
In this instance we were looking for a two-seater sofa to fit in a small room leading onto the garden. It dawned on me that any new purchase might highlight the contrast between its pristine splendour and the muchloved but far from brand-new items already in situ, like an orchid in a cabbage-patch. One friend of mine bought a new kitchen table and has been in daily battle with an ongoing impulse to install a whole new kitchen to showcase said table ever since!
We certainly didn’t want to undertake a complete redecoration and refurnishing of the entire room so we decided to postpone the whole idea until we had the time, inclination and budget in place for a more comprehensive upgrade… but it seemed that fate had other ideas!
A few days later, walking past the British Red Cross Charity Shop just along from East Grinstead library, we
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saw a van parked outside with a sofa being unloaded, in exactly the colour we’d had in mind. Enquiring within, it turned out the sofa we’d spotted was a three-seater too large for our purposes but, lo and behold, there was a similar two-seater already on the shop floor. Reputable make, good condition, solid frame, fire-safety labels attached and just a small extra charge for delivery on top of the absolutely excellent asking price; expenditure made even more palatable by the thought of supporting the very good cause of the British Red Cross.
Unfortunately, I’m not very good at on-the-spot decisions so I decided a further think about it (ok, a bit of
a dither) was needed. But when we returned to the shop the next morning to further discuss the sealing of the deal, the feeling of relief to see that our Charity Shop sofa discovery was still there and hadn’t yet been snapped up by a more decisive shopper, reassured me that it was indeed the perfect addition to our garden room.
Reader, I purchased it!
Alison is currently working on an original music and theatre production with 'Shot Full Of Rock & Friends'. To find out more go to: https://www.instagram.com/shotf ullofrock/ www.shotfullofrock.co.uk
Multiplication Mastery
Maths tutor, Helen Chisholm’s monthly column gives valuable tips on how to excel or help your children excel at maths.
Multiplication is often seen as “just times tables”, but in reality, it is one of the most powerful building blocks in mathematics. From primary classrooms to GCSE exam papers, confident multiplication underpins so much later success.
Times Tables Strategies for Primary
For younger learners, secure knowledge of times tables is essential. However, memorising facts alone is not enough. Children benefit from understanding patterns within the tables for example, recognising that the 4 times table is double the 2 times table, or that multiplying by 9 follows a clear digit pattern. Using chants, games, quickfire recall practice, and real-life examples helps tables feel manageable rather than overwhelming. The goal is fluency and confidence, not speed for its own sake.
Arrays, Area Models and Repeated Addition
Visual models are incredibly important in developing deep understanding. Arrays (rows and columns of objects) help children see multiplication as equal groups.
Area models show how numbers can be broken apart and recombined, preparing pupils for more advanced written methods. Seeing 23 × 4 as (20 × 4) + (3 × 4) builds flexibility and reinforces place value understanding. These models help prevent multiplication from becoming a list of rules to memorise.
How Multiplication Links to Algebra
As students move into secondary school, multiplication becomes the foundation for algebra. Expanding brackets, factorising expressions, and working with formulae all rely on the same principles first learned through arrays and area models. A secure grasp of multiplication makes the transition to algebra far smoother.
Multiplication mastery is not about rushing ahead it is about building depth. When children understand how and why multiplication works, they develop the confidence to tackle more complex problems later on.
Strong foundations now create powerful mathematicians in the future.
It’s a hard-knock life - especially backstage.
What could possibly go wrong?
ACE Theatre Company are proud to present Granny Annie in a theatre near you this spring!
Written by renowned playwright Frank Vickery, GrannyAnnie follows a theatre group in their hilarious yet disastrous attempt to put on a production of the classic musical ‘Annie’. Many issues arise, including the fateful illness of both their star and her understudyleaving the only available actor a 62-year-old woman.
The play follows the hilarious interactions of this rag-tag group of amateur dramatics, and their bumbling production of what should have been a simple play.
ACE Theatre Company are an amateur dramatic group based in and around East Grinstead, Crawley, and the surrounding villages. Most recently we had the success of the 1970s classicAbigail’s Party, and we hope to continue this with GrannyAnnie!
We are excited to share our dramatic flair with our audiences - and we hope to see you there!
East Grinstead care home holds first ever Easter Fair
Care home, Brendoncare Stildon, is holding its first ever Easter Fair on Saturday 28th March between 2pm and 4pm.
There will be stalls, food, a raffle and tombola among the activities during the afternoon at the care home in Dorset Avenue.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, give Brendoncare Stildon a call on 01342 645243.
It’s Feel Good time!
Spring is just around the corner. We made it through! Sunny days are replacing all that Winter rain and we are finally emerging ‘on the other side’ - more daylight hours, daffodils blooming extravagantly on the roadsides, and that feeling of optimism which comes from new beginnings. What’s not to like?
Well nothing really! Here at your locally run Feelgood Station we do our best to make you Feel Good every day, no matter what the season, with our lively shows and brilliant cast of Presenters. It’s great to know that listeners are crossing over to us from some of the bigger national Radio Stations, and international ones too because, although we broadcast from Sussex, we have listeners and presenters from all over the world, including America and Canada.
This means that, whatever your taste in music might be, you're sure to find it on our Station, whether you're into Rock, Country, Love Songs, Sounds of the 60s, or anything in between, we've got you covered and if you would enjoy a couple of hours of fun and chat every weekday morning between 9 - 11 why not tune into the Feelgood Morning Magazine Show, which I present with Lester Jones.
But don't just take my word for it - try us for yourself. You can find us at thefeelgoodstation.uk or, even easier, on our own The Feelgood Station app or on Simple Radio, Deezer and Alexa Skills.
We've come up with another way to make you feel good too, watch this space next month for some exciting news about our very own Feelgood CD, original music created by Lester, which will be available to hear and purchase soon.
Because we never stand still at The Feelgood Station!
How to preserve your relationship during money struggles
by Fiona Straszynski
Money is commonly identified as one of the main reasons for conflict within relationships and can sadly be a reason why couples may separate. We’re offering some small actions you can take today to help prevent friction and foster a healthier and stronger relationship to weather those financial storms.
Learn your differences
What do you do when you want to save but your partner likes to spend?
A gentle way to open up a conversation could be through suggesting you take an online money personality quiz. These can help you identify your different attitudes toward money, describe the strengths and challenges of each, and offer tips on how to best manage your money traits.
Talk about solutions
Couples often argue over money worries because there’s been a lack of communication over household finances. By having regular conversations about where you’re at financially as a couple, you can begin to consider different solutions to the problem.
Share responsibility
In many relationships, one partner
may hold more responsibility or control over the household finances. It can create problems if the power over your shared finances leans too far towards one person. For relationships where one partner is always making financial decisions, can you come up with a system where each person has an equal say?
Get
support
We know many couples facing spiralling debts may wait to seek free debt advice for a range of reasons but often putting off seeking free help can result in the problem getting even worse. It’s important to know that support is available and there are several free debt advice organisations. Visit capuk.org/help to find out more about the help we offer.
CAP is committed to fighting poverty and helping people to gain control of their finances. For more information visit capuk.org/help. The East Grinstead CAP Debt Centre supports East Grinstead and all the surrounding villages offering free, confidential, face-to-face debt help. You’re not alone. We’re here to help! Call our FREE helpline on 0800 328 0006
Fiona Straszynski – East Grinstead Debt Centre Manager fionastraszynski@capuk.org
IF LIFE SEEMS OVERWHELMING
by Steve Cook
If life seems overwhelming
You've not taken on enough
And however tough you think you are,
You're made of sterner stuff.
If it all seems dark and daunting
Remember only this:
The darkness lies below you
As you fly over the abyss.
If you find yourself bemoaning
A vexed and dismal night
Reflect that come the morning
It will all come out all right.
If you feel yourself beset
By constantly stifled panic,
You're just too big for the eggshell
Of this frail and tiny planet.
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East Grinstead Town Council is inviting residents, businesses, artists, community groups, and local organisations to take part in an open, interactive ideas session to help shape East Grinstead’s bid to become 2028’s Town of Culture.
This workshop aims to bring the community together to explore the town’s story and generate creative ideas for a cultural programme that reflects East Grinstead’s unique identity. With the bid built around the theme “Roots and Routes”, the session will invite participants to share ideas inspired by the town’s medieval High Street, its coaching route and railway heritage, its diverse communities, the legacy of McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club, its sporting achievements, and the landscapes that define local life.
A key focus of the session will be how art can be developed and embedded across the town. Participants will be encouraged to explore opportunities for public art, creative trails, temporary installations, community led artworks, and projects that bring culture into everyday spaces. The aim is to use art not only to
celebrate East Grinstead’s heritage but also to raise the town’s cultural profile and create new ways for residents and visitors to experience its stories.
The event will also look at how East Grinstead’s vibrant annual programme including Vintage Bus Day, the Classic Car Show, the summer music events, May Fair, Sussex Marathon, the Bonfire procession, and the Big Reveal at Christmas can be expanded and reimagined as part of a Town of Culture. Ideas will be gathered on how these events can incorporate arts, performance, heritage interpretation, and community participation.
Event details: Date: Monday 16th March, Time: 6 - 8pm, Venue: Meridian Hall, Format: Drop in workshop with facilitated activities, open to all ages.
Everyone is welcome, whether you have a fully formed idea or simply want to listen and contribute. Your voice will help shape a bid that reflects the creativity, pride, and ambition of the whole community.
Activity Days for Children at East Grinstead Museum – 2026!
By Kathy Ramsay, Children’s Activity Organiser, East Grinstead Museum
There is a lot more to East Grinstead Museum than meets the eye! Did you know that your local museum runs Activity Days for children, aged 410, where they can have fun making things, and solving puzzles? If you are looking for ways to keep your children entertained during half-terms and school holidays, look no further!
Our Activity Days are run by a team of enthusiastic volunteers whose aim is to make sure everyone has an enjoyable time. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and we find that many of our adult visitors would love to try the crafts themselves! We don’t use ‘bought in’ craft kits but create everything ourselves from scratch.
Each Activity Day has a different theme, and recent examples include: ‘The Romans come to East Grinstead’; ‘Dinosaur Day’; ‘Ancient Greece’; ‘Drop in and Dig’; ‘Up the Garden Path’; ‘The Pirates of the Museum’, and ‘Sports Day’. We know that the skills of children vary, but our crafts and activities can be readily adapted to a child’s age and ability. Our Activity Days are on a ‘drop-in’ basis, running between 10.30am and 3pm, and no
booking is necessary.
There is a small charge of £4 per child, and no limit on how long a child can stay.
These days are a lot of fun, and the children always enjoy having several items to take home – things that they have made and can be proud of. It is a great joy to see a child who says “I can’t do that”, creating something amazing (with encouragement) to treasure.
We’d love to see you, so why not come along and join us!
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY EVENTS AT EAST GRINSTEAD MUSEUM –DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Tuesday 31 March
Tuesday 26 May
Tuesday 28 July
Tuesday 11 August
Tuesday 25 August
Tuesday 27 October
Activities run from 10.30 am – 3 pm throughout the day. Children 4 years and upwards. £4 per child.
Eggs-cellent Easter!
Tuesday 31st March
10.30am - 3pm
Activity Day for children
Drop in - 4 years and above - £4 per child
Easter-themed crafts and games. Create an Easter card, solve a word game, make a chocolate nest, colour, stick, make and play ! Hop in for an eggscellent day !
French lesson of the month
by Town Crier columnist, Dominique of Native French Tutors
Good morning, Bonjour,
Today I thought I’d introduce a few ways of saying hello and goodbye in French.
Bonjour! Good morning! This can be used pretty much all day with anyone.
Salut! Hi! This is used with people you know well, i.e. family, friends.
Coucou! Hyia! Used only with close friends and family. Again, NOT with your accountant unless he is also a close friend of yours.
When you leave someone, you can say: Au revoir! Goodbye! Used with anyone
Adieu! Goodbye! (God Bless) Used when you won’t see someone for quite a while OR in Switzerland.
À plus tard! À plus! See you later! When you expect to see someone later on, with no definite time.
Ciao! Bye! Yes, we use this to say Bye, Bye.
Bye! Bye! We do use that too sometimes. In French, we do like using other languages’ expressions
use.
Bonne journée! Have a good day! Used only during the day.
Bonne soirée! Have a good evening!
Bonne nuit! Good night! That one only when it’s getting very late.
One used in French Canada is: Bon matin! Good morning! This is the word for word translation of Good Morning, because French Canadian is heavily influenced by English. It’s never used in France.
I hope this is helpful to you. You will hear other forms of Bonjour and Au Revoir when you go to France, depending on the region you go to, the age of the persons talking, indeed young people tend to develop slang based on what they hear in films, songs etc. A language evolves with time and through exchanges with other languages and cultures, that’s what makes it so rich and interesting!
À plus tard!
Dominique
Translator, Interpreter, French Tutor domicook64@gmail.com
07948702788
A Simple Guide to Getting Found in AI Search
Monthly Marketing Tips by Alice Watkyn of Mouthy Marketing
AI tools are changing how people find businesses. Instead of typing short keywords into Google, many people now ask full questions in tools like ChatGPT or Gemini. These systems recommend businesses, websites and resources as part of their answers.
As a small business owner, you may be wondering how your business appears in those responses.
AI search systems still rely heavily on many of the same signals used by traditional search engines. Any work you have already done to make your website visible in search can help with AI visibility as well.
Start by making sure your website clearly explains what you do and who you serve. Many small business websites focus heavily on branding while forgetting to state their services plainly. AI systems look for clarity. A page that clearly explains “solar installation in West Sussex” is far easier for an AI system to understand than vague marketing language.
Answering questions directly also helps. AI systems search for information that resolves a query quickly. Pages that include clear headings, short explanations and practical answers perform well. FAQs can be useful because they mirror how people ask questions in AI tools.
Building topical depth around your services also strengthens visibility. One page rarely covers everything. Supporting articles that explain topics related to your products or services help search engines and AI systems recognise your expertise.
Credibility still matters. Reviews, mentions on other websites and consistent business information across directories strengthen your authority. AI systems rely on these signals to assess which sources they trust.
Small businesses do not need complex technical solutions to appear in AI search. A clear website, helpful content and strong credibility signals provide a solid foundation.
Don’t forget, the door is now open for you to send your submissions for next month’s issue!
See you inApril!