Issue 19April 2026
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 theApril 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. Hello!
Agreat issue this month as the Town Crier goes from strength to strength. For local charities, community groups, clubs, artists and businesses. It is fast becoming the place to be seen. And for its fast-growing audience that means a wealth of interesting articles, features and local news to enjoy.
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 space for you to advertise at very affordable rates which you can find here.
The door is now wide open for your submissions for the May 2026 issue so don’t miss out, send us your contributions today!
For more information tour the Town Crier website or
In this issue:
Crawley Down Ladies Choir page3
The Felbridge Bowling Club page 3
St Catherines Hospice page 4
Alison Earnshaw page 7
The RH7 History Group page 11
UK Rhino Challenge page 13
Making it Count Maths Tuition p 14
MNDAssociation page 15
Local Artist Ann Waterman page16
Poem page 19
Easter Egg-travaganza page 22
All That Jazz page 25
ChristiansAgainst Poverty page 26
EG Classic Motor Show page 29
Ross Symonds Ecologist page 30
The Feelgood Station page 32
Dormansland YWI page 33
Lingfeld Farmers Market page 35
Community First Responders p37
Unique Wellth page 39
Email: egtowncrier@gmail.com
Learning French page 42
The Crawley Down
Ladies
Choir
At the time of writing, The Crawley Down Ladies Choir is taking an Easter break but we will be resuming our usual Monday evening practices on April 13th in the Birch Room at The Haven Centre, Crawley Down under the leadership of our Musical Director, Kathleen Shuster.
We will continue practising for our Summer concert which will be held on Saturday 13th June in the Dorothy Hatswell hall at The Haven Centre starting at 7.30pm and will be singing a variety of songs ranging from stage musicals and films to classic to pop and more. There will also be guest acts, details to be confirmed. A date for your diarieswe do hope to see you there.
In between we are looking forward to our annual choir meal in early May, no singing involved just a chance to socialise, eat, drink and have a natter - something we all enjoy.
For more information about the choir please see our website at: crawleydownladieschoir.co.uk
The Felbridge Bowling Club
We will have an Open Day on Sunday 26th April, and another one on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May - both at 2pm at Felbridge Bowling Club, Oak Farm Place, Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2RN.
All beginners will be warmly welcomed.
Everything is provided - just please wear flat shoes and be prepared to have fun!
For more details, please contact Frances Middleton 07791 752586 or email frances.middleton@felbrid gebowlingclub.co.uk
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An unforgettable night awaits at
St Catherine’s Hospice Midnight Walk
The St Catherine’s Hospice popular Midnight Walk is returning to the streets of Horsham on Saturday 6 June 2026 from 7.30pm.
With four distances to choose from – 2, 7, 13 or 17 miles – this popular event gives you the chance to step out under the stars and raise vital funds for local hospice care. Together with your community, you’ll experience an energetic night of celebration, reflection and remembrance. Whether you take part on your own, or with your friends, family or colleagues, it's an experience you don't want to miss.
Running since 2008, the Midnight Walk is St Catherine’s flagship event bringing together over 650 walkers, 140 volunteers and raising significant funds for the hospice every year.
All the funds raised at this memorable event help to provide specialist palliative and end of life care and support to people living
with a terminal or life-limiting condition across West Sussex and East Surrey.
Starting at The Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath, walkers will be treated to an energetic warm-up before being cheered on throughout their walk by volunteer marshals and regular refreshment stops to enjoy.
The event also provides opportunities for walkers to remember the people they love and miss by pinning a photo and message on the Memory Wall or lighting a candle at our Reflective Space in Horsham Park on the 7- , 13- or 17-mile route.
This year, Bill Dickie is walking in memory of his wife Michelle who was one of the first patients to be supported in St Catherine’s new hospice after it opened in December 2023:
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“The support Michelle received was above and beyond our expectations. I can honestly say the hospice was absolutely wonderful in every aspect, the care, compassion, and understanding of her needs and mine was truly exceptional.
“This year will be my third Midnight Walk. I first took part because I felt that I had to give something back to the hospice. The atmosphere on the night is amazing – it’s emotional but also magical and inspiring to meet people who have experienced the same loss as you and know how much the hospice has helped their loved ones too.
“I think Michelle would be proud of me taking part in the Midnight Walk. In 23 years of having cancer, she never once complained, so when my legs were aching last year, I could hear her saying, “Come on Bill, you’ve got this”.
Emma Butler, Midnight Walk event manager at St Catherine’s said, “We’re really looking forward to bringing our community together once again for our much-loved Midnight Walk. There’s something truly special about seeing hundreds of people step out under the light of the moon to raise money for local hospice care – with many walking in memory of their loved one.
“In 2025, our walkers helped us achieve a record-breaking year, raising £167,000 for our hospice – the highest amount we’ve ever raised from a single Midnight Walk. This is incredible achievement and has set the bar high for this year, but we’re ready to make Midnight Walk 2026 better than ever!”
Ready to step up and do something amazing? Sign up at www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk or call St Catherine's Fundraising Team on 01293 447361.
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Sign up by Wednesday 6 May for our standard sale price of £30 for adults and £20 for under 18s. Entry fees go towards the cost of running the event and include a free T-shirt, refreshments and medal.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to volunteer instead? If you’d like to donate your time to support St Catherine’s visit the hospice's dedicated webpage to sign up: www.stch.org.uk/volunteer-at-the-midnight-walk-2026/
About St Catherine’s Hospice:
St Catherine’s Hospice provides expert end of life care and support to people living with a terminal or life-limiting condition and their families across West Sussex and East Surrey.
Every year, the hospice cares for around 2,000 people living with a terminal or life-limiting illness on its hospice wards, in their own homes or in care homes.
As well as expert medical and nursing care, St Catherine’s also provides emotional and practical support through its dedicated Wellbeing Team, which provides a range of services including counselling, welfare advice, bereavement support and spiritual care.
It costs around £14 million to run the hospice each year, but less than a third of this comes from the NHS. The rest is raised through the support and generosity of the local community.
Record Store Day: Saturday 18th April 2026
by Allison Earnshaw
Alison Earnshaw celebrates a local bricks ‘n’ mortar record shop.
“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone” sang the wonderful Joni Mitchell. True words indeed, and I’d certainly feared it might be the case that music on a traditional circular record had been consigned to its vinyl resting place long ago!
I still remember my first music purchase with saved-up pocket money, to be placed on a turntable with a needle that magically converted the rotating black disc to sound - The Monkees ‘I’m A Believer’. A single or album came with cover artwork, photos and information as well as the record, the complete package! Then along came cassette tapes and c.d.s and now Spotify, Alexa, et al. For me, none of these brought quite the same joy as looking through the racks of musical discoveries at a real-life record store (and back in the day every High Street had at least one).
Going to the local record shop used to be an outing in itself… However it seems I was very much mistaken to think that the days of vinyl might be gone forever. Quite the opposite in fact, as I discovered at ‘Day’s Books and Records’ in Forest Row. This little shop is a delight, describing itself as offering a curated and eclectic mix of vinyl with both fiction and non-fiction books. Fergus, the friendly and informative proprietor opened his lovely shop last year and for me it epitomises just how special a bricks and mortar outlet will always be for something as essentially human as the creativity of music and books. At ‘Day’s Books and Records’ I reminisced with Fergus about bands we’d seen and books we’d liked; then took a nostalgic journey down memory lane, looking through the pre-loved albums on display. Brand new vinyl is also
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available, for example a recent release from local band ‘The “Butterfly Wheel” and Fergus is happy to order in new book publications for his customers so there’s a vibrancy about the shop, it looks to the past and the future… and celebrates both!
The shop’s ambience is relaxed, friendly and an absolute anecdote to the all too prevalent culture of disposability in this digital age. Each item in the shop is carefully placed like a little treasure and it was great to hear from Fergus that his clientele spans all ages with younger folk embracing vinyl as part of their music listening experience. Vinyl is enjoying a new day in the sun… and not just as an analogue antique from days past but signposting the way forward.
Two other massive positives: you’ll find extremely good coffee available at local independent cafes within a few steps of the ‘Days Books & Records’ front door and free parking just down the road. So with National Record Store Day on Saturday 18th April there’s no better time to visit, support and enjoy your local record shops. We’re lucky to have them!
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/shotfullofrock/ www.shotfullofrock.co.uk
East Grinstead Natural History Society
Monday 20th April at 7.30 pm
Sussex Landscape by Dr Geoffrey Mead
Trinity Methodist Church Lingfield Road East Grinstead RH19 2HA
£4.50 on the door £3.00 for members. Refreshments will be provided.
ANCIENT TRACKWAYS
by Richard Young
The chalk downs on either side of the Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex are dry and open; they have served as convenient east-west trackways, or ‘Ridgeways’ from the earliest times. Trackways running from the north to the south were far less common.
Between the downs lies the ancient Saxon forest of Andredesweald, where the soil is mainly composed of Wealden Clay and Hastings Sand. Around the higher central area there is a wide zone of clay; flat, ill-drained and very sticky. There is evidence of a primitive track leading south through what is now Godstone, to Tilburstow, then continuing south to cross the clay lands between Blindley Heath and Horne. There is evidence too of a track leading south from Titsey to Dwelly Lane and Haxted Mill, then crossing the River Eden at Longbridge and continuing south towards Dry Hill. Early settlement in the area was limited to the light-forested
Higher grounds. The obstacle of the River Eden, running west to east, was compounded by marsh lands and frequent flooding of the low areas throughout the winter months.
Prehistoric trackways converged on the hill fort at Dry Hill.
Modern roads and footpaths still follow the same lines for much of their length. Dry Hill was a fortified settlement site, probably originating from the early Iron Age period (700 – 450 BC). The fort was in a district of dense forest which was very rich in iron ore, the source of economic stability for the settlement of ancient warrior farmers. To the east of the site is a hollow way joining a trackway; probably a communication route between Castle Hill at Tonbridge, and Saxonbury Hill Fort on the border of Kent and Sussex.
In spring 1932 an archaeological investigation of Dry Hill confirmed the evidence of preRoman iron smelting; the ore used was to a large extent Cyrena Limestone.
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Dry Hill Camp is about 550 ft. above sea level; it covers an area of 24 acres and has a circumference of nearly one mile. Trial pits were dug through the earthwork defences, which consisted of three banks and two ditches; the inner bank, highest in position and piling, was the defensive line. On it were laid selected collections of grey flint pebbles, both hand missiles and sling stones.
Fresh water was collected in claylined ponds, one good example of which still exists today. Disappointingly not a single shard of pottery was found during the 1932 investigation. A search for post-holes, evidence of domestic building, was also unsuccessful although the archaeologists thought it unlikely that such evidence would remain in the very fluid sand. The weight of pebbles lying on the old surface was enough, they suggested, to cause the post-holes to subside vertically. No archaeological investigation was undertaken in the inner fort area, an area that may prove productive in any future archaeological project. It has been estimated that one hundred men would be required to work for a full year in order to
build the fortress. Over time the settlers and their families would swell the population to the size of a small town. Iron Age farming communities built circular houses in an enclosure with fields around. Grain was stored in pits. Sheep provided wool for clothing. Iron domestic equipment included sickles, hammers, adzes and ploughshares. Wood was used for bowls, loom frames, ladders and dug-out boats.
Our next talk is on Monday 11th at the Jennings Hall, behind the High Street, Lingfield.
Janet Pennington will speak about “the History of Shoes”.
The talks start at 8pm, with doors open from 7:30pm. Nonmembers are very welcome to attend our meetings - there is a £2.50 charge for visitors. For more details of future talks, see the “Events” page on our website, “rh7.org”. If you have any historical queries about our area the please contact us by email at mailto:rh7histsoc@gmail.com.
The UK Rhino Challenge
Join in our fun cycling adventure, The UK Rhino Challenge, at Pippingford Park, TN22 3HW 9am to 2.45pm on Sunday 3rd May.
Teams of up to five cyclists will have to search for check points and complete team building challenges. All in the beautiful bluebell woods of this scenic private estate on traffic free roads and tracks; ideal for families with younger riders.
The funds raised will go to essential conservation projects in Kenya. These projects are illustrated by the tasks teams must complete, soak the poacher, Ronnie the electric rhino, rainfall roof, the wildlife corridor maise and more.
All details on www.ukrhinochallenge.com
Fractions Without Fear
Maths tutor, Helen Chisholm’s monthly column gives valuable tips on how to excel or help your children excel at maths.
Fractions often have a reputation for being one of the trickiest areas of maths, but they don’t have to be intimidating. With the right approach and strong visual understanding, fractions can become far more manageable and even enjoyable for children of all ages.
Seeing Fractions Visually
Before children begin calculating with fractions, it’s important that they truly understand what a fraction represents. A fraction simply describes a part of a whole. Visual models such as pizza slices, chocolate bars, or fraction circles help bring this idea to life. When children can see that ½ is one out of two equal parts, or that ¾ means three out of four equal parts, the concept becomes much clearer. These visual foundations are essential before moving on to more formal calculations.
Equivalent Fractions and Simplifying
As children grow more confident, they begin to explore how fractions can be written in different but equal ways. For example, ½ is the same as 2/4 or 4/8.
Understanding these equivalent fractions helps pupils compare fractions, simplify them, and work with them more efficiently. Rather than memorising rules, children benefit from seeing these relationships visually often through diagrams or fraction bars that clearly show how the parts relate to the whole.
Fractions in Everyday Life Fractions appear far more often in daily life than we might realise. Cooking and baking are perfect examples. Doubling a recipe, halving ingredients, or measuring quantities like ¾ of a cup all rely on fraction understanding. Sharing food, dividing time, or splitting costs also involve thinking in fractions.
Building confidence with fractions takes time and practice, but with patience and clear visual explanations, children can develop a strong understanding. When maths feels meaningful and connected to real life, even fractions can lose their fear factor!
GOLF & FOOTBALL
(Collaboration with Chartham Park Golf Club & The Mid Sussex Football League)
GOLF
MND West Sussex North branch, are pleased to announce that Chartham Park Golf Club have nominated them as their charity for the following year. Commencing with the ‘Drive’that took place on 22nd March, followed by ‘Captains Day’6th & 7th June and their ‘Charity Day’5th September.
FOOTBALL
The Mid Sussex Football League’s (ten) Cup Finals will include a bucket collection for MND West Sussex North at each venue during April/May. Chair: Michael Stratford said he was delighted that this link recognises the memory of footballer and referee Mark Jackson who was an MND member.
Having a golfer and a footballer as members with MND in the same area is not unusual, we appreciate the effort that has gone into supporting us by both sporting organisations.
We are seeking volunteers to set up a hub in the East Grinstead area, in line with Horsham & Burgess Hill, with roles of fund-raising ambassadors and Association visitors available.
For further information please contact: mailto:Michael.stratford@mndassociation.org 07837 916087 01273 844231
Local Artist of the Month
Ann Waterman
I started painting again in the late 90s, having been told by my helpful art teacher that I was useless and not to bother carrying on to O’level. Until then I used to do a lot of pencil drawings.
I got the urge to paint again after watching an art programme by Alwyn Crawshaw; bought some watercolour paints and brushes, visited the library for art books (Corot) and practised, practised, practised.
I now know that watercolour is the hardest medium to learn. Wish I had known about acrylics - so much easier to use. Alwyn Crawshaw said keep your first paintings, which I did, hid them away somewhere and may find them again one day!
I joined the East Grinstead Art Society in 1999, sold my first 2 paintings in 2000. My mother phoned everybody she knew to tell them (as I found out after her death). I went on the committee the same year – I am still on it!
Having done every job including chairman for 9 years I am now treasurer, annual exhibition secretary and general dogsbody.
I now paint mostly with beeswax – encaustic art, which I learned from my late friend Anne Kent. I was hooked from the start and both of us had paintings on 60 Minute Makeover, a real thrill. We went down to Brighton to meet the designer, and she took 4 paintings from each of us. We had a programme together and individual. My second programme was with different designers; to this day I have never worked out how. Until covid I did the South of England Show, I went into the Beekeepers marquee, 3 days of jolly hard work, 8 – 6 each day demonstrating. My husband is relieved that I don’t do it any more as he was pressganged into helping me - somebody had to sell while I worked.
This form of painting is instant and colourful very therapeutic.
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I paint landscapes and flowers mainly using heat tools and a hotplate, the wax dries almost immediately and if you make a mistake, it can be melted to start again. If anybody wants to find out more about encaustic art just Google it and you will be referred to the main site. If you want to learn, be aware that it is not cheap to start but you will, like me, be hooked.
The artists I most admire are Corot and Monet but I love all the Impressionists. Really, I just love colour. I don’t do drab –boring.
My greatest influence was Anne, she was a wonderful teacher and great friend.
I expect loads of people in East Grinstead have her work on their walls. Until she became ill, we used to go all over the place to shows and exhibitions. It was Anne that originally worked at the SOE Show. We had a website and sold as far afield as Australia.
To date I have been really lucky and sold hundreds of paintings. At the beginning this was mainly in Queens Walk – 34 times – 33
of which were in the cold huddled under a blanket. This is where the Art Society started in 1983.
I had better think about some paintings for the annual exhibition in the Summer, knowing me I will put it off! I am really lucky as my husband installed a studio in our garden and I can work in there, weather and health permitting. Encaustic painting is a messy business so it isn’t something to do inside without oodles of newspaper. If wax gets into a carpet, it DOES NOT come out!
Ann is a member of theArts Society of Eat Grinstead. Click the link below for more information about The East GrinsteadArts Society https://taseg.org.uk
See samples of Ann’s work on the next page
We are pleased to present here some examples of Ann Waterman’s art
And Thus Spoke the Angel
by Steve Cook
If you think that time's behind you, the angel said, You err, for time in greater measure lies ahead, So open up your eyes and lift your gaze, Light the self-made fuse that sets your stars ablaze.
Create your future road and take it where you make it wind, Look ahead and leave the dead of past regrets behind, Feel yourself reborn with each new step you take And know each choice you make flings wide time's gate.
Embrace the never-ending tale you script And know you are the author and the star of it, Each poignant episode and intriguing twist Agift or curse bestowed by your own authorship.
So take this fragile world of soft and yielding clay And from it fashion kindly better days, For it surrenders yet to the gentler touch
To love responds, to a heavy hand not near so much.
Community enjoys Easter Egg-travaganza at Saint Hill
More than 3,000 visitors were welcomed to Saint Hill’s 60-acre estate for a cracking day out on Easter Sunday, including the opportunity to hunt for 40,000 chocolate eggs hidden in the grounds.
Home to the Church of Scientology’s UK headquarters in East Grinstead, Saint Hill’s annual Easter event saw children take part in numerous egg hunts, enjoy fairground rides, bouncy castles, a bungee trampoline, kite flying and land train rides.
Graeme Wilson, Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology in the UK, said: “We are lucky enough to have beautiful grounds here at Saint Hill so it’s a joy to be able to share them with the community.
“The countdown to the start of the big egg hunt is always an exciting moment and seeing the crowd surge forward has to be seen to be believed! We know families come along year after year and it’s wonderful to be part of that tradition.”
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Away from the egg hunt, children and animal lovers were enthralled by a talk from a handler at Living Things, who was accompanied by a variety of reptiles, creepy crawlies, and mammals. They included a hissing cockroach, a meerkat who was only too happy to demonstrate her lookout stance on children’s heads, and a leopard gecko who enjoyed some gentle stroking.
For those not feeling quite so brave, there was a petting zoo where youngsters enjoyed meeting goats, donkeys and a variety of small furry animals. Plenty of photo opportunities were available with the Easter Bunny who could be seen wandering the grounds throughout the day, accompanied by friends including Peter Rabbit, Bluey, Stitch, Disney princesses and even a giant walking Easter egg. Although the rain mostly stayed away, there were also activities
One parent commented: “I’ve come for the last four years, and it just keeps getting bigger and better! There’s nothing like this anywhere. I’ve brought more of my friends here to see it for themselves! Do you do other events? I’m going to come to them all!”
Graeme Wilson added: “We want to thank everyone who came along and also the many staff and volunteers who ensured the event ran smoothly. We’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year, once the Easter Bunny has had a chance to replenish his egg supply!”
There are several community events held at Saint Hill throughout the year including bonfire night and a magical Christmas lights switch on. For more information on future events, visit www.saint-hill.uk
All That Jazz – Save the Date:
Fri 14–Sun 16 August
East Grinstead Jazz Festival returns for its 3rd year in partnership with Being Neighbourly, bringing three days of live music across the town with our free Jazz Trail.
Workshops & Events
Friday: Gospel Rising workshop, followed by a complimentary gospel concert at St Swithun’s Church
Saturday morning: Jazz vocal and drum workshops at Glen Vue Community Hub
Saturday evening: JazzAfrica – Jazz Roots to Now at St Swithun’s Church
Sunday: Jazz brunch, followed by Jazz on the Lawns at theApron Café, Chequer Mead
Tickets for the gospel workshop, Saturday morning workshops and Jazz Africa are already on sale book early to avoid disappointment: https://www.ticketsource.com/being-neighbourly
Details will be available soon on our updated website: https://www.eastgrinsteadjazzfestival.com . Follow our Facebook group for the latest news. https://www.facebook.com/EastGrinsteadJazzFestival
Also coming up:
East Grinstead Jazz Club continues its summer season on 5 May, featuring the Nicolas Miere Band an exciting fusion of jazz, Turkish, Eastern and Middle Eastern music, flamenco and tango. Tickets selling fast: https://www.chequermead.co.uk/shows/jazz-club-may-2026/
If you would like to sponsor this rising festival please get in touch mailto:eastgrinsteadjazzfestival@gmail.com
Five ways to save on your weekly food shop
It’s almost hard to believe how much all of our shopping bills have gone up in the last few years. As food prices remain high, now is a great time to look at ways to try and keep costs down where we can.
Create
a food shop budget
With food costs constantly changing, it’s easy to spend a lot more than you’d like on your weekly shop. Set a budget limit and do your best to stick within it. Try cheaper alternatives to reduce your costs and avoid putting extra items into your shopping trolley just because they’re on offer.
Be aware of yellow labels
Big yellow labels in supermarkets can make us think we’re getting a real bargain, but are they really good deals or just colourful stickers to tempt us to buy stuff we don’t really need? Yellow label items can be a bargain, but sometimes you can still get the same product cheaper elsewhere
or buy a different size of the same product for less.
It’s worth taking a minute or two to double check the price and compare it with others online before you buy it.
Check the cost per amount
Which sized product is the best to buy? If you look at the less obvious black and white labels, you’ll often see a price per weight breakdown. This is super helpful to check as buying in bulk might mean you get more for your money as long as you’ll use it all before it is out of date.
Check the best before date
There’s no point buying food that you won’t have time to eat before it’s no longer edible. In order to save money and reduce food waste, check the best before dates, plan your meals in advance, and don’t buy things that you regularly waste. If you wasted it the last two weeks then it can probably come off your shopping list from now on.
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Try budget recipes
There are plenty of free resources online to help you learn new meals that you can cook on a budget. To find tasty budget recipes and sign up to a free local life skills course run by a church near you, visit capuk.org/lifeskills and take your money saving knowledge to the next level.
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-toface 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
East Grinstead
Classic
Motor Show
East Grinstead Town Council will be holding their annual Classic Motor Show taking place along the historic High Street in East Grinstead on Sunday 13th September, from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Munich Legends, specialists in BMW-approved servicing, with over 30 years of experience. They will also be attending on the day to answer your questions and share their expertise!
We warmly invite owners of pre1996 classic and vintage cars to showcase their vehicles at this much-loved community event. We also welcome motorcycles manufactured in 2006 or earlier to be part of the display. Whether your vehicle is a fully restored showpiece, a cherished original, or a rare period model, we would be delighted to have you join us. To help reduce no-shows and ensure a fair experience for all exhibitors, there is a £5 entry fee (plus booking fee).
Apercentage of proceeds will be donated to the Town Mayor’s chosen charity, with the remainder supporting event costs. Please note, tickets are operated on a first come, first served basis. Once the tickets have sold out, we will open a wait list.
To book your exhibitor place: www.ticketsource.com/eastgrinstead-town-council
Alternatively, the booking form is also on our website if you would like to print it: https://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/.. ./east-grinstead.../ or you can pop in to see us at East Grinstead Library.
Visitor entry is free and no booking is needed.
Come along for a day of classic and vintage vehicles whilst soaking up the lively atmosphere of the High Street. We hope to see you there!!
April: When the hedgerows start speaking again
by Ross Symonds
Ross Symonds is an ecologist, forager, and occasional interpreter of unruly hedgerows. Through AtoBee Ecology, he runs seasonal foraging walks and workshops across Sussex, guiding people through the edible, medicinal, and folklore-rich layers of the landscape. April is one of his favourite months.
There’s a particular moment in April when the countryside stops looking dead and starts looking occupied again. Not in a dramatic way. More like something has quietly come back into the room while you weren’t paying attention. Old country folk would’ve said the hedges are “lifting”. That the green is returning with intent.
Nettles
InApril, the young shoots are at their best: tender, bright, still pretending they’re harmless before
the sting fully arrives. Cooked down, they lose their bite and become one of the most nourishing greens you can find. Soup, pesto, folded into eggs – anything that needs a bit of green backbone
Cleavers
Cleavers (or sticky willy, if you prefer the vernacular honesty of hedge-side children) behave like they’re trying to physically attach themselves to the world. Aspring tonic for the lymph system, for clearing winter heaviness from the body. Taken as a cold infusion.
Wild garlic
In old folk tradition, strong-scented spring plants like wild garlic were often associated with protection and cleansing. Aplant of thresholds as they appear just as the season turns properly. The leaves are soft and green with that unmistakable punch of garlic when bruised. The buds, flowers are sharp and,for me anyway, are the best parts.
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Dandelion
Dandelion, in April it is everywhere:
leaf, flower, root! In old folk understanding, dandelions were a solar plant. Acarrier of brightness The leaves are bitter but edible. The flowers can be made into honey and wine. The roots, roasted, become something like coffee but with less caffeine and more earthiness. It is a plant that survives by refusing to negotiate.
Hawthorn
By lateApril, hawthorn blossoms begin to appear. Hawthorn is a threshold tree. Aboundary between worlds, and not just land boundaries, but seasonal, and sometimes stranger ones too. When you're with a hawthorn, you should not assume you are alone. Hawthorn blossom tastes like almond and the leaves are also edible when young (also known as bread and cheese). .
The Point
The land is not neat at this time of year. It is noisy, contradictory, halffinished Foragers would’ve read this as signs: which plants arrive first, which hedge wakes early, which paths are “open” again. Not superstition exactly, more like pattern recognition dressed in story.
If you have a curiosity for every hedge you pass, I run seasonal foraging walks and workshops across Sussex through AtoBee Ecology. These sessions explore wild food, plant lore, ecology, even cocktails, and the older stories that sit just beneath the surface of the landscape.
I also run seasonal courses and online learning for those who want to go deeper into reading the land as something living, shifting, and occasionally opinionated.
Details of upcoming walks, workshops, and courses can be found via my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rosstheecologist
Or through Instagram @rosstheecologist.
Ross Symonds
Founder
| AtoBee Ecology
The Feelgood Station
In last month’s magazine I mentioned that here at The Feelgood Station we were about to release our own CDs! Two of these became available on the 6th of April and are already selling fast. Released under the banner of Excalibur, the Sword of Music, they both contain original music created by Lester Jones.
The first reflects Lester’s and my lifetime fascination with the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, immortalised here with their own songs and stirring tales of their exploits. If you have ever gazed in wonder at Tintagel Castle and fallen under the spell of the ancient legends that surround it, you will relish this chance to become acquainted with Merlin, Arthur, the Lady of the Lake and the others who inhabit this magical realm.
The second CD represents a very personal achievement for me, for Lester has composed a song for
each of my 7 historical novels outlining the stories and bringing my characters and the settings to life, so if you fancy a taste of the 17th century, then this one is for you!
When we first began thefeelgoodstation.uk 4 years ago, we decided we did not want our shows interrupted by annoying adverts which so many radio stations use as an easy source of revenue. Nor did we wish to make any charge to the lovely guests who we welcome to tell us about their local enterprises, but running a radio station costs money with expenses such as licences to pay and we decided to cover some of our costs in this original and exciting way. So if you wish to help our station to keep going or would just like to listen to one of our Feel-Good CDs then just contact excalibur3471@gmail.com
You’ll be glad you did!
Lester Judith
Young Women’s Institute, Dormansland
Now we are In April, Spring certainly feels like it is on the way and we are beginning to think about getting out and about again.
Our next meeting will be held on 21st April, with ‘Pic’n’Mix Cocktails’ who are giving us a demonstration on how to create several cocktails that we can practise over the summer months!
During March, a small group attended the Ramses Exhibition at Battersea Power Station which was fascinating and the following week a group went to see the new musical based on
the book “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” which was really enjoyable. A group of us are going to see “Kinky Boots” this month which promises to be a great evening out.
May will see us welcoming the Ashurst Wood Morris Men for a demonstration and a chance to join in.
The next couple of months, we are also planning a fundraising event to be held in June.
We always like to welcome new members to our meetings which are held at Parish Rooms in The Platt at 8.00pm usually on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. If you would like more information, please contact us on the membership enquiry on the website or call Fiona on 07836 334794. Our full meeting schedule and information about the subgroups can be found on our website.
www.ywidormansland.org.uk.
YWI Mini Fundraising Summer Fete 13th June 2026
Stalls will include plants, cakes, bric-a-brac, books, craft items. sweet jars and chocolate tombola. Cakes and drinks will soon be available. More information will follow next month
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CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY EVENTS AT EAST GRINSTEAD MUSEUM –
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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.
The Lingfield Farmers Market is back!
Lingfield Farmers Market is back on Sunday 10th May, running from 9am to 1pm, and it’s shaping up to be another fantastic community morning out.
With over 20 stalls attending each month, the market offers something for everyone. From fresh, locally grown produce and artisan breads to homemade cakes, cheeses, gifts and more, it’s the perfect place to shop small and support local businesses.
The market has been steadily growing, attracting visitors from across the area, but continued support from the community is essential to help it thrive.
Every visit makes a difference not just to the stallholders, but to the future of the market itself.
Whether you’re picking up your weekly essentials, meeting friends for a relaxed browse, or bringing
the family out for a morning activity, Lingfield Farmers Market is a welcoming and vibrant place to be.
We’d love to see even more familiar and new faces this month, so please spread the word. Bring your family, invite your friends, and encourage your neighbours to come along and support this fantastic local event.
Join us on Sunday 10th May, 9am–1pm and be part of something special in your community.
Spring Clean Your First Aid Kit –Could
You Find What You Need in an Emergency?
Spring is often when we think about clearing out cupboards and starting fresh. But when was the last time you checked your first aid kit or even your medicine cupboard?
As a Community First Responder, I can tell you this: in an emergency, it’s not just about having the right equipment it’s about knowing where it is, that it works, and that it’s ready to use.
A quick 10-minute check this month could make all the difference.
Start with your home first aid kit.
If you have a first aid kit tucked away somewhere (or you’re not entirely sure where it is), now’s the time to dig it out and go through it.
According to St John Ambulance, a basic kit should include essentials like plasters, sterile dressings, bandages, gloves, scissors, cleansing wipes, and adhesive tape -everything you need to deal with common injuries quickly and safely
As you check yours, ask yourself:
• Are items in date?
• Has anything been used and not replaced?
• Could you find what you need quickly?
It’s also worth making sure everyone in the household knows where the kit is kept.
Don’t forget your medicine cupboard.
This often gets overlooked but it’s just as important.
• Take a few minutes to: Make sure medicines are clearly labelled and stored safely
• Check expiry dates on pain relief, antihistamines, and any prescribed medication
• Safely dispose of anything out of date, it’s best to return them to your local pharmacy.
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Expired items can become less effective or unsafe to use, so it’s not just about tidiness it’s about safety too.
What
about your car?
Many people don’t realise how valuable a basic first aid kit in your car can be.
Whether it’s a minor cut, a fall while out walking, or being first on scene at a road traffic incident,
having the right kit nearby can help you act quickly.
St John’s Ambulance recommends having a dedicated motor vehicle kit, designed to deal with roadside situations and everyday mishaps.
A simple car kit could include:
Gloves
Dressings and plasters
Bandages
Wipes
A foil blanket
Keep it somewhere easy to reach not buried under shopping in the boot.
It’s not just about the kit…
Having the right equipment is only part of the picture. Confidence matters too.
In many emergencies, it’s the actions taken in the first few minutes before an ambulance arrives that can have the biggest impact. You don’t need to be a medical professional. But knowing the basics, staying calm, and having a well-stocked kit gives you a real head start.
Your 10-minute spring checklist
This week, take a few minutes to:
• ✔️ Locate your first aid kit
• ✔️ Check and replace expired items
• ✔️ Restock anything missing
• ✔️ Review your medicine cupboard
• ✔️ Add (or check) a kit in your car
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Helping you live a freer, healthier life
This month, Samantha Ford of Unique Welllth presents
The Hidden Stress You’ve Got Used To
When people think about stress, they often picture something obvious deadlines, big life events, or moments of pressure that feel intense and unavoidable.
But in reality, a lot of the stress we carry day to day doesn’t look like that at all.
It’s quieter. Subtle. Easy to overlook.
And over time… it becomes normal.
You might recognise it as:
• Feeling constantly “on,” even when you’re technically off, you know… struggling to switch off in the evenings
• Waking up tired, despite getting a full night’s sleep
• A low-level sense of irritability or overwhelm that never quite goes away Nothing dramatic. Nothing urgent enough to force change.
But it’s there running in the background.
The challenge with this kind of stress is that we adapt to it. We tell ourselves:
“This is just how life is.”
“It’s a busy time.”
“I’ll deal with it when things calm down.”
Except… for many people, things don’t calm down.
The pace stays the same. The expectations stay high. And that background level of stress quietly becomes your baseline. From a health perspective, this matters more than most people realise.
Low-level, ongoing stress can impact:
• Your energy levels
• Your sleep quality
• Your focus and decisionmaking
• Your mood and patience
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It doesn’t always show up as a crisis but it does show up in how you feel, day to day.
And often, it’s the reason people feel stuck… even when they’re “doing all the right things.”
So where do you start? Not with a complete life overhaul. Not with adding more to your already full schedule. But with awareness.
For the next few days, try this: Simply notice.
• When do you feel most tense or switched on?
• When do you actually feel calm or relaxed?
• What parts of your day drain you… and which parts restore you?
No fixing. No judgement. Just paying attention. Because you can’t change what you haven’t first recognised.
• From there, small shifts become possible. It might be: Creating a clearer boundary at the end of your workday
• Taking 10 minutes of real downtime without your phone. Getting outside for a short walk to reset your headspace
• Or simply giving yourself permission to pause, without feeling guilty
These aren’t big, dramatic changes. But they’re often the ones that make the biggest difference.
The truth is, you don’t need to wait until you’re burnt out to take your wellbeing seriously.
You don’t need a crisis to justify change.
Sometimes, it starts with recognising that what feels “normal” … isn’t actually how you want to feel.
Ready to take that next step?
If this resonates, and you’re starting to notice those patterns in your own life, this is exactly the kind of work I support people with.
Through my coaching, I help midlife professionals step out of that constant “on” mode so they can
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reduce stress, improve their energy, and feel more in control of their health again. If you’re curious about what that could look like for you, I offer a free, no-pressure conversation to explore where you are now, what’s feeling off, and what might help.
Because feeling better doesn’t come from pushing harder it comes from understanding what you actually need. Ready to explore than book your free WELLth check call
Learning French by
Dominique
French tutor, translator, interpreter
I’m often asked why some words are feminine and some masculine in French and how you know which is which gender?
For most words, you won’t know whether they are female or male, after all why is table “la table” and the floor “le sol”? Is there a reason behind this?
It’s because those words come from, mostly, Latin and they were either masculine, feminine or neuter in that language.
In French, we no longer have the neuter. Through the ages, the language evolved to have only feminine and masculine. And for most words, you will have to learn and remember its gender.
But there are groups or types of words that will automatically be one or the other:
• Days of the week, seasons and months are masculine, for example LE lundi (the Monday), LE printemps (Spring)
• Words ending in isme (and the equivalent in English will be word ending in ism) such as tourisme (tourism)
• Words ending in tion are feminine, for example: organisation, libération (those words are almost the exact same ones in English)
• Words ending in sion are feminine such as télévision
• Words ending in ment such as bâtiment (building) are masculine.
• For countries, if the name ends with an E, it is feminine, for all others, it’s masculine: La France, Le Portugal
• When talking about animals, you will have a masculine and a feminine form: Le chat (the male cat), la chatte (the female cat)
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• As for professions, there will be masculine and feminine forms of the same word, such as Le médecin, La médecin (the doctor)
I hope this helps a bit and takes some of the mystery away.
Au revoir!
Dominique
French tutor, translator, interpreter www.linguafrancafrenchtranslations.co.uk 07948702788. Email: domicook64@gmail.co
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