Current Issues
A Permanent Memorial to Michael Leppard
On September 13 a large group of Society members gathered, with the Town Mayor, for the unveiling a plaque to honour Michael Leppard in the High Street. Our President, Margaret Collins DL, performed the task and a reception was held afterwards to mark the occasion. All agreed it was fitting tribute to a great servant of […]
First Award of Michael Leppard Prize
On Friday East Grinstead Society Chairman James Baldwin was thrilled to present the first awards of the Michael Leppard Prize at Sackville. The Prize was established by the Society as a memorial to Michael as one of its founders and a former Sackville teacher to encourage the study of local history. Sackville really came up […]
The Bulletin Returns
Last year we put the entire stock of the Society Bulletins onto the website – all 122 editions. The Bulletin was the creation of Michael Leppard: he was its editor for all these editions. With his death in 2018, we were afraid the Bulletin would cease and the Town would lose the future treasure trove […]
HIGH STREET: AL FRESCO DINING
There has been significant debate on Facebook regarding the temporary structures around the Tasting Rooms and By the Fountain to encourage al fresco dining. The East Grinstead Society is passionate about protecting our beautiful High Street but equally recognises it needs to be a living space! So, on balance we are supportive about the initiative […]
February Update
It’s been a long time since we posted, reflecting the continuing Lockdown. Rest assured: the Society Committee is active on a number of fronts. We are continuing to provide regular comments to the Town Council on planning applications and we have some exciting heritage projects lined up for when more normal life resumes. Sadly, we […]
AGM Report: Into 2021
We had a virtual AGM in October due to Covid. James Baldwin was re-elected as Chairman. This is a summarised version of his Chairman’s report. So, what a year! We made a great start with an increased emphasis on social media and publicising the Society, resulting in increased numbers at our first two meetings. And […]
East Grinstead Society Update
Although we are still unable to offer our usual programme of exciting meetings, we have been working hard in our other role as guardians of the Town’s heritage. This has comprised regular comments to planning applications going to the Town Council and submissions to the District Council on major strategic planning issues. Our most recent […]
Site Allocations and Development Plan Document (DPD) – July 2020 Response by The East Grinstead Society
We commented on the Draft of this plan in November 2019 and regret that so little has been varied in the ensuing period to July 2020. As before our comments relate to both the general context of East Grinstead and three specific sites in the DPD, SA18, SA19, and SA20. We end with some general […]
Michael Leppard MA – A Tribute
A Tribute to the Town’s premier Historian and Founder Member of the East Grinstead Society by James Baldwin – Chairman of The East Grinstead Society Michael Leppard, who passed away on September 10th 2019, was without doubt the foremost and most respected authority of his time on the history of East Grinstead and the surrounding […]