Issue #007 | Sunday 1st November 2026 | Bonfire week, Remembrance and the week ahead
Sackville College, East Grinstead. Photo: Paul Farmer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Good morning, East Grinstead! Pop the kettle on: here's what's happening in town today.
It's a misty start to November, and bonfire week is here. The Star Inn at Felbridge closes tomorrow for a makeover, there are fireworks nearby almost every night this week, and next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, when the trains won't be running to East Grinstead.
If there's something happening in town you think we should cover, email us at [email protected].
Grant
In this East Grinstead Guide issue
🌤️ Today's weather
🍺 Business - The Star Inn closes for a makeover
⚽ Community - The Adam Dabell Memorial Match
🎆 Bonfire Night - Fireworks and bonfires this week
🌺 Remembrance - Services in town next week
🚧 Traffic - Roads and trains this week
📅 What's on today and this week
Looking for a local business? Find shops and services on the East Grinstead Guide website.
1. Today's weather
BBC Weather says it'll be a misty, murky start with light winds. The mist and fog should lift to leave variable cloud and some sunny spells, before cloud and a little rain arrive from the north later in the afternoon. Expect a high of 12°C and a low of 7°C. Light rain may linger this evening, but it should turn dry and clear in the early hours. Sunrise is at 6.52am and sunset at 4.35pm.
The week ahead looks breezy, with low cloud and a few showers on Monday and Tuesday, and a windy, cloudy Wednesday with spots of drizzle. Thursday, Bonfire Night, looks cloudy and breezy with a few spells of light rain, but it should turn dry in the evening with some brighter breaks, just in time for the fireworks. Expect a high of 11°C, falling to about 4°C after dark, so wrap up warm. The Met Office had no weather warnings in place for our area this week.
Full forecast: BBC Weather
2. The Star Inn closes for a makeover - Business
The Star Inn, Felbridge. Photo: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Star Inn on London Road, Felbridge, closes tomorrow, Monday 2 November, for a six-figure refurbishment, The Argus reports. The Chef and Brewer pub, owned by Greene King, is due to reopen in early December, in time for Christmas.
Inside, there'll be a new layout and fresh décor, lighting and furniture. Outside, the beer garden is getting new lighting, furniture and more seating, and the building will get new signs. Greene King says it wants to keep the pub's historic character.
You can already book festive meals for after the reopening through the Greene King app and website, and the pub is recruiting new staff. While it's closed, you can find another local pub on the East Grinstead Guide.
3. The Adam Dabell Memorial Match - Community
East Court, home of East Grinstead Town FC. Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0
Pupils from Sackville and Imberhorne schools have played the annual Adam Dabell Memorial Football Match at East Grinstead FC, in memory of Adam Dabell, a young player who died of an undiagnosed heart condition. It was the 22nd year of the match, and Imberhorne won in heavy rain.
The match raises awareness and money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which funds heart screening and research. CRY says 12 young people a week in the UK die from undiagnosed heart conditions. Mims Davies MP was at the match and thanked the club, referees, teachers and supporters. Read more in The Argus.
4. Fireworks and bonfires this week - Bonfire Night
A Sussex bonfire procession, Lewes, 2009. Photo: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bonfire Night is on Thursday. Here's what's on nearby. Check each event's page before you go, as times and tickets can change.
Today, Sunday 1 November - Hurstpierpoint Family Bonfire and Fireworks, Danny Park, New Way Lane, BN6 9BB. Gates 4pm, fireworks 5.30pm, then the bonfire. £8 adults and children, £20 family (2 adults, 3 children), under-3s free. Blue Badge parking only.
Thursday 5 November - Lindfield Bonfire. Procession 7.30pm from outside the Stand Up Inn, bonfire 8.15pm, fireworks 8.30pm. Free, with collection buckets and £2 programmes. Roads close 6.30pm to 9.30pm, so walk in if you can. No sparklers.
Thursday 5 November - Fireworks Night at Lingfield Park, gates 4.30pm, 6pm to 7pm, RH7 6PQ. Standard tickets have sold out, but Premier Viewing (£29 adults, £15 children) and the Trackside Restaurant package (£39) were still available.
6. Roads and trains this week - Traffic
A Southern train arriving at East Grinstead. Photo: Issaroan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Roads
College Lane is still closed from Old Road to De La Warr Road until Friday 6 November for gas mains work. Allow extra time if you're heading to Chequer Mead.
Garland Road is closed to southbound traffic for 40 metres from the London Road (A22) junction until Tuesday 10 November.
Trains
Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November, late evenings: the 11.22pm from London Victoria to East Grinstead ends at East Croydon, with a rail replacement bus to Oxted and East Grinstead. National Rail
7. What's on today and this week - What’s On
Event times and prices can change, so check the link before you go. Chequer Mead box office: 01342 302000.
Today, Sunday 1 November
Halloween on the Bluebell Railway - last day. Halloween crafts on the 11.30am and 2pm trains from East Grinstead, and bingo with Felix the Wizard. Children 3 to 15 travel for £1 with a paying adult (up to four), under-3s free.
Spookiful at Standen - last day, 10am to 3.30pm, West Hoathly Road, RH19 4NE. Garden trail £3 with a small gift. Normal admission applies, no booking.
Wallace and Gromit: Fantastic Fungi Trail at Wakehurst - last day, from 10am. Trail pack £3 plus garden entry. Book online and check the last entry time when you book.
Brunch by The Garden Chef at Missing Link Brewing - 10am to 2pm, The Old Dairy, Chiddinglye Farm, Selsfield Road, RH19 4QS.
Fireworks tonight: Hurstpierpoint Family Bonfire, gates 4pm (see Bonfire Night above).
Chequer Mead Theatre. Photo: Hassocks5489, CC0
Coming up: the Christmas Lights Switch-On is on Saturday 21 November. For more ideas, see the events page on the East Grinstead Guide.
In town this week
Until Wed 4 Nov: Teddy Bear Storytime at Chequer Mead
Tue 3 Nov: Jazz Club with Greg Abate, 7.30pm, Chequer Mead
Wed 4 Nov: Tenors Unlimited, 7.30pm, Chequer Mead
Thu 5 Nov: Farmers' Market, 9am to 2pm, Market Square, then Chequer Mead's 30th Birthday Gala at 7pm
Fri 6 Nov: Comedy Club with Marcus Brigstocke, 8pm, Chequer Mead
Sat 7 Nov: Winter Fair at Chequer Mead from 10am (free), then Good Times, a Chic tribute, at 7.30pm
Sun 8 Nov: Bonfire Night at Saint Hill Manor, free but you need a ticket. Gates open at 4pm and the fireworks start at 6pm.
Sun 8 Nov: Remembrance Parade and Service, 10.30am to 12pm, High Street and London Road
Tue 10 Nov: Comedy New Act Night, 7.30pm, Chequer Mead
Wed 11 Nov: Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial, 11am, with a two-minute silence
Wed 11 Nov: Afternoon Tea at the Movies (Singing in the Rain), 1.30pm, Chequer Mead
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Know something that's happening in town? Email us at [email protected] and tell us. You can also join us in the East Grinstead Guide Facebook group.
Find local businesses, shops and services on the East Grinstead Guide website.
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Have a lovely Sunday,
Grant
Want to feature your business or sponsor the newsletter? Email us at [email protected].