Issue #009 | Tuesday 3rd November 2026 | The tip closes for a week, Copthorne homes and Bonfire Night
High Street, 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.
The tip on Imberhorne Lane is closed all week, so hold on to that garden waste. There's also news on homes approved at Copthorne, a nature hunt you can do on your own lawn, and plenty to do in the run-up to Bonfire Night on Thursday.
Grant
In this East Grinstead Guide issue
🌤️ Today's weather
♻️ Recycling - The tip is closed until Monday
🏡 Planning - Homes approved at Copthorne
🍄 Out and about - Go waxcap spotting
🚧 Traffic - Roads and trains this week
📅 What's on - Day by day, Tuesday to Friday
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1. Today's weather
BBC Weather says today will bring showers and spots of drizzle, with a moderate breeze. It should turn drier overnight. Expect a high of 12°C and a low of 6°C.
Wednesday looks drier, with sunny intervals (11°C). Thursday, Bonfire Night, looks cloudy with the odd spot of drizzle, but skies may clear in the evening, which is good news for the fireworks. Expect a high of 10°C and a low of 4°C, so wrap up warm. Friday looks cloudy and largely dry, with some light rain possible in the evening (11°C).
Full forecast: BBC Weather
2. The tip is closed until Monday - Recycling
The recycling centre entrance, East Grinstead, 2016. Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0
The East Grinstead Recycling Centre at High Grove, Imberhorne Lane, is closed all this week and reopens on Monday 9 November. Our county councillors say it is for essential maintenance on the waste transfer station floor.
You can't book a slot at East Grinstead while it's closed.
West Sussex residents can book a visit to another West Sussex recycling centre using Book to Recycle.
If you live in a Surrey postcode (RH7 6, RH10 3, RH19 2, RH19 3, TN8 5, TN8 6 or TN8 7), use a Surrey site such as the Earlswood Community Recycling Centre.
Once it reopens, winter hours are 9am to 4pm, and it's closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Questions: 01342 323967.
3. Homes approved at Copthorne - Planning
Drive to Courthouse Farm, Copthorne. Photo: Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Mid Sussex District Council's planning committee has approved two different plans for the same fields south of the A264 Copthorne Common Road, west of Courthouse Farm, Mid Sussex News reports. Only one of them can be built.
Up to 86 homes (DM/25/3021), with 30% affordable housing, which is 26 homes. The vote was 9 to 1, with 2 abstentions.
A 101-unit extra-care retirement village with a community pavilion (DM/25/3020). The vote was 10 to 0, with 2 abstentions.
Both plans go against the Copthorne Neighbourhood Plan, but that was given very limited weight because the council can't show a five-year supply of housing land. Worth Parish Council objected to both.
Permission won't be issued until a legal agreement (a Section 106) is signed. It includes money for schools, East Grinstead Library and transport. If it isn't signed by 15 January 2027, the plans can be refused. The detailed designs would come later.
4. Go waxcap spotting - Out and about
Look out for bright little mushrooms in the grass. The charity Plantlife is running Waxcap Watch and wants people to spot and record waxcap fungi until late November.
Waxcaps are a sign of rare, species-rich grassland. Look in lawns, parks, cemeteries, churchyards and roadside verges.
Record which colours of waxcap you see in the free Survey123 app. You can do as many surveys as you like.
Only look on land that is open to the public or where you have the landowner's permission, and wash your hands after touching any fungi.
5. Roads and trains this week - Traffic
Roads
College Lane remains closed from Old Road to De La Warr Road for gas mains work. Allow extra time if you're heading to Chequer Mead. Mid Sussex News
Garland Road is closed to southbound traffic for 40 metres from the London Road (A22) junction until Tuesday 10 November.
Trains
Until 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. The 11.53pm from Victoria to Oxted also ends at East Croydon, and the 10.07pm from London Bridge to Uckfield ends at Oxted. National Rail
6. What's on this week - What’s On
Times and prices can change, so check before you go.
Today, Tuesday 3 November
East Grinstead Jazz Club with saxophonist Greg Abate. 7.30pm, Chequer Mead, £22.
Wednesday 4 November
Police beat surgery - talk to your local Sussex Police team. 10am to 11am, East Grinstead Library, 32-40 West Street.
Teddy Bear Storytime - a storytime for ages 2 to 6. 11am, Chequer Mead. Free, but you need to book.
Erich Hoepner: Hitler's Reluctant Traitor - a talk by storyteller Philip Kay-Bujak. 7pm to 8.30pm, The Bookshop, 22 High Street, £20 plus a £1.50 booking fee.
Tenors Unlimited: Great Songs Show. 7.30pm, Chequer Mead, £27.
Thursday 5 November, Bonfire Night
Farmers' Market - 9am to 2pm, Market Square, outside Broadleys.
Chequer Mead 30th Birthday Gala - 7pm, £20.
Fireworks Night at Lingfield Park - gates 4.30pm, fireworks from about 6pm, finishing at 7pm. Tickets from £12 adults, £10 children (4 to 12).
4th Worth Bonfire, Crawley - gates 6.30pm. Online from £5.39.
Crowborough Firework Display - Goldsmiths Recreation Ground, 7pm to 9pm. Free.
Lindfield Bonfire - procession 7.30pm, bonfire 8.15pm, fireworks 8.30pm. Free.
Friday 6 November
Free Museum Tour - 11am, East Grinstead Museum, Cantelupe Road. Free, on the first Friday of every month.
Splat Messy Play: Bonfire Night Bonanza - the first session of the autumn term, for ages 4 months to 4 years. 11.30am, St Mary's church hall, £10.50. Booking essential.
East Grinstead Comedy Club - Marcus Brigstocke, Ria Lina and Tom Alban, hosted by Abigoliah Schamaun. 8pm, Chequer Mead, £18.
Explore the guide
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Have a lovely Tuesday,
Grant
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