Residents of East Grinstead have voiced their frustration over disruptions brought on by the Church of Scientology‘s annual fundraiser.
Complaints have mounted over noise and dysfunction linked to the occasion, with actor Tom Cruise‘s annual helicopter arrivals reportedly including to the disturbance.
Following the newest version, residents of the city filed a criticism, which can set off a overview of the church’s premises license.
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Locals Are ‘Extraordinarily Pissed off And Angered’ By Tom Cruise And His Church’s Disruptions
East Grinstead is house to the Church of Scientology’s British headquarters, which yearly hosts a fundraising bash that attracts hundreds of tourists to the small West Sussex city.
One of many many Scientologists who make an look is Tom Cruise. The actor is broadly reported to be the poster baby of the group and in addition its most well-known member.
Nonetheless, moderately than being happy to catch a glimpse of the actor throughout these visits, locals are largely displeased by the disruption his presence, and that of different members, brings to the city, per the Daily Mail.
In keeping with former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross, these locals are “extraordinarily pissed off and angered” by the sudden inhabitants surge throughout this era and don’t benefit from the chaos brought on by Cruise “flying in on his helicopter.”
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“It causes lots of noise and nuisance, and he [Tom Cruise], you already know, does not cease for images or something,” added Barnes-Ross, who led a protest in opposition to the church in November.
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A Resident Described The Fundraiser As ‘Very Disruptive’

One nameless resident who additionally spoke to the outlet additional described the fundraiser as “very disruptive,” proper from the preparation interval.
“For six to eight weeks, they have been laying down pallets within the discipline to make a parking lot, so we had the disruption and noise of that, with lorry after lorry coming,” mentioned the person.
Throughout the primary occasion, extra disruptions come within the type of loud music from bagpipes and noise from turbines used to energy some infrastructure.
“Then they made all of the neighbours take heed to bagpipe music on a loop all day. Within the night, that they had two turbines to energy floodlights within the automotive park, and we might hear the generator not more than 60 yards from our again door,” added the offended resident.
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“One did not go off till 1 am, and the second generator stayed on all evening, so all evening an empty automotive park was lit up,” they additional remarked.
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Some Of The Leaders Of The City Are Linked To The Church Of Scientology

Some native council representatives, having hyperlinks to the church, have additionally raised considerations amongst some residents.
These officers have reportedly attended a lot of Scientology occasions, whereas, equally, senior church figures have grow to be concerned in native civic affairs.
This contains the native hearth service utilizing the Scientology headquarters for coaching, and Scientologists collaborating in organising East Grinstead’s Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.
Native Residents Really feel ‘Helpless’ Over The City’s Leaders’ Hyperlinks To The Church

Because of the ties between the church and a number of the city’s leaders, residents now really feel “helpless” that something will likely be achieved to cut back the disruptions sooner or later.
“I feel simply over time, East Grinstead has grown to be fed up with this cult of their city, constructing inroads with the native politicians, and the mayor and councillors and such going to occasions and saying how great this organisation is and when truly they don’t seem to be,” mentioned Barnes-Ross to the outlet.
“[The Church of Scientology] has a number of occasions all year long that trigger completely different ranges of disruption. And I feel simply the truth that they haven’t any due regard for the native authority or the local people has actually irritated folks,” the previous Scientologist added.
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Residents Have Made A Criticism To The Council Over The Church’s Actions

Within the aftermath of the fundraisers, residents lodged a criticism with Mid Sussex District Council.
Of their submission, they argued that the occasions trigger “appreciable disruption” to the local people, together with site visitors congestion and excessively loud noise.
The criticism will set off a overview of the organisation’s premises licence, which allows it to promote meals and alcohol and to host occasions.
If the choice favors the residents, the overview might consequence within the church going through restrictions on the dimensions of occasions held on the property or being required to implement residents’ proposals geared toward safeguarding weak folks.
For the time being, the overview is open to public session till January 8, 2026.

