East Grinstead Mayor and national Conservative Party Vice President John Belsey has confirmed he will be turning on the Christmas lights at a lavish ceremony at the Church of Scientology’s UK headquarters later this month despite backlash from local residents over the disruption such events cause to the local community.
At the end of October Saint Hill hosted the annual gathering of Scientology’s official membership body, International Association of Scientologists (IAS), causing local residents to complain about congestion, noise and other disruption caused to the otherwise quiet countryside town of East Grinstead, Sussex. The event took place in a 45,000 square foot marquee which has been erected without planning permission, despite Mid-Sussex District Council issuing a Planning Contravention Notice for the unauthorised structure last year.
Construction began in mid-August and the giant structure has towered over the Grade-II listed Saint Hill Manor for eleven weeks despite lacking permission and being situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Sun reported residents describing the whole affair as “chaotic”, with another local telling The Argus it was “very disruptive”, explaining “for six to eight weeks they were laying down pallets in the field to make a carpark, so we had the disruption and noise of that, with lorry after lorry coming.. Then they made all the neighbours listen to bagpipe music on a loop all day.”
The event, which was attended by celebrity Scientologist Tom Cruise, took place over Halloween weekend and included a lengthy speech by reclusive leader David Miscavige and a black-tie ‘Patrons Ball’ dinner. £50,000 cheques were also dished out to local sports clubs, the RNLI and Age UK – the Mayor’s chosen charity where he sits on the Board of Trustees.
Speaking to Scientology Business, Town Mayor John Belsey said “I can confirm that I did not attend the IAS weekend or the fireworks event,” however he continued “I have accepted an invitation to open the Saint Hill Christmas lights later in the month and I can confirm it will be on the mayor’s lists of engagements when published later in Dec/ Jan.”
In addition to acting as Mayor of East Grinstead, John Belsey is also a Mid-Sussex District Councillor and senior political figure within the national Conservative Party, serving as a Vice President of their National Convention. His profile on the party’s website says:
John is a chartered accountant and after a long career with Deloitte now runs his family’s sports insurance business whilst serving the Conservative Party nationally wherever and whenever he can. Currently South East Regional Chairman and Chairman of the Associations’ Board of Finance, John lives in West Sussex where he is also a Mid Sussex District Councillor. In 2023 he bucked the national trend when he was re-elected with an increased majority having won the seat from the Lib Dems in 2015.
Very engaged in his community John is also chair of governors of a local primary school as well as chairman of his local tennis club and bonfire society!
Although John doesn’t get much free time, when he does he loves to play tennis and golf as well as looking after his springer spaniel Drake who is occasionally allowed to join John on the campaign trail.
Conservative Party website
Turning on the Christmas lights at Scientology’s UK headquarters will be seen as a controversial move, with local residents increasingly taking to social media to voice their frustrations at the disruption their events cause to the local town. Last year, an investigation by the Daily Mail revealed a host of former Mayors who had attended the IAS event and performed the light-switching-on ceremony were given special treatment by the Church, including receiving invitations to meet Tom Cruise at the red carpet premiere of Mission Impossible. The article was titled “Has the local council of a sleepy Sussex town fallen under the spell of Scientology? Civic leaders in East Grinstead have been dazzled by Tom Cruise – and even given red carpet treatment to the church’s controversial leader.”
It is unclear whether Belsey agreed to turn on the Saint Hill Christmas lights in return for the £50,000 donation to his charity, but the decision and his position as a Trustee of Age UK certainly raises questions over the integrity and objectivity of his office.
In June, the Mayor was pictured alongside local MP Mims Davies and Scientology representative Liz Ostermann at the opening of a new facility at the sports club which neighbours Saint Hill and his mother Margaret Belsey, who also serves as a Town Councillor, is featured in a promotional video on the church’s website praising their “friendship and warmth”, saying “it’s greatly appreciated.”
Asked whether he would agree to meet with residents and survivors of abuse within Scientology to hear their concerns, Belsey did not respond.
The Christmas light switch-on event is set to take place on Saturday 29th November and will feature a Santa’s grotto, ice skating, fairground rides and fireworks.
