Due to a water supply failure in East Grinstead now well into its third day, a Town Council meeting at which Scientology was set to face scrutiny has been cancelled, meaning the Church will escape potentially tough questions from elected officials.
The water shortage started on Saturday, with thousands of residents in the quiet countryside town going without water for several days. Emergency stations have been set up throughout the town for residents to collect bottles of water for cooking, washing and toilet flushing and it is unclear how long it will be before the supply is turned back on.
In a statement this morning, South East Water said “We’re very sorry if you’re in Kent and Sussex and continue to experience issues with your drinking water supply, including no water, intermittent supply interruptions or low pressure.”
“Around 25,000 customers in Kent and Sussex remain affected by no water or intermittent supplies following the recent cold weather and a subsequent breakout of leaks and bursts across Kent and Sussex, which has resulted in our drinking water storage tanks running very low.”
East Grinstead Town Council’s Planning Committee were due to meet this evening to discuss a wide range of issues including Scientology’s proposed redevelopment plans at its UK headquarters, and an application for a review of their Premises Licence. Speaking to Scientology Business this morning the Town Clerk said “I am writing to confirm that this evening’s planning committee meeting has been cancelled due to the ongoing water crisis within the town and subsequent lack of heating at East Court”
“The meeting will not be rescheduled, and these items will not be considered on a future agenda. The committee has previously considered this planning application and objected, and no new material information has been provided that would change this outcome; therefore, no further representation will be made by the Committee.”
Mid-Sussex District Council, as the local planning authority, are set to vote on both applications in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Church of Scientology appear to be attempting to exploit the water emergency, posting in local Facebook groups over the weekend “WATER SHORTAGE: Who is stuck and needs help getting water? We have a group of volunteers who will be out tomorrow to provide water to those that are stuck. Please DM us if you are in need of help.”
Local residents have hit back, warning others to avoid contacting the church for help. “They as an organisation can keep their support for their own. Think a lot would rather drink piss than water from Saint Hill donations”, one commented. Another said “Many people would rather avoid Scientology because they are a well documented cult.”
Historically, Scientology has sent ‘Volunteer Ministers’ to emergency and disaster zones in yellow jackets that make them appear part of the official crisis response team. Film and photography crews follow in tow, the Church subsequently publishing press releases about how Scientologists supported relief efforts, despite those on the ground often stating the Scientologists hampered their efforts in the bid for a photo op.
Last year as devastating wildfires spread across Los Angeles, Scientologists flocked to the worst-hit communities with camera crews only to be slammed online for exploiting the victims for producing a “propaganda video”. In one comment posted on social media at the time, a local resident wrote “Beware of these people. They came to the Santa Anita race track donation center and helped themselves to food for ‘their low income community’. Wouldn’t listen to us volunteers and now half the food is gone.”
It is unclear whether Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers are forming part of the official response to East Grinstead’s water crisis, but we have received reports they are delivering bottled water to elderly and vulnerable residents in the town.
We have contacted South East Water for comment.
