Last year, we reported the East Grinstead Town Mayor attended Scientology’s UK headquarters to turn on their Christmas lights at a lavish ceremony outside the notorious Saint Hill Castle. Insiders tell us that preparations have once again begun for the 2024 Christmas event, with internal promotional materials encouraging Scientologists to “book your flight today and experience Christmas at Saint Hill”.

In one photo of a snow-covered Saint Hill, a sign for a Santa’s Grotto shows the event is aimed at children, despite the UK High Court ruling Scientology is “dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people” in 1984.

Perhaps most worryingly of all is the recent recruitment campaign, which has seen parishioners bombarded with propaganda directing them to join the Sea Organisation – Scientology’s elite group of executives who sign one-billion year contracts and work 7 days a week with no time off for less than minimum wage.

Although it is unclear whether the new Mayor, Steve Ody, intends to visit Saint Hill for this year’s Christmas spectacle, sources tell us he did not attend last month’s International Association of Scientologists event which was met by protestors calling for an end to abuse inside the organisation.

Mid-Sussex District Council are currently gathering evidence before deciding on whether to implement a ban on protesting outside the Scientology HQ.

Local residents, protestors and Scientologists who attended the event last month have been invited to fill out an online form before November 22nd. The responses will then be assessed by Council officers who will then decide whether to proceed with public consultation for a Public Spaces Protection Order.