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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Sammy Gecsoyler

‘It seemed like quite a do’: why East Grinstead hosts one of Scientology’s glitziest evenings

A security guard walks past a sign reading: ‘Church of Scientology and Saint Hill Manor – home of L Ron Hubbard’
Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead was bought by L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, in 1959. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

In the nearly 30 years that Diane Juchau has lived in East Grinstead, not many days live as long in the memory as the day she saw Tom Cruise on the high street. “I saw him a couple of years ago walking past Iceland,” she said.

It may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime anecdote but, this week, Cruise was back – and, when the purpose for his visit was revealed, the chance sighting of the Mission: Impossible star in a West Sussex town makes a lot more sense.

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