CRAWLEY HAILS PUBLIC FOR VIEWS ON TAXIS

Crawley Borough Council is asking local residents what type of vehicles they want to see used for more than 70 hackney carriages in the town.

Hackney carriages are the taxis you can hail from the roadside rather than minicabs which need to be pre-ordered.

The majority of hackney carriages in the town are saloon cars but in recent years new vehicles have been introduced that are wheelchair accessible, in line with the council’s policy.

The council is talking to the Town Access Group and other voluntary and community groups to gauge their views on what vehicles to use but also wants to know what members of the public think.

The survey is available online at www.crawley.gov.uk/taxi or paper copies are available from the Town Hall reception or by calling 438279.

Sign of the times

Visitors to Crawley will soon be getting a bright new welcome when updated signs are installed at the entry points into the town.

The new signs will be erected alongside eight main roads leading into Crawley and feature Crawley Borough Council’s updated logo, which was launched in 2007.

Councillor Nigel Boxall, Cabinet member for Community Engagement, said: “The old signs look very tired and a lot of them are damaged; they don’t do the town any justice at all.

“We wanted to give visitors a warm welcome and let everyone know what a green town we are by featuring our South and South East in Bloom award.”

As well as giving visitors a good first impression, the signs also gave business to Manor Royal-based company Signs Express (Crawley) after it won the contract.

Signs Express (Crawley) owner Nigel Wood said: “We were delighted that the council chose us to update the old signage which welcomes visitors into the town.”

CRAWLEY BC WELCOMES AFFORDABLE HOUSING RECOGNITION

Crawley Borough Council has welcomed the Shelter report which places it top of the South East regional league table of local authorities providing affordable housing.

Responding to the Shelter report, Cllr Jennifer Millar-Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, said: “We’re obviously very pleased that our hard work and commitment to provide much needed affordable housing has been recognised.

“The town has a high demand for affordable housing which is hard to meet especially when the town is built up to its boundaries. However, we have been very creative in some of our solutions and made good use of brown field sites, such as former garage blocks, to help develop new property.

“We understand that development can be very emotive and are aware of the challenges that some developments can present. Our commitment is to help meet the local demand for affordable housing but to consult widely in areas where development is proposed.”

Note for editors

The Shelter Affordable Housing Report ranks Crawley Borough Council first in the Government Office for the South East area and 12th across the whole of England.

Showing their true colours in Crawley

A ‘True Colours’ art exhibition starts in Crawley this month, showcasing the artistic talents of customers from Maidenbower day centre and local community groups.

The spring exhibition runs from Monday March 29 to Thursday April 8 at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley and is an opportunity for artists, who can otherwise be marginalised, to express their creativity.

The exhibition has been organised by West Sussex County Council Community Craft Instructor Cecilia Bissessur, Maidenbower day centre and Lesley Talmey from the Crawley Neighbourhood Network.

Maidenbower is a West Sussex County Council day centre that caters for customers with a range of needs including physical and sensory disabilities, dementia and some mental health needs.

It also provides respite for many carers, and aims to enable individuals to maintain and develop their independence and to link into their local community.

West Sussex Leader and Maidenbower County Councillor Henry Smith said: “Some fantastic work has been produced by Maidenbower day centre and the community. I’ve always been impressed and inspired by the artwork produced; I’m sure everyone who goes to the exhibition will be too.”

The exhibition will feature a range of art from watercolours and oil paintings to cross-stitch and mosaics.

Cecilia said: “Promoting arts in the services we provide at Maidenbower is an important part of developing wellbeing and makes a positive contribution to our community.”

Art classes at Maidenbower day centre are very well-received. Comments include:

• Joan Nash, an artist who attends the day centre: “I have seen people flourish because of art. They’ve come out of their shells and it gives them a reason for being. When I paint I feel that I am being taken seriously.”

• Barbara Stubbs said: “Maidenbower day centre changed my life. I discovered a talent I didn’t know I had.”

The art exhibition runs on Monday from 1pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm, Sunday, open for one hour either side of any shows at the Hawth (times may vary over the Easter bank holiday). For further information contact Cecilia Bissessur on 01293 885156.

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County Council joins the world in the dark

What do Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and singer Tom Jones have in common?

They are both joining West Sussex County Council in supporting Earth Hour on Saturday March 27.

Earth Hour, which started in Sydney, Australia in 2007, is organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and aims to be the largest ever mass global action on climate change.

It asks individuals, communities and cities around the World to switch off their lights for one hour starting at 8.30pm (local time) on the Saturday.

The County Council will turn off outside lights at County Hall, where possible on Saturday night. All internal ones should already be off. As most of the offices will be closed, the council is extending Earth Hour to the whole weekend by ensuring computers, printers, photocopiers and any other non-vital equipment in their buildings will be switched off too.

More than 100 countries have signed up and 1,000 schools will be taking part, including some from West Sussex. Coca-Cola will be switching off their legendary neon sign lights in London’s Piccadilly Circus, for only the fourth time since the Second World War.

Mike Hall, West Sussex County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “This is a great campaign to bring people and nations together as well as highlighting the need to save energy.

“We will be monitoring the energy that we use over the weekend in question and seeing how successful we have been.

“We have sent out letters to all the county’s schools to take part and encourage West Sussex residents to get involved too.”

To sign up to Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk

People in West Sussex are being urged to help ensure the safety and well-being of children cared for by someone who is not a direct relative.

The arrangement, called private fostering, occurs when someone, who is not a close relative, cares for another person’s child for 28 days or more.

A one-week national campaign, called Somebody Else’s Child – Everybody’s Responsibility, starts on Monday February 22. It is being run by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, and aims to raise awareness of the issue.

Although this is done by private arrangement, legally the parent and the carer must notify the local authority where the child is going to live so that the local authority can ensure that the child is being properly looked after.

Pat Arculus, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Everyone has a role in keeping our children safe – whether you are a teacher, youth worker, neighbour or if you’re just chatting to other parents at the school gate.

“If you hear about a child who is being privately fostered please let us know immediately so we can ensure the child is being kept safe.”

“Once we have been notified, we assess and support the carers and ensure the arrangement is safe. We keep in touch with the children and the birth family so that contact with the children is maintained.”

Nobody knows exactly how many children are privately fostered, but in 2001 the Department of Health estimated that there could be as many as 10,000 in England and Wales. It is feared that some of these ‘invisible’ children could be at risk of abuse, or victims of trafficking.

In the year to March 2009 there were 11 notifications of private fostering arrangements in West Sussex. However experts believe there could be many more.

For more information on private fostering, call 0845 075 1007 or email: private.fostering@westsussex.gov.uk. The national campaign website is at www.somebodyelseschild.org.uk

New short break schemes are on offer for West Sussex families with disabled children.

They will provide one-to-one or buddy support, personal short breaks either at the child/young person’s home or elsewhere, and after-school or weekend holiday clubs and play schemes.

Short breaks offer disabled children and young people the opportunity to enjoy positive experiences and meet new friends. They also give parents and carers a break.

Fifteen new schemes will soon be in operation across the county and more are planned. They form part of West Sussex County Council’s Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) initiative.

The schemes are aimed at families with severely disabled children who are not currently receiving any specialist services. Up to 50 hours support is being offered to each family over the next year.

Pat Arculus, County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “I am delighted that these new services will soon be available to provide disabled children and young people with more opportunities in their local communities and to give their parents a well deserved break.”

Disabled children and young people told the County Council they wanted the same opportunity as their non-disabled peers to be involved in a wide range of activities. Parents and carers said they wanted their children to be able to access a wider variety of leisure activities with support if necessary, and more short breaks, especially after school, at weekends and in the holidays.

Four Fun Days have already been organised at leisure centres across the county and these have proved a great success with disabled children, young people and their families.

A parent of a disabled child who attended one of the Fun Days said: “All the children could go and try different things and it did not matter how they attempted the task, how they vocalised or how they reacted – not to mention the fact we were encouraged to participate if we wanted to. Thank you to everyone concerned. We look forward to future events.”

The AHDC team will continue to work with local leisure and sports clubs throughout the year and will provide support and training to ensure these services are fully accessible for all.

For more information, or if you have any ideas of how to further develop the programme, contact the AHDC team on 01243 642284, email aiminghigh@westsussex.gov.uk, or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/aiminghigh.

Goffs Park’s pitch and putt course reopens on Saturday March 27 with a new money saving offer.

The popular 18-hole, par three course is a great way to get into golf or just to brush up on your putting and short game.

Each hole is between 80 and 180 yards long. Golfers are given an eight or nine iron as well as a putter.

The course also boasts free parking nearby and refreshments are available in the kiosk where you pay to play.

And this year a new offer sees the launch of a loyalty card offering a free round of golf when you have paid and played five games.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “Golf is a great way to enjoy the spring sunshine and Easter holidays while having some lively sporting competition with friends and family.

“Goffs Park is a beautiful place to visit and the golf course makes it extra special. So grab a club and tee off!”

The cost is £4.60 for adults, £2.10 for juniors, £3.20 for senior citizens. A deposit of £2.50 per club is charged and lost balls cost £1 each.

Crawley Borough Council is giving more than £590,000 to voluntary and charitable groups in 2010/11 – and has already allocated almost £270,000 for 2011/12.

The council’s Community Grants are usually awarded to assist with the costs involved in new or existing activities, e.g. setting up and running projects, services and events that are of benefit to Crawley residents and visitors.

This year the council will give £591,843 in grants and has already earmarked £268,742 for 2011/12.

Some of the groups successful in their bids for funds are:

• Crawley Open House, Riverside Lodge – £42,860 for 2010/11 and £43,288 for 2011/12

• Crawley Open House, Southwell Lodge – £25,202 (2010/11) and £25,454 (2011/12)

• Crawley and Horsham Home-Start – £15,359

• Crawley Council for Voluntary Service – £113,819

• Relateen Young Peoples Counselling – £3,500

• Crawley International Mela Association – £5,000 for both years

• Young Citizens Advice Bureau – £3,000

Councillor Nigel Boxall, Cabinet member for Community Engagement, said: “Council grants help organisations offer better services, often to the most vulnerable members of society.

“These awards will help many important groups enhance the work that they do for the residents of Crawley.”

Liz Lamport, Chief Officer of Crawley Council for Voluntary Service, said: “The local voluntary and community sector is a major contributor to life in Crawley. We know from our surveys that each year volunteers contribute time valued at £14.5 million.

“We are grateful that Crawley Borough Council recognises the value of this work and is committed to supporting the sector in these difficult financial times. Thanks to the council’s investment families will continue to receive much needed support, homeless people will have somewhere to go and several arts and cultural organisations will continue to be able to offer a great range of events to people living in the town.”

Charities and other voluntary services can apply for a main or small grant for their work. Applications for main grants must be submitted by September and small grants at any time subject to funding availability.

For more details visit www.crawley.gov.uk/grants

There’s lots to do this Easter at Buchan Country Park, near Crawley, from traditional crafts to learning how to become a spring detective.

Try out traditional craft activities on Saturday April 3, from 11 am to 1pm, including decorating eggs and making cards and chocolate sweets. The event costs £3 per child, accompanying adults free.

On Sunday April 4 and Monday April 5, from 1pm to 4pm, families can solve the clues to the Buchan Park Mystery Trails and find the Easter treasure. £2 per child per trail, accompanying adults free. No booking required.

Learn how to be a Buccaneer Ranger on Wednesday April 7 and Friday April 9, from 10am to 1pm. Activities include wildlife surveying, practical conservation and wood working for eight to 15 year olds. £5 per child.

Go Wild in the Garden on Sunday April 11, from 11am to 3pm, and learn how to make your garden wildlife friendly. Visit the wild garden and browse stalls with native wild flowers, cottage garden plants, bird boxes and butterfly friendly shrubs. Free admission.

The ever popular Buchan Bushcraft returns on Tuesday April 13 and Wednesday April 14, from 9.45am to 4pm, for eight to 14 year olds. Learn how to build shelters, track animals and cook fireside food. £15 per child, including cooked lunch and refreshments.

A three-mile guided walk takes place on Thursday April 15 from 11am to 1pm, exploring all four corners of the park and the ancient tradition of ‘beating the bounds’. £3 per person or £10 group ticket (four people).

And on Friday April 16 children can learn how to become a spring detective, from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 4pm. Become a wildlife watcher and discover the hidden secrets of Buchan Park. £3 per child, accompanying adult free.

West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith said: “There’s lots to do this Easter at Buchan Country Park, with fun for all the family while learning about our West Sussex countryside and wildlife.”

To book activities contact 01293 542088 or e-mail buchan.park@westsussex.gov.uk. For further information visit the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/buchan.

To watch a film on Buchan Bushcraft visit the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk and click on ‘West Sussex Video’.

Four workshops to help organisations to become more energy efficient, cut utility costs and become more sustainable are taking place in West Sussex.

The UTILISE workshops are open to any organisation occupying rented or owned premises that wants to better manage their utility usage. This includes small and medium size businesses and third sector organisations (community, voluntary and social enterprises).

The next round of workshops take place in Mid Sussex on Thursday May 13, in Chichester on Tuesday June 29, in Crawley on Wednesday July 21 and in Worthing on Monday September 13.

The workshops have already proved extremely popular. They’re part of the service offered to organisations who have signed up to the West Sussex Sustainable Business Network.

The Network was launched by West Sussex County Council late last year and now has 58 members.

Nearly 30 organisations have attended the two UTILISE workshops run so far. Their comments included:

• ‘An excellent opportunity to review company environmental practices and utility consumption – normally a task put aside.’
• ‘The workshop helped me develop an action plan that will save the business money and engage staff.’

The workshops give organisations the opportunity to calculate their energy and water use, get tips on reducing consumption, learn about new legislation and methods for managing waste, find out about good environmental management, and to develop an action plan to help follow up changes planned.

West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith said: “The Network forms part of Keep West Sussex Working, a County Council initiative set up to help residents and businesses during the recession. Being green and sustainable not only helps our environment, but can help businesses cut costs and save money.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “Just as West Sussex County Council has signed up to the national 10:10 campaign, through attending the ‘UTILISE: savings through efficiency’ workshops organisations will learn about the actions to take so that they can join us in signing up to commit to a 10 percent reduction in energy use in 2010.”

Members of the Network receive invitations to network events as well as regular monthly updates on sustainability issues, including a member spotlight – focussing on what organisations have done and the services they provide.

For further information on the UTILISE workshops and how to become a member of the Sustainable Business Network, contact Robert Bousie at West Sussex County Council on 01243 777308, or e-mail: sbp@westsussex.gov.uk.

More than 90 organisations and individuals have attended a special event focused on the growing woodfuel industry in West Sussex.

The event took place on Wednesday February 24, at Arundel Town Hall, and was organised by West Sussex County Council with the West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership.

County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “The event provided a chance to examine the growing woodfuel industry in our county and to look at the issues and opportunities it can bring.

“Those present discussed the practical issues and costs associated with woodfuel supply, and the design and installation of heating systems.”

As part of the event there were talks by the Forestry Commission, Creative Environmental Networks, and Wood Energy Ltd.

Gillian Alker, the Forestry Commission’s SE woodfuel co-ordinator, said: “Being the most wooded region in England, it’s great to see the interest increasing in the use of woodfuel’s locally-produced, green energy.

“We need more woodland owners to manage their woodlands to supply this growing market – and improve their local environment for people and wildlife.

“The number of users of woodfuel is growing rapidly with more commercial installations, such as schools and community buildings.”

Many potential suppliers and users of woodfuel were at the event, including landowners, architects, businesses, sustainable building consultants, tree surgeons, foresters and local councils.

As a result, a countywide action plan will now be drawn up to support this growing industry.

Deborah added: “Burning wood for heat is becoming more and more popular as it is a way of saving money and has a number of environmental benefits.

“But I would urge anyone who uses a wood fire to make sure their chimney is regularly checked and professionally swept to avoid the risk of a chimney fire.

“The County Council promotes the use of wood from local woodlands because it has not been transported long distances, helps contribute to the local economy and supports wildlife through environmentally friendly woodland management.”

Crawley and West Sussex will welcome Barbados to approved Olympic training venues in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

The Barbados Olympic Association represents the biggest nation so far to sign up to use pre-Games training venues in the South East.

The squad will use K2 Crawley with its athletics arena and 50 metre swimming pool, and other specialist sports facilities.

K2 Crawley is one of 10 West Sussex venues approved as meeting the standards to host pre-Games training camps by the London 2012 organisers.

The venues are part of West Sussex–Ahead of the Game, the countywide initiative ensuring West Sussex residents, businesses and communities get the most out of the 2012 Games.

West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith said: “I’m delighted we will be welcoming the Barbados team to Crawley in the run-up to the 2012 Games, and I hope more teams will sign up to use our excellent facilities across the county.

“West Sussex–Ahead of the Game will be working very closely with the Barbados team to ensure their competitors get the right training, support and experience to qualify for the Games and to perform at their best in London.”

In a letter confirming the partnership, President of the Barbados Olympic Association, Steve R. Stoute, wrote: ‘The sports facilities and support services are state of the art.’

Sports science and sports medicine support will be on offer from the University of Chichester, which has played an active role in preparing medal winning Olympic athletes since 1988. A range of local businesses will provide other support services.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Crawley Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Cultural Services, added: “This is fantastic news for Crawley and the county. K2 Crawley is the jewel in the crown of the town’s leisure facilities and it’s extremely gratifying to get this kind of international approval.

“However, this isn’t just about a few weeks in 2012. We are looking to build educational, cultural and sporting links with Barbados over the next few years.”

The Sussex Tourism Partnership is already looking at how the county can benefit from the Games, and from hosting pre-Games training camps.

John Williams, Chairman of Tourism South East commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Barbados Olympic squad to the Beautiful South. We congratulate Crawley and West Sussex on their success. It underlines the superb facilities available to Olympic teams across the South East. Training camps are a core part of our overall programme to ensure the local visitor economy gains the maximum benefit from the 2012 games.”

Barbados won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Hopes are high for a new Olympic star in 2012 in the shape of Ryan Brathwaite, who won the gold medal in the 110 metres Hurdles at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Read all about it…The Best Book of the Decade is ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop, according to West Sussex Library users.

It has won ‘The West Sussex Favourite Read,’ which award was organised by the County Council’s Library Service, in celebration of World Book Day, which is today (Thursday March 4).

Hundreds of readers were able to nominate their favourite book from any published in the United Kingdom since January 1, 2000.

A shortlist of the most popular ten books was then drawn up:

• Old Filth by Jane Gardam
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon
• The Island by Victoria Hislop
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Small Island by Andrea Levy
• The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Time Traveller’s Wife by Qudrey Niffenegger
• My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The shortlist was published in January and hundreds more people voted to decide on the favourite.

‘The Island’ tells the story of a young woman from London who visits Crete, her mother’s birthplace, and discovers the tale of her great-grandmother and her daughters, a family full of tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip.

Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Communications, said: “World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and Ireland and West Sussex Libraries always likes to mark the occasion.

“The West Sussex Favourite Read’ was very popular, and it proves people in the county still have a passion for reading.”

People who nominated the winning book were entered into a prize draw. The winners were Barbara Hitchcox from Southwater, who received a copy of the ten shortlisted books, and Joan Innous, from Crawley, who won a £20 book token.

Children’s author Ali Sparkes melted the hearts of pupils with her book ‘Frozen In Time’ winning the West Sussex Children’s Book Award 2009/10.

Ali, whose books include the Shapeshifter series (for 10 – 12 year olds) and Monster Makers series (for 8-10 year olds), was named as the winner of the award today (March 4), which is also World Book Day.

The book is set in 2009 where it is another long, dull summer holiday for Ben and Rachel. That is until they discover the frozen bodies of Freddie and Polly, cryogenically frozen in 1956 by their father.

A thrilling adventure awaits as Freddie and Polly are brought back to life. But can the children survive and adapt to 21st century living and find out what happened to their father?

More than 800 pupils from 84 schools, who have been involved in the Book Award project since last September, decided the winner from nine books.

The Award, now in its eighth year, is a partnership between the Schools Library Service, West Sussex County Council Library Service and the Learning department of the County Council’s Adult and Children’s Services.

Brad Watson OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Communications, said: “Since being shortlisted for our award, ‘Frozen In Time’ has been on the shortlist for many other book accolades, including the Blue Peter Book Award.

“It’s a fast paced, fun book with opportunities to question values, and will entertain young readers for years to come.

“West Sussex Children’s Book Award encourages Year 6 primary schoolchildren and Year 7 secondary school pupils to join together, and discuss some of the newly published fiction.”

Step into spring with lots of gardening ideas and activities at the free ‘Greenspace’ event at Crawley Library on Saturday March 20.

The event, between 10am and 4pm, will have a range of stands offering information and advice on topics from garden design, running an allotment and horticultural courses, to discovering more about beekeeping and how to keep chickens.

Highlights include Question Time with tutors from Plumpton Horticultural College, Lewes, from 10.30am to 11.30am. Tickets are free, but need booking in advance.

There will also be a talk on the history of the gardens of the 14th century stately home Firle Place, which is at the foot of the South Downs in Firle, Lewes, from 2.30pm to 4pm. Tickets for this cost £3 and must be booked in advance.

Plants and honey will be on sale throughout the day.

Henry Smith, West Sussex County Council Leader, said: “As the spring starts, this event will give inspiration to any budding gardeners, outdoor lovers, or anyone wanting to join a volunteer project.

“Crawley Library hosts a number of diverse events throughout the year, from art classes to live bands to author visits, showing West Sussex Libraries are not just somewhere to borrow books.”

Book your tickets with the Library soon to ensure you get a place. Call 01293 651751.

A new scheme to help youngsters cycle safely is being introduced to schools in West Sussex.

Called ‘Bikeability’ it is an up-to-date version of the old Cycling Proficiency Test.

There are three Bikeability levels. Level One is the most basic course while Level Three gives more advanced skills. The intermediate Level Two is initially being offered free of charge to all Year 6 children in West Sussex schools.

Under the scheme children will learn how to ride their bikes to the Government approved National Standard for Cycle Training.

The standard sets out the training and skills essential for making safe cycling trips in today’s road conditions. It has been developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board.

The scheme is being launched by the West Sussex County Road Safety Team working jointly with the School Sports Partnerships.

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “Bikeability will give our children the necessary skills to ride a bike safely throughout the rest of their lives. At the same time they can enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

“The added benefit of this scheme is that we will ultimately be able to offer the more advanced Level Three training to secondary school age children and adults.”

The County Council currently provides cycling training for nearly 9,000 children in the county every year.

NOTE: – For more information please refer to your childs school, who should be able to provide registration details.