Archive for April 29th, 2010

Against all odds

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Steve Littler is a determined gentleman on a mission to complete his first marathon.

Steve, Area Manager for Bishops Move in Crawley, is in training to run the Neolithical Marathan. This is a twenty six mile run from Avebury to Stone Henge. Why is Steve any different to any other runner, we hear you ask. Well, Steve sprained his ankle seven weeks ago and was originally told he would not be ready for the marathon in May. Instead of getting down about his situation, Steve made sure he gave his ankle as much rest as he could, then was back on his feet, determined to participate. Steve is raising money for a charity which has effected everyone at some time in their lives, including Steve. St Catherine’s Hospice is a charity dedicated to providing specialised support to local people and their families, friends and carers.

Steve attended Crawley Hospital’s walk in centre and told Shelley he was very impressed and pleased with the service he received. Crawley Hospital has always been portrayed in a negative light, so it was refreshing to hear Steve speak so highly of the staff and the hospital itself.

The twenty six mile marathon will be the first for Steve, who is not joined to any clubs but trains with family and friends. His wife just completed the London Marathon in a great time. Steve is hoping to complete this with his wife next year. We wish them both all the best for that. Crawley Happy Times would like to wish Steve all the best for his marathon, and we look forward on reporting Steve’s achievement.

If you would like to sponsor Steve please go here…

When Steve is not working or training for the marathon, he can be found playing bass guitar in a band called Flip The Bird. Our thanks goes to Neil Palfreyman for allowing us to use these great pictures :-)

Shelley spoke to Steve about his trials and trivializations whilst preparing for such a feat.

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Permanent road repairs get underway

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Permanent road repairs get underway

West Sussex County Council highway teams have started the extensive programme of road repairs needed following the severe winter weather.

Tens of thousands of potholes were repaired earlier this year, but more permanent repairs are now being carried out as part of a £15 million investment in our roads.

The teams have already completed permanent repairs at over 140 sites using 8,000 tonnes of materials. In total this makes up 93,000 square metres of repairs including patching and resurfacing.

If the repairs carried out so far were added together they would cover 20 football pitches.

Work has now been programmed through to mid summer, with more still to be scheduled.

As part of the ongoing permanent repairs, the County Council this week started work on its surface dressing programme.

Surface dressing involves spraying a coating of bitumen on to the road surface, followed by one or more layers of hard stone chippings.

This seals the road and prevents water getting into the foundations, which can weaken the road and ultimately lead to potholes forming.

Surface dressing is carried out every year. However, this year the programme is being increased to seal in new repairs and to protect against future winter weather damage.

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “Surface dressing is a very cost effective way to restore road surfaces compared to other methods. Traffic can also be allowed to run on the new surface almost immediately – avoiding lengthy closures and disruption.

“As well as extending the life expectancy of the road and delaying the need for more expensive repairs it also reduces the chances of potholes developing. Other benefits include an increase in skid resistance, which helps improve road safety.”

Soon after dressing, the road is swept to remove loose chippings. The County Council provides advisory and warning signs, which will not be removed from the site until it is safe to do so.

The County Council will, where practicable, give advance notice of the road works and advice to residents to ensure that their vehicles are not left on roads that are about to be treated. Signs will also be put up advising drivers to drive slowly on recently treated roads.

Drivers and local residents are asked to:

• Ensure vehicles are not left parked on roads that will be treated.

• Keep speeds low on treated roads to avoid chippings damaging other vehicles.

• Do not overtake on newly treated roads.

• Avoid walking on newly treated roads, as it is possible to get bitumen on shoes.

• Tell us if you have any special needs/requirements or deliveries expected.

Derek added: “This work is necessary to make sure roads in West Sussex, are well maintained and safe. We do aim to keep disruption to a minimum and would like to ask motorists to be patient during this programme of works.”

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Music in Goffs Park

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Music in Goffs Park

The Friends of Goffs Park are holding a musical event on Sunday May 16th.

Music in the Park, on the top lawn in front of Goffs Park House, begins at 3pm. Harpist Margaret Watson will entertain visitors in the beautiful surroundings.

If the weather is poor the event will relocate to St Peter’s Church in Ifield Road, West Green.

For more information call Tony Coles on 01293 527402 or Andy Rogers on 01293 537257.

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A great day for Scouting

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Crawley District Scouts celebrated St Georges day with a spectacular turn out! Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network from across the borough of Crawley, were out in force in Queen’s Square on Sunday. Groups met at the town’s Memorial Gardens to prepare for their annual flag bearing celebration to mark the date of the Scouting Association’s patron saint.

Usually the celebrations take place at the Scout camping ground, near Pease Pottage, but this year, group leaders felt they would showcase the event by returning to the centre of town. Led by Scouting flag bearers and leaders, Network, Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers marched from the Memorial gardens to Queens Square followed by crowds of parents and public.

The Mayor and District Leaders were at the bandstand to welcome the groups and took part in a St Georges celebration to be proud of, led by Crawley District Commissioner, Eddie Hills and the Rev’d Simon Taylor from Christ the Lord Church Broadfield.

Eddie Hills stated “I am stunned at the turn out, the Groups have made a real effort to get everyone here and it is so great to see so many parents taking part. I and everyone here from the young people themselves to the leaders and fellowship are very proud to be celebrating St George’s day this way.”

One parent said “I am thrilled to see St Georges Day marked in such a positive way in Crawley. The scouting association mark this occasion each year at Stanfords, but to make the decision to celebrate here in Queens Square this year is so positive for the whole community to see!” She added “St George is the patron saint of scouting so it is a natural thing to do, and as pointed out during the speeches, St George is not only the patron saint of England but also eight different countries including Portugal, Greece and Georgia!”

The celebration included a special song written for the occasion sung to the tune of “I’d like to teach the World to Sing” and played on an electric organ by Sarah McCahon who said “I was a bit nervous because I hadn’t played in Queens square before – and in front of so many people!”

After the National Anthem, the groups paraded in front of the Mayor back to the Memorial Gardens. The event collection will be shared equally between Crawley District Scouts and St Catherine’s Hospice together with a car load of pet food that will be donated to the Last Chance Animal Rescue.

To get involved in scouting or for more information on scouting in Crawley go to www.crawleydistrictscouts.org.uk

They are always looking for new recruits so please take a look at what the organisation has to offer :-)

We would like to give special thanks to Sam Murray of Creative Action for allowing us to use the amazing photos taken by Sam of the event.

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