Search for signs of wildlife at Buchan Country Park in Crawley on Friday July 16.
From 8pm to 10pm, get up close to rodents in ‘Animal Tracks and Signs’, Countryside Rangers will be setting live traps for small mammals such as wood mice, which will be released back into the wild after they have been looked at. Plus the Rangers will be showing visitors how to look for animal signs. People who go on the event must bring a torch and insect repellent with them. The event costs £3 per person or £10 for a group ticket (for four people). No unaccompanied children are allowed.
Booking is essential – contact the Park on 01293 542088/544120, or email buchan.park@westsussex.gov.uk.
Hot spell leading to countryside blaze danger, warn firefighters
PEOPLE are being urged to take extra care when enjoying a day in the country during the current hot spell.
The call comes from West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service, which is seeing an increase in calls involving grass and forestry blazes and cases of controlled burning that have got out of control.
The firefighters are also warning people to be extra cautious in their own back gardens.
Jackie Boyle, Community Fire Safety Officer, said: “The current hot weather looks set to continue with the Met Office forecasting dry weather with sunny spells for this weekend. The land has become tinder-dry and the possibility of fire spreading is now very high.”
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s countryside advice is:
• Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly.
• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.
• Don’t leave bottles and glass in woodlands. “Sunlight shining through glass can start fires. Take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin,” said Jackie.
• Only use barbecues in suitable, safe areas – and never leave them unattended.
• Avoid open fires.
Jackie added: “If you see a fire in the countryside report it immediately – don’t be tempted to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water.”
Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Without a doubt we have some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK – let’s keep it that way by following this advice from our firefighters.”
On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June, GSK, Manor Royal, Crawley hosted the annual Crawley United Youth Football Festival.
With plenty for everyone including a BBQ, face painting, tattoos, Ice Creams, tuck shop, penalty shoot out competition and plenty of youngsters enjoying the nations favourite game the day was a great success. With a raffle sporting excellent prizes such as, Signed Manchester United and Chelsea shirts, Mens & Ladies Aviator Watches, Round of Golf at, Holtye Golf Club, Laser Hub vouchers, Photofairytales vouchers. The Freddie McGuire Charitable Trust was this years chosen charity.
Crawley Happy Times were invited down by Charlotte Hoffman and we would like to thank Charlotte and everyone involved for putting on such a splendid event.
The Freddie McGuire Charitable Trust (Reg Charity number 1099435)
This year Crawley United FC are proud to support The Freddie McGuire Charitable Trust by donating the proceeds of this years tournament raffle. Freddie Henri Lloyd McGuire was born at Epsom hospital on 5th April 1999 – he tragically died at East Surrey Hospital on June 18th 2000, the day after being involved in an accident at home.
The fund was set up by Freddies relatives to increase awareness of potential accidents around the home, to help family members cope with tragic loss of children, to provide funds for children’s hospitals, emergency paediatric retrieval units, and paediatric intensive care units.
Since the Trust was founded over £50,000 has been raised in donations, mainly through the generosity sponsorship of sporting events in which the family have participated.
This money has been donated to several excellent causes, mainly to the Paediatric Intensive Care Units for their Emergency Retrieval Teams. These teams are linked to specialist children’s hospitals, and run emergency services for those children affected by serious trauma, accidents etc. Each unit has a specialist ambulance which requires expensive equipment for safe and effective treatment of children at the place of the trauma, and for the safe and quick transfer of these children to the nearest children’s emergency unit.
Funds tend to be directed to those units that are seriously under funded, and are donated direct to these units. No funds are used for administration at all, and therefore all money donated is fully utilised.
Examples of equipment purchased are:
£8,850 for new emergency resus trolley for Oxford Ratcliffe Hospital Emergency Trust.
£7,891 for new assessment monitor for Sheffield Children’s NHS Trust Retrival Unit.
£19,933 for South Manchester University Hospitals for Infant Flow Package, Phototherapy equipment, Billiblankets, electric warmer cots and lids.
£500 for new trolleys at the PICU unit Bristol Hospital.
£11,704 For Oxylog 3000 ventilator for University Hospital of Leicester.
£7,200 for Syringe pumps for Leeds NHS Trust Children’s PICU unit.
£3,000 for syringe pumps at Alder Hey.
The Trustees have also contacted several Accident Prevention charities such as the Child Accident Prevention Trust, to raise awareness and PREVENT these type of accidents from happening. This led to specific safety advice in the CAPT produced pamphlet in 2002 regarding safety around the car.
However, the Trustees regret not being able to raise awareness further in this regard, and it is sad to report that some children are still dying or becoming seriously injured in this tragic way each year. It is not possible to know how many lives have been saved as a result of the Trust’s actions. However, by simply buying a raffle ticket at the tournament you have ensured that their actions can be continued.
We are delighted to say that Crawley United had managed to secure some fantastic prizes this year. First prize being a signed Manchester United Football, and many other quality prizes were available.
On behalf of the Trustees, Crawley United would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for supporting their cause.
Latest guide to traders you can trust now available
MORE than 300 local businesses that have been comprehensively vetted by West Sussex County Council Trading Standards Service are listed in the latest edition of the Approved Traders Directory 2010, which is now out.
The directory is produced by Trading Standards to support its ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme, which was launched in 2004 to protect consumers, particularly older and vulnerable residents, from dodgy dealers.
Every trader featured in the directory has been vetted by Trading Standards officers, including a Criminal Records Bureau check when applicable. They are regularly monitored to make sure they continue to offer a high quality service.
Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “You can certainly Buy With Confidence from any one of the businesses listed in the directory. This is because they have demonstrated a high level of commitment to fair trading and to providing a quality service for their customers.
“They have shown they can deal with customers promptly, efficiently and courteously and in accordance with good trading practice.”
The Trading Standards Service is always seeking reputable businesses to join the scheme.
Peter said: “Let us know if you’re a business that would like to reassure customers they can Buy With Confidence from you.
“You’ll be able to display the official Buy With Confidence logo on your business premises, vehicles and stationery – so letting the public know you have been approved by our Trading Standards experts.”
Phone Trading Standards on 01243 642124 to find out how to apply for Buy With Confidence accreditation.
The directory also tells people about their consumer rights.
It is available from Buy With Confidence traders, Libraries, Register Officers, Help Points, Tourist Information Centres, District and Borough Council offices, doctors and dentists surgeries and selected DIY stores across West Sussex or by calling 01243 642124.
The directory can also be viewed online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tradingstandards
This also offers consumers a quick direct link to the websites of members advertising in the directory.
More info about Buy With Confidence and an online search facility to find a trader in your area can be found at: www.buywithconfidence.info
EDF Energy has stepped in to help two men realise their dream of completing a 10,000-mile overland trip to Mongolia.
Paul Diviney, a project co-ordinator with EDF Energy Networks in Crawley, and his friend Matthew Haycock will set off later this summer on a journey that will take them on the road trip of a lifetime, through more than 25 countries all the way to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
Paul Diviney and Matthew Haycock with the Ford Ranger four-wheel drive donated by EDF Energy Networks.
The company is providing them with a Ford Ranger four-wheel drive that was no longer needed. Instead of selling it at auction, EDF Energy Networks decided to donate it to the intrepid travellers who will auction it off for charity once they arrive at their destination.
The robust vehicle – one of many used by EDF Energy Network Engineers to battle through last winter’s storms to keep the network running – should help them cope with the challenge of navigating the rough terrain of the roads ahead.
The trip to Mongolia will raise money for charity projects in their destination country. They have already raised more than £1,700 towards their £2,000 target needed for the trip.
Paul, 33, of Chivalry Road, Clapham said: “Neither of us have ever done anything like this before and we think it’s the last chance we have before we become sensible and settle down.
“I’m originally from Australia and Matt’s from New Zealand so we’ve done our fair share of travelling and love that feeling of the open road. We’ll be sharing the driving and allowing ourselves plenty of time to get there so we can see some places on the way.”
Matthew, also 33, of Tranmere Road, Earlsfield, is a physiotherapist – which will come in handy with the aches and pains caused by some of the bumpy roads ahead.
Paul added: “We’re really looking forward to it and EDF Energy has been brilliant. We’re really grateful as having a proper four-wheel drive will make a lot of difference.”
Chris Pascall, head of transport for EDF Energy said: “When we heard about their plans we were delighted to help out with a vehicle. It’s a fantastic challenge for them and all for a really good cause too.”
Once the journey is complete the vehicle will be auctioned off in Mongolia to raise funds for local charities. Paul and Matthew leave on July 10 and expect their trip to take up to six weeks.
A health conscious Crawley Borough Council team is set to award local eateries that provide healthy options.
The Food Licensing and Occupational Health Team all passed level two training in nutrition and special diets to prepare for the launch of a new scheme – Eat out. Eat well.
The Food Licensing and Occupational Health Team get set to score eateries on nutrition.
The new scheme is voluntary and all food establishments with two or more Scores on the Doors stars will be able to apply for the award.
Starting this month, Crawley Council Food Hygiene Inspectors will assess restaurants and the award will be displayed alongside the Popular Scores on the Doors.
Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This is a great addition to Scores on the Doors which will really help people decide on the best places to eat depending on their wants and needs.
“How we eat has become a big issue with obesity and diet related disease and illness on the rise. Showing the public the healthiest places to eat is a good step towards helping them change their eating habits and giving them a
better understanding of food.”
The award, which has three levels, bronze, silver and gold, will help to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating amongst both Crawley residents and visitors using local food establishments.
Experience in other areas such as Surrey has shown high levels of interest and participation, helping the public to make healthy choices.
For more information and how to participate, contact environmentalservices@crawley.gov.uk
