New look FireBreak success for Crawley students

ELEVEN young people marked successfully completing a pilot new-look FireBreak course at Crawley Fire Station with a passing out and awards ceremony on Friday July 16.

They performed a fire drill and demonstrated the new skills they had learned to their proud family and friends.

The FireBreak scheme is run by West Sussex County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service and is aimed at children between the ages of 12 and 14.

The course is designed to promote a culture of safety and citizenship through a structured programme of events, combining practical training with classroom-based workshops.

The Crawley graduation was one of six courses piloting a new more intensive format that is held over five consecutive days instead of one day a week for 10 weeks, which has been the format since FireBreak was launched six years ago.

Tony Hill, Fire and Rescue Service Youth Instructor, said: “We’re delighted with how it has gone. The students have definitely benefited from the added continuity of working with us every day and we’ve seen their confidence and self-belief grow.

“We’ve been able to build up real momentum in encouraging the discipline and teamwork they need for the activities and challenges they have taken on.

“They have all also achieved a HeadStart qualification, learning basic life saving skills, which they will take forward with them. Because the new format has been so successful we hope to continue with it in the autumn.

“Students are nominated to attend a FireBreak course because the schools and other agencies believe they will benefit from this unique opportunity.”

Certificates were presented by Simon Furlong, People and Organisation Manager for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: “FireBreak is a very demanding course, even more so now that it is condensed into five days. It’s extremely rewarding to see all the students successfully graduate.”

The students were from:

• Imberhorne School, East Grinstead.

• Oriel High School, Crawley.

• St Wilfrid’s Catholic School, Crawley.

• Thomas Bennett Community College, Crawley.

• West Sussex Anti Social Behaviour Team.

• West Sussex Youth Offending Service Team.

The graduation was attended by County Councillor Alan Quirk, Chairman of Crawley County Local Committee, and County Councillor Clem Stevens.

Clem said: “By graduating, the young people showed they are motivated and willing to learn new skills. The demonstrations they gave are testament to their hard work and commitment as well as the dedication of their instructors.”

Easy access to the West Sussex countryside

A guide to easy access countryside trails in West Sussex is out now.

The ‘Easy Countryside Trails’ guide lists routes suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users, families and less mobile people.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “With the summer holidays upon us, now is the perfect time to think about getting into the outdoors and enjoying our beautiful West Sussex countryside.

“Our county has walks to suit all ages and abilities, and these routes are carefully chosen with no barriers such as stiles or steps and are truly accessible for everyone.”

The guide features 14 walks across West Sussex, with information showing how long each walk is, what the terrain is like, directions, facilities and points of interest.

Walks listed include Chichester Marina, Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve and Sidlesham Quay, Graffham, Southwater Country Park, the Downs Link in Shoreham, and Ardingly Reservoir.

The guide is available on the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/easytrails, either as a complete booklet or as individual walks. Limited copies of the booklet are available from Libraries and Help Points, or by calling the County Council on 01243 777620.

Conservation signage goes in at beauty spots

Signs explaining the diverse flora and fauna of two of the town’s beauty spots have been installed.

Large, interpretational signage is up at Target Hill local nature reserve in Broadfield and Waterlea Meadow in Furnace Green.

The signs include information on the natural history of the areas as well as some of the plants, birds and animals that may be seen.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said:

“Crawley has a wonderfully surprising variety of wildlife.

“This new signage will help visitors to the areas identify some of the plant, bird and animal species they may encounter.”

Another sign in Hawth Woods, Furnace Green, combining nature and heritage, will be installed in the coming weeks.

For more information call 0800 5875888 or visit www.crawley.gov.uk/conservation

Countywide playgrounds project put on hold

Twelve modern-style play areas due to be built across West Sussex have been put on hold after the Government said it planned to review the nationwide project.

The Playbuilder scheme was started more than two years ago, using Government grants to provide an extra 3,500 playgrounds. Unlike traditional swings and roundabouts, they include zip wires, large basket swings and slides, and climbing boulders and frames. In West Sussex 11 areas costing half a million pounds were completed in the last financial year.

The £1.2m grant for West Sussex is administered by the county Youth Service, while district, borough and parish councils carry out the work.

Two of the 14 planned for the current financial year – at Sidlesham Recreation Ground and Steyning Memorial Playing Fields – are being allowed to continue, because construction work has actually started. Each scheme will cost £45,000. The Department of Education will decide the future of the others at the end of August.

“I know there has been an immense amount of community involvement in preparing these playgrounds, with high hopes they will be built,” said Pete Bradbury, Cabinet Member for Children and Families. “However we must await the outcome of the Government review into all of them by the end of next month. The County Council does not have available the funds to make up any shortfall and unfortunately we will not be able to proceed if the grant is withdrawn.

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However I understand completely that difficult decisions will have to be made because of the severe financial situation the Government has inherited.”

The schemes which have been put on hold, with corresponding Government grants, are:

• Quayside Recreation Ground, Shoreham £45,000

• Maybridge Keystone Club, Goring £45,000

• West Way Park, Worthing £45,000

• Queen Street open space, Worthing £45,000

• Dobbins Place, Ifield, Crawley £58,000

• Victoria Park, Haywards Heath £45,000

• Lingfield Park, Haywards Heath £45,000

• Jubilee Walk, Midhurst, £17,600

• Oaklands Park, Chichester, £23,107

• Hotham Park, Bognor Regis £80,000

• Highfield Play Area, Clun Road, Wick £20,000

• Pixies Hollow, Horsham £45,000

Some projects cost more than the figures above, and use top-up funding from other sources.

French Market on its way

A little slice of France is coming to Crawley.

The French Market will set up its stalls in Queens Square from Friday July 30 to Sunday August 1, as part of Crawley Borough Council’s and Crawley Town Centre Partnership’s desire to bring more vibrancy and diversity to the shopping area.

Authentic French food including breads, patisserie, crepes, cheeses, olives, saucisson and pates will be on sale from 9am-5pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10.30am-4pm on Sunday.

The market will also offer soaps, leather goods, jewellery, wooden toys and basketwork.

Summer camp cash boost for youth centre

LANGLEY Green Youth Centre has received a £3300 grant from West Crawley County Local Committee towards the cost of this year’s summer camp.

The Committee has also agreed grants for:

• Bella Social Club – £307 towards costs of a summer fete.

• Crawley Girl Guide Division – £375 towards coach hire for a girl guiding event in Hickstead.

Committee Chairman Alan Quirk said: “The money comes from our Community Initiative Funding, which is cash we receive from West Sussex County Council to actively support local organisations that help to enrich our borough.”

Rise to the Challenge and celebrate London 2012 Open Weekend

The two year countdown to the London 2012 Games will be marked in spectacular fashion in West Sussex this weekend, between Friday July 23 and Sunday July 25.

The theme of this year’s nationwide Open Weekend is ‘challenges’. There will be around 15 events across the county, and each has a special challenge for everyone to enjoy.

Event highlights include trying basketball, climbing and judo at K2 Crawley; helping to make a new public art installation at Chichester’s Pallant House Gallery; and a free family fun day in Horsham Park. For a full listing of events, log on to www.westsussex-aheadofthegame.com

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “The variety of events planned for Open Weekend 2010 demonstrates how West Sussex is making the most of the build up to the 2012 Games. I hope everyone will enjoy the events, and challenge themselves to do something new.”

To find out more about West Sussex-Ahead of the Game, visit www.westsussex-aheadofthegame.com

Notes for editors – See all the latest news at www.twitter.com/wsccnews

West Sussex-Ahead of the Game is a countywide initiative to help West Sussex make the most of the 2012 Games.

It is coordinated by a working group made up of Active Sussex, Adur District Council, Business Link South East, Gatwick Diamond Business Association/Cadia, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Gatwick Airport Limited, Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, NHS West Sussex, Northbrook College, Sussex Tourism Partnership, West Sussex Arts Partnership, Sussex Police and the University of Chichester.

Foreign policy debate

Young Crawley residents had the chance to question a senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) diplomat at The Hawth last week (Friday July 9).

(l-r): Pravin Sanasy, Crawley Young Person's Council; Councillor Bob Lanzer, Leader of Crawley Borough Council; Gemma Thomson, FCO; Jimmy Javed, British Muslim Integration Trust; Sir Vincent Fean, FCO; Phil Rogers, Director of Community Services, Crawley Borough Council; Zeba Khan, Amma's Centre of Excellence (ACE); Cath Falvey and Humera Mirza, both Crawley Borough Council; Henry Smith MP

Sir Vincent Fean, former Ambassador to Libya, visited the town’s theatre and spoke to an invited audience of under 30s as part of the FCO’s outreach programme.

Sir Vincent shared his experiences and gave an outline of the FCO’s role and the work its staff undertake overseas before hearing the UK foreign policy concerns of local young people.

Issues raised included Gaza and the Government’s response, the ‘special relationship’ between the UK and the USA and how it has changed and Iranian nuclear development.

Councillor Nigel Boxall, Cabinet member for Community Engagement, said:

“Crawley has always been committed to developing a community that is safe, strong and cohesive.

“We have long recognised the importance of good communications, providing a range of opportunities to bring people together to ‘talk issues through’.

Through speaking and debating any concerns openly, we are able to work together towards solutions.

“This event has allowed young people to hear what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does as well as giving them an opportunity to discuss their concerns with a high-ranking diplomat.”

Sir Vincent has had a distinguished diplomatic career since joining the FCO in 1975. He has held numerous posts including that of First Secretary in Damascus and UK Representative for Brussels as well as serving as Counsellor for Paris from 1992-96. He was also the Director of Asia Pacific in the International Group of Trade Partners UK in 1999-2002 and High Commissioner in Valletta, Malta from 2002-06.

His most recent posting was as Ambassador to Libya, from May 2006 until leaving his post in May this year. He is currently awaiting the formal announcement of his new posting later this year.

For more information, or if you are interested in attending similar events in the future, contact Cath Falvey on 01293 438506 or email catherine.falvey@crawley.gov.uk

Bloom Boom Crawley

A trail of metre-high fibreglass flowers painted by Crawley students will form a town centre trail for children in the summer holidays.

ICC

Students from six secondary schools have painted 40 flowers in a campaign organised by Crawley Borough Council, Crawley Town Centre Partnership and Ginger Moo gallery in County Mall.

Thomas Bennet

Twenty of the impressive flowers will be on display in shops in the town centre for the summer holidays while the other 20 will be seen on the route taken by the Britain in Bloom judges on August 5. They will then be moved to parks and open spaces across Crawley.

This fantastic project will bring colour and creativity to everyone in Crawley over the holidays – and will hopefully give the town the ‘wow factor’ when the Britain in Bloom judges visit.

Hazelwick

Crawley has been chosen to participate in the 2010 Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom Finals and the judges will be taking a close look at how beautiful the flowers around town look and how the community has been involved – and this is where community art projects like Bloom Boom Crawley come in.

Oriel High School

Residents can also get involved in helping the town look its best for the judges -and increase the chances of winning – in a number of ways.

Holy Trinity

Things like cutting your hedge, having a hanging basket or planting a few bedding plants could make a real difference as to how Crawley looks through the eyes of a judge.

St Wilfrids

The town is one of 67 finalists from across the UK competing in 13 categories. Crawley is in the large town/small city (population of

35,000-100,000) category with Derry City, Fareham, Bedford and Whitehaven.

This is a result of the town’s double gold success in the RHS South and South East in Bloom Awards last September.

For more information on Bloom Boom Crawley visit www.bloomboomcrawley.com.

The metre-high flowers will also be out on the judging route for South and South East in Bloom on Wednesday (July 21).

To find out if the judges are coming down your street on August 5 visit www.crawley.gov.uk/inbloom or call 0800 587 5888.

Have your say on historic buildings list

What have Bar Med, St Alban’s Church and The Oaks Primary School all got in common? All three could be added to Crawley’s local list – and Crawley Borough Council wants residents’ views.

The local list is a list of buildings and structures that have local architectural or historic interest and make a valuable contribution to making Crawley distinctive.

And following a review of the buildings on the local list, residents now have a chance to give the council their views on the proposed additions to, and deletions from, the list.

Local authorities in England are encouraged to create lists of such buildings, so that their significance is recognised by the planning system.

The council originally adopted a local list in 1996. However, it has not been revisited since then so the council undertook a review, as part of a wider assessment of the borough’s historic assets.

The final report includes new criteria for the inclusion of buildings on the local list, updated descriptions of each building and recommended a number of additions and deletions.

Councillor Claire Denman, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “Buildings on the local list are considered to be of special local importance because of their historical significance, individual character or because of their contribution to the street scene.

“They may not be of national significance but we want to retain them wherever possible. The council tries to retain the buildings on the local list.”

The report can be downloaded from www.crawley.gov.uk/listed. Alternatively, visitors to the Town Hall can view a hard copy.

Residents have until Friday August 13 to submit their views, as well as suggest other buildings and structures to be considered the next time the list is reviewed. Send comments to Forward Plans, Crawley Borough Council, Town Hall, The Boulevard, Crawley RH10 1UZ or email forward.planning@crawley.gov.uk

If you would like to know more about the local list visit www.crawley.gov.uk/listed or call 01293 438000.

Scoop the poop, say Community Wardens and Dogs Trust

Crawley Borough Council’s Community Wardens are taking part in National Poop Scoop Week from July 26-August 1.

The wardens, with the Dogs Trust, will be raising awareness of the issues surrounding dog fouling in the borough and are urging dog owners to pick up the poop and help clean up our public spaces for a great summer outdoors.

While the majority of dog owners are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dogs a bad name and each year thousands of complaints are received by local authorities about dog mess.

Littering our parks, pavements and public spaces, dog poop is a problem which Crawley Borough Council is determined to tackle.

Community Wardens are urging all dog owners to be responsible and “Bag it and Bin it” during National Poop Scoop Week.

Councillor Keith Blake, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “There is a growing problem of dog waste bags found hanging on trees, railings and stuffed in hedgerows. It is not enough to bag it – you must bin it as well.”

Failure to pick up after your dog in Crawley can result in a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice for the owner.