Archive for August 17th, 2010

Crawley tenants get their say

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Crawley Homes’ tenants took their opportunity to get involved in their service at the tenants’ festival last week.

The festival, in Queens Square on Tuesday (August 10), gave tenants a chance to have their say about Crawley Homes and council housing in Cabcam, a converted London taxi.

The event also promoted tenant involvement to a wider audience, showing tenants how they can get involved with different panels and groups so they can have their say on how services are run.

The council also registered five potential new customers for its Lifeline alarm service and there was lots of interest in the Neighbourhood Improvement Panel.

Other stalls held prize draws, mini DIY courses, crime prevention advice, fire safety, recycling and environmental information, arts and crafts for kids and all round family fun.

The council’s Decent Homes and responsive repairs contractors – Apollo, Mears, MITIE and Wates – also attended to answer questions from tenants.

Councillor Lee Gilroy, Cabinet member for Housing, said: “The tenants’ festival gave residents living in the council’s 8,000 properties a great chance to have their say on the service they receive.

“It was a chance for them to get involved on a more regular basis by joining a panel or forum. Thanks also to the Hindu Mandir in Ifield, the Sheltered Housing Forum and MITIE for providing some fantastic food.”

Tenant Cary Buckham said: “Even though the weather wasn’t great the festival was!

“We got to talk to lots of people and shared experiences. We wanted to let them know what the tenants of Crawley Homes can get involved with and I think we did in a far more fun way than in previous years.

“I hope that next year’s event will be bigger and better and fingers crossed the weather will be better too!”

For more information contact the Resident Involvement Team on 01293 438434.
SOURCE: CBC

Crawley Happy Times went along and spoke to Michelle Fitzgerald-Lees and Carrie Buckham about why this event is held and the hopeful outcome.

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Help us keep you safe in bed this winter, say firefighters

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Help us keep you safe in bed this winter, say firefighters

YOU can book up now for free electric blanket tests being held in October by West Sussex County Council Fire and Rescue Service to help ensure residents sleep safely this winter.

Jackie Boyle, Community Fire and Road Safety Officer, said: “Last year 232 of the 645 blankets we tested had a fault – that’s more than a third. Such a high proportion really highlights the value of getting them checked regularly.

“Every year, around 1000 fires are caused by unsafe electric blankets. Sadly many people are seriously injured and some even killed.”

Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Older people can be especially vulnerable, but no one can afford to be complacent where electrical safety is concerned.

“So I would urge everyone to take advantage of this free offer from our Fire and Rescue Service and get their blanket tested.”

The tests will be taking place between 9.30am-1pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm at:

Burgess Hill: Martlets Hall, Civic Way – Thursday October 7.

Horsham: Lavinia House, Dukes Square, Denne Rd – Monday October 4.

Lancing: Adur District Council Office, 101 North Rd – Wednesday October 6.

Littlehampton: Tamarisk Centre, 42 Beach Rd, Littlehampton – Tuesday October 5.

Midhurst: Midhurst Fire Station, New Rd – Friday October 8.

Booking is by appointment only from August 26, please call 01243 642124. All venues have disabled access.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has also drawn up some simple guidelines for the safe use of electric blankets. They are:

• Never buy a second hand electric blanket.

• Check for creases, fold or scorch marks.

• Never use a hot water bottle at the same time.

• Do not touch the blanket with wet hands or feet, or use it if it’s wet or damp.

• Store your blanket in the original box and don’t place anything heavy on top of it.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Home fire safety advice is free and easy to access from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Safety Team on 01243 642878 or www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire

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Council support for Pakistani flood fundraisers

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Council support for Pakistani flood fundraisers

Crawley Borough Council is helping the town support the victims of the Pakistani flood disaster by making it easy to donate to the cause.

Anyone who wants to donate, including larger amounts generated through fundraising, can do so at the Town Hall or on the council website.

Cashiers will take donations at the Town Hall between 9.30am and 3.30pm or you can give online by logging onto www.crawley.go.uk/fundraising and following the link; a downloadable postal donation form is also available.

All money taken by Crawley Council will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for 13 UK based aid agencies.

Crawley Council is also calling on fundraisers to register their events online, through the council’s Events Directory, to help promote them; community groups can also register themselves on the Community Directory to make it easier for people to contact them.

The Pakistani floods have left 14 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UN estimates – more than the scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Leader of Crawley Borough Council, Bob Lanzer, said: “This is another terrible disaster that requires people to pull together and raise much-needed funds to help the millions of people impacted by this tragic event.

“We have a strong Pakistani community in Crawley and no doubt there will be people in the town who have been affected by this in some way. We want to make it easier for them and the rest of the community to support the people in Pakistan.”

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West Sussex County Council hosts first Stonewall employee outside of London

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

West Sussex County Council hosts first Stonewall employee outside of London

Stonewall has chosen to place an employee at West Sussex County Council – the first time the charity has stationed someone outside of London.

Though Stonewall does have offices in Scotland and Wales the charity, which campaigns and promotes equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people, has placed Dave Small, Regional Workplace Associate for South East and South West England, in Chichester for a six-month trial.

The County Council, which is one of the charity’s Diversity Champions, was one of a number of organisations in the region that expressed an interest in supporting Stonewall’s initiative.

There are more than 600 champions of Stonewall nationwide, with around 40 per cent of those outside of London. Organisations that work in the Diversity Champions Programme, commit to working with Stonewall to ensure that their workplaces are inclusive for LGB staff.

Dave said: “It has regional benefits being in Chichester, as I can attend forums in the county and the surrounding area, as well as speak to organisations that work, or want to work with us on a more local, face-to-face basis.”

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “We are delighted that Stonewall has chosen us to host Dave in the charity’s first efforts to station employees outside of London.

“I hope that having Dave here will give people in West Sussex and the surrounding area, the chance to find out more about what Stonewall and the County Council both have to offer for the lesbian, gay and bi-sexual community.

“We look forward to working with Stonewall more closely.”

Dave hopes that while he is based at County Hall, he can build and develop an even stronger regional network of contacts in the south east and south west, not only with current diversity champions, but those organisations who have yet to join the forum.

To find out more about the County Council’s services for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk

Visit Stonewall’s website at www.stonewall.org.uk

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Fancy yourself as a film star? Then audition for a new movie written by Crawley residents

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Fancy yourself as a film star? Then audition for a new movie written by Crawley residents

Young residents tackle extremism head on

A film about extremism written by Crawley residents is being planned – and if you’re a budding movie star don’t miss the auditions next week.

Crossed Paths has been written by young Crawley residents who were previously involved in the cult local feature film, RH11.

The film follows the stories of Cutch and Yousif, as they become embroiled in the controlling underworld of violent extremism.

Callum Johnston, RH11 director and co-writer of this project, said: “Since finishing RH11 I have been regularly asked about future film projects by budding Crawley actors.

“Well, this is a chance for those people to step up and work on a genuinely exciting project.”

The writers hope to involve a cast of mainly local residents and will be holding auditions at the Town Hall on Tuesday August 25 from 12.30-8.30pm.

The young residents are being supported at every stage by independent film production company Compulsive Productions.

Dan Musty, Director of Compulsive Productions, said: “The young writing team has been inspirational in the amount of time and effort they’ve put into this script and I hope that local residents will support this production with a strong turn out for the auditions.”

For more information on Crossed Paths and to register for the auditions visit the Crossed Paths Facebook group or email dan@compulsiveproductions.com or adam.welton@crawley.gov.uk

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