Last night we were called by Councillor Ali Burke who told us the great news about the accomplishments of Crawley in the Britian in Bloom Awards night at the Centennial Centre, Birmingham. Councillor Burke attended along with CBC Chief Executive Lee Harris, Karen Rham & Christine Aldous of CBC Parks & Gardens department and Ruth Growney ’Let’s Face It’ Co-ordinator.
The Call:
Councillor Ali Burke told us “we have had a brilliant evening here in Birmingham and are very pleased to announce the awards for Crawley are:
Silver Gilt award – Category winners in the Large Town, Small City category
Discretionary Community Award for the ‘Let’s Face It’ projects
National RHS Certificate for the outstanding community work by the residents of Bolney Court, Bewbush
We were awarded a beautiful glassed etched trophy for the Category Winners title and when presented with the Discretionary Community Award the judges said it was a unique community engagement prgramme by the ‘Let’s Face It’ team”.
We would like to congratulate everyone involved. What an incredible achievement. Councillor Ali Burke mentioned that Tilgate Park was nominated for the Best Park (even in the conditionit is now) but was just pipped at the post. Ali told us she felt Tilgate Park will wipe the floor next year!
On Thursday 26th November, the community of Crawley came together to see some of the most remarkable youngsters within our community receive awards and medals.
Organised by Crawley Borough Council in partnership with West Sussex Council for Voluntary Youth Service, Sussex Police, West Sussex County Council and Crawley School Sports Partnership, more than 400 under 25′s were recognised for the difference they’ve made to Crawley and its community.
Twelve outstanding young people received awards under four categories; Community, Sport, Art and Personal Achievement, all sponsored by local organisations, voluntary groups and businesses.
We had the pleasure of talking to three of the judges and sponsors. Martin Stone of Topsy Turvy, sponsor of the Dance and Drama Award, Jim Hayton of Crawley Metals Supplies, sponsor of the Visual Arts Award and Michael Langley, Deputy District Commander for West Sussex Fire & Rescue, sponsors of the Music Award. This is what they told Shelley…
Compared competantly by Kirk Campbell and Sophie Campbell, the night was full of emotion and pride, both from the parents of the nominees and winners, also from the awardees.
With great performances by Young-B, The Divas, Thomas Bennett Community College and Euphoric Dance.
Euphoric Dancers perform at the Youth Awards 2009
As we sat listening to the reasons why these young individuals were being rewarded, we felt quite humble in their presence.
Last years winner of the Laser Hub Music Award was Billy Delaney who performed at this years ceremony.
Daniel Horwood, from Bewbush, won the Sussex Police Courage Award. Daniel was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in October 2008, a few months before he was to sit his GCSE’s. Daniel, just seventeen, suffered countless blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, injections and various cocktails of drugs as his exams approached. Daniel even suffered a suspected stroke which left him paralysed for days. Through his pure determination and support from friends, family and school tutors, Daniel sat his exmas and passed with flying colours. He even got a standing ovasion at the school leaving party.
Other personal achievement awards were also given to Gilberto Silva and Charlotte Schillinger.
Gilberto’s autism and severe learning difficulties did not stop him achieving the highest possible exam marks for his age group at maths, winning the West Sussex Youth Service Education Award.
Charlotte is a dedicated member of the scouts who has been an inspiration to adults and children who have met her through the 2nd Ifield Scout Group. For this and many other achievements, she won the Apollo Group Inspiration Award.
Community
Lena Finch, who cares for her disabled mum, was honoured at the awards. Lena has been helping care for her Mum for ten years, taking more and more responsibility over this period. Lena is her Mum’s main carer.
Other community awards were won by Reniece Robinson and Luke May.
Reniece collected the Let’s FACE It Environment Award for her conservation work, which included helping launch a paper recycling scheme at her school.
Luke deservadly won the Crawley Young Persons Council Volunteer Award for his dedicated work at Dormans Youth Arts Centre.
Arts
Footloose were presented with the Topsy Turvy Dance and Drama Award
Footloose, a dance group for young people with learning disabilities won an arts award. Footloose creates high-quality contemporary dance which members then perform at venues around the south east. The group meets every week at Manor Green Primary School.
Awards organisers said Footloose members treat each other with respect and compassion and new members are always welcome.
Jamie Friday was awarded The West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Music Award for his tireless support and help running music events whic then gave other performers the chance to perform. Jamie used to visit Dormans Youth Club as just another member but soon made his presence known as a helpful and resourceful individual.
Bewbush Youth Centre was awarded the Crawley Metal Supplies Visual Arts Award for its graffiti art project in Dorsten Square. Youngsters took part in a six-week project to design art for the boards around the old community centre and Dorsten pub, which has helped brighten the area during the current regeneration project.
Sports
At the young age of just ten, Jack has won more than 150 trophies. Jack, from Furnace Green, trains four times a week with the Crawley Black Belt Academy, helping train the young members as well as his own training.
Jack collected the Eezehaul Sports Person Award on crutches, having broken his foot falling off his bike. Jack has won a host of competitions and has been doing martial arts since the age of four, achieving a second dan black belt. Jack is also a member of Team Fusion, a group of Britain’s best young martial artists and dance performers.
At the awards, Jack was described as a “confident and well grounded” person and a “role model for others”.
The Freedom Leisure Sports Team Award was won by a group of talented young gymnasts.
Hawth Gymnastics Teamgym (junior) members gave up shopping trips and time with friends to train for thirteen hours a week and are ranked third in the country.
Tessa Stokes won the Crawley School Sports Partnership Sports Volunteer Award for her work with the young sports ambassador project.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
ARTS AWARDS
Aidan Daniel
Adison Austin
James Newman
Callum Johnston
Callum Thompson
Ali Mehmood
Michael Bennett
Shakim Salim
Anthony Brikell
Tegan-Rose Newman
Louise Carpenter
Adrienne Hall
Jamie Friday
Ginah Wamulo
Lucy Muyanga
Charlotte Chorley
Liam Jenkinson
Josh Martin
Lucy Dorkings
HSM ‘Oaks Edition’ Dance and Drama Club
Awa Sarr
Charlotte Wadmore
Sabreen Ibrahim
Footloose Dance Group
Thomas Bennett Free 2 Dance Company
Stages Performing Arts
Kirsty Ayling
Usman Aslam
Sumera Hussain
Kyranne Barrett
Nikesh McHugh
Rikesh McHugh
Clayton Lear
Reece Hanslow
Ky Harper
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Reniece Robinson
Ryan Dawson
Jonathan Harrold
Keiran Joseph
Lena Finch
Becky King
Dani King
Jodie Hutchinson-Purcell
Keiran Pledger
Ashley Pledger
Lisa Cooper
Maddie Smith
Josie Fryers
Charlotte Goswell
Amy Davis-Dwan
Laila Hussain
Rhea Kneafsey
Katie Cleary
Ali Mehmood
Pravin Sanasy
Luke Taylor
Jamie Friday
Michael Hobbs
Sapna Shah
George Bick
Jamie White
Kara Mason
Michael Murphy
Eloisa Gordon
Sana Ghafoor
Leslie Edwards
Kennedy Mutongerwa
Vicki Elston
Billy Delaney
Lewis Fletcher
Tariq Khawaja
Ant Heron
Paige Sayers
Zahid Akram Khan
Sarim Qamar
Adil Hussain
Luke May
George O’ Keefe
Lauren Thynne
Adam Wanstall
Leanne Woods
Daria Czekajska
Stuart Bayliss
Ellis Payne
Emily Bartlett
Alexandra Armstrong
Frank Alfoldi
Owen Lumley
Lisa Brackpool
Michael Bond
Ben Freer
Kelly Halifax
Jasraj Nothay
Erin Witton
Chibs Ngona
Ramone Walkes
Reema Nawaz
1st Northgate Brownies
1st Ifield Brownie Pack
Cnetral Sussex Students
7th Crawley Beavers
Love in a Box Team
New Wybourne Youth Club
SPORTS AWARDS
Elizabeth Eves
George Penfold
Rebecca Potteton
Billy Hatcher
Chris Brownlee
Ross Mist
Gavin Brownlee
Charlotte Poole
Grant Goode
Poppy Weekes
Kirsty McAleney
Hayley Wise
Harry Phelps
Nathan Amin
Lee Tilbury
Isobel Sutherland -Basson
Leanne Penn
Jack Foyster
Sanjay Amin
Marcus Jones
Yasmin Mills
Keanu Kellett
Tessa Stokes
Tyler Whale
Thomas Bennett Free 2 Dance Company
The Oaks Girls Football Club
Hawth Gymnastics Team Gym (Junior)
St Margarets Multi-Sports Squad
Maidenbower Junior Y6 Footbal Team
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Allunay Bossoni Da Silva
Shazad Ali
Rafiullah Sharafyar
Sandrine Permal
Jema Assonne
Iiona Bartocha
Anam Ahmed
Waqas Akthar
Hassan Butt
Mohammed Mnili
Mariam Ahmed
Tom Parsons
Abigail Mott
Callum Macleod
Charlotte Schillinger
Danielle James
Jamie Friday
Zartaashia Khan
Stuart Bayliss
Sherri Devlin
Harry Ford
Nicole Thomas
Jade Carter
Joshua Arnold-Crews
Claire Arnold
Goerge Pollard
Daniel Horwood
James Foster
Luke Foster
Sian-Marie Keeping
Aazaz Rehman
Gilberto Junior de Sousa Silva
Leila Draude
Charlotte Devalmency
Lois Cook
Claire Anscomb
Nona Buckley-Irvine
Billy Delaney
Ramone Walkes
Ben Freer
Ant Heron
Paige Sayer
Erin Wilton
Tang Khawaja
James Sturkey
Liam Harris
Satheesan Nagendran
Ali Mehmood
Pammas Njie
Billy Delaney aka Young-B is about to follow in the steps of others by re-instating Crawley on the map.
Billy Delaney's Music Award Certificate, Nov '09
Billy became known to most of us last year when he won the Laserhub Music Award at the Youth Awards 2008.
Andrew Snowden presents Billy with his award
We asked Billy what incited him to become a singer. Billy told us his influence mainly came from his family who were always playing music around the house. His Mum and Dad influenced him with various flavours of artists. Billy’s Mum likes to listen to George Michael, Usher, 50 Cent and Akon whereas his Dad is into his Scar music such as Madness, The Specials and Bad Manners. “My Nan was also a massive influence on me and encouraged me to get involved with music at an early age. Nan was also the one who put me forward for the award, which I am eternally grateful for” said Billy, adding that his Nan passed away shortly after.
Billy went on to say he originally attended Thomas Bennett school in Tilgate but after a bullying incident which involved a sharp object he moved to Ifield Community College where the Head Master, Dr. Lind, was a tremendous help to him and his future. Billy said “Dr. Lind is a great Head who was always there for me. He was always encouraging and extremely supportive”. Billy said drama played a massive part in building his confidence, teaching him how to express himself. “I liked the happy positive side of drama and even played Fat Sam in the Bugsy Malone school production”.
Billy left school in 2007 and decided to apply for a place at Northbrook Music College. After successfully achieving BTEC first diploma in music in July 2008, Billy then went on to take his music career very seriously. Along with some college friends Billy performed at several gigs. By January they had all gone their seperate ways. Billy then met Chris Foster aka Mr Rampz who assisted Billy in preparing for his future. By the end of January, ’09 they had set down three tracks and are in the process of working on more.
In November, ’09 Billy won the LaserHub Music Award for his musical talents. Billy’s music passed on a positive message and vibes about knife crime prevention to the youth of Crawley. Billy told us knife crime was starting to become a prominent problem within Crawley at that time, so he felt compelled to do something positive through his music.
Young-B making his mark
We asked Billy what his plans for the future are now. Billy said “I have lots of plans for the future, but am taking it slowly. We here at Crawley Happy Times, would like to wish Billy all the best in his career. We will keep an eye on Billy’s progress and keep you up-to-date. Good luck Billy!
Young people make a real difference to the community, whether it’s through volunteering, caring for the environment, achieving in sport or being creative with the arts. And, in doing so, they also contribute to their personal development.
The Crawley Youth Awards are a public celebration of those young people who are an inspiration to us all.
Awards Include:
Environment
Carer Recognition
Volunteer
Education
Music
Visual Arts
Dance/Drama
Courage
Team Award
Sports Volunteer
Sports Person
Inspiration
Nominees will be invited to the Crawley Youth Award ceremony at The Hawth Theatre on Thursday, 26th November. The winners will be announced on the night and will receive their awards and prizes from our special guests.
The Youth Awards are organised by Crawley Council, Sussex Police, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, the Youth Offending Team and the Youth Service with the help of local sponsors Crawley Young Person’s Council, Crawley Lions Club, Crawley School Sport Partnership, Apollo Group, Let’s FACE it!, Freedom Leisure, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Crawley Metal Supplies, Eezehaul, and Topsy Turvy.
Crawley Youth Awards 2008
Local young people received awards for their outstanding achievements at the third Crawley Youth Awards Ceremony on 6th November, 2008. The event, which attracted more than 800 people at the Hawth theatre, also saw more than 300 young people receive certificates for their nominations. Please follow the link below for the details of the winners.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by The Crawley Sword Club, Newrotiks, Miss Hits, The Movement and Dream Girls Melody. Two members of the Crawley Young Persons Council hosted the ceremony.
We here at Crawley Happy Times Online would love to hear your stories of achievements by the young people of Crawley, so get writing!
On Thursday 23rd July, Crawley Happy Times attended an awards ceremony at Oriel Youth Wing, with the expectation of a brief award-giving event, then home early for a cup of cocoa. How wrong were we!? On arrival, the youth wing was busting with excited children, proud parents and various youth workers. We were greeted by Jo Bell and Michaela Homewood, both youth workers. Jo and Michaela look after the youth wing and had obviously put a lot of effort and time into making the evening such a wonderful event. With 388 members of the youth wing, they are always very busy.
As the evening began, two young presenters, Kolbi Hayes and Stuart Bayliss, came on to the stage to welcome us all to this evening and to introduce the presenters. First up, we were treated to a fantastic slide show, put together by Callum Vitler (accompanied by music from Queen and Bob Sinclair), giving everyone in the room an insight into what the children had been up to during the year, with some wonderful clips of adventure holidays and day trips. They had been to London, Thorpe Park, Lodge Hill and Southwater Country Park to
Councillor Henry Smith speaking to the audience
name but a few, involving themselves in activities like basketball, dancing, football, paintball, first aid training days and many other activities, providing discipline, exercise and by the looks of it, plenty of fun! It really was a joy to watch the children of Oriel youth wing being so supportive, considerate and polite to one another. And, of course, they were being educated in so many different ways.
Next we were introduced to Henry Smith, Councillor for Maidenbower, who told us his last visit to the youth wing was back in June 2006. Henry congratulated the children and helpers on their achievements and then went on to compliment everyone involved in keeping the youth wing’s operation so successful; wishing them continuous success for the future. Henry awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award to Callum Vitler. We recommend keeping an eye on this young man. Something tells us he may be destined for great things!
Debbie Green then took the stage to present Darren Hollis with the Wishfish Inspirational Award. Another name to keep an eye on!
Next we had what can only be described as a masterful rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’, performed by young Charlie Mott. Charlie must have put an awful lot of practice and effort into this performance. We filmed it for you to enjoy too. Well done, Charlie.
Steve Hemmings volunteers his time to help with the music side of the youth wing and we had the pleasure of some examples from his ‘pupils’ showing off what they had learned under Steve’s guidance. In fact, the support from various adults/parents just clarifies: the more we help and support our children, the further they can go.
The words team work, respect, unity, helpfulness and many more great words came to mind throughout the evening. Especially when older teenagers, Jessi Gasson and Karl McCaughan demonstrated what they had achieved with 5 younger members: in just 6 weeks they had become spectacular dancers.
The names of these dancers are: Charlotte Mortlock, Sophie Nulty, Blaize Szantos, Chloe Martin and Louise Brooks. It was a brilliant demonstration of unity and teamwork and pretty good dancing!
It was a real feel good evening which we are extremely glad to have been part of. The youth of
More certificates being presented
Crawley do not always get a good writeup, but let me reassure you, the young children we met on Thursday were articulate, polite, considerate, positive, educated and well-presented.
On the subject of support, Sergeant Ben Websdale and Police Community Support Officer Lucy Hailes proudly attended, admiring the achievements of the children and the efforts of others, even joining in the festivities at the after-party.
Crawley Happy Times would like to thank Jo and Michaela and all the supporters and children for a wonderful evening. Special thanks go to Margaret, Michaela’s Mum, for the delicious spread she put on which was enjoyed by all, including myself
Members receive their First Aid certificates
We look forward to reporting on the awards of 2010!
Full list of award winners: -
TROPHIES/CERTIFICATES/THANKS LIST
YOUNG PEOPLE
YOUTH FORUM
Matt Sykes – Certificate
Josh Park – Certificate
Kieran Slater – Certificate
Sam Allen – Certificate
Jack Arnell – Certificate
Ed Brooks – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Kolbi Hayes – Certificate
JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS
Stuart Bayliss – Thanks
Callum Vitler – Thanks
Kolbi Hayes – Thanks
Calum Macleod – Thanks
John Currie – Thanks
Darren Hollis – Thanks
Satheesan Nagendran – Thanks
MUSIC MENTORING
John Currie – Certificate
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Lauren Meineck – Certificate
Mathieu Clay – Certificate
Tyler Green – Certificate
Tyler Green – Certificate
Sam Trumpeter – Certificate
Faith Butler – Certificate
William Stothart-Mason – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate
James Hawes – Certificate
PEER MENTORING
Satheesan Nagendran – Certificate
Laura Fagan – Certificate
Stuart Bayliss – Certificate
Chelsea Hardwell – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate
David Fox – Certificate
Calum Macleod – Certificate
Dan Kordowski – Certificate
Faith Butler – Certificate
James Coupar – Certificate
Lee Jeffery – Certificate
Samah Malik – Certificate
Noel Reynolds – Certificate
Liam Tankard – Certificate
Matthew Vincent – Certificate
Stephen Whittingham – Certificate
James Thompson – Certificate
DANCERS
Karl McCaughan – Voucher as thanks
Jessie Gasson – Voucher as thanks
Chloe Martin – Certificate
Sophie Nulty – Certificate
Blaize Szantos – Certificate
Louise Brooks – Certificate
Charlotte Mortlock – Certificate
Charlie Mott – Certificate
TROPHIES
Outstanding Contribution Award – Callum Vitler
Wishfish Inspirational Award – Darren Hollis
ASDAN
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Darren Hollis – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Stuart Bayliss – Certificate
Calum Macleod – Certificate
Satheesan Nagendran – Certificate
FIRST AID
Misty Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Chelsea Hardwell – Certificate
Callum Vitler – Certificate
Avalon Harris-Trussell – Certificate
Charlotte Pattenden – Certificate
D OF E SERVICE AWARD
Lauren Meineck – Certificate
John Currie – Certificate
A demonstration on the drumsJo Bell speaks of her pride for the members and the youth wing
Stuart Bayliss playing Ludovico Einaudi's Nefeli
Sgt Ben Websdale trying to catch up with the talent in the room
