School Closures in Crawley on Monday 6th Feburuary - Updated – 08:20 – 6/2/12
Currently there are no reported school closures.
Schools have been asked, where possible, to keep their own websites updated.
If you know of any schools that are not on the above list please Facebook Crawley Happy Times or email bry@crawleyhappytimes.co.uk
Government funding has been awarded to Crawley Borough Council to support four new health and wellbeing services for Bewbush, Broadfield and Langley Green.
The council has invested eighty thousand pounds of reward money with local organisations for new services for parenting, heath inequalities and financial inclusion in these areas.
These new services include the Crawley Families Project, IMPACT Tasty Neighbourhood Watch programme, Crawley Talks Money and Get Started with Cooking.
Sussex Central YMCA recently merged with Horsham and Crawley Counselling Service which has been commissioned to deliver a new parenting intervention service for Crawley called the Crawley Families Project. This service will offer intensive and tailored intervention support to ‘new parents to be’ who have previously themselves experienced neglect or abuse. In addition to this work, it will be delivering a series of parenting courses for families with children aged eight to 11 years old.
IMPACT Foundation was successful in securing funding to deliver the IMPACT Tasty Neighbourhood Health Watch programme, a healthy cook and eat project. The IMPACT Tasty Team will deliver a variety of programmes to help, encourage and raise awareness of the importance of eating a well balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and knowing how to cook from scratch or on a budget.
Central Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau has been commissioned to delivering a light touch money advice service known as Crawley Talks Money. In addition to directly supporting local residents in Bewbush, Broadfield and Langley Green in managing their finances, the project aims to improve access to debt advice by training frontline workers and key members within the community to spot problems early on and refer those greatest in need of money advice for further help.
Also, The Prince’s Trust has secured funding to deliver Get Started with Cooking, an engagement programme for young people aged between 16 and 25 who are not in education or employment. The course focuses on developing skills and knowledge within the catering sector and includes a Food Hygiene Certificate. Following the programme, the young people will be offered 3 months of one to one progression support to get back into education, training or employment.
Councillor Nigel Boxall, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Crawley Borough Council said:
“I am delighted that the council has managed to secure the funding for such worthwhile services for Broadfield, Bewbush and Langley Green.
“This is a great opportunity for local groups and organisations to work with us and help to address some of the challenges faced by people living in the town’s more deprived areas.
“All of these projects are set to help many families and individuals live a happier and healthier life.”
• To find out more about the outcome 22 grants please visit www.crawley.gov.uk/outcome22
• To find out more about the Crawley Families Project, contact Elizabeth O’Shea on 01403 217900 or 07557855733
• For more details on IMPACT Tasty Neighbourhood Watch Programme, call Lucinda or Elisabeth on 01444 457080.
• If you would like more information on Crawley Talks Money, please call Julian Paszkiewicz on 01293 657100.
• If you are interested in Get Started with Cooking, please call please call Jo Tolley on 01273 221477 or email Joanna.tolley@princes-trust.org.uk
West Sussex County Council’s TravelWise team is encouraging residents to get on their bikes and save money during TravelWise Week (September 19-23).
The week coincides with European Car Free Day on Thursday September 22.
Commuters could save more than £700 a year by switching from car to bike. A seven-mile cycle ride which takes around 30 minutes will also improve fitness at the same time.
As a further incentive, a number of local cycle shops are offering special Travelwise Week discounts until the end of September. For further details visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/travelwise.
Car sharing is another way to reduce commuting costs. Sharing a journey just once a week could save a person more than £100 a year.
The County Council’s car sharing website, www.westsussexcarshare.com helps people that live or work in West Sussex to find a car sharing partner.
Buying a bus or rail season ticket can be much cheaper than driving and parking, particularly if bought online. A monthly rail ticket from Bognor Regis to Chichester is currently £61.10 and a monthly bus ticket for the same journey costs £70, compared with the costs of around £100 in petrol and parking fees.
The County Council’s 3in1 card for young people offers cheaper bus travel and discounts to a range of shops and local attractions, as well as acting as proof of age. The card costs £50 – but is free to those receiving free school meals – and is valid for up to three years. Further information is available at www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk.
Pieter Montyn, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Travelwise Week is all about raising awareness of the benefits that more sustainable modes of transport have to offer. The week also provides a good opportunity for people to try greener and healthier ways of travelling. Small changes in your travel behaviour really can make a big difference.”
Sussex St John Ambulance is on the hunt for would-be paranormal investigators to take part in a spooky sponsored fundraising event at Newhaven Fort.
The ‘Spooktacular’ ghost hunt in aid of the nation’s leading first aid charity will take place on Saturday 22nd October at the 123-year-old fort where eerie encounters are frequently reported.
There have been many supernatural sightings at the fort, particularly in the tunnel leading to the beach. The sound of soldiers’ boots and air raid sirens are said to have been heard there and there are tales of a ghostly drummer boy who reportedly haunts this section of the coastline.
Sussex St John Ambulance County Fundraiser Jeanne Peterson: ‘This promises to be an unforgettable evening for anyone interested in the paranormal.
‘Of course there’s a fun side to it but the aim couldn’t be more serious. We need to generate donations to continue our life saving work in local communities – work which is very often the difference between a life lost and a life saved.’
It costs £39 to take part in the event but if you manage to raise £100 or more for St John Ambulance your ticket fee will be refunded.
The hunt takes place from 7.30pm on the Saturday until 2.30am the next morning. Hot soup will be provided and there’ll be an auction of paranormal investigation equipment.
A maximum of 40 ghost hunters will be guided in small groups by experienced paranormal investigators and a psychic medium.
Book online at www.compassparanormalevents.co.uk or call Compass Paranormal Events on 01558 292838.
St John Ambulance has more than 1,000 adult volunteers and more than 700 youth members in Sussex. Last year they devoted more than 168,000 voluntary hours to providing first aid cover at hundreds of public events across the county.
The charity receives no core Government funding and is not part of the NHS so relies on public support to help fund its vital first aid services.
To find out more about volunteering or fundraising please call 01273 371 500 or visit www.sja.org.uk/sussex
Henry Smith is delighted that the Big Lottery Fund is to invest almost £20,000 in local community projects.
Henry said:
“Historically Crawley community projects haven’t done very well in winning lottery grants but I’m delighted that’s changing following a campaign I’ve pursued to highlight the possibilities which exist through the lottery. The latest awards are very encouraging.
“If local voluntary groups or charities need further information on how to bid then I would be happy to help them make the right connection with the Big Lottery Fund.”
The Northgate Youth Club has been awarded £7,279, to purchase equipment for the newly established youth club for local young people. This will enable the club to provide a fun and safe environment for young people.
Three Bridges Infant School has been awarded £10,000, to create a woodland garden within its grounds for the benefit of local children. This will create a safe woodland area for children to play in and learn about nature.
And a further £875 have been awarded to a local World War II veteran & his partner to cover travel expenses to return for a commemorative visit to Belgium this coming month.
Follow Henry daily on Facebook by visiting: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp
Be a rock star – with West Sussex Music Service
Did you play along to your favourite records as a teenager and dream of being in a rock band? If so, West Sussex Music Service (WSMS) can make that a reality.
WSMS Rock Academy will be holding adult rock workshops at Northbrook College, Worthing, on Thursday evenings, starting in late September. Keyboard players, guitarists, bassists, drummers and vocalists of all abilities can go along and play in a band-type format, with the chance to play a gig at the end of term.
Peter Griffiths, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Schools, said: “Our Music Service has been running the rock workshops for youngsters for several now, and they have been a great success.
“Now we are offering the chance for adults to expand on their musical skills, and perhaps re-live their love of music, as well as meet new people.”
The workshops will be held from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and 7.30pm to 8.30pm. They will cost £60 for 10 lessons.
For more information, contact 01243 642361 or email music@westsussex.gov.uk
The High Street’s first ever music festival is 16 days away.
High Street Live, which runs from 12 noon to 10pm on Sunday August 21, will fill the historic, cobbled road with music, food and drink.
More local music acts have been announced and the line-up now includes London Soul, Rubylux, My Tiger My Timing, Run Young Lovers, Lights of Paris, Bored Games, Andy Twyman, Jimi Squirrel, The Soundcheck, Franclassic, Erin Witton, Grace Saif and Best Intentions.
The Outfit
Matt Henry, of The Outfit, a show band which includes local teachers, said: “We’re stoked to be playing High Street Live as we all met in Crawley and three of us still live in Broadfield.”
Jeremy Taylor, of JerBil, said: “This will be a great day for Crawley residents to come out and enjoy the historic High street.
“We’re really looking forward to playing on the acoustic stage and to spend time enjoying the town in a different way. We’ve been involved with Mainstage in the Memorial Gardens for a number of years and this is another great community initiative from Tony “Mr Arts” Witton!”
Final plans are still being finalised but the main stage will be near the George Hotel while a smaller, acoustic area will be towards the northern end of the High Street.
The event is absolutely free, fun for all the family and hopes to showcase the High Street as an attractive town centre destination for everyone.
The festival is set to bring in folk from around the region to hear local bands while enjoying food and drink at High Street bars and restaurants.
The summer festival is organised by local man Tony Witton in partnership with Crawley Borough Council, Gatwick Airport Ltd, Crawley Town Centre Partnership and Crawley Festival.
Check out Crawley Borough Council on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date or visit www.highstreetlive.info
Technology-savvy residents are using the web and text messages to tell the council who is eligible to vote in their households – and saving the council money too.
Crawley Borough Council is asking residents to fill in their electoral registration form so they are eligible to vote.
Every household will have received a form on Friday or Saturday which needs to be completed and either sent back to the council or confirmed by phone, text or the internet. Only then will the eligible people living at that address be added to the 2012 Register of Electors.
The best way for residents with no changes to their forms is to return them electronically via www.register-online.co.uk, via text to 020 317 9094 or by automated phone by calling 0808 141 0740.
You have to be registered in order to vote and often to open a bank account or obtain a mortgage or other financial services.
Crawley Borough Council has elections in May 2012.
Residents are reminded that even if there are no changes to the eligible voters at the property the form must either be returned, confirmed over the phone or via the internet address on the form.
For more information call Crawley Borough Council’s Electoral Registration Team on 01293 438346 or 01293 438705.
How to register by freephone or the internet
If all of the printed details on your voter registration form are correct, you can register by telephone or the internet.
Telephone
1. Dial 0808 141 0740
2. When asked, key in the 10-digit unique reference number on your registration form
3. When asked key in 0
4. You will now be told that you have registered no changes. You will be asked to confirm this by pressing 0
5. Your registration is complete and you should not return the registration form.
Internet
1. Visit www.register-online.co.uk
2. Key in the 10-digit unique reference number and password, which are printed on your registration form
3. You will now be asked to confirm that there are no changes by pressing the confirm button
4. You can print a confirmation of your registration.
Text
1. Text your 10-digit unique reference number to 020 3137 9094
2. You will be sent a return text confirming your registration
3. Your network will make its normal charge for sending texts.
With more than 40 miles of coastline, West Sussex is well placed for fish-lovers, with many places to buy direct from fishermen. The latest edition of Taste West Sussex looks at some of the varieties of fish available.
The magazine for West Sussex foodies has a range of articles, special offers and dates for the diary focusing on local food and produce.
Other articles include:
• The British Tomato Growers Association, based in West Sussex, and squashing some of the myths around the tomato.
• The appeal of orchards and their history in West Sussex.
• Gluten-free food and diets, and how to bring out the best in food.
• The revival of the alpaca in West Sussex, and where to visit and see them.
• Where to find samphire on the West Sussex coastline, how to cook it and what it goes well with.
West Sussex Leader Louise Goldsmith said: “Taste West Sussex supports our many local food and drink producers, as well as having handy recipe ideas and details of what’s in season. Buying local is good for the environment and benefits our local businesses and economies.”
Taste subscriptions are available for just £8.50 for three issues, delivered direct to your door. All subscribers get a free ‘Bag of Taste’ environmentally friendly jute bag (while stocks last).
Subscribers become a member of the Good Taste Club and receive a regular ‘Tastemail’ electronic newsletter with discounts, offers, recipes and foodie dates.
Taste West Sussex is available from a number of outlets including local food retailers and can be read online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/taste.
For further information contact 01243 777431, e-mail taste@westsussex.gov.uk or visit the website. The next issue of Taste West Sussex is due out in the autumn.
Listen up
Music lovers could be warned to turn it down if they let Crawley Council Environmental Health Officers check their earphones next week.
Many MP3 listeners are causing long-term hearing by listening to music too loud, with some turning volumes up to nightclub sound levels.
The Environmental Health Officers will be based in the County Mall on Thursday 4th August testing MP3 volumes on request to let the public know if they are listening to them at safe levels.
Karl Bock, Environmental Health Group Manager, said: “During these previous events we have typically found that half the people tested had the settings at surprising high levels and were unknowingly endangering their hearing.”
Last year officers tested 85 students at Central Sussex College and only a quarter listened to music at safe levels.
20 were listening to levels that could cause hearing damage if listened to for more than an hour every day but more worryingly 29 students were listening to music at more than 100 decibels, with three exceeding 115 decibels – louder than most night clubs – which is very likely to result in hearing damage by their early 20s.
Between 10am and 4pm the council’s noise experts will be on hand to test headphones using a decibel meter which they will then compare with everyday sounds and guidelines aimed at protecting against hearing damage.
MP3 owners can take three simple steps to protect their hearing:
1. Avoid volume levels that completely block out other background noise
2. Take regular breaks from using your headphones
3. Use the ‘smart volume’ feature if you have one.
Ifield Chestnut House – Cricket Day - Monday 29th August -Ifield Green Playing Fields
Ifield Chestnut House – Ifield Golf Challenge – Thursday 1st September – Ifield Golf Club, Ifield, Crawley
Ifield Chestnut House – 10k Challange + Family Fun Day + Elvis + Grand Raffle -first prize this year is £1,000 - Sunday 4th September – The Plough Ifield
Ifield Chestnut House raises money for local charities and projects including:
Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice.
www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/
Chestnut Tree House is the only children’s hospice in Sussex and cares for children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses from all over the county.
The Olive Tree Cancer Support Home
www.olivetreecancersupport.org.uk
The Olive Tree is an independent cancer support centre based at Crawley Hospital. They provide a drop-in centre, complementary therapies, counselling, information and support for cancer patients and their carers and families.
St. Catherine’s Hospice
www.stcatherines.co.uk/
St Catherine’s Hospice is a charity dedicated to providing specialised end of life care and support to local people and their loved ones.
Living in William’s World
raisingachildwithaseveremotordisorder.blogspot.com
| William was born 3 weeks early in February 2009 and suffered from a lack of oxygen which caused brain damage. The result of this is that he now has a severe dystonic motor disorder. |
Westy’s Wheeled Warriors
www.westyuk.co.uk/
| At the age of 19 Barry West was involved in a car accident which would change his life forever but he never stopped living life to the full and he hopes that the experiences in his life may inspire others. |
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Phil McIntyre Entertainment by arrangement with Vivienne Smith Management presents
The Hawth Crawley – Thursday 24th November 8pm
Following on from the success of his last tour Different Class, brilliant Irish comedy star, Ed Byrne, is back on the road with his new show Crowd Pleaser. The show toured extensively through theUK in the spring and had a month long run at theEdinburgh fringe and is back on the road due to enormous demand. Being a nerd, owning a cat, meeting your heroes or becoming a dad, whatever Ed casts his curmudgeonly comic eye over the end is result is a show that’s sure to please even the most discerning of crowds.
This promises to be an hilarious night you won’t want to miss.
Ed has been very busy since he last was on tour. His many TV appearances over the last couple of years have included hosting BBC1’s Live At The Apollo and being a regular panellist on BBC 2’s Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You as well as various other new comedy shows including Miranda Harts Christmas Unwrapped and has recently been see “roasting” Davina McCall for Channel 4. A particular highlight for Ed was taking part in Celebrity Mastermind. Ed is also a regular contributor to comedy and music shows on both BBC Radio 2 and 4. Last year he toured Canada and New Zealand with his sell out show Different Class.
Tickets at The Hawth: £20 – Call Box Office on 01293 553636 or visit www.hawth.co.uk.
What the papers said about Different Class
“a masterful display of the comics art…This is a seamless and perfectly timed show that could stand proudly next to any Izzard, Bailey, Carr or Skinner stadium-filler.” . ✭✭✭✭✭Sunday Times
“Byrne is at the top of his game” ✭✭✭✭The Sunday Telegraph
“Ed Byrne is a class apart” ✭✭✭✭ Evening Standard
“Jokes come so fast that hecklers don’t have a chance to get a word in edgeways” ✭✭✭✭ The Times
“It is rare for a comic to merit the word “masterful” but in this case it is no overstatement” ✭✭✭✭ The Scotsman
“At the height of his powers… It’s no wonder this is selling out nightly” The Observer
“His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping” The Guardian
ED BYRNE SYNDICATED INTERVIEW – JANUARY 2011
By JAMES RAMPTON
For nearly two decades now, the comedian Ed Byrne has been pleasing crowds up and down the country. So it is quite appropriate that his new show should be entitled, “Crowd Pleaser.” He will be touring the country and playing to your crowd very soon – so prepare to be pleased!
Ed is a coruscating comedian. A stand-up who always strikes up a terrific rapport with his audiences, he is a magnetic presence on stage. Whether discussing the difficulties of being a nerd or owning a cat, he is one of the finest – and funniest – comics currently at work in this country.
That’s not just my opinion. The critics have been lining up to lavish praise on a comic at the very top of his game. The Evening Standard raves that, “Ed Byrne is a class apart.” The Scotsman declares that, “It is rare for a comic to merit the word, ‘masterful’, but in this case it is no overstatement.” The Guardian enthuses that, “His wit won deafening cheers and feet stomping,” while The Observer, er, observes that Ed is, “At the height of his powers. It’s no wonder this is selling out nightly.” Phew!
Ed and I meet for a cup of tea in a central London cafe in the snowy run-up to the tour. You can take my word for it – he is just as compelling and comical off-stage. Possessed of an effortless natural wit, the lovable, shaggy-haired stand-up jokes for instance that, “I was going to be talking to the British Humanist Society this afternoon about being good without God, but they’ve had to cancel because of the snow. It’s hard not to think that there are forces at work here …”
The comic says that he just can’t wait to hit the road with “Crowd Pleaser”. “You get this unrivalled buzz from playing live,” beams Ed, who had made a huge splash as a regular guest on TV panel games such as Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You. “When you’re on stage, you keep finding new lines. You keep getting better and improving, which is, of course, the same thing!”
The comic, who was nominated for the coveted Perrier Award at the 1998 Edinburgh Festival, expands on the theme. “There is this brilliant speech in the film Mr Saturday Night, which Billy Crystal’s character gives about what stand-up is. He says, ‘When it’s good, when it’s cookin’, you got ‘em, they’re yours. You can take ‘em anywhere you want, you’re powerful. You prowl the stage like a panther. It feels so good; the laughs go right into your blood. You can be a schmuck in the afternoon, but you’re the king of the night. And every woman wants to f*** you, and every man wants to know you.’ I don’t entirely go along with that last bit. If every woman wants to f*** you, then every man wants to punch you!”
So what can Ed’s myriad fans expect from “Crowd Pleaser”? The comedian discloses that he will be talking in this show about the recent arrival of his first child, a gorgeous baby boy, and seeing the funny side of his wife’s pregnancy. “I couldn’t wait to be a father,” deadpans the Irish comic, who has released two very successful live DVDS, “Pedantic and Whimsical” and “Different Class”. “I was desperate to get my wife back! The first three months of her pregnancy were like living with an alcoholic – ‘I feel sick, I need a wee, get out of my way!’
“She was also afflicted with pregnancy brain. She couldn’t remember the name for anything. It was funny when she met her father who has his own ‘senior moments’. Neither of them could remember the name for the hand of a clock. My mother-in-law and I bonded over the fact that we were shackled to a pair of idiots!”
Able brilliantly to mine his own life for laughs, Ed will also be discussing “coming out” as a nerd in “Crowd Pleaser.” “Judd Apatow movies and the popularity of Simon Pegg have made being a nerd far cooler,” reflects the comic, who will be supported on this tour by fellow Irish funny man Karl Spain.
“So now I’m enjoying letting my inner nerd come out to play a bit more. I’ll be happy to drop a few nerdy references into the show. Did you know, for example, that an anagram of Ed Byrne is ‘Be Nerdy’? That in itself doesn’t prove that I’m a nerd, but the fact that I worked it out does!”
In “Crowd Pleaser”, Ed will also be performing a typically hilarious routine about owning a cat. “We treat pets better than we do humans,” smiles the comic, who made a memorable appearance of BBC1’s Celebrity Mastermind. “We found this cat by the bins and fed it, and it ended up living with us.
“You’d never do that with a human being. If you saw a tramp, you wouldn’t say to him, ‘Come and live in our house. In exchange for food and lodging, just show us your arse occasionally! I’ve become a cat man without being bitten by a radioactive cat. There – that’s a real nerd’s joke for you!”
During the course of “Crowd Pleaser,” Ed will also be addressing such subjects as children wearing age-inappropriate clothing and how disappointing it can be to meet your heroes. In addition, he tackles the thorny topic of religion. But, in a characteristically imaginative move, he reveals, “I’m not going after the religious – I’m going after agnostics. They’re like people who smoke occasionally – make your minds up! It’s very easy to take the mick out of religion; attacking agnostics seems like more of a challenge!”
Finally, does Ed concur with Mr Saturday Night’s description of the stand-up as “The king of the night”? Absolutely. “There are moments where I feel the only time I’m completely at ease is on stage telling jokes,” affirms the comedian, who stormed it on BBC1’s Live at the Apollo. “It’s the only time when I feel I know what I’m doing and am in control of everything. Think of the way I put down hecklers on stage – I’d never talk to anyone like that in real life!
“I imagine it’s the same if you’re a champion skier bombing down the mountain at 100 miles an hour – everything else seems irrelevant. The comedian Adam Bloom calls it, ‘Life Fright’. That means you’re happy on stage, but everything else feels intimidating. That’s absolutely right. Live comedy feeds your soul.
“I just love doing stand-up.”
And we just love watching him do it!
For more information on the “Crowd Pleaser” tour, visit www.edbyrne.com. To book tickets, visit www.ticketzone.co.uk
Buchan Country Park flagged up for national award
Buchan Country Park in Crawley is celebrating success after winning the national Green Flag Award for the second year in a row, it was announced today (Monday July 25).
The prestigious award is in recognition of the country park’s good maintenance and management, its high quality facilities and green space.
The park was judged on the following eight criteria:
• a welcoming place
• healthy, safe and secure
• clean and well maintained
• sustainability
• conservation and heritage
• community involvement
• marketing
• management
Lionel Barnard, West Sussex County Council Deputy Leader with responsibility for Communities, Environment and Enterprise, said: “This is a great achievement, especially to have been awarded it two years in a row.
“This prestigious award recognises the hard work and pride of the country park’s staff and volunteers, so well done to them.”
The country park now has the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership, called the People’s Choice Award. This award is voted for by the public. To register your vote, visit www.greenflagaward.org.uk
For more information about what Buchan Country Park has to offer visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/buchan
Make your ideas a part of Crawley
Regenerating the town centre’s Station Way is vital to the success of the area and Crawley Council is asking people to help design it.
Station Way is a key town centre gateway, linking it with rail, bus and taxi transport and is important to wider town centre regeneration initiatives including Town Centre North.
The council wants the area to be more attractive, inviting and functional, reflecting the aspirations for the rest of the town and helping to create a successful town centre economy.
Local people can make themselves part of the vision by getting involved in a series of workshops and consultation at the beginning of August.
A specially appointed design team will be working in the County Mall on August 2-5 where an ever-changing display of design ideas for the area will be exhibited and the public are encouraged to join in and share their thoughts.
A feedback session and design workshop organised by Crawley Borough Council will also take place on August 3rd at 6.30pm at the Town Hall.
Councillor Claire Denman, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development said: There’s absolutely no doubt the area can be improved to increase the attractiveness to visitors and the functionality for local people, as well as start to portray a positive image for the town as a whole.
To meet our objectives we need to really understand how it will look, how it will work and how were going to meet the challenges. We want it to be innovative and aspirational but it also needs to be realistic and deliverable.
It’s certainly a challenge getting the design right but well also need to work in close partnership with a diverse range of land owners who may well have different ideas. It’s very exciting.
If you want to help design Crawley email Sarah Brown atsarah.brown@architecturecentre.org
CRASH COURSE IN ROAD SAFETY FOR HAYWARDS HEATH SHOPPERS
Firefighters will be giving shoppers a ‘crash course’ in road safety when they visit Orchards Shopping Centre in Haywards Heath on Wednesday 27th July.
The wreckage of a crashed car will take centre stage in a special road safety display by local fire crews and create a stark visual reminder of the dangers that drivers face on the roads.
Firefighters will be on hand from 8am until 6pm for people to chat to about all aspects of road safety and they will also be encouraging shoppers to test out special ‘beer goggles’ to experience for themselves how even a small amount of alcohol can impair their co-ordination and judgement.
The demonstration is just part of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s ongoing campaign to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads. In Mid Sussex, in the past 6 months (Jan 1st-June 30th 2011) there have been 179 accidents on the roads and 3 people have lost their lives.
Crew Manager from Haywards Heath, Gary Miller, said:
“The crashed car certainly won’t be what people will be expecting to see when they are out shopping but we hope it will be an effective way to show the results of a road traffic accident up close and raise awareness of the risks posed by dangerous driving.
“As firefighters, cutting people out of car wreckages is, unfortunately, a job that we are frequently called upon to do. We will continue to work alongside other road safety partners to promote safer driving habits and reduce the number of accidents on local roads.”
Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement by Network Rail of improvements to be made at Three Bridges train station which will enhance accessibility, facilities and the overall station environment for passengers.
Henry said:
“Three Bridges train station is a vital transport link for Crawley, with a large number of residents travelling to work from the station every morning. Therefore I’m delighted that these improvements have been announced by Network Rail.
“It’s essential that a commuter hotspot like Three Bridges station is accessible and comfortable for all passengers. With these improvements, I expect that frequent users of the station will see their commute improved, whilst also attracting new customers who will be eager to take advantage of the enhancements made.
“Today’s announcement comes on top of last October’s decision by Gatwick Airport to jointly fund with Network Rail a £53 million project of much needed improvements to Gatwick Train Station.”
Developing upon the first phase of improvements completed at the station last year, the recently started second stage will see enhancements including the creation of new waiting areas for passengers, relocation and refurbishment of the ticket gates and surrounding area, along with upgrading drainage to reduce the chances of standing water during wet weather.
Follow Henry daily on Facebook by visiting: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp
K2 Leisure Centre Gym Weekend @ County Mall
Demonstrating classes, equipment & recruiting new members to their refurbished gym.
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st July
Sign up for Crawley Landlords’ Forum
Private landlords are being encouraged to sign up to attend the Crawley Landlords’ Forum and take a free place at the next meeting.
The Crawley Landlords’ Forum will meet in the Exhibition Room at Crawley Library on 4th August from 6-7.30pm.
The evening will feature expert speakers offering advice and information on credit unions, insulation grants and making property suitable for renting in the private sector. There will also be an update from the National Landlords’ Association.
The forum, which was set up in 2009, is held twice a year and is a partnership between Crawley Borough Council, private landlords and agencies working in the private rented sector.
Councillor Lee Gilroy, Cabinet member for Housing, said: “The Crawley Landlords’ Forum provides a great opportunity for landlords to network and share experiences, meet Crawley Borough Council officers and learn more about the role the council plays in supporting the private rented sector.”
Places are limited. Please confirm your attendance by contacting Becky Gostick on 01293 438939 or emailing rebecca.gostick@crawley.gov.uk
Henry Smith was pleased to learn today that the Big Lottery Fund has decided to invest almost £30,000 in local community projects.
Henry said:
“Historically Crawley community projects haven’t done very well in winning lottery grants but I’m delighted that’s changing following a campaign I’ve pursued to highlight the possibilities which exist through the lottery. The latest awards are very encouraging.
“If local voluntary groups or charities need further information on how to bid then I would be happy to help them make the right connection with the Big Lottery Fund.”
The Crawley Youth Centre has been awarded £9,750, the Crawley District Scout Council has been awarded £9,100 and Milton Mount Primary School has secured £10,000 to build a children’s adventure play trail for the local community.
Follow Henry daily on Facebook by visiting: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp
How the Money will be spent
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