School Closures in Crawley on Monday 6th Feburuary - Updated – 18:20 – 5/2/12
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
L-R Claire Brown, Apprenticeship Coordinator at MITIE, Natasha, Kim Smith, Administrator for Construction Apprenticships at Central Sussex College and Viv Brown, Training Coordinator for Construction at Central Sussex College
Crawley Borough Council is pleased to welcome a new apprentice plumber to the Crawley Repairs Team with its partner company MITIE.
Natasha Bartlett, aged 19, has been taking a plumbing course at Central Sussex College and is now in her third year of training.
The trainee plumber started with the Crawley Repairs Team in October and is exclusively site based. She will be attending jobs with a mentor. Natasha is the fourth apprentice welcomed to Crawley Homes in the last year.
As part of her apprenticeship, Natasha will be working towards her NVQ in plumbing and will be assessed and observed by a representative from Central Sussex College while on the job.
MITIE is currently working in partnership with Crawley Homes to provide responsive repairs work to council houses and refurbishment to empty council properties in the north of Crawley.
Speaking of her apprenticeship, Natasha said:
“I have really enjoyed my last two years training at college at I am now looking forward to getting some hands on experience. I feel really lucky to have been offered this apprenticeship.”
Councillor Lee Gilroy, Cabinet Member for Housing at Crawley Borough Council said:
“It’s really good news that we’ve welcomed an apprentice plumber to the Crawley Repairs Team. I hope Natasha enjoys furthering her experience with the council.”
Gales Drive Parade, Three Bridges, will be undergoing some improvements as part of Crawley Borough Council’s programme of parade improvements.
The council will be holding an exhibition at the parade on Monday 3rd October from 12 noon to 6pm where it will be displaying its final plans for local residents and retailers to view before work begins
The main part of the parade improvements will see the car park get a new entrance and exit, which will help to improve safety, accessibility and the number of parking spaces.
Improvements to street furniture will include the installation of new paving slabs, replacement seating, additional street and under canopy lighting and new cycle stands. The footway leading to the parade between LB1 and New Lotus House is to be updated and a shallower gradient created to eliminate the steep ramp.
Construction will take approximately four months and will be completed in two phases. Phase one will start on 17th October and will finish on 16th December allowing a two week shut down for the Christmas period. Phase two will start on 2nd January and finish on 17th February.
Updates to the parade building itself have already taken place including the replacement of high performance felt on flat roofs, the decoration to the canopy, communal staircases and timber cladding to window boxes and the replacement of gutters and drainpipes.
Councillor Bob Lanzer, Leader of Crawley Borough Council said: We are pleased to continue the improvement programme for the Council-owned neighbourhood parades. With each project we have received favourable feedback from residents, which is one of the reasons that we accelerated the whole effort, even during the recession.
A series of workshops to help organisations interested in starting up or developing a social enterprise are taking place in West Sussex.
The free workshops have been organised by the West Sussex Social Enterprise Network and West Sussex County Council.
Deputy Leader of the County Council Lionel Barnard, who has responsibility for enterprise, said: “The workshops programme is aimed at helping organisations to get started and operate successfully as a social business.
“They form part of our ongoing commitment to support social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations.”
The workshops are:
• Find out about social enterprise. Taking place on Wednesday 7th September, from 11am to 3.30pm, at Lodsworth Village Hall. And on Thursday 2nd February, 2012, from 10am to 2.30pm, venue to be announced.
• Starting up a social enterprise – putting your ideas into action. Taking place on Tuesday 27th September, from 9.30am to 4pm, at County Hall North, Horsham. And on Thursday 9th February, 2012, from 9.30am to 4pm, in Chichester (venue to be confirmed).
• Planning ahead – preparing a business plan and business case for your social enterprise. Taking place on Thursday 20th October, from 9.30am to 4pm, at County Hall North, Horsham. And on Thursday 1st March, 2012, from 9.30am to 4pm, in Chichester (venue to be confirmed).
• Financing your social enterprise. Taking place on Thursday 17th November, from 9.30am to 4pm, at County Hall North, Horsham. And on Wednesday 21st March, 2012, from 9.30am to 4pm, in Chichester (venue to be confirmed).
Lionel added: “These workshops really are a necessity for any organisation thinking of setting up a social enterprise. They will be run by professionals with significant expertise in providing exactly the kind of helpful advice and guidance that enables organisations to turn their social enterprise ideas into reality.”
For further information visit the website at www.wssen.org.uk. To book a place on a workshop e-mail dawn.brock@ruralsussex.org.uk or telephone 01273 407313.
The Finnish Paralympic boccia team is training at K2 Crawley this week.
The team, which arrived on Saturday and are staying at the Holiday Inn Express, are preparing for the 2012 Games at Crawley Borough Councils state-of-the-art leisure centre.
They arrived on Saturday and are training all week in readiness for next years games.
Crawley Community Transport has helped to transport the team, both from Heathrow Airport to Crawley and to and from their training twice a day at K2 Crawley.
Believed to have ancient Greek origins, Boccia (pronounced bo-cha) is a tough test of nerve, tactics and skill. Played on a rectangle court by individuals, pairs and teams the aim is to land balls as close to a target ball or in a similar way to bowls.
Boccia is played by wheelchair athletes with cerebral palsy and related locomotor conditions.
Crawley will also welcome the Finnish Paralympic swimming squad later this year, and both boccia and swimming squads immediately before the games next August before they head to the Paralympic Village in London.
Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: Were delighted that the Finnish boccia team has chosen Crawley as its base, both now and before the 2012 Paralympic Games.
We are extremely proud of our superb facilities at K2 Crawley and welcoming 2012 Paralympic teams, as well as Olympic teams, is a highlight for the leisure centre, Crawley Borough Council and the whole town
Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Carol Eade, with the Finnish boccia team outside the Holiday Inn Express
A youth participation co-ordinator at West Sussex County Council has set up a project to give young people in India opportunities to play sport.
Lara Pearce set up the ‘Youthivate’ project working with the Centre for Tribal Rural Development in India. The project will directly engage with young people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Through setting up and running a variety of sports sessions in the villages, Youthivate hopes to create opportunities for young people to become sports leaders and organise tournaments and festivals for children.
The project also aims to improve the quality of life of children in southern India through sport.
Lara said: “Young people who live in the villages enjoy watching sports but do not have the resources to play themselves.
“By building strong partnerships with local charities such as Cricket Without Boundaries which has donated equipment, Yellowave Beachsports which has donated volleyballs, and the Rugby Football Union, plus fundraising locally, we are able get sports equipment out to areas of severe poverty in southern India.
“Huge thanks also to myparceldelivery.com, which has been pivotal in this project’s success and is transporting all the equipment to India in September.”
To keep up-to-date with the project’s news, sign up to its blog at http://youthivate.wordpress.com
Crawley Borough Council’s noise experts carried out free MP3 headphone checks in County Mall yesterday (Thursday 4th August) – and were shocked at what they found.
Of the 30 tests carried out, six people were playing music at volumes above 100 decibels, which should only be listened to for a few minutes each day. They admitted to playing music this loud for at least an hour every day – at this level they are likely to be damaging their hearing.
Fifteen people were playing music at volumes above 90 decibels for more than an hour each day, which is above recommended guidelines.
The council’s Environmental Health Team urges MP3 owners to 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.
For more information visit www.crawley.gov.uk/noise and www.noiseactionweek.org.uk
LONDON TO BRIGHTON VIA CRAWLEY – Saturday 3rd December @ 07:00 until Sunday 4th December @ 23:30
Stuart Bourne, David Lilburn, Gordon Cooper Summers, Stuart Baldwin and Stuart Power will be pulling a sledge to rasie funds for HELP OUR WOUNDED ROYAL MARINES over the weekend of Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December 2011 stopping at Crawley where there will be a fundraisng event on the Saturday evening! Gordon is the pround father of Royal Marine Scott Summers who tragically lost his life in afghanistan in feb 2007! rest easy Royal,never forgotten!
Aswell as raising funds we will be asking for donations of xmas presents so that we may pass these onto the children of those brave royals who have given their lives and will not have their fathers around this xmas so lets do all we can to try and raise a smile and show we do care and will never forget them!
We hope as many people join in around the country and mirror what we are doing and to make this an annual event so take up the challenge and get pulling for HELP OUR WOUNDED ROYAL MARINES!
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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
An Olympics inspired weekend offering hoards of free activities attracted hundreds of visitors.
Open Weekend, organised by Crawley Borough Council, K2 Crawley and Crawley Schools Sports Partnership, celebrated a year to go to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Featuring free demonstrations, lessons and all kinds of dance, the weekend saw the launch of Crawley in Motion, the name for sporting, cultural and community projects taking place in the town in the next 18 months; while it also drew a close to Dance in Motion, a month-long festival of dance.
The weekend kicked off on Friday (July 22) with the help of an impressive Flashmob of all ages, shape and sizes.
Made up of adults and children from local schools, Crawley Council, Ginger Moo, K2 Crawley, Healthy Balanced Generation (HBG) Gym at Oriel High School and SA Academy (dance school), the mob wowed the Town Centre with their impromptu dance display in Queens Square.
Shaun Angel, owner of SA Academy, dedicated many free hours to teaching the active mob their moves before the launch.
Along with the Flashmob the event rolled ahead with interactive theatre Run Turtle Run; karate taster sessions and the Lazy Town Sports Club.
On Sunday, K2 Crawley played host to Dance in Motion’s finale day with lessons in Latin, ballroom and street as well as a children’s dance party, Michael Jackson workshop and a grand ball.
Dancers of all abilities were invited to join in the fun, which included an exciting cabaret from top ballroom amateur couple Ian Sharpe and Victoria Lawrence, with music from top London dance DJ, Mr Wonderful. More than 300 people visited the centre for Dance in Motion activities alone.
For more information about Crawley in Motion visit www.crawley.gov.uk/inmotion
Nominate Crawley’s inspirational young people and make sure they’re recognised.
The Youth Awards 2011 is underway and Crawley Borough Council is accepting nomination forms.
Last years’ event was a sell-out again, rewarding more than 370 young people from across the town for their achievements.
Ellis Barton, 13, won last year’s Carer Recognition award for his dedication to his younger brother Toby who is severely autistic.
Ellis gives up his time, cuts short trips out and even accompanies his brother to swimming lessons, always putting Toby first; the Youth Awards was a fantastic way of recognising Ellis’ selfless acts.
And, St Margaret’s School in Ifield bagged the Environment award for their eco school status, recognising the efforts of many which also contribute to the community.
Now in its seventh year, the awards aim to celebrate and recognise young people who have made a real difference to Crawley and its community.
Organised by Crawley Borough Council, in partnership with West Sussex County Council Youth Service, Crawley School Sports Partnership, West Sussex Council for Voluntary Youth Services, Crawley Young Persons Council and Crawley Wellbeing, the young people will be awarded for their achievements in November.
Anyone can nominate a young person and the only criteria for nominees are that they are under 25 years old and they live in Crawley, or the reason for their nomination occurred within the town.
Those nominating young people under 16 must also get permission from the nominee’s parents or guardians first.
There are 12 awards in four categories, these are:
Community Awards:
Let’s FACE It! – Environment Award
Crawley Lions Club – Carer Recognition Award
Crawley Young Persons Council – Volunteer Award
Sports Awards:
EEZEHAUL – Young Sports Person of the Year Award
Freedom Leisure – Sports Team Award
Crawley School Sports Partnership – Sports Volunteer Award
Arts Awards:
Safer Crawley Partnership – Music Award
Topsy Turvy – Dance and Drama Award
Crawley Metal Supplies – Visual Arts Award
Personal Achievement Awards:
Apollo Group – Inspiration Award
Sussex Police – Courage Award
West Sussex County Council – Educational Achievement Award
If you would like to see an inspirational young person recognised then log onto www.crawley.gov.uk/yaa or pick up a nomination form from schools, youth centres, the Town Hall, K2 Crawley, The Hawth, Crawley Library, Topsy Turvy (town centre hairdresser) and Connexions. The deadline for nominations is 14th September, 2011.
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
Economic plan for town is launched
A new economic business plan for Crawley was agreed by Crawley Borough Council last night (Wednesday July 20).
The plan, titled Crawley’s Economic Plan (2011-16) In support of prosperity, sets out the council’s vision, role and purpose. It’s designed to be a short-term plan with a range of priority areas and activities which the council has a role in delivering.
The plans priorities are:
¢ Revitalise the town centre
¢ Enhance Manor Royal Business District
¢ Support the development of a sustainable Gatwick
¢ Encourage new business and local supply chain opportunities
¢ Contribute to the development of skilled and enterprising people and businesses
¢ Support housing supply and sustainable transport improvements
¢ Develop an economy noted for its environmental excellence.
The council is committed to supporting the economy and the plan is focussed on the next few critical years. To demonstrate that commitment the council is committed to reporting progress in public and inviting interested parties and the community to comment and contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of the plan.
The plan is also practical and focuses on areas where the council can make an impact.
Councillor Claire Denman, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, said: Delivering the plan against a challenging economic backdrop will not be easy. The plan tries to balance ambition with realism.
Its an action-focussed plan and already the council is making progress in key areas including Manor Royal, the town centre and in housing and delivering important infrastructure.
The Local Economic Action Group has been a key partner in the development of the plan, letting the council know what’s important to the Crawley business community.
John Stapleton, Chair of the LEAG, said: delighted that the Crawley Economic Plan has been agreed. The LEAG and Crawley Borough Council are committed to working jointly to support the delivery of the plan over the next five years.
We will play an active role as a critical friend to the council and provide oversight to support the delivery of the plan.
For more information about the LEAG visit www.crawley.gov.uk/leag
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.”
FIRE CADETS – NOW RECRUITING FOR A NEW GENERATION!
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is looking for enthusiastic young people who feel they have got what it takes to be a Fire Cadet.
A new 25-week Fire Cadet programme begins on the 6th October at Haywards Heath Fire Station and applications are being encouraged from young people between the ages of 15 and 18.
For the right candidates the Fire Cadets course is a unique opportunity to experience life on a Fire Station, learn Fire Service drills, life saving skills, search and rescue techniques and much much more. There will also be the chance to represent West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service at public events across the county.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service want to hear from young people who:
. Enjoy working in a team
. Are fit, energetic, and enjoy practical outdoor tasks
. Want to help and support others
. Would like to achieve a nationally recognised accreditation
. Want to achieve the silver or bronze Duke of Edinburgh award – optional
. Can commit to the full 25-week course (every Thursday 6.30pm-8.30pm term time only)
Think you’re up for the challenge? Find out more now by calling the Youth Team on 01243 752535 or email youthinitiative@westsussex.gov.uk
K2 Leisure Centre Gym Weekend @ County Mall
Demonstrating classes, equipment & recruiting new members to their refurbished gym.
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st July
Just the ticket – course to help more independent travel
Adults with learning difficulties in West Sussex will now be able to travel more independently thanks to a new training initiative.
West Sussex County Council’s Adults’ Services has commissioned a new independent travel training service for two of its day services, Coastal Enterprises, Worthing, and Burnside, Burgess Hill.
The aim is to help people with learning difficulties gain confidence in travelling on public transport.
The charity Grace Eyre, which supports people with learning difficulties across Sussex, is running the project.
It teaches skills needed for people to travel around their community safely using public transport, either with the support of a volunteer travel buddy or travel on their own.
County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, Peter Catchpole, said: “The travel training scheme is a great way for people with learning difficulties to gain a little bit more independence.
“Grace Eyre have been successful with the scheme over the last four years in the Brighton and Hove area, working closely with local bus companies and Southern Rail.
“Learners are assessed individually throughout the course and can progress onto another course, which teaches the skills to support others to travel.”
In the coming months, the project will be recruiting more volunteer travel buddies. To find out more, contact Sarah Howse on 07841067281.
The Hawth are delighted to announce that Sussex train operator, Southern Railway is now the official sponsor of Dance Off, Crawley’s Vision in Youth Collective’s (ViYC) exciting new project. Their first ever dance competition will be held in The Hawth Studio on Saturday 16th July at 7.30pm with further Dance Offs planned for 2012.
The company, which serves communities across Sussex and beyond, has donated £1000 to support ViYC’s work with the youth in Crawley, giving the group the funds they need to kick start their new project this summer.
ViYC is a group of young people aged 14 to 25 who were brought together in 2007 by the Crawley Community Development Team to enable young people to have a say in the arts activities provided for them. Since then, they have developed an inspiring programme of activities, which reflect young people’s interests and bring teenagers from all different backgrounds together in a positive way. They always strive to celebrate the diversity and creativity of local young people, utilise their talent and help them reach their potential.
Sarah Morrison, Southern’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Partnership Manager said: ”We are very pleased to be associated with such a worthwhile initiative. We’re sure that the competition will prove to be really popular with young people in Crawley and it will provide another dimension where they can showcase their talents.”
The sponsorship money from Southern Railway will enable this project to have the best possible start and will be utilised to promote Dance Off across the area, go towards the running costs and ensure that ViYC can bring in top professional DJs and MCs to make the night a memorable one for all involved.
The Dance competition is open to all dancers, whether solo performers or part of a group. Anyone who would like to compete for the title of Dance Off Champion should contact Liz Hart on 01293 438156.
Henry Smith has welcomed an announcement from Ceres Power that they have opened a new technology centre in Crawley creating 170 new jobs in the local economy.
Henry said:
“Companies such as local, leading green economy firm Ceres Power are proving how much of an asset they are for our town, having just announced 170 new positions. Today’s announcement follows on from Siemens decision to create 600 new positions in Three Bridges.
“It was reassuring to learn today that, in the three months to May, unemployment data (released today) shows joblessness continuing to fall in Crawley (now at 4.1%). For those still out of work I appreciate it remains 100% of a problem but I’m convinced that reducing red tape and our national debt will further stimulate the economy.
“Over the past year, some 1,500 investment projects from 54 different countries have been landed by the UK, creating and safeguarding almost 100,000 positions in the private sector.”
Follow Henry daily on Facebook by visiting: www.facebook.com/henrysmithmp
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