On Sunday 7th August Three Bridges FC showed Essex United the way it is done by beating them 3-2.
With Mark Wright, star of The Only Way Is Essex and Jack Tweed, widower of Jade Goody playing for the Essex United team it was a game looked on by many.
The Only Way is Essex star Mark Wright
The first goal was an impressive sight by Tim River in the 37th minute. James Grant then moved in to give Three Bridges a 2-0 lead just before the end of the first half.
Essex United came back to score just after the whistle for the start of the second half with a great goal by Tom Williams making it 2-1. This was not to last long as shortly after Tim Rivers made another smooth shot to make the score 3-1.
Five minutes later Lee Roget put one in the back of the net for Essex United making the final score 3-2.
We sent Shelley along to film the game and take some photos for you. Shelley spoke to Mark Wright who said “I have enjoyed coming to Crawley and the people have been lovely”.
The full game can be seen here (please be advised there is some bad language in this footage).
Five men have come together to raise money for their chosen charity ‘Help Our Wounded Royal Marines’, formed by Chris Stubbings BEM in March 2010.
Quote from the facebook page:
HELP OUR WOUNDED is a fundraising arm for The Royal Marines Association, Charity Number 206003. HOW was formed on the 4th March 2010 because of the number of seriously injured Royal Marines returning from operational tours in Afghanistan Iraq and other areas of armed conflict. HELP OUR WOUNDED is a community based effort seeking to help the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (Registered Charity No 1134205), meet it’s target of raising £6M by the 350th anniversary of the Corps in October 2014. A Campaign Board has been established to coordinate the Corps Family effort working towards this testing target and HELP OUR WOUNDED is represented on that board.
What, when and where
On December the 3rd and 4th Dave Lilburn MBE, Stuart Baldwin, Cai Ives, Stuart Bourne and Stuart Power will be pulling a sledge from London to Brighton to help raise awareness and funds for this great charity.
Quote from the facebook page:
Myself (Stuart Bourne, Regional Fund Raiser for the South Eat) along with David Lilburn,Cai Ives,Stuart Baldwin and Stuart Power will be pulling a sledge to rasie funds for HELP OUR WOUNDED ROYAL MARINES over the weekend stopping at Crawley where there will be a fundraisng event on the Saturday evening. We have also enlisted some Santa Helpers as traffic guides (Reserves) and these are : Gay Wise, Andy Hains, Dale Lilburn and Ashton Lilburn.
As well 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 be around this xmas so please 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 will join in around the country and mirror what we are doing. We would like this to become an annual event, so take up the challenge and get pulling for HELP OUR WOUNDED ROYAL MARINES.
We wish them all the best
Shelley was invited down to the martial arts school Lumpini in Priestley Way, Crawley to speak to the men involved. We also spoke to John Jarvis who is a trainer at Lumpini who have offered to train the men to full fitness for the event. John told us they were more than honoured to help the men get fit for this feat and to support them in many more ways, including giving them a stall at their forthcoming Muaythai Boxing event happening this Saturday at Effingham Park Hotel. More details can be found here.
We would like to wish them all the best. We will be covering their arrival into Crawley on December 3rd. Please show your support in any way you can.
The council has set up a survey, which can be accessed from the homepage of the website at www.crawley.gov.uk, to get people’s opinions on its online offering.
Respondents can tell us how they use the internet – or if you don’t, why not – and what services they would like to see provided online in the future.
The council wants to make sure it provides the online services that people want and will use, so please take a few minutes to give your ideas.
Everyone who takes part in the survey will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win £50 of High Street Vouchers.
The survey has also involved face-to-face and telephone questions too.
A new scheme from Southern Railways that offers three new types of support for passengers with learning difficulties, is being backed by West Sussex County Council.
The first, which is also for people whose first language is not English and passengers who often find communicating difficult, is an easy to read accessibility guide.
It gives information in easy to read information and pictures, on travelling with a wheelchair or mobility scooter, station and train accessibility, access on board trains and using Southern’s ‘Priority Seat Card’.
The second is a ‘Travel Support Card’, which is pocket sized and has details of the holder’s name, home station, where they travel to and from, contact numbers and a section stating how train staff can help them. This will allow passengers to travel more independently with confidence.
The third is an A4 sized pictorial card where passengers can point to a picture to indicate to a member of Southern staff what they need help with.
Graham Tyler, West Sussex County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Some of our adults with learning difficulties worked with Southern Railway in the development of this scheme, advising what would be helpful to them when travelling on public transport.
“These forms of support will enable vulnerable adults to travel independently with confidence.”
New sport and leisure activities for adults with learning difficulties
New daytime clubs providing sport and leisure activities across the county for adults with learning difficulties have been opened.
Called “Out There West Sussex”, clubs in Angmering, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham and Littlehampton, have been set up to provide activities from arts and crafts, drama and beauty sessions, to football, cricket and martial arts.
Evening clubs have also been set up in Chichester, Horsham and Worthing.
West Sussex County Council invited tenders for the 18-month contract, which was awarded to Outreach 3 Way in partnership with Ferring Country Centre, Worthing Mencap and the Grace Eyre Foundation.
Bob Leeves, Out There Sports and Leisure Development Manager, said: I feel privileged to be involved in the Out There project. I have been working with adults with learning disabilities, developing sports and leisure opportunities, for six years and still enjoy seeing the positive effects that exercise and socialising have on the people that we support.â€
County Council Cabinet Member for Adults Services, Peter Catchpole, said: These clubs will ensure adults with learning difficulties have opportunities to take part in new activities, and to keep fit.
It’s a great way for them to be involved in the community and increase their independence.
Outreach 3 Way is a Sussex-based learning disabilities charity which supports people in all areas of daily life, from working to socialising. Residential care, supported living services, one to one support and complex needs care are vital pillars of their work.
Ferring Country Centre is an independent charity that provides training and work experience for people with learning difficulties. It supports the Out There project with horse-riding sessions and access to its animal farm.
Worthing Mencap champions the rights of learning-disabled people and their families to improve the facilities and opportunities available to them. Out There runs evening activities with Worthing Mencap, providing support staff and the use of the minibus for outings.
Grace Eyre is a charity supporting people with learning disabilities to make the most of opportunities in their communities.
The following activities for adults cost £5 per person. On offer are:
Burgess Hill
Wednesdays: 10am to 1pm – swimming, short mat bowls, boccia, table tennis and tennis.
Horley
Thursdays: 10am to 1pm – Horseriding at Sandras Riding School.
Horsham
Mondays: 12.45pm to 3pm – ten-pin bowling and pool at Horsham Superbowl
Tuesdays: 7pm to 8pm – art, drumming and football at Horsham Youth Club
and 7pm to 8pm – martial arts at Brighton Road Baptist Church.
Crawley
Tuesdays (: 10am to 3pm – use of the gym and sports hall. Youth wing providing computer and music room access plus use of pool and table tennis facilities. Football coaching will also be provided at Bewbush Leisure Centre.
Worthing
Tuesdays: 7pm to 9pm – tennis, badminton, trampolining, basketball, football, music, table tennis, dance, short mat bowls, boccia, new age kurling, beauty salon, yoga, arts and crafts, sensory activities at Worthing Leisure Centre and Field Place.
Thursdays: 12.30pm to 2pm – music group at The Ivy Arch Studios
Saturdays: 3pm to 5pm – arts and crafts club at Buddys
Ferring
Tuesdays: 1.30pm to 3pm – horseriding at Ferring Country Centre.
Littlehampton
Mondays: 12pm to 3pm – swimming, use of the gym, interactive room, mini golf, walks along the beach at Littlehampton Swimming Centre.
Chichester
Wednesdays: 10am to 1pm – multi-sports, swimming and use of the gym at Westgate Leisure Centre.
Thursdays: 7pm to 8pm – arts and crafts, football, trampolining at Westgate Leisure Centre.
On Thursday 25th July the people of Dorsten came for their annual visit to Crawley.
Crawley has been twinned with Dorsten in Germany since 1974 and over this time many strong friendships have built up.
Over the years, Crawley and Dorsten Twinning Associations have been creating new links and strengthening existing ones through cultural, social and educational exchange visits. In addition, a number of organisations based in both towns have arranged their own visits based on their own particular interests such as the Weald Choir.
Crawley Town Twinning Association is a voluntary organisation and they are always looking for new members to ensure that the links between the two towns continue to grow and thrive for future generations.
Anybody can become involved either as individuals, clubs, families or societies. Perhaps you belong to a club and would like to share ideas with your counterparts in Dorsten, perhaps you have a business and would like to sponsor an activity or maybe you’re keen to learn about German culture and learn the language.
We spoke to Ian, Marita and Mayor Carol Eade about the visit and their plans.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people of the dangers of leaving clothing close to exposed light bulbs after a family had a lucky escape in Storrington last night.
Two fire crews from Storrington were called shortly after 9pm last night to a detached house on Bracken Lane after the owners discovered smoke filling a first floor bedroom in their home and called 999.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the bedroom and discovered a pair of socks had become wedged beside the bulb of a bedside lamp which had been left on. The socks had started smouldering, creating thick smoke logging in the room. Crews removed the lamp to the garden and used a positive pressure fan to ventilate.
The family managed to leave the property safely prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. One male was treated for mild smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.
Watch Manager Martin Mckilligin, the Incident Commander, said afterwards:
“People often don’t realise just how hot exposed light bulbs can become so it’s really important to check nothing is placed on or near them. In this case it was a pair of socks that had become inadvertently wedged down the side of a bedroom lamp in a child’s bedroom while the family were all downstairs. We’d suggest it’s much safer to switch lamps and other electrical equipment off when not in use.
“Thankfully, because of the sensible actions of the homeowner, who closed the bedroom door and immediately dialled 999 when he discovered the smoke filling the bedroom, the smoke damage was contained to the room of origin and everyone was able to leave the property safely.”
Firefighters offer some simple tips to keep your family safe from fire:
. Wherever possible make sure that electrical equipment is switched off and unplugged at the wall when not in use.
. Get into the habit of closing doors, this will help slow the spread of fire.
. Make sure you have a smoke alarm fitted on each level of your home and test it weekly – it can give you that vital early warning to a fire.
. If you do discover a fire – get out, stay out and call 999.
Need fire safety advice? It couldn’t be easier! Simply call the Community Fire Safety team on 01243 642789 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire
On the 21st July at 7:20pm the first guests at the Crawley NCT (National Childbirth Trust) event ‘The Do!’ began to queue outside Club 7878 in Horley. They had been told that the first 50 guests through the door at 8pm would receive a gorgeous goodie bag (some of the details of which had been posted on the events Facebook page over the last few weeks). The first people admitted were greeted by the branch co-chairs – Alexis Ozmen and Clare Hoggan who presented them with their much anticipated bags. The club was decked out in balloons in NCT colours, there were cupcakes and nibbles for all to enjoy as they dipped into their goodie bags to discover the treats within and sipped their first drink. They were also treated to some close up magic by magicians Rob Sharp and Simon Archer.
While the DJ played some excellent party tunes, the guests continued to arrive before they were welcomed by the Co-Chairs, followed by an address by Member of Parliament for Crawley Henry Smith who shared his experience with the NCT having attended Ante Natal Classes in the Branch. After the final speaker Jules Jones who spoke about being a parent and volunteering with the NCT Henry Smith pulled the first 3 prizes in the fabulous prize draw then the lights were dimmed and the music cranked up and everyone concentrated on enjoying themselves.
MP Henry Smith helps pick the lucky winners of the raffle
The NCT is the UK’s largest parenting charity providing support in pregnancy with our excellent antenatal classes, supporting post-natally with breastfeeding support and early years classes all held locally within branches. Crawley branch have a weekly drop in – Bumps, Babes and Tiddlypeeps (Held on a Tuesday morning at Furnace Green Community Centre, Ashburnham Drive 10– 11:30am – everyone is welcome for a suggested donation of £1 to assist with hire costs) and hold Nearly New Sales twice yearly (in March and November) where anyone can buy and sell good quality pregnancy, baby and child related items. As well as these regular events there are also ad hoc social events for parents and their children (for example a Teddy Bears picnic and Christmas party as well as coffee mornings and soft play gatherings) and evening events for the hard working parents such as pamper evenings and fashion shows.
The night was danced away
In order to put on all these great events the branch is in need of volunteers. Volunteering is great fun and does not need to be time consuming – there are roles to suit everyone, committee posts which are a regular role as well as the smaller one off things like hosting a social event (large or small) and helping out at our nearly new sales. Whatever role a person takes on they can rely on the fact that they will be part of a fantastic team, have great fun meeting new people and will receive full support in their role. To find out more about the branch visit the facebook page by clicking here, email the chairs chair@nctcrawley.org.uk or call our branch enquiries line 08442436098.
Shelley interview Clare Hoggan & Alexis Ozmen
‘The Do!’ is the first event of its kind and was an enormous success. Its purpose was to thank all the volunteers of the branch past, present and future and everyone enjoyed themselves, lots of guests won prizes in the draw which were all donated by local businesses and the goodie bags were very well received. Alexis and Clare would like to thank Ian Metcalfe of Club 7878 (and Bar 429) for the use of the venue which was perfect, Sabine Edwards of Pendleton Events who donated her time and ensured the event ran smoothly, all the donors to the prize draw and goodie bags, Rob and Simon for wowing people with card tricks and the sponsors of the cupcakes and nibbles.
A great night was had by all and everyone is now crying out for more!
Source: Clare Hoggan, Crawley NCT Branch Co-Chair
We would like to thank Sabina and Clare for the great hospitality and the invite to this fab event
A checklist of benefits and payments to which people are entitled to in order to fund their care in a care home is now available in the latest online version of the West Sussex Care Guide.
As well as the benefits and payments checklist, the 2011/12-care guide lists domiciliary care services and care homes in West Sussex registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It also includes a raft of information on: day care and community care services; extra care housing schemes; and support for carers.
The guide is jointly produced by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Forum, which is the largest representative body of independent care providers in the county.
This year’s care guide together with the benefits and payments checklist is available on-linonlinee West Sussex County Council’s website at www.westsussex.gov.uk in PDF formats. It is also accessible via the Caringinfo website www.caringinfo.com which has links to providers’ most recent CQC inspection reports. The Caringinfo website also shows the current vacancies in care and nursing homes.
County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Graham Tyler said: “The interactive website is an extremely useful way of comparing care providers in West Sussex.
“For most people funding the cost of their care home fees represents the second largest purchase of their lifetime. Yet it is believed a significant number of people are not receiving the benefits and other payments to which they are entitled. These could help them towards affording the fees of their chosen care home.
“This is why we have included the benefits and payments checklist to make sure people know what they maybe entitled to if they have total assets in excess of £23,250.”
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 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 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.
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.
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.
On Friday 22nd July in the town centre of Crawley we were treated to a demonstration by the Crawley In Motion team.
Fired up by every-day adult non-dancers, with choreography by Shaun Angel, an enthusiastic camera man and editor Ben Murray and a great bunch of local young people, the Flash Mob demonstrated the essence of ‘Crawley in Motion’ – to mix art with sport, to inspire, volunteer, get involved and enhance activities planned, as we head towards the Olympic year, 2012!
Animating an open space, with dancers and non dancers alike, the intention was to film the event to promote events over the coming year, launching this year’s Open Weekend. Promoted through a Flash Mob website, word of mouth and email, group rehearsals took place at the Civic Hall, The Hawth Studio, HBG Ifield gym and K2 Crawley with practice video clips on YouTube to learn at home.
The group included non-dancers of all ages, from local authority, Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley, HBG Fitness, Ginger Moo, local musicians and inspirational input from independent parkour enthusiasts and professional dancers from both Shaun Angel and Andy Moore’s dance troops.
Participants gathered from 4pm, shopped, walked and talked, drank a coffee… The Hawth technical team wheeled a mobile sound system to the bandstand at 4.20pm and on hearing the music, Drew Ratcliff and Jordan Nesbitt crossed the square with well rehearsed breath-taking gymnastic moves which signalled the group to join in. The impressive routine ended with everyone dispersing from the square to the sounds of cheers from spectators.
Everyone who took part volunteered their time. Shaun Angel commented “I was really pleased to be asked to help. My students loved being part of an exciting project like this – and I’m making links with other local dance troops to grow the project with the Crawley in Motion team!”
Video footage and photos will be shown on Go! Crawley’s facebook page promoting activities for young people – www.facebook.com/gocrawley and on CBC website promoting Crawley in Motion.
‘Crawley in Motion’ is led by Crawley Borough Council comprising committee members from sports, arts and community and business departments, Freedom Leisure at K2 Crawley, HBG Fitness, Crawley Schools Partnership, CVS. The committee aim is to ensure that Crawley residents are directly involved in celebration and activity surrounding London 2012 – and to encourage everyone to get involved!
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.
On Thursday 21st July we sent Shelley along to see the first specially adapted apartment designed to assist spinal injury patients on leaving hospital.
The newly furbished apartment is based in Barley House, Barley Close, Southgate. It is situated in the new flats by The Guinness Trust Partnership. Aspire are a charity who help spinal injury patients adapt into the world of being a wheelchair user.
We spoke to Krupesh Hirani, Policy & Research Officer for Aspire National Training Centre who told us “Aspire are a charity who help people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury. Every eight hours a person in the UK is paralysed by a spinal cord injury. The housing programme is one of our main programmes. What we look at is housing people after their injury. The most common cause of a spinal injury is a road traffic accident so they will not have been a wheelchair user previously. They could live in a first floor flat. what that means is someone could be discharged into a setting which we think is not positive for their rehabilitation. Or they might have to be discharged to a care home or could be kept in hospital for a longer period of time, which is also not the best situation. So what we do through our housing programme is find temporary accomodation for wheelchair users to be discharged to while their long term housing solution is being looked at. Our tenants have a six month contract. In which time they are assisted in their rehabilitation and their requirements in their own home to help meet their needs. This apartment is the first in Crawley. We have 21 apartments such as this across the country. We lease the apartment from housing associations such as The Guinness Trust so if there are any housing associations which identify a need, we are very happy to discuss options. The apartments already in place were identified as being needed in that area by the NHS and we will carry on trying to identify the needs of such apartments in all areas. We already have apartments in Brighton all the way up to Glasgow. The apartment is part of the Guinness Trust’s 500th project and has been operational for just over a month”.
We then spoke to our local MP Henry Smith who told us “This is a really good and it’s great that Aspire have opened their twenty first unit here in Crawley. It is specifically designed to help people who have suffered a spinal cord injury. To be able to spend six months here, to be able to learn how to live a normal life again is great. the unit is specially adapted to help them so they know what they may need when returning back to their own home. With an injury of this kind happening every eight hours this type of work is essential to the community. Alot of people do not know about Aspire but that is not unusual as it is relatively rare to know someone with a spinal injury. It is really important that for the people who have to transform their lives they have the support from charities such as Aspire. It’s also wonderful that Aspire have chosen Crawley for their this new unit. Being able to be discharged from hospital is a benefit to everyone, including the cost on the NHS, so this serves as a great function to everyone involved. It also helps the wheelchair user learn what they may need adapting in their own home and what doesn’t. This type of injury is a devastating and very serious situation for those effected. It’s great to be aware of the help that is offered by such charities as Aspire”.
We met Mark at Barley House. Mark had recently been involved in an accident which left him paralysed. Mark has been in the apartment for a month now and looked like he was adapting very well to his new situation. We would like to wish Mark all the best for his future.
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.
Three of Crawley’s attractive parks have again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag.
Beautiful Tilgate Park has received the award for the tenth consecutive year while Goffs Park, in Southgate, and the Memorial Gardens in the town centre have picked up their fourth Green Flags – the national standard for quality parks and green spaces.
Tilgate Park, set in 400 acres, scooped its first Green Flag in 2002. Winners are judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained and involve the local community.
Tilgae Park
Tilgate Park boasts a nature centre, golf course, lakes, lawns and gardens, woodland walks and bridleways.
Goffs Park has a lake, 18-hole pitch and putt course, miniature steam railway, state-of-the-art play facilities and is home to Crawley Museum.
The Memorial Gardens are an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling town centre, with lunching office workers and sunbathers enjoying the lush lawns and vibrant plants.
Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted to have won these awards.
“For Tilgate to have been awarded the Green Flag for 10 consecutive years is nothing short of amazing.
“All of these flags demonstrate the continued commitment of the council and its dedicated staff to keeping these great parks and open spaces so special, while providing a wide range of leisure activities. It is also just reward for a huge contribution from the Friends of Goffs Park.”
The Green Flag Award is sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, English Heritage and Natural England.
Henry Smith MP has today highlighted an important initiative for local community charity and voluntary groups to nominate themselves for a total of £18,000 worth of awards.
Crawley’s Natwest Branch, as part of their Community Force project, are encouraging local voluntary groups to put themselves forward for three £6,000 awards.
“I am pleased that Natwest has recognised its stake in the Big Society and is offering £18,000 worth in award money for three successful projects chosen by local residents.
“I am always in awe of the fantastic work carried out by so many community groups in Crawley that really make a remarkable difference to so many peoples’ lives. It is, therefore, fantastic when companies like Natwest develop programmes that local charities can apply for funding from. I hope this will provide even more support for the good work they do.”
Charity and voluntary groups wishing to put themselves forward for the awards should register at www.natwest.com/communityforce from today.
A month-long Olympic inspired festival of dance, which culminates with Open Weekend, is underway.
Dance in Motion is part of Crawley in Motion, the name for sporting, cultural and community projects taking place in the town in the next 18 months, all inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The events, co-ordinated by Crawley Borough Council, K2 Crawley and Crawley Schools Sports Partnership, will include demonstrations and lessons of all types of dance, from ballet to street and Bollywood to Zumba.
Dance in Motion began on July 2 with Bollywood, Portuguese, Irish, contemporary and street dancing demonstrations in Memorial Gardens as part of Crawley Festival Mainstage.
Open Weekend, from Friday 22ndJuly to Sunday 24th July, celebrates one year to go to the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic Games with free activities for all the family.
On Friday July 22, Run, Turtle! Run!, a fun theatre show based on Aesop’s fable, encourages physical activity and participation. It’s suitable for all ages and takes place at the Langley Green Centre at 2pm and the Bewbush Centre at 4pm.
Also on the Friday K2 Crawley hosts karate taster sessions from 8-8.45pm and 8.45-9.30pm. The sessions are run by British Karate Kyokushinkai, who host an international tournament the day after. Spectators are welcome at the tournament, also held at the leisure centre.
On Saturday 23rd July from 10am-4pm the LazyTown Sports Club comes to town.
This exciting physical activity programme motivates children to live better and combines all the movement, excitement, music and action of the LazyTown shows.
Free 45-minute sessions for children aged three to eight accompanied by parents start at 10am, 11am, 12 noon and 1.30pm.
At 3pm the Fitkid Grand Finale will feature a special appearance from Sportacus himself!
The event, at Healthy Balanced Generation at Oriel High School in Maidenbower, is part of Crawley’s Open Weekend to celebrate exactly one year to the start of the Olympics.
On Sunday 24th July from 12 noon-4.30pm the Finale Day at K2 Crawley includes free one-hour workshops in beginners’ ballroom and Latin dancing (12 noon), Michael Jackson workshop (12 noon), street dance class (1pm), children’s dance party (1pm) and a grand ball (1.30-4.30pm).
The grand ball finale ends the Dance in Motion festival and the 2011 Open Weekend in style with a wonderful afternoon of ballroom and Latin dance planned.
Dancers of all abilities are invited to join in the fun, which includes an exciting cabaret from top ballroom amateur couple Ian Sharpe and Victoria Lawrence, with music from top London dance DJ, Mr Wonderful.
Tickets cost £6.50 (concessions £4.50) including refreshments). To book online visit www.hawth.co.uk or call 01293 553636.
A free crèche and free climbing wall sessions will also be available from 12 noon-2pm. Places are limited so please book in advance with K2 Crawley.
At 1pm inChoir, a modern West Sussex choir, will sign songs not normally associated with choirs in a free concert at K2 Crawley. The group concentrates on having a good time and promoting the health benefits of singing.
The full line-up of events plus more information is available at www.crawley.gov.uk/inmotion or www.healthybalancedgeneration.co.uk
To reserve a place at any of dance classes please call 01293 438328.
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
Henry Smith MP is highlighting Cancer Research UK’s work in the South East and backing the charity’s bid to make Crawley a thriving environment for medical research.
Henry met Cancer Research UK’s doctors, scientists and supporters from London and the South East at a special reception at Westminster recently.
Around five people are diagnosed with cancer every hour in the South East* but the good news is that thousands of mums, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters across the region are alive today thanks to research into cancer.
Henry said:
“I was keen to find out more about work funded by Cancer Research UK in the South East. I feel proud that research in the South East makes such a significant contribution to the fight against cancer. It’s heartening to know that by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work local people could be making a big difference to cancer patients here on their doorstep.
“I am pleased that this Government has committed to investing an addition £200 million into to cancer drug research and to provide the funding needed to deliver 1,200 additional specialists involved in cancer services by 2012. Despite opposition, the national health fund will be boosted by £11.5 billion over the next four years which will go some way in supporting the work of organisations such as Cancer Research UK.”
Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, thanked Mr Smith for his support, saying:
“Cancer Research UK is working hard in every region of the UK to beat cancer. Ninety per cent of the population live within 30 miles of a laboratory or hospital where we’re funding life-saving research.
“We welcome the Government’s recent commitments that will help us with the research we fund in the NHS. We now want the Government to involve Cancer Research UK in planning for the future of medical research in the UK.”
People in the South East who take part in Race for Life make a huge contribution to Cancer Research UK’s work by raising vital funds.
As the Race for Life series draws to a close for 2011, Cancer Research UK is asking participants to make all the fun and emotion of the big day count – by returning the money they have raised to the charity, where it will be used to fund research which saves lives.
To find out more about Cancer Research UK’s work and how to support the charity please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.
• *All cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed from 2006-2008 in the South East Government Office Region
• For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0203 469 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
