8 girls from Crawley chosen to appear with Stephen Mulhern in Hawth panto Sleeping Beauty

October 25, 2014, 1:45 am

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EIGHT girls from Crawley will be jumping for joy after being selected to appear alongside Stephen Mulhern in this year's Christmas pantomime.

Evolution, the producers of this year's Hawth pantomime Sleeping Beauty, auditioned more than 200 local dancers at the theatre last week.

After putting all the hopefuls through their paces, 23 girls were selected to appear alongside TV star Mulhern, impressionist Hilary O'Neil and CBeebies favourite Cat Sandion in the show.

The eight dancers from Crawley are among them.

Producer Emily Wood said: "We had an incredible turnout.

"We expected a good number as last year we had more than 100 dancers audition, but this year we've doubled that.

"The talent here is amazing and everyone was at such a high standard it was hard to whittle it down to just 23, but we've definitely got the right girls.

"They are great dancers and they really gave their all, which is just what we need to make Sleeping Beauty the best pantomime ever."

Amy Tarsitano, Niamh Welberry, Olivia Rathborn, Charlotte Bryant, Bella Cully, Bella Cavalli, Mia Pedley and Amy Pickup will perform in the production, which begins its run on December 12.

Tickets can be purchased now from The Hawth box office on 01293 553636.

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Crawley Town team news: Henderson starts after wonder goal

October 25, 2014, 6:00 am

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CONOR HENDERSON'S late winner against Walsall on Tuesday night has earned the former Arsenal midfielder a start for today's League One game at Gillingham. Henderson is one of three changes John Gregory has made for the match in Kent. Keith Keane is restored to the Reds' midfield, while Matt Harrold also starts. Izale Mcleod and Jimmy Smith drop to the bench, while Marvin Elliott misses out with a groin strain. Crawley Town: Ashdown, Oyebanjo, Leacock, Wals, Sadler, Edwards, Simpson, Keane, Henderson, Young, Harrold. Subs: Jensen, Bradley, Smith, McLeod, Bawling, Tomlin, Banya.

Broadfield dog attack victim almost lost a finger when bitten by Staffie

October 25, 2014, 6:08 am

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A WOMAN injured in a dog attack in Broadfield has thanked her neighbours for coming to her rescue. Kimberley Evans wrote to the Crawley News to praise those who came to her aid on Sunday, October 12 as her dog was being attacked. A 20-year-old man was arrested and his dog seized in the incident in Heather Walk at about 9pm. He was detained on suspicion of being a person in charge of a dog while allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place. Kimberley's dog suffered puncture wounds while she was bitten on the hand and had to go to hospital for treatment. The man has been bailed until December 12. In her letter Kimberley said: "I did not know all of them (her neighbours) and I was completely overwhelmed by their help and support for someone they also did not know. "It was a horrific experience to go through and not one that I would like to go through again in a hurry but knowing that if I did I wouldn't be alone would make it a lot easier. "Unfortunately I was also bitten by the Staff that was attacking my dog and I needed medical attention. "My mum was at work and I did not want to leave my dog to go to hospital without her getting medical attention too, so my very kind neighbours took Misse to the emergency vet so she could get the care she needed too. "People are very quick to talk bad of Crawley and especially Broadfield but what I experienced that Sunday night was not a bad area or a rough neighbourhood but a community pulling together to help in any way they could in an extremely bad situation. "I am so grateful to you all, you were all amazing at helping me, especially the ones who made me go to hospital and get my hand looked at because if you hadn't I could have lost my finger. "Luckily I only lost my nail and broke my finger in two places but it could have been a lot worse. "Thank you to all my neighbours in Heather Walk, Foxglove Walk and Fennel Crescent, from my family, Misse and I. "We owe you big time."

Youth unemployment figures in Crawley fall to just 2 per cent

October 25, 2014, 7:05 am

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FIGURES showing youth unemployment in the town has fallen to just 2 per cent have been hailed by the town's MP.

Henry Smith believes the latest information from the Office for National Statistics are the result of the positive impact of the Government's policies.

The figures for last month show 2 per cent of those aged between 16 and 24 are out of work in Crawley.

Mr Smith said: "I am personally committed to reducing unemployment in our town, which is why I have organised Crawley job fairs in each of the last two years."

He added that the Employment Allowance was helping firms in Crawley take on more staff and provide training for more people.

Man scared of leaving his home overcomes fears to build graveyard on Worth Way

October 25, 2014, 8:15 am

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A MUSICIAN who has struggled with agoraphobia has overcome his fears to film a spooky Hallowe'en-themed video. Dan Wilson, 32, has suffered a fear of wide-open spaces for years but recently completed an ambitious nine-month project which required him to build an entire graveyard on the Worth Way – twice. Dan, whose anxiety makes it difficult for him to leave his home, put together the video with props he found on cycling trips, including crosses made from wooden brackets once used to hold up growing trees, and "plague doctor" masks made out of old leather camera boxes. The East Grinstead resident is known to friends as Dano, and performs under the pseudonym Chalcedony. Speaking about the making of the video – entitled Little Death – he said: "I've wanted to make this video since 2007, but didn't have a location, any knowledge of special effects, or the confidence. But then I met some other local musicians through the jam night at the Crow's Nest (in East Grinstead) and they were really supportive. They said 'we can make this happen'. We ended up making something really unique. None of it is CGI and all the materials were found in the woods around town. It was just something fun to do for Hallowe'en. I wanted the whole thing to look really old and worn out and spooky." Dan and a team of friends built a graveyard of 50 crosses on the Worth Way not once but twice, as the crosses needed to be taken down and put back up for a second day of shooting. Although the instrumentalist didn't have prior permission to film on the land, he said he has since owned up to the land owner, who gave the project his blessing. The 32-year-old told the Courier he is very fond of the town he grew up in, and enjoyed exploring the East Grinstead countryside while looking for filming locations, but he is critical of some institutions who he believes limit the creativity of townspeople. He added: "We have such limited resources in East Grinstead and often I feel they make it difficult for people to be creative. There aren't any really decent gig venues, so this project was about making the most of the resources that are there and using what I could find." Dan records his own music in the loft of his childhood home, where he spent months drawing in the lightning for the video frame by frame. He still finds it difficult to get into a car but, despite this, is hoping to start taking driving lessons soon. The video – his seventh to date – follows a ghost who tries to stop people from dying. Dan believes it may have been a very different video had it been filmed seven years ago. "There are different ways of interpreting it," he explained. "In one part I sneak into the underworld in disguise and start raising the dead, but God comes along and stops me. I suppose it does say something about where I am in my life now – about me trying to overcome my desire to have control over things." Dan is now working on his third album, Chapter 3, to be released next year. For more on the album visit www.chalcedonymusic.com

Edwards goal earns Crawley Town a point at Gillingham

October 25, 2014, 8:55 am

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League One Gillingham 1 Crawley Town 1 CRAWLEY Town had to settle for a point after making the short trip to Gillingham on Saturday, after Leon Legge's header cancelled out Gwion Edwards' opener. Both goals game in the first half at the Priestfield Stadium, and despite chances in the second 45, neither could find a winner. Conor Henderson's late winner against Walsall on Tuesday night earned the former Arsenal midfielder a start for the League One game at Gillingham. Henderson was one of three changes John Gregory made for the match in Kent. Keith Keane was restored to the Reds' midfield, while Matt Harrold also started. Izale McLeod and Jimmy Smith dropped to the bench, while Marvin Elliott missed out with a groin strain. The opening 15 minutes saw corners for both side but there was little for either Stuart Nelson or Jamie Ashdown to do, with decent shots on target eluding the teams. The first real chance of the game fell to the home side when, after Jermaine McGlashan counter-attacked at speed, the ball eventually fell to Brennan Dickenson after the Reds struggled to clear, but the Gills man fired well over the crossbar. The Reds took the ball straight down the other end and Nelson was forced to tip the ball around his post after a deflected shot from Gwion Edwards. And it was that man Edwards that opened the scoring after 29 minutes. With Nelson rushing to close him down, the Wales international struck the ball from the right but without any real power. However, with no Gills man near, both sets of players watched as the ball cross the line in slow motion. The game soon opened up after the goal with Harrold hitting the post before a deflected Cody McDonald shot forced Ashdown into action at the other end. And the hosts were level shortly before the break when, after a Jake Hessenthaler corner, Leon Legge sent a bullet-like header into the net, and very nearly out the other side, leaving Ashdown no chance. The Gills made a half-time substitution, taking off McGlashan for Bradley Dack. Dack was a threat from the start of the second half, made a number of pacy runs from midfield as was unlucky not to put the Gills ahead after shooting just over the crossbar after 59 minutes. The Gills went close again after 75 minutes with only a last ditch tackle by Lanre Oyebanjo preventing McDonald from scoring. Gillingham were reduced to ten men for a number of minutes as John Egan changed a bloody shirt and had a mouth injury seen to, with the medical staff struggling to stem the bleeding. There were late chances at either end, substitute McLeod deflecting a Smith shot wide and Oyebanjo denying Luke Norris at the death. Gillingham: Nelson, Martin, Egan, Legge, Hessenthaler, Kedwell (Pritchard, 73), McDonald, McGlashan (Dack, 45), Doughty (Norris, 78), Dickenson, Hoyte. Unused subs: Fish, German, Hare, Bywater. Crawley Town: Ashdown, Oyebanjo, Leacock, Walsh, Sadler, Edwards, Simpson, Keane, Henderson (Smith, 71), Young (Bawling, 67), Harrold (McLeod, 85). Unused subs: Jensen, Bradley, Tomlin, Banya.

Gregory wants Crawley Town to be 'more ruthless' after Gillingham draw

October 25, 2014, 11:49 am

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MANAGER John Gregory has urged his Crawley Town side to be "more ruthless" in periods of the game they dominate, after the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at Gillingham. Crawley Town went ahead through Gwion Edwards but despite a good first half display, failed to add to the Wales winger's strike. The Gills equalised just before half-time and despite chances for both sides in the second 45, neither could find a winning goal. And Gregory believes his side should have scored a second goal during the first half, admitting they sometimes lack a "killer instinct". "Paul [Groves] and I made a point of saying after the game that you have that much domination in the first half, you have come in two goals up," the manager said. "I think we do lack a bit of killer instinct right the way through our team. If we had been 2-0 up then they have to score three to win. You have to be ruthless, absolutely ruthless, and I think sometimes we wait to see what happens rather than make it happen. That's something we need to drum into them but you can't always change personalities or perceptions." However, Gregory believes there was a number of positives to take from the game, including the performances of a number of the fringe members of the first team. "I was pleased with one or two performances, in particular Conor Henderson," he said. "The boys who have been on the outside, but have just come into it. Matt Harrold as well and Bobson [Bawling] came on. I love him [Bawling] to bits. He just runs around and causes a nuisance. He does terrific, he has such a great engine. "Lewis [Young] has done well. He's been in and out of the team this season and he worked exceptionally hard. I was pleased with everything and in particular that we were able to give a few people a rest today."

Crellin scores winner as Three Bridges beat Horsham

October 25, 2014, 12:18 pm

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Ryman League Division One South Three Bridges 2 Horsham 1 A non eventful first half was followed by half an hour of Bridges dominance and then a frantic finale after Horsham scored with a quarter of an hour to play. It took fifteen minutes for anything of note to happen when Abu Touray fired just over following trickery by Tony Garrod, whilst Horsham took 24 minutes to show anything remotely hostile when Jamie Ampleford drove wide after creating space for himself. The tireless Jamie Crellin had an effort blocked and another shot over the bar, whilst Horsham Player Manager came close with a header. But Bridges came out of the blocks for the second half and created a few half chances, the best of these being a Tony Garrod curler that was just wide and a Ben Godfrey drive that keeper Gareth Williams held well. Garrod and Godfrey were combining well, so it was no surprise when Godfrey nudged the ball on for GARROD to fire the home side ahead after 53 minutes. And ten minutes later Bridges doubled their tally when CRELLIN stooped at the far post to head home from Hakeem Adelakun's corner. Godfrey and Garrod provided efforts for each other as Bridges threatened to crush their visitors, but it all changed when an individual piece of brilliance by HARRY SMITH finished with a goal after 75 minutes. Suddenly the doubts seemed to creep in for Bridges, and they needed a good save by Kieron Thorp and a goal-line clearance to prevent Jamie Cade from snatching an 81st minute equaliser. Horsham threatened a couple more times, but four minutes from time Garrod saw his effort blocked after a header across goal by Callum Donaghey. Bridges then kept the ball as much as possible and held on to three valuable points. Bridges : Thorp, Lansdale, Whitehead, MacVicar, Dynan, Crellin, Touray (Donaghey, 85), Adelakun (Peauroux, 90+1), Godfrey (Pulling, 73), Carney, Garrod. Unused Subs. - Daniel, Leach. Aerotron Man of the Match - Martin Dynan.

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Crawley busker through to next round of Open Mic UK

October 25, 2014, 11:25 pm

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A BUSKER who performs in Crawley town centre has made it through to the area final of a national singing contest.

Tom Stephenson, who performs as Busker Tom, was one of 17 acts to sing at Open Mic UK's regional final in Hove at the weekend.

The 30-year-old impressed the judges and audience with his original song All About You, which he sang, while also playing the guitar and harmonica at different points in the song.

Tom, from Chaldon Road in Broadfield, said: "I got really warm feedback from the judges and I met some people who had been in the audience afterwards and they compared me to Bob Dylan.

"He is a huge influence on my music style so it was a big compliment. I wasn't sure how popular the harmonica would be but everyone said it worked really well and added something different to my performance."

Tom, who is also the frontman of a band called The Get Back Beats, will next perform at the south area final at Ferneham Hall, in Fareham, Hampshire, on November 29.

He has selected two original songs he wrote and wants the public to help him decide which to sing. The tracks are called Could Be Mine and How I Wish.

Tom, who busks in Queens Square and invites passers-by to join in with him by playing percussion instruments, will be uploading videos of each song and the one with the most views will be selected.

This is the stage before the national final which will be held at The O2 in London.

The winner of this year's Open Mic UK contest, which tries to unearth the best unsigned music acts in the country, will get a £5,000 prize to spend on developing their career.

To watch Tom's videos and help pick which track he sings at the next stage visit www.facebook.com/busker.tom

Paving your driveway is "part of the reason flooding is so bad in Crawley"

October 26, 2014, 12:30 am

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A GARDENER has called on people in Crawley to think twice before turning their front gardens into driveways as he believes it is partly responsible for flooding in the town.

Chris MacLeod holds a Royal Horticultural Society diploma in horticulture and tends the gardens at a private estate in West Chiltington.

The 28-year-old does not have a garden of his own as he lives in a flat in Oak Way, Northgate and is dismayed at how many people have paved over their green spaces. He believes the high number of driveways in the town is one of the reasons Crawley has experienced flooding in recent years and has warned it will only get worse unless more people keep their front gardens.

"To be honest it really bugs me," he said. "Every time I walk to my allotment, in Cherry Lane, in Langley Green, I think about it.

"I would estimate that one in three driveways on that walk is paved. As much as it bugs me because I'm a horticulturist, I thought about it more and most of the flooding in Crawley comes from drains not being able to cope with the amount of rainwater flowing into them. Rain falls, hits the concrete and just flows until it gets to a drain as opposed to getting soaked into the ground."

Mr MacLeod admits there is no quick fix for this, but believes everyone should consider the consequences before turning their front garden into a driveway. Crawley suffers from parking problems all over the town as there is often not enough space in residential roads.

But even so Mr MacLeod is calling on Crawley Borough Council to do something to limit replacing gardens with concrete.

He said: "I don't know what the cost of flooding in Crawley has been in recent years but I bet it is high and it is only going to get worse. If the council can somehow limit the number of driveways by refusing people permission then it would help." He also said for every garden lost to concrete there should be four or five times more green space created.

A council spokesman said the only control the council has over limiting paved driveways is through the planning process, adding that only non-permeable drives of more than five square metres require planning permission.

Crawley Conservatives call for council to support English votes for English laws

October 26, 2014, 2:25 am

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THE Conservative opposition at the Town Hall are launching a campaign for the council to support the call for English votes for English laws.

Councillor Duncan Crow, leader of the opposition, has tabled a notice of motion to be heard at the full council meeting of Crawley Borough Council tonight (Wednesday).

If passed the motion will instruct the council's chief executive to write to the Local Government Association (LGA), which lobbies on behalf of councils.

Cllr Crow will call on all councillors to back Crawley Borough Council supporting "English votes for English laws" for all parliamentary votes relating to English local government.

The motion also includes encouraging the LGA to lobby on behalf of English councils for all three main political parties to make English votes for English laws a manifesto commitment for the next general election.

The final part, if approved, would call on the LGA to negotiate with central government on what further service delivery responsibilities and powers can be devolved to elected local authorities in England.

Cllr Crow said: "This has come under the spotlight following the promise of further devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Any laws relating to councils in those countries are devolved matters for the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies, whereas MPs from those countries get to vote on laws only affecting English councils.

"This fundamental unfairness that disenfranchises English voters needs to change."

Crawley MP Henry Smith has given his support to the notice of motion. He said: "Only English MPs should be able to vote on only English laws."

The meeting of the full council will take place in the Town Hall from 7.30pm.

COLUMN: My shocking encounter with Crawley 11-year-old who was smoking and bunking off school

October 26, 2014, 4:14 am

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IN her monthly column Hazelwick School pupil Ella Barton gives readers an insight into what life is like as a teenager in Crawley. MY week started off pretty boringly. On Monday I woke up at half six, hastily downed a cuppa to wake me up, pulled on the distinct Hazelwick sixth form uniform and ran out of the house. Considering I was late leaving, as I always seem to be since starting sixth form, I had a nice morning sprint to the bus stop as well. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult that was with a ten stone bag and a black pencil skirt! The day went by pretty quickly; with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. It wasn't until my journey home that my day suddenly became ... different. I was stepping off my first bus from school to town, alongside a hundred other Hazelwick students, and walking with the general flow of schoolchildren down to my next bus stop to get my second bus home when I heard a loud shouting noise close by. I had barely walked ten paces off of the bus' open doors when a young boy, perhaps 11 or 12, began to circle round the walking schoolchildren, shouting abuse. In his hand he held a lit cigarette (a roll-up one) and he let it rest cautiously in between his small fingers as he walked up and down the pavement. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a thin jumper but he seemed so youthful, despite his cigarette and foul language, that I think he would have been in Year 7 or 8. I bet you think a young lad of barely 13 smoking and hanging round bus stops instead of being at school is bad enough but here comes the worst bit. This boy then began to, and I don't know whether he did it to impress his older friends or because he genuinely believed it, shout that "education is for gays" and repeatedly asked all of us "why are you going to school?" Like sensible people, we all ignored the boy as we walked past and just continued on our way. Obviously everyone had a good chat, gossip or giggle about it afterwards as teenagers do – not to mention the anger felt at him for his degrading language and unintelligent insults. Is this what sort of town we live in; where young boys can get away with such remarks and such lifestyles? Because the worst bit was no one seemed that shocked. It made me think, though, how could this boy get away with being out of school – and at such a young age? Where did he get his cigarettes from? Because surely there was no way anyone in a shop would have been serving him if even I could tell he had barely hit puberty! I don't know whether he'd been influenced by friends or older boys he knew or, simply, he had decided it was "cool" to skip school and hang around shouting abuse at children that did go to school. But it was actually quite saddening that someone older was supplying him with these cigarettes and that he had never quite grasped the importance or the privilege of education. So many children in this world are denied education simply because of lack of funds or, more controversially, their gender and yet we in the wealthier, first world countries seem to take for granted the amazing opportunities we have each day when we go to school. I'm not saying that everyone should wake up every morning, leap out of bed and be full of endless bounds of energy for learning and lessons; I mean even I don't do that! Most mornings, I drag myself out of bed, protest about the injustice of waking up so early and then get home in the evenings to whine and moan some more about how tired I am and how much work I have to do and just life in general. But sometimes even I have to admit we're pretty lucky where we are. It's a shame that this boy couldn't see it.

WANTED: Burglar aged 67 on the run from prison

October 26, 2014, 5:45 am

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POLICE are appealing for the public's help to find convicted burglar Simon Bercowitz who it is thought could be in Sussex. The 67-year-old was jailed for five-and-a-half years in June 2012 for a series of burglaries in Hampshire during which he stole antiques. He was released from prison on Monday (October 20) but has now been recalled to continue serving his sentence because he has breached the terms of his release by not attending an appointment with the Probation Service. Bercowitz, from Marine Parade, Brighton, has family and friends in Worthing and Bognor but has committed offences in Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall. Detective Constable Neill Pye said: "There is nothing to suggest that Bercowitz is committing further offences but we need to find and arrest him so that he can be returned to custody. "If you see him, if you know him or if you know where he could be, please contact us." Anyone who spots him should call Sussex Police on 101.

Homeless alcoholic fined after hurling abuse at passers-by while drinking from three litre bottle of cider

October 26, 2014, 6:28 am

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AN ALCOHOLIC has appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at cars and shoppers, before telling police to "f*** off". Officers were called to Railway Approach in East Grinstead to reports of a drunk man hurling abuse at passers-by. They identified him as homeless man Frederick Devall, who was subsequently arrested and charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place. The 51-year-old appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on October 15 where he pleaded guilty to the offence on September 24. Prosecutor Mark Kateley said: "Police were on duty in East Grinstead and heard reports of a drunken individual causing problems in Santander. "They spoke to the defendant, who was clearly very drunk, and drinking from a can of Special Brew. "They issued him with a notice to leave the area and later saw him sitting quietly on a bench in the town. "About an hour later they were called back to reports of a drunken and abusive male. "He had a three litre bottle of cider, and apparently he had been shouting and swearing at passing vehicles and pedestrians, and spitting on the floor." Police attended and he told them to f*** off. The court heard that Devall had faced problems since he was 16 and had been before the court for various offences. In mitigation, Geoff White explained that Devall is an alcoholic who, when drunk, "comes to the attention of police". He added: "When he's sober, he is a very reasonable and friendly man who does work in the community for good causes. "But when drunk he's a nuisance, and police arrested him for his own good and for the good of a lot of other people." Devall was fined £50 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. No order for costs was made in view of his homelessness. In July last year, he was convicted of the same offence at Sevenoaks' Magistrates' Court. Devall, then aged 50, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at a McDonald's and was fined £45.

Crawley obituaries - Funerals held between October 15 and 21

October 26, 2014, 8:45 am

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Details of funerals held for Crawley residents between October 15 and 21. DOROTHY MAY AUSTIN Mrs Austin, from Ifield, died peacefully at Ifield Park Care Home on October 3, aged 86. She leaves her five children and their families. A funeral service was held on Monday, October 20 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Funeral arrangements by The Martins Funeral Directors. CHARLES ALBERT WILLIAM WEBB Mr Webb, from Heatherley Cheshire Home, in Copthorne, died on October 8 aged 77. He leaves his wife Christine, daughter Jane, son Peter, sisters Kit, Jessie, Janet and Jennifer and his brother John. Mr Webb worked for Francis Chappell & Sons for 20 years in Crawley, was a member of Sussex County Rifle Association and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. A funeral service was held on Monday, October 20 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Donations to Heatherley Cheshire (cheques payable to Leonard Cheshire Disability), c/o The Martins Funeral Directors. MAUREEN "MO" DOWLING Mrs Dowling, from Rusper Road, Ifield, died at East Surrey Hospital on October 1, aged 64. She leaves her mum Eileen, husband John, son Sean, daughter Clare, sister Ann and brothers John and Robert. Mrs Dowling was the director of J&M Tyre Services, in Burgess Hill. A requiem mass was held on Tuesday, October 21 at The Friary Church. Funeral arrangements by The Martins Funeral Directors. JUNE KATHLEEN MORTIBOYS Mrs Mortiboys, from Furnace Green, died at East Surrey Hospital after a long illness on October 3, aged 85. She leaves her loving husband George, sons Nicholas and Gary, five grandchildren and two great grandsons. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, October 15 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Donations to St Catherine's Hospice, c/o The Martins Funeral Directors. JACQUELINE SMOKER Mrs Smoker, from Bewbush, died at East Surrey Hospital on September 24, aged 64. She leaves her loving husband Terry, son Dean, daughter Samantha, grandchildren Caitlin, Callum and Harry, and her sister-in-law Jeanne. A service of remembrance was held at St Albans Church. Donations to the ABI Unit at Acorn Court Care Home. Cheques payable to Carebase, c/o The Martins Funeral Directors. ELIZABETH DOROTHY CHRISTINE ELLIS Mrs Ellis, from Pound Hill, died at East Surrey Hospital on September 29, aged 83. She leaves her loving son Stephen and his wife Nikki, daughters Vicky and Lesley, and her husband Vic, grandchildren Kelly, Steven, Lee, Craig, James, Adam and Adrienne, and her six great grandchildren. A service of remembrance was held at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on Friday, October 17. Funeral arrangements by The Martins Funeral Directors. RONALD ALFRED UNDERWOOD Mr Underwood, from Langley Green, passed away at East Surrey Hospital on September 28, aged 80. He leaves wife Rosemary, son Colin and daughter Lorraine. A funeral service was held on Thursday, October 16 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Donations to Cancer Research UK, c/o Ballard & Shortall. MARGARET EMMA WHITE Mrs White, from Northgate, passed away at home on September 30, aged 93. She leaves son John and his partner Amanda, daughters Yvonne, Josephine and Margaret, son-in-law Keith, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. A funeral service was held on Friday, October 17 at St John's Church. Funeral arrangements by Ballard & Shortall. ROY "RON" HENRY CRUMP Mr Crump, from West Green, passed away at St George's Hospital on October 4, aged 84. He will be sadly missed by son Keith, daughter-in-law Linda and grandsons Daniel, Scott, Matthew and Tom. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 21 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium. Donations to Macmillan Cancer Support, c/o Ballard & Shortall.

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New advice for Crawley parents on children's head injuries

October 26, 2014, 10:15 am

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AS Hallowe'en approaches, parents have been issued with advice on what to do if something goes bump in the night.

Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has issued guidance for when children and young people sustain a head injury.

This follows a national review of guidance for head injuries by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

Dr Patience Okorie, a Crawley GP and the CCG's lead for children's services in the town, said: "The new advice gives guidance on when a child may need to go to their GP, or seek urgent care.

"But it also highlights when patients can been seen closer to home at the Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre – and gives a full list of local NHS services and contact details.

"We want to ensure children get the best care after an injury – however slight or severe – but we also know how important it is to support parents and carers so they know the right steps to take in an emergency, but also know when not to worry unduly."

The advice sheets for parents, schools and health professionals can be found at www.crawleyccg.nhs.uk under the "about us - publications and policies" section.

Email crawleyccg@nhs.net or call 01293 600300 extension 4255 for more information.

Bewbush mum on life-changing trip to build classrooms for South African children

October 26, 2014, 11:42 pm

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A MUM-OF-THREE had to separate herself from colleagues during a trip to help build a school in Africa as the emotional experience nearly overwhelmed her.

Julie Doherty was one of 40 people from across the country chosen to travel to Durban in South Africa to help change the lives of schoolchildren, many of whom are orphans.

The 52-year-old, from Erskine Close, in Bewbush, travelled to Kwa Zulu Natal last month to help build two classrooms and a play centre for a small school in a very poor community.

The 40 Santander employees had been set the challenge of raising £2,000 each for the NSPCC, which they did.

On the back of that they were taken on the eye-opening trip with the NSPCC's South Africa Community Challenge to help the Project Build Trust.

Mrs Doherty visited Malawi with her son, Charlie, last year after he raised £25,000 for charity Mary's Meals to pay for children's school meals.

But she found the latest trip was every bit as emotional for her as it was for her colleagues who had never witnessed poverty in third world countries.

She said: "One evening I didn't join everyone because it got to me. I've been to places like that with Mary's Meals but it all just hit me. I was looking at people in this part of South Africa who didn't even have shoes while we were staying 40 minutes up the road in a hotel.

"It just didn't seem right. I took myself away from the group because I thought if anyone spoke to me I'd just burst into tears."

Mrs Doherty's group were so efficient they finished ahead of schedule and were rewarded with an impromptu sports day.

"To have that experience to build two classrooms was incredible," she said.

"We didn't know each other but we worked well together and were ahead of schedule by the end of it, so we got to have a sports day there.

"The people are so joyful, it's just amazing to see. We played against them and I played netball. We did play to win but we lost by one point."

The £80,000 raised for the NSPCC by Santander employees, including Julie, has been matched by the bank.

The £160,000 will also help fund the NSPCC's helpline and ChildLine service which operates 24 hours a day and gives children someone to talk to if they are being abused or are having problems at home or at school.

1st Langley Green Scouts' impressive new base opens

October 27, 2014, 12:30 am

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A SCOUT group left homeless when its headquarters were bulldozed by a developer has moved into a new purpose-built base courtesy of the building firm.

Moat Housing built 18 two-bedroom flats in Lark Rise, Langley Green last year.

But, as the homes went up, 1st Langley Green Scout Group's headquarters came down – so Moat offered to build a new base on a plot next to the homes.

For the past 18 months this has left the group as something of a nomadic tribe, having to meet at any available space in the town, including Stanford Campsite in Pease Pottage and Tilgate Community Centre.

However, on Saturday, October 18 their new home was opened and the difficult interim period has proven worth the trouble, according to group leader Rob Pullinger.

He said: "It worked out pretty well for us. The new building has got heating for a start.

"It's just a great facility for us. It's been built to our specifications but obviously within the budget constraints.

"But it's a great facility in terms of the hall and meeting rooms. There is plenty of outside space, so we will be able to camp there and teach the kids how to pitch a tent and get them used to camping."

The new base is where Langley Green Youth Centre used to be. Crawley District Scouts, which incorporates all of the town's Scout groups, will use the building for training, meetings and district-wide events.

Outside the building there is a grassed area which will be used for camping and the group will also be taking possession of a concrete area, which used to be a ball court when the youth centre sat on the site.

That will be used for ball games and other activities.

The Scout group's secretary Nani Lata said she feels like "a little girl with a new little toy" and can't wait to see the children enjoying the new building.

She added: "We don't have Scouts in my country (Spain) so when I came here I wanted to get involved and when the opportunity came up at 1st Langley Green I had to take it.

"I wish I had a button I could push to go back to being a child so I could do some of the things these children have the opportunity to do. It's so exciting."

The cost of building the homes and the new Scout hut was £331,500 – with Moat paying £300,000 and Crawley Borough Council paying the rest.

1st Langley Green has 44 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts on its books and there is still room for new members, while extra volunteers would also be welcome.

Mr Pullinger, 33, who lives in The Orchards, Ifield, said: "We welcome any extra adult help we can get.

"You don't need a particular skill-set; you just need to be willing to muck in and help run the group. Even if you are not available every week, we can work around that."

Anyone interested in helping out or finding out more about the group should call Nani Lata on 07986 010026.

Crawley student wins £1,000 scholarship for her outstanding work at university

October 27, 2014, 3:45 am

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A STUDENT from Crawley has won a £1,000 scholarship for outstanding academic achievement at the University of Worcester.

Niken Pam, a former pupil of St Wilfrid's School, was one of 112 students presented with a scholarship during two ceremonies at the university last week.

Second-year biochemistry student Niken earned her award, which will go towards her course fees, in recognition of outstanding achievement throughout the academic year of 2013/14.

After being given the award, the 19-year-old said: "Upon receiving the news, I was in utter shock.

"It is an absolute honour and blessing to be recognised for my grades with such an award – I am very grateful.

"This has definitely motivated me to keep on giving my all and work harder."

The university's vice chancellor and chief executive, Professor David Green, who presented Niken with the scholarship, added: "Commitment combined with ability produces outstanding results and we are delighted that Niken is thriving here at Worcester."

Police helicopter called out after couple's row in hotel room

October 27, 2014, 4:33 am

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A POLICE helicopter was called out overnight following a couple's argument in a hotel room. Police were called to the Sandman Signature hotel, on Tinsley Lane South in Three Bridges, at about 11.15pm yesterday (Sunday) after a row between a man and a woman, who were known to each other. There had been damage caused to the room and the man had left the hotel. Officers and the helicopter were sent to the area to try and trace him, but he has not yet been found.