YOU would have to be living in a cave not to know that Bart Simpson and The Smurfs are both famous cartoon characters.

But you might not realise that they are also both dance moves – both of which are taught at a Crawley dance studio which is going from "strength to strength".

Since street dance classes were launched at Sway Dance Studio two years ago, the number of children taking part has more than quadrupled, and for the first time four-year-olds joined this week.

The studio is based at The Hawth and opened when Parkwood Leisure took over management of the facility from Crawley Borough Council.

Tutor Keira Whittaker has been so impressed with the talent in her home town that she is now looking to start a street dance crew to perform in competitions.

Miss Whittaker, from Southgate, who has a degree in street dance, said: "When we started the street dance classes we had less than 20 children but it has gone from strength to strength to strength.

"We now get more than 80 children and teenagers, both girls and boys, taking part each week.

"A lot of them have been sticking with it since we opened and you can see that they really enjoy it. There has been a rise at the start of this year as well where we have seen more people wanting to give it a go come along. For the first time we have opened the classes to four-year-olds as well due to demand."

Rather than simply setting out routines for the children, aged from four to 18, to memorise, Keira teaches them individual moves and encourages them to link them together to come up with their own routines.

The 36-year-old said: "I am the only qualified street dance teacher in Sussex and I encourage children to express themselves.

"I teach them the name of each individual dance move – including The Smurf, The Bart Simpson, The Shuffle and The Steve Martin.

"The children can then put these moves together themselves to create their own routines which they can show off in our 'freestyle circle'."

Keira, a professional dancer who has performed all over the world including in Portugal and Lapland, thinks the classes have helped to bring some of the children out of their shells.

She added: "You see the children grow in confidence.

"There was one boy who didn't even want to walk into the studio on his first visit but once I got him to buddy up with another dancer he found himself.

"His mum has said it is also helping his school work.

"He starred in our show last year and now cannot wait to get back on stage."

Street dance lessons are held each Monday in different age groups.

They begin at 4.15pm for four to seven-year-olds.

Then there is a class for eight to 12-year-olds at 5pm, followed by 13 to 18-year-olds being taught from 5.45pm.

Before the studio opened in October 2012, the space was used by the marketing team at the theatre.

Other classes at the studio include ballet, drama, singing and activities for children as young as one.

THE owners of a new coffee shop and ice-cream parlour hope it will be a scoop above the rest after opening in a spacious town centre unit.

Affogato opened at the start of last week in The Broadway.

The business ethos is to sell traditional Italian gelato-style ice cream and all flavours are made in-store by the team.

The shop gets its name from the Italian dessert, which usually takes the form of a scoop of ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso – and it is on the menu.

Jabir Hashmi, one of the five owners, admits he has been overwhelmed by the initial response.

The 40-year-old said: "We already have regular customers who have come in every day we have been open. It is a great starting point for us to push on from.

"Opening an ice cream and coffee shop has been a dream for one of my business partners for many years.

"I had been working in IT for years and wanted a change of scenery from being sat behind a screen all day.

"None of us had experience in making ice cream, though, so we went out to Rimini in Italy to explore and get tips.

"A year ago I had never heard of, let alone tried, an affogato.

"I didn't think it would be a combination that would work but it is very nice and I am excited to bring this new taste experience to the people of Crawley."

Mr Hashmi has already received compliments over the transformation of the former vacant unit into a bright, spacious eatery.

He said: "After hearing about this location we visited Crawley over a number of days and weeks, at different times, and we realised there was a big opportunity here.

"Crawley doesn't have a shop quite like this.

"We have got a big unit that has a lot of footfall passing by. People have already noted that our renovation looks spectacular.

"We didn't want to create a cramped seating area so we purposely kept it roomy with space for 50 people downstairs.

"There is the potential for a second seating area upstairs if things go well."

The host of ice-cream flavours already on sale include vanilla, hazelnut, pistachio, coffee, chocolate and mint.

There are also lemon and strawberry sorbets available.

Mr Hashmi has big plans to rotate the gelato on sale by developing more flavours, such as dulce de leche, banana, blueberry, coconut and white chocolate.

A selection of smoothies is another possibility.

The Crawley shop is the second branch the business partners have opened, having launched a shop in Norbury, in south London, six weeks ago.

All of the ice cream for the Norbury shop is now also being made in Crawley.

Mr Hashmi, who lives in Streatham, added: "From the get-go our policy has been to start from scratch and make the ice cream on site using the best ingredients.

"We have the ice cream-making machines upstairs and there are so many fanciful flavours we hope to introduce over time and rotate them, while keeping the most popular on sale constantly."

Customers can also tuck into pastries, muffins and sweet crepes and there are plans to start selling a range of panini and savoury crepes too.

Mr Hashmi, who is a father-of-four, also wants to create a children's play area in the coffee shop.

"As a parent myself I know how nice it can be to go somewhere for a relaxing drink and spot to eat while knowing the children are kept entertained," he said.

"As well as setting up a play area we hope to hold children's parties here and the upstairs space could also be booked out for business meetings."

A total of five full-time jobs and three part-time jobs have been created so far by the shop opening.

Tyler Bygraves appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 7 where he confirmed his name, age and address.

Bygraves, from Seaford Road, Broadfield, is accused of being in control of the black and white dog which was allegedly dangerously out of control and injured a woman.

The incident is alleged to have taken place in Heather Walk, Broadfield, on October 12.

Magistrates released Bygraves, 20, on unconditional bail to next appear at the same court on February 18.

Aaron Lewsey, 22, who lives at Crawley Foyer, in Horsham Road, West Green, is accused of attempted robbery of a rucksack with contents valued at £1,000.

Lewsey appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 7 where he entered no plea to the charge.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation Lewsey has been sent for trial at Lewes Crown Court on February 6.

A condition of his bail prevents him from travelling on the railway apart from to see his solicitor or to attend court.

Glenn Poole appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 7 charged with harassment and obstructing a constable in their duty.

On November 15, 2014, the 27-year-old was alleged to have harassed four people at the leisure park.

He was also accused of obstructing a police officer at Crawley Police Station.

The charges against Mr Poole, from Highlands Road, in Horsham, were dropped at the hearing.

Lawrence Clarke appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 7 to answer a count of theft, to which the 23-year-old pleaded guilty.

Between October 12 and November 12 last year he stole a voucher card which had been activated to be spent at Currys or PC World.

Magistrates handed Clarke, from Padstow Walk, Bewbush, an 18-month conditional discharge.

He was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 court costs on top of the compensation.

A YOUNG man who was struck by a car as he ran across the M23 is still considered "not fit enough" to appear in court – despite facing charges of assaulting a police officer several months later.

James Foxley-Sander suffered "life-changing injuries" following the collision with a Seat Leon between Junctions 10 and 10a on the motorway.

He was hit while he was being chased by police, who went in pursuit of him in connection with a series of offences that took place earlier that day, (February 9 last year).

The 20-year-old, who lived in Snow Hill, Crawley Down at the time, sustained severe brain damage and endured three months in hospital before he discharged himself in May.

Sussex Police initially said he was "too ill" to be questioned, but he was eventually charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving in December. The charge relates to an incident before the M23 collision, in which a Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 crashed into a stationary car in London Road, East Grinstead.

Local woman Caroline Upton sustained head injuries and hip and arm pain in the collision, and continues to have problems with her vision to this day as a result of the crash.

Foxley-Sander was scheduled to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Wednesday for the case to be tied in with two other charges – assaulting a police constable and failing to comply with the direction of a police officer in Little King Street, East Grinstead, on July 13, 2014.

But he failed to attend and his defence solicitor, Emek Yagmur, entered a "not guilty" plea to both charges in his absence.

She told the court: "Mr Foxley-Sander sustained severe brain damage following the incident on the M23. He's a very unwell young man who is not able to appear in court.

"Even if he was here, he would not understand what was being said. He does not understand what guilty is and he does not understand what not guilty is. He's not fit to enter a plea or stand trial."

The bench demanded an up-to-date psychiatric report prior to a preliminary hearing at Lewes Crown Court on February 13, in relation to the dangerous driving charge.

A trial date of April 16 was fixed for the charges of assaulting a PC and failing to comply with his direction.

Foxley-Sander's current address is unknown. It transpired in court that the address given on the charge sheet – Fleet Street in London – is that of his solicitor's office.

He remains on unconditional bail.

A CRAWLEY student who spent her teenage years fighting leukaemia was taken on a surprise trip to meet Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton on her 18th birthday.

Cancer survivor Lucy Kirkham, who goes to Central Sussex College in the town centre, celebrated becoming an adult last Thursday with an unexpected visit to meet the Celebrity Juice star.

It was the second time the pair had met, after Fearne comforted her while she was undergoing treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London in 2007. Fearne had been visiting patients and gave Lucy a glittery X Factor T-shirt, which she has treasured ever since.

But mum Janis Bradley made sure Lucy had no idea she was going to meet Fearne, or even that she was heading into the Radio 1 building – with a little bit of help from a crafty receptionist.

Ms Bradley explained: "The building didn't say Radio 1 on the side so when we got into the foyer the receptionist said, 'do you want to use my scarf as a blindfold?' She leant us her own scarf which was really sweet. We tied it around Lucy's eyes and she didn't open them again until Fearne took it off and gave her a huge hug. It was fantastic. Lucy had absolutely no idea."

"Lucy has said once or twice that she'd like to send Fearne a photo of her seven years on to see if she remembered her," Ms Bradley added. "Now she's had something better.

"Fearne said she recognised her from the Royal Marsden, which was amazing. Lucy was so stunned. Fearne gave her a card and a bright pink snood, which Lucy loves. It all worked perfectly."

Lucy did not have any hair when she first met Fearne in 2007, but it has since re-grown fully, and she has been given the all-clear.

Following the meeting last Thursday, Janis and Lucy – who were accompanied by Lucy's older brother and sister, Adam, 29, and Laura, 31, – were taken on a tour of the Radio 1 studios, including the famous Green Room and the Live Lounge.

Lucy said: "It was amazing seeing Fearne Cotton for my 18th birthday. She's such a lovely, beautiful woman. She got me a card and a scarf for my birthday too. It was definitely a birthday to remember; a wonderful surprise!"

THE people of Crawley have finally had their say on the prospect of a second runway being built at Gatwick Airport – and those who have made their mind up are overwhelmingly backing expansion.

The Crawley News carried out a survey of 1,000 residents picked at random last week, asking for their views on perhaps the biggest decision in the town's history.

A total of 493 people (49.3%) gave their support to expansion at Gatwick, compared to only 232 opposing the plans (23.2%), while the other 275 (27.5%) remain undecided.

The results also revealed that in every single neighbourhood those in favour of Gatwick getting a second runway outnumber those against it.

We decided to carry out the survey as councillors on Crawley Borough Council will vote next Monday on whether to back expansion - but have not carried out any such opinion poll.

Those residents in favour of a second runway told us that they felt its benefits would outweigh its drawbacks.

Graham Mullen, 46, from Cobnor Close, in Gossops Green, said: "A second runway would lead to so much more employment at both Gatwick Airport and in Crawley as a whole, plus it would create job security for those who already work at the airport.

"If a new runway goes to Heathrow, how could people currently working at Gatwick be confident their jobs would be safe? Expansion here would push up the house prices across Crawley and that with the extra jobs would boost the economy of the whole town."

Residents living in Three Bridges are most in favour of expansion with 65.5 per cent saying yes to a second runway. In Maidenbower 60 per cent back expansion and in Broadfield 59.1 per cent are in the yes camp.

People living in Pound Hill and Worth – which we combined because of Worth's small size – and Ifield had the highest proportions of residents voicing their opposition – 33 per cent and 32.5 per cent respectively.

Despite this, more people in both of these neighbourhoods still backed expansion than opposed it. Our survey also found more women than men are against a second runway.

Debbie Bennett, 53, from Warren Drive, in Ifield, said she does not see the benefit to Crawley residents. She explained: "It would fill the pockets of businessmen but I don't think this would pass down into the town.

"More and more planes circling above Crawley and the increase in noise and pollution would harm this town. I sympathise with the businesses that would have to close or move and the people who could have to see their homes bulldozed."

A sizeable proportion of the town still remains undecided, with Tilgate the neighbourhood where the most residents need convincing one way or the other.

Out of the Tilgate residents who took part in the survey 37.9 per cent are undecided.

By comparison, Maidenbower residents seem to have mostly made up their minds because only 18 per cent said they are yet to commit to backing either the yes or no campaigns.

Among them is Sara Abrahams, 38, from Lucerne Drive, who said: "Gatwick bangs the drum about creating new jobs and the boost to the economy but I don't think they have properly laid out yet what building a second runway would mean for Crawley.

"Where would the extra homes needed go? What would happen to the roads throughout Crawley? Have they considered the traffic that could build up throughout the town? Gatwick needs to give us more information."

When broken down to different age groups our investigation found 35 to 50-year-olds are most in favour of expansion.

Crawley Borough Council is holding a special full council meeting at the Town Hall on Monday (January 26), where councillors will decide whether to support or oppose airport expansion.

Council leader Peter Lamb said the Labour group is holding a meeting tonight (Wednesday) to sign off the decision on whether to give their councillors a free vote at the meeting.

He said he would be "stunned" if councillors were to be whipped – meaning they would be told to vote along party lines.

Cllr Lamb added that he and fellow Labour councillors have found residents to be largely split on the issue. However, he was not surprised our survey found more in favour than against.

He said: "There are cases for both sides. For example, I think the economic argument has been downplayed but at the same time there is more planning about housing and infrastructure that still needs to be developed.

"It will be a government decision either way in the end and I think we should be using this time to get the most that we can out of the government and Gatwick Airport to make sure Crawley is prepared if a second runway is selected here."

Councillor Bob Lanzer, the town's shadow cabinet member for planning and economic development, confirmed that Conservative councillors will have a free vote at the meeting.

He was "slightly surprised" by the number of people who are undecided, adding that residents he has spoken to have been "overwhelmingly" against expansion.

He added: "From a Crawley-centric point of view I am not in support of Gatwick Airport getting a second runway. I fear that when it comes to Crawley the pain would outweigh the gain."

Cllr Lanzer pointed out that the 500 homes to be built between Crawley and Copthorne, 1,900 at Forge Wood, 2,500 at Kilnwood Vale and 900 in Broadbridge Heath will not meet Crawley's and Horsham's housing needs up to 2023, without factoring in the extra homes needed if a second runway is built.

Members of the public are invited to attend the full council meeting on Monday to hear what stance the council will take on the issue. Monday's meeting at the Town Hall starts at 7.30pm.

Since his death, Mr Cooper's family have been organising charity concerts in his honour.

Three are being held this week. Vivstock is taking place at Goffs Park Social Club today (Friday).

ViVeVenT will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at The Snooty Fox pub in Three Bridges.

ViVSundaY will then take place at The Black Dog pub, in Northgate, on Sunday.

Admission will be free but collections made during the gigs will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Research Charity.

Today (Friday), Mike Dobie, Split Pearl and Albatross will perform. On Saturday The Tony Blair Witch Project and The Fantastic Elastic Band are in the line up. On Sunday Neal Hayes, Louise Raines and Daryl-Paul Anderson will be among those playing. The Saturday gig starts at 9pm, while the other two begin at 7.30pm.

Sussex Police were called to Lewisham Road at 11pm on Saturday to a report of a theft from outside a home.

A black Carrera Banshee bike was stolen from a cycle carrier on top of a car parked in a driveway.

The bike was locked to the cycle barrier but this was broken by the thief.

Anyone with information or who has been offered a bike matching this description for sale is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.

POLICE want to trace a man over a series of "suspicious incidents" in the Horley area over the past few days.

Officers are appealing to the public for help in tracing 50-year-old Stuart Grimshaw, of no fixed address. He is known to regularly travel by bus and often spends time in Crawley and Horley.

A number of officers are assisting with the search for Mr Grimshaw and anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call Surrey Police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency).