RESIDENTS can now chat to their local police community support officer amid pies, buns and cakes.

A surgery was launched last Wednesday at Tilgate Bakery in Tilgate Parade, where PCSO Ashleigh Hanlon was on hand to listen to people's concerns.

The meeting was suggested after the shop's owner became concerned that PCSO Hanlon was standing in the cold during regular street briefings held on the parade.

Jane Kirkham, who has owned the bakery for nearly two years, said: "PCSO Hanlon had been doing street briefings for well over a year.

"I thought about the people chatting to her and that it would be nice for them to come in somewhere warm and cosy.

"It's also a bit more private and if they wanted to talk about something very private they could use my office."

PCSO Hanlon, who covers Tilgate and Furnace Green, hopes more people will come to talk to her now the surgery is in the bakery.

"It's a bit nicer if someone's able to grab a coffee," she said. "It means they're more likely to come and have a chat."

At street briefings and police surgeries, residents are able to air their concerns, which PCSO Hanlon explained usually involve antisocial behaviour.

"Mostly it's neighbourhood problems or people asking for advice," said PCSO Hanlon.

"We also get people coming up and saying they have a noisy neighbour and are not sure what to do."

The police surgeries at the bakery will take place every Wednesday between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

PCSO Hanlon will also still hold her normal street briefings in Furnace Green.

AN airline has given its "strong support" to proposals to build a second runway at Gatwick Airport.

Last Wednesday (December 4) The Monarch Group announced it favours expansion at Gatwick as the best option for providing extra aviation capacity in the South East.

Iain Rawlinson, Monarch's executive chairman, said: "There are several options being considered to increase London's airport capacity, each with its own merits.

"Having looked at the various options, we believe that London is best served by multiple airport locations and that the proposal to build a second runway at Gatwick is the best option for the next phase of London's growth and development as an international gateway.

"Gatwick's proposal is the most cost-effective and deliverable way to ensure London's pre-eminent position as a well-connected world city continues.

"It is a more environmentally acceptable solution – for both noise and air quality – than building out an already concentrated facility as Heathrow. It also better spreads the economic benefits of international air travel around London and the South East.

"Monarch Airlines has been flying from Gatwick for over 40 years. It is the group's largest base in the south of England and the development of further runway capacity at Gatwick is important in supporting our own plans for growth."

By next summer, Monarch Airlines will have 13 aircraft based at Gatwick. The Monarch Group has more than 700 employees based at or near Gatwick, including pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

RESIDENTS are considering requesting a judicial review into a decision by the council's cabinet not to grant conservation area status to additional parts of Southgate.

A proposal had been put forward to designate East Park and the northern part of Malthouse Road as a conservation area, with Newlands Road as a second conservation area.

But Crawley Borough Council's cabinet decided last Wednesday not to grant the areas protection from development which residents fear would further erode their historical features.

It was decided the areas did not have sufficient historical or architectural importance and that designating them could erode the status of other conservation areas. Labour's Southgate and Crawley Central county councillor Michael Jones immediately "called in" the decision so that it will have to be debated at a full council meeting on December 18 before the decision is made final.

He said: "This report [which recommended the areas be refused conservation area status] makes me think that both councillors and residents have not been listened to."

Michael Pickett, chair of the Southgate Forum and of the Southgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee, added: "I am profoundly disappointed in them [the cabinet].

"What really annoys me is the council asked for residents to come forward to form the advisory committee, to help make decisions on planning applications put forward in the current conservation area. When this new conservation area was suggested we were asked for our opinion. We put together a paper with photos and there was no reference at all to that paper in the report.

"What's the point of setting up an advisory group if you don't listen to their advice?"

Several members of the cabinet argued that so few residents in the affected areas had responded to the consultation that those who voiced their support did not represent the majority.

Only 13 of the 113 households responded and, of those, just eight had said they wanted a conservation area.

Richard Burrett, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "If you go ahead and designate that area as a conservation area against our officers' recommendations we could be open to all kinds of problems and someone could ask for a judicial review."

However, Jesse Larner, who sits on the advisory group and lives in West Street, Southgate, said the whole town should have been consulted because not everyone in the proposed area would have had an interest in conserving the town's history.

And Mr Pickett warned the council that residents in favour of a conservation area would seriously consider bringing their own judicial review.

He said: "We will fight this tooth and nail. We will gather ourselves and put our argument together before the full council meeting. This is [the council's] last chance to save East Park."

A PREGNANT mother has been prosecuted for taking her son out of school to give him a holiday after she broke up with the boy's father. The woman from Crawley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted failing to ensure her son attended school between June 17 and 21 when she appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Wednesday.

On May 16 the school sent a letter to the woman saying her request for her son to miss school between those dates had been rejected.

She told the court she had booked the holiday to give her son a break because she had recently split from his father.

She added: "The school said that he couldn't go but it had already been booked."

She told district judge William Ashworth she was supporting two children, expecting another and was receiving income support and child benefit.

Mr Ashworth conditionally discharged the woman for 12 months and imposed costs of £100 and a £15 victim surcharge.

He told the woman: "[Your son] only gets one chance at an education and you cannot and must not take that chance away from him."

A FAMILY firm is proving it has the recipe for success this Christmas – and a celebrity-laden clientele.

Caribbean Cook Pot, based on Tomtits Lane, in Forest Row, has built up an army of admirers since it was set up a decade ago, including Coronation Street actress Angela Griffin, chef Ainsley Harriott, and former England international footballers Dennis Wise and Sol Campbell.

The core of the team consists of managing director Allie Broomes, husband and head chef Charlie, who originates from Barbados, and sons Ross, 23, and Alex and Lloyd, both 18, while dozens more staff are employed for various functions and events.

"In the time we have operated, we have catered for quite a few different celebrities," Mrs Broomes said. "We have quite a few pictures of them hanging up here.

"Ainsley Harriott was a celebrity guest at an up-and-coming venue which wanted to offer Caribbean cuisine as an alternative to their existing outside catering tenders. That night we provided a lavish buffet including the choice of six main courses for 280 guests.

"He personally asked to see the chef and catering team following the meal to say how much he enjoyed it. That was a real compliment. It was great for our chef, because the best critic you could possibly have is another chef.

"It was a great surprise for the whole team to see Sol Campbell at a recent wedding we catered for. He's such a legend. The boys are all football fans – Ross and Lloyd support Arsenal – and they couldn't believe it when they realised it was him.

"We also know Levi Roots quite well. About ten years ago he was at the same stage as us. I remember setting up a stall next to him in the food market at Earls Court. It's phenomenal what he has gone on to now."

The company is now looking to offer "a touch of spice" for customers looking for an alternative Christmas meal.

They can tuck into turkey and hack into ham without having to lift a finger, as the company prepares, marinates and dresses dishes to their customers' desire – with a twist.

Mrs Broomes added: "We're doing the traditional meats like turkey and ham, but preparing, marinating and dressing them in a typical Caribbean style. People can come and collect it a day or two before Christmas and simply pop it in the oven. It means the die-hard traditionalists can still have that meat, but with some new flavours involved."

Visit www.caribbeancookpot.co.uk or call 01342 823682 for more details.

POLISH children have celebrated the life of an unlikely hero after whom their weekend school has been named.

Wojtek The Soldier Bear Polish Saturday School was relaunched under its new name on November 30 and 120 pupils and their parents met at the Bewbush Centre in honour of the martial mammal.

At the event the school announced it would adopt Wojtek as its mascot as well.

Head teacher Renata Jarecka said: "Choosing a patron or a mascot is a lovely tradition at all schools in Poland. Many Polish schools abroad try to keep this tradition. Usually a patron is someone special, a famous historical person."

However, Mrs Jarecka, 40, who lives in Broadfield, admitted the children had selected a rather "unusual" mascot.

"He is not a king, writer, nor an artist," she said. "He is a bear. But our bear was a real animal serving with the Polish army during the Second World War and many soldiers treated Wojtek as a comrade and friend."

Wojtek was a brown bear cub found in Iran and adopted by the Polish II Corps. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, he helped move ammunition.

The children, aged between three and 16, performed a play, songs and dances themed around their new mascot.

THE Government has pledged £50 million to kick-start the redevelopment of Gatwick station.

The money has been pledged after calls to improve transport links to the airport.

A large-scale redevelopment, costing up to £180 million, has been proposed to make the station more suitable for passengers with luggage.

And a paperless ticket system could also be introduced.

Once the revamp is complete the proposal is to rename the station The Gatwick Gateway.

The funding announcement was made last Wednesday.

This commitment follows a letter from Sir Howard Davies, chair of the Airports Commission, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Sir Howard said: "The station is not, at present, well suited to the needs of airport users.

"Its configuration is poor, particularly for passengers with luggage who are forced to wait for the rather inadequate lifts provided or else struggle with their bags on narrow escalators.

"This does not provide the best welcome to international visitors or send the message that the airport is well suited to long-haul airlines and their customers.

"We believe there is a strong case for taking forward a significant programme of improvement which would completely replace the existing concourse and ticket hall with a new facility."

Having been pledged the £50 million, the airport and Network Rail must now decide whether to contribute money themselves towards the £180 million proposal.

They could alternatively opt for a less expensive makeover, costing less than £50 million, focusing on refurbishing the existing concourse and ticket hall.

However, Sir Howard said: "We do not believe that this would offer an attractive solution."

The Airports Commission has also recommended Gatwick station be incorporated into the Oyster system or any successor as soon as possible.

Whatever improvements take place would be on top of the £53 million refit already under way at the station to improve platform capacity.

A new platform seven is being built, which is due to open early in 2014, and this will allow platforms five and six to become dedicated to Gatwick Express services.

Of the 35 million passengers using Gatwick Airport each year, 14 million arrive or depart by rail – making it the busiest airport station in Britain.

The airport hopes this initial investment towards the station revamp will help efforts to persuade more long-haul airlines to fly from Gatwick.

The National Infrastructure Plan, in which the money was pledged, also called for the acceleration of a Network Rail study into how to tackle overcrowding on the Brighton main line.

A Highways Agency study on motorways will also look at access to Gatwick.

The next step is for Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to discuss how to best use the £50 million of funding.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build new homes in the shadow of one of East Grinstead's landmark buildings have been narrowly defeated.

Developer Fairview Homes wants to build 74 new homes on land south of the Old Convent, off Moat Road in East Grinstead.

The Old Convent is one of only three Grade I listed buildings in the town.

It used to be a convent but has since been deconsecrated and converted into flats.

Now, after almost 90 minutes debating the application at the December 4 district planning meeting, Mid Sussex district councillors have given the plans the thumbs down.

Liz Allard, chairman of the St John's Road Residents' Group, addressed the committee, saying: "We are not opposed to development and understand the need for housing. But an additional 148 cars will increase emissions. Neighbours in the retirement homes would not be able to leave their windows open because of pollution or noise."

The Old Convent resident added that flashing lights from car indicators and proposed new traffic lights would create a "disco" effect in nearby homes.

John Benstead, who is a director of The Old Convent Estate Residents Ltd, also spoke at the meeting, adding that there were too many gaps in an inspector's report recommending approval and called for the "romantic setting" to be saved.

District councillor Catrin Ingham was applauded from the public gallery for her rebuttal of Fairview's plans.

She said: "I have thought carefully and cannot support this application as presently submitted. It is the question and ramifications of building 74 houses on such a strategically important site that has informed my decision making and I find it perplexing that this application has been recommended for approval."

The land has already been earmarked for housing, but plans have caused outrage among residents who believe the site would cause traffic chaos and have an adverse effect on their neighbourhood.

Developer Fairview had tried to mitigate fears by outlining a plan for a pedestrian crossing and traffic lights near to where a new access road would be built off Moat Road.

But it was the developer's contribution of £648,000 towards new infrastructure that most irked councillors – who believed a figure in excess of £1 million was required.

Concern was also raised that just 24 per cent of the homes would be "affordable" – not the expected 30 per cent.

District councillor Edward Matthews said: "I think this is a real stinker.

"My initial thoughts are to approve, for the development itself is top quality.

"But the problem lies with the [A22/Moat Road junction] highways issue and developer contribution.

"It has been said that the traffic has been bad in East Grinstead for donkey's years. So do we say there should be no development in East Grinstead? I know that has been shouted from the rooftops for years and years."

Committee member Mike Livesey balked at Fairview's planned contribution to infrastructure, adding that the public purse should not be opened to meet costs. The committee eventually rejected the plan by five votes to four.

Luke Austin stole items including a phone, a gold ring, three silver rings, two silver pendants, a silver bracelet and silver earrings from a member of his family last month.

The 19-year-old, of Winchester Road, Tilgate, admitted the offence at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Wednesday.

Geoff White, mitigating, said: "This young man got himself in trouble with payday loans.

"He tried to break the cycle by stealing from a family member and pawning it." The matter has been referred back to police to consider giving him a caution.

WHILE youngsters at council-run youth centres across Crawley are facing the prospect of being told they can't use them any more, a school-backed centre is proving how beneficial they can be.

Over the next year West Sussex County Council is limiting use of its youth centres to the most vulnerable children, as it looks to save £1.2 million.

Oriel Youth Wing, based at Oriel High, will not be affected as its packed weekly sessions and special workshops were saved by the school more than a year ago.

At the get-togethers youngsters can get advice on how to deal with bullying, build friendships and manage anger issues.

They also learn first aid skills and can even get certificates in babysitting.

When the Crawley News visited the youth wing last Friday, Nina Mann, a youth worker at the centre, was hosting a session to help younger students build up their confidence.

She said: "We played a listening game where the younger students had blindfolds on and were working with the older peer mentors.

"It built their listening skills but also helped to build their trust and comfort in a large group.

"We have roughly 30 to 50 people attending our evening sessions, which is a safe environment for them to get support on any issue and also make friends."

As well as holding lunchtime sessions exclusively for Oriel students – where students can also play pool, table tennis and table football or learn how to cook – the youth wing offers after school events for youngsters across Crawley. These include specific nights for different age groups and Duke of Edinburgh Award sessions.

Miss Mann added: "We have a 14-plus evening and recently Virgin Atlantic staff visited to give first aid advice, focusing on how to look after each other if drinking.

"The students learnt how to give CPR and put someone in the recovery position.

"They were then asked to do the same with 'beer goggles' on."

Ed Waudby, a 14-year-old Year 10 student, volunteers at the youth wing, offering support to anyone who is being bullied.

He said: "I was a victim of bullying when I was younger so I can understand what other students go through.

"I went on a training course to become an anti-bullying ambassador.

"Whether I know them or not, other students know they can come to me in confidence and I will give them tips on how to deal with problems."

Louie Wrenn, an 11-year-old Year 7 student, joined the youth wing when he started the school in September.

He said: "When I first started I wanted to make friends and the youth wing helped me massively.

"The evening sessions are good on a Tuesday because there is not much to do otherwise."

But while Oriel Youth Wing thrives, the news is not so bright for Thomas Bennett Youth Wing, Langley Green Youth Centre and Bewbush Youth Centre.

Due to the council cutbacks these youth centres will no longer have an "open-door" policy from April, with only the most vulnerable children allowed to go.

THERE were fewer emergency call-outs, fewer people injured in fires and fewer deliberate fires in West Sussex last financial year compared to previous years, newly released figures have shown.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's annual report was published on Monday.

It reveals that between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 the fire service attended 9,504 emergency incidents and carried out 5,478 Home Fire Safety Checks, with the number of people being injured in accidental house fires falling by ten per cent.

The number of deliberate fires fell by 38 per cent and the number of hoax calls also fell.

There was an increase in the number of fires in non-domestic premises and six people lost their lives in house fires in West Sussex, two of whom were a mother and son killed in a blaze at their Copthorne home in April.

The report also outlines the service's financial performance, including how its resources were used and the budget savings made.

Chief fire officer Sean Ruth said: "Our aim is to make West Sussex a safer place for everyone and to provide people with an efficient and effective fire and rescue service.

"By focusing our resources where they are most needed and being flexible about how we deliver our services we have been able to make considerable financial savings without compromising the safety of the public or our firefighters."

The report will be on the county council's website soon.

CRAWLEY Down has been spared up to 51 new homes by councillors – but residents may still have to fight to prevent them being built.

Gleeson Developments wants to build the homes on land next to ancient woodland off Woodlands Close.

But the company was dealt a blow after Mid Sussex district councillors rejected plans at a planing meeting last Thursday.

Various speakers at the meeting spoke out against the development, saying the village's infrastructure could not withstand more homes.

Long-time village resident Gary Williams addressed the committee saying: "The schools are already overflowing and children as young as four or five are stuck in cabs going to East Grinstead.

"I have waited six weeks for a doctor's appointment.

"I know Gleeson will probably appeal a refusal, but as an old man in the village I am speaking to you from my heart. The whole thing is just too much."

Even though district councillors turned down the application, Gleeson can now take its plans to appeal, which can be a costly battle for local authorities to fight.

Adam Ross, of Nexus Planning, an agent representing Gleeson, said the proposal included much-needed affordable housing.

However, nine letters of objection to Mid Sussex District Council stated the development was not required in the village.

Over the years plenty of the town's most recognisable haunts have closed; some will be missed, but perhaps not all of them.

Reporter LUKE WARREN takes a look at ten Crawley pubs that are no more.

1: Flight Tavern

The Flight Tavern, on Charlwood Road in Lowfield Heath, was a plane enthusiast's idea of heaven, where they could enjoy a tipple while watching the traffic above Gatwick.

At one time the only drinking done outside the building was from a trough – as the Flight Tavern was once a farmhouse.

It was a private club before it became a pub in 1986 and became known for its homemade food and beer garden.

A planning application was submitted to Crawley Borough Council to change its use to a bed and breakfast last Monday.

2: Rose and Crown

The Rose and Crown was shut down by police in 2009 after "serious public disorder".

The brewery that owned the pub, which was on Ifield Road in West Green, later confirmed it would stay shut.

A For Sale sign went up at the end of January 2010 when estate agents valued the property at about £475,000.

Police had applied for an immediate 28-day closure from Crawley Magistrates' Court after officers were called to the pub in December 2009.

The pub is now the Hallan Cash and Carry.

3: Rat and Parrot

This High Street pub called last orders in February 2011 when its owners decided not to renew its lease.

Paul Corbett, who was the pub's general manager, said in 2011: "I am disappointed to say the least but it is the company's decision and I have to abide by it.

"The pub has always been a kind of pre-club pub, somewhere for people to go before hitting the nightclubs."

In 2012 a Thai restaurant with a dance floor, The Siam Dining Club, took over the pub. It is now Legends bar.

4: Bar Voi

Bar Voi could be found at the southern end of the High Street and served up spirits, wine and cocktails.

The bar was open until 2am and had happy-hour drinks, DJs and activities such as beer pong, where players fling a ping pong ball across a table to land it in a cup of beer.

There were also computer game tournaments.

Bar Voi shut in early 2013 and the building where people once partied is now a Panda Yummy noodle bar.

5: The Dorsten

The pub that used to stand on Dorsten Square was named after Crawley's German twin town.

The Dorsten pub and Bewbush Leisure Centre were knocked down in 2009 as part of the borough council's £10.4 million Heart of Bewbush project.

The £1.5 million Breezehurst Community Pavilion in Bewbush was opened in June 2009 as part of the project.

6: Wingspan

Wingspan was one of the last big venues for local bands to close down in Crawley.

The club, on Whitworth Road in Manor Royal, was run by BA and closed at the end of June this year.

Manager Jo Apps, who worked at the club for nearly seven years, said in January this year: "It is very disappointing.

"I love the place and I love the music. In all the years I have been doing this job, my main aim has been to give young bands somewhere to start playing."

7: Bar Med

This nightclub was demolished to make way for the Sussex House development that includes a Morrisons supermarket and a Travelodge hotel.

Bar Med shut its doors in August 2012 and the dance floor was packed as clubbers gave their favourite haunt a fitting send off.

At 3am, the last songs were played – with revellers showing off their air guitar skills to Queen anthems Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are The Champions.

At the time club manager Samantha York admitted to shedding more than a few tears as she closed the doors for the last time.

"Bar staff who worked for me five years ago came back to work for free," she said.

"I know it's a cliché, but the staff and regulars are like a family."

8: Shooters

Shooters was a wine bar that could be found close to The Ja Ja Bar at the southern end of the High Street.

It was opened by Three Bridges Football Club manager Paul Faili back in 2007.

Competition in Crawley town centre led to its closure.

9: Brannigans

Brannigans used to serve up drinks, music and food at Crawley Leisure Park.

It has been described as a "cross between a bar and a nightclub" and boasted two bars, a restaurant, a dance floor and a large TV.

Brannigans is now a Mexican restaurant called Chiquito.

10: The Inn in the Park

The Inn in the Park was a pub and restaurant that has seen many name changes.

It could be found in Tilgate Park on the site of the former Tilgate Mansion, which was demolished in 1965.

It is understood that Crawley's most famous musical export, The Cure, played at the pub, when it is believed to have been called The Lakeside Inn.

The pub later became The Bluebird, which itself closed in January 2009 . A Smith and Western restaurant opened in its place in January 2012.

Do you have a favourite former Crawley pub which we haven't included on our list? E-mail in your memories of it or any of the pubs here to editor@crawleynews.co.uk

THE Government has pledged £50 million to kick-start the redevelopment of Gatwick Airport's railway station.

The money has been pledged after calls to improve transport links to the airport.

A large-scale redevelopment, costing up to £180 million, has been proposed to make the station more suitable for passengers with luggage. A paperless ticket system could also be introduced.

Once the revamp is complete the proposal is to rename the station The Gatwick Gateway.

The funding announcement was made on Wednesday last week (December 4).

This commitment follows a letter from Sir Howard Davies, chair of the Airports Commission, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Sir Howard said: "The station is not, at present, well suited to the needs of airport users.

"Its configuration is poor, particularly for passengers with luggage who are forced to wait for the rather inadequate lifts provided or else struggle with their bags on narrow escalators.

"This does not provide the best welcome to international visitors or send the message that the airport is well suited to long-haul airlines and their customers.

"We believe there is a strong case for taking forward a significant programme of improvement which would completely replace the existing concourse and ticket hall with a new facility."

Having been pledged the £50 million, the airport and Network Rail must now decide whether to contribute money themselves to the £180 million proposal.

They could alternatively opt for a less expensive makeover, costing less than £50 million, focusing on refurbishing the existing concourse and ticket hall.

However, Sir Howard said: "We do not believe that this would offer an attractive solution."

The Airports Commission has also recommended Gatwick station be incorporated into the Oyster system or any successor as soon as possible.

Whatever improvements take place would be on top of the £53 million refit already under way at the station to improve platform capacity.

A new platform seven is being built, which is due to open early in 2014, and this will allow platforms five and six to become dedicated to Gatwick Express services.

Of the 35 million passengers using Gatwick Airport each year, 14 million arrive or depart by rail – making it the busiest airport station in Britain.

The airport hopes this initial investment towards the station revamp will help efforts to persuade more long-haul airlines to fly from Gatwick.

A Highways Agency study on motorways will also look at access to Gatwick.

The next step is for Gatwick Airport and Network Rail to discuss how to best use the £50 million of funding.

A COUNTRY lane in Pease Pottage used to access Tilgate Forest has been threatened with closure for a year.

Residents have raised concerns that to access the forest from Parish Lane drivers will have to park at Pease Pottage Services, which is a "20-minute walk" to the entrance, should a planning application be granted and the lane closed.

The application was submitted to Mid Sussex District Council to remove and replace a dam at Clay's Lake, on Parish Lane, to allow more water to be stored there in times of flooding.

Users of the forest have until December 20 to oppose the closure of the road and Peter Munro, of Southgate Road, Southgate, is urging objections to be made.

Mr Munro, who drives to Parish Lane to run in Tilgate Forest every weekday, said: "The proposal is to shut the lane, but people will be able to access it by foot or on a bicycle, or if you live there or work there you can drive in.

"There will be no access to members of the public by car.

"If planning permission is granted, Parish Lane would be a very long road to walk along from the nearest car park, which would be at Pease Pottage service station.

"For the majority of visitors who wish to access the forest for 20 minutes or so daily to walk their dog or jog in nature, it is simply not practical."

The 41-year-old added that Tilgate Forest is a unique area in Crawley.

"Somewhere like Goffs Park, it's not big enough for running," he said.

"Also, the forest is quite hilly, which is why there is a mountain bike course there, so it's more of a challenge for running."

Kate O'Riordan, of Sissinghurst Close in Pound Hill, who drives there to walk her dog Bitz in the forest, is "irritated" at the proposed closure.

The 25-year-old said: "I wouldn't be able to go there as there would be nowhere to park.

"I would have to go to another park.

"Tilgate Forest is an undisturbed place to have a really long walk with my dog. It is quite a relaxing place."

The Crawley News has previously reported how Mr Munro started a petition in November to have a car park installed at the Parish Lane entrance to Tilgate Forest, where runners, cyclists and dog walkers have been restricted from parking by recently installed fencing and bollards.

Mr Munro has contacted everyone who signed his petition to urge them to object to the planning application.

AN Italian restaurant has been given permission to serve alcohol on its premises.

Dal Nonno, of Sandy Lane in Crawley Down, wanted to sell alcohol every day between noon and 11pm and was given the thumbs up by Mid Sussex District Council's liquor licensing panel on Friday.

The approval comes after residents objected to the plans, claiming there could be an increase in traffic if permission was given and a nearby playing field could become a haven for street drinkers.

Zoe  McCurry, of Sandy  Lane, said in a letter to the district council: "I  am  somewhat  concerned  about  this  application  due  to  the  close  proximity  of  this  proposed  restaurant  to  residential  premises.  The  licence  is  to  11pm  every  night  and  within  the  application  music  is  also  added. 

"Within  close  proximity  of  the  proposed  premises  that  will  hold  the  licence  are  a  number  of  primary  school  children  whose  sleep  may  be  disturbed  by  the  leaving  late  at  night  of  high  spirited  adults."

Godfrey and Nora Frost, also of Sandy Lane, complained the licence could lead to public nuisance in a letter of objection.

However, district councillors waved through the plans on condition alcohol would only be served as part of a meal at the restaurant.

LABOUR councillors have reacted angrily to the decision to close down a council panel set up to help people deal with financial troubles.

The majority of Crawley Borough Council's overview and scrutiny commission (OSC) voted to disband the financial deprivation scrutiny panel at a meeting on December 2.

The decision was made to end the panel at this point, but members agreed a new single issue panel should be established at an appropriate time in the future with the specific focus of scrutinising the delivery of universal credit in Crawley.

The panel met 13 times and OSC members questioned whether it was setting strong enough recommendations and querying if it was duplicating other work.

Labour councillor Peter Smith, a panel member, reacted angrily to the decision to wind up the panel.

He said: "It is frankly astonishing that the Tories have decided to end the panel at exactly the time that our residents are starting to feel the effects of (national and local) cuts.

"Some people are being supported with discretionary top-up grants to help them through the implementation of the cuts, but this will come to an end, so we don't yet have the full picture relating to the impact of the cuts on either our residents or the council's staff."

The panel was set up to examine the council's approach to the claiming of benefits and develop ways of helping people deal with financial difficulties.

Speaking at last week's meeting, OSC vice chair Michael Jones said: "I do believe that a decision to close this now will look like the councillors who vote for that don't care about the impact of the cuts."

A previous attempt to shut the panel down in January 2013 was stopped.

T HOUSANDS of pounds were raised for victims of Typhoon Haiyan after a hastily organised relief gig took place in East Grinstead – and was a huge success.

The Flame of Hope, which was held on Monday at Chequer Mead, featured Chris Andre, former X Factor hopeful Andrea Magee as well as cellist Lizzie May.

Also performing on the bill was local band The Skatonics, swing singer Stephen Dunnett and singers Kyla & Nat. A selection of numbers from famous musicals was also performed by the Bullfrog Youth Theatre.

Former Record Breakers presenter and Eurovision Song Contest winner Cheryl Baker compered the event, which raised £6,000 for two charities helping to restore areas of the Philippines that were battered by Typhoon Haiyan last month.

Delighted event organiser and Chequer Mead centre manager Pete Jenkins said performers were more than willing to lend their talents to a good cause.

He said: "I was watching the pictures of the relief operation on television and everything was devastated.

"It was then that I had a bit of a Bob Geldof moment and thought of the people who have performed at Chequer Mead and helped with Meridian FM.

"I called six people about doing a concert and they all said yes.

"It has taken a lot of arranging but the artists were the easiest to secure."

More than 250 people attended the show, which raised money for the Filipino charities which are rebuilding churches and schools, as well as replacing fishermen's boats.

Mr Jenkins said the money raised at the event would go to smaller charities to avoid it all being swallowed up by larger organisations.

Local businesses also contributed by donating raffle prizes including hampers, champagne and a photo portrait session.

One star performer, however, sadly could not make the show. Peter Andre, who it was rumoured would be taking to the stage with brother Chris, was attending a wrap party in London for the final series of his My Life documentary.

Mr Jenkins added: "Unfortunately Pete had a wrap party for one of his shows so could not make it.

"But maybe the night's stand-out performance was Lizzie Mae, who did a classical rock performance.

"She was a revelation.

"Andrea Magee was also absolutely amazing.

"The main thing is the money that we raised, money that we hope will make a real difference."

THE president of a group of islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean is masterminding the resettlement of its people from his White House - an office in Three Bridges.

Allen Vincatassin, is president of the Provisional Government of Diego Garcia and the Chagos Islands, and leading the fight for the community to be allowed to return home.

Despite being elected the archipelago's most powerful man he cannot step foot on the islands without being arrested by the US military.

The British overseas territory's residents were evicted between 1967 and 1973 to make way for a US Air Force base and have fought a long-running court battle for the right to return.

The people of Chagos have taken a huge step towards this following the UK Government's launch of a feasibility study into resettlement last month.

Mr Vincatassin, from Northgate, is hoping his fellow Chagossians could begin moving back home from 2015.

He said: "The feasibility study will not be finished until the end of 2014 and if it has positive results I would like to start with a pilot resettlement.

"All of the older members of the archipelago are dying so I would push for it to start as quickly as possible in 2015.

"There is already a population of about 2,000 people on the islands due to the military base so we know it is viable for a small population.

"There are already jobs available and other opportunities on the islands. And whatever steps are taken to move back will be environmentally friendly."

Mr Vincatassin was born on the Chagos Islands in 1970 and only lived in his homeland for a year before his family was forced to leave.

Since then he has only been able to return to the archipelago three times, including one visit after he was elected president in 2011, as part of organised environmental visits.

The 43-year-old's presidential office is based in Eastpoint Plantation House, at Crawley Business Centre, in Stepehenson Way, Three Bridges, where he works with the elected cabinet on plans to return.

In 2002 the Chagossian community were granted UK citizenship and many flew to Gatwick Airport – mostly from Mauritius and The Seychelles where they had initially been moved to – and made new lives in Crawley.

Mr Vincatassin added: "The office is my White House and my wife, who is the First Lady, is based here with me. The Chagos community is extremely friendly so I have a lot of stops and chats. I walk freely, though. There are no demands of bowing to me."

The British government's study will look into the possibility of resettlement of the main island Diego Garcia and outer islands such as Salomon and Peros Banhos.

The practical aspects of life in a remote location will be explored, including employment opportunities, transport requirements and health, education and law enforcement needs.

Whether a resettlement would impact the unique marine life around the islands will also be investigated. A 50-year lease, which allowed the creation of the US base, expires in 2016, with negotiations on an extension due to begin next year.

If approved the air base will continue for another 25 years.

Mr Vincatassin is confident resettlement could work alongside the military base.

But he added: "I have asked Her Majesty's Government to place a requirement on the US government to pay rent as part of the next agreement.

"The USA currently pays nothing because the UK agreed Diego Garcia should be set aside for defence purposes.

"I would like the US government to pay for the cost of resettlement and also to put money in a fund for the members of our community who stay in the UK."

If resettlement is approved the provisional government would dissolve and an island council would be set up.