Crawley Borough Council Leader: So much happens here in Crawley

There are many challenges to running our local council, but one constant reminder I have is how many positive things are happening right across Crawley, which always motivates me to work even harder for our community.  I thought I’d share just a few recent examples. 

What a memorable experience it was to take part in the ‘Winter Warm Up’!  Held at K2 Crawley, the event annually brings together community organisations, health services and local residents in one place, helping people to access information, build connections and find activities to maintain their health and wellbeing. 

The event was very well attended, with over 300 people coming along to take part in a wide range of activities, and outstanding entertainment from talented local choirs! 

Many appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the wide range of groups and services available to support older people, and it was a great opportunity for me to catch up with many of our dedicated community groups, like Age UK Crawley, Crawley U3A, Menshare and Citizens Advice West Sussex.  The Forget Me Nots were on hand to provide refreshments - an outstanding service, as ever! 

This event has been happening, aside from Covid, annually for around a decade, with the volunteers who arrange all of this supported by Crawley Borough Council. 

It was an exciting occasion late last week to celebrate the official opening day of Oxygen, a brand-new indoor trampoline and activeplay park located at Crawley Leisure Park, following an investment of more than £2 million. 

We were delighted to meet the staff who will be bringing this to local children and young people.  Trampolines, slides, interactive games, airbags and soft play - there's a lot going on here!  It's a great investment in Crawley and brings something that people previously had to travel some distance to get elsewhere. 

It was also a pleasure to attend the DIVERSECrawley launch of the exhibition at Crawley Museum for Black History Month which was opened by the High Sheriff of West Sussex and our Mayor of Crawley, Marion Ayling. 

The opening day was accompanied by an amazing steel band whose distinctive tones rung out over the Boulevard and really added to the great atmosphere.  The exhibition showcases some prominent local residents and their living history.  I hope people will take the opportunity to discover our wonderful museum, particularly if they haven’t already. 

And earlier last month, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Charis Centre for their 75th anniversary celebrations.  The Charis Centre formed part of the first school built as part of Crawley New Town in West Green, the first neighbourhood built around the existing village. 

From the wonderful hospitality provided from their café, to the accomplished musicians playing and the displays in the hall of the long history of the building and pictures of the teaching staff and children from yesteryear, this is a building full of memories which we were fascinated to view and it is a true community asset.  Here’s to the next 75 years!