As Leader of Crawley Borough Council, I have the great privilege of speaking for our town, in my opinion one of the most vibrant and active communities in our region, if not the country. A strong economic hub, with a vibrant community which is immensely productive. What we do here is often the height of excellence, but we are also perhaps too modest about it sometimes. Yet I get to see this positive activity and what we do, so often at close quarters. I thought this week therefore, I would present some reasons to be cheerful!
In the last few weeks, I was grateful to be able to speak along with other community and faith leaders at the Unity Event organised by the council. Once again, it was an opportunity to come together and remind ourselves what unites us despite our differences, as well as to share a message on the theme of kindness. In an era where people are too quick to express anger and sometimes contempt, we need to strive for something better than that.
More recently, it was very heartening to visit the opening of retail units at the new building on Crawley Leisure Park, Heavenly – a dessert and brunch café and PureGym. There will be more openings to come, showing there is still considerable desire to expand and invest here in the Borough.
Crawley Borough Council recently organised its 34th annual Junior Citizen event at The Hawth, attended by more than 1,600 Year Six students from schools across Crawley, held over a two-week period at The Hawth, giving advice on how to safely deal with potential dangers and teaches them valuable life skills.
The event covers a wide range of topics including fire safety in the home, online safety, recycling, water usage and anti-social behaviour. I am proud that, as a council, we still deliver this locally. Most councils for financial reasons don’t hold this event anymore. But I am particularly pleased that our council officers put so much work into this, supported as they are by partners from all the services like Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire & Rescue and Community Safety.
The Pride in Place event last Saturday saw a bumper community event held at Bewbush Academy involving hundreds of local residents and families. It was sheer joy to see all the young people enjoying the free activities and their parents looking around the stalls. With music, live entertainment – and the Elim Church kindly providing a free barbecue. Particular thanks needs to go to Crawley Community Youth Service for helping make the day a reality.
Hopefully we will be able to use the Government’s £20 million over 10 years to achieve some considerable investment into the local neighbourhood’s public realm and infrastructure and this was a great day for raising awareness and getting the direct views of local residents of what they would like to see done with this money.
And to finish, what could have been nicer than to celebrate the birthday of one of our most beloved institutions here in Crawley, with the 60th anniversary of Tilgate Park and a free concert to mark this in the Walled Garden on Sunday? Very memorable, and a delight to hear the Mayor and the Cabinet Member talk of what we have achieved here.
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader, Crawley Borough Council