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 with you 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!
I’m told feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the wide range of groups and services available to support older people. It was certainly 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 and providing 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 managers and 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 our town and brings something to Crawley 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.
On the same day, it was wonderful to attend the annual International Karate Championships at K2 Crawley, and see the opening ceremony involving hundreds of contestants from 24 different countries, as well as speak to and welcome some of the leading organisers and judges afterwards. This contest has been happening annually for quite a considerable number of years now and it is extremely satisfying to see the facilities at K2 being used to such a full extent, exactly what those who built K2 had in mind when it was designed and built.
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 that was 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!
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader, Crawley Borough Council