Quantcast
Channel: Crawley Observer JPCO.syndication.feed
Viewing all 26324 articles
Browse latest View live

Police appeal after indecent exposures on trains near Gatwick

$
0
0

British Transport Police (BTP) have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a series of indecent exposures on trains near Gatwick.

The investigation started in August 2016 when a 31-year-old woman reported that a man exposed and touched himself inappropriately on board a Thameslink train between East Croydon and Farringdon, a BTP spokesman said.

In December 2016 a further two incidents were reported where a man was exposed and touched himself inappropriately.

Both incidents were on Thameslink trains, between St Pancras and Brighton and East Croydon and Gatwick Airport, the spokesman added.

The final and most recent incident occurred on a Thameslink train between St Albans City and West Hampstead station on April 2.

A 61-year-old woman was on board the train when a man exposed and touched himself inappropriately.

On January 24 this year, officers initially appealed for information regarding the incident between East Croydon and Gatwick.

Today’s appeal comes as officers link the multiple incidents.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Allan McTaggart, said: “All of these incidents occurred on board Thameslink trains, therefore I believe the suspect may work somewhere on the line or live closely to a Thameslink station.

“Therefore, I’d ask passengers who regularly commute on this line to be particularly vigilant.

“If you know the man shown in the CCTV image or spot him on your travels please get in touch – he may have information which could be vital to the investigation.

“In all of these cases, the suspect has changed his clothes after he has exposed himself to passengers. If you have noticed a man acting suspiciously in this way, again, we would like to hear from you.

“We will not tolerate unwanted sexual behaviour such as this and I would like to thank each of the victims for reporting these disgusting incidents to us. Every report of a sexual offence builds a picture and helps us to track offenders and bring them before the courts.”

Anyone with information is asked to send a text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 311 of 26/04/2017.

Alternatively, pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.


UPDATE: Illegal workers ‘not direct employees’ says company

$
0
0

Five men illegally working on the regeneration of Queens Square were ‘not direct employees’ of the construction company, it has said.

Immigration Enforcement officers were called to Crawley town centre at 11am yesterday (April 25).

A spokesman for the Home Office said immigration checks revealed five Albanian men, aged between 25 and 33, working on a construction site in Queens Square were in the UK illegally. They were arrested and detained pending their removal from the UK.

The Home Office added the men were employed by Blakedown Landscapes Ltd. and the company was facing an £100,000 fine unless evidence was provided that pre-employment checks were carried out.

Steve Buckingham, managing director at Blakedown Landscapes, said: “We are the contractors working for Crawley Borough Council, enhancing the paved areas at Queens Square.

“The men were working on our site, but they are not direct employees of Blakedown Landscapes.

“We have not been approached by anyone from the Home Office in respect of this visit.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Sussex Women announce Georgia Adams as new captain

$
0
0

Sussex Women have announced that Georgia Adams will be the new captain across both formats for the 2017 season, and have now also confirmed their squad for the Royal London One-Day Cup and NatWest County T20.

Adams takes over from Georgia Elwiss, who will be missing for most of the season due to international commitments with it being a World Cup year.

Adams has captained the side several times for Sussex in the past few seasons when Elwiss and Sarah Taylor have been on international duty. She scored her maiden century for Sussex against Yorkshire when she made her bow as skipper.

Her experience at the top level will bring her a lot of knowledge as captain and Adams has also worked with a lot of the younger players in the side over the years as a coach for Sussex as well, getting to know a lot of the players’ capabilities.

Adams said of her appointment as captain, “I am honoured, privileged and proud to be given the opportunity to captain Sussex. With an exciting season ahead, we have a great chance to showcase our young, talented side. We have most certainly put in the hard yards this winter as a squad under the guidance of our new coach James Anyon and I believe we have every chance of lifting some silverware this season.”

The new squad have been training all winter and there are a number of new, young faces in the side for the 2017 season, which include 18-year-old, Lucy Western and Nancy Harman who have both been training with the Sussex Academy, alongside Bethany Tagg and Ellen Burt.

17 year-old Ella Bourne and 16 year-old Ariana Dowse and Ella Wadey, who are on the Emerging Players Programme, and 14 year-old Ella McCaughan, have all been called into the squad.

Sussex Women’s Head Coach, James Anyon said, “We have a lot of talent in our system and this is reflected in the number of players we have selected this season. Thanks to the sponsorship and support from Aldridge Foundation, who are our major sponsor for all our women and girls’ squads and our EPP and academy programme, we have managed to work a lot more with players on an individual level, which shows with the number of academy and EPP players coming into the womens’ side this year.

“Unfortunately we will miss our England players for the majority of the season due to the World Cup, but we have prepared for this well over the winter and we have a strong, talented side to challenge for the Championship and T20 this season. I am looking forward to seeing the girls get the season underway and showing what the side is capable of after all the hard work they have put in this winter.”

Sussex Women’s Squad 2017 Season

Georgia Adams, Flora Bertwistle, Ella Bourne, Ellen Burt, Sally Clarke, Izzy Collis, Freya Davies, Ariana Dowse, Georgia Elwiss, Abbey Freeborn, Chiara Green, Nancy Harman, Ella McCaughan, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Bethany Tagg, Sarah Taylor, Ella Wadey, Lucy Western, Danni Wyatt

Greenfingers invited to garden fair

$
0
0

Greenfingers in Crawley are invited to a garden fair next month.

The New Horizons Appeal, in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice, is inviting the public to their annual Garden and Local Produce Fair which will take place in Cuckfield Park on Thursday May 18.

The prestigious fair has become known as West Sussex’s ‘mini Chelsea’.

It brings together a range of established traders to sell quality products including specialist plants, gardening products and locally produced food.

Liz Kitchen, New Horizons chairman, said: “By supporting our Garden and Local Produce Fair, you’re helping St Catherine’s be there to provide expert end of life care to local people when life comes full circle.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to the fair and would like to thank Strutt and Parker and Thakeham for their support in helping us host this fantastic, spring day out.”

The event is a favourite in many people’s calendars, with many traders returning year on year.

As well as gifts to buy, homemade cakes and lunches will also be available, and if anyone fancy’s indulging there is a chance to buy advance tickets for a bubbly breakfast, which also gives you a sneak preview of stalls ahead of general public entrance.

Last year the fair attracted more than 800 visitors and raised more than £6,000 for the hospice.

Since 1989, the New Horizons Appeal has raised more than £2 million for St Catherine’s with the support of people who attend their events, which also include a lunch club, charity golf day and Autumn Gift Fair.

Advance tickets for the special bubbly breakfast and stall preview, from 9am are £12.50.

General public entry will be £5 per person with the fair open from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

For more details and to book bubbly breakfast tickets please visit: www.stch.org.uk/newhorizons.

Or contact Suzanne Connor on 01293 447367 or email newhorizons@stch.org.uk.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

RUMOUR MILL: Mourinho wants to sign Chelsea star Willian in £35m deal | Ibrahimovic turns down £13m offer from Manchester United | Beckham looks to finalise Miami's entry into MLS | Chelsea’s £47m bid for Napoli star rejected | Juventus boss Allegri ends Arsenal speculation

$
0
0
Is Willian on his way to Old Trafford?

Today’s transfer news

Crawley Down Gatwick hit seven goals past tired Hailsham

$
0
0

This wasn’t quite as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest, as the Stringers more then held their own in the first half before Down capitalised on their opponents’ tired legs in the last 20 minutes.

Anvils made three changes from the disappointing result last Tuesday night, with Tom Gannon starting up front in place of Sam Cane, and Williams Peauroux and Sonny Barton replacing the absent Marc Pelling and Michael Belli.

Crawley Down’s opener came after Oli Leslie had been felled outside the box, with Sullivan’s free-kick being nodded home by Mike Spence past Stringers keeper Tom Bradford.

More was to come on 18 minutes when from an Anvil clearence, Leslie was able to evade centre-back Jack Findon and slide the ball past Bradford to give the Anvils a two-goal lead.

The Stringers then started to make movements of their own, with Charlie Shearing taking advantage of a Blair Cooney slip but shooting well wide.

On 20 minutes there was a Dave Chan attempt straight at Anvil keeper Martin Hopkins.

They continued to push forward, with shots from Simon Piper and a header from Shearing, but overall they were not really seriously testing the Anvil backline.

Gannon had another shot blocked, but perhaps the most notable part of the first half came just before half-time with full-back Sonny Barton from around 35 yards, releasing a rocket of a shot that flew past the far upright.

Crawley Down went 2-0 up ten minutes into the second half when Jack Findon slid the ball past Bradford.

A combination of Spence and Leslie caused a scramble in the box that led to Thomas scuffing his shot home for a 3-0 lead.

Within minutes of coming on, Sam Cane was on hand to notch a quickfire double and put the Anvils 5-0 to the good.

The Stringers were now noticeably tiring with the relentless Anvil pressure but were still making the odd sortie, with a Ross Markham shot taken by Hopkins, and Connor Townsend shooting wide.

With the Anvils now pouring forward, it was just a case of how many, with continuous balls pumped forward. Everyone seemed to be eager to get on the scoresheet, with a Williams Peauroux corner being headed over by James Day.

A Cooney charge down the flank was rewarded on 87 by another Spence finish, to give the midfielder a well-deserved double season.

To round off proceedings leading marksman Leslie applied that well-known coup de grace with the seventh of the match, and three more points that saw the Anvils reached 52 points for the season.

Crawley Down Gatwick: Hopkins, Martin (White), Barton, Day, Cooney, Peauroux, Sullivan (Goodwin), Spence, Gannon (Cane), Leslie, Thomas

Attendance: 64

Man of the Match:

James Day

Court results - Crawley

$
0
0

The following are results contributed by HM Court Service, of cases sentenced by Sussex Northern magistrates sitting at Crawley.

Hannah Crawford, 30, of South Holmes Road, Horsham, was jailed for 12 weeks, with a £115 victim services surcharge. She had pleaded guilty to theft of an electric shaver and cosmetics from Boots in Crawley, and to failing to answer bail, and admitted breaching a suspended sentence for two counts of theft.

Pamela Butterworth, 49, of no fixed address, was given a community order with 60 hours of unpaid work, an £85 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. She had pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed object (a Stanley knife) at Homebase in East Grinstead.

William Gething, 84, of The Dingle, Crawley, was fined £107, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to driving without a licence in London Road, Crawley.

Vinodkumar Rathod, 57, of Petworth Court, Bewbush, was fined £293, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and four penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding in Eastbourne Road, Halland.

Steven Skinner, 29, of Ivory Walk, Crawley, was fined £220, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had been convicted of speeding on the A24 at Horsham.

Amanda Steer, 62, of Glovers Road, Charlwood, was fined £40, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to her licence. She had pleaded guilty to speeding on the A2037 at Small Dole.

David Wood, 63, of Tinsley Lane, Crawley, was fined £40, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to her licence. She had pleaded guilty to speeding in Preston Road, Brighton.

Ashley Day, 25, of Arun Road, Billingshurst, was given a three month conditional discharge, with a £20 victim services surcharge, and £80 costs. He had been found guilty of causing criminal damage to a car in Ifield Road, Crawley.

Danny Johnson, 24, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight weeks, with a £115 victim services surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to harassing a woman by text messages, phonecalls, and vists to her gym and home, and admitted breaching the terms of a release from prison. A restraining order was made, barring him from going to an address in Crawley.

Paul May, 58, of Andromeda Close, Bewbush, was banned from driving for 18 months, with a £700 fine, a £70 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving in Sullivan Drive, Bewbush.

Benjamin Samuels, 36, of no fixed address, was jailed for four weeks, with a £115 victim services surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault in Crawley.

Luke Wise, 22, of Lady Margaret Road, Crawley, was given a community order with a four month curfew, an £85 victim services surcharge, and £300 costs. He had been found guilty on two counts of possessing an offensive weapon (a knuckleduster, and a pool ball in a sock) in Memorial Gardens, Crawley.

Grant Abbott, 50, of Hawkesmoor Road, Crawley, was fined £185, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and had three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding in Gossops Drive, Crawley.

Bianca Cothard, 27, of Tennyson Close, Pound Hill, was banned from driving for six months, with a £275 fine, a £30 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. She had pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on the A23 at Brighton.

Naylia Mogal, 37, of Clayton Hill, Crawley, was fined £270, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and five penalty points added to her licence. She had pleaded guilty to speeding on the A23 at Bolney.

Derodra Minai, 26, of Shackleton Road, Crawley, was fined £65, with a £30 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to her licence. She had pleaded guilty to speeding in Broxmead Lane, Bolney.

Aidan Daniel, 19, of Moorland Road, Maidenbower, was banned from driving for 23 months, and given a community order with 80 hours of unpaid work, an £85 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving in Moorland Road.

Mohammed Zegugu, 30, of Trefoil Crescent, Crawley, was fined £507, with a £50 victim services surcharge, £85 costs, and ten penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a vehicle in High Street, Crawley.

Louis McFadyen, 24, of The Hawthorns, Burgess Hill, was jailed for 16 weeks, with a £115 victim services surcharge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault, and to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour in Southgate, Crawley.

Jonathan Parr, 32, of Hyde Heath Court, Crawley, was given a community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, an £85 victim services surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to secretly recording another person, for sexual gratification. He was ordered to register with the police for five years, under the Sexual Offences Act.

-

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/crawleyobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Crawley_Obby

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Crawley Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

RUGBY: St Francis Ladies end season as champions

$
0
0

St Francis Ladies RFC have finished the season champions of their league, seeing off Millwall 15-26 in difficult conditions to secure their promotion for next season.

The success of the season rested on the final game with a win for the ladies meaning promotion next season.

Keeping the pressure on Millwall in the first half the ladies stormed up the pitch showing why they have dominated the league through the consistency and power of their forwards and flair and pace from their backs.

The conditions were not in the ladies favour with it being the hottest day of the year so far however, the ladies showed strength of character and also showed the current depth of their squad by holding on through injuries and in such difficult conditions.

The second half saw St Francis taken by surprise as Millwall sprung into life showing a pace, energy and power that St Francis were unable to hold off.

The result of this burst of energy from a rejuvenated Millwall squad saw St Francis have three tries against them in a short space of time.

As the half and the heat beat on Millwall were showing no sign of stopping and St Francis were pushed back into a defensive position holding on for the league title.

However, St Francis took their time and showed great gamesmanship ensuring that they held the possession of the ball into the final minutes of the match, kicking into touch for the final time St Francis Ladies showed fantastic character to become league champions for the first time in the club’s history.

The season has seen the ladies go from strength to strength, increasing participation in the local area and playing an increasingly competitive level of rugby.

This is a fantastic achievement for the team who are still a relatively new set up in Crawley. The season itself saw the team thrash opposition such as Blackheath 98-10, Brockleians Ladies 66-0 and Beckenham Ladies 47-0 showing a clear progression of skill and finesse from previous seasons as a team.

It wasn’t all plain sailing however and the team saw tough opposition in the likes of Streatham-Croydon Ladies and Beccehamian Ladies who narrowly lost out to St Francis on promotion this season.

Special mention must be given to Anthony Morgan who has led the team over the last two seasons as coach alongside Anita Morgan as team manager and Kiri Baxter-Carter as team captain.

St Francis RFC is now looking for sponsors to help take the club forward. If you would like to sponsor St Francis RFC please contact Ryan Crawley – (07512721558 or via email ryanmmc360@gmail.com)

The ladies are always looking to recruit new players, no matter of your age ability or experience - we want to hear from you. We play in central Crawley on Southgate playing fields training Wednesday evenings all through the summer 7:30pm-9pm and playing most Sundays. If you want to come along and give it a go or find out more information please visit ttp://www.st-francis-rugby.co.uk/


Caffè Nero team put on Star Wars gear to raise funds

$
0
0

Staff from Caffè Nero in Crawley put on striking Star Wars gear last weekend to raise funds for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

The team at the Italian coffee shop in The Martletts managed to raise more than £300 for the ambulance charity last Saturday (April 16), who solely relies on funding.

Dale Baldwin, area manager at Caffe Nero, said: “All my stores managed to raise nearly £1,900.

“We have set a target to raise £8,500 this year across my stores, and the Nero Foundation, our company charity has also pledged £6,000 to them, so we are hoping to get to £15,000, which would pay for seven or eight lifesaving missions.

“The air ambulance charity relies 100 per cent on fundraising and does amazing work in all the communities that my stores are located, that is the reason we chose to support them this year.”

Guests who visited the coffee shop were able to meet the Star Wars characters and have a go on a raffle and lucky dip.

Dale added: “We have collecting tins in store and in August I will be cycling around all the stores, about 110 miles in a day as an additional fundraising event.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

MP's 'stand-in' had little to say about education funding

$
0
0
When Henry Smith MP failed to join a meeting about the school funding crisis in West Sussex, organisers came up with a cheeky response.

They plastered a photo of his face on a cardboard box and gave it its own seat on the panel.
The Education Question Time at Crawley Library on Wednesday (April 26) was organised by members of West Sussex NUT and was attended by teachers, parents and campaigners from Save Our Schools West Sussex.
As well as being MP for Crawley, Mr Smith serves as parliamentary private secretary to Justine Greening, secretary of state for education.
With schools across the county being forced to cut staff, resources and even parts of the curriculum due to a lack of adequate funding, some have questioned whether he can balance his loyalty to Ms Greening with his responsibilities to his constituents. Mr Smith, though, has said his education role gave him "a unique opportunity" to raise concerns "on the inside".
As such, his failure to attend the meeting annoyed many, but there was much laughter as questions were directed to his 'stand-in' which, naturally, had very little to say.

Mr Smith said: "I was invited last month by NUT West Sussex to an event in Crawley for April 26 but advised them that I was unable to attend as the Commons usually sits until 7.30pm on Wednesdays. I'm disappointed they didn't explain this and instead decided to pull a bit of a silly stunt."


Make the right choice for you and your child - Visit educationsussex.com for trusted school reviews, videos and so much more.

County Mall celebrates 25th birthday in style

$
0
0

Crawley’s County Mall Shopping Centre celebrated turning 25 in style.

The mall put on a party on Saturday (April 22) for shoppers who got to enjoy performances from 90s boyband DAMAGE and international dancer and model Kaner Flex.

Centre manager Mark Haynes said: “We were thrilled with the turnout to our 25-year anniversary celebration.

“The atmosphere was phenomenal with shoppers of all ages enjoying the festivities and the artists performing outstanding drawing hundreds of shoppers into the mall on the day.

“A big thank you to everyone who made the day special. We’re excited to see what the next 25 years will bring!”

The mall in Southgate Avenue gave away free muffins, courtesy of BB’s bakers and baristas and free fizz.

Shoppers also got to enjoy dozens of bespoke offers in some of the stores.

The birthday cake, provided by Drucker’s, was cut by the centre manager, who was joined by employee Rose Myers who has worked for the centre since it opened in 1992.

The mayor of Crawley, councillor Raj Sharma, also joined in with the cake cutting ceremony.

To see more of the day’s festivities, visit the mall’s facebook page or visit countymall.co.uk.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Historic park claims another award

$
0
0

Crawley’s Worth Park has added another award to its ever-growing collection.

The park has been awarded the Heritage and Conservation Award from the Landscape Institute for the restoration of the gardens which were originally designed by the renowned James Pulham and Son in the late 1800s.

Cabinet member for Wellbeing, councillor Chris Mullins, said: “Worth Park has come a long way since the beginning of the restoration process and I am very proud of what we have achieved.

“It’s important that we preserve the heritage of this park for future generations to enjoy.”

The accolade comes after five years of painstaking restoration to restore the gardens to their former Victorian glory with the help of a £2.42m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

As part of the restoration process, the 130-year-old Pulham fountain was restored to working condition, the camellia walkway underwent a complete restoration with a new entrance and the replacement of the missing wooden pergola and roof structure and the restoration of Pulhamite rockery in the formal gardens.

For more information about activities and volunteering opportunities at Worth Park, click here.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

‘Anyone near grass is at risk from blood-sucking ticks’

$
0
0

A woman who was bitten by blood-sucking ticks in the garden of her home now wants to warn other people to beware of the bugs.

Businesswoman Sue Pasfield was bitten FOUR times by ticks and went on to develop Lyme Disease - and is still suffering the effects two years on.

She said: “It is a very insidious disease which can be very nasty and difficult to diagnose and get rid of, yet people - including doctors - know very little about it.

“I am getting better gradually, but it has taken two years and a lot of learning along the way.”

West Sussex and the South Downs have a particularly high population of ticks - a type of mini arachnid. Sue was in the garden of her home in Brooks Green, Horsham, when she was bitten.

“I knew I had Lyme Disease within about a week and went to the doctor who gave me antibiotics which initially worked, but didn’t in the end.”

She has since travelled to the US, Germany and Poland for treatment.

Now she doesn’t want others to go through the same ordeal and is urging people to apply repellents before going outside and to check their bodies each day after being outdoors, and shake out their clothing.

“The ticks can be tiny, the size of a full stop, but it doesn’t stop them from being venemous,” she said.

“Anyone living near grass is at risk, sitting on the grass is not a great idea, even in a park.”

If found, ticks should be removed with tweezers or special tick hooks, taking care to ensure the head is removed.

Lyme Disease can present many symptoms including a distinctive circular rash, fever, sore neck, tiredness, muscle and joint pain and a tingling in the arms and legs.

If untreated, the disease can go on to affect the joints, heart, central nervous system and brain.

“It affects people in so many different ways,” said Sue, who runs a software business with her husband Jon.

Unfortunately, she added, many people were misdiagnosed as suffering chronic fatique syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis.

“The NHS really know very little about it. It is often not recognised and their tests are poor.”

She urged people to visit lymediseaseuk.com for more information and details of support groups.

Youngsters enjoy St George’s Day celebrations

$
0
0

Youngsters in Crawley enjoyed the council’s St George’s Day celebrations on Sunday (April 23).

More than 80 visitors watched the Crawley Millennium Concert Band and youngsters were entertained by Joseph Booton’s Punch and Judy show.

Free facepainting and a dragon hat making workshop was also on offer.

A council spokesman said: “This is My Theatre thrilled the crowd with their imaginative and immersive performance of George and The Dragon and we had stalls from Crawley District Scouts, Crawley Lions, Crawley Campaign Against Racism and Weald and Downland Museum.”

If you would like to know more about events in Crawley, visit www.crawley.gov.uk/events.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

COUNTY NEWS: EuroMillions lottery ticket claimed in West Sussex

$
0
0

The lucky winner of a EuroMillions lottery ticket from West Sussex has claimed their prize.

Camelot UK Lotteries Limited, operator of The National Lottery, announced that the £1million EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker prize from the EuroMillions draw on March, 10 this year – which had previously remained outstanding from a ticket bought in the District of Arun, West Sussex – has now been claimed.

Unless the winner of a major National Lottery prize opts to take full publicity and signs an agreement to that effect, no further information can be released about their win.

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery said: “We’re delighted that the winner of this amazing prize has now come forward and we hope that they will enjoy their win.

“It would have been awful if the ticket-holder had missed out on this life-changing amount of money. We would like to remind all National Lottery players to check their tickets every time they play.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.


Community wardens get body video cameras

$
0
0

Crawley Borough Council’s community wardens are now equipped with body worn video cameras when on patrol.

The cameras are being implemented with immediate effect after a trial during December 2016.

A police spokesman said: “The cameras will enable the Wardens to gather video and audio evidence of incidents as part of efforts to help combat anti-social behaviour around the town.”

Under the Sussex Police Community Accreditation Scheme, the community wardens have the power to enforce certain regulations, of which include:

- Require the name and address of a person whom an accredited person has reason to believe has committed a ‘relevant offence’ (such as causing injury, alarm or distress to any other person or the loss or damage to any person’s property, or the relevant Fixed Penalty Offence)

- Require the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner

For more information about the community wardens, visit www.crawley.gov.uk/communitywardens.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Hand grenade found on building site

$
0
0

Police cordoned off a building site in Crawley after a hand grenade was found by a resident.

The resident, Jamie Burton, said he alerted police on Monday (April 24), when he spotted the small explosive shell.

Mr Burton told the Crawley Observer he found it ‘on the old Beechams site’.

A police spokesman confirmed the ‘old’ hand grenade was found on the Manor Royal industrial site in Metcalf Way at around 10.30am.

He said: “The hand grenade was destroyed by EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) officers.

“The site was cleared until the EOD unit arrived and destroyed the grenade at around 1pm.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Royal London One-Day Cup: Bad weather means no result after Middlesex set big target

$
0
0

Brilliant hitting from Ryan Higgins, who took 24 runs from a final over bowled by Ajmal Shahzad to end on 48 not out from only 23 balls, propelled Middlesex to a challenging 50-over total of 341 for 5 against Sussex at Lord’s.

Bad weather, however, arrived with Sussex 26 for 1 from four overs in reply, meaning that the Royal London One-Day Cup match was eventually declared a No Result – with both teams taking one point each – and that ultimately the considerable combined efforts of Higgins, Middlesex opener Paul Stirling and their fifth wicket pair John Simpson and James Franklin were in vain.

Ireland international Stirling’s 71 from 60 balls provided the initial impetus, before Simpson and Middlesex captain Franklin steadied things following a mini-slide to 146 for 4 with a perfectly-paced century stand.

Stirling hit a six and nine fours and Adam Voges also scored a useful 40, but it was Franklin, in a 117-run partnership with Simpson in 16.4 overs, who began the late assault against Sussex’s bowlers by clubbing five sixes and three fours in his 69 from 60 balls.

Franklin and Simpson, who finished on an unbeaten 82 from 80 balls, built their stand carefully at first as Sussex spinners Will Beer and Danny Briggs regained some sort of mid-innings control for their side in excellent 10-over spells.

But Franklin, who did swing leg spinner Beer for the first of his sixes, cut loose when the seamers returned for the last phase of the innings and took a heavy toll of Jofra Archer, David Wiese and Shahzad, who he pulled twice for sixes in the same over in which he was bowled aiming another big hit.

Simpson and Higgins, who flat-batted Wiese over cover and also straight-drove and pulled the suffering Shahzad for sixes in his explosive knock, hit out so strongly in the final overs that their unbroken stand of 78 took a mere 6.3 overs.

Higgins struck three fours off Shahzad as well as those two sixes in the eye-catching 50th over, and four fours in all, while Simpson included eight fours in his expertly-judged innings.

Sussex’s reply began with Chris Nash taking an immediate liking to Steven Finn, with two legside fours in an opening over costing ten and then a pulled six and two further fours in Finn’s second over, which went for 14 runs.

In between, however, Tom Helm produced a fine outswinger with his first ball of the innings to have Luke Wright caught at the wicket for a first ball duck and the 23-year old England Lions fast bowler certainly impressed in the two overs he bowled at a cost of just one run – as well as the prized scalp of Wright – before the rain came.

Middlesex head coach Richard Scott said: “Because we missed the first round of County Championship games this competition has come upon us all of a sudden but squad-wise I think are looking strong.

“I think we have played some really good List A cricket in the last few years. We have used quite a few players so there is lots of experience of white-ball cricket in the squad and I’m really pleased with where we are it.

“I am pleased with the strength in depth we have in our squad. It’s great to have Paul Stirling with us and we hope to see Eoin Morgan at some stage of the competition which is brilliant for us. So, we have a lot of options and if we keep everyone fit and we can get some consistency then I expect us to do well in the competition.”

VIDEO: Fatboy Slim trains for his Wild Life headline spot

$
0
0

Sussex’s Norman Cook – aka Fatboy Slim – has released a Rocky-inspired viedo of him in training for his headline spot at this year’s Wild Life Festival.

The video sees him running from his home and passing some of Brighton’s famous landmarks before finishing his training on the grounds of Shoreham Airport, where he will perform to thousands of festivalgoers in June.

In the video the renowned DJ, musician and record producer is joined by performing arts group, Shoreham Allstars, who will also be performing at the festival.

Festivalgoers can look forward to ‘a lot of new content’, according to the DJ, who has previously won ten MTV VMA’s and two BRIT awards.

His latest single ‘Where you iz’ has had more than 500,000 Spotify streams.

David O’Connell, manager of the Shoreham Allstars, said: “Wild Life is one of the highlights of the Allstars’ calendar and it is fantastic to be invited to play there again.

“It’s a unique experience for the kids to be part of it all and is something they’ll never forget. Bring it on!”

The festival is returning to the airport for the third time and will take place on Friday, June 9 and Saturday June 10.

It was started by Disclosure and Rudimental in 2015 and now attracts thousands of festivalgoers.

Fatboy Slim was the first headliner to be announced in this year’s line-up and will be performing on the Friday.

For more information about the festival and to buy tickets click here.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

The gift of time

$
0
0
‘Bank holiday.’ Sometimes these can be two of the sweetest words in the English language.

For some people of course, Bank holidays are no different to normal.

But for many of us they offer a day free of the usual work and activity.

This month treats us to two, and (hopefully) just as the temperature is warming up.

I’ve decided to build a BBQ to celebrate. So, I’ll be out there grilling away, come wind, rain or sun (and probably some combination of all three.)

They can be great days to catch-up with friends and family, to relax, or to head out somewhere familiar or someplace new.

I can’t help but feel that we need that sort of rhythm in our lives.

There’s satisfaction (necessity even) in working when we can, but this should be complemented by rest and relaxation.

For me, as a vicar, I’m pleased that the Bible seems to see things the same way.

Right from the beginning of the Scriptures, there’s a pattern for life that includes a day of rest.

I see it in Jesus’ life as well.

It’s amazing to think that he was only active for around three years, and yet seemingly did so much.

And yet, the accounts of his life in the Gospels also include the stories of his down time.

He goes to wedding parties, enjoys meals with friends and strangers, and even grills some fish over a charcoal fire. (That’s a great endorsement of BBQs)

If Jesus saw the value of taking some time out, to be with people or even to have some quiet time alone, who am I to disagree?

Of course, he also used that time to pray, to consider his purpose in life and to draw strength for what lay ahead.

I hope that you get the chance this month, whether on a bank holiday or not, to take some time out.

Perhaps some time to think, some time to relax, maybe even some time around a BBQ with friends and family.

Our time can be a real gift, for ourselves and others, so may we use it well.

Faith Matters:

Thy Kingdom Come

From the 25th May to 4th June, in-between the church’s celebration of Ascension and Pentecost, ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is an invitation to join in a world-wide prayer movement. For Christians, this is an opportunity to commit to pray with God’s world-wide family - as a church, individually or as a family. Churches will hold prayer events, such as 24-7 prayer, prayer stations and prayer walks, across the UK and in other parts of the world.

Prayer events of all shapes and sizes will take place across the 10 days, including 24-7 prayer rooms, prayer days, prayer walks and half nights of prayer. Cathedrals, churches and other venues will host Beacon Events, gathering people across towns and cities to worship and to pray.

There’s also an invitation to those who don’t usually pray to discover how and why Christians not only believe in God, but a God who we can know and talk to – share our lives with. There are ideas, news and resources for churches and individuals at http://www.thykingdomcome.global

Christian Institute

The Christian Institute is holding a series of presentations on the theme of ‘Standing for Christ in the Public Square.’ In particular this will look at how faith in Christ can be both personal and public and some of the issues around what that means in our society today. There’s one in Sussex planned for 10th May at All Saints Church, Church Road, Crowborough, TN6 1ED at 8.00pm.

Viewing all 26324 articles
Browse latest View live