During the week I usually don’t get back to Crawley after 11pm due to House of Commons business and so making local events in Crawley can be problem, therefore, weekends are often a great time for me to meet fellow residents and attend voluntary sector and community activities. Last weekend was no exception and I wanted to share just two examples of where our town demonstrated its best and why I’m so proud to represent this constituency in Parliament.
On Saturday afternoon I was delighted to attend the official opening of the Springboard Project at their new centre on Stagelands in Langley Green.
Springboard Project is a community based charity that provides safe, inclusive, recreational play and leisure opportunities together with information and support to parents and carers of children with learning disabilities.
The new facility is open as a drop-in centre for any family to bring their children and enjoy play and recreation facilities during the week. The centre is fully accessible with ceiling hoists and child changing facilities as well as an amazing sensory room.
For a long time I have admired Springboard’s work at their Horsham base and so really welcome the service coming to Crawley. I was truly honoured to officially cut the opening ribbon of the newly completed play garden that will provide safe and stimulated play to children with disabilities and to see the kids already enjoying themselves!
On Sunday morning I looked out my English flag tie and headed down to Crawley town centre for the start of the Borough’s St George’s Day parade. It was great to see local residents from many different communities and national backgrounds excitedly gathering for the start of the march from Central Sussex College, through to the Memorial Gardens, The Boulevard, High Street and finally in to Queens Square to watch dance performances at the Bandstand. This was an inclusive and fun celebration of our heritage, both historically and currently as a town; enjoyed by all old and young. This was in stark contrast to the reported trouble in Brighton on the same day after a march there and I think further shows the strength of Crawley as our great hometown.
It’s a busy week in Westminster but I’m refreshed by yet another inspiring weekend courtesy of the people of this Borough.