All posts by Geoff

Christmas Carol Service 2023

Every year Susy Radio likes to offer the opportunity for a church, a choir or a school to be part of Christmas Day.

This year, the traditional service of “Nine Lessons and Carols” was recorded at the most complete Saxon Church in England. St. Nicholas, Worth on the 17th December.

The format of this service originated in Truro Cathedral, Cornwall in 1880. In the early 20th Century, Kings College Cambridge started singing a slightly modified version, which was then then included in radio and television broadcasts.

In honour of the this ancient church built around 985AD and paying tribute to the history of the service, the music selected includes a traditional Cornish carol “The Holly bears a Berry” and the traditional Sussex carol “On Christmas Night”.

The choir was led by the Musical Director and Organist Mark Harrison and the service is led by the Rector, Father Michael Boag.

The choir featured the following:

Sopranos:
• Helen Cheales
• Dawn Clubb
• Melanie Edwards (soloist for “The Sussex Carol”)
• Jenny Gordon
Altos:
• Eliza Hawley (soloist for “Once In Royal David’s City”)
• Adela Hawley
• Lucy Laing
Tenors:
• Peter Harrison
• Pippy Harrison
• Peter Murgatroyd
Basses:
• Ross Hawley
• David Moore

The readers were, in order:

1. David Moore
2. Joan Tick
3. Peter Harrison
4. Linda Eells
5. Ann Lane
6. David Clubb
7. Carol Murgatroyd
8. Kay Molloy
9. Fr. Michael Boag

Susy Radio would like to thank all of the Clergy, choir, parishioners and visitors at St Nicholas Worth for the very warm welcome extended to us during our recording of this wonderful service. I also know that the choir would love to welcome new voices to join them. Do get in touch.

Recorded, edited and presented by Neil Munday
With thanks to Programme Director Geoff Rogers

The programme was broadcast at 1pm on Christmas Day and you can listen again here:

Man charged with murder in Crawley

A man has been charged with the murder of a 32-year-old woman in
Crawley.

Holly Sanchez was tragically found deceased at a bungalow in Oates Walk around 9am on Saturday 13 May. A post mortem revealed she has died as a result of serious head injuries.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder. Two of them, a
37-year-old and a 60-year-old from Crawley, have since been released on conditional bail.

The third suspect, 30-year-old Ryan Evans, of Oates Walk, Crawley, hasbeen charged with murder. He was remanded in custody and appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 16 May, where he was further remanded for a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday 17 May.

Holly was from Crawley but was not living at the address at the time ofher death.

Her next of kin are being supported at this difficult time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is urged to  report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Gladstone.

Sussex cricket remembers former player

Sussex Cricket says it is saddened by the news of the death of its
former player David Stripp, at the age of 88,  on Friday 12th May.

On the website Patron of the Sussex Cricket Foundation Stuart Simmonds writes:

The various websites and statistics packages will tell you that he
played twelve first class matches in the mid 1950’s, but in truth those figures alone do not paint the true picture of just how talented a sportsman David really was.

Born and raised in Crawley Down, he was arguably the most talented all round sportsman that the area has ever seen. David was taken on to the MCC ground staff at Lords in his teens as well as being an outstanding goalkeeper.

Of course, stories are often embellished as the years roll on, but David was simply peerless as a cricketer in the non league structure that almost all clubs played in alongside the formative years of the Sussex League.

Following a short spell at East Grinstead, he had little time for league cricket and so returned to Crawley Down, which to be honest was probably unfair to the players on the competitive local circuit at the time.

Many times as a youngster, I witnessed sides virtually beaten before
we’d even reached the changing rooms, such was his reputation and
ability. He was the supreme all rounder and both sides knew it. However, there was very little arrogance to David and so much more to him if you took the time to listen to what he had to tell you.

For me, along with Mick Mason, he was the perfect person to take me under his wing and made me realise that if I opened my eyes, there was more to life than Crawley Down Cricket Club. He alone would continually tell me that I should try to see how far my talents would take me and that if it didn’t work out, I would always be welcomed back. In all the places and leagues around the world that I managed to play, I simply would not have been able to get there without his help and guidance.

Sometimes in life it seems we’re blessed and privileged that our paths might happen to cross certain people. With David, it was my great fortune that he gave me his time and knowledge, which along with his company and friendship, is something for which I will always be eternally grateful.

Rest well Stripper.

Crawley Town FC just getting started

Crawley Town FC captain, Ben Gladwin, says everyone at the club is
looking forward to next season.

Speaking after their last game of the campaign against Swindon, the
midfielder said the whole team feels they are only just getting started.

Despite the 2-1 loss the Reds managed to avoid relegation following a string of recent good results.

Manager Scott Lindsey praised the fans for their support throughout the season saying they were like no other fans and it was them who entertained the team.


You can watch the full interview below.

https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2023/may/swindon-town-reaction–scott-lindsey–ben-gladwin/

On demand buses come to Mole Valley

Surrey’s first on-demand, shared bus service – Mole Valley Connect – is now available throughout the whole of the district to improve bus provision for residents.

Since the service launched in June 2022 in the north of Mole Valley,
over 11,600 trips have been taken.

The four electric mini-buses can be booked on the Surrey connect APP, online at www.molevalleyconnect.org.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 7751,  Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Buses run Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 6pm. Journeys can be booked with 30 minutes notice or up to seven days in advance.

Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth at Surrey County Council said: “Mole Valley Connect has proved very popular with residents in the north of the district so I am delighted that we are now able to offer this convenient, doorstep service to everyone in the area. This will help people who may be isolated due to their rural location or have had to traditionally be heavily car dependent.

“The service is open to everyone and could enable people of all ages to reach GP surgeries, attend hospital appointments, access further
education and training or go shopping.

“We’ll also be bringing on-demand bus services to other rural parts of Surrey later this year as part of our £50m investment to improve bus services and encourage more people to take the bus. This includes more zero emission buses, more real time passenger information and a half fare scheme for young people aged 20 and under.”

The Department for Transport approved Surrey’s bid for £660,000 in 2021 to improve bus travel in areas where there are fewer commercial services.