The Only Way is Essex’s Mark Wright says his love of football was the only motivation behind signing for Crawley.

The 33-year-old previously played a few games for the Reds back in 2006, even scoring one goal against Tamworth which helped keep them in the league.

Head Coach John Yems said, “Mark has been training with us the last couple of months and really impressed everybody in training. It’s taken us thirteen years to sign him back and he’s finally returned to Crawley, hopefully he can carry on from where he left off and I am pleased to have him back with his experience on and off the pitch, Mark is a great role model for players in the future.”

Yems then added, “I will always remember Mark’s goal against Tamworth that kept us up that season. I’m so delighted to have him back again.”

The reality star turned footballer told Sky Sports News, of course some people will think it’s a publicity stunt but he wants to prove them wrong.

You can watch Mark’s full Sky Sports interview here:

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Almost 150 homeless people and families have been moved into emergency accommodation in Reigate and Banstead since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The borough council has now received £148,000 from the Government to help towards homing people in need in the area.

Eight cabins have been installed at Donyngs and the council is booking beds in local B&Bs to help during the winter period.

Councillor Graham Knight, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Support said: “We understand that every homeless situation is unique and housing staff work with everyone we place in emergency accommodation to find a permanent solution to their housing needs. Unfortunately, not everyone welcomes our support, although we will continue to provide any help and services where we can and our doors are always open.”

Council housing staff follow up every emergency placement with a welfare offer that includes access to medical services, benefits, food and regular weekly welfare calls. Every placement also has a Personal Housing Plan agreed which covers their options to move on with assistance to more secure alternative accommodation.

Since the start of the pandemic the authority has accommodated 144 homeless households in emergency accommodation, of which 94 were single people either rough sleeping or at threat of homelessness. So far, they have rehoused 105 of those. Others have either refused assistance, lost contact or we are still accommodating and working with them.

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West Sussex Fire and Rescue has been praised for taking significant steps towards improvement in the last two years.

The praise comes from the chair of a panel established in 2018 to oversee the service following an inspection. In a letter to West Sussex County Council, Ann Millington said she would now disband the oversight panel as the service is moving in the right direction under Chief Fire Officer Sabrina Cohen Hatton.

The Independent Advisory Panel (IAP) for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was established after an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services in November 2018.

But in a letter, Millington said: “The progress to date leads me to believe that the steps that West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have taken to improve the service are significant. It will undoubtably take time to fully embed the improvements, and the service has a clear plan in place to do so. It is therefore my intention to close the Independent Advisory Panel.”

Reacting to the letter, Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “I am incredibly pleased the Independent Advisory Panel have recognised the significant progress being made by our fire service. This is a big step forward that the panel have decided now is the right moment for them to step back as we continue progress to improve.
“I would like to thank Ann and all the members of the Independent Advisory Panel for their support and guidance.”

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Merry Gritmas and Good Morning Gritain will take to the streets of Surrey this winter as the county rolls out its fleet of gritters to battle ice.

The county’s brand new fleet of gritters were named by youngsters from more than 200 schools across the county.

The vehicles are all fitted with state of the art technology and produce less carbon emissions and boast names including ‘Hagrit’, ‘Gritty Mouse’ and ‘Alfred the Grit’.

The full list of names is:
• Merry Gritmas!
• Gritty Mouse
• Gritley Come Dancing
• Grit Me Out of Here!
• Sir Salt-a-Lot
• Thaw, God of Grit
• Alfred the Grit
• Good Morning Gritain
• Unforgrittable
• Father Gritmas
• Let it Grit
• Hansel and Grittel
• Gritzen
• Hagrit
• Thomas the Grit Engine
• Sally McGritter
• Salty Minion
• Salt-N-Vinegar Grits

Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Our gritting service is key to keeping Surrey moving safely over the winter. We have over 12,500 tonnes of salt stockpiled to treat primary routes when temperatures plummet.
“I’m delighted that our school children have been involved in naming the fleet and I’m very impressed with their clever and amusing entries.”

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In the latest battle to stop coronavirus it looks as though London is potentially facing a move to England’s highest level of restrictions.

It comes as Ministers and officials are said to be “deeply concerned” about a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases across the capital. The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said tier three could have a “catastrophic consequence” for hospitality, culture and some retail, as pubs and restaurants would be limited to takeaways or deliveries.

If it is to go ahead then travel would be affected as the advice is not to go to and from a tier three areas. No final decision has yet been made.

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