A petition calling for a war mural to be reinstated after it was painted over is to go before Crawley Borough Council

The artwork in Tilgate Park was created in 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One.

Crawley Borough Council said in April the mural was “realistically beyond proper restoration”, and a report going before the cabinet this week says it was not in the “right place”.

The petition, which has 333 signatures and the support of local veterans, calls for £10,000 to be paid to a local armed forces charity “as an apology”.

As well as calling on the council to repaint it, petitioners want a “full and honest explanation” about why it was wiped out in the first place.

West Sussex County Council are proposing plans to create 170 additional school places across the county for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The proposals include expanding the capacity at Oak Grove College in Worthing and Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School in Horsham.

A public consultation is also now open on the council’s proposed expansion of St Anthony’s School in Chichester.

The plans are part of the local authority’s commitment to ensuring children, young people and families with SEND are given the support they need to thrive.

Detectives are investigating two distraction burglaries and an attempted burglary in Crawley and East Grinstead involving suspects posing as medical staff to enter homes.

The incidents in Ifield Drive, Crawley and Fairfield Road, East Grinstead, occurred on 23 September at 3pm and 5pm when two women posing as nurses called at the addresses claiming to have been sent by doctors to provide medical care.

They gained entry and then one of them asked to use the toilet before leaving having stolen items of jewellery. They also entered another address in Ifield Drive on 23 September, but nothing was stolen.

Detective Sergeant Fraser Lockey said: “We are appealing for witnesses to these incidents and warning the public to be on their guard. We advise to always ask for photo identification of someone who calls at your home who is unknown and not to allow access if you are not expecting a visit. If in doubt, please phone 999.

“If you believe you may have been visited by these two people or have any information about them, please report online or phone 101 quoting Operation Dawn.”

Rebecca Paul, Member of Parliament for Reigate, has launched a new survey to hear the views of local residents on two important questions: whether smartphones should be banned in schools, and whether access to social media should be restricted for under-16s.

Rebecca said, “There is now overwhelming evidence that social media and screens are having a negative impact on our children’s mental, physical, and emotional health. From declining attention spans and disrupted sleep to increased levels of anxiety, the risks are becoming clearer by the day.”

The survey will give parents, teachers, young people, and local residents the chance to share their views on whether stricter controls are needed to protect children.

Local parent Emily Smith welcomed the initiative, saying, “Smartphones in schools distract kids, limit their imagination, and reduce real connections, while exposing them to unnecessary risks. Our children deserve calm spaces, both in the classroom and playground, where they can learn, play, and socialise. Without the pressure to carry a phone at school, kids can simply be kids and as parents, we can truly decide what’s best for them.”

Rebecca continued, “This is not about restricting opportunity but about protecting childhood. Children need space to grow, learn, and thrive without the constant pressures of social media and the distractions of smartphones in the classroom. I want to ensure that any future decisions reflect the views and experiences of the people I represent.”

The survey is available now on Rebecca’s website and will remain open for several weeks. The results will help inform her work in Parliament and shape her contributions to the national debate on children’s online safety.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have allocated £104k from our new Thriving Communities Fund to support 27 organisations working in the local area.

With each of the successful organisations match funding the money received, projects across the borough will benefit from more than £200k.

The Thriving Communities Fund, which launched in April 2025, aims to contribute towards projects that enable strong, inclusive communities and empower local people.

Councillor James Baker, Executive Member for Community Partnerships, says: “We’re incredibly proud to support our voluntary and community sector through the Thriving Communities Grant Scheme. These 27 funded projects represent the heart of our borough: driven by passion, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving lives and helping our communities to thrive.

“The number and quality of the projects we’ve been able to fund is testament to the calibre of our local voluntary and community sector. The match funding element has been instrumental in enabling these initiatives to go even further and reach more people. By leveraging additional resources and by investing in local initiatives across a wide range of projects, we are helping to create a stronger, more connected, and thriving borough for our residents.”

Contributing towards a variety of projects across the borough

A wide variety of projects have now been confirmed benefitting people of all ages, faiths and abilities. Some projects will promote cultural activities, environmental sustainability or healthy living; while others provide support during significant life events or hardship.

Projects for young people include bereavement support, play sessions for families with children under 5 in Redhill, youthwork and outreach services, and drug and alcohol education for 11 to 18 year olds.

Health and wellbeing projects include an intergenerational creative health programme, therapeutic support for people living with motor neuron conditions, workshops with animals and nature to promote wellbeing, and communication classes for people with hearing or sight loss.

Cultural projects include contributions to Gatton Community Theatre’s production of ‘Nativity’, local Diwali celebrations, and supporting the Garibaldi Community Pub with existing community services to improve mental health, community cohesion and reduce isolation

Supporting local voluntary and community organisations

Alongside many familiar and well-regarded organisations, the Council has been able to fund a number of newer and smaller organisations that it has not previously worked with. The scheme is an opportunity to develop and strengthen relationships across the local voluntary and community sector.

David Carter, Energy Advisor at Energy Manage (Community) CIC, says: “The support provided by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Thriving Communities Fund has strengthened our ability to deliver energy advice and help those in energy crisis. With this funding, we will be able to increase our reach to vulnerable households and reduce levels of fuel poverty in the Redhill area.

Lisa Fletcher, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, from Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey says: “We are delighted with the funding from Reigate & Banstead Thriving Communities Fund. Our community services are funded entirely by the generosity of our supporters and this funding will help us enormously.”

Maggie Kippen, Chair of Trustees, Gatton Community Theatre, says: ‘Many thanks to Reigate & Banstead’s Thriving Communities Fund for their grant towards the production costs of Gatton Community Theatre’s performances of Nativity – this will help us enormously and we are so very grateful.

“As an inclusive community theatre company, we are passionate about arts access for all regardless of age or experience, so there are no membership or production fees, and it is open to anyone who wishes to take part.”

Further information about the Fund, including a list of all organisations and projects supported, can be found on the website: https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/thriving-communities