Crawley Borough Council is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Crawley Community Awards, celebrating the remarkable individuals, groups and organisations whose dedication and achievements make Crawley a thriving, supportive and inspiring place to live.

The awards, organised by Crawley Borough Council in association with The Hawth and Crawley Observer and headline sponsor, London Gatwick, continue to shine a spotlight on local heroes who go above and beyond for their neighbours, communities, and the wider town. From volunteers and young achievers to sporting champions, the awards highlight excellence across all areas of community life.

Residents, community groups, schools, charities and businesses are invited to submit nominations on the Crawley Community Awards websiteOpens in new window Anyone can nominate and the process is quick. Nominations close at midnight on 10 April.

Award categories include:

• Achievement
• Community Group
• Culture
• Education
• Fundraising
• Group Achievement
• Inspiration
• Local Hero
• Performing Arts
• Special Recognition
• Sports Person
• Sports Team
• Support Group
• The Mayor’s Award – Charity
• Volunteer
• Volunteer Group

Every year the Crawley Community Awards reveal extraordinary stories of kindness, commitment, and creativity. These awards are a chance for us to celebrate the best of Crawley and recognise the people who make a real difference to our town. We encourage everyone to nominate someone who deserves recognition in 2026.

Councillor Sue Mullins

Cabinet member for Community Engagement and Culture

Crawley Borough Council

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at The Hawth in May.

Gatwick Airport have announced 2026 will see the largest number of destinations become available for travellers in seven years.

More than 230 routes have been planned by 62 airlines including 8 new carriers.

The destinations include Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Jonny Macneal, Head of Aviation Development said: “With new airlines joining the airport and new destinations, passengers will enjoy even more choice for holidays, business trips and long-haul adventures”.

Sussex Police arrested a man on board a train on Friday for being in possession of two imitation firearms, forcing Gatwick Airport’s train station to temporarily close.

Police detained the man on a train from Brighton for 40 minutes after it had pulled into the station.

During this time, services from Thameslink and the Gatwick express were affected.

The incident was brought to a close just before 2.30pm where services were then able to resume.

Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council are among 30 local authorities who are working to arrange local elections in May after they were reinstated by the government. 

Both Councils had requested to defer the elections for another year.  The government sought their views on whether elections should proceed in preparation for local government reorganisation into fewer unitary authorities.  The decision to go ahead with the elections follows a legal challenge from Reform UK against the postponement.

But is there a general lack of interest in voting in local elections?  Stephen Pritchard, Labour councillor for Three Bridges Ward, responded to that question on the Sussex and Surrey Soapbox podcast: 

Meanwhile in Surrey, local elections were already scheduled to take place on 7th May; these will elect councillors to form a shadow authority to plan for the new East Surrey and West Surrey Councils.  They will work alongside the existing councils until April 2027 when all 12 legacy councils in Surrey will be dissolved.