This September, Sussex & Surrey Soapbox is doing something a little different — putting you into the conversation.

On Tuesday 15 September from 7pm in Crawley (venue to be announced), we’re bringing together a small audience, local voices and a mixed panel of councillors (Labour, Reform UK, Conservatives and The Green Party confirmed so far) to discuss two subjects that affect almost all of us:

 BREXIT — 10 YEARS ON
Knowing what you know today, would you vote the same way again?

 TRUST, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY IN LOCAL POLITICS
Have we lost faith in politics? Does distrust in Westminster affect how we see our local politicians?

You won’t just hear the conversation — you’ll help shape it.

We want different opinions, perspectives and lived experiences from across Sussex & Surrey. You don’t need to be an expert or involved in politics — just willing to share your views and listen to others.

The discussion will be recorded for radio and podcast, as well as streamed on YouTube, giving viewers the chance to see the discussion and dynamic in the room.

Tuesday 15 September 2026
From 7pm
Crawley
️ Limited audience places

Opinionated? Come and have your say.

REGISTER TO TAKE PART ->  CLICK HERE

 

Sunday Brunch Went WILD!

Clive Hilton and Andy Brown took SUSY Sunday Brunch on the road for an August Bank Holiday fun broadcast from Tilgate Zoo — mixing wildlife, conservation, community fun… and a fair amount of chaos.

At the heart of the day was a serious issue: illegal wildlife trade. Supporting Tilgate Zoo’s Wild Weekend fundraiser for TRAFFIC, we explored an industry driven by demand for trafficked animals, skins and body parts — and heard how those smuggling routes could lead all the way back to the UK.

With our mobile studio set up between the meerkats and guinea pigs, we discovered how Tilgate Zoo used real artefacts seized by HM Customs to make the scale and cruelty of wildlife trafficking impossible to ignore.

But it was Bank Holiday Sunday — so things didn’t stay serious for long!

There was face painting, games, a bake sale and kids’ activities, plus a brilliant animal-sound challenge where we turned the tables on the keepers to see whether they could recognise the calls of animals living at their own zoo — JUMP to 15:15 to hear.

Then things got competitive. There was a timed obstacle course, a slime bucket challenge, compelling evidence that small children were considerably faster than radio presenters… and allegations that Andy cheated.

We also met the team behind Turtle Tally, a citizen-science project tracking pet turtles that had been released or escaped into UK waterways. Those cute little hatchlings can grow surprisingly large and live for decades — highlighting the wider problem of impulse-buying animals that later become difficult to care for or rehome.

We rounded things off by getting up close with beekeeping, before looking ahead to more Bank Holiday live music with Ash Miles and CRASH Music at The King’s Head, Horley.

Wildlife, conservation, community, live radio and two presenters let loose in a zoo. What could possibly have gone wrong? ️

 

ENTER BEFORE 30/09 – CLICK HERE

ORIGINALS Showdown ’26 is a new live music event organised by the ‘Sussex & Surrey Soapbox’ podcast – created to discover, showcase and celebrate original, local musical talent from across the SUSY 103.4 area. 

Throughout November and December 2026, short-listed bands/artists will take to the stage at a series of Thursday night heats – each week a different venue and broadcast LIVE on SUSY 103.4 — Four bands performing their own music in front of a live audience, our seasoned judging panel and listeners across the area.

And this isn’t just about finding a winner – It’s about giving local original music a platform and exposure.

What is ORIGINALS Showdown’26?

ORIGINALS Showdown’26 is a celebration of the musicians, bands and songwriters creating their own music locally.

We want to discover bands/artists/musicians  we may not have heard before, introduce them to new audiences and give them an opportunity to perform as part of a live event.

A true Showdown over a series of live shows – we want it to be fun, with each heat at a different venue – audiences will discover new music, and our judging process will ultimately decide who progresses to the ORIGINALS Showdown ’26 Final.

Who can apply?

We’re looking for bands, duos and solo artists performing original music.

You don’t need to be signed. You don’t need thousands of followers. And you certainly don’t need to be filling arenas already.

We’re interested in the music, the performance and the potential.

Whether you’re an established local act or somebody beginning to take those first steps towards a bigger audience, we’d love to hear what you’ve created.

The important bit? This is ORIGINALS… Your own music needs to be at the heart of what you do.

The Dates & Venues:

All the below are LIVE shows 7-10pm on a THURSDAY

19th Nov’26 — The Tavern, Horley
26th Nov’26 — The Grasshopper, Crawley 
3rd Dec’26 — The Market Stores, Reigate
10th Dec’26 — The Red Lion & Cellar Room, Betchworth

Followed by the ORIGINALS Showdown ’26 GRAND FINAL –  on Thursday 17th Dec’26 — UNIT 45, The Belfry, Redhill

The Prizes and Judging Panel will be announced shortly – please join the ‘ORIGINALS Showdown’26’ Facebook group for the very latest announcements.

How will artists be selected?

Applications will be reviewed by the judging panel and a shortlist created for the live shows.

We’ll be looking at areas including:

-Originality & Songwriting

-Performance 

-Musicianship / Vocal Ability

-Potential

-Suitability for ORIGINALS

Above all, we’re looking for artists who make us want to turn the volume up and hear another track.

More Than One Night on a Stage

ORIGINALS isn’t intended to be another talent competition that disappears once somebody lifts a trophy.

It forms part of a wider commitment from Sussex & Surrey Soapbox and SUSY 103.4 to help discover and showcase local original music.

That means introducing artists to new audiences through live events, radio, podcast, video and social media — and hopefully discovering a few brilliant acts along the way.

Think You Should Be On That Stage?

Then we want to hear from you… Applications are now open for ORIGINALS Showdown ’26.

ENTER BEFORE 30/09 – CLICK HERE

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ORIGINALS Showdown ’26
Discovering. Showcasing. Celebrating. Local Original Music.

Presented by Sussex & Surrey Soapbox with SUSY 103.4.

Tess’ Tea Party ’26 the best bits can be heard below

 

Pictures Credit: Emma Hollamby Photography

☕❤️ What is Tess’ Tea Party all about?

At first glance, it might look like a family fun day with live music, food and entertainment… But it’s really about bringing our community together.

In a world where so much of life happens online, the Sussex & Surrey Soapbox wanted to create a completely FREE event where neighbours, families, charities, community groups and local businesses could spend an afternoon together, make new connections and celebrate everything that’s positive.

We are incredibly proud to have raised funds for Crawley Open House, whose amazing work supports people experiencing homelessness and hardship across our local community. 

Hosts: Jacq Inwood, Tony Williams, Neil Munday & Clive Hilton
Performances by Sharon Music (ABBA Tribute), Rock Choir (30+ singing live) and CRASH Music (Craig & Ash take to the stage)

Plus hear from:

• Crawley Community Youth Service
• Creative Crawley
• Tim the Magician
• Lord Geoffrey the Balloon Guy
• Crawley Combat Academy
• Tess’ Kitchen Team providing the BBQ

A huge thank you to our sponsors:

• GOACO
• West Green Window Cleaning & Guttering
• ASDA
• SUSY 103.4

 

Sunday Brunch features soundbites from the ‘Sussex & Surrey Soapbox’ podcast latest episode…. to skip chapters click on the 3 horizontal lines (left in the above player). Have your say via WhatsApp (bottom right) or join the conversation in our Facebook Group HERE. 

Special Guest: Chelle Lucas

Roundtable Featuring: Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour), Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones, Aga Es and Mags Rahman

Host: Clive Hilton

Alcohol is woven into British life so tightly that not drinking can feel like you’re breaking a rule. From champagne toasts and pub culture to “wine o’clock” on the sofa, we ask a question that’s easy to dodge and hard to answer: when does social drinking become a social problem?

Recorded at the Red Lion and Cellar Room in Betchworth, Surrey for the upcoming Alcohol Awareness Week – we bring real viewpoints and lived experience to the table. Aga talks about quitting alcohol alongside smoking and not missing it, while Abi shares what it’s like growing up around alcoholism, the way addiction can “gaslight” you, and why people are often the last to see the problem. Chelle reflects on 90s ladette binge drinking and how pub life has shifted, and Maureen draws on years of publican experience to explain why home drinking, supermarket prices, and changing habits have reshaped the community role of the local. Jacq adds the perspective of loving people with alcohol dependency, and what that costs in health, relationships, and wider society. Mags shares her lived experience which emerged during covid and a personal story of how she regained control and how Thiamine helped.

We also get practical: what “14 units a week” really means, why units are so easy to underestimate, and why stopping suddenly can be dangerous if you’re dependent. We talk stigma, alcohol-free drinks as a social bridge, and where help can start, from your GP to SMART support and Alcoholics Anonymous. If you’ve ever wondered whether your own drinking is “fine”, or felt awkward choosing not to drink, this conversation gives you language, context, and a few clear next steps.