I wanted to use this week’s column to share with you that over the past few months a social movement has been quietly growing here in Crawley and I needed to put on record my huge respect and growing admiration for their work.

A few months ago a group of Labour Party female members had got together and their discussions turned to their general dismay and concern about the mounting pressures for many local people with the cost of living crisis and how many households were feeling the need to seek the help of local food banks and charities.

They weren’t going to stand by, they wanted to give some practical help in gathering the food and items people needed, and now they have become a familiar sight on many of our local neighbourhood parades.

I am told that the response from the public has been fantastic, and the generosity of the donations have been significant.  All have been passed on to charities such as the Crawley Free Shop, Open House and the Easter Team.  I took the opportunity of a recent stall held in Bewbush to visit the volunteers with councillor colleague Bob Noyce and it was useful for us to see that good work in action.

In April, the Labour Women will be in Gossops Green this week on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th, then they will be in Southgate on Monday 17th and Tilgate on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th.  The following week, they’ll be in Broadfield on 26th and 27th.  All times between 2pm and 4pm.

You can also find out more and ongoing dates for May and June at the following link: https://www.crawleylabour.org.uk/crawley-labour-womens-group/

I want to put on record my thanks to all our unsung heroes involved in supporting and running our local food banks.  It still remains a source of great regret to me that they are needed at all, but clearly they are, it is a sign of the times – and an incoming Labour Government is all the more sorely needed to make sure one day they will not be necessary.

Cllr Michael Jones

Leader, Crawley Borough Council