" I’ve made some wonderful friends and met people from all over the world through guiding. It’s fantastic! "
Crawley
Division Commissioner - Mrs Thelma Bates tmbatesuk@yahoo.co.uk
Division PRA - Mrs Kathy Bennett guides@bennettclan.org
The town of Crawley is situated 28 miles south of London, 18 miles north of Brighton. "Crawley" derives from the Anglo-Saxon "crawe leah", a crow filled wood or clearing; archaeological evidence shows the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and was a centre of iron-making in Roman times. Crawley developed as a market town from the 13th century, and later became an important stopping point on the journey between London and Brighton with a Toll House and many coaching inns on the High Street.
Following the Second World War, the villages of Ifield, Three Bridges and Crawley were designated Crawley New Town, into which many people were moved from London. Gatwick Airport also opened in the 1940s, and the town expanded rapidly. Today, Crawley has a population of 100,000, living in 13 residential neighbourhoods based around the core of the old market town
Guiding in Crawley also has a long history, with the 2nd Crawley (St Peters) Guide Company celebrating its 90th birthday this year. In February 2008 census was paid for 66 Rainbows, 363 Brownies, 176 Guides, 15 Young Leaders, 6 Rangers and 80 Leaders, plus 16 non-uniformed helpers.
Crawley Division Structure
Crawley Division is divided into four districts - Blackwater, Buckswood, Emberwood and Lakes. In total Crawley has 5 Rainbow Units, 18 Brownie Packs, 7 Guide Company's and 1 Ranger Unit. Crawley Division also has an active Trefoil Guild.
Blackwater District includes the neighbourhoods of Three Bridges, Maidenbower and Pound Hill, with 3 Rainbow Units, 8 Brownie Packs and 2 Guide Companies.
Buckswood District includes the neighbourhoods of Bewbush, Broadfield and Gossops Green, with 1 Rainbow Unit, 4 Brownie Packs and 2 Guide Companies.
Emberwood District includes the neighbourhoods of Ifield, Langley Green and West Green, with 1 Rainbow Units, 3 Brownie Packs and 1 Guide Company.
Lakes District includes the neighbourhoods of Furnace Green, Northgate, Southgate and Tilgate with 4 Brownie Packs and 2 Guide Companies. It is expected that the Rainbow Unit will re-open in September 2008.
Crawley Guide Shop
Our shop is located at:
Montefiore Hall,
Hazelwick Rd
Three Bridges
Crawley
RH10 1NA
It is open on Saturdays from 10 am - 12 noon, in termtime only.
The shop is staffed on a voluntary basis by Guiding Leaders and members of the Trefoil Guild.
Orders may be placed by contacting Mrs Pauline Hyner paulinehyner@hotmail.com
Crawley Campsite
The traditional campsite "Little Trees", at Pease Pottage to the south of Crawley, is managed by Crawley Division.
The site has two camping sites, surrounded by woodland. Facilities include a solid shelter, toilet cubicles and permanent fireplaces.
For further information, costs and availability contact Mrs Maureen Palmer maureen.p@blueyonder.co.uk.