An Introduction by the Newsletter Editor
 
Hi There - A New Year a New Web page and it's our National Diamond Jubilee year. We share this year with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Saga, sinking of the Titanic and of course the Olympics. So now I had better tell you some things about us.
 
Who are we?
Well as you will see from the above we are the Crawley & District Group of the CSPA. Our overall membership is around 460, of which some 16 to 20 are regular attendees at the monthly meetings. We are a small friendly group which is always glad to greet new members to our circle.
 
Where do we meet?
We meet at the The Orchard, 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley West Sussex. Our venue is the 'Longley Room' which is on the ground floor and is wheelchair and disabled friendly. The Crawley Community & Voluntary Service administer the building and are our landlords. Gleneagles Court is situated some 200 yards south of the level crossing in central Crawley. (Click for a map).
 
When do we meet?
Our meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (with the exception of August when we have an informal Social Lunch at the 'Goffs Park Hotel', Goffs Park Road. All meetings start at 10am with refreshments and socialising. Business commences at 10.15am. If we have a speaker we ask them to start at about 10.30, these talks usually last between 30 – 40 minutes, with a question & answer session to follow. All meetings usually end with a raffle and we close no later than noon.
See our Programme of Speakers for 2012.
 
What does it cost?
Administrative cost include postage, photocopying, rent of the venue and refreshments. To cover these cost we charge an Annual Fee of £4 for all members and also charge £2 per member at meetings, this also covers the cost of a raffle ticket. Do please try to come to some if not all of our meetings. You will be sure of a warm welcome.
Download our Subscriptions Form
 
How to get to meetings at the Orchard.
By Train: Crawley is on the main line between London (Victoria and London Bridge) & Horsham/Portsmouth. The station is near the Mall Shopping Centre.
 
By Bus: Metro buses (Tele: 01293 449191) runs most of the buses in and around Crawley, they also (with some local buses) serve nearby towns, such as East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horley, Horsham Redhill & Reigate. Time tables may be obtained from the Metro Bus Travel Shop at the Mall Bus Station. Full details, including Timetables are displayed at www.metrobus.co.uk.
 
By Car: Please note: - There is no parking at the Orchard, (except for 2 disabled spaces). However 2 hours free 'on street' parking is usually available outside or nearby the Gleneagles Court. Fee Paying Car Parks are available in Crawley these are situated at the Mall. Asda Superstore and Orchard Road, (please see map). Some car parks are 'Pay & Display', it is recommended that you purchase 3 hours to allow for getting to and from the meeting. N.B. Cost are constantly changing, [mostly upwards!]. So it is suggested that you bring £3-£5 worth of small change with you and don't forget the £2 for the meeting.
 
Car sharing: It may be possible to arrange a lift with another member. If you are interested in this please contact the Group Membership Secretary (details on our Committee page).
 
Group News Letter and other things of interest:
News letter: We produce a 6 monthly News Letter which will give you an in-depth of our activities, past and present.
Lunches: At least twice a year (March and November) we have lunch after the meetings and in January we have, (in conjunction with the Crawley Group of the CSRF), a formal 'Festive Lunch' this is an all ticket affair. For more information about us and the National CPSA please visit the HQ Website at www.cspa.co.uk.
 
Support for your Local Branch:
If you are unable to attend meetings for one reason or another you can still support us by paying the Annual Fee or by making a donation to the Group using the Subscription Form
Any questions or queries please contact any of the Committee members. All that is left for me to do now is wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
 
Jim Piercey
Newsletter Editor