The Mayors of Reigate & Banstead, Horley and Tandridge will be ‘flying a flag for the Commonwealth’ on behalf of their boroughs at 10am next Monday (9 March).

The ceremonies will happen at Reigate Town Hall in Reigate, the Memorial Gardens at Horley Recreation Ground and at the Tandridge Council offices in Oxted

The day marks the second international commemorative flag raising event for the Commonwealth when over 650 Commonwealth flags will be raised in 38 Commonwealth countries.

Commonwealth flags will be raised in places as diverse as Mount Snowdon in Wales and the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctica as well as New Zealand, Mauritius and schools across Uganda.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have issued advice following a chimney fire in Horsham last Tuesday (3 March).

The fire started in a log burner in the lounge of the property in Rushams Road.

You should make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home. That early warning to a fire really is a lifesaver and means damage to your property can hopefully be kept to a minimum

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following advice:

Have your chimney swept at least once a year, twice a year if burning wood

When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods only

Build smaller, hotter fires that burn completely and produce less smoke

Never burn cardboard boxes or waste paper

Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire

Do not overload the grate or appliance

Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires

Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house

Make sure wood burners and other fire appliances are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Only a working smoke alarms save lives – so check yours weekly

To find your local chimney sweep, contact the National Association of Chimney Sweeps on freephone 0800 833464 or visit www.nacs.org.uk
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has produced a Thatch Safety Guide which includes comprehensive chimney safety advice. Download it here or email

jackie.boyle@westsussex.gov.uk for your free copy.

A man who stabbed his victim during an incident in Redhill has pleaded guilty to assault.

The attack happened around 6pm on Wednesday, 10 December, when the victim, a man in his 20s was walking along St Anne’s Drive.  He was approached by a man on a moped and following an altercation, was stabbed in the chest.

The victim was taken to St Georges Hospital in Tooting for treatment. He’s since made a full recovery

Dominic Appau-Kwateng, 21, of Parritt Road in Redhill pleaded guilty to assault  and GBH at Guildford Crown Court yesterday (5 March).

He’s been remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on Friday, 24 April

CCTV images have been released of a man wanted in connection with recent telephone and courier fraud in Crawley.

During the last few days of February three elderly people were conned out of approximately £9000.

An 85 year-old woman was coerced into handing over bank cards losing over £3500; a 73 year-old man was contacted by telephone from someone claiming to be from a fraud squad and he, too, handed over bank cards to a courier where later just under £4000 was taken.

In a third case a 95-year-old man received a call claiming the victim had money connected to a robbery.  He handed over around £2000 to a man who collected at the door.