Questions and Answers

What is the nomination criteria?

  • nominees should either work, live, volunteer or be in education or training within the borough. Organisations or individuals based outside the area who work with, or provide a service to Crawley residents can also be included.  All nominees should  have a clear link to Crawley
  • multiple nominations can be made in different categories
  • you are welcome to nominate family members or friends
  • data: we need contact information for both nominator and nominees in order to get in touch regarding the awards and to issue invitations to those who are included in the final shortlist. This data will not be used for any other reason; shared with third parties or retained longer than needed beyond the event date
  • the event management team will advise if any additional information is required
  • there are no age limits for nominees
  • nominations may be scrutinised for accuracy
  • nominations must be made in writing, either through the link on the Nominations Tab, by email to communityawardscrawley@gmail.com or in writing to Crawley Community Awards, The Create Building, The Boulevard, Crawley,
    RH10 1DT
  • all nominations must be received by the nomination deadline, midnight on 11 April
  • shortlisted nominees will be contacted week commencing 21 April
  • unless otherwise advised, we will assume that shortlisted nominees who accept an invitation to attend the awards evening agree to their names and images being shared either online or in print. Please email  communityawardscrawley@gmail.com if you have any concerns you wish to discuss

How does the judging work?

  • the judges will select a shortlist based on nominations along with any support information available
  • nominees may be placed into alternative categories at the judges’ discretion
  • nominations for previous nominees who did not make the final shortlist on previous years are welcome
  • nominations for previous winners are welcome. Judges will look particularly for what previous winners have achieved since their last award which would make an additional award appropriate
  • multiple nominations for a single nominee are welcome but will not necessarily affect the overall decision
  • the judges’ decision is final. Their deliberations will remain confidential and no correspondence will be entered into regarding decisions made
  • if any judge has a direct association with a nominee they will not take part in the decision making process for the relevant category
  • the judges are: Dave Watmore from Creative Crawley;  community worker, Katie Bennett; Kathryn Ripley on behalf of Crawley Borough Council, Mark Dunford from the Crawley Observer and Lorraine McGregor from The Hawth.

Who can attend the awards  evening?

  • shortlisted nominees along with family, friends and supporters will be invited to attend the awards evening at The Hawth.  The event is strictly by invitation only
  • children are very welcome. Parents and carers will know best whether their children will be happy to remain seated for the duration of the event
  • tickets are free of charge and can be sent by post or collected from The Hawth box office
  • due to high numbers, we are only able to make tickets available to shortlisted nominees and their supporters

What can we expect at the awards presentation evening?

  • doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The estimated running time is 75-90 minutes with no interval
  • the bar at the Hawth will be open from 6pm
  • tickets are not numbered so you are welcome to select your own seats
  • wheelchair spaces are limited so please email communityawardscrawley@gmail.com to reserve a space
  • limited disabled parking is available. Please advise if required
  • if anyone in your party requires assistance please advise so we can ensure we meet your needs
  • there are rows of seats which are accessible with either no steps or a single step. We are happy to reserve seats in this area for those who prefer to avoid steps
  • photographs of the winners in each category will be emailed after the event free of charge
  • all audience members are invited to join the Mayor’s reception afterwards in the bar area. Finger food and soft drinks will be provided with the compliments of The Hawth and the bar will be open
  • backdrops will be brought into the foyer area so there will be an opportunity to take photographs

Contact/event management

  • should you have any questions regarding any aspect of the event, please email communityawardscrawley@gmail.com
  • the Crawley Community Awards are organised by Crawley Borough Council in association with The Hawth and the Crawley Observer