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Are weekend trains in Sussex and Surrey actually fit for purpose—or are passengers being short-changed? In this lively roundtable, a train driver pulls back the curtain on why weekend rail travel feels so broken.

10 key aspects we tackle:

1. Why weekends feel worse than weekdays
   Delays, cancellations, diversions, overcrowding—listeners’ lived experience clashes with “acceptable” official stats.
2. The engineering works problem
   Weekend closures are constant, but poor coordination turns necessary maintenance into total network chaos.
3. Staffing myths vs reality
   It’s not drivers “pulling sickies”—Sunday working contracts and rostering rules leave services fragile.
4. A fragmented rail system
   Too many companies, too many silos—operators, Network Rail, leasing firms and contractors all passing the buck.
5. Fares that feel like a rip-off
   UK rail tickets are expensive and painfully complex, leaving passengers confused and overpaying.
6. Victorian infrastructure in a modern world
   Outdated tunnels, ageing signalling and underinvestment make the system fragile—and weekends pay the price.
7. Will renationalisation fix anything?
   Great British Railways promises joined-up thinking, but nationalisation alone isn’t a magic wand.
8. Automation vs human presence
   Driverless trains might be efficient—but what about safety, reassurance, and antisocial behaviour onboard?
9. The reality of being a train driver
   Extreme shift work, high responsibility, health impacts—and why drivers defend their pay and conditions.
10. What would actually make trains better
    Longer turnarounds, smarter planning around major events, real coordination between companies, and putting passengers first.

Bottom line: Weekend trains aren’t failing by accident—they’re the product of a complex, underfunded, poorly joined-up system. The question is whether the next phase of rail reform starts to fix it… or just rebrands the problem.

Roundtable Featuring: Stephen Pritchard (Train Driver), Georgie Lucas, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy and Maureen Jones. Host: Clive Hilton. 

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We challenge the UK student loan model, from £66k thresholds to RPI-linked interest, and ask whether mass university still delivers value. We compare degrees to trades, examine apprenticeships and graduate schemes, and explore fixes that align education with real jobs.

• Plan 2 loans, thresholds, and interest mechanics
• Uneven outcomes between elite degrees and low-return courses
• Mortgage, income, and mental strain from long-term debt
• Retroactive loan changes and claims of misselling
• Trades and apprenticeships as high-return alternatives
• Graduate schemes demanding experience and blocked entry routes
• Funding STEM, nursing, and critical roles differently

We also reflect on wider community concerns across Sussex & Surrey for future episodes: net zero, roads, bins, homelessness, mental health...

Many thanks to the Wildwood Restaurant, Crawley for their amazing space and hospitality. 

Roundtable Featuring: Georgie Lucas, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy, Micaela Leal & Maureen Jones. Host: Clive Hilton. 

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This episode is in two parts, first Neil Munday and Clive Hilton speak to Claire Coutinho MP for East Surrey since 2019 (and Shadow Minister for Equalities since 2024) - It’s been a year since the infamous Godstone Sinkhole suddenly opened up on the High Street, closing the A25, triggering a major incident, and forcing dozens of residents from their homes. In this episode, we hear directly from locals and business owners about the ongoing impact on daily life and trade, and what recovery has really looked like behind the headlines. Claire shares her thoughts on liability, the urgency, communication, relief on business rates and traffic calming once the road re-opens, along with the pressure her office is placing on SES and the local District/County Council to get the High Street open.

The second part, we zoom out to look at the growing pothole problem across Surrey and Sussex, asking whether this kind of infrastructure failure is becoming the new normal. Former MP Henry Smith joins us to share insight from his time overseeing Highways at West Sussex County Council and what he believes needs to change to prevent future crises.

Many thanks to all our guests for their participation. Sami & team at Blossoms Brunch & Coffee, thank you for your hospitality.

Featuring: Claire Coutinho MP, Henry Smith ex-MP, Georgie, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy, Stephen Pritchard and Maureen Jones. Hosts: Neil Munday & Clive Hilton. 

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Fireside Chat: Henry Smith and Stephen Pritchard - Local Elections are back on!

People, Politics & Power

What really drives a politician to switch parties? Do local elections still matter to the communities they’re meant to serve? And who actually holds the power when it comes to decisions that affect your day-to-day life?

In this fascinating fireside chat, recorded a few hours before the Government abandons plans to delay 30 council elections, we bring together two voices from different sides of the political spectrum:

• Henry Smith – former Conservative MP for Crawley and ex-Leader of West Sussex County Council, who made headlines with his move to Reform UK.
• Stephen Pritchard – Labour candidate for Maidenbower, current councillor for Three Bridges, train driver of 20 years, and volunteer McKenzie Friend supporting people through the family court system.

Together, they unpack the realities behind local and national politics in a refreshingly open, grounded conversation. Henry reflects on his journey through frontline politics and the personal motivations behind his decision to leave the Conservatives, while Stephen demystifies how Unitary Authorities actually work—cutting through the jargon to explain what's changing when and who’s responsible for what.

We also tackle the bigger questions people are asking in Sussex & Surrey:
Do communities still have faith in local elections—and do they genuinely change anything? Why were the May local elections proposed to be postponed or cancelled? And what happens when youth centres close, healthcare struggles under pressure, and community spirit starts to fray?

Honest, thoughtful, and rooted in real lived experience, this episode goes beyond party lines to explore what leadership, accountability, and community really mean in 2026.

Featuring Henry Smith, Stephen Pritchard and the wider Roundtable; Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones, Aga Es, Iqbal Khan and Georgie. Hosted by Clive Hilton. Our thanks to The Prince of Wales, Reigate for their hospitality. 

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Is Flag Flying Patriotic — or a Message to Others?
The diverse roundtable take on the meaning of flag flying today — pride, patriotism, and the mixed signals it can send the wider community. Is it a celebration of identity, or does it risk making others feel unwelcome? 

From flags across Turkey to St Patrick’s Day vs St George’s Day, and the surge of national pride around football and the Olympics, the roundtable explores the intention behind flying flags across Sussex & Surrey along with what sparked the recent rise. What does it really say about us? Wide ranging perspectives and thought provoking! 

Roundtable featuring: James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Micaela Leal and Aga Es, hosted by Clive Hilton.

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On Thursday 12th February, St Catherine’s Hospice celebrated the official launch of its new flagship superstore in Crawley town centre, marking a major milestone in community fundraising and engagement. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers transformed the former Sainsbury’s building into a vibrant 8,500 sq ft community retail space, offering everything from bridal gowns and prom dresses to books, golf clubs, furniture, clothing and more.

At the launch event, Clive Hilton spoke with Giles Tomsett (CEO), Philip Ingleby (Chair of Trustees) and Paula McGoveney (Income Generation & Marketing Director) about the remarkable success of the store in its first three weeks of trading. Thanks to overwhelming local support, thousands of donated items were received, with over 15,200 items sold in just the first few days, generating well over £50k in vital funds for hospice inpatient & outpatient care.

The conversations highlighted the charity’s ambitions for 2026, the ongoing need for sustainable funding, and upcoming community fundraising events including the much-loved Midnight Walk in June, Lego & Fire Walking on 6th March, and other ways the public can continue to support the essential work of St Catherine’s Hospice.

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The Crawley Museum Is Celebrating British Caledonian Airways (BCal)

The Crawley Museum is delighted to celebrate the story of British Caledonian Airways (BCal), one of the most recognisable names in British aviation and an airline closely linked to the local area. Founded in 1961, BCal grew to become the UK’s leading independent airline, connecting Britain with destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. For many local people, BCal was not just an airline but a major employer and a proud part of Crawley’s aviation heritage.

Martin Stone from the Crawley Museum joins Clive Hilton to explain how this celebration explores the people, aircraft and identity that made BCal such a fond memory for so many. From its famous Lion Rampant logo and tartan-inspired branding to its reputation for high-quality customer service, BCal left a lasting mark on British aviation before becoming part of British Airways in 1988.

The exhibition has already attracted significant interest and runs till the 28th March and is open Thursday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm at the Crawley Museum.

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Gentle Parenting: Are We Raising Resilient Kids?
A lively, honest debate on gentle parenting — what it gets right, where it falls short, and how to balance empathy with boundaries. The panel tackles discipline, the evolving role of parents, and how to prepare kids for a tough adult world where not everyone wins. Thought-provoking, fun, relatable, and real.
 
Highlights also air on local community radio stations (SUSY 103.4).

Roundtable featuring: Georgie, James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Micaela Leal and Aga Es, hosted by Clive Hilton.

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A brilliant community initiative for people to meet, chat and enjoy refreshments whilst getting their household items fixed and working again! It’s completely FREE and run by volunteers every 3rd Saturday of the month at Handcross Hardware and Craft, High Street, Handcross. RH17 6BL.

Clive Hilton went along to find out more. Initially understanding how Repair Cafe got started 2yrs ago from Claudia and Phil, followed by speaking with the packed room with visitors from across Sussex & Surrey getting vacuum cleaners, watches, printers, baby cams and clocks fixed by the magical volunteer 'fixers' Cliff, Chris and Dimitri. 

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Our roundtable explores two big topics for Sussex and Surrey - Isolation in the community followed by immigration (a starter for ten, with more to come next week), plus some ideas for next Saturdays Valentine’s Day! 

Featuring: Georgie, James Tidy, Iqbal Khan, Aga Es and Micaela Leal, sharing diverse perspectives & hosted by Clive Hilton. Many thanks to the team at Prezzo, Crawley for their hospitality with this episode.

Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.