Sussex & Surrey Soapbox
Sussex & Surrey Soapbox is a local roundtable podcast exploring issues that matter to the Sussex and Surrey communities. A diverse panel and special guests discuss complex, sometimes emotive topics with balance, openness and respect. The show offers differing viewpoints, factual insight and good humour while not avoiding tough conversations. A shorter soundbite version also airs on local community radio, including SUSY 103.4 and Meridian FM.
Episodes
Healthcare & Mental-health - What Needs To Change?
Send us Fan MailA HUGE thank you to The Market Stores in Reigate for hosting us!Featuring: Aaron Delahunty (Pattern Shift Coaching), Maureen Jones (Psychotherapist), Georgie Lucas, Cllr Abigail Chapman-Miller, Dr Mirza Baig (Medical Doctor), Sean Orr (Menshare Listening Group). Host: Clive Hilton. PLUS an incredible audience sharing perspectives & lived experience.The NHS can scrape you off th
Our Changing Community - Culture, Values & Identity
Send us Fan MailA HUGE thank you to The Market Stores in Reigate for hosting us!Featuring: Chelle Lucas, Aga Es, Paul Taylor-Burr (Stand Up To Racism), Cllr Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour). Dr Mirza Baig (Crawley Muslim Network Member), Cllr James Tidy (Reform UK). Host: Clive Hilton. PLUS an incredible audience sharing perspectives & lived experience.Your high street changes. New languages ap
SPOT: Pride in Place, Bewbush
Send us Fan MailSPOTlighting Pride in Place, Bewbush up to £20 million over 10 years sounds like a headline, but what matters is who gets to decide. We go live from Bewbush Academy with Neil Munday, Andy Brown and Clive Hilton, where residents are invited to shape a resident-led regeneration plan for Bewbush, backed by Crawley Borough Council and a neighbourhood board that turns local priorities i
Brexit 10 Years On
Send us Fan MailPanel Members:Cllr James Tidy — Reform UKLeader of the Opposition on Crawley Borough Council and Deputy Leader of the Reform UK group on West Sussex County CouncilCllr Richard Biggs — ConservativeCouncillor of Horley West and Sidlow, Leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough CouncilCllr Abigail Chapman-Miller — LabourVice Chair of Oxted Parish Council and Policy Officer for East Surre
Trust, Transparency & Accountability in Local Politics
Send us Fan MailPanel Members:Cllr James Tidy — Reform UKLeader of the Opposition on Crawley Borough Council and Deputy Leader of the Reform UK group on West Sussex County CouncilCllr Richard Biggs — ConservativeCouncillor of Horley West and Sidlow, Leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough CouncilCllr Abigail Chapman-Miller — LabourVice Chair of Oxted Parish Council and Policy Officer for East Surre
SPOT: Tilgate Zoo’s Fundraiser For TRAFFIC
Send us Fan Mail🦁 Sunday Brunch Went WILD! 🐢🐝Clive Hilton and Andy Brown took SUSY Sunday Brunch on the road for an August Bank Holiday fun broadcast from Tilgate Zoo — and a special Soapbox SPOTlight mixing wildlife, conservation, community fun… and a fair amount of chaos.At the heart of the day was a serious issue: illegal wildlife trade. Supporting Tilgate Zoo’s Wild Weekend fundraiser for TRAF
When Live Music Becomes Noise
Send us Fan MailOne complaint can feel small, until it threatens to switch off a town’s soundtrack. We get into the row that escalated start of August around The Cage in Reigate after a noise abatement notice lands, the venue pauses live music, and thousands rally behind a petition to protect local gigs. Speaking with Rory Fry-Stone, Co-owner at Pilgrim Brewery, we unpack what the business says we
Summer 2026: The Good, Bad & Baffling
Send us Fan MailThe summer news cycle has been loud, messy and occasionally baffling, so we’re back at the Red Lion & Cellar Room in Betchworth to pick through the stories that got us talking — with real viewpoints, honest opinions and the occasional good whinge.We start with the BBC licence fee: is the BBC still a priceless British institution, or is its funding model increasingly out of step
Tess' Tea Party '26
Send us Fan MailBest Bits of Tess' Tropical Tea Party '26 Alongside the Sussex & Surrey Soapbox podcast, where we bring people together to have balanced conversations about the issues shaping our communities, we wanted to take that same philosophy beyond the microphones.Rather than simply talking about community, we wanted to create it.The hall is buzzing. The BBQ queue never seems t
Alcohol As Social Glue Or Social Problem
Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest: Chelle LucasRoundtable Featuring: Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour), Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones, Aga Es and Mags Rahman. Host: Clive Hilton.Alcohol is woven into British life so tightly that not drinking can feel like you’re breaking a rule. From champagne toasts and pub culture to “wine o’clock” on the sofa, we ask a question that’s easy to dodge and hard to answer: w
Smartphones, Freedom And 2026 Childhood
Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest: Chelle Lucas Roundtable Featuring: Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour), Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones, Aga Es and Mags Rahman. Host: Clive Hilton. Childhood has not just changed, it’s been rewired. One minute you’ve got kids who can outsmart an iPad before they can tie their laces; the next you’ve got parents using tracking apps because the world feels less safe, even when
Building Homes Without Roads Schools Or GPs
Send us Fan MailPlanning is meant to turn housebuilding into liveable places, but across Sussex & Surrey it often feels like we are pouring concrete first and asking awkward questions later. We sit down with Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour), Matt Brewin (Green), James Tidy (Reform UK), Iqbal Khan and Paul Taylor-Burr to unpack why housing development planning keeps producing the same result: ne
SPOT: Crawley Combat Academy
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a social initiative, local event or charity. The Soapbox recently tackled knife crime with special guest Keith Collyer, Crawley Combat Academy. A knife threat isn’t just a physical problem, it’s a decision-making problem under pressure. We head to Tilgate Huts in Crawley
SEND Reform: Can Every Child Truly Thrive?
Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest: - Matt Brewin, Primary School Teacher in Haywards Heath and Chair of Mid Sussex Green Party - Paul Taylor-Burr, Community Volunteer and Parent of two children with ASD/ADHD Roundtable Featuring: Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour), Iqbal Khan (Tess' Kitchen) & James Tidy (Reform UK). Host: Clive Hilton. The SEND system was built to protect vulnerable children,
SPOT: St Catherine's Hospice Midnight Walk
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a social initiative, local event or charity. Saturday 6th June and it's the Midnight Walk 2026!Orange T-shirts, glitter, LED tutus, and a range of routes from 2miles to 17miles - walking through the night in the memory of friends, family and for a hospice that depen
SPOT: Reigate Summer Festival
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a local arts festival - Reigate Summer Festival with Tim Glynne-Jones. A rock set in the mouth of a tunnel, choirs in a church, an art exhibition, and a pop-up photo show inside an estate agent. Reigate Summer Festival is the kind of bold, creat
Knife Crime: Fear, Survival & The Ripple Effect
Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest: Keith Collyer, Crawley Combat Academy and Shariff Boolaky, Menshare Listening Group. Plus Roundtable Featuring: Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Abigail Chapman-Miller & Iqbal Khan. Host: Clive Hilton. A knife doesn’t just threaten one person, it detonates consequences across families, schools, and whole streets. We sit down to talk honestly about knife crime, why th
Clicks, Coffee & Community: The Future of the High Street
Send us Fan Mail Special Guests: - Michelle Lucas, Only Dogs Ltd - an award winning Dog grooming business on Lingfield High Street.- Sami Ella Bristow, Blossoms Brunch & Coffee - a thriving community cafe in Godstone adept at navigating the challenges of rising costs & the sinkhole!Plus Roundtable Featuring: Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Georgie Lucas, Aga Es, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James
SPOT: Find A Local Business (FALB)
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a local social initiative FALB (Find A Local Business) helping local independent businesses thrive. This SPOTlight compliments the Roundtable episode which lands Sunday 24 May, where we get into the High Street and challenges facing local busine
Mental Health Awareness Week: When Staying Quiet Hurts
Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest: Shariff Boolaky, Menshare Listening Group & BRING YOUR SH*T host. Plus Roundtable Featuring: Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James Tidy & Iqbal Khan. Host: Clive Hilton. If your mental health has felt heavier in the last few years, you are not alone and you are not “too sensitive”. We sit down as the Sussex & Surrey Soapbox roundtabl
SPOT: Creative Crawley - Art, Play & Reimagining Our Community
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back from the debate to Spotlight a Social Initiative or in this case a Charity making a huge difference in our local community.Crawley doesn’t need to be “made cultural” from the outside, it needs the spotlight put on what’s already here and the space to build what’s next. We’re joined by Louise Blackwe
Social Media Rewards Conflict More Than Community
Send us Fan Mail Roundtable Featuring: Michelle Lucas (Special Guest), Maureen Jones, Micaela Leal, Georgie Lucas, Aga Es, Abigail Chapman-Miller, James Tidy & Magdalena Rahman. Host: Clive Hilton. Social media can make grown adults talk like strangers at war, and we’ve all felt that shift. Around our Sussex & Surrey Soapbox Roundtable, we dig into a blunt question: does the internet rewar
SPOT: CCYS Adopt Ifield Station
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.Amanda Foster, Youth Worker In Charge with Crawley Community Youth Service (CCYS) shares why they recently adopted a neglected local train station and how quickly things improve when people
SPOT: Crawley Muslim Network Community Spirit
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.We’re joined by Hamzah Khan, a Crawley local and the driving force behind Crawley Muslim Network, to unpack what real community support looks like when you prioritise dignity, access, and t
Homelessness (Part 2): Breaking the Cycle - Real Paths Out
Send us Fan MailIn this Homelessness Part 2 episode, we continue the conversation with Ian Wilkins, Crawley Open House and Michelle Harfield, Turning Tides to explore what truly helps people move beyond homelessness—and why simply offering a roof, without long-term support, can sometimes do more harm than good.Together, we unpack homelessness as a complex, non-linear journey—more “snakes and ladde
SPOT: Ensemble Reza
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.Sheet music can be a comfort blanket, but it can also be the thing that stops people from showing up. We talk with Hannah Carter, Managing Director at Ensemble Reza about the Crawley Music Collective, a
Homelessness (Part 1): How People Actually Become Homeless
Send us Fan MailIn this first episode of two parts, we sit down with special guests Michelle Harfield, Turning Tides and Ian Wilkins, Crawley Open House for a candid, eye-opening conversation about the real causes of homelessness in Sussex & Surrey — and why the story we often hear barely scratches the surface. In the next episode we will tackle escaping homelessness and the services provided
Debate or Division? 'Stop the Boats' - 'Support the Vulnerable'
Send us Fan MailWe explore how divided are we as a society? and hear from a number of voices with soundbites from:- Maz, ex Anti Nazi League Member, supporting the Gaza march 22Feb- 'G', a local patriot Dad who has had enough of the 'hotel economic scam'- Hampshire Resistance, at the Horley Protest alongside 'G' on 22Mar- Tim Charters, Chair of Reform UK, Crawley- Ric
Is Sussex & Surrey Becoming Too Expensive to Live In?
Send us Fan MailWe talk frankly about why life in Sussex & Surrey seems to get more expensive every month — from energy and water bills to rent, trains and the weekly shop. We share the everyday frustrations people are feeling and the practical ways households are trying to cope, cut waste and push back against rising costs.In this episode we cover:• Rising utility bills and the debate around
Spot: Poppy’s Double Marathon - From Rock Bottom to Race Day for St Catherine's Hospice
Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a Charity, Social Initiative or in this case an inspiration in the community.It's Easter Monday. A lively teenager Poppy May feels a sudden pain in her back. Within weeks, she can no longer move or feel anything from the waist down.Eight years later, that same teenager is lining up at the start
Spot: Holding Someone Through Cancer, Sean Orr
Send us Fan MailSPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight a very personal story from Sean Orr.Cancer doesn’t just happen to the person with the diagnosis. It happens to the partner making the calls, the spouse lying awake, the carer holding it together in public and falling apart in private.We sit down with Sean Orr the man behind Menshare Listening Group,
Mental Health: Are You Okay? The Question That Saves Lives
Send us Fan MailOne in four adults will face a mental health problem each year, but numbers don’t capture the quiet part: the loneliness, the slow slide, and the moment someone realises they’re not coping. From the Red Lion & Cellar Room in Betchworth, Surrey, we talk plainly about mental health in Sussex & Surrey and why it’s showing up more in everyday life, workplaces, and friendships.M
Why Don’t We Vote? The Local Politics Reality Check
Send us Fan MailSussex & Surrey Soapbox – SPECIAL: Local Elections Roundtable, Featuring: Cllr Richard Biggs (Conservative) - Leader of Reigate and Banstead BC, Councillor for Horley West and Sidlow.James Tidy (Reform UK), Vice Chairman of Reform UK, Crawley.Cllr Abigail Chapman-Miller (Labour) - Parish Councillor & sits on East Surrey Executive Committee.Cllr Mark Smith (Independent) - Co
Spot: Iqbal's Tess’s Kitchen & The Hidden Hunger In Crawley
Send us Fan MailSPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight Iqbal Khan 'Q' and the volunteers behind Tess’s Kitchen in Crawley, from its “Spag Bowl Sunday” beginnings to serving around 40 hot meals three times a week. We also hear from people relying on the food, and why dignity, chat, and being seen can matter as much as dinner. • the value of hot
Mother’s Day Reflections & Iqbal’s Charm
Send us Fan MailThis is not a typical episode - sharing a brief soundbite of a Roundtable discussion which aired on Mother’s Day... **jump to the last 90 seconds where Iqbal shares a heartfelt message to his sister, partner and mum! We discuss upcoming St Patrick's Day compared to St George's & St David's Days along with the state of national pride and reflect on Ramadan. A list
The 2026 Classroom: A Teacher’s Reality Check
Send us Fan MailWhat does teaching really look like in a modern secondary school?In this episode, Amanda, a passionate teacher from Surrey, shares an honest look at life inside today’s classrooms. From 30+ student classes and rising SEND needs, to the behaviour challenges that emerged after COVID, she explains what teachers are really dealing with and why the story is far more complex than headlin
IWD 'Give to Gain': Equality at Work, The Mental Load at Home & The Role of Partners
Send us Fan MailOn International Women’s Day 2026, this roundtable with special guest Maggie Chen (Founder of GIC, www.girlsincharge.co.uk) goes far beyond celebration. Under this years IWD theme “Give to Gain,” the panel explores what equality really looks like — at work, at home, and in the everyday moments that shape confidence and opportunity.From career-defining champions who opened doors, to
Are Weekend Trains a Rip-Off? A Train Driver Tells the Truth
Send us Fan MailAre 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:Why weekends feel worse than weekdays Delays, cancellations, diversions, overcrowding—listeners’ lived experience clashes with “acceptable” officia
The Student Loan Injustice & When Higher Education Isn’t Higher!
Send us Fan MailWe 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• M
The Godstone Sinkhole with Claire Coutinho MP & Henry Smith ex-MP on the West Sussex potholes
Send us Fan MailThis 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
Fireside chat: Henry Smith (Reform) & Stephen Pritchard (Labour)
Send us Fan MailFireside Chat: Henry Smith and Stephen Pritchard - Local Elections are back on!People, Politics & PowerWhat 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 be
Is Flag Flying Patriotic? or a Message to Others?
Send us Fan MailIs 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 an
Spot: St Catherine's Hospice New Flagship Superstore
Send us Fan MailSPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we Spotlight St Catherine's Hospice.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 bu
Spot: Crawley Museum Celebrating BCal Exhibition
Send us Fan MailThe 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 Crawley & Gatwick Airport. Founded in 1961, BCal grew to become the UK’s leading independent airline, connecting Britain with destin
Gentle Parenting: Are We Raising Resilient Kids?
Send us Fan MailGentle 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 loc
Spot: Handcross Repair Cafe
Send us Fan MailA 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 a
Isolation, Valentines and Immigration
Send us Fan MailOur 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, Crawl
Pothole Pain, The Mega Godstone Sinkhole & Future Topics
Send us Fan MailThank you for checking out this first episode with Georgie, Stephen, Aga & James.We reflect on January and some of the topics that matter across Sussex & Surrey.As it's our first group discussion we picked an easier topic - painful potholes and the infamous Godstone sinkhole that’s almost a year old!In the future we will tackle more challenging matters shaping Sussex &
