Tributes paid after death of Crawley music scene stalwart

Carl Brooks was found dead in his flat in Langley Green on Sunday (April 25), said his friend Cllr John Stanley.

Crawley musician Natalie Young-Wotton said: “He will be sadly missed and heaven has gained a true angel.

“Carl was always full of life whenever I saw him - joking, smiling and talked passionately about the Crawley music scene.”

Former Mercury FM radio presenter Cllr Chris Oxlade said: “He was one of the most passionate, caring guys that I’ve known.

“He was one of those guys who was involved in the community every day.

“It was an absolute honour to call him a friend.”

Carl played a big part in setting up the Oxjam Crawley annual charity gig.

Cllr Stanley said: “He had a pacemaker but he was always full of life.

“His problems would not have mattered - if you were down he would try to cheer you up with a wise crack to keep you on the sraight and narrow.”

Chris Oxlade added: “He had many, many friends in Crawley.

“He was always on the forefront of trying to promote new talent and new music in general in the town.

“He constantly ran music events raising money - he was a stalwart of the town.

“He’s going to be sadly, sadly missed.”

Carl was raised in West Green and was a Sussex Police traffic warden at Gatwick and former bus driver.

He had three daughters and grandchildren and was a longstanding member of the Labour Party.

A charity gig in aid of the British Heart Foundation is being organised in his memory.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We can sadly confirm the death of Gatwick traffic warden Carl Brooks who was found dead at his home in Crawley on Sunday (April 24).

“Carl joined Sussex Police in 2002 and had been a traffic warden at Gatwick Airport for the whole of his service. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends at the airport. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

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