News
Read our final newsletter – Spring 2026 – here.
Latest news on the Shadow Horsham Town Council
The Shadow Horsham Parish Council has been established to oversee the preparatory work required ahead of the creation of the new Parish Council. Two consultations took place in 2025 asking residents, businesses and community groups to share their views on whether Horsham Town Centre area should have a Town Council, which demonstrated overall support. The Council will be formally constituted on 1 April 2026. Elections for the first parish councillors will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.
For more information on the Shadow Horsham Parish Council, elections, and the formation of the new Horsham Parish Council click here: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/
A Town Council works within the same legal framework as a parish council and is a democratically elected and legally independent tier of local government. Therefore, a Town Council cannot come into effect until May 2026, after its Councillors are elected. Meantime the Neighbourhood Councils and local Horsham District Councillors will be involved in a Shadow Town Council; this is an advisory body to oversee the transition period and develop governance structures. The Neighbourhood Councils would be formally dissolved at the start of the new financial year in April 2026.
In future the Town Council will be funded by a precept paid by residents, and it will be able to spend money on services in the town. In agreement with the District or County Council, the Town Council would be able to take on and manage services and assets currently provided by these authorities. This is especially important in view of the Government’s intention to replace WSCC and all the District and Borough Councils, including HDC, by one or two large Unitary Authorities that will cover the whole of West Sussex.
Please be assured that in the meantime the Neighbourhood Councils will continue to work hard on your behalf.
For more information visit: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/devolution-and-lgr/local-government-reorganisation
Campaign to turn the muddy track on North Street, Horsham into a paved footpath
We believe the logical thing to do is to replace the worn grass verge on the west side of North Street, which in winter is slippery mud and in summer a dust bowl, with a hard-surfaced footpath. This would improve both safety for pedestrians and the appearance of the entrance into the park, which is currently an eyesore.
In order to convince WSCC to install paving, we need to produce evidence of its current use and to demonstrate as much support as possible. Thanks to help from the Friends of Horsham Park we have already started gathering evidence. A count took place on a day in September which noted 300 people using the street level crossing. A further count will take place in November to check if usage changes with daylight and weather conditions.
The ePetition ran from 03/11/2025 to 31/01/2026.
Highway Consultations: HDNC has been involved with two WSCC consultations: one about the junction area between Wimblehurst Road / North Parade / Hurst Road, and the other that HDNC helped to initiate, about discrepancies in Heavy Goods Vehicles signage over a slightly wider area (including part of North Horsham). We were able to ensure that the two projects work together around the North Parade area, which is a notorious bottleneck. Initial proposals included significant improvements to the traffic light sequences (incorporating a pedestrian phase at the entrance to Wimblehurst Road and linked timing), the introduction of a much-needed pedestrian crossing on the south arm of North Parade by the Hurst Road junction and a contraflow cycle route along West Parade. HDNC put forward some amendments and we have been told that WSCC is applying for a Traffic Regulation Order, including revisions, which will go out for further public consultation soon.
HDNC is also involved in a consultation regarding changes to the HGV signage around the Iron Bridge and Albion Way area.
The Capitol Refurbishment: HDNC has been involved in stakeholder meetings with HDC to discuss the refurbishment plans. We have been able to suggest further changes to the plans to improve accessibility for all visitors and additional toilets. The funding for the refurbishment proposal for £10.2m was authorised by Cabinet on 17th September. After the pantomime ends in January 2026 there will be 40 weeks closure for improvements. These will include redecoration and new seating in the theatre and cinema auditoria, additional space for the bar area and box office, as well as increased toilet provision. The Capitol will reopen for the pantomime in December 2026.
Highwood Community Centre: HDC has approved plans to deliver a brand-new community facility in Highwood Village. The residents’ survey in April 2025 played a key role in shaping the vision for the new centre. People voiced strong enthusiasm for fitness and wellbeing classes, indoor sports, creative workshops, and social gatherings. The site already includes a multi-use games area, playground, and football pitches. The centre will have a small community hall, changing rooms, with a focus on supporting female football players; toilets and a car park adjacent to the football pitches. HDNC will be consulted when a detailed planning application is submitted.
Dungeons & Dragons Club for Young People
In partnership with 4TheYouth, the Wardens recently set up a Dungeons & Dragons Club for young people with the help of volunteers. These sessions are for young persons aged 11 to 16, and will run every other Wednesday during term time, 4.30pm – 6.30pm.
Should you know of a young person who wishes to attend this club, you can sign them up at: https://bookwhen.com/4theyouthltd
At Saxon Weald we are passionate about celebrating the individual endeavours of young people who are positively impacting their communities, helping charities or undertaking exceptional activities in support of others. So, we are excited to announce our 2024 Youth Awards are now open for nominations!
The awards categories are:
- Young Carer Award
- Local Community Award
- Sport and Physical Activity Award
- Achievement in Learning Award
- Young Leader Award
T&Cs apply. Click here to find out more and nominate a young person who deserves to be recognised: https://www.saxonweald.com/youth-awards.
October 2024
The Shelley Memorial Project presents:
A Celebration of Poetry with Louis de Bernières
In an evening of poetry and music, award winning novelist and poet, Louis de
Bernières and actor Emily Rose Smith take a heartwarming and satirical
look at life and love. Hosted by BBC Radio 4 presenter Chris Aldridge
Saturday 12th October 2024 at 6.30pm
St Mary’s Church, The Causeway, Horsham, RH12 1HE
Tickets :£18 (Concessions £12–unwaged /students) through Eventbrite:
Search ‘Celebration of poetry Louis’ or email: shelleymemorialproject@btinternet
For more information see www.shelleymemorialproject.co.uk
September 2024
Horsham Scouts Annual Riverside Walk 2024
Great news! Horsham’s popular Annual Community Riverside Walk will take place on Sunday 15th September 2024.
This year’s event will start from Tanbridge House School, at 10.00am and THIS IS OUR INVITATION TO YOU to take part in this community event. The event is open to all, so please spread the word, the registration details are given below.
Over 200 people took part in September 2023, with many commenting about the sense of community spirit and seeing parts of Horsham they hadn’t known about.
Horsham Scouts Joint Lead Volunteers, Jo Sands and Dave Hatton, said, “We are really pleased to be able to run this event again and we very much look forward to seeing you on the 15th.”
REGISTRATION
Information and the link to register, can also be found soon on the Horsham Scouts website – www.horshamscouts.com
Finally, a huge thank you to our sponsors, North Horsham Parish Council and the three Neighbourhood Councils, Trafalgar, Denne & Forest. Without their continued support this event would not be possible.
August 2024
Horsham Park Skate Jam 24 – Saturday 10th August
Skate Jam 24 will be taking place on Saturday 10th August at Horsham Park Skate Park, 12pm – 4pm.
We are bringing back Team Extreme who did such an excellent job for us last year and it would be lovely to see you if you’d like to pop along.
We will be starting to promote the event from next week and the poster is attached for you.
As always the latest event listings for the park can be found at https://www.horsham.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/horsham-park/events-in-horsham-park.
This link is regularly updated, so please do keep checking back for the latest updates.
July 2024
Horsham Park awarded the coveted Green Flag Award
Horsham District Council is raising Keep Britain Tidy’s prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving the quality mark for Horsham Park as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks.
The award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that care for the park so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture Cllr David Skipp said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this national accolade again for Horsham Park.
It is well earned recognition for the wonderful range of facilities in the park and the hard work of our Parks and Countryside team, volunteer group Friends of Horsham Park and the many other partners who give their time and talents to the park to make it the special place that it is.
Congratulations to all involved.”
Chair of the Friends of Horsham Park Sally Sanderson added: “All our volunteers are delighted we have won another prestigious Green Flag. We are also proud that the award recognises the park is being managed in a sustainable way, to support biodiversity and address the challenges of a changing climate. The Green Flag shows the park is great for us all and for a greener planet too.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE said: “Horsham Park is a vital green space for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, and for children to play safely.
“It also provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”
April 2024
Sussex Nature Recovery – Have your say!
Get involved in a new way to help nature in Sussex. Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a requirement
from the Environment Act 2021. They aim to agree the priorities for nature’s recovery at the county level,
determined by the people who live there and the organisations who work there.
There will be two LNRS for Sussex. At their heart are the environmental issues that are most important to local
people. If you live or work in Sussex, have your say!
Find your group and take a survey to shape your Local Nature Recovery Strategy:
• For Sussex residents.
• For Sussex groups and organisations already active in nature’s recovery.
• For Sussex landowners or land managers.
Find out more and explore other ways to get involved at SussexNatureRecovery.org.uk
March 2024
Public invited to have their say in the selection of winning design for Shelley memorial |
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| The public consultation on the design for a memorial to commemorate Horsham’s iconic Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, is now underway. The public are being invited to view the designs submitted by four shortlisted artists, which are on display in Horsham Museum and Art Gallery from 20 February to 6th April.
They are invited to vote, in order of preference, on how each design concept best meets the criteria set out by the commissioning panel. The artists have presented their different concept designs in the form of:
The designs can also be viewed online and voted on via a dedicated page on Horsham District Council’s website at https://www.horsham.gov.uk/ The artists and concepts are: David A Annand – a simple design sculpture of a stainless-steel chaise-longue on an art deco cloud design with a bronze figure of Shelley reclining and reading. The Broadbent Studio – a memorial which celebrates Shelley’s poem ‘Ode to the West Wind’ featuring a metal sculpture which sees the energising autumn wind shaking up waves, clouds and leaves. Vincent Gray – a neo-classical design with a quill, reflecting Shelley’s philosophies and vision. Robert Ward – a group of three different sculptures set in front of mirrored surfaces to reflect, both literally and metaphorically, Shelley’s enduring legacy. The artists have been asked to produce a concept design that represents:
The result of the public vote will inform the Shelley Memorial Project’s judging panel for the winning public artwork. The Shelley Memorial Project, a community group based in Horsham, the town most associated with Shelley’s birth and early life, was formed in 2018 to celebrate and commemorate the life and work of Horsham’s most famous citizen and his connection with the historical, market town in West Sussex. David Hide, Chair of the Shelley Memorial Project, said: “We are delighted that we can now open the public vote for our permanent memorial to Shelley and engage more broadly with the general public to select a great public artwork, as a lasting source of pride and inspiration to our local community and beyond. The Memorial will also celebrate Horsham’s place in our national cultural heritage.” “I would encourage everyone to get involved and go along to Horsham Museum to cast your votes or to vote online.” The Shelley Memorial Project has secured the support of Horsham District Council which has agreed to the installation of the selected memorial at the centre of Horsham Park. The Shelley Memorial Project have set a fundraising target for the completion and installation of the final memorial. They are keen to hear from those interested in supporting their campaign to raise funds. To contact them about supporting the project please email: shelleymemorialproject@ |
2023
District Council Election: Many projects were delayed prior to the election in May. The Council now has a Liberal Democrat administration and there are many new Councillors who we look forward to working with.
A-Boards: The new policy to prevent A-Boards and banners, outside shops and businesses, causing obstacles for pedestrians and wheelchair users and having a negative visual impact, was approved by HDC in November. Leaflets will be distributed to town centre businesses so the policy can be implemented.
Pondtail Road Community Highways Scheme: HDNC was pleased that earlier this year safety for pedestrians walking under the railway bridge was improved. The pavement was widened and the carriageway reduced to a one priority lane. However, HDNC considered that the pavement leading to the bridge could also be improved if the earth and vegetation was cleared back to restore the pavement to its original width. After repeated requests to WSCC this work has now been carried out.
Horsham Park Improvements:
Pond: The final phase in the restoration work has been completed except for some landscaping, and the area around the pond is now open to the public. The viewing area has been levelled and refurbished and a more accessible path has been created, together with seating, new fencing and an information board.
We realise that people enjoy feeding the ducks but food remains, particularly bread, can attract vermin and make the water stagnant; please refer to the information board for suitable food.
Skate Park: This was fully redesigned and re-opened last Winter. It contains some of the highest quality features for skateboarders and bike riders, and is a fantastic free facility for people of all ages and abilities.
Green Flag Award: Horsham Park has again been awarded a Green Flag Award for its excellent facilities and welcoming environment. Many thanks go to HDC Parks & Countryside, The Friends of Horsham Park and their volunteers for all their work throughout the year.
Blueprint Neighbourhood Plan
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What is the Blueprint Neighbourhood Plan?
The Blueprint Neighbourhood Plan was initiated by the three Neighbourhood Councils to make Horsham a better place to live for all ages and abilities. Its policies will protect the character of our lovely market town and its green spaces while aiming to improve Horsham’s prosperity, leisure and culture.
The plan does not allocate sites for housing development but includes many important policies such as providing affordable homes of the right type and size, and ensuring all development is of good design and environmentally friendly. The plan designates 23 specific areas within Horsham Town as ‘Local Green Spaces’ and will also ensure that green corridors, such as the Riverside Walk can be enhanced for both people and wildlife.
The plan was created by local people of all ages and with diverse politics and interests, together with representatives of important community groups including the Horsham Society and Horsham Town Community Partnership. Its policies capture the wishes and desires for Horsham town as expressed, over many years of consultation, by a variety of residents, businesses and visitors.
Full details of the plan can be seen on: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/neighbourhood-planning/horsham-town-un-parished-area
Finally, after many years of hard work the plan was agreed as sound by Horsham District Council and an independent government inspector. As the un-parished area includes the commercial centre of Horsham there were two separate referendums to decide if the plan should be adopted: one for residents and one for businesses.
Discover Horsham District Website
Horsham District Council has recently launched a redeveloped tourism website for the District called Discover Horsham District.
This website pulls together HDC’s tourism offering into one place and is full of ideas and information. It helps visitors and residents make the most of our towns, villages, attractions and countryside all year round – enjoying all that the District has to offer.
Horsham District Community Lottery
Tickets for the new weekly online Horsham District Community Lottery are now on sale with the chance for players to scoop a £25,000 jackpot, whilst also benefiting local charities and community groups whose work benefits residents in Horsham District.
Everyone buying a ticket can choose which community group they want to support. 60p from every £1 ticket goes to local community groups with the rest divided between the prize fund and running costs. An additional special prize is also on offer in the first weekly draw for a free family meal at The Crown, Horsham.
More than 65 charities community groups have so far applied to receive a share of the funds. Groups already registered include Horsham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (HAODS), Henfield Youth Club, Olive Tree Cancer Support, Tigers Football Club, Pulborough Cricket Club, and the Horsham and Shipley Community Project – and many more.
Click on the image below to get your tickets:
