Happy New Year to all our Friends!
As we start 2024, we look forward, with anticipation, to another busy year, helping to protect and improve our wonderful park. It’s also a good time to reflect on the highlights of 2023…
Skate Park Opened
The new skate park opened in December 2022, and had its official opening in June 2023. The sun was shining, extreme sports enthusiasts and families crowded round to watch and gasp at the Team Extreme professional riders showing off their amazing jumps, grabs and spins. It was a very inclusive day with plenty of time for everyone who wanted to use the skate park and get coaching tips from the Team Extreme experts. The Friends were proud to support the event by being one of the sponsors for the prizes.
Team Extreme commented that it is one of the best, if not the best, skate parks in the UK. Well done to the HDC Parks and Countryside team for providing a fabulous facility for our community and a great opening event.
The Pond
Major works were carried out on the pond, starting early on in the year and completing in August. (There was some delay caused by technical problems with the banking).
The works included: removing a number of trees to give more prominence and open up the view to the pond; reformatting and changing the level of the internal pond path; replacing the steep slope to the pond with a gently graded accessible path to a level viewing area; new signage to identify the pond life; moving the western entrance to the pond; and planting new flower beds.
We think you’ll agree it’s been worth the wait and is a huge improvement to this focal point of the park.
Litter Picks
The Friends held two litter-picking events, in March and September. There was no shortage of volunteers from our Friends’ community and, as usual, there was lots of litter to be found, especially in the less accessible areas and commonly used areas of the park. We are grateful to our brilliant volunteers, and we’re now thinking about the next one in March.
(On 1st February, HDC increased the fine for littering from £75 to £150 in an attempt to make people think twice about dropping their rubbish).
Shelley Memorial Project
The Shelley Memorial Project, a group of local Shelley enthusiasts supported by HDC, progressed with their plans to erect a memorial in the park to Horsham’s poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. From the many prospective artists, 4 contenders have been shortlisted by the SMP selection panel. The 4 artists are now preparing their presentation pieces and these will be on show for the public to state their preference. Watch out for further updates.
‘Bulbs for Lives’ and trees planted & new benches installed
In October 2022 the221 daffodils. This figure represents the number of people who very sadly took their own lives in 2021. Friends teamed up with the Samaritans, Park Management and an army of volunteers to plant 6221 crocuses and 6
Then in Spring 2023, as the newly planted bulbs were bursting into flower three silver birch trees were planted as the backdrop to two specially created ‘reflection’ benches. The benches are set at the head of the new Bulbs for Lives field which now, every year, will present a carpet of colour – first the purple and white crocuses and then yellow daffodils.
New shepherd tends his flock in Horsham Park
The damaged shepherd sculpture in the Human Nature Garden was replaced with a new shepherd carved by PIXIE Mushroom sussex chainsaw carvings and funded by grounds maintenance contractors idverde from their Community Investment Fund.
The shepherd is now watching over a flock of ‘cleaned up’ sheep thanks to the efforts of corporate volunteers who gave them a good scrub in the summer.
Protecting Horsham Park for future generations
Protecting our lovely park from the risk of future developments is so important, in order to retain this jewel in the centre of Horsham for all to enjoy.
We launched a campaign asking local candidates, in the May election, to pledge their support for our green spaces and to work with us to protect Horsham Park in perpetuity.
…and we were pleased to have full support for our pledge from Horsham Labour the Green and Liberal Democrat parties.
The candidates/parties have pledged to:
- Seek to protect Horsham Park in perpetuity
- Value Horsham’s parks and green spaces for their vital contribution to residents’ physical and mental wellbeing.
- Champion the important public service parks and green spaces provide locally
- Advocate for policies that safeguard parks and green spaces
- Encourage sufficient and equitable provision of parks and green spaces for all
- Support community volunteers in our Park and other green spaces
In addition to the individual candidate responses, Horsham Labour Party confirmed their support to protect the park and wrote this commitment into their manifesto; and the Green and Liberal Democrat parties issued written statements of support for protecting the park.
Our aim is to work together with the Liberal Democrat administration to protect the park for future generations.
Bowls Bash – great fun for all!
Horsham Park Bowls Club is a well-established, friendly club within the park and is keen to attract new members. During the summer months, the club held ‘Bowls Bash’ sessions, a short version of bowls, to enable people new to green bowling to try it out.
The Friends are pleased to support the bowls club, and we promoted ‘Bowls Bash’ in our spring and summer newsletters.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers
In Volunteer Week we gave a BIG THANK YOU to the many volunteers who help to enhance, promote and protect Horsham Park throughout the year.
Friends volunteers in new willow tunnel in children’s play area
There are now over 20 volunteers who participate in our Wednesday morning group – they cut back overgrowth to keep paths accessible, litter-pick, plant, weed, prune and sow seeds so that the park beds look lovely and to provide good habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Last year they contributed 1628 hours of effort, skills and teamwork. On top of this the monthly Sunday ‘Borders’, who care for the stunning ribbon border on North Street, contributed a further 150 hours.
Our Committee work is perhaps less visible than the gardening work, but just as important. For example, they get involved in fundraising, hosting events, social media to promote the park, liaising with the Parks and Countryside team, participating in Horsham Green Spaces and the very necessary work of running our Community Interest Company. Last year they contributed over 1100 hours.
We also want to shout out the huge contribution by the Samaritans this year who created the stunning Bulbs for Lives display. Their work is so important for the community and we loved working with them on this project.
Last but not least, we know there are lots of people and groups who support the park – whether through Corporate Social Responsibility volunteering with us, or litter-picking, such as the Rotary Club’s regular visits, and the Strawford Centre who have now embarked on cleaning the bricks in the Maze; or indeed the many individual Friends who volunteer with us.
We are lucky that so many people, give so willingly of their time and skills so that the park can be enjoyed by us all.
Thank you to everyone! Take a well-deserved pat on the back.
Park People
In the summer the Friends extended a warm welcome to Neal Matheson, HDC’s new Parks & Leisure Tree Officer. We’re delighted to be working with him.
We said goodbye and thanks to committee members David Lee, our webmaster, and Asif Mahmood, our treasurer. We welcomed new committee members: Philippa Charman (treasurer), Alejandra Teodosio, Jodie Fitz-Hugh and Jennifer Ryan. We have two new committee members joining us at our first meeting in 2024 – so we will tell you more in the next newsletter.
Hedgehogs in the Park
Since last year’s Hedgehog Awareness Week, the park team has installed HedgehogHighways in Horsham Park Pond’s fencing to help make life a little easier for them. Have you spotted the doorways? Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re in the park
Horsham Wildways
As members of Horsham Green Spaces we are participating in a long term urban nature-recovery project linking the green spaces in the town via several ‘Horsham Wildways’ (initially we envisaged these as pollinator flyways, but the new name reflects that this project has become broader and is connecting with others across the District and Sussex such as the Weald to Weaves.
The vision in Horsham town is to include school fields, sports fields, allotments, cemeteries, railway lines, verges and, of course, gardens. The first stage of the project was to map existing habitats and what is using them. This helps us identify opportunities for extending the habitats appropriately to support pollinators, birds and wildlife across the Wildways.
At the end of 2023 we met with the Parks and Countryside team to agree the Wildways, which ones will be prioritised for 2024 and next steps. We will provide updates on this exciting project during the year.
Parkrun
In May we welcomed back the parkrun to Horsham Park from its winter quarters at Southwater Country Park. It’s a free event every Saturday morning and open to all newcomers, whatever your ability. If you’d like to take part, or learn more about it, see here
Celebrating 100 years of Horsham Park 1928 – 2028
To celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary, the Friends of Horsham Park and Friends of Horsham Museum are working together on a joint project to research and write a book in time for the centenary. In 2028 we will be celebrating 100 years of public ownership of Horsham Park.
In 1928 the first section was purchased from the Hurst family “to keep and preserve the open space for the benefit, enjoyment and recreation of the Town and Parish of Horsham forever.” We are all thankful for the Council’s foresight in purchasing the park – imagine getting through Covid without it or not having this wonderful greenspace at the heart of our town!
The park has a fascinating history, which provides glimpses into societal changes over the last 100 years. However, this history is not fully documented, much is anecdotal, and most is tucked away in archives or in residents’ memories.
Following our appeal to get involved, we now have a team of 8 researchers and writers who met twice in 2023 to begin the research. They are already making great progress and the shared dropbox is filling up with an historical timeline, maps, photos, interviews, shared memories, interesting items from Horsham Museum, the Horsham Society magazines, print media and information discovered in the Sussex archives.
If you would like to share your memories or get involved, please contact Sally Sanderson, Chair Friends of Horsham Park at [email protected] or Paul French, Chair Friends of Horsham Museum.
Funday Sunday
The Friends had a stall at the Funday Sunday event in the park on 9 July. We enjoyed meeting lots of people and had great fun with the bumble bee and butterfly activity where visitors voted for their favourite – the bumble bees won!
Children had fun with our spinning wheel, featuring the 6 protected species in the park, and getting an information card all about the creature or plant they landed on.
Awards
Green Flag 2023-24
We were delighted that Horsham Park won a Green Flag again for the fourth year in a row. This is a prestigious award, which shows the park has great facilities, is welcoming, safe, and a lovely green space. Well done to the Parks and Countryside team Horsham District Council, and all the volunteers who make the park so lovely. What a fantastic community asset for all to enjoy.
Holding the flag: Cllr. Jon Olson and FoHP Chair Sally Sanderson, together with HDC’s Parks Team, Friends’ ‘Wednesday Volunteers’ and Denne Neighbourhood Council’s Chair Trudie Mitchell.
South & South East in Bloom Award
We were delighted that the Park maintained the Silver Gilt Award in the Large Park category of the South & South East in Bloom competition for the second year running.
This is a great achievement and recognises the hard work of HDC’s Parks and Countryside Team, Denne Neighbourhood Council and the Friends of Horsham Park in ensuring the Park is a fantastic community asset, which we can all enjoy.
The Friends were hoping that the fabulous new skate park facility, the pond project and other horticultural improvements in the park would get us the gold but we were still 5 marks short. We are determined that 2024 will be the year we get gold!
It’s Your Neighbourhood Category
We were thrilled to get Outstanding this year – Level 5 which is the top category. This is the category, which focuses on community groups so specifically about the activities of the Friends. For the past two years we were at ‘Thriving’ (Level 4) and in our first year of entry we were only at ‘Improving’ (Level 2) so we have come a long way since 2020.
Fun Quiz Night raised valuable funds
The Friends’ annual quiz, on 25 Nov, was once again a fun evening while also raising an impressive sum of nearly £500 to fund our work in the park. We will be spending some of it on spring planting, so watch out for colourful blooms popping up then!
This year, around 70 quizzers filled Trinity Church Hall to rack their brains on questions on topics such as women’s sport, music and nature, among others. Thanks to quizmaster David Sanderson and to Mike Harling for the live ‘name that artist’ round.
At the end of the evening, three teams shared the top spot, with scores too close to call! Spot prizes went to the winners of two separate challenges – composing a tongue-twister and modelling a new award for the park from plasticine.
Ros Shiel, one of the quizzers, said: “As always, the Quiz was a lot of fun. The questions were generally just the right level, though our team struggled on the environmentalist picture round! There was a nice relaxed atmosphere of friendly competition, and it was good to catch up with other Friends in a sociable setting.”
The Quiz will return in 2024, so if you like planning ahead, mark Saturday 23 November 2024 in your diaries!
Lots of planting went on!
The Wednesday volunteers were busy planting last year – many of the plants were financed by the Friends so a massive thank you to everyone who supports us through grants, the quiz or the lottery.
In the Park House sensory Garden
The badly damaged box hedge (by the caterpillar of the box hedge moth) was removed and we replaced it with 660 Lonicera plants (in torrential rain).
In the shady bed between Park House and the lawn: 2 x Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’, 6 x Aster frikartii ‘Monch’, 6 x Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’ 12 x Iris ‘Caeser’s Brother’. This will be lovely for people coming down the steps from the registry office.
In the Winter Interest bed: 10 X Carex oshimensis ‘Everest, 1 x Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’, 1 x Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’, 3 x Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 7 x Helleborus ‘Pretty Ellen Pink’. The following bulbs were added: 100 Crocus – large flowering mixed, 50 Narcissus ‘Pink Charm’ and 50 Narcissus ‘Replete’.
Carex oshimensis adding to the Winter Interest in the bed supported by the Sussex Gardens Trust grant.
Water-Wise, climate change bed
Here we added: 300 Crocus mixed and 100 Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’.
The central beds
There wasn’t time to plant these this week, but the following tulips will be added next week: 50 x Tulipa ‘Ollioules’, 50 x Tulipa ‘Saigon’ and 50 x Tulipa ‘White Triumphator’.
We also planted elsewhere in the park at:
The bee bed
3 x Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and 3 x Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ to extend the season for pollinators.
The Tennis Court bed
This was getting overrun by Japanese anemone so some of these have been removed making space for plants to supplement the current scheme: 3 x Peonia ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, 2 x Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ and 2 x Stipa gigantea. We have also added 50 of each of the following tulips for a spring display:
Tulipa ‘Honeymoon’, Tulipa ‘Mariette’, Tulipa ‘Ollioules’ and Tulipa ‘Saigon’.
Finally at North Street entrance we planted two Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem’ which will grow quite dense to hide the electricity cabinet. We hope that people passing by in the winter will enjoy the sweet-smelling flowers.
At the Pond
In addition to all this, the Parks and Countryside team gave us over 100 plants for the pond inside the fence on the East side. These continue the natural theme of the outside bed planted last winter – along the bank and in the corner by the gate. alongside the new turf. As we didn’t pay for these, we don’t have the plant list yet. Alejandra has created a short Instagram video of the pond planting here.
Help the Friends and you could win a prize
£25,000 Jackpot every week!
Have a better chance of winning the lottery when you play the local Horsham District Community Lottery, and you will be supporting the Friends!- By signing up to the local weekly draw, you can subscribe any amount from £1 upwards. Each £1 ticket has a chance to win £25, £250, £2500, or £25000. Just match from 2 to 6 numbers to win a prize.
- By selecting The Friends as your chosen good cause, 50p from each £1 ticket goes to support much-needed funds for the Friends of Horsham Park; and 10p goes to other local causes.
- Why not join today? It’s a win for the Friends and could be a bigger win for you!
| Join HERE |
Volunteering Opportunities
- Ribbon Border Volunteer group – every 2nd Sunday
The RBV group meets every second Sunday in the month at 10am by the entrance to the North Street carpark, everyone welcome.
For more information please contact David at [email protected] - Gardening and Conservation group – every Wednesday
The Wednesday Morning Group” meets at 9.30am at the Jubilee car park next to the entrance sign to the Human Nature Garden. Their main tasks are planting and pruning and generally making improvements to the park’s appearance for all to enjoy. All tools provided.
Please contact“ Sally at [email protected] - Helping at events – as required
We need Friends to help out at events we hold in the Park. It may be just for a couple of hours occasionally, or as a one off. It can be great fun. Any help is much appreciated.
Please contact Sally at [email protected]
