Green Horsham

For reasons sadly all too familiar we are having to become accustomed to hotter and drier weather with all that that implies.

It was lovely to meet Sally, Chair of Friends of Horsham Park. Sally and the team of volunteers work to improve the park for both users and wildlife. I am delighted that the park, for the third year in a row, has been awarded a “Green Flag”; an international quality mark for parks.

Last week saw the launch of the Big Butterfly Count. Running for over three weeks (until 7th August) people throughout the UK are being asked to spend 15 minutes outside in a sunny spot and count the amount and type of butterflies they see.

I am delighted that Horsham Park and Warnham Nature Reserve have been nominated in the Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Parks award.

Friday was a busy day in the constituency. As well as meetings with Horsham District Council and the South East Coast Ambulance Service I visited Nymans in Handcross. The great hall of Nymans house burned down almost 75 years ago and has been ruins ever since.

I met with Community Energy Horsham. Community energy is an exciting idea, matching up significant solar opportunities with community funding to generate a return for community investors and the site-providers.

Today was World Bee Day. There are 24 species of bumblebee, around 260 species of solitary bees and 1 species of honeybee in the UK.

I am delighted that Horsham District Council are expanding their hot bin trial to more participants.

Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council are working with West Sussex Chargepoint Network to install charge-points across the County.

It is great to hear that Horsham District Council Wardens have moved from petrol to hybrid vehicles to protect our local environment. The new vehicles consume less fuel and emit less C02 than a comparable petrol or diesel-engine car.