For reasons sadly all too familiar we are having to become accustomed to hotter and drier weather with all that that implies.
After the last bout of heat the BBC created heat maps which showed most of Horsham as red or amber. There was, however, a cool oasis in the middle of town; Horsham Park.
The Park is a vital resource in the very centre of town for residents, visitors and local workers alike. It is a wonderful green space which I know many families have been enjoying over the summer holidays.
The Park was secured for the people of Horsham 94 years ago when Colonel Hurst approached Horsham Urban Council to see if they would purchase Park House, the gardens and a portion of the current park. The purchase was finalised in 1928 after an active local campaign through loans and a ratepayers’ levy; with further land purchased in 1949.
It is important that the park continues to be a source of inspiration, exercise, relaxation and leisure and I was delighted to meet Sally, Chair of Friends of Horsham Park. For our meeting, Sally and I sat on the new curved bench donated by the Friends in a shady spot in Park House sensory garden.
Established five years ago, the Friends have been focussed on helping HDC ensure the park’s quality and ongoing improvement. The Friends, alongside HDC, were awarded a National Bees Award for exemplary work to support pollinators in the Park. The Park has also won, for the third consecutive year in a row, a Green Flag; an international quality mark for parks.
The Friends meet every Wednesday morning to undertake a range of gardening tasks (for all abilities) in the Park. Volunteering with the Friends is a great opportunity to engage with the Park, boost wellbeing and meet new people. More information about the Friends and how to volunteer can be found here: https://friendsofhorshampark.co.uk/get-involved/
The Park and Warnham Nature Reserve have both been nominated in the Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Park award. Voting is open and will close at noon on Thursday 18th August 2022. The following link can be used to vote: https://www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations?fbclid=IwAR2iZxZQbrZQn-PTaNnRdEr_-2cznP2AoS22TeKQi7F3ndJriXWNs2-6vUo
