NEWS RELEASES
Hi-tech village information
8th September 2004
A NUMBER of villages in the Horsham District are now sharing local information using the latest technology.
People living in Billingshurst, Ashington, Henfield, Southwater and Pulborough are believed to be the first in the country to find out what’s happening locally using new, continental style electronic notice boards put in place in central positions in their villages.
As an addition to the traditional poster on a notice board, a remote computer operated by the five respective parish councils now stores hundreds of announcements ready for electronic display.
Messages are published in rotation on a coloured display screen and include a variety of news about local events which are regularly updated and added to.
The scope of announcements is remarkably varied. Ashington, for example, promotes village events and meetings, Neighbourhood Watch messages, local activities and even severe weather warnings.
Whilst nearby in Billingshurst, local fundraising events and even a job advertisement for a parish councillor have appeared.
Further to the east in Henfield, the village is the first to advertise local blood donor sessions as well as District-wide services such as the Handy Van and ‘Microbiz’ information for home based businesses.
Jan Botting, Chairman of Pulborough Parish Council, said:
“There is no doubt that the new electronic sign is an asset to Pulborough.
“It has been well received by many members of the public who have visited the offices to enquire about it.
“We have been able to reassure people that the cost to Pulborough Parish Council is minimal as it was made possible by a grant from the Countryside Agency and, in fact, we did display this information initially when the sign commenced.”
Cllr Roger Paterson, Cabinet Member for Economic Development & IT at Horsham District Council, added:
“The main objective of this initiative is to provide residents with up to date information that affects them, their families and local community.
“The benefit of this new technology is not only to provide this information in a highly visible way but to do so more quickly and with greater relevance.”
The strength of the system is that news can be changed instantly and at very low cost to the operators. The regular flow of routine information can be interrupted at any time with special announcements which now includes flooding, storm warnings, road closures and other emergencies.
The idea is already working successfully in Holland and France and the Horsham District’s project is a pilot scheme that has been initiated by Horsham District Council whilst being operated by the parish councils.
The Countryside Agency has given a grant to get the scheme going in Sussex and the five parish councils mentioned above have agreed to administer the service in their villages.
David Hammond from the Countryside Agency commented:
“The Agency is delighted to be able to support this innovative project providing rapid information to rural residents, and demonstrating our role in empowering active and inclusive communities through influencing local solutions to local needs.”
If the trial period is successful, the scheme could be extended to other villages and locations.
Further information is available from Chris Baister, Business Development Officer at Horsham District Council, telephone (01403) 215542,
e-mail:chris.baister@horsham.gov.uk
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403) 215549