NEWS RELEASES
Celebrating Horsham's green volunteers
29th November 2006
AN EVENT was held in Horsham last week celebrating the green work of volunteer groups in the town.
In total, approximately 40 volunteers from 11 different volunteer groups attended the Green Spaces Volunteer Evening at the Town Hall, Market Square in Horsham on Thursday 23 November.
The event was a partnership between Horsham in Bloom (HiB) and Horsham District Council and it was put on to celebrate all the good work the volunteers do in Horsham.
Volunteers came from the following groups: COMP – Companions of Manor Fields, Wallis Way and Leechpool Lane; FREC – Friends of Victory Road Recreation Ground; Cootes Pond Conservation Volunteers; Boldings Brook Conservation Volunteers; Friends of New Street Garden; Green Gym; TRITAR – Tanbridge Residents Improve The Arun River; Alder Copse Residents; Nuthatch Way Conservation Group; Friends of Horsham Park and Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve.
Anna Chapman, Parks Community Liaison Officer for Horsham District Council who helped to organise the event, said:
“The idea of the evening was to give a pat on the back to all the volunteers that work so hard in Horsham to ensure that the green spaces are welcoming and enjoyable.
“The evening went really well with lots of volunteers swapping thoughts and ideas about projects, it was great that there was so much enthusiasm in the room and I think they all enjoyed themselves.
“Next year we are aiming to hold a similar event and expand it to celebrate the work that people do in the south of the District.”
Christine Costin, Chairman of Horsham in Bloom, said:
“The work of volunteers is central to the success that Horsham in Bloom has been able to achieve in the ‘in Bloom’ competitions. The HiB Committee has been excited to watch the range of Friends Groups and Conservation Groups that have grown up over the past few years.
“In a changing world, where our environment is under threat, it is good to see people coming together to make a difference to their local surroundings.”
She added: “Additional pairs of hands can help to top-up the services that can be provided by the local authority. Council budgets are stretched more thinly every year and if we are going to make sure that everywhere gets the best possible care then the strength of volunteers is needed to help maintain the best standards.
“They have valuable roles to play in keeping areas free from litter, clearing rivers and ponds and enhancing the street scene for everyone to enjoy.”
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk