From sports pitches to woodlands, children’s play areas to gardens and bicycle trails to parks, the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge will protect a diverse range of outdoor spaces ensuring that there is something to appeal to everyone. Whether you live in a dense city or the middle of the countryside, recreational spaces are the heart of any community and the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge will ensure that these outdoor spaces are guaranteed for future generations.

Securing access to grassroots sporting facilities is particularly relevant given the other milestone event taking place in the UK in 2012 – the London Olympics. What better way to mark the greatest sporting show on earth?

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge will give communities an opportunity to vote for an outdoor space in their area to become part of the scheme and be permanently protected as a tribute to the Diamond Jubilee.

To find out how to get involved in the Challenge, go to www.qe2fields.com

The Parish Council is a group of volunteers, elected by you and, by working together, making decisions and producing plans for the greater community benefit. Becoming a Parish Councillor is one of the most rewarding roles in the community.

The role of Councillor is one of representative, decision taker and team member; and can be a very rewarding way of contributing to your community, and particularly of making a difference in the way things get done in your locality.

For more information contact the Parish Office.

Did you know that every year, the nation throws away around 1,500,000 tonnes of textiles?  With the launch of this new recycling scheme, North Horsham residents will not only be helping the environment by diverting more waste away from landfill; but also offering funds for a vital service that helps so many people and saves lives.

If these Textile Banks are successful, the Parish Council hopes to find more sites for further banks.

Everyone is welcome to attend and join together in community spirit to celebrate Christmas.  Mulled wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks; and of course mince pies will be served in the Church after the Service.  This will be an opportunity to see the beautiful decorations in the Church, and to meet with Councillors and friends.

We look forward to welcoming you ….

The Parish Council welcomes Rita.

How many of you remember the long-running TV programme of that name?

Tom and Barbara turning suburban Surbiton into a self sufficiency oasis which, if we are all honest, we were all just a teeny bit jealous of; and the indomitable Margot and her long suffering husband Gerry, who lived next door.  I certainly remember laughing along at the antics of the two couples but the truth is that what was a comedy programme, now has a stark ring of truth to it.

In these current economic times, employment difficulties and the cost of food rising, more and more people are turning to producing their own.  Food can be grown almost anywhere—in pots, buckets, hanging baskets, window boxes, complete veggie patches in the back garden to name but a few.  Generally, people start off small, with a row or two of runner beans, a potato bag and a pot of tomatoes against a sheltered sunny wall – but then the growing bug (pardon the pun) catches hold and thoughts turn to an ALLOTMENT.

North Horsham Parish Council owns and manages one Allotment Site at Amberley Close.  Allotment Gardening is becoming more and more popular and there is a very long waiting list for a plot.  Harwood Road Allotments are rented to the Plot Holders there and that site is self-managing.  All the other Allotment Sites in the Parish are owned by Horsham District Council.

So – what to do?  The Parish Council is considering creating a completely new Allotment Site for the benefit of the residents of North Horsham.  One of the areas being considered is within the Earles Meadow Open Space, tucked under the A264.  A large number of 5 rod plots (125 sq. metres in new money) could be put here, and accessibility to walkers would not be in any way restricted.  The Parish Council would investigate the costs of clearance of the site and a range of ecological and ‘green’ initiatives to make a sustainable and vibrant Allotment Site.

Before the Parish Council undertakes this Project, we would very much like to hear from YOU ….