LETTER: Great celebration of Riverside Walk

This part of the project has addressed the installation of much better and more cohesive way marker signage, the installation of ergonomic and also rustic benches along the Walk, the installation of information boards showing the history and nature elements to be seen on the Walk and the production of a more informative guide leaflet.

This part of the project has been financed by a major award from Biffa Award and match funding from Horsham District Council.

The Celebration Walk was very well attended with over 175 walkers taking part. Some walkers chose to walk the entire 13.5 mile route while others walked sections of the Walk.

It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of people taking part and showing their support of this project which helps to make the most of a hidden gem for everyone.

On behalf of Horsham Town Community Partnership I would like to convey sincere thanks and appreciation to the project team for all their hard work to get this part of the project to completion. The team have successfully brought their skills and expertise to the project.

The event couldn’t have gone better and many thanks for all their help for making the event so successful go to: the walk co-ordinators, Jill Shuker and Mike Powell; the volunteer walk leaders; the project team members, especially the project manager, David Searle, for all their hard work on the project and the many hours of volunteer work they have given; the Horsham Rugby Club for allowing walkers to park their cars at the club; the wardens at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, for adding to the interest of the Walk by allowing walkers to access paths and the gate to Pondtail Road; Friends of Chesworth Farm, the Harvest Mouse Cafe at Warnham Local Nature Reserve, the Holbrook Club and Newhouse Farm Cafe for their help with refreshments on the day - they did a great job in accommodating such large numbers; Horsham District Community Transport who took walkers back to their parked cars if not walking the entire route; local police for advice and support on event planning and Network Rail’s help with getting a large number of walkers safely over the level crossing; WSCC, HDC and WSCC and HDC councillors, some of whom joined the Walk, for their help and support in the project so far; Biffa Award and HDC in their financial help with the project; members of Green Gym who installed ten simple benches and cut back foliage on parts of the route; your newspaper for printing our news releases; and again, many thanks to everyone who took part to make it such an excellent event and helped publicise the improved facility of Horsham Riverside Walk which is there for everyone to enjoy.

Great job!

JANE APOSTOLOU

Chair, Horsham Town Community Partnership, Bishopric, Horsham