Horsham Park has taken Gold in the South & South East In Bloom 2024 competition. This is the scheme’s top accolade and represents an impressive climb up the rankings in recent years, thanks to the hard work of the Friends of Horsham Park volunteer group and Horsham District Council’s Park and Countryside team.
The South & South East In Bloom competition demands high standards across a range of judging criteria including horticulture, sustainability, conservation, facilities, access and community involvement. The focus is on rewarding those who turn their green space into a fantastic place for their community.
Judging comprised a rigorous inspection of the Park in July, by a judge who had last visited in 2021 and was impressed by the improvements made, which included the redesigned area around the pond, the new flower beds at the station entrance, the large meadow areas – now part of the Wildways project – and the Bee Bed.
Just as importantly, the Park achieved the top ‘Outstanding’ level in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category, for a second year. This focuses on how the Park benefits the local community, good gardening practices and environmental responsibility.
Chair of Friends of Horsham Park, Sally Sanderson, said:
To say we’re delighted to achieve Gold would be an understatement! We first entered the competition in 2021, securing a Silver award, then Silver Gilt in 2022 and 2023. Each year, we’ve reviewed the judge’s comments and made improvements, so it’s wonderful to see that pay off as we secure the top award.
What’s great about this prize is that it isn’t rewarding us just for pretty flowers – important though they are – but for how we have made the Park a vibrant, much-loved green space that’s enjoyed by so many Horsham residents – and will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
It takes time and money to have a golden park. We got there through the hard work, enthusiasm and expertise of all the Friends volunteers and the Council’s Parks and Countryside team, as well as support from a number of local organisations and individuals too long to list! Our thanks to everyone who has gardened, picked litter, donated money, audited trees, built a bug hotel or awarded us a grant or supported us in other ways. We couldn’t have done this without you!”
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture Cllr David Skipp added:
I am both proud and delighted that we have earned this Gold status for Horsham Park at these prestigious national awards.
We must give huge thanks to all our council officers and volunteers for their continued enthusiasm and commitment to the development and maintenance of the park.
Our parks and open spaces are vital in enabling residents and visitors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. At the heart of our community in central Horsham, this park really is a jewel of an environmental-friendly green space for people to enjoy, whether it be for walking, taking part in sports activities, or simply taking a moment to breathe.