North Horsham Parish Council dedicated a lilac tree and plaque at Holbrook Tythe Barn on 3rd July 2019 in memory of Roger Wilton.

Roger joined the parish council in 2009 and became chairman in 2011. He was a natural leader and gained a great deal of respect. He had a natural way of making anyone who met him feel relaxed and comfortable. He was heavily involved in the Horsham Bowling club’s move to the land at the side of Holbrook Tythe Barn and the subsequent associated works to North Heath Hall and to the Wallace Room.

Roger was essentially a family man. He had many interests including vehicles, gadgets, sailing, Morris Dancing and folk music. He always gave 100% to anything he became involved with and usually had some project or other on the go.

He had had several jobs during his working life but the area of work that caught his interest was with fire safety and detection. He was head-hunted to be part of the team that designed, installed and maintained the fire alarm system in London Underground following the Kings Cross fire. His thesis for his chartership was his design for an extinguishing system for areas that sloped ie: under escalators, using fibre optics.

Roger made significant achievements despite his struggle with dyslexia which bred an innate understanding of and empathy with other peoples’ difficulties. The advent of the word processor and personal computer was a godsend to him. He could consign his handwriting to the bin! He also had a mischievous side and loved playing and acting the fool with his granddaughters. He loved a good laugh, especially with friends, some of whom attended the dedication ceremony.

The Parish Council wanted to mark the significant contribution that Roger made to North Horsham in his time on the Council, especially as Chairman of the Council and it is hoped that the lilac is a long lasting memory of his work.

Thank you to Mr M Smith, who stepped down as the Parish Council Tree Warden after just over two years in the role. The Parish Council’s Planning, Environment and Transport Committee appoint Tree Wardens who are the eyes and ears in the community and who report any concerns that they may have regarding trees, so that appropriate action can be taken. There are three Tree Wardens who still work together to support the Parish Council. If you would like to join them, please contact the Clerk.
You can find more information on Tree Wardens on the Parish Council website.

Most of us enjoy the warm weather when we finally experience it but hot weather can be a serious problem to many vulnerable individuals.

Saturday 29th June 2019 has been predicted to be extremely hot in parts of England.

The very young, the elderly and the seriously ill are the groups who are particularly at risk of health problems when the weather is very hot. In particular, very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse.

Please follow this advice to keep cool and comfortable and reduce health risks:
• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler.
• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat.
• Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
• Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Stay tuned to the weather forecast on the radio or TV, or on the Met Office website.
• Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
• Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
• Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat if you go outdoors.
• Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

For more information visit http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/dealingwithheatwaves

North Horsham Parish Council has been given some wildflower seeds to sow at the parish owned Open Space at Earles Meadow as part of the West Sussex County Council Pollinator Action Plan. The plan aims to help reduce the threat to our bees and other pollinators that are vital to our crops, gardens and countryside, as well as improving awareness and increasing the number of pollinator habitats in West Sussex.

The seeds include Strong Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Slender Creeping Red Fescue, Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, Browntop Bent, Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Foxglove, Corn Poppies and Corn Marigolds along with several other species.

The Earles Meadow Conservation Group has kindly offered to plant the seeds on behalf of the Council and to give the Parish Council an update as they germinate and progress. Photographs of the sowing and hopefully the final display will be submitted to West Sussex County Council to demonstrate that North Horsham parish is playing its part in this initiative.

Wild flowers are planted for all to enjoy, so please don’t pick them, instead leave them for others to enjoy and for them to play their vital part in bringing the benefits that natural pollinators have on our environment.

More details about this initiative and West Sussex County Council’s Pollinator Action Plan can be found at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/12616/pollinator_action_plan.pdf