Halloween (or Hell-o-ween for some) is fast approaching and we understand that this time of year can be worrying for some people. We want everyone to feel safe in their own home and for Trick or Treaters who are out enjoying the celebrations. 

If you are going out on the 31st, please be respectful of people that choose to not participate and stick to homes where there are pumpkins or other spooky decorations are on display. Please make sure young children are accompanied by a responsible adult to ensure they stay safe when collecting their goodies!  The majority of older children and young people are very respectful, but sometimes little devils come out to play and we ask that they understand people’s boundaries. 

Residents are advised to continue to be vigilant when opening the door to strangers or unexpected callers.

If you are worried about knocks on your door

– One way to deter unwanted trick or treaters over Halloween is to print and display the ‘no trick or treaters’ poster, which is attached to this alert. Pop it on display in a window near the front door so little witches, wizards and other spooktacular visitors can see. 

– Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spy hole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.

– Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.

– If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identity people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

Remember

If you are driving on the evening of the 31st, remember that excited children may be crossing the road unexpectedly, so slow down in residential areas and take extra care.

There will be increased patrols this Halloween to deter any anti-social behaviour; officers will be quick to disperse groups of people who are found to be causing a nuisance.

Sussex Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year.

To report anti-social behaviour please report online.

If you feel threatened, in an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, call 999.

Whatever you are choose to do on Halloween, be safe and take care. 

https://www.hdopforum.org.uk/post/remember-remember-6th-of-december?utm_campaign=5405839e-6919-4b5d-a7ed-2f267d1340a5&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=b5e0f4cb-13b7-43d1-acb8-b1bee7cd60e4

Trafalgar Community Infant School is situated on Victory Road and has around 240 children aged 4 to 7.  It continues to maintain a good reputation and plays an important role in the local community.

A few vacancies for governors exist and the board are looking for individuals within the community who may be interested in becoming a governor. 

Although it is a voluntary role, it is very rewarding, especially when school visits are undertaken. Further information as to what the role entails can be obtained from Sarah, the Chair of Governors on chair@trafalgarinfant.com

Horsham Apple Day – Saturday 19th October 2024 – Horsham Unitarian Church on Worthing Road

You may recall at our last quarterly meeting we circulated a draft survey, and spent some time looking at the questions to collect your views and feedback. The questions were then revisited and condensed. The survey is designed to gather views from local residents on nature recovery, what they value about our green spaces and what they think about the changes to mowing regimes in some areas, part of the Wildways project in the town. This is now live and can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HorshamGreenSpaces2024 Please take a few minutes to complete this, and please share this far and wide with your own green spaces contacts.  We are keen to get as many responses as possible. If you have contacts with younger residents, we are particularly keen to gather information from this demographic. We have shared this with Collyers Sixth Form College. The survey will run until the end of September 2024. Responses are anonymous, and we will collate the data and will report back to the wider HGS forum in due course. Thank you Hils Parker Volunteer Coordinator

Useful links: CPRE The Countryside Charity Sussex Friends of Warnham Nature Reserve Friends of Horsham Park Friends of Chesworth Farm Horsham District Council – Wildways Project Horsham Green Spaces The Horsham Society Sussex Green Living  Sussex Wildlife Trust Transition Horsham Wild About Warnham Wilder Horsham District

If you have any information relating to your green space that you would like to share with the wider group, please let us know by emailing horshamgreenspaces@gmail.com Please follow us on Facebook and share any of your events, photographs and items of interest.