Holy Trinity Church are starting a lovely new group aimed at birth to 7 years. All welcome. 

Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council (HTNC) were delighted to welcome so many residents to their AGM on Wednesday 28th June at Trafalgar Road Baptist Church. In addition to the business of the meeting which saw Morag Warrack re-elected as the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Council, the Leonard Crosbie Community Awards were presented. 

These were chosen by Mr Crosbie’s widow, Mary, flagging up the strength of our community.  Steve Swain was awarded the Individual Award to recognise his many years of care for the Cootes Farm Community, while the Group Award was made to the Trinity Church Players who have raised thousands of pounds by working hard and having fun!  The Business Award was made to Tracy Bassett of TCuts hairdressing for providing such warm and friendly professional service.  The Climate and Ecology Individual Award was presented to Daphne Mitchell who has led the Boldings Brook Conservation Group for over 25 years (she would like to thank everyone who has ever been part of the group!)  The Climate and Ecology Group Award was made to the Shelley Farm Allotment Society, particularly to the current committee who have led measures which benefit the area as a whole such as disallowing chemicals, storing water, and carbon capture and using composting rather than burning bonfires.

Treasurer John Fraser Preston provided an update and reminded visitors of the many projects that the Neighbourhood Council have supported this year, which included the wildflower seed initiative that resulted in almost 3000 packets of seeds delivered to homes within the neighbourhood. The highlight of the evening was a rendition of song specially written by Jane O’Sullivan of the Trinity Church Players that summed up beautifully what it means to live in our happy, supportive and generous Trafalgar community.

We wondered if Trafalgar residents would be interested in supporting the Trees for Streets call for action as weeks of dry weather has put our lovely verge side trees at risk and reduced the likelihood of improved air quality and increased biodiversity – both of which would be of huge benefit to us all

The following article from The Guardian explains more:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/28/watering-wednesday-campaign-aims-to-get-uk-streets-to-look-after-local-trees

 The next session will be held at: The Capitol, Horsham on Wednesday 21st June, 10am-12noon

No appointment is needed – you can just turn up – and will be offered a warm welcome and a friendly chat over a hot drink.

The Cost Of Living Support Drop In Sessions aim to be a great place to start for anyone who is under a lot of stress or pressure. The sessions can point you in the right direction so you can begin to get help. 

Open to all, these friendly, informal sessions, offer a local ‘one stop shop’ opportunity to talk to range of advisors from many different agencies and organisations to get information, guidance and advice on a range of issues and needs, such as…

• food and fuel concerns,
• money and debt concerns
• housing issues
• health and emotional wellbeing, including dependency issues
• support needed for people caring for relatives,
• wanting to find work,
• relationship difficulties, and support for families
• …and more.

A West Sussex carer who has benefitted from putting a contingency plan in place has encouraged others to follow her example.

Eurfron Jones said having a plan in place has given both her and her husband Malcolm peace of mind, knowing he will still receive the support he needs should she unexpectedly be unable to provide him with care.

She has encouraged other friend and family carers to register with Carers Support West Sussex – a charity that works closely with West Sussex County Council – which offers unpaid carers information and guidance along with practical and emotional support.

Her message coincides with Carers Week, which takes place from 5 to 11 June. The theme this year is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community’.

Ms Jones said: “I’d really encourage other carers who don’t have plans in place to think about it. I remember the conversation I had with Carers Support West Sussex when they asked ‘Have you thought about what might happen should anything happen to you?’. It had never entered my head that anything would happen to me.

“I think it’s really important that people know that I’m a carer, particularly in the circumstances that I’m not around.

“Carers Support West Sussex have just been so wonderful in many ways. If you are a carer, please reach out to them because they’ve helped us enormously.”

Ms Jones has shared her experience and advice in a new video which is available to watch on the West Sussex County Council YouTube channel.

Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “We’re committed to building connections with more people like Eurfron, who provide vital care for family and friends.

“We want them to take the lead on decisions that help them to enjoy independent and fulfilling lives and help them get all the support they are entitled to.”

You can register with Carers Support West Sussex on its website, where you can also find useful tips for developing a contingency plan. These include carrying a carers emergency contact card when you are out and about.

Sonia Mangan, Chief Executive of Carers Support West Sussex, said: “Our carer emergency card serves as a prompt to make an emergency plan and offers carers peace of mind, knowing their cared for will be in safe hands should the carer be involved in an accident or suddenly taken ill.

“Having important information in one place and sharing that information with trusted family members, friends and/or health and care professionals makes good sense.

“We don’t want you to be daunted so get in touch with Carers Support West Sussex to get help in making that plan.”

There is also emotional and practical support available to young carers under the age of 18, provided by the county council’s West Sussex Young Carers Service.

Just a ‘Swift reminder’ that all are welcome to a Swift Talk by David Bridges this Wednesday evening, 7th June, 7:30 pm start, at Trafalgar Road Baptist Church, RH12 2QL.

These amazing clean-living birds used to hang out with the dinosaurs, but nowadays are in decline, as their old nesting sites are disappearing. Hopefully in Trafalgar we can reverse the decline by providing new nest sites.

How many Swifts there are in Trafalgar we have no idea, so we are going to carry out a survey. Would you like to help? Then come along to the meeting, or email us. Once we know how many Swifts there are and where they are, we hope to put up Swift boxes to encourage more.

If you’d like to help us encourage these wonderful birds or just want to hear an interesting talk, please do come along if possible! All welcome.

All welcome to Trafalgar Road Baptist Church, RH12 2QL, for an excellent Swift Talk by David Bridges of Wild About Warnham on Wednesday next week, 7th June, 7:30 pm start.  

These amazing clean-living birds used to hang out with the dinosaurs, but nowadays they need new nest sites.  

How many Swifts there are in Trafalgar we have no idea, so we are going to carry out a survey. Would you like to help? Then come along to the meeting, or email us. Once we know how many Swifts there are and where they are, we hope to put up Swift boxes to encourage more. Fancy a sponsored swift box on your home?

Do please share the above and come along if possible! All welcome”