HORSHAM

For those of you unfamiliar with the area I will tell you a little about Horsham. It is a small market town, 14km from Gatwick airport and 34 km from the sea at Brighton.

The town happily mixes the old with the new and offers good shopping and entertainment facilities as well as excellent sports and leisure centres and a wealth of heritage.

Horsham is quite unusual, as it has retained its Saxon name unaltered in any way for over 1,000 years.  Horsham was first mentioned in King Eadred’s Saxon Charter of 947AD and continued to play an important part in local and national politics for the next 500 years.  Indeed, Horsham has over 40 listed building, including medieval merchants homes, Tudor shops and other more recent Georgian and Victorian buildings.

One of the best preserved parts of the town, the Causeway is a delightful mix of well preserved ancient medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian homes with Horsham Museum at one end and leads to the Norman Parish Church of St Mary’s at the other.

Horsham is well known for its connections to the world famous poet and radical thinker, Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 to 1822 AD) who was born and raised just outside Horsham.  .

The villages and hamlets in the area, each have their own individual character.  Quiet narrow streets, thatched cottages, spired churches, traditional Sussex village greens, and not forgetting the local pub.

ABOUT HORSHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Anyone who would like to set up a scheme in their area should in the first instance contact ther local PSCO - details can be found on this website.

This webmaster (Diane Morrison) was nominated for an urban award in 1999 and 2002 and received a certificate of commendation.

Each village and beat area has their own area co-ordinator, who is a very important link between the members, the crime prevention co-ordinator and the local police.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a crime and happens over a period of time. This makes it more difficult for the victim to leave the situation due to emotional, financial and practical reasons. It affects men, women and children in West Sussex, regardless of their social background, wealth or educational achievements. It happens within the family and creates fear and control through physical, emotional, financial, sexual and psychological means.

Support for victims of Domestic Violence is increasing in the Sussex area. If anyone requires help or advice there are drop-in facilities where a number of agency professionals are present in: -

Crawley - Mondays 1pm - 3pm at: - Relate office, WRVS House, 3, Station Road, Crawley.

Horsham - Thursdays 12pm - 2pm at: - Relate Office, Cemetary lodge, Denne Road, Horsham.

Haywards Heath - Tuesdays 1230pm - 230pm at: - The Yews, Boltro Road, Haywards Heath.

The service is free and anybody is welcome to attend either for himself or herself, or on behalf of a relative, friend or colleague.