News Parish Council Inside this Summer 2017 edition Extracts from Chairman’s News from your Parish Council Report 2016-17 1-2 Your District & County Welcome to the 2017 summer issue of interest, including the Parish Council’s Councillors 2 the Parish Council newsletter. This time activities and forthcoming meetings. We it has been compiled by a small group of hope you find its contents interesting and Village Centre councillors, as we are currently without a would like to thank all those who have redevelopment 3 permanent clerk, who usually undertakes contributed an article. If you would like Green Gym 4 this task. The newsletter is delivered to to submit an article on a village activity all households in Broadbridge Heath, or village matters in general for our next Community Youth Workers 5 both in the newer and older parts of the edition due out in December, please Your Parish Council 6 village. Its aim is to keep all residents contact the Parish Clerk (contact details in touch with matters that may be of on the back page).

Extracts from Chairman’s Report 2016-17 We welcomed new councillors, Philip We successfully recruited Stephanie Mills A lot of attention has Hobgen and Jeanne Coker as co- as our new Clerk, who joined us in January opted members last September, which and quickly settled into the procedures been focused on brought our numbers up to 13, our full and workings of the PC. Unfortunately, “the future provision complement. However, in March we due to unforeseen family reasons, she regrettably said goodbye to Rebecca had to leave us at the end of June. Having of primary school Clay. I would like thank Rebecca for the made a big impression in the short time education in the contribution she made to the work of she was with us she will be missed. the Parish Council (PC), particularly in village. In April, the We are very fortunate that Nicky aspects related to planning. Being Donvaband stepped into the breach Secretary of State for a member short yet again, we were and will be our temporary clerk until the very pleased to co-opt Matthew Gaffar Education approved middle of September. In the meantime, onto the Council at our meeting in we will be recruiting for a permanent an application for March 2017. Clerk and Assistant Clerk. a new mainstream Sadly, at the start of July, our Vice- I feel I must address the rumour started Chairman, Jonathan resigned primary ‘free school’ in on social media that the name of our mainly due to work pressures. Jonathan village is changing. This is not the case! Broadbridge Heath. was a valued member of the PC for many There is a new electoral division which years and had been heavily involved in comprises of Broadbridge Heath, the more strategic aspects of our work. , and He was an excellent Vice-Chairman, and is called Broadbridge. The name supporting me in carrying out my role is only relevant to the county electoral and on behalf of the PC and local division; the village itself remains community I would like to thank him Broadbridge Heath. for his invaluable contributions over the years. continued page 2 ” 1 continued from page 1 school education in the village. In April, Your I have also been asked if the new the Secretary of State for Education development to the south of the village approved an application for a new County is part of Broadbridge Heath; it most mainstream primary ‘free school’ in Councillor: definitely is! Wickhurst Green was only Broadbridge Heath. There are still ever a marketing name and is not a several stages of the process to go Christian postal address. Since the development through and the PC is keen to work Mitchell was given the go ahead, the main aim with all interested parties including of the PC has always been to integrate representatives from Shelley School, It was an honour to be elected as the the old and new parts of the village. It HDC and WSCC to ensure that children county councillor in May of this year for is hoped that the downgrading of the in the village have the best possible the newly named ward of Broadbridge. existing bypass, the building of the primary education. My first priority is to represent all the new Neighbourhood Centre and the The PC work hard to make BBH a better residents of Broadbridge Heath as well redevelopment of the existing Village place for its residents with much of the as the other villages in the ward which Centre and surrounding area will help to work being carried out by individual are Rudgwick, Warnham and Slinfold. bring the village together. We would be committees. Hopefully, the reports It is often getting the small things very interested to hear of any ideas from contained in this newsletter will give you fixed in a timely way that counts and residents that could help us achieve an idea of the different projects we are I am committed to continue to make this aim. Bringing back the Village Fête, currently involved in and how they are Broadbridge Heath and our villages which used to be held in June every year, progressing. a place we can be proud of and enjoy would have been an ideal opportunity living in. to bring people together, but sadly not enough people came forward to help the Below are some of the issues I have

Gala Association organise it and the idea working on since being elected: Viv Edwards, has been put on hold. Chairman • Supporting the introduction for the A lot of attention has been focused Broadbridge Heath new traffic to limit traffic speed on the future provision of primary Parish Council to 20mph in Broadbridge Heath which went to the County Local Committee in June 2017 where it The full Annual Report report is available was unanimously supported by other on our website and includes reports county councillors from the Parish Council’s committees and thanks to all those involved and • Opposing the siting of an industrial/ previously involved with serving the commercial incinerator in our area parish. •  campaigns – I opposed the 2nd Runway and new flight path trials • To continue working with the police and highways officers to monitor speeding and stop rat-running though the village • Fighting for fairer and additional funding for our local schools I want the most vulnerable people to be supported and enabled to stay healthy and independent and I take careful will give the village some much needed interest in children and adult services. Your infrastructure and employment with the District retail outlets and offices. I always remember my responsibility of being accountable to you all and The Bridge has also got the go ahead Councillor representing your interests and and has had a slight amendment to the if there is a matter I can Matthew original planning giving the sports hall assist with please email an extra metre allowing more room for French on christian.mitchell@ users and spectators. westsussex.gov.uk Since the last edition of the Newsletter The Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA’s) there has been progress made on both are also in the final stages of the the Neighbourhood Centre and The process; this has been delayed longer Bridge Leisure Centre. than expected due to a ransom strip of The Neighbourhood Centre has land, however, this is now resolved and now been approved by the Planning work will commence shortly. Committee and regrettably despite Finally, I am always happy to hear from my best efforts, I was not able to stop any of you who wish to contact me with the inclusion of 24 flats as part of the any concerns or issues that I may be development. This is disappointing but able to help you with. 2 Section 106 payments from the major Village Centre development of the south of the Village will be used to fund part of the Village Development Centre building refurbishments. Broadbridge Heath Parish Council, the In the next few months, draft designs …refurbishment work is Village Centre Management Committee for the upgraded Village Centre will be hoped to begin in the and Action in rural have been produced. We will hold public meetings working for the last eighteen months and consult with the building’s users “ summer of 2018 to plan a refurbishment of the Village to produce a final design that will be Centre building. In that time we made sustainable and fit within our budget sure that the requirements for the new (which might be increased using building were understood, how the contributions of section 106 payments refurbishment and future management from other developments in the Village of the building would be achieved and and additional monies from elsewhere). have appointed an architect, RJCA Following planning approval and the Architects (Richard Atkinson) to deliver appointment of the building contractor, refurbishment work is hoped to begin in the upgrades. District Council ” has confirmed that £557,000 of the the summer of 2018.

Broadbridge Heath Football Club The Football Club completed their 97th season in April with the first team finishing 8th in the Southern Combination League Premier Division, our highest ever finish and the Reserve team winning the League’s Reserve Division for the first time ever. The first team used 46 players during the course of the season, 23 of whom had previously played for our youth teams, 9 of whom played at every level from Under 7s upwards, an achievement that few, if any clubs in the county can match. The junior section continues to grow but the result of which meant that last season several of our teams were forced to play away from the village, with 3 teams playing home games homes were to be built on land south of the village; as a result at Warnham and two playing home games in Horsham Park, a of our efforts our requirements for a new ground and pitches far from ideal situation, so club officials were delighted when were included in the site Master Plan and subsequently in the we finally got planning permission in February for our long Section 106 Agreement. awaited new facilities, 3 grass pitches, a pavilion, stands and With the clubs centenary year in 2019 we can finally look floodlights, on the land south of the existing Leisure Centre. forward to having facilities that will ensure the destiny of It’s been common knowledge that the club has been seeking Broadbridge Heath Football Club well into the future. facilities away from the Leisure Centre for the best part of 20 If you would like to know more about Broadbridge Heath years, to facilities of our own where the majority of our teams Football Club then check out our website at http://www. can come together on one site and that opportunity came pitchero.com/clubs/broadbridgeheathfc/news/horsham- in 2004/2005 with the announcement that approx. 1,000 district-council-approve-new-ground-plans-1751798.html 3 ”

Horsham Green Gym

Horsham Green Gym is a volunteer Although the group is independent, it is 1. to repair some of the damage made by nature conservation group helping to supported by HDC and the Countryside man and maintain the environment for improve the local environment. Members Wardens provide much of the work. future generations learn new skills and make new friends. The larger Tuesday group can do the 2. to maintain species diversity for our It is a very friendly group of people bigger jobs or those that need a lot benefit and that of wildlife who have fun while doing something of pairs of hand while the smaller worthwhile. 3. to provide opportunities for education Thursday group is often called upon to and the enjoyment of the environment Members range in age from early carry out more detailed jobs. twenties to early eighties. Many are When HGG plant a hedge, trees, crocus Many of our members have learned or daffodil bulbs there will be, with a bit retired and there is have an interesting how, to coppice, plant, prune, fell mix of professions and careers. of luck, something there for others to trees, resurface paths and install enjoy in the following years. Green Gym has been running since 2005 benches and picnic tables such as in Horsham and now meets twice a week you may have seen near the beach at New members are always welcome. for three hours at various sites around CP. Before joining, it’s a good idea to the town. have a look at the website www. The amount of work achieved by keen horshamgreengym.org.uk as it gives The team regularly works in Southwater members in the three hours they meet information about what to wear and CP, Warnham LNR, Chesworth Farm and is often surprising. where to meet. Also, there is a form to Leechpool/Owlbeech Woods at Roffey as Three main reasons why conservation complete online to record contact and well as other areas. is important: other details. At Broadbridge Heath, over the years, they have been involved with • the Ducky, • planting daffs and crocus on road verges, • clearing footpaths and streams of extra vegetation, • and recently, helping to convert an area opposite the cricket ground, formerly used as a BMX obstacle track, into a more natural area with room for wild flowers and the possibility of attracting more insects and birds. 4 Wildlife is moving in at the Top Common

Several species of butterfly and a delightful Garden Warbler Bluebells and Wild Garlic have been spotted at the newly created conservation area at Hundreds of bluebells and several good clumps of Wild Garlic the Top Common. As reported in the last BBH Parish News, flowered in the spring taking advantage of the increased this area has been established on Common Land at Byfleets daylight reaching them thanks to the clearance of unwanted Lane on the northern edge of the village, next to the cricket scrub, sycamore seedlings and overhanging tree branches! ground. Over three kilos Wildlife has been quick to respond to the initial habitat of wildflower seed improvement work that has been undertaken by the Parish (suitable for a Council and local volunteers. Great Tits and Blue Tits were heavy clay soil) seen investigating six new nest boxes within days of these has been sown. being put up and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers have Germination was been noisily slow at first as the defending weather has been their territory! mostly extremely Goldcrests are dry but there are present most days. Photo of Great Spotted Woodpecker by Bill Thornton now signs that Butterfly sightings hundreds of plants in the spring have are becoming included Orange established. These should provide a good future source of Tip, Comma, nectar for bees and butterflies. Speckled Wood, The five hundred trees and hedging plants that were planted Holly Blue and are doing well although there have been a few casualties due Peacock. to the lack of rain since they went in and, regrettably, some Local (human) petty vandalism. residents have also Looking ahead been quick to visit, taking advantage This is a long term project and future plans include more of the pleasant habitat management and scrub control, and ongoing circular path that monitoring to assess how the wildlife is responding to the has been created changes we are making at the Top Common. Volunteers are using waste wood most welcome to join our small team looking after this area. chip donated by If you would like to get involved, please contact the Clerk of Photo of Goldcrest by Bill Thornton several local tree the Parish Council: e-mail: [email protected]. surgeons. uk or Telephone: 07932 820377

air hop trampoline park, an art trip to the ceramic shack, Community we also bring in things like a mobile skate parts to name just a few. Our aim is to have a safe caring environment for all Youth Workers young people to come hang out with friends or make new ones, grow and develop. Your Community Youth Workers Dan, Dani, Donna, and Horsham Matters a bunch of amazing volunteers run two youth clubs in who employ your Broadbridge Heath for young people. youth workers have been chosen as a ‘Toasties’ is for Year Groups 6-8 and meets on Friday evenings Coop Local Cause. from 6:30pm-8pm in the Scout Hall. So if you live and ‘Broadbridge Heath Seniors Youth Club’ is for Year Groups shop within a 15 mile radius of Horsham please sign up to 9-11 and meets on Coop Membership – https://www.coop.co.uk/membership Thursday evenings – buy lots of Coop branded items for the next 6 months and from 7pm-8:30pm in choose… HORSHAM MATTERS COMMUNITY YOUTH WORK St Johns Church Hall. as your LOCAL CAUSE. This will help us to raise funds for new Some of the fun equipment and resources young people activities young people to enjoy in the youth groups that we run have been getting up locally. to recently have been If you would like to know more or are sumo wrestling (see interested in volunteering, you can left), games evening, contact me: food nights (always a Dan Fairchild winner!), art challenges [email protected] and trips out such as Mobile: 07702 815925 5 Your Parish Council

For further information visit the Matthew Gaffar Useful Numbers Parish Council website Broadbridge Place Cottage, Church : Call 101 or email www.broadbridgeheath-pc.gov.uk Lane, Broadbridge Heath [email protected] Temporary Clerk and Financial Officer: [email protected] Nicky Donbavand Tel: 07716 130103 Email: Penny Hayles Don’t Tolerate it, Report it [email protected] 63 Road, Broadbridge Please be aware that problems around Assistant Clerk: Heath the village can be reported directly to [email protected] The position is currently vacant either Council (for matters such as dog fouling, problems Environment Officer: Philip Hobgen with the Acorn Plus Scheme, fly Mr John Pilkington is out and about 22 Sargent Way, Broadbridge Heath tipping or fly posting, full litter or dog in the village most week days. If you are [email protected] litter bins) or County concerned about an area in the village Council (for matters such as pot that needs John’s attention, please call Christine Knight holes, dangerous footpaths, hedges him on his mobile on 07749 363454 or 2 Stanford Way, Broadbridge Heath encroaching on WSCC’s Highways, contact the Clerk. [email protected] blocked drains) etc. Chairman: Mrs Viv Edwards Tel: 01403 240414 David Milbank Horsham District Council: Email: 4 The Green, Old Guildford Road, 01403 215100 or visit [email protected] Broadbridge Heath www.horsham.gov.uk [email protected] West Sussex County Council: Parish Councillors Roy Neilson 01243 777100 or visit 85 Corsletts Avenue, www.love.westsussex.gov.uk Geoff Clark Broadbridge Heath Fairfield Cottage, Guildford Road, [email protected] West Sussex County Council Broadbridge Heath Highways: 01243 642105 [email protected] John Newton Jeanne Coker 1 Farley Close, Broadbridge Heath 39 Singleton Road, Broadbridge Heath [email protected] [email protected] Terry Oliver Viv Edwards 115 Charrington Way, Broadbridge Damsons, 10 Old Guildford Road, Heath Broadbridge Heath [email protected] [email protected] David Trangmar 11 Pinewood Close, Broadbridge Heath Councillor Vacancy – If you [email protected]. are are interested in finding out uk about joining the Parish Council, L45_Dog Fouling Campaign Poster please contact the clerk for details. District Councillor Matthew French Forthcoming 01403 730040 matthew.french@ horsham.gov.uk meetings 2017 County Councillor Monday 4th September 2017 Christian Mitchell Parish Council 07710 402115 christian.mitchell@ Monday 2nd October 2017 westsussex.gov.uk Parish Council Dog Fouling Campaign Poster.indd 1 13/10/2015 09:32:19 Monday 6th November 2017 Parish Council Parish Council Meetings Parish Council Meetings: meetings are open to the public and the press (who have Monday 4th December 2017 a right to attend) and are preceded by a session for public comments. Council Parish Council meetings take place in the St. John’s Community Centre. Planning Meetings are Meeting dates for Planning, subject to cancellation if there are no plans to discuss. Visit our website at Recreation and Finance committees www.broadbridgeheath-pc.gov.uk for agendas and minutes of previous meetings can be found on the website. or view the notice boards at the One Stop shop, Billingshurst Road or The Village Centre, Wickhurst Lane. Start times can vary but usually are from 7:30pm 5 6