Riverside Walk becomes annual Horsham event

The successful Riverside Walk event will take place again in July and, at the request of many of those who took part, it is planned to be an annual event.
The start of a previous Riverside Walk which is set to return this July SUS-150515-094503001The start of a previous Riverside Walk which is set to return this July SUS-150515-094503001
The start of a previous Riverside Walk which is set to return this July SUS-150515-094503001

The 13 mile Riverside Walk, encircling the town, was given a ‘face-lift’ during early 2014 with the addition of better signage, seating and information boards which gave the route more interest and made it easier to follow. Finance for the work was provided by grants from Biffa, the waste management company, and Horsham District Council,

Almost 200 people joined the walk last year to celebrate the completion of Phase One of the works. Some walked one or two sections of the route and others with more time or stamina completed the whole length. Part of the attraction of the Walk is that it is easily accessed from many parts of the town and not far from bus stops.

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Phase Two of the Riverside Walk project, coordinated by Horsham Town Community Partnership (HTCP) is to highlight the interesting heritage and nature aspects to be seen along the Walk and to make the path available to as many as possible.

By developing a trail with better access for all people, whatever their differing capabilities, the Walk can help preserve this legacy for future generations.

The Riverside Walk also provides educational opportunities as well as its use to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

An application for funding of this phase is being prepared and will be submitted shortly.

This year’s event

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This year, the Walk will be on Saturday 25th July with a staggered start from 10.00am at Horsham Rugby Club in Hammerpond Road.

Refreshment and comfort stops will be at Chesworth Farm and Warnham Nature Reserve, where there will be an opportunity to purchase drinks and food. Afternoon teas and ice creams will be available at New House Farm before starting the final section back to the Rugby Club where more drinks will be available

As last year, a free mini-bus will be stationed at points on the route to help any walkers not wishing to continue and to take them back to the start.

The number of walkers is expected to increase this year and to help plan the event, the organisers would like those wishing to join the Walk to register by emailing [email protected] with the names of all those in that group.

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Jane Apostolou, Chair of HTCP, said, “We want as many people as possible to enjoy the Riverside Walk which follows the River Arun and other water courses and also links major green spaces in Horsham such as Warnham Nature Reserve, Chesworth Farm, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods. Our aim is to establish the Walk as a local feature making a lasting difference for heritage, individuals and the community.”

See http://horshamtowncommunitypartnership.btck.co.uk/ for more information about HTCP.

Report and picture contributed by Jane Apostolou, Chair, Horsham Town Community Partnership.