Plans to restore Horsham Park’s 30-year-old sensory garden

The much-loved garden celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and Horsham-based insurance company RSA - which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its More Than brand - is marking the two milestones with a £5,000 donation towards the garden restoration project.

The sensory garden - sited near Kaya cafe - is sought out by many for its beautiful planting and calm atmosphere.

But, after 30 years, the garden is showing some signs of wear and tear and some plants have overgrown their space.

The Friends of Horsham Park say they are delighted with the RSA’s £5,000 grant to help towards the restoration.

It’s not the first time the RSA has stepped in to help. When the garden was first created, RSA agreed to make a substantial contribution if the garden project was changed to take into account the needs of physically disabled people.

Alison Farrell from the Friends said: “We were thrilled to get this grant. Part of it will be used to spruce up the sundial designed by John Skelton.

“The Sun God is broken, beyond repair. We have been working with the sculptor’s daughter, Helen Mary Skelton, to see what can be done.

“Her plan is to reshape the head and to freshen up the plinth and numerals.”

Meanwhile, the Friends are working with Horsham District Council’s parks and countryside team, Mark Baldwin - the professional gardener who has been restoring the central beds over the last two years - Horsham Denne Neighbourhood Council and the Horsham Society to plan the best use of the grant.

The overall aim is to ensure the garden remains inclusive for those with disabilities and provides a sensory delight.

The Friends are liaising with The Alzhemiers Society and Horsham Rusty Brains for advice on how to make the garden more dementia friendly and Mens’ Sheds are exploring how they can help.

People have said they would like more seating in the garden, more sensory plants and more plants for winter interest.

They would also like a bed by the fountain replanted, along with a raised bed, the fountain repaired, some fence posts replaced and a stone wall repaired.

Friends chairman Sally Sanderson said: “We’ve got ambitious plans for the garden.

“This year we will celebrate the 30th anniversary with some immediate improvements but also the launch of a restoration project that will take longer and will include fundraising.

“We’ve started canvassing ideas for the project and would love to hear from others, particularly from carers or groups supporting those with sensory deprivation.”

Anyone with ideas for the garden is asked to contact [email protected] by March 31.