The history of Hills Farm Conservation Group started on 8th July 1996 when a small group of local people met to clear debris and litter in the area along the riverside off Hills Farm Lane. Membership has steadily increased since then and now in our 27th year we are extending the area we cover and recruiting new members.
Cuckoo flower Cardamine pratensis along the river bank,
food for Orange tip butterfly caterpillars (also called Lady's Smock)
We are supported by Horsham in Bloom and in 2007 Hills Farm Conservation Group was awarded a South/South-East in Bloom Certificate of Excellence. In the same year Horsham won the top Gold Award in the Large Town/Small Cities category of the regional South East in Bloom competition and also won the top Gold Award in the BRITAIN IN BLOOM competition, winning a special Award for the town's approach to the RHS Theme for the Year - 'Bloomin Wild'
In 2013 the Group was awarded a certificate after taking part in the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' category of the RHS South and Southeast in Bloom event and were given native wild flower seeds to plant.
We were awarded another certificate for attaining 82 out of a possible 100 points in the same category judged in July 2014.
In 2013 the Group was awarded a certificate after taking part in the 'It's Your Neighbourhood' category of the RHS South and Southeast in Bloom event and were given native wild flower seeds to plant.
We were awarded another certificate for attaining 82 out of a possible 100 points in the same category judged in July 2014.
See the Home page for a link to Horsham in Bloom.
In 2015, we took part in the event again, in July. We were awarded a certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society and South & South East in Bloom for Outstanding work (the highest award) in 2015, for work done over the 12 months, July 2014 to July 2015.
In 2016, we again entered the RHS Britain in Bloom South and South East competition and were again Awarded
'Outstanding' with 90 out of a possible 100 points.
(Note that 'in Bloom' for conservation groups means native wild plants forming wildlife habitat and improving riverine ecology).
In 2015, we took part in the event again, in July. We were awarded a certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society and South & South East in Bloom for Outstanding work (the highest award) in 2015, for work done over the 12 months, July 2014 to July 2015.
In 2016, we again entered the RHS Britain in Bloom South and South East competition and were again Awarded
'Outstanding' with 90 out of a possible 100 points.
(Note that 'in Bloom' for conservation groups means native wild plants forming wildlife habitat and improving riverine ecology).
Here is a sketch map of the areas we cover ie the river, in blue and the areas in dark green which border the river Arun and its tributary Boldings Brook. We also now cover a stretch along the river north of Guildford road.
The area south of Tanbridge House School has, since August 2011, become a construction site, 'Highwood' where a variety of housing is being built. Part of the area alongside the green cycle/footpath alongside Tanbridge House school now forms a junior football pitch and two tennis courts - provided for the school. A green area similar to the existing area shown in dark green is being created along the opposite side of the river. Two ponds and a water detention basin (Basin 1) have been created on the site and another water detention basin on the South Site (Basin 5) has been created along the Arun (August 2014), and has already become a haven for wildlife, being visible from the air. Despite the dry weather, it has remained partially under water.
More water detention basins have been created on the site, Basins 2, 3a and 3b and Basin 4. (2017, 2018, 2019).
More water detention basins have been created on the site, Basins 2, 3a and 3b and Basin 4. (2017, 2018, 2019).
The North Site of Highwood has been completed together with the first phases of the South Site, south of the river Arun, accessible from the A24 via the North/South bridge linking the two sites. The South site is marked 'future development site' on the map.
Three new bridges have been constructed as part of the Highwood Development:
The Boulevard bridge over Boldings Brook (tributary of the Arun) forms a pedestrian and cycle link only, between the Highwood site and Hills Farm Lane. It also serves as access for Emergency vehicles, the Emergency Services being key holders. It is now a singe lane road, with a separate pavement.
The North/South Bridge over the Arun is a two lane road bridge taking normal traffic, linking the Highwood site in the north to the Highwood south site. All normal access to Highwood is via the A24 intersection off the southbound carriageway. This permanent road access is on the north side of the site, near Highwood Mill.There is a temporary separate access road off the A24 for site construction vehicles just south of this main entrance).
The construction of the Highwood East Bridge over the Arun has been completed and is currently a pedestrian and cycle route only, linking the Highwood South site with Hills Farm Lane. A Horsham public Bus service link with access via Hills Farm Lane is planned. This is a single lane bridge, the road is restricted to a public Bus Service and Emergency Vehicles only.
Three new bridges have been constructed as part of the Highwood Development:
The Boulevard bridge over Boldings Brook (tributary of the Arun) forms a pedestrian and cycle link only, between the Highwood site and Hills Farm Lane. It also serves as access for Emergency vehicles, the Emergency Services being key holders. It is now a singe lane road, with a separate pavement.
The North/South Bridge over the Arun is a two lane road bridge taking normal traffic, linking the Highwood site in the north to the Highwood south site. All normal access to Highwood is via the A24 intersection off the southbound carriageway. This permanent road access is on the north side of the site, near Highwood Mill.There is a temporary separate access road off the A24 for site construction vehicles just south of this main entrance).
The construction of the Highwood East Bridge over the Arun has been completed and is currently a pedestrian and cycle route only, linking the Highwood South site with Hills Farm Lane. A Horsham public Bus service link with access via Hills Farm Lane is planned. This is a single lane bridge, the road is restricted to a public Bus Service and Emergency Vehicles only.
A new Fire Station is currently being built off the A24. (2022)
See also the google 'location' map the bottom of the Home page.
The area along the river, enclosed by the two branches of the river, was Hills Farm, with the farm buildings situated near where Brockhurst Close is now. You can see the old Barn that once stood here at Horsham Museum, in the Causeway. Hills Farm was once part of the historic Hills Estate - Hills Place on Guildford Road had extensive gardens designed by Capability Brown, using the river running though it as a landscape feature.
The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, when growing up at Field Place not far away, used to visit Hills Place and knew the surrounding countryside well.
LINKS
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