Love Parks Week in and around Horsham District

As part of the national 'Love Parks Week' campaign, Horsham District Council is encouraging everyone to get out and about and enjoy all that our local parks and green spaces have to offer.

This year Love Parks Week is being celebrated in Horsham from 29 July to 2 August and the Council will be supporting the national Keep Britain Tidy sponsored campaign by offering a packed programme of free activities at several of its most attractive and popular green spaces across the District.

The aim of the initiative is to get out and about in the great outdoors and have fun, enjoy the wellbeing benefits of reconnecting with nature and appreciate the beauty of our local parks.

Starting on Monday 29 July children, adults and families will be able to participate in a wide range of free activities designed to appeal to all ages, abilities and interests.

This year, please do check our website as some of our activities are limited in numbers and you will need to book to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to book for events and activities please go to:
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/love-parks-week

Our venue for 29 July will be Horsham Park's Human Nature Garden.

We will be hosting a day of Wild and Wellbeing activities including live theatre from The Fabularium who are back by popular demand, to tell the tale of Reynard the Fox. Performances are at 11am and 1pm.We also have Wild and Well Yoga and Meditation sessions at 9.45am and 3.30pm and Friends of Horsham Park will be hosting one hour walks around the park at 10.30am and 2.30pm which are open to all with no need to book.

There are also limited spaces to get involved with Wonderbugs Wellbeing Crafting sessions using natural materials from 11.30am and Artworks with the wonderful Paintbox people are also available to book.

On Tuesday 30 July our venue is Henfield Commons, where we invite you to come together to have another chance to see Reynard the Fox and take part in Wild and Well Yoga. You can also try your hand at a range of circus skills with Twisted Bliss Entertainments from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Enjoy a wander into the woods where you can take part in an hour of nature crafting sessions with Wonderbugs Carnival Crafts. Sessions must be booked in advance. Paintbox will be on hand again throughout the day with workshops to create festival lanterns.

On Wednesday 31 July come along to Leechpool Woods in north Horsham to enjoy 'Woodland Wonders'. The Japanese art of Forest Bathing is brought to you by Hinoki, helping you to relax and de-stress as they guide you through the forest. There are limited spaces so please book.

The Wonderbugs Forest School will be hosting sessions too across the day - remember to book. Reynard the Fox performances and Wild and Well Yoga workshops will also be featured and don't miss the 'Woodland Spirit' Selfie Station hosted by Happy Accidents to find out which woodland creature you are most like.

On Thursday 4 August we move along to Fletchers Croft in Steyning. Book early to enjoy a Plant Pokes Workshop using clay to create a decoration for your home or garden. Local charity Steyning for Trees will be providing community information on how we can all fight climate change by planting more trees. Twisted Bliss Circus Skills, The Fabularium, Happy Accidents and Wonderbugs Nature Crafting will also all be at Steyning for the day. Some sessions require pre-booking so please check ahead.

On Friday 2 August 'Team Spirit' is the theme of the day at Bennetts Field in Horsham with Learn to Run taster sessions (please book), along with a host of different sport sessions on offer. Join The Fabularium animals as they host the Woodland Games, a time honoured traditional competitive sports day that has been around for centuries between the animal kingdom. These are at 10.30am and 1pm ending with a community soft ball tournament at 3pm. All are welcome to take part.

For more information please go to the Council website.

Horsham District Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces Cllr David Skipp said: "We are blessed with so many lovely parks and green spaces across Horsham District and I am delighted that we are embracing the national Love Parks Week campaign this year by organising so many events and activities with such a broad appeal across our parks, open spaces and woodland areas.

I hope you have the opportunity to join us and celebrate Love Parks Week in one of your favourite green spaces.