It's the fastest way of knowing when you're at risk from coronavirus (COVID-19). The quicker you know, the quicker you can alert your loved ones, and your community. 

The more of us that use it, the better we can control coronavirus.

Protect your loved ones. Please download the app. The NHS COVID-19 app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

The campaign, which was postponed in early spring due to Covid-19 encourages the great British public to take part in small, socially distanced clean-ups to remove litter from streets, parks and beaches across the country.

This year's clean saw small groups collecting litter in The Crescent, Meath Green Lane, Emlyn Meadow, Horley Recreation Ground and The Acres to name but a few.

Horley Town Council would like to offer a Huge Thank You to all who took part. 

We are holding an online Photographic Competition this year to show how local residents have been using the outdoor spaces in Horley during the 2020 Pandemic.  This is a one-off competition and for once isn’t just about flowers but also about how people have used local outdoor spaces, be it as a playground, gym, place of sanctuary or simply the views through their windows. In addition, you may have photos, showing how pets and wildlife have been behaving outdoors this year. 

This competition will only be open to Horley & Hookwood residents and will be judged online, with prizes being awarded towards the end of this year.  With your permission we aim to keep the photos as an archive of Horley at this time, possibly with an exhibition of the photos, maybe in the Library at some point.

For more information on how to enter click here

1. There are two vacancies on Horley Town Council (both in the Horley South Ward) caused by the recent resignation of two Town Councillors.
2. The vacancies will be filled by co-option as soon as practicable.
3. Please contact the Town Council Offices (details below) if you are interested in being considered and would like to receive an Application Form.
4. All applications must be received in writing by no later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 20 October 2020.

General Information:
The functions and responsibilities of Horley Town Council are listed on the main page of the Town Council website. To find out more about the role of a Town Councillor, please refer to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) website which provides these useful publications:

All about local councils
Power to the People

More general information on local government and elections can also be found at the following websites:
• Local Government Association (LGA) website - works with Councils to support, promote and improve Local Government.
• Be a councillor website - provides details on undertaking the role of public office as a Councillor.

Paper copies of the above-mentioned documentation is also available on request
please email: town.clerk@horleytown.com

In association with Horley Lawn Tennis Club the popular free tennis coaching continues every Sunday for the next few weeks (barring a short break for half term) at the newly refurbished tennis courts in Horley Recreation Ground. This activity is open to all ages and fitness levels so why not pop down and join them from 11:30 1:00. Tennis rackets can be provided. To see a full list of dates check out the what's on section of our website

Circus Wonderland visited us at the Horley Recreation Ground this month for a very successful few days with visitors emailing us to express their enjoyment,

"We are a family of four with two children under 10, who really appreciated the day out in Horley seeing the wonderful Circus and enjoying the park afterwards. This year has not been kind to anyone in all sorts of ways, so we are truly grateful to the people of Horley Council agreeing to continue this event. The Circus really lifted spirits to many families"

We look forward to welcoming them again next year.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council are urging local residents not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date. Changes to the canvass process this year mean that residents may receive an email or text message about this for the first time.

With Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, County Councillor and Borough Councillor elections taking place in May 2021, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

For more information visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/canvass. 

Four projects to help revitalise Horley town centre were given the go-ahead on 17 September 2020 by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Executive.

The ‘Delivering change in Horley’ programme will deliver a set of four interrelated projects to:

• Redevelop the High Street car park to provide new homes
• Make public space improvements to the High Street
• Refurbish the subway between the High Street and Station Approach
• Install pay-on-exit car parking at the Victoria Road and Central car parks.

To read a detailed report on the planned projects please click here

The Horley Conservation Group (HCG) volunteers and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council workers have continued to look after the newly created Tanyard Meadows. HCG volunteers have worked behind the scenes on low risk activities in small groups.

Visitors may have noticed that new information boards have been placed at either end of the spine path. RBBC and HCG are working to create new information boards that will concentrate on the biodiversity of the area and show the flora and fauna that can be seen.

Over 40 different species of bird can be seen across Tanyard Meadows; deer, fox, badger, rabbit, voles, shrews and the male Wheatear shown above. Burstow stream forms the meadow's northern border with fish species including roach, perch, dace and chub with the occasional small pike. However, be wary of invasive crayfish (pictured top left) that destroy the natural habitat of rivers and streams

In June a HCG working party cut the grass in the community orchard at the Fieldings. The area has been left with varying lengths of grass in order to encourage as much biodiversity as possible with the remaining grass to be cut at end of the year to encourage future wild flower. June also saw the maturing of fruit which is available for anyone to pick.( pictured top middle)  

Six months ago many of the staff at Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Gatwick Greenspace partnership were placed on furlough and the HCG activities were severely affected. Fortunately many are now able to return work so HCG  task days should soon be up and running again on a monthly basis and in a COVID safe manner.

If anyone wishes to be involved in activities with the HCG please go to our website and email the group.  Until next time – enjoy the area and look after it.

Message from Highways England,
'It gives us great pleasure to announce that as of Wednesday 16 September, the M23 is open for traffic with the 70 mph national speed limit re instated and gantry technology in place.

We have been on your network for the past two and a half years and during that time,have undertaken heavy civils work to turn 3 lanes on the M23 into an all lane running, 4 lane motorway to help ease congestion and make journeys better for the 180 000 motorists using this stretch of road daily.

We would like to thank you for your patience during this time.'

On Saturday 12th September Mayor of Horley, Cllr David Powell, and his team of walkers, finished their 165 mile 'walk to Menin Gate appeal' to applause from fellow servicemen and women and the Borough’s Mayor Rosemary Absalom on Saturday 12th September. Click here for the full story

We will aim to have a staff member present in the office every day, Monday to Friday, between our core opening hours of 10am to 4pm but this will be subject to ongoing public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Alternatively, you can make a prior appointment by calling 01293 784765 or 07946 055897. For out of hours emergencies concerning our playground and recreation grounds please call 07597 682360

Entry to the Council Offices will be restricted to one person or small groups at a time in order to comply with social distancing rules. On arrival, visitors will be asked to provide their contact details for the NHS Test & Trace Programme.  Please do not come to our offices if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms in the interests of public health and safety.

Please pass the information contained in this newsletter to your friends and family and we hope you stay safe and well.