Billingshurst Parish Council

Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre Roman Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9QW

High Street – Christmas Shop Window Competition

Once again, there were some brilliantly decorated shop windows to complement the lights and Christmas tree on the Village Green. Well done to Rocking Horse which was judged to have the best Christmas Shop Window, with Park & Brown securing 2nd place and K. Lou’s Hair taking joint 3rd place with In Clover Florist. Thanks to all those businesses that made the effort to make Billingshurst look and feel so Christmassy.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor?

The current Council’s four-year term ends in May 2023; if there are more than 15 candidates, an election will be held. If there are 15 or fewer, then the candidates will be considered to be duly elected, albeit unopposed.

Being a Parish Councillor is a great way to give something back to your community, to help have a say on its future and to represent the views of local people.

Meetings of the Council are held every other month, although there are various smaller Committees and Working Parties you can join depending on what particular interests you have, that deal with more detailed business.

Although an unpaid role, the Council encourages Councillors to go on a variety of training courses to help them in their role, which the Council funds.

If you would like to find out more, please contact the Clerk or any of the existing Councillors for an informal chat about what the role entails. Also, try to get along to a meeting or watch online so you can see whether it is for you. If you decide to stand in May, you will need to contact Electoral Services at Horsham District Council to find out about the necessary forms to complete and deadlines.

Warming up in Billingshurst

Mindful that many residents are worried about keeping warm this winter, Billingshurst Centre and Parish Council are pleased to welcome anyone to the Centre’s Stanley Room every Friday from 20th January to 31st March 10am-Noon for a free hot drink and a sit down.

Details are still to be finalised, but Neighbourhood Wardens Julie and Barry will be on hand, and we plan to have a different jigsaw each week, a stack of magazines, the local newspaper and Radio 2!

Billingshurst Community Transport

Do you have some spare time? Are you able to drive? Do you live in the parishes of

Billingshurst, Shipley, Loxwood, Ifold or Plaistow? If so, the Billingshurst Community Transport Scheme urgently needs more volunteer drivers

To find out more about the scheme and see whether you can help, please contact Graeme at the Community Transport office on (01403) 787696

Billingshurst Rainbows Girlguiding Unit Needs Your Help

The 1st Billingshurst Rainbows Unit is sadly at risk of closure unless additional volunteers can be found.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting new challenge for 2023 then please get in touch to see if you can help either by telephoning 0800 169 5901 or by visiting www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved.

Billingshurst Bowling Club –Quiz Night

The Billingshurst Bowling Club will be holding their annual quiz night on Saturday 25th March, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at St. Gabriel’s Church Hall, East Street, Billingshurst with a maximum of four people in a team.

To book a table contact (01403) 784599.

Coronation Day – Saturday 6th May 2023

If your club, group, or organisation is planning to hold an event celebrating the coronation of King Charles III, please do let us know and we can help advertise on your behalf. Email sarah@billingshurst.gov.uk or liz@billingshurst.gov.uk with a poster or details and we will do what we can to help.

Keep an eye on the ‘What’s On’ page of our website where there are bound to be lots of things to look forward to being advertised.

Billingshurst Centre – Hall Hire

Did you know that there are a number of rooms (including the main hall) available at the Billingshurst Centre for hire at competitive prices?

Ring 01403 787690 or email reception@billingshurst.gov.uk to check availability at this excellent local venue.

Food Bank donations

At ward level, Billingshurst has been the third highest user of Horsham Food Bank from across the whole Horsham district. There is a high level of need in our community for all manner of reasons. In 2022, the churches in Billingshurst have been collecting donations of food and delivering them to Horsham Food Bank. In response to the level of need in the parish, they have arranged with Billingshurst Family Church for a weekly collection by the Food Bank team from the Community Centre on Roman Way. To make this really worthwhile, they want to make these collections more widespread so that along with being a high user, our village might also be a high contributor to the Horsham Food Bank.

If you’re able to donate long life food to the Foodbank, you can currently donate locally in the following ways:

Billingshurst Family Church

Billingshurst Centre

Sundays: 9.30am - 12 noon

Mondays: 9.30am - 11.00am

St Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church building

Sundays: 9.30am - 12 noon

Mondays: 11.00 - 12 noon

St Mary’s Church

The Church Office

Wednesdays: 11.00am - 1.00pm

Tuesday-Friday: 9.30am - 11:30am

Trinity URC

United Reformed Church building

Sundays: 10.30am - 12 noon

St Gabriel’s Church

St Gabriel’s Church building

Sundays: Immediately after 9.15am mass

These donations will all be collected on Mondays from the Community Centre by Horsham Matters

Upcoming Council meetings

All meetings are held at the Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre (normally commencing at 7.30pm), and agendas are always posted on the Parish Council’s website www.billingshurst.gov.uk

Upcoming Meetings (February)

2nd: Planning & Environment Committee

15th: Working Practices Committee

22nd: Billingshurst Centre and F&GP Committees