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| The latest from the county Times: Reason for swans' removal revealed Suprise, suprise it had nothing to do with health and safety  "Mr Paterson [fund manger] said Horsham shoppers would agree Swan Walk was looking 'of its time' and insisted Lorne McKean's popular centrepiece was in the way of a series of planned modernisation initiatives."
Well done to the County Times for getting to the bottom of this.
--------------------www.visithorsham.co.uk | www.virtualhorsham.co.uk
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I have just read Mr Paterson's comments again and they display an almost Gerald Ratner-style contempt of Horsham people. "We must work to modernise the centre in the face of increasing competition from nearby shopping centres like Crawley and Guildford.
"We are trying to create an environment where retailers are happy to come to Horsham" As mentioned previously removing the Swans and replacing them with "a new expanded events space" will likely have the opposite affect. Horsham shoppers don't want a cut down version of Crawley or Guilford they want to enjoy Horsham for the sort of things that led to it being voted the 2nd best place to live. Take away the character, history and unique features that make Horsham special and you may as well go to Guilford and Crawley to get a bigger and better version of the same thing. If a "new events space" is required why not put it up the far end in the empty space opposite Wilkinson?. There must be ways to modernise the centre without destroying its character by removing the much-loved Swans. "It's not disappearing, it's moving to become a public piece of art in a public space rather than a private piece of art in a semi-private place." Firstly, as I understand it, there does not yet exist a 'home' for it. Nobody has been consulted about a 'home' for it. Why doesn't Mr Paterson simply admit the Swans have been removed for commercial purposes and will donate them to Horsham if a home can be found. But most importantly, wherever they eventually are located, it is extremely patronising to say: "the people of Horsham who would now have better access to it." The people of Horsham want it to stay where it belongs. In (what was) its current location in Swan Walk. The place that is used for a meeting point, the place that brings pleasure to children, the place that still brings a smile to many people on a daily basis after 16 years. Nowhere else in Horsham is going to have the same effect. As so many people have pointed out it is not suitable for an outside location as it was not designed to be climbed upon etc. If it's moved to the museum how often are people going to see it?
--------------------www.visithorsham.co.uk | www.virtualhorsham.co.uk
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| It just goes to show the lack of consultation which is at the heart of local managemnt, whether state or commercial. They have probably brought in over paid consultants who consulted an unrepresentative focus group, using leading questions to justify their decision.
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Rank: Horsham Forum Kingpin
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| Must agree with you on that. Consultants who no doubt were on their first ever trip to the town. As for the "new flexible and interactive space", is it going to be another place to park a car from a local dealership and get even more in the way than the Swans ever did? For example the current Vauxhall 4x4 parked in the middle of the main thoroughfare, supported by a completely bored sales person reading a book? If you want to talk Health and Safety, I nearly hit my head on its raised tailgate yesterday when I was passing this obstacle.(anyone got the number for claims direct?) If a new interactive area is what we really need, (I was unaware Horsham was in need of one) then utilise the empty space already available,ie. past Wilkinsons. My other suggestion which has already been mentioned in this thread, is to create a "food court" by Wilkinsons, to attract more people towards a more quiet area of the centre. (Not forgetting that there is already a restaurant there completely unused). It's not rocket science!
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p.s. Welcome the Forum wyrdenough. Like the avatar!
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Yes wyrdenough thank you for registering and welcome to the forums! The BBC South Today website now has the news clip that was shown on BBC South Today last night. Unfortunately the BBC make it difficult to link directly to the clip but it is currently available from this page: Thanks M for informing the Horsham Society about the origin the photograph currently on their homepage. I was also asked permission to use this by the BBC so it has now found its way onto the above video.
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| There needs to be a proper democratic debate about this. The person(s) who took this discission needs to explain themselves. On the face of it the H&S argument is flawed and I rather suspect that someone has over reacted. I am concerned that there is an individual or individuals in the local authority who are taking it upon themselves to push decisions through, even though they may be daft.( The requirement to put your registration number onto a parking ticket is another example of stupidity. Is it the same person???) The time has come for this (these) individuals to be identified and account for their actions. Next time it may be more serious and could make the town a laughing stock.
Jonny
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Rank: Horsham Forum Newbie
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