HRA Projects Overview
What we do - How we do it
Horsell Residents' Association has always played a major role in initiating
or promoting key projects to help support and improve local community facilities and events.
Many of its projects have grown to such a successful degree that they are now run
independently of HRA (although in most cases HRA retains some representation on their current
organising committees).
Bedser Sports Awards Scheme
- An ongoing HRA project begun in 2007 after a bequest from the estate of Surrey & England
Cricketer Eric Bedser OBE (1918-2006), a lifelong Horsell resident. HRA decided to set up a
scheme to recognise local achievements in sport whereby three engraved Bedser Cups are
now presented yearly to a Horsell Middle School pupil, to a High School Year 5 pupil and to the
winner of a sports-related category among the competition classes at the annual Horsell Village
Show. Eric's twin brother Sir Alec Bedser has also recently donated to HRA two artistically
enhanced prints based upon photographs of himself and his brother in individual cricketing
action in the 1950s, and signed limited edition framed reproductions of the prints are
available for purchase from HRA in two sizes, at £100 for a set of two large ones (16"x12")
and £50 for a smaller set (size A4).
Horsell Footpath Group
- An ongoing HRA sub-committee set up in the 1990s to oversee the maintenance of Horsell's
public footpaths and signposts. The work of the Footpath Group is largely funded by sales of
"The Pathways Of Horsell - A Pocket Guide",
(a booklet published by HRA in 1999 that contains a fold-out
illustrated map), but is also funded directly by HRA
on occasion when specific needs require.
HRA Steering Group - An ongoing sub-committee originally set up in 2003 to organise
the successful County Hall Project opposition. The group
continues to advise and assist the HRA committee with
regard to Brewery Road Car Park issues and other wider matters likely to affect the
long-term future of Horsell and its environment.
Well Lane Traffic Light Scheme - A successful seven year campaign to restore full
entrance / exit access at the junction of Well Lane and Lockfield Drive, resulting in the
erection by Surrey County Council of traffic lights in 2004.
Other projects (now fully
independent) first organised
and/or promoted by HRA include:
the annual Horsell Village Show
- Horsell 2000 Project
- A 1998-2005 initiative for the refurbishment of the Parish Hall, conceived as a combined
HRA and Parochial Church Council project for the new Millenium. The project led to the hall's
re-christening in 2005 as Horsell Village Hall under a new charitable trust status.
One of the eight hall trustees is appointed directly by HRA, and the hall's ongoing restoration
fundraising is boosted annually by the popular Horsell Garden Safari
(an event first set up by HRA in 2003).
- Horsell Care
- A further Millenium project that began under HRA in 1999 with the support of several other
local voluntary services organisations. Now an independent service, Horsell Care organises a
helping hand for residents who find everyday tasks difficult. Its scheme is open to all
residents (young and old) needing help because of age, disability or temporary mobility
problems caused by illness.
- Horsell Sports Ground Association
- Independently run, but reformed as a direct consequence of HRA's 1994-2001 project to save
Horsell Sports Ground from a threat of redevelopment due to the death of its last surviving
"owner" trustee. HRA led negotiations with the National Playing Fields Association and the
Treasury Solicitor which culminated in the NFPA becoming the custodian trustee of the sports
ground on behalf of the residents of Horsell (all adults of whom are now automatically members
of HSGA by virtue of age and residency). The HSGA committee includes an HRA appointee.
- Horsell Village Show
- The largest annual event in the village, dating back to before 1935. Traditionally held on a
Saturday in late July, its planning and organisation became the responsibility of HRA from
1964 onwards for several decades. Nowadays it is organised by its own Show committee of
volunteers, several of whom are also HRA committee members
- a continuance of the annual Show support that HRA has always given. The Village Show is
also organised on a non-profit basis, and in recent weather-affected years HRA has donated
extra funds to help ensure the Show's long-term survival.
Each of the above projects is run with the aid of volunteers, and further helping hands are
always welcome. If you would like to volunteer to assist any particular project,
contact the HRA for details of how you can help.