Southwater Summer Fest - 12:00-16:00hrs Thursday, 27 July 2023

Our Neighbourhood Wardens, Dom and Bettina, recently decided that they wanted to celebrate Southwater’s youth community by organising an event designed for the under 16s. Initially, the idea was to hire a mobile climbing wall but when they began to consult with other community groups it soon became clear that other organisations wanted to become involved. In collaboration with us - Southwater Parish Council and Horsham District Council, the Wardens then joined forces with Southwater Ghyll CIO, Southwater Community Partnership and Southwater Youth Project CIO to plan an exciting event full of activities and entertainment for young people.

On Thursday 27 July 2023 between 1200-1600 hours at The Ghyll, there will be a mixture of free and subsidised activities for Southwater’s children aged from 3- 16 years. Please ensure that all under 8s are accompanied by an adult over 18.

The main attraction is a FREE climbing wall (see below) paid for by donations from Horsham District Council and At Home Estate & Letting Agency. With inflatables, fun games, soft play areas, possibly gymnastics and dance plus arts & crafts activities as well as a music, there will be something for everyone.

Representatives of Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be on hand to answer questions about their respective jobs and show off their vehicles. HDC Youth Provision and Community Development Officers will be there with the Mobile Community Hub hopefully providing some free snacks. Budgens and Texaco Southern Co-Op are both donating free bottled water and soft drinks and there will also be an ice-cream van on site.

Bettina (Neighbourhood Warden) said: “We are expecting at least 200 young people to engage with event across the afternoon and, with the range of fun activities and entertainment available, we hope to promote feelings of friendship and well-being that have a lasting and positive effect on the community. New activities are being added all the time as local sponsors make donations so look out on Social Media for updates as this event is getting more exciting all the time. We both look forward to seeing you all there.”