How did we come into being?
In 1990, the Mill Pond was falling into disrepair and a considerable sum of money was required to refurbish the site. This was beyond the reach of the local people but Horsham District Council indicated that they would be willing to finance this renewal if the people of Storrington would do the initial clearance and, after the renewal, look after it.
On Thursday 7th September 1989, over 50 local inhabitants attended a Public Meeting held in the Old School, Storrington which was jointly Chaired by representatives of Horsham District Council, Sussex Wildlife Trust and the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers.
From this meeting, a group of 13 agreed to form a group to take on the task set by Horsham District Council. This Group then formed the nucleus of the now Storrington Conservation Society with John Beard as Chairman, Pauline Fields as Secretary and Ted Bailey as Treasurer. A publicity campaign took place and at the onset, over 100 local people signed as Members.
As will be seen the Society’s initial job was to clear and subsequently look after the newly refurbished Pond.
The first working party of over a dozen members gathered on Sunday 1st October 1989 to start the initial clearance of the Pond when a very large quantity of rubbish and weed was removed. This clearance continued until H.D.C. completed the renovation of the Pond.
The refurbishment of the Mill Pond took place over the autumn and winter of 1989.
Ever since this first success, we have been holding monthly practical projects on various local sites and working with District and Parish Councils to further other environmental projects.