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The Swans are
saved
 The decision to
remove Lorne McKean’s iconic sculpture from Swan Walk
provoked a massive public outcry the like of which
Horsham has not seen for many years. The decision was
misconceived from the start but as the management
pressed ahead with their removal in the face of public
opposition disappointment turned to anger.
The Horsham Society was active in the campaign for their
reinstatement, with Nigel Friswell, one of our Vice
Presidents, appearing on BBC news, and direct
approaches at the highest level to the owners of the
centre and their management company. Much credit is of
course due to the West Sussex County Times which
provided a platform through which opposition could be
expressed, others who orchestrated events, and Tom
Crowley (HDC Chief Executive) who seized the moment
and negotiated a
change of heart.
But the real credit must go to the hundreds of people
who expressed their anger in letters, emails and phone
calls to the County Times and Swan Walk management.
There is no doubt that it is they who forced the
owners to reverse their decision and agree to the
return of the swans.
This saga would make a good case study for an MBA
course on public consultation in the electronic age.
So what next? The Society has been invited to join a
group including Lorne McKean, local councillors, and
the owners of Swan Walk to decide how best to
reinstate the swans as part of planned refurbishment
of the shopping centre. We welcome this approach and
look forward to seeing the swans back in pride of
place.
John Steele
Chairman's first letter to WSCT8
Chairman's second letter to WSCT8
Front page photo Oct 20078
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