AProfile of Horley

Horley is at the southernmost point of Surrey, with a population of around 23,000. It is strategically close to Gatwick Airport, the M23 Motorway (which links with the London Orbital Motorway, the M25) and the London to Brighton railway line. It lies within easy reach of London, the south coast of England and the English Channel ports, with regular direct train services to Brighton, London and beyond.

History

The Horley War Memorial The growth of Horley commenced in the 1840s when the London to Brighton railway line was constructed. A station was built creating important links to the coast and the City of London. By 1940 Horley had grown steadily to a population of around 8,000. Whereas agriculture had been the main activity prior to World War II, this changed rapidly as Horley became a dormitory town for London commuters. In 1953 Gatwick was declared the site for London’s second airport, which had a dramatic effect on Horley as it became a place to house the growing workforce.

Geography

Horley lies on the Weald, an area consisting mainly of heavy clay soil, a few miles south of the high chalk North Downs. It is bordered to the south by the River Mole. Nearby Gatwick Airport is two miles to the south. The Weald runs towards the west into Sussex and towards the east into Kent.

Industry & Leisure

Seventy-one per cent of Horley’s working population is engaged in various forms of employment. One third of Horley’s residents work in the town; another third work in Crawley or at Gatwick, and the remainder travel further afield to Reigate, Redhill and London etc (source ONS and 2001 census). Many of those working locally are engaged in retail, service industries (e.g. catering, guest houses and hotels), financial services and light engineering.

Leisure activities available at the town council’s recreation grounds include football, basketball, skateboarding, outdoor tennis, a nature trail at Emlyn Meadows fitness centres and a swimming pool. The Archway Theatre produces a successful programme of plays.

There are many associations and clubs to satisfy everyone’s hobbies and interests. Details are available later in the Guide. In addition the Town Council site web site www.horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk provides a full directory of all these organisations

Annual Events that take place in Horley

Horley in Bloom

This annual event takes place in July. Businesses, pubs, restaurants, hotels and residents of Horley compete for prizes in various gardening, landscaping and decorative categories. A presentation evening takes place in September.

Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks

A very popular annual event held in the Horley Recreation Ground on the Saturday closest to 5 November.

Parade & Services of Remembrance

(In association with the Royal British Legion)

The Memorial Gardens are opened and crosses are planted on the Wednesday preceding 11 November. On 11 November, if this does not fall on a Sunday, there is a short service in the Memorial Gardens at which the two minutes’ silence is observed. The main parade and service takes place on Remembrance Sunday.