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The Swans are
saved
 The
decision in 2007 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 Aviva, the owners
of the centre, and their management company. Hundreds
of people expressed their anger in letters, emails and
phone calls to the County Times and Swan Walk. There
is no doubt that it is they who eventually forced the
owners to reverse their decision and agree to the
return of the swans.
But the story was far from over. Despite promises to
restore the sculpture by Spring 2008, it was not until
the summer that the swans reappeared – protruding out
of an ugly box, without their plinth or moving water.
The Society kept the pressure on the owners and
management through publicity and direct contact and
finally, at Easter 2009, a new plinth was unveiled
with the essential moving water. The swans were back.
This saga would make a good case study for an MBA
course on public consultation in the electronic age.
John Steele
Chairman's first
letter to WSCT 22.09.2007»
Front page photo October 2007»
Chairman's second letter to WSCT
02.11.2007»
Let there be water: health & safety issues discussed
14.11.2008»
Horsham Society's letter to Swan Walk management
16.12.2008»
Horsham Society's letter to Aviva 16.12.2008»
Swan Walk management's reply to Horsham Society
17.12.2008»
Horsham Society's letter to Swan Walk Management
20.12.2008»
Swan Walk management's reply to Horsham Society
06.01.2009»
Aviva: new name, same old story 23.01.2009»
Campaign successful: Aviva's reply to Horsham Society
02.02.2009»
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