Horley’s Annual Town Forum Returns with Awards, Updates and a Very Good Mascot
Horley Town Council held its Annual Town Public Forum on 15 May 2026, and by all accounts it was a packed house. If you missed it, here’s a rundown of what happened and why it matters for the town.
What Actually Happens at a Town Forum?
For anyone unfamiliar, the Annual Town Public Forum is Horley Town Council’s yearly check-in with residents. It’s where the Council reports back on the year gone by, shares updates from its committees, and gives local groups a platform to talk about the work they’re doing in the community. This year’s turnout suggests plenty of Horley residents wanted to be part of that conversation.
Charity and Community Updates
The evening featured presentations from some of the town’s longstanding community organisations, including Smith’s Charity Horley and St Bartholomew’s Church. The Community Foundation for Surrey also gave residents an update on the Horley Edmonds Community Fund, a grant scheme that channels support to local causes.
Local Government Reform on the Agenda
One of the bigger-picture items came from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council Leader, Cllr Richard Biggs, who briefed attendees on Local Government Reform and Devolution — including the part being played this year by the East Surrey Shadow Authority as the region moves through this transition. The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Rich Michalowski, also attended, and both were on hand to field questions from residents about local issues. For a town like Horley, where decisions made at borough and county level can have a real impact on services, having that direct line to decision-makers is worth paying attention to.
The Lions Take the Stage
This year’s guest speaker was Peter Moxley from Horley Lions Club, who talked through the charity’s ongoing work around the town. The club’s mascot made an appearance too, which by the sound of it was a highlight for at least a few attendees.
A Well-Deserved Town Award
The standout moment of the night was the presentation of a Town Award to Judy Morgan, a former council employee recognised for her long service to Horley Town Council. Her citation highlighted a career’s worth of behind-the-scenes work: modernising office procedures, helping the council shift to online meetings during the pandemic, and supporting new and returning councillors — including the well-known “Big Bus tour” of the town’s parks, open spaces, and community buildings. She was also credited with financial oversight on the Café Pavilion project at Horley Recreation Ground and with helping lay the groundwork for the council offices masterplan, a project aimed at expanding and transforming the council’s premises.
Council Chair and Town Mayor, Cllr Lynnette Easterbrook, said she was glad to see such a strong turnout and thanked both the councillors and council officers for their work, as well as everyone who came along to share what they contribute to the community. She described presenting the Town Award to Judy Morgan as a genuine privilege.
Where to Find the Full Report
Alongside all of this, the Council presented its Annual Report for 2025/26, covering the full scope of its activities over the past year. If you want the complete picture, it’s available to read on the Horley Town Council website.
Why It’s Worth Knowing About
Events like this don’t always get the attention they deserve, but they’re one of the few times residents get a direct look at how the town is run and a chance to ask questions face-to-face with the people making decisions. Whether it’s devolution, community funding, or recognising the people who quietly keep the council running, the Annual Town Forum is a good snapshot of what matters to Horley right now.
