JANUARY 2021
OPEN MORNING www.christs-hospital.org.uk
JANUARY 2021 EDITION The January 2021 cover features the James for Carpets team in the firm’s warehouse in Foundry Lane, Horsham. Toby initially had the idea of sitting them across a roll of carpet attached to a forklift truck, inspired by the famous New York photo, Lunch atop a Skyscraper. But that wasn’t possible in a portrait shape. With balloons and a drab background to deal with (it was raining outside) he’s created a fantastic image, adding edgy touches in post-processing. Other contenders for the cover were percussionist Toril Azzalini-Machecler and Ben Lines at Gwyn’s Bakery.
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NEWS ROUND-UP Latest plans for Rookwood revealed and tributes to Kenneth Alwyn and Dr Annabelle Hughes
19 FOOD & DRINK Gwyn’s Bakery opened in The Bishopric and has proved an immediate hit with customers
24 MUSIC Percussionist Toril Azzalini-Machecler reflects on the 2020 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition
Former tattoo artist Danny Fuller has turned his hand to creating incredible fantasy models
36 BUSINESS James for Carpets celebrates 10 years in Horsham, during which time it has expanded considerably
AAH MAGAZINE
EDITOR: BEN MORRIS Email: editor@aahorsham.co.uk Tel: (01903) 892899 Address: AAH Magazine, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3PT ADVERTISING: BEN MORRIS Email: advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899 PHOTOGRAPHY: TOBY PHILLIPS www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk Email: info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk Mob: 07968 795625 Toby works for AAH on a freelance basis and is available for all kinds of photography, from portrait work to corporate shoots. WEBSITE www.aahorsham.co.uk We publish AAH online every month. You can read archive editions too and many of our past features. ADVERTISING IN AAH The magazine is delivered to approx. 13,000 homes in Horsham, Southwater and villages including Broadbridge Heath, Mannings Heath, Billingshurst and new estates at Highwood and Wickhurst Green.
To keep players active in lockdown, coaches at Roffey Robins U14s set players fitness challenges
46 FITNESS The Skiers Lounge and The Bicycle Barn offer vast experience from a small unit on the Knepp Estate
53 HISTORY A look back at the original cycling boom, where inventors in Victorian Horsham made their mark
30 ART
AAH (All About Horsham) is an independent monthly magazine, owned by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District. It is distributed to doors and pick-up points around the District. Toby Phillips is an independent local photographer available for all commercial work.
41 SPORT
57 105 YEARS Gladys Walker is set to receive a second card from The Queen when she reaches the age of 105
January Covers 2012 - 2020
Advertising rates Eighth Page Advert: £55 + VAT (93mm x 63mm) Quarter Page Advert: £110 + VAT (93mm x 133mm) Half Page Advert: £185 + VAT (190mm x 133mm) Full Page Advert: £310 + VAT Double Page Advert: £520 + VAT We have an long-term offer, with every sixth advert placed free of charge, like a coffee shop. We can also design adverts if you need help, at no extra charge. For more details, email: advertising@aahorsham.co.uk or call Ben on (01903) 892899 DOOR-TO-DOOR DISTRIBUTION TEAM Horsham: Jacquie Paterson, The Judd family, The Rollingson family, George Voisey, Katie Drysdale, The Garner family, Jill Shuker, The Bloomfield family, The Arliss family, Jake Lovett, Charlotte Wellbelove, The Gavira Family, The Dold Family, The Morrison family, Jonathan Catlow, The McCormick Family. Southwater: The Brown family, The Chapman Family Villages: Nathan Williams (Mannings Heath); Lynsey Hare (Billingshurst), Harry Kent (Ashington), Derek Bradnum (Nuthurst) Ben Morris (Stands), Oak Tree Farm Care (Maplehurst & Copsale); The Palmer family (Broadbridge Heath) Amy Butler (Wickhurst Green) James Hobbs (Thakeham), Tom Matthews (Storrington)
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PICK UP POINTS & STANDS Thousands of copies of AAH are available at businesses, clubs, organisations and community centres across the district. Horsham: Henry Adams (Carfax), Crates Local (Carfax) Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Rail Station, New House Farm, New Street Butchers, At Home Estate Agents (Caterways), The Holbrook Club. Village Stands: Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Barns Green Village Store, Bluecoat Sports (Christ’s Hospital), Leonardslee (Lower Beeding), Warnham Village Stores (Warnham), Slinfold Stores and Slinfold Golf Club (Slinfold), Steyning Leisure Centre and Cobblestone Walk (Steyning) Spring Gardens Nursery (Washington) and Joanna’s Boutique Tearooms (Storrington) Stands at CoCo’s (Southwater) Horsham Museum, Swan Walk & The Bridge Leisure Centre are currently inaccessible due to Covid restrictions. LEAFLETS We can deliver leaflets with AAH. Email: editor@aahorsham.co.uk £40 + VAT per 1,000 copies (£45 for A4 leaflets) NOTES Sadly, we’ve had to remove an AAH stand from a store in West Chiltington. We will be handdelivering there this month instead, but if any business in the village would like a spring-loaded AAH stand to attract visitors, we’d love to hear from you. Email Ben for details.
Taglines are even more effective if they all begin with the same letter ©iStock/K.Neville
Notes from the Editor
The Rise of the Three-Tiered Tagline
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little part of me still expects to wake up at some point, relieved to find that 2020 has just been one long, bad dream.
Certainly, the idea that a cover of a soft rock classic with lyrics adapted to highlight a desire for sausage rolls should be involved in a recurring battle for the Christmas number one slot with a Mariah Carey song released when I was still at Forest Boys School doesn’t seem like something that could happen in real life. But if this is reality, and we really do live in a world where contemporary musicians are incapable of writing a half decent Christmas tune, then there’s something I’d like to nip in the bud. Something that might have been lingering in the shadows before, but reared its head in 2020 and surged in prominence. I’m talking about the short, snappy, threetiered tagline... The first significant one came with the dawn of the lockdown: Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives. It was a simple message, conveying rules in a way that was easy to understand and abide by. And it worked so well that the Government stuck with the format. Rather than confusing us with graphs, it could keep us in-line with taglines.
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives. That was the next one, and we were still on board with the concept. We’d got used to the ‘stay alert’ part a few years ago anyway, when we went through that period of being very conscious of unattended bags. So, we could adapt the message so that we were more aware of people generally, crossing the street whenever we were confronted by another human. Then came Hands, Face, Space. Not bad, although to get the message across properly, the government had to outline each point individually, otherwise the tagline didn’t make sense. It must have been around this time when the powers-that-be decreed it was pointless even trying to communicate to the masses without a three-tiered catchphrase. The only way it could successfully implement strategies was to come up with dumbeddown taglines. So, when it came to the complicated issue of preparing for Brexit, we got: Check, Change, Go. Running a business that serves the local community, AAH doesn’t need to concern itself with the logistical changes surrounding European imports and exports following our exit from the European Union. But if we did, we’d be thanking our lucky stars for a tagline that made everything so clear. And we’d hope that the marketing consultancy firm responsible had been handsomely rewarded for such creative thinking.
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It was a surprise – and disappointment – that the Government didn’t come up with a tagline for Christmas. Promote It. Ensure It. Cancel It. But more will surely come in 2021, as nothing can expect to thrive without a tagline. I was driving through Thakeham when I noticed the new Abingworth Meadows development has one too: Space to Explore, Space to Grow, Space to Live. Because modern homebuyers need a tagline before making life-changing decisions... I’m thinking of getting one for AAH. Hold it. Read it. Recycle it. Lacks a little punch, doesn’t it? Now I see why those consultants earn the big bucks... If this continues, we’ll all have our own bespoke tagline before long. It’ll describe the fundamental components of our character in three parts and we’ll have to reveal it whenever we introduce ourselves, or apply for jobs, or travel abroad. They’ll be a government website where you fill in personal information and algorithms determine your unique tagline. It’s either that or we take a stand, before three-tiered taglines spread and linger for years, refusing to see that their time is up. Like Mock the Week. I, for one, will not resort to it. Patronising. Braindead. Nonsense!
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Dr Annabelle Hughes (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2013)
Kenneth Alwyn (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2014)
Conductor and musical director Kenneth Alwyn passed away on 10 December, at the age of 95. Kenneth, who lived in West Chiltington, appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night for 30 years. He joined the RAF in 1942 and after the war attended The Royal Academy of Music. He organised concerts for the RAF Association, becoming friends with Bob Monkhouse and working with performers who would become household names, including Peter Sellars and Spike Milligan. After spells in Malaya and New Zealand, Kenneth returned home to conduct a touring company at Sadlers Wells Theatre Ballet. This led to him conducting the main company at the Royal Ballet for four years, before a career-defining spell at the BBC. At its peak, Friday Night is Music Night drew 28 million listeners. In an interview with AAH in 2014, Kenneth also spoke with fondness of touring with Dudley Moore. Kenneth died at home, in his music room.
Dr Annabelle Hughes, a prominent member of the Horsham Society and expert on historic local buildings, passed away on 28 November, at the age of 79. Annabelle became a single mother with four children, yet completed an Open University honours degree, followed by an MA at Sussex University. Her thesis led to an interest in reading old manuscripts, whilst her passion for old buildings was ignited by a Horsham Society campaign to save Prewetts Mill from demolition. After completing a PhD on timber framed buildings, Annabelle became adept at
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exploring every nook and cranny of Listed buildings, and her expertise was in great demand. As well as mentoring others in the field (including HDC Listed building officers) Annabelle has been a stalwart of the Society, leading many conversations with HDC over how the town should care for its past, and has been influential in protecting the town’s heritage and historic homes. She also produced several books about Horsham and its buildings, and along with Anthony Windrum published the first photographic book about the town, Bygone Horsham, in 1982.
Restaurant Tristan in East Street, Horsham, has retained its three AA Rosette award for culinary excellence. Located in a 16th century building, Tristan Mason was the first chef in town to be awarded a Michelin star. On the restaurant’s website, Tristan wrote: “Well done to all of our team for this hard-earned accolade and thank you so much to our customers for your continued support.” www.restauranttristan.co.uk Bin collections will be behind by two days on the week commencing 28 December and by three days on the week commencing 4 January. Collection operatives will be working additional Saturdays on 2, 9 and 16 January to catch up and collections will be back to normal on the week commencing 18 January 2021. Garden waste collections will resume on Wednesday 6 January. Any extra resources will be deployed to help with the additional recycling materials generated over the festive period. Horsham District Council welcomes a new Neighbourhood Warden to the Billingshurst Parish. Julie Green joins Barry Faust as Neighbourhood Warden in the parish. Julie was previously a Police Community Support Officer with Sussex Police in the Billingshurst area and is also a trained nurse.
Jean Delport at Restaurant Interlude (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2018)
Restaurant Interlude, set within Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, has won an AA Rosette award. The award inspector said: “The kitchen takes its cue from the seasons and makes full use of pickings from its own gardens, as well as foraging and tapping into the local food network. Expect bright, lively flavours in epic-length tasting format, from beef tartare smoked with gorse flowers, to poached plaice with parsley purée and knotweed vinegar, or 28 dayaged Middlewhite pork with wild garlic and capers.” The AA Rosette award follows the achievement in 2019 of a first Michelin star for executive chef Jean Delport. www.restaurant-interlude.co.uk
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Two of the three original designs for the windows at St Peter’s Church, Cowfold (© Abbott and Holder/Horsham Museum)
Horsham Museum and Art Gallery has bought a stunning miniature version of the original design for the stained-glass windows at St Peter’s Church, Cowfold. The Edwardian masterpiece was purchased from London dealers Abbott and Holder. The dealers acquired the original paintings, known as presentation pieces, created at Powell and Sons’ Whitefriars glass works. Powell and Sons created three
artistic masterpieces, sent them to the client to approve and then kept them to ensure the stained glass looked as good as the painted designs. This work of art compliments the museum’s collection of local paintings and images, as well as building on the important Watercolour Collection. Cowfold Local History Society generously donated funds to help the museum make the purchase.
During a Christmas period unlike any other, Horsham Churches Together (HCT) Clive Urquhart, HCT found ways to ©AAH 2012) reach the community. More than 360 people joined the Horsham Virtual Prayer Room Facebook group. HCT also organised Horsham Shines, encouraging people to spread Christmas joy by making stars to display in windows, and was involved in the Nativity Advent Calendar 2020, where windows opened to reveal the Christmas Story. Othe highlights included carol singing with BBC Sounds.
New figures put West Sussex school attendance among the best in the country. Average attendance across the county’s state-funded primary and secondary schools combined was 91.85% over the Autumn term, newly published Department for Education figures show (primary 93.6%, secondary 90%), putting West Sussex among only two local authority areas in the country with secondary attendance above 90%. WSCC praised all the teachers and staff involved for their tireless work during challenging times.
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Tristan Loraine (ŠToby Phillips/AAH 2014)
Horsham singer and songwriter Mailman released his own Christmas single in December, complete with animated video. A Thing Called Christmas was released in aid of the Music Venue Trust. It was a busy month for Jamie Stanley, AKA Mailman, as he also released a new album, S3ASON, which features all 12 of the singles he released in 2019, along with six more recent bonus tracks. www.mailmanstan.co.uk/s3ason.html To listen to his Christmas song, visit: www.athingcalledchristmas.co.uk
Horsham-based Fact Not Fiction Films has revealed details of its latest project, an investigative feature-length documentary called American 965. The film investigates the December 1995 loss of American Airlines flight 965 from Miami to Cali, Colombia. The plane crashed on its approach, killing 159 people. Only four passengers and a dog survived. Directed and produced by Tristan Loraine, a former British Airways Boeing 757 Captain and union Health & Safety representative, the film is the result of nearly 20 years of research by the director. Investigators concluded the accident was primarily caused by pilot error.
Hepworth & Company Brewery, based in Pulborough, has launched its first ownbrand low alcohol beer. Spartan is a British-style pale ale which uses a complex grist of speciality malts that limit the fermentation to 0.5% ABV, resulting in a rounded body that would normally be expected in a full-strength beer. Spartan is modelled on Hepworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successful Sussex Bitter, itself a low strength beer at 3.5%. Hepworth & Co used five different hops in Spartan, sourced both locally and from around the UK. It is also gluten free, vegan friendly and contains agave syrup for a richer taste and to limit it to just 21 calories per 100ml. www.hepworth.com
However, after extensive research, interviews with family members, survivors, air accident investigators and other experts, as well as a 3D recreation of the accident, the film offers a new possible cause for why the accident occurred. The film is the prequel to Everybody Flies, which premiered at the Raindance Film Festival London in 2019. Filming has also been completed on Finding Wilson, a short film made in partnership with The Lucy Rayner Foundation. www.factnotfictionfilms.com
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©David Plummer/SWT
A beaver named Bramber has been making headlines after escaping from the Knepp estate. Bramber joined the re-wilding project at Knepp, where beavers have been introduced after being absent from Sussex for 400 years. Before Christmas, he was spotted swimming in the River Adur near Lancing College. Sir Charles Burrell of the Knepp Estate wrote on the Knepp website: “Beavers are very good at existing under the radar in the slower, deeper parts of catchments, and we’re anticipating that he’s found a quiet part of the Adur, probably in an area that contains plenty of willow. We’re keen to retrieve him and bring him back home to Knepp, where a mate awaits him.”
Horsham listed ninth in Property Week’s CACI analysis of 100 UK retail locations that have proved most resilient during the Covid-19 crisis. Horsham is the only place in the South East to make the top 25. The town continues to attract investment with new businesses opening in recent months including House of Tweed and Gwyn’s Bakery (pictured).
Horsham District Council's Storrington Neighbourhood Wardens took delivery of a generous selection of Christmas presents from the Storrington Waitrose branch to distribute to local volunteers, who worked so tirelessly to support local Community Hubs in the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Warnham Local Nature Reserve was forced to close twice in late December, due to flooding brought about by heavy rain. The Reserve will stay open in Tier 4, although events including guided walks have been cancelled and the Heron’s Rest Cafe will remain closed. The Friends of WLNR continue to fight against HDC’s plans for development at nearby Rookwood.
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Brand new programme of door-to-door holidays for 2021
The Golden Pass in Switzerland
SPRING IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS BY AIR Jersey * Guernsey * Herm * Sark – 27 April 2021 for 7 days
Sark Island
Explore the Channel Islands, with their exquisite coastlines, pretty harbours and shady country lanes. Each Island has a unique character, and spring is an ideal time to visit, with feasts of wildflowers, gorse clad cliffs and lush green fields. You will travel by air from Southampton, with a flight time of less than an hour. The holiday will be accompanied throughout by a Courier from Roadmark Travel. Our hotel on Jersey is the 3-star Monterey, with comfortable rooms, indoor pool, steam room and spa bath. On Guernsey you will stay at La Trelade Hotel, set in attractive gardens a few miles from the island ‘capital’ of St. Peter Port. Both hotels have a lift. Holiday Price Includes: Door-to-door taxi service (from selected postcodes) Coach travel to and from Southampton Airport
Return flights, including checked-in baggage allowance Airport transfers on Jersey & Guernsey 3 nights half-board at the Monterey Hotel in St. Helier 3 nights half-board at La Trelade Hotel in St. Martin A full day Island Coastal Tour of Jersey Excursion to the Island of Herm Visit to Sark, with tractor transfer and carriage ride Familiarisation tour in Guernsey Inter-Island ferry crossing
£799 per person (sharing a twin or double room) Roadmark Travel Insurance available at £59pp For this multi-Channel Islands holiday, Roadmark Travel is acting as a retail agent for Destination Specialists, ATOL Protected 9503. Passengers will be required to bring photo ID for airport check-in.
As well as this amazing spring holiday to the Channel Islands, we have a wide range of door-to-door UK and Continental coach tours in our 2021 programme. These include: SIDMOUTH (various dates) WARNER ENTERTAINMENT BREAKS (various dates) THE LOIRE VALLEY (June) LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS (June) SCENIC SHROPSHIRE (July)
IRELAND’S MAJESTIC RIVER SHANNON (August) SWISS ALPS & THE GOLDEN PANORAMIC TRAIN (October) THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (various dates) We will be pleased to send you our brochure on request.
THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 2022 Bavaria’s world-famous Passion Play will be held in 2022 and we still have spaces available for our ten-day tour departing in September. The two-centre holiday combines the dramatic Bavarian Alps with the Black Forest, a land of lush meadows, pine clad hills, rushing rivers and traditional chocolate box villages. Please enquire for details
All payments to Roadmark are protected under our membership of Bonded Coach Holidays * Door-to-door taxi service is included on most holidays, providing the pick-up address is in one of our Taxi-Included postcodes.
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Springboard in Horsham (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2014)
Horsham District Council has announced the initial recipients of contributions from its Community Climate Fund. The fund enables voluntary and community groups, as well as Neighbourhood and Parish Councils, to work on projects to reduce carbon levels and improve the environment. The first recipients are Greening Steyning (for the Greening Steyning 2030 Project) Springboard (for Smart radiator valves to improve energy efficiency) St Mark’s Church at Holbrook (tree and bulb planting, food recycling, rainwater collection), Sustainable Henfield (recycling of disposable PPE via Zerowaste bins) and Transition Horsham Community Allotment. A new funding tranche is now available, with applications closing on 12 February. Applications can be related to energy, water, waste minimisation, biodiversity and sustainable transport. www.horsham.gov.uk/climate-andenvironment/community-climate-fund
Saxon Weald celebrated its 20th anniversary in December. The housing association was originally set up to take over ownership of Horsham District Council’s 4609 homes. That figure has since grown by over 2,000 homes, while Saxon Weald has carried out a quarter of a million repairs and invested more than £70m in improving properties. Simon Turpitt, Chairman, said: “Highlights include launching our in-house repairs service in 2009 and building 11 extra care schemes, including our flagship Highwood Mill development in 2017. My thanks go to all our staff and partners, past and present, who have contributed to our success.” www.saxonweald.com Assurity Consulting, the UK’s leading independent consultancy specialising in workplace health, safety and environmental solutions, has won the Gatwick Diamond Business Award for Business of the Year (over £1m turnover). The 2020 ceremony was held online, with staff from the Horsham-based company embracing the event’s Roaring 20’s theme. www.assurityconsulting.co.uk
Submissions
To send an article for consideration in the News Round-Up, email Ben at: editor@aahorsham.co.uk 21 17
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RISING TALENT GWYN’S BAKERY PROVES IMMEDIATE HIT IN THE BISHOPRIC
Ben Lines has previously worked in Michelin star eateries across the world (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
G
wyn’s Bakery opened its doors on the Bishopric, Horsham, shortly after the end of the first lockdown.
Its arrival was so eagerly anticipated that customers arrived before sunset and formed a long queue to be amongst the first to sample the new bakery. For barista Tavian Townsend, it was an experience that will stick long in the memory. “The first couple of weeks were incredible. There was a one-in, out-one system that was largely dictated by our customers. People would wait patiently, then spend a couple of minutes in the bakery, choosing what they wanted. By the time they left, there would sometimes be two more in the queue! Because of social distancing, with people needing to stand two metres apart, even a line of 20 people stretched half way down the Bishopric! Fortunately, we now have a more stream-lined system, so people are served much faster!’
Gaining Experience Gwyn’s Bakery is owned by Ben Lines, who has invested all of his savings into the business. He moved to Horsham last year, having gained vast experience working in the food industry. Previously, he has worked at Michelin-star venues including The Fat Duck, which also took him to Melbourne for six months for the launch of a successful pop-up restaurant. Stints in Oslo and London ensured Ben expanded his culinary knowledge. However, it was while working at The Snapery Bakery in London that Ben developed the essential skills needed to start his own business. “The Snapery is a wholesale bakery, supplying restaurants and cafes,” he said. “It is run by a relatively small team and working there is intense. During my time there, I was able to gain experience of working in every section of the bakery in a short timeframe. I shaped hundreds of loaves there and had a full learning
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experience that wouldn’t have been possible at a larger bakery. That was important to my learning process. Then eventually, after working in London for so long, I reached a point where I’d had enough of working for other people and wanted to do things my own way.” Ben glazes the pear danish pastries.
Long Time Waiting Ben relocated to Horsham, moved in with his partner and quickly saw the potential for an independent bakery. Although the town centre has a Truffles bakery and bread is sold at the Carfax market and farm shops, Ben felt there was an opportunity for something different. During lockdown, Ben’s vision of an open-plan bakery – where customers could see loaves being shaped and baked and also sit down – started to formulate. “The idea was to bring the quality and feel of a big city bakery into the town. I came across this unit, formerly a furniture store, and it was ideal. The landlord had invested in getting the building prepared, so we had an empty shell to work from. It was a big investment for me and that always brings risk, but I believe there is scope to be successful and grow.”
Elina Lanka at Gywn’s Bakery
Cinnamon buns ready for eating
Sous chef Lauren Duncan previously worked at The Snapery with Ben. Here, she prepares
(All photos ©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
cinnamon rolls for baking (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
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Clock Repairs
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Freshly baked baguettes and rye bread at Gwyn’s Bakery (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
Ben was reluctant to put his own name above the door, and chose instead to honour his mother’s great uncle. Gwyn’s Bakery opened its doors for the first time on 14 November. Ben recalls: “We were fortunate in that we could stay open during the second lockdown, with bakeries being an essential service. Of course, I was worried that there wouldn’t be any customers, but from our very first day, there was huge demand. People appreciate us being here and many have said that they’ve been waiting for a bakery for a long time.”
Sussex Loaf Initially, Gwyn’s Bakery is offering a core menu, with specials on selected days. The range of sourdough breads includes a
“The idea was to bring the quality and feel of a big city bakery to town.”
Sussex loaf, a 50-50 loaf of white grain and wholegrain flour (which is milled in East Sussex) and rye bread. The bakery also makes croissants, chocolate croissants, linseed croissants and fruit Danish pastries, while its cinnamon buns have been a runaway success. Ben said: “That was something we hadn’t predicted. I added them as an afterthought and they’ve
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Ben Lines, owner of Gwyn’s Bakery, donates unsold bread to the Horsham food bank. (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
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Tavian Townsend piles up the loaves just minutes before opening time. (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
Renovated 16th Century Barn proved very popular. Across all of our products, we use high quality ingredients, including many that I’ve used before at Michelin-star restaurants. That is why we are more expensive than the supermarkets and some other outlets.”
different. In the New Year, we’ll perhaps introduce things like sausage rolls. We also sell items by some of our favourite producers, including flour we use in our own loaves. We’re still new, but we’ll be ready to adapt to meet the needs of customers.”
“I appreciate that some people find it difficult to spend that amount of money on a loaf of bread. But the quality warrants it, because of the time we take in preparation and the ingredients used. People don't always realise the work that goes into it every item on the shelf.”
Further Details: Gwyn’s Bakery 26-28 Bishopric, Horsham, RH12 1QN Open: 7.30am - 4pm (Tue - Fri) 8am - 4pm Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. www.gwynsbakery.co.uk
“In time, we may expand our core range slightly, but the idea is to keep the essentials the same and introduce specials on certain days to entice people in for something
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Gwyn’s Bakery opened shortly before the second lockdown (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography) 23
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ONE TO WATCH
TORIL AZZALINI-MACHECLER
T
oril Azzalini-Machecler’s bold and inventive programme was one of the highlights of the BBC Young Musician of the Year percussion final in 2020. Having reached the final of the competition twice, the Horsham musician now hopes to become a professional musician. Here, the multi-instrumentalist talks about his achievements and ambitions in his own words...
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GROWING UP I was born in France, although my family moved to the UK from Paris when I was only five. Even as a child, I had an interest in hitting things! I have bongo drums that I’ve had most of my life and occasionally still use in recitals. Music was ingrained in me from a young age. My parents would take me and my sister to the Fête de la Musique in Paris, an annual festival where people would play on street corners and at venues across the city.
Toril’s bold interpretation of Le Corps à Corps by Greek composer Georges Aperghis (©Kirsten McTernan)
had to pick between composition and percussion, as I enjoy writing music too. I’ve had one-to-one composition lessons for several years. Briefly, I considered returning to France, because education fees are much less there. But the idea seemed daunting, as I don’t know technical terms in French that every percussionist should know. So, I went to the Royal College of Music (RCM) to study Percussion. My second study is Composition, under the tutelage of Simon Holt,who is one of my musical idols.
EXPLORING SOUNDS In 2018, I entered BBC Young Musician of the Year. I was one of five to make it to the percussion final, but wasn’t selected for the Grand Final, where the winners from all five
categories (Brass, Percussion, Keyboard, Strings, Woodwind) compete. I performed two pieces, including one where I was accompanied by a computerised voice. It required lots of trickery, exploring sounds on a snare drum and performing in synch with a robotic voice repeating an existentialist poem! My second piece was called Parallel Lines, composed by Joe Duddell. Early in 2020, I entered once again (the competition is held every two years) and progressed to the Percussion category final for a second time. Covid-19 was looming on the horizon and the final was held only a week before the first lockdown. Although I only reached the same stage as 2018, I thought my performance was better this time around and felt I made a significant impact on the judges and audience.
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I started playing a drum pads and glockenspiel, which set me on the road to being a percussionist. Gradually, the range of instruments I liked to play expanded to include the xylophone and marimba. It seems that the more you develop your technique and repertoire, the bigger the instrument you need to play. So, the marimba is huge, although it’s the one I enjoy most.
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When I was in Year 9 at Forest, I was in a rock band, Nox. I played bass guitar as we already had a drummer! We formed for a Halloween Showcase and played Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, continuing down that route until we disbanded as we all went to college. I wanted to pursue Music in further education. It wasn’t an easy decision, as I did well at academic lessons too. I also
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“When people see me on stage, I want them to think, “What’s he going to give us this time?”
Toril with the marimba and bongos at his Horsham home (©Toby Phillips/AAH) 26
My first piece was written by Cameron Sinclair, my teacher at RCM Junior Department. It needed exact timing, so he wrote me a piece called Oreiad, a nod to Ancient Greece, as the Oreiads are nymphs from the mountains. I was accompanied by Alison Sutton on piano. The second piece and focal point of my programme was Le Corps à Corps by Greek composer Georges Aperghis. It’s played on the Zarb, a Persian goblet drum. It’s a performance piece, as it involves me acting out a poem. The narrative of the piece is a struggle between the musician and the Zarb. Sometimes, I had to hold my breath, then there would be a sudden burst of words. It took a long time to perfect. It was certainly a bold choice. But the reaction showed that the audience were pleasantly surprised by it. With some performances, you can play with your head down and not have that level of interaction, so I felt I was breaking the barrier between audience and performer. I do enjoy playing rarely performed work too. When people see me on stage, I want them to think, “What’s he going to give us this time?”
Toril at the 2020 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition (©Kirsten McTernan)
My third and final piece was an arrangement of The Spruce by Sibelius. It’s a whimsical piano piece arranged for the marimba. We often need to create our own arrangements, as composers always write for string quartets and piano, but not so much for percussion! Doing a competition like BBC Young Musician of the Year can be stressful. The BBC were very good in helping us, even having a psychologist available. I utilised that service and it was very useful, as the nerves were creeping in!
TOUGH TIMES I’m in my first year at RCM, and what a way to start! Because of Covid-19, it’s been challenging and we had to resort to Microsoft Teams during lockdown. I've been lucky with live performances this year. I was involved in two concerts with the Chineke Orchestra as part of the Inside Out project at the Southbank Centre. Chineke is Europe’s first black, Asian and ethnically
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Toril at home on the marimba (©AAH/Toby Phillips Photography)
diverse orchestra. It’s an important step, as when you see most orchestras, you tend to see a lot of white faces. Chineke performs work by some composers whose work has been previously overlooked, including Florence Price. They were among the first live music events in London after the first lockdown. In Horsham, I performed two concerts with the Stane Street Sinfonietta, including Stravinsky’s A Soldier's Tale. Stravinsky is a key influence on my work. People are still intimidated by The Rite of Spring, yet it was written before the First World War! It’s been great meeting other musicians in Horsham, which is a hot-bed of talent.
Toril was accompanied by Alison Sutton on piano (©Kirsten McTernan)
I’m no longer eligible for the BBC Young Musician competition, but I can compete at other international events. The BBC finals were a great stepping stone, but I need to make an impact elsewhere to succeed as a professional musician. I'm in the real world now! This January, I will hopefully be playing at St Luke's Church, a secondary venue for the London Symphony Orchestra. The venue hosts a Baroque at the Edge festival and I’m part of a Young Artists Showcase on 9 January 2021, performing with recorder player Eliza Haskins, also a BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist.
The marimba is the instrument that I spend the most time on. But what I love about percussion is that there’s an infinite number of combinations. You can incorporate vibraphone, woodblocks, snare drums or xylophones into your compositions and arrangements. There are no limits! That’s why I’m excited about exploring composition in future... WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: TOBY PHILLIPS & KIRSTEN MCTERNAN Further Details: Toril’s performances in the Percussion final can be found on the BBC website.
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Danny Fuller with his new range of model figures (©Toby Phillips/AAH))
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W
hen Danny Fuller last appeared in the pages of AAH in 2012, it was in recognition of his skills as a tattoo artist. He has since turned his hand to model making, with a new range of figures inspired by his interest in the realms of fantasy. Danny describes his journey in the own words...
TATTOO LEGACY Many people know me from my time at Red Dragon Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio in East Street, Horsham, where I left six years ago. I became a tattooist at the age of 20 and retired at 55. After 35 years in the profession, tattoo art didn’t give me the thrill it once did. Everyone seems to want the same designs!
Danny’s range of fantasy models (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
I was the first person to establish a tattoo academy, teaching people how to become a tattoo artist. People visited from France, Italy, Germany and all over the world. One man visited from Madagascar with a servant! The academy was very successful but when others offered a similar service, demand started to wane.
I have other interests and hobbies that I wanted to spend time on. I love to travel and explore in my Camper, and have developed my painting skills. There’s a lot of variety in my art work, from religious imagery to character portraits. My recent paintings focus on Napoleonic battle scenes. If I’ve made or created something, then it’s been a worthwhile day as far as I’m concerned, whether I get paid or not! Another passion is model making. I've collected and painted small Games Workshop fantasy figures since I was a boy and have long had the idea of creating my own, on a bigger scale. The idea is that you can work on them without needing a magnifying glass! The first lockdown gave me the opportunity to try. Three months is a long time and I wanted to get something positive out of it, besides drinking homebrew and watching Netflix. I set myself a goal of creating ten figures, mainly for my own benefit. If others liked them, that would be a bonus!
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Danny has created a model based on Norman Rockwell’s artwork, ‘Tattoo Artist’ (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
USUAL SUSPECTS The characters are the usual fantasy icons. There’s an orc, goblin, elf, dwarf, knight, ogre, barbarian, male wizard and female wizard. I plan to do some special characters too, including an executioner and vampire. Most collections that are out there are based on films or television shows, be it DC Comics, Marvel, Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. There
are very few original figures of this size available, so I hope there’s a market. It’s been fun making them; with a model of Elvis or Batman, you need to create a perfect likeness. But with a goblin or orc, there's no limit as to what you can do!
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“Having something creative to do after you retire is important.”
picture of a painted model, but I love seeing what other people come up with, as there are no rules. If you want green skin, no problem! I gave a few models to friends of mine and it was great to see the variety in what they created. Each model has interchangeable heads. Having two heads is one of my unique selling points and there’s scope to add more heads in future. They are solid and robust pieces, with some weighing half a kilogram. They are bigger than most models too, at about 11 inches. That gives me the room to add more detail and accessories including clothing, armour and weapons. The models have a plinth too, so they can all be displayed. It takes many hours to create each model. They are made with a Polymer sculpture clay, which is a great material to shape. Defining the facial quirks and wrinkles is where each figure gets its characteristics. Certainly, my experience as a tattoo artist comes in handy in that part of the process. Adding textures in the outfits is fun too. I try on real items of clothing at home to help me get everything right! Often, it can look like a mess, but suddenly everything will come together! Danny’s model based on Norman Rockwell’s artwork, ‘Tattoo Artist’ (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
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I’m pleased to have a small business that keeps me busy and isn’t expensive to run. Even if nothing much comes of it, it’s kept me occupied. Having something creative to do after you retire is important. Some people work in an office during their entire career and when they retire, don't have a hobby. Having something creative to do beats watching TV, that’s for sure. Some people see paintings and say, “I could never do that!” But it’s just about giving it a go and keeping trying again until you improve.
BOARD GAMES From the outset, I had the idea of the figures being part of a board game. The game concept is still in the development stage, but the idea is that you have bands of adventurers that move around a board, with each one having different powers. I went to a board game club night at The Moon in Storrington and was amazed by the range of great games being played. There were games with zombies, fantasy characters and even toy cars. The idea of coming up with one of my own is exciting. As well as the fantasy figures, I’ve made a model of a tattoo parlour. There’s a famous painting by Norman Rockwell called ‘Tattoo Artist’. I love it, for obvious reasons. It depicts a tattooist adding another woman’s name to a long list on the sailor’s arm. I made a three-dimensional model inspired by it. Shaping the figures, furniture, tattoo
machine and other details took me months, but when I posted photos of the finished piece on Facebook, I had about 500 likes. My first customer was a tattoo studio in Australia! I have another idea for a model, inspired by a picture of God and the Devil playing chess. The idea is to re-imagine the scene as a game of poker, with chips piled up on the table.
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WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: TOBY PHILLIPS Further Details Visit Danny’s website at: www.devilfishcollectibles.co.uk Email: contact@devilfishcollectibles.co.uk www.facebook.com/devilfishcollectibles
TUFT NUT 10 YEARS OF JAMES FOR CARPETS
J
ames for Carpets continues to go from strength to strength, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary this month. The Horsham business was founded by James Essex, who worked for his father’s firm of carpet fitters before setting up his own business in January 2011. Since then, the fleet of vans has expanded from one to five, while the office has moved to a larger unit in Foundry Lane with its own warehouse. Yet James has maintained his excellent reputation for customer service, with a five-star, 9.9 approval rating on Checkatrade, based on more than 700 reviews.
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James said: “Even though we’ve grown as a business, more than I imagined we would, we are still focused on Horsham District and surrounding areas. In a community like Horsham, word of mouth is vital to the success of a business. So, from the outset, we’ve gone the extra mile. As well as fitting carpets professionally, we arrive in clean, sign-written vans, our fitters wear proper uniform and always tidy up afterwards.” “All of that effort makes a difference over ten years. Now, we are visiting relatives of customers, as family members have recommended us. It’s nice, as you build a relationship with families and that’s important to us as an independent business.”
ADAPTING IN 2020 This has been an challenging year for us all, but James for Carpets adapted quickly and even expanded. Hayley and Joanne have joined the office team, while new fitters are on the road too, taking the number of employees up to ten. To continue working during the pandemic, staff have been protecting themselves and customers by wearing PPE (including masks and gloves) during all consultations and fittings. James said: “After the first lockdown, there was a huge demand for carpets. People were not able to go on holiday or eat out, and they had time to make improvements to their home. We needed to react to that demand
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“During lockdown, people had time to think about making improvements at home.”
and adapt to the unique circumstances, which we managed to. I wasn’t expecting to be as busy as we have been, to the extent where we’ve added another van to the fleet with experienced fitters joining the team. We also have a keen young fitter joining us on an apprenticeship scheme, as we want to invest in the staff.”
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50 SHADES OF GREY Since its foundation, the range of lines and fabrics offered at James for Carpets has grown to include vinyl flooring, popular for corporate clients as well as residential properties. Tastes have changed too, with many customers now preferring grey shades to beige. James said: “When we started out, it was all beige and brown carpets, to complement the magnolia walls. Now, it’s 50 shades of grey! There's also been a shift towards Farrow & Ball colours and pastel tones. Some of the manufacturers we work with have looked at these colour trends and are making carpets with corresponding colours.”
“We visit clients to discuss factors such as colour, insulation, budget and even the make-up of the household. Do children live there? Do you have pets? Some homes are suited to hardwearing, robust carpets, while others want a high-end carpet that will look great for years. It’s about giving each client what’s right for them.” “Also, as we’re independent, any issues can be dealt with swiftly. I worked as a carpet fitter for 10 years before starting my own business, so have been in this game for 20 years, and can assess what the client needs. That’s key to our success.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is the company’s reputation for excellent customer service. James said: “Some national retailers constantly promote special offers and discounts, but modern customers see through them. They also know that these retailers can’t offer advice as we James Essex celebrates 10 years in business (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
can, based on the client’s individual needs. The most important element of our work is spending the time to properly inform customers.”
James for Carpets is very grateful to all our customers, past and present. We hope to continue to serve the Horsham District for many years to come. www.jamesforcarpets.co.uk Call: (01403) 801802
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Roffey Robins Athletic U14 with coaches Paul Mittendorfer, Hicham Rhioui and Mark Francis (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
ROBINS FLYING HIGH FITNESS CHALLENGES KEEP ROFFEY ROBINS SHARP IN LOCKDOWN
K
eeping young people fit and active during lockdowns has been a big challenge for parents.
TEAM EFFORT Roffey Robins Athletic play in Horsham & District Youth Football League Under-14 Division B, with rivals including Chesworth Rovers and Southwater Royals. At Christmas, the club sat fifth, only four points off the top in a fiercely-contested league.
With school cancelled for long periods, sporting seasons abandoned, and social distancing meaning that groups of young people couldn’t play outdoors, their physical and mental wellbeing were impacted. Some sports clubs went to great lengths to keep young people motivated and ensure that they maintained fitness levels by hosting online training sessions or setting regular challenges. One club that went even further is Roffey Robins Athletic U14s. Team coaches, led by manager Hicham Rhioui, set challenges ranging from strength exercises to outdoor running and cycling. Zoom training sessions were also held twice a week, with players following the Spartan 300, a demanding workout including push-ups and box jumps. It meant everyone could take part at home, without the need for gym equipment. Hicham said: “The aim was to keep fitness levels up, but as the weeks went by, it became apparent that the challenges were vital to the boys’ mental wellbeing too. They couldn’t even meet for a kickabout, so these challenges got them outside. Parents saw the benefits and encouraged the boys, with
Callum Mitchell and Morgan Hay at training (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
many getting involved themselves. I ran 5km every week with my son, Zack, and we nominated three others to take part each time. The boys had fun setting personal best times. We also had Zoom sessions run by Liam Randall at Evolution gym, who gave advice on diet and nutrition, as well as strength and stamina exercises.” “When we returned to playing matches, it was immediately clear that the effort had made a difference. The boys had more stamina and we even beat the league leaders in a friendly.” Captain Zack Rhioui said: “The challenges have helped me understand the importance of carrying on with fitness and doing extra in my own time, to give me the edge on match days. It’s also important for my development, health and mind-set.” 41
However the season finishes, the manager is delighted at how coaches, players and parents across the local leagues responded to the challenges of lockdown. Hicham said: “When we returned to training and matches, we had to adjust to new rules and guidelines, from social distancing and one-parent restrictions to sanisiting and track and trace. It’s been frustrating at times, but the organisation behind getting boys and girls playing again has been fantastic. It required a big effort by the Sussex FA, local leagues and individuals like Dave Wellbelove (Roffey Robins Chairman). Parents have stepped up, arriving early to help coaches set everything up. That’s a positive thing to have come out of a very difficult time.”
As training recommenced after the second lockdown, AAH spoke to some of Roffey Robins’ U14 players who took part in the fitness challenges...
Zack Rhioui (Captain) Position: Midfield/Striker Supports: Arsenal What have you missed about football? The lack of matches was the one thing I really struggled with in lockdown. It was hard to stay motivated. Even though my dad’s the manager and he kept us busy with challenges, I missed seeing my team mates and playing matches. What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? Along with my dad, I ran 5k every week and nominated three team mates to do it too, until we got through the whole squad. At the beginning, I found it hard, but now I try to beat my best time! My first time was over 26 minutes, but now it’s 22.03. Dad has to ride on his bike or else he slows me down! How have the challenges helped you? I’ve learnt about the importance of a good warm up and stretching routine. My dad often says, “The more you put into training, the more you’ll get out of it!” Now I get what he means!
James Knifton Position: Defence Supports: Sheffield Wednesday What have you missed about football? I’ve missed seeing friends and winning together - that’s an amazing feeling! What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? The 360 squat and 240 press-up challenges. How have the challenges helped? They’ve made a difference in improving my strength, especially in my upper body. That’s good, as it’s not something we usually focus on in training. Will you keep it up? Yes, as fitness brings benefits both on and off the pitch. I feel healthier and have more stamina in matches.
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Lewis Powell Robert Pitaru practices “keepy-uppies” (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
Zack Rhioui, Captain of Roffey Robins U14 (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
Position: Goalkeeper Supports: Chelsea What have you missed about football? Seeing my team mates and coaches. I’ve played for Roffey Robins since I was five, having watched my brother play for them as well, so the club is really important to me. What was life like without football during lockdown? It’s been really challenging, especially when there were no Premier League matches either! The coaches did really well at setting us challenges on Zoom, but I was really pleased to get back to playing proper games.
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Arthur Mittendorfer Position: Defence Supports: Chelsea What have you missed about football? The excitement of playing in a match. I’ve also missed my team mates, as I don't get to see all of them at school. What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? Cycling. In the first lockdown, I could ride in the woods with team mates Callum and James. In the second lockdown, I used a Peloton cycle. How have the challenges helped? Liam's Zoom fitness sessions really improved my strength, especially in my legs. They were tough though! Will you keep it up? Definitely, as it benefits my performance on the pitch.
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Corey Francis Position: Defence/Midfield Supports: Chelsea What have you missed about football? Playing for the team and seeing friends. I missed matches, as it gives me something to look forward to the night before. Win, lose or draw, I love playing for Roffey Robins and enjoy it every time. What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? I did a 10k bike ride with my dad! Did the challenges help you? They’ve helped all of us players stay fit until we could play again. That’s important as we couldn’t play even meet up for training. As well as the challenges, we did fitness training with Liam on Zoom. When we got back to playing matches again, you could see that we were all match fit.
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Ollie, Tom, James and Arthur at training (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
“In the first lockdown, I would spend hours riding in the woods with team mates Callum & James.” Arthur
Ollie Lambert
Tom Lester
Position: Midfield Supports: Chelsea
Position: Defence Supports: Crystal Palace
What have you missed about football? Playing matches and being part of a team What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? Running the 5k challenge. It helped keep us fit for when we returned to training and you could see the difference it made. Will you keep it up? Yes. I play other sports too, so I need to be fit and healthy to keep my energy levels up.
What have you missed about football? Playing with the lads and the fun of the game. What has been your favourite challenge during lockdown? The running and bike rides have been fun. Challenging too! How have the challenges helped? I definitely have more stamina and run more in games. Will you keep it up? I will, because it helps with your selfesteem too.
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Scott Hargrave at The Bicycle Barn (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
BE-SPOKE SE THE SKIERS LOUNGE & THE BICYCLE BARN
I
t’s been a long, hard road back to business for Scott Hargraves. Following the closure five years ago of Edge & Wax and Bliss Bikes in Partridge Green, Scott is back fixing bikes and skis, this time from a small barn on the Knepp Estate in West Grinstead. AAH met Scott to discuss the contrasting fortunes of his dual enterprise...
When did The Skiers Lounge open? It was on Christmas Eve 2019. We were hoping to open before that, but the unit was an empty barn that we transformed into a shop with the look and feel of an alpine hut. Initially, business was slow, but word spread and customers gradually started coming in. Then in February, ski resorts started shutting down because of Covid. It hit Italy and Austria before the UK, but many of our customers were heading to Europe for the winter season, so it was impacting trade even before the lockdown.
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Did you fear the business wouldn’t survive lockdown? I thought I would need to make staff redundant. Fortunately, the furlough scheme was introduced and I could protect jobs. I only have two people working with me, Dudley Oinn, senior boot fitter and bike technician, and Sabina Debono, showroom manager. It was then that we adapted the business and opened The Bicycle Barn. I thought that if we could repair five bikes a week, it would keep us afloat. I had no idea it would turn out to be five every day!
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RVICE You’re no stranger to running ski and bike shops… I ran Edge & Wax in Partridge Green, one of the biggest independent ski shops in the country. At its peak, we had 20 staff, running Bliss Bikes at the adjacent unit and turning over several million pounds a year. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, family commitments took my focus away from the business. I was trying to juggle too many things and the business didn’t survive.
This is a scheme which has helped many types of first-time buyers onto the property ladder in recent years but as of the 15 December 2020, things have now changed and a new Help to Buy scheme has launched. Those applicants on the existing scheme have just over three months to complete their purchases with the deadline being 31 March 2021. So, how does the new scheme differ from the old one? The Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme (2021-2023) is restricted to first-time buyers only and will introduce regional price caps on homes eligible for the scheme. The Government lends homebuyers up to 20% of the value (40% in London) towards a newly built property. Buyers must fund 5% deposit and arrange a Help to Buy mortgage for the remainder. The equity loan will be interest-free for the first five years, with interest starting at 1.75% thereafter and will rise each year in April by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) plus 2%. Help to Buy is not an all in-compassing solution but it can prove to be a viable option for a variety of first-time buyers, even for those who may have had a credit blip in the past. Although, due to its complexity, it is vital to seek good, impartial, professional advice before entering into this scheme.
How did that impact you? Unfortunately, I imploded. The staff and administrators were amazing, working very hard to ensure that as many customers and suppliers as possible were taken care of. But it took me six months to recover from the experience and to feel human again. Looking back, I learned a lot from it. But for a long time, I didn't want to even look at the tools that I'd relied on for 25 years.
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What did you do after Edge & Wax? I maintained my Facebook page, occasionally posting advice on equipment and maintenance for bikes and skis. I continued to service ski equipment for friends, on a small scale in my shed. I also worked for Cancer Research UK as I wanted to give something back after they helped my dad, who is fortunately still with us. They had an eBay shop bringing in a small income, but it wasn't very well structured and I used my Ecommerce experience to boost sales. There’s now a team using a photography studio and custom-built software and it’s one of the leading charity sites on eBay. During is one of the things I’m most proud of. Why go back into the ski business? I've been an entrepreneur since I started fixing bikes at the age of 13. However, I hadn’t been thinking seriously about going back into business until someone came to my shed and mentioned this barn on the Knepp Estate. Suddenly, the veil lifted and I was ready to try again.
Scott offers ski servicing and boot fitting (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
“Like many businesses, we’ve reached a new level of adaptability because of Covid.”
What have you done differently this time around? My time with the charity taught me how to be frugal with money. When you’re working with donated funds, every penny counts. That has impacted my approach to this business. At Edge & Wax, I tried to be all things to all people, with snowboarding, skiing, bicycles, boot fitting, servicing and a huge range of clothing and accessories. If someone wanted something we didn't stock, I would get it in. Now, I work with selected brands that we would use ourselves. At The Skiers Lounge, the focus was on doing
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Presumably, you’ve had to adapt because of Covid? Like many businesses, we’ve reached a new level of adaptability. The initial intention was to focus on face-to-face trade, but when Covid-19 hit, not many people were heading to Europe’s ski resorts. So, we transferred products online and adapted the range. With more people enjoying the great outdoors, there’s a market for
©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
Scott offers ski servicing and boot fitting at The Skiers Lounge
the things that Amazon can’t. So, we specialise in ski boot fitting and servicing. People spend a lot of money buying or renting ski boots that soon become uncomfortable if not properly measured and fitted. We offer a bespoke, customised service, even making orthotic foot soles for comfort.
scarves, face masks with extra breathability for runners, gloves and head torches. And of course, The Bicycle Barn was very busy! Were you surprised by the cycling boom? I have worked in the bike industry for 32 years and its popularity is cyclical, if you’ll excuse the pun. Every 10-12 years, there will be a surge in demand, then it drops off for
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several years. There was a boom in 2012 and when lockdown happened, I suspected it could be good for the bike trade. Nobody could have anticipated just how good it would be. It’s been jaw-dropping! In three decades, I have never seen anything like it.
The Skiers Lounge has an alpine feel ©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH)
“When I’m going downhill on an electric bike, I’m still a 21-year-old racer in my head!” How has The Bicycle Barn benefitted from that demand? There were opportunists in the bike trade, leading to price increases for bikes. Even parts became difficult to obtain. But it was great being able to help people who needed a bike, including frontline workers riding to work or to improve their wellbeing. It was a win-win for us, as the workshop helped keep the business afloat.
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Did you see lots of old bikes? People were bringing in cycles that have been sat in sheds for 30 years. We’ve seen Raleigh Lizards, Emmelle Cougars and original Muddy Fox bikes that are collector’s pieces! It was rewarding to get these bikes on the road again. I think a lot of people who have rediscovered a love of cycling will keep it going as a hobby. Is there scope to expand the cycling side of the business? That wasn't part of the plan, but considering what has happened, opportunities may arise in future. There’s also a boom in electric bikes, which are ideal in the Horsham District as it’s a beautiful area with lots of accessible climbs and bridleways. We are starting to service and repair more of them now. They are incredible! I’m an ex-professional cyclist, but with my knee injuries, I never thought I'd be able to ride like that again. When I’m going downhill on an electric bike, I’m still a 21-yearold downhill mountain bike racer in my head! What are your hopes for 2021? 2020 was tough. But we’re a ski shop that has survived despite having no ski season! So, we adapt and stay positive...
INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: TOBY PHILLIPS Further Details: Visit The Skiers Lounge and The Bicycle Barn at The Ski Barn (behind Cocoa Loco) Hillhouse Farm, Worthing Road, West Grinstead, RH13 8LG. Call: (01403) 915659 www.theskierslounge.co.uk www.thebicyclebarn.co.uk
THE
A crowd turns out to watch a competitive bike race in Horsham in the early 1900s (©HDC’s Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)
CYCLE REVOLUTION A LOOK BACK AT THE ORIGINAL BIKING BOOM IN HORSHAM
W
ith the nation currently gripped by cycling, Jeremy Knight, Horsham Museum Manager and Heritage Officer at HDC, takes AAH readers on a trip back in time, when the country was wrapped up in a similar cycling fever.
There was great ingenuity demonstrated in the attempts to combat the problems of Victorian cycling. The efforts of inventors make for one of the most fascinating displays at HDC’s Horsham Museum & Art Gallery. Sadly, it is temporarily closed, but here is a taster for the relics that survived the first golden age of cycling...
To match the creativity of bike designs, manufacturers came up with interesting names, including the Crypto Bantam bicycle, designed around 1893. This cycle, along with the Velocipede and the Ordinary, as well as the popular Bone Shaker and Penny Farthing, are among the bikes in the collections of Horsham Museum & Art Gallery.
The Pentacycle (©HDC’s Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)
CYCLING CREATIVITY So, how do you solve a problem of bumpy roads with no tarmac? Simple, you put a row of springs around the wheel! How do you carry bulky goods on your bike with ease? If you are Horsham-born architect and inventor Edward Burstow, you create an iconic Horsham bike, the Pentacycle. The Pentacycle, also known as the Hen & Chickens, was a 5-wheel bike (one large wheel and four outriders) bedecked with large baskets. Despite the initial excitement amongst local postal workers and the public, the Pentacycle was unfortunately a design dead end.
For those that were less athletic but equally keen to get out and about, the Victorians had the Bath Chair. The tricycle was created for those who were more mobile, and the museum has a Trudge model from 1885. The Trudge was designed to be a side-saddle cycle for women. After all, women used a side-saddle for horses, so why not on the bike? The tricycles proved to be a success.
CRAWLEY BIKE RACE
Horsham Cycle Club, 1905 (©HDC’s Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)
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The museum also has accounts of the reaction to developments in cycling. The September 1869 issue of the Albery Journal saw the Editor comment on the cycling craze in Horsham. His comment might have been born out by what he saw at an event that took place in a meadow in Crawley on 31 August 1869. An estimated 3,000 - 5,000 spectators watched the main event of the day, a walking race. The novelty event was a two-mile velocipede race, with six on bicycles and one on a tricycle.
“A large number of boys and young men are constantly practicing in North Street and Carfax on these newfangled riding machines.”
The Pentacycle, invented by Horsham’s Edward Burstow, proved to be a design dead-end (©HDC’s Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)
The novelty of the sport was such that there was still no terminology for accidents, so it adopted terms from other sports, such as boating. Anyone falling offer or toppling over had therefore “capsized”. The newspaper editor wrote: “Velocipedes, bicycles and tricycles are very popular in this neighbourhood just now. They are, we understand, being tested by the rural post messengers, with a view to their ultimate introduction for the benefit of those hard-worked and poorly paid servants of the Queen. A large number of boys and young men are constantly practicing in the neighbourhood of North-street and Carfax on these newfangled riding machines, which are let out to them by the hour by enterprising tradesmen.” “The movements of these would-be velocipedists are watched by many spectators, who, as is natural, find amusement in the accidents and over-turnings which, it seems, are the penalty all beginners have to pay. No fault can surely be found with them for choosing to spend their money this way, especially as they afford so much innocent amusement to lookers-on.” The editor goes on to hope that the young men would show such “pluck and perseverance” in the face of “rebuffs, difficulties and ridicule, in the attaining of other objects equally worthy and not less profitable.” Within 30 years, the motor car would be the new craze. Yet that did not stop one publisher producing a large, fully illustrated weekly magazine called The Cycling World Illustrated. The museum has the first 26 issues. It remains a wonderful window in to the world of early cycling, and the images in this feature come from it.
WORDS: JEREMY KNIGHT PHOTOS: HDC’S HORSHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
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GLADYS IS 105
LIFELONG HORSHAM RESIDENT REACHES RARE AGE MILESTONE
Gladys has lived in Horsham all her life. Her father owned a butcher’s shop in Elm Grove
T
he final pages in this month’s edition are devoted to Gladys Walker of Horsham, who was due to celebrate her 105th birthday on Tuesday 29 December. Gladys May Walker (nee Petts) was born at 68 Bishopric, Horsham, two doors west of The Kings Arms. She was the second of three children by George and Edith, arriving between brothers Alfred (known as Styx) and Jim. She attended Trafalgar Road School and would walk across the fields, long before the Davis estate was developed. Gladys later attended Oxford Road School.
Gladys was born at 68 Bishopric, Horsham
Gladys with her husband, Andy Walker, who was born in Park Street, Horsham, but sadly passed away aged 50
Gladys celebrates her 100th birthday in 2015. She is now set to receive a second card from the Queen.
WILL WRITING WEEK:
Her first job was at Laker’s in West Street, working in the Ladies’ department. For a time, she lived in Arthur Road before moving with her parents to 3a Elm Grove, where her father opened a butcher’s shop. He had previously worked for George Pearce, a well-known Horsham butcher, where he learned his craft. Styx eventually took over the butcher’s shop.
Monday 8th – Friday 12th February 2021
We are delighted to have the support of Kreston Reeves Private Client LLP in Horsham who are running a Will Writing Week to support our Charity. They have generously offered a limited number of appointments to help you make or update your existing Will and instead of their usual fees will be offering reduced rates, which they will be donating to Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity. Single Will £180
In 1940, Gladys married Andy Walker and apart from the war years, they were very happy. They lived at 29 Denne Parade and had two sons, Rex and Ross. In 1953, they bought their first house in Highlands Road. Gladys had various jobs, including being a dinner lady at Collyer’s Grammar School and waitressing for Wakefield’s, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
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Joint (Mirror) Wills £280
z
Codicil £120
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Joint (Mirror) Codicils £200
If your needs are of a more complex nature than that of a standard document, we will need to charge an appropriate fee in addition to the donation and this will be discussed during your appointment. Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity supports children under 5 years of age with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments realise their potential. z Parents and children work together in a supportive environment to improve a child’s physical, social and emotional skills. z We offer hands on structured one-to-one and small group sessions. Sessions are based on the principles of Conductive Education. z Additional services are also available including music therapy, swimming, messy play, sensory room and outreach support service. z No referral is needed. We receive no statutory funding and rely entirely on the community to raise our funds. z We have helped over 600 families from across the South East.
Andy sadly died in 1966 when they were both only 50, but Gladys found the strength and courage to overcome the tragedy. She moved to Ryecroft Drive and learned to drive, which helped with her independence.
If you would like to take advantage of this service and make an appointment please contact Glenys Creese on 01444 473274 kindly supported by or email: info@dvlcc.org.uk www.dvlcc.org.uk
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Geoff Petts ran a butcher’s shop in Elm Grove
Gladys’ brother-in-law was the late Freddie Woods, a local bandleader for many years.
Gladys enjoyed running The Children’s Shop in the Carfax
five great grandchildren) is an excellent saxophone player and teacher, and her brother-in-law was the late Freddie Woods, a local bandleader for many years.
She contacted cousins in Australia, who she had never met as their ancestors emigrated there in 1912. They invited her to stay and it led to a close bond, with Gladys visiting the country nearly 20 times, her last trip coming at the age of 92. After losing her husband, Gladys set up a business with her friend, Peggy Scobbie. The Children’s Shop sold quality children’s clothes and Gladys spent 15 happy years there before retiring in 1981. Carmela’s Deli is currently located in the unit. Throughout her life, Gladys has loved music. Grandson Andy (one of four grandchildren and
Gladys visited Australia many times
On her 100th birthday she received a card from the Queen, and is expecting to receive another on her 105th birthday.
In later life, Gladys moved to Gerald Court, a sheltered housing scheme, as she liked to have company. She looked after herself until she was 101, before moving to Leggyfield Court, where staff could provide her with a daily hot meal.
Members of her family were planning to visit Wellcross Grange at 2pm on her birthday. Wellcross Grange has created a room with a glass partition and built-in intercom so relatives can speak to Gladys for a few minutes. The home has also baked a birthday cake.
After six months, Gladys was hospitalised and diagnosed with dementia. Unable to look after herself, she was transferred to Wellcross Grange Care Home, where she is well looked after.
Many thanks to Ross Walker for his help with this article. Ross would like to thank Wellcross Grange for the care they provide for his mother. All information correct at time of press.
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