AAH (All About Horsham) March 2018

MARCH 2018

5

The growing calls for everyone to quit

How has Colonel Sanders escaped our wrath?

I don’t know how I’ve managed to get a magazine out this month.

As a member of the public, I’ve been so busy increasing the pressure on senior political and corporate figures to quit.

I was out with a banner – like we all were – calling on the Oxfam boss to quit for events that occurred in Haiti before he took up the role. Then I was caught up by the growing calls for Theresa May to quit because that’ll help, won’t it! That was just a couple of days after wailing from my loudspeaker, demanding that the Carillion audit chairman resign.

Then, there was the big rally against the UKIP leader. I don’t think there was a man, woman or child that didn’t participate in that one.

“What do we want?”

“Some bloke we’ve never heard of to quit as the head of a party with no MPs over tweets made by his former girlfriend that I didn’t actually read!”

“And when do we want it?”

“Now!” Admittedly, it wasn’t the catchiest slogan for a rally. But it did accurately reflect the anger and the growing public pressure on Henry Bolton – that’s his name - to quit.

It was that modern kind of public pressure.

The kind that doesn’t exist, but is created and repeated by the media and exploited by those with a personal interest until another career tumbles in brutal, unforgiving fashion.

Some of these ‘quit’ calls happened here in Horsham. Recently, the Conservativecontrolled council has felt the need to defend the number of affordable homes it plans to build on the new North Horsham estate, which will soon add another five minutes to your daily commute.

The local branch of the Labour party called for resignations. But they’ve made the rookie error of not naming anyone specifically, which leaves the door open for a scapegoat opportunity. One of those cases when we – the public - are outraged (apparently) and somebody must pay. We don’t really care whose head rolls. But when a junior administrator is finally held accountable, we can all breathe a sigh of relief and move on.

Normally, the media is very good at informing us who we’re outraged with. Yet, somehow, Colonel Sanders, the Godfather of Kentucky Fried Chicken, has managed to avoid the spotlight.

The Colonel could have been in the firing line years ago, given that he deceived the

March 2018 buying public into believing he’d earned his high-ranking title. In fact, it’s an honorary rank - a fact he fails to declare in any of the UK’s 900 KFC outlets.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the Colonel has been noticeable by his absence since a crippling chicken crisis hit the business.

There was a time when the Colonel cared about KFC. My mum worked at the Horsham branch in the 1980s, a time when people struggling for money didn’t think that working at a fast food restaurant or supermarket was below them.

My mum recalls that the Colonel would often check in on the Bishopric branch.

He’d bleach his goatee and moustache in the toilet, before rolling up his sleeves and helping with the frying.

If there was a rude teenager, who he called a “finger lickin’ hood,” he’d drag them out by their ear and give them a “finger kickin’ good.” That was the thing about the Colonel - he never missed an opportunity to promote his brand.

Recently, the Colonel has barely featured in ad campaigns. My mum, who is still in contact with a former colleague who used to marinate the wings, has heard that his absence is down to his styling.

With his white suit and black string tie looking like a man who’s seen ten eagles in his life, shot nine of them and is still out hunting for the one that got away - his assumed Republican leanings wouldn’t sit well in anti-Trump Britain.

So, whilst his company faced a crisis, the Colonel was sailing with his good friend Captain Birds Eye, who has also been keeping a low profile following a failed fish

Ben Morris Words & Design Toby Phillips Photography

MARCH 2018

Thanks

Susan C. Djabri, whose book ‘Waking the Dead was the basis of our History feature (p51) Geoffrey Lee of Plane Focus for additional images of the Sussex Equine Hospital (p61) Sonia Morris for pictures of her artwork (p31) The Onion/Joad Cressbeckler for the line about the eagles in Ben’s column (p5) Emily Summers for the column on RSPB Pulborough Brooks (p66)

fingers promotion. The Captain was already seething as he’d paid out a fortune to shoot an additional five seconds for his latest advert, just to explain that the kids aboard his boat were his grandchildren, to dismiss the notion that anything unsavoury was going on.

But when the extended advert was banned as it depicted children jumping into cold water on a hot day, the Captain set sail to ponder his place in the modern world.

Now, I call on the Colonel to resign. I don’t know a lot about this chicken scandal, as I didn’t read the actual facts. However, I’ve read the views of other ill-informed people on social media and I’m outraged that this Sanders bloke should be allowed to keep his job - no doubt on a fatcat salary - whilst KFC has no chicken! I don’t care if he has been dead for almost 40 years. He has no place in modern society!

Ben

6

To contact the Editor please email Ben: editor@aahorsham.co.uk

CONTENTS 10

News Round-Up Delay to Leonardslee opening and tributes to teenager and grandfather

23

Fashion Doodie Stark hopes to emulate its Lindfield success in Horsham

25

My Story So Far

Alan Woolven on his life as a concert pianist and accordionist

31 Art

COVER STORY: MARCH 2018 Our March 2018 cover photo was taken at Sussex Equine Hospital.

It features veterinary nurse Nadine Ogden and head nurse Jill Barriff with a Shetland pony being treated at the new facility, which moved to Ashington last year.

It was a difficult feature for photographer Toby Phillips, as he was unable to take snaps of the horses being treated without the consent of owners. However, he did take a couple of pictures in the laboratory as well as the cover shot, setting up a studio

The abstract art of Sonia Morris is inspired by rustic buildings and structures

AAH: THE TEAM

39

EDITOR: BEN MORRIS editor@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899 LETTERS: The Editor, AAH Magazine, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

Music

The unique method of Stringbabies helps young people learn instruments

44

Group Discussion

We meet the owners bonding with their pets at Bridge House Agility Club

51

History Denne Road Cemetery is the final resting place of fascinating characters

58

Letters Changes in Horsham prove too much for one reader, who is moving on!

61

Business Inside the extraordinary Sussex Equine Hospital in Ashington

ADVERTISING: KELLY MORRIS advertising@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899 PHOTOGRAPHY: TOBY PHILLIPS www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk 07968 795625 WEBSITE: www.aahorsham.co.uk We publish AAH online every month. You can read archive editions too.

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light in the stable block. The old W.C Fields quote says you should “never work with animals or children.” However, our other jobs that day were at Bridge House Dog Agility Club and Stringbabies music lessons!

Other contenders for the front cover included Alan Woolven (a fine gentleman featured in our My Story section); the wonderful BBH artist Sonia Morris and Graham Lawrence with his best friend Jazz at the agility club.

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NOTES: A new AAH stand has been placed outside Henry Adams estate agents in the Carfax.

We’ve had to remove stands at Hutching’s Butchers in Partridge Green and Jengers Mead Bakery in Billingshurst as they were being blown about in high winds. If anyone can offer an alternative site in either village and is happy to take the stand inside at the end of each day, please contact Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk LEAFLETS We can deliver leaflets with copies of AAH. Please email editor@aahorsham.co.uk for prices and distribution details.

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Quo-Caine support Rhino’s Revenge at The Holbrook Club on 31 March

Horsham District Council has been forced to publish a report which suggests that it could have secured a higher rate of affordable housing on the proposed new North Horsham development.

Liberty’s plans for 2,750 homes and a business park were approved by the council last year, despite only offering 18% as affordable homes, well below the council’s 35% target.

HDC asked consultants Dixon Searle Partnership (DSP) to review the information supplied by Liberty. But when its findings were published, key details were redacted. Thanks to the

efforts of campaigner Paul Kornycky, the council has now published this concealed information.

Mr Kornycky took his case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which duly forced the council to make the full un-redacted DSP report available to the public.

Campaigners now claim that the full report suggests that HDC could have done far more to secure a better deal from Liberty.

The West Sussex County Times produced an in-depth report which can be found at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

St Catherine's Hospice’s Midnight Walk returns to Horsham on Saturday 9 June. Sponsored by Gatwick Airport, the walk is open to everyone aged 10 and over and offers a choice of seven, 13 or 20 miles. It starts at 8pm or 10pm, depending on distance.

Nearly 1,000 people took part last year and St Catherine’s is hoping even more will pull on their walking shoes this summer.

There’s an early bird entry rate of £10.

After 20 April, entry is £15. All entry fees include a free T-shirt, finisher's breakfast and medal. Sign up at www.stch.org.uk/midnightwalk Oliver Gerard-Pearse in the skiing discipline

NEWS ROUND-UP

10: News

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini celebrates his 45th anniversary in the business with a series of live theatre dates, starting at The Capitol in Horsham on 6 April.

An Evening with The Great Gambo – The Professor of Pop will see the current BBC Radio 2 presenter reveal for the first time how he started out life in the Bronx and wound up in Great Britain. This accomplished broadcaster, journalist and author will share his lifetime experiences and stories, with clips of some of the great artists he has known and worked with. Tickets cost £24.50 from (01403) 750220 or www.thecapitolhorsham.com

Oliver Gerard-Pearse from Lower Beeding and Angus Young from Cranleigh both returned from January’s Winter Triathlon World Championships with medals.

Competing for Team GB in Romania, Oliver, 23, won gold with Angus claiming bronze in their respective age categories. The course comprised of a 4.5km run, 7.9km cycle and 6km cross-country ski. Both men had never run or cycled in the snow before, let alone competed in a winter triathlon.

However, Angus has competed in ultra-marathons and triathlons, whilst Oliver competed in the 2017 British championships for Biathlon.

They hope that, one day, the winter triathlon could become an Olympic sport.

Picture courtesy of Warnham CE Primary School

Round-Up: 11

Warnham CE Primary School has launched a new website to generate funds for much needed equipment.

With funding cuts affecting many schools, an innovative group of parents have taken matters into their own hands by launching a school wish list. It allows parents, carers and supporters of the school to easily donate funds where needed, with items categorised by school class and urgency, ranging

from a box of pencils costing £15 to a storage shed costing £199.

Teachers can add new items to the list as and when required.

Head Teacher, Shirley Kirby, said: “Our inspired and talented PTFA are aware of the enormous budget cuts in education and so came up with the idea. I feel proud and humbled by the caring community spirit of our school.” www.warnhamschoolwishlist.co.uk

Award-Winning Farm Shop New House Farm Shop and Tea Room is located in a beautifully renovated 16th Century barn, hidden in a quiet spot on the edge of Horsham. People come from all over to enjoy our cafe and locally sourced produce.

Strawberry Fields Tea Room

Brighton Road Baptist Church hosts an Eco Fair on Saturday 17 March, from 10am – 12:30pm.

The Eco Fair will encourage people to consider how they could live a greener life, with recycling tips and a plant and seed swap.

There will be a sunflower growing competition (to be judged in September), advice on renewable electricity and Fairtrade cakes and drinks available.

All are welcome.

Horsham businesses, charities and organisations, many in fancy dress, will compete in the rescheduled Horsham Rotary Charity Pancake Races in Carfax on Tuesday 10 April, from midday.

The event sees teams of four take on an 80m relay race requiring a mix of skill and speed. In addition, mascots will compete in egg and spoon races. The event was initially planned on what transpired to be a miserable Shrove Tuesday.

Horsham Contemporary Craft Show will be held at Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham (Horsham District Council offices next to The Black Jug) on 7-8 April, from 10am 5pm. Makers will be displaying beautifully made crafts, which have been created in workshops and studios across Sussex and the adjoining counties. Adults £3, students and children free. http://thesussexguild.co.uk/

Our tea room was voted Best Tea Room in the Sussex Life Food and Drinks Awards 2014.You can enjoy cakes and sandwiches, paninis and Ploughman’s Also, don’t miss our Full English Breakfast (Served until 12pm).

Local Food and Drink Produce Our locally sourced produce include fresh fruit and veg, freshly baked bread, fresh meat from local farms, beers and gins by local brewers, wines from the Bolney Estate, Sussex cheeses, greetings cards and great gifts!

Tea Rooms and Farm Shop open 7 days a week www.newhousefarmshop.co.uk 01293 851890 New House Farm, Old Crawley Road, Horsham, RH12 4RU Open Every Day from 10am - 5pm Closed Easter Sunday. Open Easter Monday

12: News

To submit News & Events for consideration please email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk

included Bookham Harrison Foods (Food Producer of the Year) The Sussex Produce Company in Steyning (Food Shop of the Year), New Street Butchers in Horsham (Butcher of the Year) and The Artisan Bakehouse in Ashurst (Eating Experience of the Year).

Art by Marianne Majerus

NEWS ROUND-UP

Garlic Wood Farm pictured for AAH in 2016

Horsham district businesses shone at the 2018 Sussex Food and Drink Awards, winning five categories at the Amex Stadium, Brighton on 7 February.

The Sussex Street Food of the Year award was won by Garlic Wood Farm in Steyning, whilst other local winners

Architectural Plants at Stane Street, Pulborough, will be welcoming The Garden Gallery for a four-month exhibition, show-casing contemporary sculptures in stone, bronze, steel, glass and ceramic by some of the gallery’s regular artists.

Rachel Bebb founded The Garden Gallery in 1994 to promote outstanding contemporary artists.

The exhibition is launched on 15 March with an invitation-only viewing, before running until 14 July. www.architecturalplants.com

The Manor Theatre Group present a double bill with two plays to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War. Keep the Home Fires Burning, a one act play written and directed by Suzanne Page, tells the interweaving story of the men in the trenches, the nurses in the field hospital and the loved ones left behind.

PVT Wars, a one act play written by James Mclure and directed by Dennis Manning, is about three G.I.s recovering from Vietnam War injuries. The play was performed at the Leatherhead Drama Festival and received an award, presented by Michael Caine.

Both plays run simultaneously at North Heath Hall, Horsham, on Friday 13 April and Saturday 14 April from 7:30pm.

Tickets £12 from 0333 666 3366 or www.manorhorsham.com

Turning Point Productions and Entertainment (TPPE) presents Last Tango and Last Panto in North Horsham, at North Heath Hall, Horsham, on 18–19 May, from 7:30pm. The production comprises two oneact comedies by David Tristram, directed by Helen Smith-Turner. Tickets £12.50 (includes two-course supper) from (01403) 541839 or www.tpentertainment.co.uk

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14: News

For more local events visit the Events section at aahorsham.co.uk

NEWS ROUND-UP

Picture courtesy of Michael Stevens

The opening of Leonardslee Gardens Estate has been delayed until July, as progress was slowed by poor weather and environmental issues.

It was hoped that the historic 200 acre lakes and gardens in Lower Beeding would be open from March, but rainfall delayed essential works.

As well as restoring the house, rock garden and dolls house museum, the new owners are creating a new

Home Decorating

restaurant and tearooms.

Leonardslee was first planted in 1801 and is noted for its outstanding rock garden as well as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and spring flowers. The estate attracted up to 50,000 visitors a year until it closed to the public in 2010. www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk

A fun dog show will be held as part of the Crawley and Horsham Point to Point races at Parham on Saturday 17 March. There was a high number of entries last year, with classes run between each race.

Guest judge Tim Wonnacott will be making a welcome return to the dog show arena. There are separate classes for best terrier, hound, working/gun dog, cross breed, golden oldies (8 years and over), as well as a judge’s choice and overall champion. The fun dog show starts at 1pm, with entry £2 a class.

For further information, contact Susan Humphrey on 07768 958708. Entry to the Parham Races is £13 in advance with race card or £15 on the gate. www.parham-races.co.uk

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The Piazza Italia festival returns on Good Friday, 30 March and Easter Monday, 2 April.

The first day of Piazza Italia includes the Italia in Piazza market, selling Italian delicacies as well as stalls selling leather goods and Italian themed souvenirs. There will be a Lamborghini display in Carfax with Ferraris in the Bishopric, Italian Job Minis at Parkside and motorcycles in East Street.

Other highlights of the day include music and street theatre

from the Carfax Bandstand.

The Italia in Piazza market will again be in the Carfax on Easter Monday. Premier GT, who provided an incredible display of supercars in 2017, will return with the Premier GT Race Paddock at Parkside. There will also be a display of McLarens in East Street, Italian scooters in Market Square, Abarths in the Bishopric, Fiat 500s on Carfax and Ferraris on the Forum.

For more details, visit the Horsham Piazza Italia page on Facebook.

Round-Up: 15

TOOVEY’S INVITATION TO CONSIGN

The Unity Players present an Edwardian Extravaganza at the Unitarian Church, Worthing Road, Horsham, on 16–17 March, from 7pm.

Presented in aid of Home-Start and Multiple Sclerosis charities, the evening includes music, sketches and film excerpts from the heyday of Edwardian entertainment. Reserve your tickets by calling Pat on 07810 407949 or email patriciamariapoole@gmail.com

The Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre hosts a Motown and Soul Night at The Roffey Club, Spooners Road, on Friday 23 March.

The DJ will be spinning discs from 7.30pm and the event includes a raffle, with a licensed bar. The night is a fundraiser for the group’s new Horsham centre, opening in the spring. The centre will provide free information, advice and a wide range of complementary therapies to support local people affected by cancer.

Tickets £10 from (01293) 534465 or office@olivetreecancersupport.org.uk

An 1847 Victoria Gothic crown ~ auctioned in our January sale of Coins & Bankotes for £1,900

Entries are invited for our forthcoming specialist sales of Coins & Banknotes on 21st March and 16th May For free valuations and advice, please contact Mark Stonard The leading antique and fine art auction house in West Sussex

SPRING GARDENS, A24 WASHINGTON, RH20 3BS 01903 891955 auctions@tooveys.com www.tooveys.com

Issy with Jade Lally, UK discus champion and

Mike Goody, Invictus gold medal swimmer

Set4Success, a charity which supports talented sports stars in the district, has announced its latest award recipients.

Amber Ranson (swimming), Fynn Talley and Emily Orman (football), Alexandra Baker (basketball), Corlia Robertson, Ryan Elnaggiar, Ellie Worrall, Zack Wake and Marcus Rolfe (judo), Harvey Claridge (motorcycle racing), Orla Brothers and Harry Baker (athletics) and Caitlin MacGregor (trampolining). Most winners are national or county champions in their chosen sports.

The awards are organised by Horsham Rotary Club with support from Horsham District Council, Places for People Leisure and local schools and businesses.

The charity received a donation from Neilcott Construction, who are building the new Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre. The Neilcott Trophy will be presented annually to a past Set4Success winner who has demonstrated the highest achievement in their chosen field. The inaugural award was won by Issy Hayes, national biathlon champion. www.set4success.org

NEWS ROUND-UP

16: News

Tributes have been paid to William Hallett and Barry Hearnshaw, who died following a tragic incident at Barns Green level crossing on the morning of Saturday 17 February.

William, 15, and his grandfather Barry, 72, died when a train struck a car at the crossing. William’s family said: “Will was a loving son, brother and grandson. He was handsome, intelligent and extremely active.

He was a talented footballer and idolised Chelsea FC. He was often found kicking a ball about on our village

green and played for Horsham Sparrows. One thing this tragedy has proved to us is how popular and loved he was within our beautiful village of Barns Green and at Tanbridge House School. He was an intelligent, high grade achiever, who

The Volunteer Centre has new opportunities available across the district. The Pulborough Community Care Association, which acts as a lifeline for isolated people, needs volunteer drivers.

Do you enjoy cooking? The Phoenix Stroke Club in Horsham needs someone who can prepare and cook a two course lunch. Horsham Older People’s Council is on the lookout for a volunteer who’s a good communicator,

aspired to be an airline pilot. We are utterly devastated by this tragic accident that has robbed us of our gorgeous, lovable and cheeky son. It has also deprived his younger brother, Henry, of a fantastic role model, although we all have many fantastic memories which we will hold on to dearly. It has left an immense hole in our world, which can never be filled.”

The family also paid tribute to “devoted husband, father and grandfather” Barry Hearnshaw, who worked in special education until his retirement.

Muntham House School in Barns Green was among the schools where Barry worked during a long career. He was also involved in creating the Barns Green Half Marathon.

Detectives are still appealing for information to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident at 8:40am. Investigators are particularly keen to speak with motorists who have dash cam footage of the area from 17 February.

Anyone with information should contact the British transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting 146 of 17/02/2018.

knows the Highway Code and would be willing to train people in the safe use of mobility scooters.

Muntham House School in Barns Green is looking for a new governor. Could you help this residential and day school for pupils with special learning requirements?

For more details of these and other volunteering opportunities in the Horsham District visit www.hamsva.org.uk

Come and Sing 'Messiah' at St Margaret's Church, Warnham, on Saturday 7 April.

For only £5, you can sing in a scratch performance of Handel's Messiah, conducted by Steve Dummer in what is expected to be a choir of over 70 singers.

Tenors and basses are particularly needed, but all voices are sought.

Scores will be available to hire for £1.

Rehearsals are held from 10am-1pm, with the concert taking place at 7.30pm.

Joining conductor Steve Dummer will be organist Ian le Grice, continuo David Hansell and soloists Clare Troth, Jo Browse, Chris Huggon and Ian Gardner.

The event is sponsored by Ritchie Phillips.

To register to sing or to book a ticket, call Jo Browse on 07530 123473 or email jobrowse@outlook.com

Horsham Repair Cafe has been given a helping hand by Tesco. The new community initiative has been voted the winner of Tesco Bags of Help, a community grant scheme where money raised by the sale of carrier bags is used to fund local projects. The Horsham Repair Cafe is a volunteer-run scheme that operates on the first Saturday of the month. Repairs range from clothing, small household electrical goods, laptops, PCs and mobile phones, whilst there is a monthly plastic bottle refill service for household cleaning products. www.horshamrepaircafe.org.uk

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Round-Up: 19

Sussex Wildlife Trust is launching 16 wildlife and bushcraft groups this spring for children aged 3-5 and 5-11 in locations including Horsham and Henfield.

Picture courtesy of Sue Curnock/SWT

The Wildlife Watch and Nature Tots groups are run by trained Forest School Leaders and themed around the changing seasons and helping wildlife. Sessions are held at Woods Mill in Henfield on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and at Chesworth Farm, on Mondays and Saturdays.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Book online at sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturetots and sussexwildifetrust.org.uk/ wildlifewatch or call (01273) 497561.

The new Piries Place car park will feature a ‘living wall’ with plants on the outside of the main stairwell.

The design, for either a three or four deck car park, was approved

by Horsham District Council’s planning committee, although some councillors expressed concerns about the cost of maintaining it.

The idea may have been inspired

by Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, which featured in the finale of Planet Earth II. Whether Horsham’s version will also incorporate plant species such as the Tillandsia stricta from Brazil, Tillandsia fasciculate from Panama and Pseudorhipsalis from Costa Rica remains to be seen.

Horsham District Council has a new fleet of 19 waste collection vehicles to roll out its new bin collection service.

The fleet includes one smaller 16-tonne truck which can access isolated properties and narrow lanes. The trucks will deliver significant environmental benefits as well as substantial savings in fuel consumption, whilst the old fleet will be sold off to contribute to the cost of the new vehicles.

All the vehicles are rear loading, so to help with collection, residents are asked to position their bins with the

handles facing towards the road, not away from the road.

The new service sees recycling collected one week and residual household waste collected the same day the following week. For details on schedules visit www.horsham.gov.uk/ bincalendar

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20: News

NEWS ROUND-UP

The second supermoon of January occurred on January 30 - 31.

Toby Phillips, the AAH photographer, was working at Christ’s Hospital School on 31 January and captured this image.

A supermoon happens as a full moon aligns with the point closest to the Earth

If you’d like to know more about hiring the services of Toby Phillips visit https://tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk

in the moon's elliptical orbit. The moon appeared 14% bigger and brighter than usual from 6.30pm on January 30 and continued on January 31.

The occurrence was extra special for stargazers in some parts of the world, as it had an added red glow, caused by the

shadow of the Earth casting a reddish hue on the moon.

Whilst we didn’t have that, the spectacle gave something for stargazers to cheer following a much-hyped but ultimately disappointing perseid meteor shower last summer!

Picture of Geoff Achison by Sam Tilders

The Defibs-for-Southwater project achieved a significant milestone when Debs Spraget and the team at Coco’s Style in Lintot Square handed over a cheque for £2,266. This will help the Southwater Responders fund the conversion of a disused BT phone box on Shipley Road into a potentially life-saving Public Access Defibrillator (PAD).

In the event of someone experiencing an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA), a defibrillator can significantly increase their survival rate. The cabinet and defibrillator for the phone box are being procured with the support of Trimbio, a local medical equipment supplies company.

Coolham Live Music Club welcomes Geoff Achison and the UK Souldiggers on Sunday 1 April, from 1:15pm.

Geoff is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, vocalist and songwriter from Melbourne, who was lead guitarist with bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders before forming his own band. In 2008, he made Guitar Player Magazine's Top 10 Hottest New Guitarists list. The bill also includes Alice Charlotte Armstrong and Marcus Praestgaard-Stevens. Then on Saturday 7 April, the renowned music club welcomes Georgia van Etten and her band, with support from the Lisa Marini Band. For tickets email info@tamepromotions.co.uk

Funny flying fish, alphabet pizza and silly sizzling sausages were just some of the dishes created by children for the Kids’ Menu Challenge laid down by awardwinning café, Billy’s on the Road in Billingshurst.

The competition attracted more than 50 entries from children eager to find their favourite food on Billy’s new kids’ menu.

But it was a Baconana Butty, created by Jessica Overton-Smith, nine, from Fittleworth, which caught the eye of owner Billy Willison and won the star prize of a family meal for four. The dish includes crispy bacon, chopped banana and lashings of maple syrup. www.billysontheroad.co.uk

Round-Up: 21

Millais School has been selected to be part of the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival 2018. This is a unique opportunity to stage a new play, written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights.

Millais will perform The Changing Room, written by Chris Bush, at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester on Thursday 22 March. Set in a swimming pool, it follows a group of teens full of excitement, impatience and uncertainty, each with their own secret worries and desires for the future.

Tickets £5 from the Box Office on (01243) 781312.

Ariel Company Theatre has announced that it is opening a new drama academy at Roffey Millennium Hall on 8 April.

Ariel is a family theatre company and a leading light in all aspects of theatrical training, including dance, drama and singing, with academies established across West Sussex.

The new academy will run on Saturdays from 2.15 - 5pm, welcoming students aged 7 -19.

The Horsham team is headed up by principal Ben Simpson, who

trained at London School of Musical Theatre. Drama will be taught by Kyle Brown, whilst Chelsea Hennessey teaches singing skills and Becky Gallagher handles administration.

Rehearsals for Ariel’s production of Les Misérables will start soon and the show will play at the Capitol in November. For information visit www.arielct.co.uk or to register for a free trial call Nicci Hopson on (01444) 250407.

As part of Horsham’s Easter celebrations, town businesses will host a Bunny Hunt during the school holidays, from Good Friday 30 March until Sunday 15 April.

Accompanied children will be able to visit a range of Shops and draw ‘Find the Carrot’ cards to discover whether they have won a little treat and then find which bunny is hiding in that shop.

The children have a chance of winning prizes. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Rotary Club of Horsham page on Facebook or picked up at participating shops.

The activity is being organised by the Rotary Club of Horsham.

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After eight successful years in Lindfield, independent women’s fashion boutique Doodie Stark has opened its second branch in Horsham.

Tucked away in Market Square, next to Bill’s, Doodie Stark stocks a wide range of clothing and accessories from exclusive brands which have been sourced from all over Europe and the US. It is a destination shop with a stunning, contemporary and welcoming interior.

Owned by Liz Jefferson, the shop carries her childhood nickname, ‘Doodie Stark’. After graduating from the London College of Fashion, Liz’s career was for many years in the wholesale side of fashion. Her first job was with the famous couture designer John Galliano. She gained all round experience of the industry,

covering the top fashion shows in London and Paris working alongside many of the famous supermodels of the eighties.

Subsequent moves to Valentino and the French Connection Group provided Liz with a sound knowledge of how to create a boutique which appeals to everyone.

“Our best selling knitwear piece is from Danish brand Saint Tropez and has a price tag of £30.”

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Scandinavian Surge “At Doodie Stark we search for brands which are unlikely to be found on the High Street. In fact for some brands we are the only stockist in the UK. There is currently an explosion of talented Scandinavian designers.”

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jeans in Sussex. Each member of our team is not only well-versed enough in the shop’s stock to know their Paige Denim from their JBrand, they are also trained as stylists so they understand which cuts suit curvier figures and which suit a more boyish silhouette.”

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Many of our regular customers travel considerable distances to find something unique.”

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“Alongside the beautiful silks and cashmere you will find brands to suit every budget. Our best selling knitwear piece is from Danish brand Saint Tropez and has a price tag of £30.”

“When we opened our first shop one of our regular customers commented: ‘Perfect. You have brought a little bit of London to Lindfield!’ We’ll endeavour to do the same for Horsham.”

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My Story: 25

ACT ACCORDIONLY Alan Woolven of Horsham talks about his lifetime in music I was born at 78 Bishopric, Horsham in 1930. My father was a train driver, operating steam trains on local routes including the old Downs Link.

When I was five, I started playing the piano. My father was a pianist but was never taught properly, so he was keen for me and my brother to learn. I was tutored initially by Marjorie Monk, then by a brilliant musician called Stan Redford, the organist at Warnham Church, until he was called up during the war.

One night, my parents took me to watch Mrs Leighton's Accordion Band and asked if I’d be interested in trying out. I was excited by the idea, so they found an accordion and I joined the band. During the war, we became a resident band at The Odeon in Horsham, playing every

Alan started out playing the piano and accordion in local bands, but his life changed dramatically after a tragic incident on Picts Hill in 1945... fortnight on a Friday evening. We didn’t receive any money for playing, but were treated to a fish and chips supper and that was the highlight for me.

After a while, I played my first solo, Temptation Rag and a few weeks later I performed Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No.5. For a while, I played more accordion than piano, although I was progressing as a pianist under the tutelage of Stan Sutton, who was choirmaster and organist at St Mary's and a teacher at Collyer’s.

A splinter group called The Serenaders was formed from the

accordion band and we played for soldiers at army camps. We were all children, except for the pianist and drummer. We often performed for Canadians based at Winter Gardens in North Street and at the soldiers’ base at Denne Park.

The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was set up to entertain the troops.

Well known entertainers and singers including Max Bygraves and Vera Lynn would perform as part of the war effort. My mother, who was involved in organising The Serenaders, was approached

by ENSA, asking if I would play

the accordion to troops. I was given time off school, so I was happy! At the time, I attended Victory Road School, which burned down in 1940.

I loved playing for the troops. I played on Christmas Day and Boxing Day at the Canadian hospital in Roffey, after the soldiers had been badly hit at Dieppe. As usual, I wasn't paid any money but the soldiers would give me pies, chocolate and sweets. I was thrilled, as we didn't have much to eat during the war as everything was rationed.

If you lived further than three miles from a venue, you’d be picked up by an ENSA truck. But anyone living closer had to ride their bicycle or walk, because of a shortage of petrol. I remember the top of bicycle lights were painted black so that any German

26: My Story

If you’d be interested in being interviewed for our My Story So Far feature, email editor@aahorsham.co.uk

‘It was an emotional day, but I did it because my mother would have wanted me to.’ aircraft overhead couldn’t see you. On 17 March 1945, I cycled to Southwater Village Hall to play for Canadian troops with The Serenaders. The concert finished at about 10:30pm and me and my mum were among the last to leave. We rode home, down Picts Hill where The Fox and Hounds pub was (now The Boars Head).

You didn't have things like crash helmets back then.

Alan in his RAF uniform, rowing on the Arun in Guildford

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We were passing the pub when my mum hit a Canadian soldier, who had left the pub to go back to camp. He was so drunk that he’d collapsed in the road. She hit her head as she was thrown backwards, just in front of me. A Canadian truck coming along the Worthing Road stopped and they took my mother to Horsham Hospital, but she died from the bleeding before we even arrived.

She was 40 and I was 14.

I did blame myself for a time, as she was out that night because of me. That was the end of The Serenaders and I haven't played the accordion in a band since.

However, a few months later, I performed an accordion solo on Carfax bandstand on VE Day. Everybody in town knew what had happened, so there was a lot of support for me. It was an emotional day. It was hard, but I did it because my mother would have wanted me to.

Before mum died, I won a scholarship to technical college.

However, there were concerns that working with bricks and mortar was damaging my hands and affecting my music. So, I left college and instead became a hairdressing apprentice at a salon in Horsham.

I met a girl called June Garman at a Drill Hall dance when I was 16. Her father was leader of the Horsham Borough Band and her brothers played the cornet and trumpet. One night, there was a talent competition at the Drill Hall and the prize was £5, which was a lot of money for a boy my age. June’s older brother was competing too. We both played and he finished first, but the best three all went into a grand final and I just snuck in.

I decided to play a different piano piece in the final; the Warsaw Concerto. I won first prize, beating June’s brother, but her father was not happy! I won't repeat his words, but he thought it was a fix! The judges were the renowned trumpeter Freddy Woods and saxophonist Jim Petts. As it transpired, Roy Garman went on to become a professional trumpet player.

I was called up for service and after months of training became

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Alan opened two hairdressing salons in Horsham

Alan Woolven: 27

Alan with his older brother both played the accordion

a wireless operator at RAF Coastal Command. I can still remember Morse code, which I learned at Compton Bassett. Naturally, it wasn’t long before I was involved in musical concerts at RAF stations all over the south. I would often perform on the same bill as another accordionist, Jack Emblow, who later recorded music for TV programmes including Last of the Summer Wine.

I married June when I was 20. We moved into a single room within a house in Horsham and life was hard. I was studying to become a concert pianist, which I eventually gained from Trinity College, London. June helped me with the written work and exam preparation, which I wasn’t good at. To gain my certificate, I played Bach, Mozart and a Schumann piece which was 36 pages long. I played it from memory! To help supplement my hairdressing money, I would enter talent shows. There was a big one at Butlin’s and first prize was a week’s holiday, which was great for me and my family!

When the Korean War started, I was recalled as a wireless operator. June thought it was the end of the world. She didn’t think she would ever see me again! I was stationed in Northwood, the headquarters of Coastal Command, and then Gibraltar. But once again, my time in the RAF was defined by music.

When I was de-mobbed, I returned to Horsham, now living in a flat on Station Road. Then, in 1956, I opened my own hairdressers near the iron bridge on East Street. I was busy right from the outset.

One day, an Italian customer told me about a relative of his who was a hairdresser in Naples and wanted to move to England. I agreed to be his sponsor, as I needed an extra pair of hands. He couldn’t speak a word of English and had never seen electric

Alan with June on Warnham Mill Pond in 1948.

Alan (centre) plays with June’s brothers

28: My Story clippers. But he was a dab hand with a cut-throat razor! When I decided to move on from hairdressing, I had two shops and the Italian continued at one of them. The Morrone family still cut hair in Horsham today.

I was reunited with a school friend, Charlie Berwick, when he came to fit floor tiles at my house. We started chatting about flooring and there seemed to be a business opportunity, so we became partners. He taught me about flooring and we did very well, but had different ideas for the direction of the company. We went our separate ways on good terms and remained friends until he passed away. Berwick's is still going as a family-run business whilst my son is still at the company I formed, Supafit Flooring.

Supafit Carpet Warehouse and Supafit Fabrics started life in East Street, Horsham

OPENING OFFER OF 25% OFF ALL SERVICES Having trained with leading stylists across the world, Marcos Garcia has opened his own salon on South Street, Horsham.

Marcos learned his craft at leading high street salons before travelling around the world with his partner, Carla. Whilst in Melbourne, he had the good fortune to work with the Australian Hairdresser of the Year for six months.

When he returned to England, he further enhanced his knowledge at the multi award-winning HOB salons. After working at their flagship salon, Marcos was made manager of its Baker Street salon.

London Life After 18 enjoyable months in London, Marcos moved on to Brighton, primarily working for Electric Hair, created by renowned stylist Martin Woolley.

Marcos said: “The experiences I gained in Melbourne, London and Brighton, with stylists who were brilliant in different ways, took me to another level.

“Working at the sharp end of styling opened my eyes as to how much there is to learn and it’s been a steep learning curve that I’ve loved.

Marcos with Ellie, Carla (with Luna) & Lucy at the salon

“The experiences I gained in Melbourne, London and Brighton, took me to another level.”

Horsham Salon Tonics Craft Hair opened on South Street in the centre of town in December.

Marcos said: “It was my dream to have my own salon in Horsham. I know the town and didn't feel there was a salon offering high-calibre hairdressing on an independent level.

“I consider hairdressing as a

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craft and it’s something I’m passionate about.

“I'm always looking to refine and perfect my craft and that extends to my staff and every aspect of the business, from the quality of our Kevin Murphy products down to the locally roasted Craft House Coffee we serve our customers.

“So, when people come here, they know they are going to have the best experience.”

I established Supafit with two partners, one a flooring fitter and the other a carpet fitter. We started out on East Street and later the business moved to Roffey, then to its current site on Blatchford Road. June and I moved to a house off Blackbridge Lane. Our bungalow was the first property built on our road. When the company was more established, I could afford to extend and even built a swimming pool in 1976!

Music has dominated my life. I’ve played in countless bands over the years including the The Conchords and The Van Woolven Quartet. I must have played at every church and village hall and accompanied very good singers at theatres, including The Capitol, along the way.

Perhaps the best I played with was an 18-piece band in Hollywood. I played the piano during a break in their show and afterwards joined them for a few other performances. I also visited Sun Studios in Memphis. June encouraged me to play the old piano in the studio.

The security guard told me that I’d broken every rule in the book, but he didn’t mind as at least I could play well! It was great to do that in a studio where Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded classic songs.

Radio Mercury was based in Crawley and for a long time was a very popular station. Supafit would support its charity work and I would play the piano at musical fundraisers. Mike Read would be there on the guitar and singers including Dame Vera Lynn and Anita Harris would all give up their time too. I have also played concerts

Alan Woolven: 29 FINANCIAL A DV I C E O F T RU E F A M I LY VA L U E

Alan has performed with famous names, including Dame Vera Lynn

'The security guard at Sun Studios told me that I’d broken every rule in the book!’ for leukemia, as a granddaughter of mine suffers from it.

I recorded a CD about 30 years ago. We became lifelong friends with another family we met on holiday in Spain and every time they visited us, their young son would head straight for my piano.

I suggested that he have lessons, as he clearly had an interest. He eventually became musical director at Carlisle University and kindly gave me the opportunity to record.

June and I were unfortunate, as two of our children died during infancy. We lost our first son after a few days and a daughter passed away due to liver complications whilst very young. But June was very brave and wanted to try again and we did eventually have a daughter, Trudy.

June suffers from Alzheimer's. I visit her at the care home every afternoon, seven days a week, where she has been for several years. Sadly, it has reached the point where she doesn't really know who I am, but she does

know that I’m there. She cannot talk or walk and needs to be hoisted in and out of bed.

For me, Alzheimer's is even worse than cancer, because you are fighting a losing battle. Nobody ever wins. Cancer is dreadful, of course, but there is a chance of success. With dementia, the government doesn’t get involved and it costs the family a lot of money for the care. They often get very little for that money.

I remember when West Street was a two-way street and it was amazing to see a single car! I would walk down it and know everybody. Now, it’s rare that I see a single old face in town. When I do, I reminisce about The Odeon and the Drill Hall dance.

I have written a piece of music for the RAF, with lyrics too, and I hope that I can take to the Carfax Bandstand once again to perform it.

My intergenerational wealth management advice is designed to protect the wealth and financial future of your family.

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INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS/ LAN WOOLVEN

If you’d like to share your life story with AAH, do get in touch.

Here’s how it works - Ben comes along and has a chat over a cuppa (a biscuit is appreciated by not obligatory!) then Toby turns up and captures your good side. It’s a great excuse to dig out old photo albums too. For details, email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk

The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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Art: 31

Sonia MORRIS ART FOCUS

For Sonia Morris, becoming an artist has been a long and occasionally turbulent journey.

Her fascinating work, inspired by rustic buildings and structures, has recently come to the attention of local galleries. Here, the Broadbridge Heath artist describes how an emotional intensity underpins each one of her mixed media canvases…

Positive Influences I grew up on a farm in Shipley and loved drawing from a young age. There was a barn owl that used to fly around the farm and I would draw that, as well as household objects. I created collages too using buttons, material and ripped up paper.

My passion for art developed at the Weald School. One of the teachers, Terry Griffin, was a ceramics specialist.

She had been a close friend of my mum, who I lost to cancer when I was

ten. Terry took me under her wing to a degree and was a hugely positive influence in my life. I loved making slab pottery and that was inspired by Terry’s own ceramics. When I applied for college, she even helped me put a portfolio together and drove me to the interview at Northbrook College in Horsham. Unfortunately, I didn’t settle there. I went in knowing what I wanted to do and wasn’t prepared to learn anything else first.

‘You’ll Make Millions!”

I spent ten years working at Mann’s of Cranleigh and throughout that time I maintained an interest in art. I’ll always be grateful to Richard Womack, the owner, as he paid for me to attend UCA Farnham for two days a week, where I gained a diploma in Art and Design.

I didn't have access to a kiln at home, so I stopped making ceramics. Instead, I created abstracts on canvas, inspired

32: Art

Read our feature on ceramics artist Iveta Goddard on the Art section at aahorsham.co.uk

“I’m fascinated by old street buildings, with fading colours and old posters peeling away.�

by Spanish painter Antoni TĂ pies, who was famed for his rough, densely-worked surfaces.

My partner, Dean, plays guitar in several folk groups and function bands and sometimes he’d come home in the early hours to find painting equipment scattered across the house. One night, he came in and woke me up and asked if I had painted the piece on the table. He said: “That’s it!

You’re going to make us millions!�

But I struggled to replicate whatever it was that made that painting work. I would spend hours on each canvas and then hide them away in the garage. I felt that my art was either too contrived or lacked depth and technique. It was frustrating, but for a few years my work stagnated.

I married Dean and we had two children, which made painting difficult but he kept encouraging

me. In the past, people told me that painting was fine, but it didn’t pay the bills. But Dean has made a living from his passion as a guitar teacher and he believed I could do the same. Then suddenly, I created a string of four paintings that achieved the look I was after.

Sense of Structure With my work, there is a strong sense of structure and architecture. I’m fascinated by old street buildings, particularly their fading colours and the remnants of old posters peeling away.

I try to recreate that look of degradation in my work using multiple layers and materials.

I work mainly with pastels and paper that I can strip back or build on if required. I do tend to like certain colours, although my

The Places We Go by Sonia Morris

ART CLASS STARTS SOON

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ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS - JUST LIKE YOU! The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush before through to improvers.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE We adapt to each student’s needs and give them all the guidance and help they need to develop their artistic skills. The curriculum is fun, comprehensive and interesting. Over the course we will explore four different media; pencil drawing & sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and blending with water colours and acrylics. Step by step tuition in the basic techniques and secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of art.

STILL LIFE TO LANDSCAPES By the end of the course, students will have created a minimum of 12 pieces of their very own original art they can enjoy forever, from simple still life and flower studies to beautiful countryside landscape scenes.

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Sonia Morris: 33

2 20 200 2002 - 2018 20 201 2 THE GOOD BEER GUIDE earlier work was much darker, with monotone shades. Perhaps I’m happier than I used to be!

Channeling Emotions There is an emotional side to my work. I have this idea of my mum being in one place and me being in another and there's a structure or divide between us.

That may sound awful, but it has come about because of positive changes in my life. My thoughts about my mum have changed since my own children were born.

I always thought about it from my own perspective. I was the poor little girl who lost her mum to cancer, which is terrible for any child. But I never thought about how my mum felt.

My daughter is six-years-old, nearly at the age I was when my

mum first became ill. Now, I think about how terrible it must have been for my mum, knowing she was leaving her family behind and there was nothing that she could do about it.

Those thoughts do inform my work, particularly my sketchbooks, which are full of scribbled note, thoughts and ideas.

Some may think it strange that I would share these thoughts, as they are very personal. But I like to think that it just might help somebody else going through something similar, as it’s good to be open about such issues.

I remember being taken to a therapist after my mum passed away and it was the last thing I needed. If I had a different outlet, like a regular art session with somebody like Terry, it would have been a more beneficial to express and control my feelings.

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34: Art

Strength in Layers by Sonia Morris

Confidence Boost I saw that the artist-run Chalk Gallery in Lewes had an opening, so I applied. They needed four pieces of work submitted, so I sent in the only four pieces I was happy with and was thrilled when they invited me for an interview.

I was surprised when they offered me the chance to join them, as I didn’t really consider myself to be an artist.

I had sold a few pieces before, including one canvas that I disliked so much that I asked the customer if they were joking about buying it. The painting was resting against bikes in the shed for two years and I was worried it would be full of holes, but it was fine and the customer was thrilled with it.

To have been approved by other artists was a huge confidence boost for me. The wonderful thing about the Chalk Gallery is that you must replace your work every six weeks, which pushes you to improve as an artist.

Also, because it is a co-operative involving 21 other people, there’s a great support network. Thanks to the contacts I’ve made there, I’m also exhibiting at Pelham House in Lewes, The Laughing Dog Gallery in Brighton and Lewes Artwave.

“It may only appeal or captivate a person with a certain perspective or frame of mind.” continued. But that aspect of my work is on hold as I have been focused on creating the large canvases. That is what I currently enjoy doing the most.

I can't always tell how a picture is going to come out, as they tend to take on a life of their own when the layers pile up. But it would be boring if I knew exactly what the finished piece was going to look like every time.

I’m aware that my work is not going to appeal to everyone, but that is the fascinating thing about abstract art. It may only entice or captivate a person with a certain perspective or frame of mind.

The most important thing for me is to produce something I’m happy with.

INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS/ SONIA MORRIS

Certain Appeal For several years, I made small illustrations of people and families.

I would combine pen and inks with pastels and water colours to create bespoke greetings cards and portraits. It started when a friend asked for one and that led to another and the cycle

Visit Chalk Gallery at 4 North Street, Lewes or at http://chalkgallerylewes.co.uk/ Sonia Morris’ illustrative designs can be found at https://www.etsy.com/

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A STRING OF SUCCESS Innovative Stringbabies tuition teaches children music through play

Kay Tucker formed Stringbabies to help teach young children to learn an instrument and read music.

Now, despite its name, Stringbabies’ techniques are used by people of all ages across the country and beyond.

We met Kay at her Horsham home to discover how the business evolved...

Formulating an Idea About 14 years ago, Kay was at a crossroads. With her husband approaching retirement, Kay was considering what to do.

As an experienced musician and teacher, she created Stringbabies, an idea she’d been formulating for many years.

“There was a gap in the market for instrumental lessons for young children. I had provided tuition for many years, but had long felt that traditional ways of teaching children to read music were ineffectual. I wasn't completely satisfied with the methods I was using to teach. When I started to break down what was involved in teaching young people, I came up with a new approach, far removed from conventional methods.”

40: Music

Kay Tucker has written Stringbabies guides for cello and violin

Read our feature on Little Notes on the Business section at aahorsham.co.uk

Kay tutoring promising young pupil, Ethan

It Began with the Cello Stringbabies was born when Kay received a phone call from Arundale School in Pulborough, which closed in 2010. The school’s Head of Music asked if she could provide music tuition, and Kay took the opportunity to try out her new method on pre-school pupils.

After discussing the idea with parents who expressed an interest, Kay launched her first Cellobabies class.

“The lessons were great fun, but it took me six weeks to go through what I could now achieve in a matter of minutes.

My aim was to ensure that the idea worked because it was fundamentally a good idea, and not just because I was an enthusiastic teacher. After a year, the children were able to read music and I had a feeling that Cellobabies might have a future.”

Making Music Fun Kay’s method involves children learning music by linking each string to a child’s toy, or even a shape for very young children.

Gradually, through musical games, the child develops an understanding until they can read a five-line stave. Students are also encouraged to create their own compositions as they progress to a level where they can read conventional musical notation.

“Young children love to play, and if they can associate a music lesson with playtime, it would be engaging and fun.

At the age of three or four, children can learn good playing habits and pick up music reading very easily.

“For those that start at such an age, most achieve grade four by the time they reach Year 7 and often they are playing at a grade six or seven level.

One young lady, who started playing

Stringbabies: 41

Chloe is progressing well on the cello

“If the government focused more on music, drama and sport, schools would see better results.” when she was three and has just turned ten, has reached grade 8 with a high distinction and has been accepted to the National Children's Orchestra.”

The Violin Version After two years of teaching Cellobabies, several parents suggested that Kay should write a book, which she did with guidance from Pat Legg, a leading music educationalist.

“Pat had vast experience in this area and very quickly she felt that the book could work. Putting it together gave me a headache as I had to explain things simply in writing, which was challenging.

Slowly, but surely, the Stringbabies method began to spread through word-of-mouth and some of the more curious teachers in the profession took notice. Eventually, I was asked to write a violin version of the book. However, what greatly surprised me was that it wasn’t just being used to teach children. I heard about adults who had never learned to read music using it.”

Fighting Music’s Corner Nowadays, the Stringbabies method is used to teach the violin, viola, double bass and recorder, as well as the cello.

Whilst Kay continues to offer oneto-one tuition, the books are also

used by an increasing number of registered Stringbabies teachers.

In 2010, the Surrey Music Service (now Surrey Arts) decided to run a Stringbabies pilot scheme. Surrey Arts now has 15 teachers delivering tuition across the county, whilst the service has also been taken up in Cornwall, East Ayrshire and Oxfordshire.

The method has reached America and Kay is training her first teacher in Australia, via Skype.

However, she still believes classical music is being undervalued as an educational tool.

“Music teaching is under threat because it is not given priority by the government. I know school budgets are tight, but having spoken to politicians and leading music educationalists, it is my opinion that the value of music is generally not being recognised.

“I have young children learning to read music and it’s no big surprise that when they start school, their literacy skills are much sharper as a result. Research proves that playing an instrument challenges and develops the mind. If the government focused more on music, drama and sport, schools would see better results across all subjects. Yet unfortunately, we’re continually having to fight our corner.”

A Good Teacher Kay was a musical late starter, picking up the cello at the age of 12, passing grade 8 by the time

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42: Music she was 16. Unfortunately, she wasn’t taught an adaptable technique and by the age of 18 had to re-learn the instrument completely.

Two excellent teachers guided Kay through this difficult time whilst she studied at Huddersfield School of Music, before she was accepted to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

After four years there, where tutors noted Kay’s passion for teaching, she spent a year in teacher training.

“It’s true that a brilliant musician doesn't necessarily make a brilliant teacher. Having to relearn the cello was significant, because to understand the problems that instrumentalists face, you need to have been there yourself. You need to be able to analyse and offer a solution that will help a musician improve. That is a skill I've developed. I had a tough experience, but if it hadn't happened, Springbabies would never have been born.

“Even now, I still feel I’m learning.

I love watching others teach as everyone has their own approach.

Stringbabies has core principles

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but it's a very adaptable method and that's why it has such a wide appeal.”

Showcase for Talent Music has been a way of life for Kay. Having spent most of her working life in tuition, she is also an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech, travelling around the country and abroad.

She has also performed many times and continues to play recitals and orchestral work when good opportunities arise. Kay has played in a piano trio and a string quartet with local musicians, including Rosemary Hensor (piano) and Rachel Ellis (violin), with whom she co-founded the Horsham Performers Platform.

“We would come together and have joint pupil concerts. They became so big that we decided to hold a festival. It's grown from a one day to an eight-day event, so it’s been a huge success.

“It gives us all the opportunity to showcase the talent of students.”

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Stringbabies: 43 “It’s true that a brilliant musician doesn't necessarily make a brilliant teacher.”

Life Changing Music The success of Stringbabies has been recognised by a string of awards.

As well as being a finalist in the Rhinegold Music Education Awards for Excellence in 2013 and 2014, Kay was a finalist in the BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex Community Heroes Awards in 2014.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Kay continues to expand and evolve the business, hosting Stringbabies classes for the European String Teachers Association’s pathway programme. She has also introduced a three-tiered qualification, developed in collaboration with Victoria College of Music and Drama, and SoundPost, a musical instrument distribution company. More developments are likely as Kay’s method gathers popularity.

“In future, I would like to see Stringbabies being used to help more disadvantaged young people. I was asked to set up a session in Hertfordshire with a legacy left by a lady called Dorothy Wells. The legacy will be used to buy instruments and provide either free or subsidised tuition for disadvantaged people.

“It is my hope that Stringbabies will have an expanding role to play in social intervention, being used by children to put them on a life changing path, as that is what music does. It changes lives.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: TOBY PHILLIPS

To find out more about Stringbabies visit the website at www.stringbabies.com You can also read about the Horsham Performers Platform at www.horsham-performersplatform.co.uk/

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44: Group Discussion

AGILITY

CLUB IN SLINFOLD

Tui (above) and Milly (below) leap around the course at Bridge House

LETS DOGS OFF THE

LEASH From Bridge House Agility Club,

The weaves are one of the trickier elements for beginners

it’s just a leap and jump to Crufts!

Anyone watching Crufts last year will remember the wonderful performance of Olly, the excitable Jack Russell whose agility display has since been enjoyed by 12 million YouTube viewers.

Graham Lawrence and Jazz

Rachel Piggott guides Mia over the A-frame

For anyone who thought that Crufts was a grand arena of canine pomposity, the joy Olly brought to his trainer, the commentators and the audience demonstrated that is far from being the case.

It was Crufts that introduced dog agility to the world 40 years ago, when a trainer was asked to entertain the crowd during a break in competition. It was an immediate sensation and agility became hugely popular across the world.

In the Horsham District, there are several groups affiliated to the Kennel Club, including the West Chiltington Cavaliers, a club solely for Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Whilst there are several established independent dog

agility groups, only a small number of agility specialists are affiliated to the Kennel Club.

We visited on of these - Bridge House Agility Club - on a cold Monday evening and met members Gill Berry, Rachel Piggott, Bethan Hope, Sally Coldwell and Tish Pogu…

Gill: We meet at Bridge House Equestrian Centre in Slinfold.

The indoor surface is designed to be soft and comfortable throughout the year to prevent injury to horses. For that reason, riding schools are popular with dog agility clubs. We run sessions on Monday and Tuesday nights. Monday’s class is geared towards beginners looking to do something exciting with their dog. Agility suits a lively dog as it’s a great way of burning off excess energy!

Tish: I started bringing my Jack Russell to Bridge House two years ago, having been on the waiting list for a year as demand

Dog Agility: 45

“I have learnt at Bridge House is that a dog can do anything, but the owner holds them back.”

Award Winning Rural Dining Pub was high. You see a wide variety of breeds in dog agility. People have the impression that it’s mainly for collies, but you see German shepherds, terriers, spaniels and all sorts of breeds, with owners and trainers of every age.

Sally: Dog agility is for everyone.

You even see people with disabilities taking part. I've seen owners in the ring with walking sticks, on crutches or in wheelchairs. That is why it so appealing; as long as you love dogs, you can enjoy it.

Gill: People tend to initially join as it’s fun. It’s something an owner can do with their dog to help build a relationship. You start with basic moves and then progress through the grades as it becomes harder. Some reach the point where they compete at

local shows and if they perform well, they may travel further afield and even start thinking about Crufts or the Kennel Club Agility Finals at the Olympia.

Rachel: I joined dog agility classes as Milly, my rescue dog, is not great with other dogs. It reached a point where I couldn’t face walking around Broadbridge Heath, as she barked constantly.

What I have learnt at Bridge House is that a dog can do anything, but the owner holds them back. The relationship with your dog is purely about body language and commands.

Shouting is not the answer. The commands make a lot of sense and if you’re confident and give the right instruction, your dog’s behaviour will improve.

Bethan: For me, the agility class is a good distraction from work

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46: Group Discussion

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Shelley Conway enjoys the agility class with Dennis

Graham Lawrence and Jazz take on the A-frame

and it’s nice for Milly too, as she needs to use her brain to negotiate the course. We have certainly formed a closer bond since we started. At the end of each circuit, I always throw her favourite ball, as it’s good to have a treat or reward.

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Gill: The obstacles include weave poles, jumps, A-frames, tunnels and see-saws. In the beginners’ session, the weave poles are spread out with guides for dogs to use. At competition level, poles are closer together and the guides are removed. Here, the beginners start off with three jumps and a tunnel in a fenced-off area, so it’s safe and they can improve at their own pace. Most owners bring along a ball or toy that the dog can run to and give them a little treat when they do well!

Tich: Robert Putnam, the trainer and Chairman of the club, alters the course and places new obstacles throughout the session. He makes it gradually more testing so that it challenges trainers and the dogs. He is a stickler for the rules. He’ll always tell you if you’re not doing something right!

Gill: As people improve, they move on to a Tuesday class and often start competing. From spring through to autumn, there is a dog agility show virtually every weekend. Our show is held in Cranleigh in August. It is one of the smaller shows with only six rings, but still attracts over 800 dogs, with many people pitching up with campervans and caravans for the weekend. At some of the larger shows, you could see 12 rings with hundreds of campers. The Kennel Club shows tend to be slightly bigger and through them you can qualify for the country’s top events, including Crufts. For some, dog agility is a way of life.

Dog Agility: 47 “Robert is a stickler for the rules, and he’ll always tell you if you’re not doing something right!”

Sally: I attend shows across the south-east. I compete in a few during the winter, but most are held in the summer. They are massively popular as they’re great social occasions for dogs and for owners. I see many friends and we enjoy food and drink whilst watching the shows and chatting about our dogs. It’s always useful to see the top handlers in action too. The shows are competitive, but always good natured.

Tish: I love the social side of dog agility. You meet many people and it might be that you don't see someone for a while but then they pop up at an event and you can see how much they’ve progressed.

I like to enter competitions and won a few rosettes at a recent event. Another club member, Zoe Spencer, also had a successful weekend with her Jack Russell, so

we’ve brought some sweets along to share out!

Bethan: Entering competitions may be something I’ll consider at some point. Milly isn’t very good on the weaves yet, particularly when the gaps are tight, but she is improving, so you never know!

Rachel: I'm not quite ready for competitions, but the classes have made a big difference. Now, when we’re out walking, my Milly is much better behaved as she’s used to being around other dogs.

She knows when we’re coming here on a Monday night as she gets excited, as she’s going to see friends. It’s like the boys going out for football practice - they get to run around and have a laugh!

Sally: Competitions are good fun, but Tui likes to say ‘hello’ to

Milly and Bethan Hope prepare for a run and (below) another Milly in action

48: Group Discussion

Sally Coldwell with Tui

Tish Pogu with Bonny, who competes at agility shows

“He knows that tents around the side of the rings have treats!” everybody, including photographers and judges. He knows that the tents around the side of the rings usually have treats, so he will sniff them out. I've had to train that out of him and recently he’s been doing better, registering second and third places.

Gill: I‘ve had to stop competing because Mia, my working sheepdog, usually wants to herd the dog in the next ring!

Tish: There are many reasons why people join a dog agility class. For me, it’s just nice to get out and do something different, especially after a hard day at work. Sometimes, I think that I can’t be bothered to come down on a freezing night, but afterwards I feel so much better for it. Sometimes even the dogs look like they don't fancy it, but they love agility and go home happy!

Rachel: When you come out, whatever the weather, you feel exhilarated as you've done something worthwhile and your dog is both physically and mentally exercised. It’s just great fun!

INTERVIEWS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS

Bridge House Agility Club plans to start a new novice group after Easter.

For more details, email Robert at bridgehouseagility@gmail.com or visit the club’s Facebook page or visit the website at http://bridgehouseagility.wixsite.com

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History: 51

SECRET DENNE

The important figures buried at Denne Road Cemetery Denne Road cemetery is an important part of the town’s historic heritage.

Its beauty today owes much to a period in which it was left largely untouched, with many gravestones hidden among the trees and undergrowth or concealed by ivy.

Many are so well covered that they’re all but impossible to locate, whilst others have sadly been lost to vandalism.

Yet buried here are people whose lives and work contributed significantly to the Horsham that we know today.

Leonardslee Plants Denne Road cemetery came into being after St Mary’s churchyard became full and was closed in 1856, although burials in existing graves continued there.

Land was acquired in Denne Road and the cemetery was opened on 4 July 1852, becoming the only permitted town graveyard four years later. By 1880, the original part of Denne Road cemetery was full.

In the second edition of The History

and Antiquities of Horsham, published in 1886, Dorothea Hurst wrote: “It was found necessary to enlarge the cemetery and a piece of ground was bought for this purpose by the parish, adjoining the existing one. A house was erected as a lodge in which a gardener, who also acts as a sexton, resides.”

Burial records show that the new part of the cemetery was used from 1881 onwards.

In 1884, the Parish Magazine reported that the churchyard had been transformed by the planting of trees and shrubs supplied by W. Egerton Hubbard, the owner of Leonardslee.

A Peace Garden was created in 1990 at the far end of the main path, which contains plants from the Allied countries who took part in the Second World War.

Prominent Figures The older part of the cemetery is entered via the fine lychgate. This area contains the graves of some of the most notable Horsham residents from the early 19th century.

Bostock Family The large triple grave of Edward Ingram Bostock (1842 - 1926), surgeon, Chairman of Horsham Urban District Council, medical officer and churchwarden of St. Mary’s, is marked by a tall cross. Dr Bostock came from a family of doctors.

His father, John Stileman Bostock, is buried at the St Mary’s site. Edward and his wife lost three sons in the First World War, one of three town families known to suffer such a loss. Bostock Avenue in Roffey is named after this prominent family.

52: History

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“People often ask about the memorial to the person who died on the Titanic and walk around the Peace Garden.”

The burials date from 1852 - 1880.

Parish records show that some 2,700 burials took place between this time, but only about one in nine have gravestones and many of these are now illegible.

The newer part is entered from the gate beside the lodge. It is divided into 12 sections of varying size and character, with three sections dominated by the town’s leading families of the time. in the far north-eastern corner by the railway, the graves of the Eversfield, Bethune and Tredcroft families can be found, along with those of prominent figures.

Some sections became overgrown with trees and ivy and covering many unmarked burials.

By 1898, the newer part of Denne Road cemetery was also becoming full and it was clear that a new burial site would have to be

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The Independent Order of Oddfellows Weald of Sussex Lodge lent Horsham Urban District Council £1,000 to buy part of Hills Farm as a cemetery, at 3% interest over 30 years.

So, in 1900, 15 acres were purchased by HUDC and the Horsham Rural District Council and Hills Cemetery was opened two years later.

Consequently, burials in Denne Road decreased sharply in number, but families who owned plots continued to use them.

Occasional burials continued until 1967, but mainly for the scattering of ashes.

The Horsham Burial Board, which by then controlled all the town’s cemeteries and graveyards, was replaced by the Horsham District Council Burial Service in April 2002.

Denne Road Cemetery: 53

The grave of Thomas Oliver is just one of the interesting tombs at the Denne Road cemetery

Unfortunately, Denne Road cemetery was subjected to vandalism, as well as the ravages of time and decay. The Padwick family headstones were toppled over, but later restored by J. Gumbrill, the monumental masons.

Thankfully, the work of Horsham District Council has helped quell vandalism in recent years.

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Titanic Memorial The council is responsible for looking after closed cemeteries in Steyning, Storrington, Warminghurst and St Mary's, as well as active sites at Hills and Roffey.

Paul Kirkbride, cemeteries manager, said: “The Denne Road site is pretty and people like to have a wander in the spring and summer. People often ask about the memorial to the man who died on the Titanic and enjoy walking around the Peace Garden.

“There’s been a lot of work done to open it up. We’ve cut back the ivy and brambles which is time-consuming because the work is all done by hand, as it’s a conservation area. But it’s worked as the cemetery is more open and pupils from a nearby school even enjoy outdoor activities in the Peace Garden.

Unfortunately, the area suffered from vandalism, which is a shame, particularly as many notable figures from the town’s history are buried here.

“Fortunately, we’ve dealt with that by maintaining the site.”

Some years ago, Horsham Museum Society started to record the graves in Denne Road Cemetery. Of the total number of burials, 1182 are women with 1072 men. But the most poignant statistic is that some 990 children lie buried there, generally in unmarked graves.

The most tragic case is perhaps that of the Cutt family, who lost six children under 3 in the 1880s.

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54: History

Find our feature on St Mary’s Church on the Special Features page at aahorsham.co.uk

As a memorial, Cecil Martyn’s wife offered to build and generously endow All Saints’ Church in Roffey.

Paul Kirkbride at the gravestone and vault of the Hurst family

The Hurst Family The triple Hurst gravestone is the most prominent and imposing in the St Mary’s part of the cemetery, lying to the right at the end of the main path.

It commemorates Robert Henry Hurst Senior, who served in Corunna as a guards officer during the Peninsular War and was elected MP for Horsham in 1832 and at three subsequent elections.

He died in 1857 and he and his family are buried in the vault below.

The Hursts were the principal landowners within the town during the 19th century, after Robert Henry’s father, Robert

Hurst, had acquired a large amount of land north of Horsham Park.

Robert Henry Hurst’s sister Dorothea (1819 - 1900) wrote the first proper book on the history of Horsham. She also set up a school for poor children in Roffey and walked there every day from her home in the Causeway to teach.

The Hurst estates were sold off between 1911 - 1927 and Park House was bought by Horsham Urban District Council for its headquarters.

The land surrounding the house was given to the town and is now Horsham Park.

Some of the townsfolk of the 19th and early 20th century can be reasonably well documented, with the help of parish records, censuses, directories, photographs and family research.

The people buried at Denne Road include the gentry families who owned land in Horsham in the 19th century, as well as the clergy, lawyers, doctors and schoolmasters who formed the professional upper middle class and the tradesmen who built up their own businesses and gave the town its special character.

These are all people who left their mark on the town and

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Here, we highlight some of these characters, although many more are detailed in Waking the Dead: A Pocket Guide to Denne Road Cemetery, by Susan C. Djabri.

The book can be bought at Horsham Museum.

Henry Padwick (1804 - 1879) was a lawyer, money lender, railway speculator and racehorse owner with stables in Findon. He made a great deal of money but was known to be ruthless in his dealings.

Through his deals, he bought the Manor House in the Causeway and several large farms for himself. It was said

The grave of Henry Padwick at Denne Road Cemetery

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Denne Road Cemetery: 55 The grand tomb of Cecil Martyn

William Pirie William Pirie (1802 - 1868) rebuilt Collyer’s School in 1840 and served as Headmaster for 46 years, giving generations of Horsham boys a basic elementary education.

He also built Pirie’s Place, a terrace of cottages, to fund his retirement. He was a familiar figure around Horsham, driving in his

donkey cart, the inspiration for Lorne McKean’s statue in the town centre.

He was buried with his second wife, Emma, and one of his sons.

One of Pilfold Medwin’s letters reveals that William’s first wife had threatened to divorce him shortly before she died in 1858.

Quality Service that Henry suffered from paranoia and a note hints that he may have committed suicide.

Walter Cooper Dendy (1794 - 1871) came from a family that had been prominent in Horsham since the 16th century. The Dendys were largely responsible for the building of the first Baptist Chapel in 1721. Walter followed his father’s profession as a surgeon, at the London Children’s Hospital, and put up a plaque to his parents and five other siblings in St Mary’s Church.

Walter was also a writer and artist whose book Sketches in Prose contains a lyrical description of the park at Hills Place.

A rather grand tomb is that of Cecil Martyn, who died at the age of 33 in Algiers, in 1870.

As a memorial, his wife offered to build and generously endow All Saints’ Church on land that she owned, to serve the fast-growing suburb of Roffey.

Cecil’s grave was cleared of the ivy that had once completely concealed it, by volunteers from The Green Gym. The maltster James King (1808 - 1878), who established himself in the Bishopric, has a large and well-preserved marble table-top tomb.

His wife, Mary, helped to carry on the business after he died, and his sons Charles, Frederick and John established King and Sons as a limited company in 1893. The Kings went into partnership with the Barnes family in 1906 and created Horsham’s most famous brewery.

Thomas Oliver, a railway builder and engineer (1834 - 1920) has a magnificent tomb in which his wife Caroline and eldest son are also buried.

He built Tanbridge House, a fine Victorian mansion. After Thomas’ death,

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56: History

The artist Walter Dendy and the maltster James King are among the well-known Horsham residents to be buried at Denne Road Cemetery

it became Horsham High School for Girls and his billiard room became the school’s assembly hall. The house has now been divided into flats.

Katherine Fox (1811 - 1869) and her cousin Elizabeth Hepworth (1812 - 1886) lie together in an overgrown grave that tells a sad but touching story.

Katherine’s father, Benjamin Fox, a former lace merchant, built Chestnut Lodge in Pondtail Road in 1828 as a private asylum for his daughter, whom he described as “an imbecile”.

He also built Sussex Place in London Road as a source of letting income for her care after his death. Elizabeth looked after her afflicted cousin until Katherine died at the age of 58. Their burial

together is a recognition of Elizabeth’s self-sacrifice.

Two solicitors connected with law firms that are still practice in Horsham are buried in the cemetery. Alfred W. Rawlison of Rawlison and Butler, succeeded his father, John T. Rawlison, who set up the firm and is buried in St. Mary’s churchyard. The Rawlisons had previously been well-known brewers in Horsham. Arthur Cook Coole (1839 - 1917) served as secretary of the Corn Exchange.

The legal firm that he founded, still has offices in Carfax, now as Coole Bevis LLP. Thomas Honywood (1819 - 1888) was one of the most remarkable men to live in Horsham in the 19th century. He was the town’s earliest

known photographer and was also an archaeologist, artist, inventor of “nature printing” and builder, as well as Chief of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. His grave is at the far end of the cemetery.

John James Charman

Edward Burstow (1821 - 1891) was another Horsham man of many talents. A skilled architect, he built the Corn Exchange in West Street in Italianate style in 1866. He also invented the pentacycle, which had a brief period of popularity before being replaced by the “safety” bicycle.

PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS WORDS: BEN MORRIS (adapted from Waking the Dead: A Pocket Guide to Denne Road Cemetery, by Susan C. Djabri) Solomon Charman, (1844 1899) was descended from the Charman family from Warnham.

He is buried with his wife Mary, who died in 1935.

The stone also commemorates their son, John James Charman, a young saloon steward on his first voyage, who went down with the Titanic in 1912. His story was researched and made public by John Charman, former Vice Chairman of the Sussex Family History Group.

If you’re planning on visiting the Denne Road Cemetery, Waking the Dead is a useful guide.

It can be bought at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery on the Causeway www.horshammuseum.org

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LETTERS

editor@aahorsham.co.uk @AAHMagazine

Please send your views on the Horsham District, articles in AAH, or Shakin’ Stevens to Ben Morris by emailing editor@aahorsham.co.uk

Monty Panesar in action for Sussex Sharks in 2011 at Horsham Cricket Club

A Sorry State

Jennifer Baker of Horsham writes:

With a heavy heart, I’m moving on Steve Scharmann of Horsham writes: My partner and I have lived in Horsham for over 12 years and are finally moving to Ford, near Arundel.

It is with a heavy heart that we say ‘goodbye’ to Horsham.

We have seen massive change since 2005. Eat Street - sorry, East Street - changed for the better, but now seems to be on the demise, due to rates. I’ve been a regular user of Owlbeech Woods but that is getting very busy now. I do the Parkrun on Saturdays and although it has temporarily moved to Southwater, it wouldn’t surprise me if HDC viewed this as an opportunity to get rid of it altogether, due to complaints about mass running in the park for one hour a week!

I was talking to Steven Edwards (former Masterchef: The Professionals winner and now at etch in Brighton) recently and he said that opening a town centre restaurant was too expensive.

What a shame and a massive

loss to Horsham to have missed the chance of bringing a new celebrity chef to town.

The depressing sight of all the new houses being built, along with the treatment of the football team and Sussex CCC’s annual festival in Horsham, has helped me make up my mind.

Also, never in 12 years have I seen so many poor homeless people!

As for the parking charges, the Horsham Park area hasn't had a machine working for several days and asks people to pay by phone, for which you are then charged for the call. Also, we were charged £1.70 rather than the Sunday rate of £1.50.

I saw an elderly lady close to tears as she tried to work out how to pay on her old mobile phone. HDC - if your machines don’t work, stop making others pay for your ineptitude.

I read see crime rates have increased in Horsham and we certainly read more about this nowadays.

I'm not trying to justify my move away to a more affordable and larger house, but Horsham does

have a high opinion of itself!

One marvellous additional to the town has been The Anchor Tap in East Street.

Please HDC, leave these guys alone, as it’s a great place for real ale and a catch up with friends.

Keep up the good work at AAH. I’ve enjoyed it since the early days!

Editor: I fear you won’t be the last to look elsewhere, Steve.

With the new estates being built, all hustling for a station on the Victoria mainline, Horsham is becoming a dormitory town.

Less community, more commuters. It is in danger of losing the charm and character that makes it such a lovely place to live and raise a family. I’m pleased that you raised the point about Horsham losing the Festival of Cricket. That is a fine example of an event that contributes to the overall feel and perception of a town. We still have things like Piazza Italia and the cost of losing such events should be measured by more than monetary value.

I’m sure you are aware of the Love West Sussex website where you can report concerns/issues?

I recently expressed concern at the abuse of a grass verge near my home and included a photo of the particular verge.

I received a speedy response and the site was inspected, with no further action deemed necessary.

I’m interested to know how bad a grass verge has to be before it is deemed in a poor condition, as this one is in a sorry state!

What is the point of the website if no effort is made by the council to improve our environment when such issues are raised?

Has any reader had more success with this website than I have?

Editor: Actually, I hadn’t heard about the Love West Sussex site (run by WSCC). Have any readers reported a pothole or dodgy verge to http://love.westsussex.gov.uk and seen it repaired?

Another World Mr M. Chambers of Horsham writes: Just to say that I went for a walk in Owlbeech Woods recently and found it was far from being a portal to another world.

Disappointing, I found myself back at the car park after walking for only 30 minutes.

Editor: Has anyone found themselves transported to another world whilst in the woods? Or anywhere else in the district? If so, let us know what it’s like. Are there elves, dwarves, or and talking trees?

Highest grossing pantomime doesn’t mean it was successful Name and address supplied (withheld upon request) As someone who read your review of the Horsham pantomime (AAH, January 2018) and agreed with you, I read your response to a Letter to the Editor (AAH, February 2018) with interest.

Perhaps one has to ask why the Horsham pantomime was, according to your reliable source, The Capitol’s “highest grossing pantomime to date.”

Years ago, the productions featured big stars, including Faith Brown, Lolly, Todd Carty, and Justin Fletcher. The floor used to be patterned and there were both male and female adult dancers.

Now the floors are plain, the dancers are either kids or young boys out of University and the 'stars' are anything but.

Add to that the fact the ticket prices have gone up, it's little surprise the Christmas show is the most financially successful. I wonder how the audience figures relate compared to

previous years? Surely that would be a better measure of success?

My wife and I went to the pantomime with our granddaughter and we left disappointed. The boy playing Jack couldn't really sing and he had about as much charisma and on stage chemistry as the wooden set behind him.

Hopefully a change of cast will freshen things up, but I am not sure it will be enough to tempt us back. It's a lot of money to spend on tickets and we don't feel we got value for money.

Ironically, the best three minutes was the chase through the audience.

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in your opinion and keep up the good work!

Editor: Sadly, I suspect that The Capitol is under pressure from HDC to generate income within a tight budget. This could have a detrimental success on takings next year if families like yours and mine - don’t feel they’ve been given value for money.

ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY LOCAL PEOPLE AAH is an independent magazine, owned and produced by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District.

Since the magazine was first published in May 2011, AAH has been renowned for its colourful features and superb images by Toby Phillips Photography.

We believe that our editorial content is unrivalled in the Horsham District, with innovative ideas such as our ‘My Story So Far’ and ‘News Round-Up’ features.

ADVERTISING IN AAH Each month, the magazine is delivered to 15,000 homes in Horsham, Southwater and villages including Broadbridge Heath, Mannings Heath, Ashington, Partridge Green, Copsale, Storrington and Washington.

In addition, AAH is distributed to hundreds of businesses.

Thousands more copies are picked up from our stylish spring-loaded stands as well as Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

The magazine is also published in a high resolution format online at www.aahorsham.co.uk Justin Fletcher was hugely popular when he performed at The Capitol in 2009

Cars are used as Income Source Irene Thompson of Washington writes:

but also other public bodies that use cars as a source of income!

I loved reading February’s AAH, especially your sense of humour in your Page 5 column. It did me good.

Can I also mention parking costs in the district? I await what the council will charge this year for a Rural Parking Ticket.

I feel it is not only the council

Editor: I’m glad you enjoy AAH as I deliver the mag in the village myself! I remember the good old days of the 50p blue parking disc too. The discs now cost £12 for the year for the first disc and £6 each for any additional discs.

They are valid from 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019.

EIGHTH PAGE ADVERT: £55 + VAT QUARTER PAGE ADVERT: £110+ VAT HALF PAGE ADVERT: £185 + VAT FULL PAGE ADVERT: £310 + VAT DOUBLE PAGE FEATURE: £500 + VAT Every Sixth Advert Free of Charge FOR ALL ENQUIRIES CONTACT BEN OR KELLY

01903 892899 | advertising@aahorsham.co.uk

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Business: 61

Great Horsepitality 20 Questions: The astonishing work being carried out at the purpose-built Sussex Equine Hospital in Ashington

Sussex Equine Hospital has veterinary professionals working alongside laboratory technicians to provide a wide range of treatments (Images: Geoffrey Lee/Planefocus)

We have a horse hospital?

That’s right. The Sussex Equine Hospital moved from Arundel, where it was founded in 1951, into a new, purpose-built facility in Ashington in 2017. The practice delivers all aspects of equine care through a team of 20 dedicated vets supported by nurses, grooms and office staff.

Why move from Arundel?

The primary reason was ease of access and transportation, as the new site is just off the A24 in the quiet village, equidistant from Worthing and Horsham. The hospital has been constructed on 35 acres of rural farmland and is designed to maximise the care offered to equine patients, with consideration given to every aspect. Nearly all its staff have been able to transfer to the new hospital, which now has 55 enthusiastic staff.

We visit the Sussex Equine Hospital, which re-located to a new state-of-the-art facility in Ashington last July.

Director Ed Lyall, a stud medicine specialist, gave us the full tour…

Are horse hospitals rare? Or are they jockeying for position?

There are others across the country, although this is the only one in West Sussex. Clients do travel from Kent, Surrey and Hampshire and in some instances those who have established a close relationship with the Sussex Equine Hospital and its staff will travel even further.

Does the hospital solely treat racehorses?

Ed said: “Historically, we were known as a racehorse practice.

However, the number of racing horses has fallen in Sussex whilst the number of sport horses used for equestrian, show jumping, dressage and endurance riding has increased. Consequently, a significant amount of our work involves sport and leisure horses.

There is a strong equine community in the county and whilst many compete, others just enjoy riding along the South Downs or bridleways.”

Does the veterinary team attend competitive events?

The equine hospital works in

partnership with four race courses in Sussex. Its vets are present at flat racing events at Brighton and Goodwood, jump racing at Fontwell and Plumpton and Parham’s point-to-point races.

The veterinary team also work closely with leading stables including Gary Moore’s Cisswood Racing Stables in Lower Beeding, William Knight Racing at Angmering Park and Amanda Perrett’s Coombelands Racing Stables near Pulborough. They also cover the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead.

“Our job is to provide first aid cover for the horses,” said Ed. “In mobile units, the vets will have Xray equipment and should any incident or injury occur, we make decisions on what action needs to be taken. That could mean the horse being transported back to its stables or to our hospital for a scan.”

62: Business

Dale Jannels Director, AToM Ltd TEL: 01403 272625

www.atomltd.co.uk The Governor of the Bank of England hinted recently that interest rates are to rise probably earlier and possibly greater than they thought at their last review. This is no real surprise and it is quite likely that we have all been tentatively expecting this announcement for some considerable time now.

SWAP rates (the mechanism through which lenders can acquire a fixed price for funding over a specific period of time) have also risen recently and some lenders’ fixed rates have seen rate rises.

So, if it does happen, what will it mean? Well, the cost of borrowing will be the first noticeable impact with any mortgage on a bank base rate tracker following the upward trend almost immediately, with variable/discounted rates likely to be closely behind. It’s estimated that around 4 million UK households have a mortgage on either a lenders standard variable rate or a tracker rate.

For those on very low tracker rates this may not initially be considered too painful if you consider that bank base rate was in the mid 5% range prior to the dramatic and sustained low rate period. However, to put it in perspective, given that we live in an area of high value properties and accompanying high level mortgages any rate rise may be more meaningful. For example, a full 1% increase on an interest only £200k mortgage will mean an increase of circa £167pm. This needs to be factored into any monthly family budget.

For those on the lenders standard variable rates – WHY? The lenders SVR tends to be more expensive than other products available and you should act now as you’re probably paying too much as it is! Some lenders SVRs are circa 5%. Lenders will alter their SVRs when they choose.

If you are currently on a fixed rate, no change for the term of your deal. But, you may see your reversion rate (the rate you will move on to at the end of the fixed rate period) increase.

However, with a reported one million people paying their mortgage by credit card and a further three million people who have just had their first ever rate rise, any movement in bank base rate will be closely monitored to see impacts on the economy and activity as 'normalisation' begins.

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Above: Directors Ed Lyall and Andrew Crawford. Below: Head Nurse Jill Barriff with a Shetland pony (Images: Toby Phillips Photography)

‘Betty is the ‘phantom mare’ used to collect semen from a stallion for Artificial Insemination.’

What sort of injuries can horses suffer?

“Different disciplines lead to different injuries,” said Ed. “Polo ponies tend to have lots of problems with their back legs, whilst race horses commonly have issues with their knees. A lot of the work we do involves the management of horses and looking at preventative measures, which help avoid injuries. We work with owners and trainers to keep animals in the right condition to perform at a good level. That might be advising them on a horse’s training and racing diary.

Whilst we don't have the expertise to train at the highest level, we can advise on the level of work that an individual horse requires.”

How do you go about operating on a horse?

It helps having an astonishing array of state-of-the-art medical equipment. Sussex Equine Hospital has hard and soft surface strips for trotting, a fenced sand school, three separate examination rooms and a padded surgical recovery room. Some of the most fascinating work is

carried out in the radiography suite, the bone scan suite and the MRI suite.

It sounds like a proper hospital…

It is, except patients don’t need to wait a year for an operation! The surgery facility includes a Nuclear Scintigraphy, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit and a custom-built operating theatre which handles procedures such as colic surgery and keyhole operations, with arthroscopy used to assess joints and tendons.

Surprisingly, much of the work is carried out whilst the horse is standing. Ed said: “There is a risk that when a horse is anaesthetised, any fix will break when they try to stand up. If they’re already upright, they don't have to apply that initial load on the legs.

Surgeons are increasingly learning new techniques to improve their treatments and this is one aspect to have evolved.”

Backtrack a second. Did you say nuclear?

Yes. Nuclear Scintigraphy is commonly referred to as a bone

Sussex Equine Hospital: 63

Above: Sussex Equine Hospital and (right) Veterinary Intern Regina Pereira (Images: Toby Phillips Photography)

scan. Alongside the hospital’s radiography and ultrasonography equipment, the bone scan can be useful in identifying areas that may contribute to lameness or poor performance. For this procedure, the horse is injected with a radioactive substance before being scanned with gamma cameras.

Isn’t this dangerous?

If this were a comic book, it would be an ideal scenario to introduce Superhorse!

The reality is that it’s carefully managed and monitored. The horse is even given an additional injection to ensure it has a pee before entering the bone scanner to avoid spreading radiation! Ed said: “We operate a rota to ensure that nobody spends long in the room and staff are monitored for exposure levels.

That’s all part of the criteria for becoming a Tier 3 equine hospital.”

Tier 3?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) sets, upholds and advances the standards of veterinary surgeons and nurses in the UK. Tier 3 represents the top level of equine care.

Okay. So, what does the MRI do that the bone scan doesn’t?

The bone scan will produce an overview of a large area of the skeleton, to identify an area of weakness. The MRI will then look at that one specific area in fine detail. “It’s often used to look at soft tissue or for matters relating to the hoof,” said Ed. “The horse can rest its chain on the cushioned supports and have a rest whilst we take a foot scan.”

Do they do dentistry?

Specialists come in regularly to perform dental operations and check-ups. Ed said: “Because a horse’s upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw, they have a circular chewing action. As a result, the outside edges of the upper teeth become sharp. As we’ve

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Sussex Equine Hospital: 65

Sussex Equine Hospital has facilities that aid the recovery of horses both inside and outside the purpose-built site (Images: Geoffrey Lee/Planefocus)

domesticated horses, we’ve developed a population that needs to have teeth smoothed off regularly. In the wild, a horse with bad teeth can suffer badly and it can prove fatal, as they cannot eat. Most of these dental disorders are inherited. There are breeds, such as the Welsh cob, that remain relatively pure.

However, racehorses need regularly dentistry check-ups.”

Some horses sell for a fortune, don’t they?

That’s right, which does open further avenues for an equine hospital.

Pre-purchase examinations (PPE’s) can be arranged on behalf of a prospective purchaser. Ed said: “When a race or sports horse is being sold, it is good to have had a pre-sale assessment.

Disputes are not unknown, so a thorough inspection can avoid confusion later, particularly when people are paying significant amounts of money for a horse.”

I was, in fact, thinking about reproduction services?

You must be talking about Betty then…

Who’s Betty?

Betty isn’t given her own comfortable stable and top of the range medical care; but she is vital to the work of the Sussex Equine Hospital. That is because Betty is the ‘phantom mare’ used to collect semen from a stallion, which can then be used for Artificial Insemination (AI) and Embryo Transfer (ET). Whilst some of the scientific work of the laboratory team relates to injuries, including haematology and biochemistry work, there is an experienced team of stud vets specialising in reproductive aspects of the hospital’s services.

How does this work?

Well, Toby didn’t dive in for close-up photos, but if you needed a visual, you can add to the 16 million curious

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66: Business COLUMN RSPB Pulborough Brooks

Image: RSPB

Blackthorn Helps Several Species The theatre at Sussex Equine Hospital (Images: Geoffrey Lee/Planefocus)

“Everything else here has been designed with the benefit of over 60 years’ experience to suit our needs.” people who have watched a YouTube video on Artificial Insemination at a British stud. AI is a technique used to transfer semen collected from a stallion into the uterus of a mare. It is inserted at the ideal time in her oestrus cycle to obtain a single pregnancy. The semen can be fresh, chilled or frozen and can come from stallions that are abroad or even deceased.

Why not let nature take its course?

There are instances when AI has clear benefits. Firstly, the vets specialising in reproductive medicine have a very high success rate. Also, AI it can prevent injury to valuable stallions mating with mares of a poor temperament, whilst in surrogacy cases it means that a mare can continue to compete.

Ed said: “Thoroughbred breeding in racehorses is achieved through natural mating, but Artificial Insemination is increasingly being used with sport horses. You can import semen from anywhere in the world to inseminate a mare and we can take embryos from that mare and use a surrogate mother. They then carry the foal so that the mare can carry on with show jumping, dressage, eventing or any other sport they might be involved in.”

What’s next for the hospital?

In terms of medical equipment, the hospital has already allocated a room for a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, which uses a rotating X-ray machine to produce a 360 degree look of a specific part of the body. Ed said: “The CT will

be the final part of the jigsaw for the hospital, as everything else here has been designed with the benefit of over 60 years’ experience to suit our needs.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS/ GEOFFREY LEE: PLANEFOCUS

The Sussex Equine Hospital is located on Billingshurst Road, Ashington. Call (01903) 883050 or visit the website at www.sussexequinehospital.co.uk The hospital also has a Facebook page

Imagine you’re a queen bumblebee.

You’ve spent the long, winter months tucked away in a tiny hole underground, but now the warmth of the spring sun has woken you.

You may have spent as long as nine months hibernating and now you’re hungry! Early spring can be a tough time for emerging insects – finding nectar-rich flowers is vital to their survival but if they wake up too early, they’ll find themselves without food.

This is where blackthorn, a plant whose flowers appear before its leaves, really comes into its own.

Blackthorn is very-long lived, sometimes lasting as long as 100 years, and in that time it will provide food and protection for a whole host of creatures. The delicate white flowers, with five distinct petals, usually bloom around March or April.

Along with certain species of bumblebee, the nectar feeds hoverflies, some solitary bees and even honeybees, who don’t hibernate during the winter so are particularly reliant on early blossoms. The Lepidoptera order benefit greatly too, with brown-hairstreak butterflies laying their tiny, sea urchin-like eggs on the branches and various moth caterpillars, including the swallow-tail and magpie moths eating the leaves.

This is perfect for small birds in the breeding season, whose hungry chicks will be demanding caterpillars from their nests, safely tucked away in the dense twigs of the blackthorn.

Emily Summers RSPB Pulborough

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