AAH (All About Horsham) April 2024

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AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) APRIL 2024

COVER STORY

NEWS ROUND-UP

Horsham DJ Ben Downton (aka Low:r) hopes for success with his debut album.

The

49 The

The April 2024 cover features Kim Robinson, owner of MooCoco in Mill Lane, Storrington. With the opening of Hotel Chocolat in Horsham, we wanted to visit an independent chocolatier in the district, so visited MooCoco for the first time. Because of the early Easter weekend, we couldn’t publish in time to help Kim sell a few more eggs, but hopefully some of you will think of MooCoco for other special occasions! Ben (AAH editor) conducted his interview with Kim whilst also sampling tumbled raspberries and Gianduja almonds! With little space to manoeuvre, Ben then left Alan to take photos (he got some freebies too!) including this shot of Kim with an egg that can be filled with individual chocolates.

ABOUT US

AAH is an independent magazine founded in 2011. It is owned by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the District. Here’s our cover from 10 years ago (April 2014) featuring Jane Wasley at Heritage Products in Shipley.

EDITOR

Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

AAH, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

PHOTOGRAPHER

Alan Wright alanwrightphotography.co.uk 07747 617387

Alan works for AAH as a freelancer and is available for all commercial work.

Other contenders for the cover included Sara Bowers at Steyning Bookshop, Harry Wright and Paul Lowe at New Barn School in Broadbridge Heath and Drum and Bass DJ Ben Downton (Low:r) at his Horsham home.

As a free magazine, AAH is grateful to the support of all its advertisers. If you’d like to find out more about promoting your business in AAH, please do get in touch with Ben. We offer every 6th advert free of charge, like a cafe. We can also design ads if you need help on that front.

ADVERT RATES (Per month/edition)

Eighth Page: £60 + VAT (93mm x 63mm)

Quarter Page: £115 + VAT (93mm x 133mm - portrait or landscape)

Half Page: £195 + VAT (190mm x 133mm)

We also have the long, upright shape

Full Page: £325 + VAT (A4 with 4mm bleed)

We

Double Page: £550 + VAT (A4 with 4mm bleed

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

DOOR-TO-DOOR DISTRIBUTION TEAM: Jacquie Paterson, Jill Shuker, Bloomfield family, Gavira family, Alessandro Cavallo, Charlie Merchant, Harry Baker, Walker family, Ben Raymond, Joseph Down (Horsham). Katie Drysdale & William Fuglsig (Highwood), Chapman family (Southwater), Palmer family (BBH), Luke Butcher (Manns Heath), Derek Bradnum (Nuthurst)

SPRING-LOADED STANDS

AAH is also available in our stands at local businesses, clubs and shops.

Horsham: Swan Walk (outside M&S), Henry Adams (Carfax), Crates Local (Carfax) Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Rail Station, John Lewis, Horsham FC, New House Farm, New Street Butchers, At Home Estate Agents (Carfax), Holbrook Club, Gwyn’s Bakery (Bishopric), Steban’s Hair Salon.

Village Stands: Newbridge Nurseries, The Bridge Leisure Centre (BBH) CoCos’ Salon & Beeson House (Southwater), Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Coco’s Salon (Billingshurst), Bluecoat Sports Centre (Christ’s Hospital), Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (Lower Beeding), Warnham Village Stores (Warnham), Slinfold Golf Club (Slinfold), Steyning Leisure Centre and Cobblestone Walk (Steyning), Spring Gardens Nursery (Washington), Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Joanna’s Boutique Tearooms (Storrington), The Milk Churn (Rudgwick), Meadow Stores (Thakeham), Golden Plaice (Ashington), Rusper Village Stores (Rusper), Roffey News and Post Office (Roffey)

Supermarkets: In association with Self Select Distribution, AAH is available at Tesco Extra in Broadbridge Heath and Sainsbury’s Horsham

AAH ONLINE

www.aahorsham.co.uk

THANK YOU

Harvey Dold, a fantastic member of our delivery team who always came out to help us unload the magazines from the van, moves on after five years. All the best for the future, Harvey!

EDITOR’S NOTES

EASTER ISN’T WHAT IT WAS IN MY DAY, BLAH BLAH BLAH!

It’s a few days before Easter Sunday and I’m staring at the egg my wife has bought for me. She made no effort to hide it. It’s in the shopping she’s just collected from Tesco and I’m helping pack away. In case you’re interested, I sort the fridge/freezer and my wife does the cupboards.

‘That’s yours!’ she says, dumping it on the kitchen worktop, along with a box of nine Cadbury Mini Eggs chocolate eggs, for our nieces and nephews. The magic of Easter...

She has bought me a Terry’s Chocolate Orange egg with exploding candy. I must say, in terms of presentation, it’s disappointing. The Easter egg is barely visible through an oval-shaped hole little more than an inch wide, and it’s slumped sadly on its side. Can you remember when eggs used to sit proudly in the packaging? Boxes had angled sides to tightly contain them, and they came with chocolates hidden inside the egg or bars placed uniformly to the side, like soldiers on parade. They weren’t just lazily tossed in the bottom like they are these days!

Where’s the exploding candy then?

Best look inside. My wife won’t mind. After all, this is for work

Oh! There’s a regular Terry’s chocolate orange inside, rolling around loose next to the egg. The packaging boasts that it’s made with ‘real orange oil’, which one would assume to be the absolute minimal requirement, given the product! I unwrap the foil and naturally try to pull the egg in half. I’m of a generation that grew up with eggs moulded in two parts, when a gentle tap would easily separate them. Everything was better back then. Not like

now, when the old ‘tap method’ ends up with a smashed… Oh, hold on! It worked!

I’ll just have a nibble. One bite...

Well, it wasn’t my intention to praise the producer here, as I planned to launch a tirade about companies like Terry’s and Cadbury using palm oil and contributing to global deforestation. However, they do make bloody good chocolate! So smooth and moreish. Not really ‘exploding candy’ though...

I’ll have a little more. Maybe half the egg, then wrap the rest up. Stick it back in the box so my wife doesn’t know. Besides, I don’t want to be greedy. After all, we’ve been warned by Dr Andrew Kelso, a senior NHS doctor, not to ‘overdo it’ at Easter and to ‘enjoy eggs in moderation’. Thankfully, Nigel Farage was on hand to put the good doctor in his place, announcing that he was ‘sick to death of this nannying state!’ We should all be grateful that whenever a highly-qualified doctor with vast experience of working in a strained NHS gives sound advice on chocolate consumption in the midst of an obesity epidemic, Mr Farage is ready to tweet some plain, old-fashioned, English common sense!

And now, what’s this? There’s a tiff over a shop in Lincolnshire that has a small promotional sign for ‘gesture eggs’ rather than ‘Easter eggs’. Interesting. I’ll just scan the headlines. While I’m doing that, l’ll have the other half of this egg...

It seems this sign has caused both ‘uproar’ (GB News) and ‘outrage’ (The Mirror) and they have three tweets from the 4.5billion people on social media to demonstrate widespread

©iStock/Spukkato

public anger. Mail Online has even managed to find a spokesperson for a Christian campaign group who was critical of the move by one lone shopkeeper at a Springfield’s branch in the market town of Spalding. ‘It’s a shame for Cadbury’s to have forgotten its deep Christian roots,’ said the CEO of Christian Concern.

Not that Cadbury has a tradition of Christian sentiment that has previously been wholly apparent to the buying public. While researching for that bit about ‘soldiers on parade’ I was browsing a website with pictures of Easter eggs from the 1980s and they too were devoid of any religious connotations. There’s a rabbit on the Milk Tray egg from 1980 and a chick on the 1985 Crème Egg, but no signs of these ‘deep Christian roots.’

Looking at the packaging of my Terry’s egg now and it has nothing relating to Easter at all. There are some green fields and flowers which suggests a bunny might be lurking somewhere, but I can’t see one. There’s a Terry’s chocolate orange segment with eyes, wings and a tail, making it look a bit like a chick, but that’s it! I’ll just check the back of the box… Oh, so that’s where the exploding candy is! It’s not in the egg, but in the orange! I’d better try that too then. You know, for work.

Wow! It has the same smooth texture, but then when the chocolate melts, candy bits fizz in your mouth. Hold on, I’m going to try three segments. Oh, that’s amazing! It’s like being in space!

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I just wanted to write about how Easter’s not as good as it used to be in my day, you know?

Cor, I wonder what five bits tastes like...

LIVE LIFE IN FULL

Spring is here and our gardens have come alive with smells and scent. Experience spring and the award-winning rhododendron & azalea collection at Leonardslee Lakes & Garden’s Rhododendron Celebration , just 10 minutes from Horsham.

Rhododendron Celebration

Throughout spring, Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens invites you to experience the breathtaking beauty of its muchanticipated Rhododendron Celebration. During the height of spring, the gardens burst into vibrant hues, showcasing a dazzling array of rare rhododendrons meticulously curated over two centuries.

Step into a world of enchantment as visitors immerse themselves in the delicate beauty of these botanical wonders, each petal and bloom a testament to the garden’s rich heritage and unwavering commitment to preserving biodiversity.

At every twist and turn, a kaleidoscope of flowers awaits, complementing our renowned rhododendron collection with a dazzling array of colours and shapes. From azaleas to magnolias and beyond, nature’s palette unfolds in a breathtaking display.

As visitors journey down the valley toward the seven lakes, they are enveloped in vibrant tunnels of colour, each step

revealing new wonders. Amidst this botanical symphony, the flowers’ exquisite reflections dance upon the tranquil surface of the lakes, casting a spell of enchantment upon all who behold them.

Moreover, amidst this natural spectacle, guests can indulge in culinary delights at the recently renovated Clocktower Kitchen. With its soothing sage hues and rustic elements, the kitchen provides a charming retreat for visitors. From hearty breakfasts to savoury hot lunches and sumptuous Sunday roasts, every dish is crafted with care, reflecting the essence of seasonal ingredients and local flavours.

Embark on a journey of discovery and enchantment at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens this spring, where nature’s beauty and foodie delights intertwine to create an unforgettable experience for all who wander its paths.

Please note, the Rhododendron Celebration is complimentary for Leonardslee members, while garden entry is required for non-members.

&

NEWS ROUND-UP

Announcements & Events from across the Horsham District

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Senior councillors at Horsham District Council looked to approve the acquisition of the Drill Hall in Denne Road, Horsham, by Lifespring Church at a meeting on Thursday 21 March.

Last year, Lifespring submitted a proposal to fully refurbish the Drill Hall to create a modern, sustainable community hub and conference centre, administrative base and place of worship. Lifespring and the Council have since been working together to agree

Hotel Chocolat, the luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier, opened a new store in West Street, Horsham on 23 March.

As well as its range of chocolates, the store is home to a Velvetiser Café, serving Hotel Chocolat’s iconic Velvetised drinking chocolate and other hot drinks. Guests can personalise their drink with 18 flavours served hot, over ice, or as a Choc Shake with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative. The team can also help customers find their chocolate ‘Love Match’. Hotel Chocolat offered surprises to customers on opening day and a discount for VIP.ME members, the chocolatier’s member club. hotelchocolat.com

appropriate terms for the sale, subject to conditions. Lifespring aims to actively support a broad range of community functions so that the Drill Hall is transformed into becoming a central community hub for all. Services they hope to provide include a family hub and registered contact centre, toddler groups, after-school and holiday clubs, youth services and a community café to help ease social isolation. As well as running courses and providing advice on

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Horsham District Council is inviting nominations for Community Heroes

In June, the Chairman of the Council will host a tea party at Warnham Local Nature Reserve for those nominated. They could be a friendly face at your local shop, a postie who goes the extra mile, a carer who goes above and beyond, a super sports coach, a great youth leader or someone who performs a role that help the community. To nominate (entries close 1 May) visit horsham.gov.uk/communityhero HDC was formed in April 1974 when Horsham Urban Council amalgamated with Chanctonbury and Horsham Rural Councils.

topics such as life skills, debt advice and budgeting, the church is also keen to see the space used for musical practice and performance, as an art gallery, and for conferences, meetings and events. Alterations to the facility could include improved ventilation, heat pumps, solar PV panels and energy efficient lighting, modern IT capability, fire and safety upgrades and improved accessibility. wearelifespring.church/drillhall

Horsham District Foodbank, run by Horsham Matters, the charity that supports those suffering from food and household poverty, has reached its 10-year anniversary. When it began in 2014, the foodbank provided 119 food parcels a month, a figure that now stands at 800 a month. The charity will be running initiatives and fundraising events to mark the milestone and raise awareness of food poverty in the District. In addition to its foodbank services, which include the Hub on the Move mobile unit, the charity offers holistic services aimed at addressing causes of poverty. justgiving.com/campaign/10-years-ofhorsham-district-foodbank

Dan Young at Lifespring Church, Horsham (Photo courtesy of Lifespring)

St Catherine’s Hospice will host its popular Midnight Walk around the streets of Horsham on Saturday 8 June, from 8pm. There will be four different walking routes, with 20, 13 and 7-mile options as well as a short, two-mile stroll, all held to raise money to provide expert end of life care and support to people living with a terminal or life-limiting condition across West Sussex and East Surrey. Walks start at The Bridge Leisure Centre, Broadbridge Heath, where walkers will be treated to an energetic warm-up before being cheered during their walk by volunteer marshals. There’ll be refreshment stops and memory wall. People can also light a candle of remembrance. Sign up by 30 April to receive an early bird entry of £15 for adults (£12 U18s) to include a free T-shirt, refreshments and medal. Volunteer marshals are also required and details can be found in the website. stch.org.uk/midnightwalk

Up & Running is opening once again in Horsham. The independent retailer ran a successful branch in Queen Street for more than 20 years before it closed last year. The re-opening is good news for runners and fitness enthusiasts alike, with the shop selling shoes and kit from brands including Brooks, Asics, Saucony, New Balance, Altra, Ronhill and Pressio, while offering free gait analysis, advice and guidance. An official launch event will be held on Saturday 6 April with demos and offers available. upandrunning.co.uk

Horsham will host the first local heat of the Young Market Trader of the Year 2024 competition on Sunday 28 April. The National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) holds the national competition to showcase up-and-coming businesses. The Horsham heat is to be organised by Coden Events in association with the NMTF and supported by Horsham District Council. Young traders will set up stalls alongside those in the West Street Arts and Crafts Market, held on the last Sunday of the month. The competition is free to enter and open to all traders aged 16 – 30. To apply, visit nmtf.co.uk/ytm24appform/

Anyone thinking of market trading in the District can find helpful resources at horsham.gov.uk/business/district-markets

Horsham District Council has announced two new weekly markets in Horsham town centre.

An Antiques and Collectables market, run by Coden Events, will be launched in West Street on Thursdays from 2 May in response to a growing interest in antiques and upcycling. In March, Food Rocks introduced a new Friday market in the Carfax, featuring local produce, art and crafts, clothing, homeware and street food. The market is being trialled until the end of April. The intention is for the market to run alongside the popular ‘Friday Lates’ music and food events run in partnership with the Council, which return to the Carfax in June. To register your business for either market, visit codenevents.co.uk or foodrockssouth.co.uk

The League of Friends of Horsham Hospital will be holding a Summer Fete on Saturday 18 May, 1 - 4pm. The fete will be opened by actor John Partridge. Residents will recognise John from his role in the Capitol’s 2023 pantomime. John will be returning to Horsham in 2024 to direct and star in this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Also appearing at the fete will be Jodie Munday, Crawley Millennium Concert Band and children’s entertainer Marky Wild. There will be rides, face painting, stalls, representatives from the rescue services and local charities, with refreshments available. The event raises funds to support staff and patients at the hospital and care in the community.

Horsham District Council is hosting a free event for people and businesses to learn about the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) at its premises at Parkside, North Street, Horsham, on Friday 24 May, 9am - 2pm. Discover Electric, organised by the Council in partnership with Let’s Experience Electric, is free to attend and open to everyone with an interest in more sustainable motoring. The event will showcase a range of EVs with opportunities to take a test drive. The event is being funded by DEFRA’s Air Quality Grant.

The High Sheriff of West Sussex, Andy Bliss represented the Crown when he visited Steyning Museum in March. He was given a guided tour of the small yet fascinating museum, talking with volunteers and admiring the Steyning Man, one of the star attractions. He also met the Museum research team and delved into its extensive archives.

The High Sheriff of West Sussex is pictured (right) with Dominie Hills, Ros Golds, Chris Tod, Jacquie Buttriss, Lois Roemer, Leonie Etherington, Maggie Hollands, Andrew Woodfield, Muriel Wright and Paul Norris of Steyning Museum.

To mark its 40th anniversary, Steyning Museum has three new exhibits for 2024, focusing on the town’s farming heritage as well as the museum’s own history. steyningmuseum.org.uk

An extension has been added at Hills Cemetery in Horsham to accommodate an extra 500 burial plots and approximately 500 ashes burial plots.

Improvements by Horsham District Council also include a new road and a pedestrian path in-keeping with the layout of the cemetery. Located off the Guildford Road in Horsham, Hills Cemetery has been the principal cemetery for the town since opening in 1900. HDC Chairman Cllr David Skipp is pictured with Sorin Caraiman, Parks Operations Manager, at Hills Cemetery.

The Friends of Horsham Museum and Art Gallery’s Annual General Meeting will be held at Wesley Hall, London Road Methodist Church, Horsham on Wednesday 17 April at 7.30pm. There will be the usual formal AGM business, followed by a talk by Roger Myall, manager of Horsham library, about the library facilities and the services on offer there. Refreshments available. The evening is open to anyone. Entry £5 (cash only) for non-members on the door. friendsofhorshammuseum.co.uk

Horsham author George A. Smith has published his third novel, Climate of Fear: Betray Me And Die. The crime thriller sees DCI Ben Swan attempt to bring down a ruthless gangster’s drug empire. As with George’s previous books, all royalties are donated to St Catherine’s Hospice in memory of his daughter Clair. Marie Curie has also established an annual award in her name, with the first Clair Fisher Research Impact Award presented in February. The book is available from Amazon in paperback and kindle.

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Farlington School in Horsham opened a new Wellbeing Centre in January, giving students from the Lower School to the Sixth Form a safe space that promotes a sense of calm and reflection. The centre was funded by fundraising efforts by the PTA, while Cabins for Schools supplied and installed the building and donated the interior lighting, seating and cushions. Students are able to enjoy of activities including guided meditation, Morning Mindfulness and Woodland Wellbeing, with drop-in counselling sessions too. There are after-school sessions for staff including yoga nidra (yogic sleep), blissful aromatherapy, reiki and sound healing. farlingtonschool.com

Sussex Green Living launched its first Pollination Education Station (PES) at Envitia, a digital and data services company on North Heath Lane, Horsham, on Monday 4 March. The PES serves as a haven for pollinators, with a community herb bed and an information board. Staff foraged for the materials used on the PES including pine cones, twigs, tree bark, bamboo tubes, mosses and lichens as well as tiles and bricks to provide shelter for bees, spiders, beetles, worms and other creatures, with staff also plants to provide nectar for the pollinators. The project has been developed in collaboration with Billingshurst-based agency PMW Marketing as part of their gift of pro bono work with 30 local charities to celebrate their 30th year. Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council is also sponsoring a Pollination Station and SGL are now looking for others across the District. To sponsor a PES. Contact Carrie on cort@sussexgreenliving.co.uk

Dvořák Mass in D Mozart Coronation Mass

Conductor – Sean Bui Organist – David Moore with Jessica Wise, Deidre Arratoon, Greg Tassell, Ed Birchinall

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Horsham

Saturday 27 April 2024 7.30pm

TICKETS £18 online from

Sir Jeremy Quin visited St Peter’s School in Cowfold on 1 March to see their new Ground Source Heat Pump. He met pupils from the school’s Eco-Committee and Governors, as well as experts from contractors Nicholls Boreholes, C.B.G Construction and Salix Finance, a government-owned body that contributed £670,000 through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Also present were representatives of The Diocese of Chichester with guest of honour being the Bishop of Lewes. The Diocese provided £240,000 to the project, making it possible. With financial support, St Peter’s has replaced oil boilers with a sustainable, state-of-the-art ground source heat pump, using electricity mostly from renewable sources, while funding has also helped pay for improved insulation. Headteacher Giles Kolter said: ‘The ground source heat pump will be far more environmentally friendly than our old oil boilers. This was an ambitious project for the whole school and our pupils learnt a great deal by being involved.’

stpetersce.eschools.co.uk

Warnham Spring Fair will be held at the Comrades Club, Hollands Way, RH12 3RH, on Saturday 4 May, 11am – 2pm. There will be a huge array of plants including bedding, herbaceous, succulents, vegetable and herbs, as well as a barbecue, tea, coffee and cakes, local crafts and a tombola and raffle. The fair is held in aid of Cancer Research UK. Free Entry.

The West

of the Motor Neurone Disease Association welcomes the Goring Regional Occasional Players for a murder mystery evening at Greenway School, Horsham, on Saturday 27 April, 7pm (7.30pm start). A Fete Worse Than Death is set at the St. Cleve summer fete, where allegations of blackmail, embezzlement and cheating emerge, culminating in the discovery of a body in the walled garden. Help uncover the facts and reveal the culprit’s identity. Tickets £15 to include fish and chip supper from Sue.Sheppard@mndassociation.org

The Probus Club of Horsham Shelley celebrated the start of its 30th year at an AGM in February, when retiring President Peter Ind handed over the presidency to David Wellbelove. During a successful year, Probus Shelley had been involved in coach trips to historic houses and the Amex Stadium. Members also enjoy theatre visits, guest speakers, walks, golf days, snooker, lunches and more. Membership consists of retired or semiretired men. New members are welcome. Wmail tom.617@hotmail.co.uk or visit https://www.hugofox.com/community/ probus-shelley-15151/home/

The Knepp Rewilding Project will host an art exhibition on the Knepp Estate from 4 – 16 May. The ‘Inspired By Knepp’ exhibition includes work by 12 artists, with work that celebrates the rewilding movement. In recent months, the artists have been given safari-like tours of the estate. The exhibition showcases each artist’s response within the thriving landscape, which is home to rare species including turtle doves, nightingales, cuckoos, purple emperor butterflies and white storks.

The exhibition incorporating paintings, sculptures, drawings, needle-felt and printmaking. In addition, there will be a series of workshops and demonstrations to allow members of the public to connect with their creative side. Proceeds from the art sold will be split between the artists and the Knepp Wildland Foundation. Entry is free. To book a place on a workshop visit knepp.co.uk/visit-knepp/art/

Stork

Sussex North branch

West Sussex Philharmonic Choir will be holding their spring concert at St Mary’s Church, Causeway, Horsham, on Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm. The choir will perform two beautiful and contrasting Masses; Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Dvorak’s Mass in D. Directed by Sean Bui, the choir will be accompanied by organist David Moore with soloists Jessica Wise, Deidre Arratoon, Greg Tassell and Ed Birchinall. Tickets available from westsussexphilharmonicchoir.org.uk

Shipley Arts Festival presents Virtuoso Strings, an evening of world class musicianship at Shipley Parish Church, Church Street, RH13 8PJ, on Sunday 5 May, 7pm. The evening includes Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, John Ireland’s Concertino Pastorale III. Toccata and Percy Grainger’s arrangement of Londonderry Air (Danny Boy). They also perform The Auld Hoose by Ned Bigham in the presence of the composer. Tickets £24.

l The festival continues with Shelley Unwrapped at Warminghurst Church, Church Park Lane, Ashington, RH20 3AW, on Sunday 12 May, 7pm. Conceived by pianist Nigel Foster, this musical presents the life and loves of the renowned 19th century Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Featuring Nigel Parkin, Christina Maude with violinist Andrew Bernardi (pictured). n Tickets £35. bernardimusicgroup.com

Horsham Music

Circle celebrates its 82nd anniversary with a concert by pianist Warren Mailley-Smith at St Mary’s Church, the Causeway, Horsham on Saturday 11 May, 7pm. Described by Classic FM as ‘sensational’, the pianist made headlines in 2015 when he performed the complete solo works of Chopin, memorising 3.5 million notes. He will perform some Chopin in Horsham, including Berceuse Op.57, D Flat Major and Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’ Sonata No.23 as well as works by Rachmaninov, John Ireland and Liszt. For tickets, call (01403) 252602, email horshammusiccircle@gmail.com or visithorsham-music-circle.org.uk

Mobile Curtain & Blind Showroom

Horsham Joggers host its annual Horsham 10K road race on Sunday 12 May, starting at 11am. The race, first held in 2005, starts and finishes at Horsham Rugby Club, with a multi-terrain course taking in two laps around residential streets, country lanes and woodland paths. The route is well marshalled by volunteers, with water stops along the route. Prizes are given to the 10k male and female winners across different age categories with commemorative medals for all runners. As part of the Sussex Grand Prix series, the race is run to UKA rules with chip timing. Entry £19 (for UKA affiliated runners) and £21 for all others. There is also an U16 fun run around the rugby pitch, about 1200m, at 10.15am. Entry £5 with every finisher receiving a medal. The race is sponsored by independent estate and letting agent, Brock Taylor. horshamjoggers.co.uk/horsham-10k/

Collyer’s Adult Education and Skills have launched a new programme of Adult Learning courses for 2024-25. The part-time courses run on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, with a range of functional skills, qualification and recreational courses on offer. So, whether you want to find your inner Picasso, learn how to chat with locals on your Spanish holiday or brush up on your English and maths skills, Collyer’s Adult Education has a course for you. There is also an extended range of access and vocational courses for those looking to start a new career or gain a university place. Many courses are available with funding. Online applications open on 16 April. See our advert on page 40 of the magazine or visit collyers.ac.uk

Horsham Trinity Cricket Club is seeking new players before the start of the SCF Women’s Soft Ball Cricket League season.

Horsham Trinity, which plays its home games at Victory Road, Horsham, will play against other local teams including Billingshurst, Slinfold and Southwater. Softball cricket is played with a softer ball and with eight players per team, all players are given opportunities to bat, bowl and field in a supportive environment. The club is appealing for people who are enthusiastic and can commit to training and match days. Some playing experience is welcome, but keen beginners welcome too. For details email: mail.htcc@gmail.com

Horsham Bridge Club held its annual awards night on 26 February. Secretary Alan Setchell was the ace in the pack, collecting five trophies, attributing his success to good luck and good partners including Terry Fishlock, Jane Handley, Guy Davies and Josie Allen. horshambridge.co.uk

Photo: Mike Williams

Horsham 10K (©Toby Phillips Photography 2022)

Because Community Matters

Pilates

Focussing on strength, flexibility, stability, and breath control, with an emphasis on challenging the core muscles

BODYBALANCE

Improve your mind, body and life. Bend and stretch through a series of simple yoga moves with elements of Tai Chi and Pilates

To find out more, scan the QR code or call us on 01403211311

BODYCOMBAT

Enjoy this high-energy, martial arts-inspired non-contact workout. Incorporating moves from Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, and more

H.I.I.T

High intensity interval training using cardio, resistance and body weight exercises, to help you get fitter and stronger in a short space of time

Watoto, a Christ-centred ministry in Uganda, presents the Watoto Children’s Choir at St John’s Church, Broadbridge Heath, RH12 3LD on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May, 7pm. Watoto will be performing songs from their album, Better DaysThere Is Hope, during a three-month tour beginning in London. Watoto Children’s Choirs have travelled extensively since 1994 sharing a message of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable

children and women. During that time, choirs have met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and performed for the American President. The production is vibrant and colourful, taking you on an emotional journey as children sing, dance, and share their personal stories of hope. Proceeds from the album will help Watoto to provide vulnerable children with an education, shelter, medical care and love. watoto.com

Girls from Girlguiding Sussex Central county supported Brighton & Hove Albion WFC as they played Manchester City at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley, on 17 March. Over 160 members and their families from 1st Roffey, 1st Lower Beeding and 1st Partridge Green were selected to wave the flags at the start of the match. Although Brighton lost, everyone agreed that they had played well and the young girls were inspired by the team’s determination. The event was organised to encourage interest in the Sussex counties’ Football Challenge. girlguidingsussexcentralcounty.com

Toy and Collectors’ Fairs are held at the Ashington Centre, Foster Lane, RH20 3PG on Sundays 14 April and 12 May, 9.30am –12.30pm. It is a chance to buy, sell, trade and swap toys including Dinky Toys, Hornby, Matchbox and Airfix. Entry £2 (children free). modetoyauctions.co.uk/news/

ROOMS

The Watoto Children’s Choir

Photo: Denise Felton

BANANA BUNCH

BANANA BUNCH

Pupils at New Barn School in Broadbridge Heath attempted to bake the world’s biggest banoffee pie for Comic Relief on 15 March.

They hope their efforts will be officially recognised by Guinness World Records, with the circular pie measuring 1.5 metres in diameter. Year 5 pupil Harry Wright (pictured right) said: ‘I’m a member of the School Council and we were given the challenge of setting a world record during Comic Relief. Each class presented an idea and the School Council chose banoffee pie, as it’s something that hasn’t been done before.’

‘Lots of pupils love baking and only yesterday we made hummus and pitta bread, so we helped chef make the pie by crushing biscuits with a rolling pie for the base and stirring toffee for the next layer. Once the banana

and cream layers were added, we finished by sprinkling hundreds and thousands and placing huge shards of chocolate on the cream! As it’s for Comic Relief, we want to make sure none of it goes to waste, so we have brought in plastic containers to take some home for our families to try too!’

WHAT A BUNCH!

While the idea came from the children, the bulk of the workload fell on the shoulders of the school’s popular chef, Paul Lowe. He created the base that he felt was an impressive yet also manageable size as the school set about creating a new record for the world’s largest banoffee pie. When it came to ingredients, the school received some much-needed assistance from the Golden Lions Children’s Trust.

OPEN

Renovated 16th Century Barn

BUNCH

BUNCH

Victoria Harrington, Headteacher, said: ‘We have developed a close relationship with Lynda Guy, Chairman of the Trust, which supports children with special needs as well as disadvantaged young people. When I told Lynda about our idea, she picked up the phone immediately and set her mind to sourcing supplies.

UKHarvest, a charity with a mission to eliminate hunger and food waste, provided us with 50 bunches of bananas and all the digestives we would ever need.’

‘Finding the cream proved more difficult, but we were able to source all the ingredients and the pupils

had a wonderful time helping Paul in the kitchen. We’ve taken photos throughout the process, which we hope will help with our bid to set an official world record. Even if it doesn’t, then the children have had fun and the whole school smells lovely!’

BANOFFEE MAN

New Barn School received support for its attempt by none other than the co-creator of the banoffee pie, Ian Dowding. Ian made the first banoffee pie with Nigel McKenzie, owner of The Hungry Monk, while he was Head Chef of the pub in Jevington, East Sussex.

New House Farm Shop is located in a beautifully renovated 16thCentury barn in the rural outskirts of Horsham. Our locally sourced produce includes fruit & veg, bread, meats, beers, gins and wines, Sussex cheeses and local crafts!

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Chef Paul Lowe (2nd from left) and the creator of the original banoffee pie Ian Dowding (centre) with pupils and staff at New Barn School (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Ian recalls: ‘I always say we developed banoffee pie rather than invented it, as in the culinary world you’re always tweaking other recipes. That is precisely what happened with in 1972 when we made a banoffee pie. The way it happened was pure serendipity. I knew someone who had been a chef at Blum’s in Hollywood, which had a dessert called Blum’s coffee toffee pie, mixing condensed milk with coffee to give the cream a distinct flavour.’

‘We developed banoffee pie rather than invented it.’

‘While working at The Hungry Monk, I decided to resurrect the recipe with a new twist. After a few experiments, we added bananas and it just clicked, like strawberries and cream or eggs and bacon. When it came to adding it to the blackboard menu, we couldn’t fit “coffee toffee banana pie” on one line, so Nigel suggested banoffee pie. The dish proved such a hit that people were booking tables and asking for it and gradually, the recipe spread around the world.’

Ian has since written about banoffee pie’s origins and his story was published by The Guardian. He has also written his own cook book, Fish Bananas: A Cook’s Notebook, as well as a novel, Fish Farce, while also giving talks about banoffee pie. So, what did he make of New Barn School’s efforts? ‘Strictly speaking, a banoffee pie should have a fresh, sweet crust pastry as the base layer, then smooth, thick toffee, sliced ripe bananas and finally a layer of coffee flavoured whipped cream on top. It shouldn’t really have a biscuit base or hundreds and thousands sprinkled on top, but I have to say that the chef and pupils have done a remarkable job and I’m delighted to give their banoffee pie my approval!’

Further information:

For more details about New Barn School, visit www.newbarnschool.co.uk

Email: info@treehouseeducare.co.uk

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

Headteacher Victoria Harrington (©AAH/AW)

BASS LAYERS

DRUM AND BASS PRODUCER LOW:R RELEASES

So, who’s this then?

Ben Downton, a 34-year-old drum and bass producer from Horsham. Under the pseudonym Low:r he recently released his debut album, Can You Hear Me?

What is drum and bass?

A genre of electronic music that emerged from the ashes of the UK jungle scene in the 1990s. The pioneers were influenced by hardcore, house and dubstep and in the decades since, it has evolved to incorporate other influences such as funk and reggae.

Which of them have an influence on Low:r?

Most of them. Ben said: ‘My sound is quite varied. Some of the tracks have high energy levels and are inspired by dubstep, with bass-heavy loops and quieter moments of ambience. I’m known for funk too, mixing elements of rhythm and soul. The beautiful thing about drum and bass is that it crosses so many musical genres.’

But it’s not recorded like a band, right?

Drum and bass music is made by combining a range of music samples using computer software.

Ben uses Ableton Live, an advanced music production and audio editing programme popular with producers of electronic and hip-hop. He said: ‘You have a library with an almost endless number of samples that can be used and manipulated in many ways to make your own music. These samples include vintage synths, drum machines, electric pianos, as well as classic breaks, sound effects and even sample vocals. The skill of the producer comes from seamlessly blending these elements and creating an identifiable sound. One way to stand out from the crowd is to create your own instrumentals or record fresh vocals that can be mixed into your tracks.’

Is this something that Low:r does?

Several tracks feature original vocals, including Rave Rain (featuring Tempza) and the title track, Can You Hear Me? with vocals by Sam M. Two tracks – Mirage and Easy to Love –feature sampled vocals. Ben said: ‘I like to work with a vocalist as it encourages you to adapt a traditional song format. Also, you are not simply setting music to something already out there, which may have been used many times before. Instead, you are giving life to something new.’

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How has the album come about?

Ben has been releasing singles and EPs in recent years as Low:r. These include the Beautiful Dreamer EP in 2022, released through Spearhead Records, with a stand-out track being Make the Most featuring Aleya Mae. The EP was followed by a single in 2023 called Grandma Funk and another EP, In the Moment. Now, Low:r has released his best tracks from the past year on a 12-track album through Galacy, a sister label of Liquicity Records in Holland.

What are the stand-out tracks?

Low:r performs across Europe (©Veronika

The album ends with Untouchable, featuring vocals by Béo. Other highlights include Four Leaf Clover, one of two tracks with vocals by Dutch singer/producer SYNGA. However, it’s the two opening tracks that Ben is most proud of. He said: ‘The album opens with Bubbles, which has ambient influences. This is followed by Hit Different featuring SYNGA, which has more soul and funk influences and carries more energy. Those two tracks sum up my sound. That’s why I called the album Can You Hear Me? I wanted to showcase the full range of what I can do.’

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How did Ben get into drum and bass?

His love of music stems from childhood, when he was a pupil at Forest School. Ben’s older brother bought him some software for making music and he began to experiment. Ben said: ‘I was listening to a lot of heavy rock and electronica at the time and loved experimenting with different sounds with my friends. We would create weird noises, like playing an electric guitar with a toothbrush, just to see what happened. It wasn’t any good, but it was fun and an important part of my journey. Drum and bass seemed a logical progression, as I was young and angry, and I found that making music gave me an outlet. Then I discovered dubstep and loved the music of DJs like Rusko and Caspa, which inspired me to compose dub tunes under the alias of Morah. But for a long time, it was something I did solely for pleasure and I did very little to promote my music.’

What changed?

‘The album shows the full range of what I can do.’

At a crossroads in his life, Ben undertook voluntary work in Honduras and after a period of reflection, decided to return home and focus on drum and bass music, hoping it could lead to a full-time career as a DJ/ producer. He has since performed sets around the UK, including in London, Leeds and Brighton, as well as at leading Belgian clubs. He has also played at a drum and bass festival in the Dutch city of Rotterdam and the renowned Liquicity Festival that attracts 15,000 fans. Only last month, he flew to Barcelona for a DJ set and through his record label hopes to play many more gigs and festivals this summer.

Is music a full-time career for Ben?

Not yet, but that is something Ben is aiming for. He said: ‘I am still learning, as drum and bass is highly technical. It’s an undervalued skill and the world’s best producers are creating sounds that can only be attained from many years of hard graft. It’s not something that can be learnt overnight. I feel I have refined my sound with this new album and the next step is to promote the record and hopefully make another one in the not-too-distant future.’

Further information: Lowrdnb.com @lowrdnb

https://lnk.to/LowrCanYouHearMe

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright/Veronika Toth

Ben

Low:r mixes another track (©AAH/AW)

SUCH FLAMBOYANCE

SUCH FLAMBOYANCE

FLAMINGOS SYNCHRONISED SWIMMERS EXCEL AT

FLAMINGOS SYNCHRONISED SWIMMERS EXCEL AT

Three members from the Flamingos Artistic (Synchronised) Swimming team in Horsham competed at the National Championships at K2 Crawley on 9 March.

Bea Winter, 12, Bronte Kelly, 11, and 10-year-old Felicity Dedman all achieved the qualifying standard for the GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming National Group Championships, the pinnacle of competition for Under 12s in the country. To gain qualification, competitors must have achieved Swim England’s Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 3. This requires them to perform 10 elements including the Barracuda, Front Ariana and Swordfish, demonstrating stable, controlled figures with effective and smooth sculling.

Bronte Kelly, a pupil at Tanbridge House School, was one of about 50 swimmers in the U12 Solo competition. Having been classified 29th, she is now aiming to reach an even higher standard to reach the Nationals in the next age category.

Bronte first met Flamingos coach Francesca Casagrande when she was only a baby attending classes with her mum. Having developed a love of swimming at primary school, she chose to join Flamingos rather than the competitive wing of Atlantis Swimming Club, as it utilised her natural flair for gymnastics and for holding her breath underwater.

Bronte said: ‘I made friends with some of the older girls in Flamingos and they took me under their wing and guided me through the moves, which we call figures. Now I’ve competed in the Nationals, which is a great achievement. One of my favourite figures is the Barracuda, where you lie on your back, pike under water and then shoot your leg up above the surface. Judges look not only for pointed toes and straight legs, but also for how high your leg is raised out of the water. I received a 10 for my Barracuda, which is the top mark, so I’m very proud of that!’

heart of Billingshurst and has grown rapidly under the thoughtful direction of founder, Jon Meadows. Jon devised the wellbeing centre to fulfil a dream of providing a full range of complementary and alternative therapies to support patients at his flourishing Osteopathy practice, which many locals will remember as Billingshurst Osteopaths. Jon, who has 30 years’ experience as an Osteopath and lives in Horsham, said: ‘Often, I feel that my patients would also benefit from the care of a therapist with different skills to mine, and this inspired me to develop Meadows Wellbeing, encompassing a comprehensive range of complementary and alternative therapies and treatments to support the overall wellbeing and health of my patients.’

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Millais School pupil Bea Winter competed at the Nationals for the first time and hopes it is an experience she can savour again in the coming years. She said: ‘It was nerve-wracking, as there were five judges next to the pool, all watching you! During a solo routine, two of the figures are compulsory, while another two are drawn at random. We’re now learning a team routine for an event at Brighton Fringe in May. That’s a whole different challenge, as the key to a good team routine is timing.’

The youngest of the Nationals qualifiers was Felicity, a pupil at North Heath Community Primary School in Horsham. Felicity was one of just 10 to achieve the qualifying standard in her age group and finished seventh. Felicity said: ‘I have always loved being in the pool. I have an older sister who swims for Atlantis and one day, we saw synchronised swimmers training in Billingshurst. My dad thought I would like to try it, as it’s like gymnastics in water, so I went along and loved it! Not many people reach Grade 3 by the age of 10, so there were not many in my age category at the Nationals. Now I can compete there for another two years and hopefully can keep improving.’

Flamingos was founded in 2007 by swimming coach Francesca Casagrande. Sessions were initially held in Brighton with support from Brighton Dolphin Swimming Club. Fran then moved the club to Pavilions in the Park, Horsham, running it independently until 2018, when Flamingos began an affiliation with Atlantis, Horsham’s leading swimming club. The Flamingos team can be easily identified by adopting a pink version of the yellow Atlantis logo on their training tops and swim caps.

They meet three times a week at the Pavilions, holding classes for beginners, intermediates and masters (which has members aged from 16 to over 60) while developing skills in solo, duet and team disciplines.

Head Coach Francesca said: ‘I am very proud of the girls, as to qualify for the Nationals requires high levels of ability, emphasised by the fact that even though the competition was held in Crawley, Flamingos were the only team in West Sussex represented. Thanks to the support of Atlantis and the hard work of our coaches, we have a strong record on the National stage and have even won medals. One of our former members, Ranjou Tomblin from Horsham, now competes with Team GB and was the first

male to compete at an International synchronised swimming event for GB. However, his battle is not won, as even though males can compete at the World Championships, they are yet to be accepted into the Olympics. We would love to see more boys at Flamingos, as well as any child who loves swimming and wants to experience the excitement of synchronised swimming!’

Further information: atlantishorsham.co.uk/artistic-swimming

Email: info.atlantis.sc@gmail.com

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

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The Steyning Bookshop was founded by Sara and Robin Bowers in 1984, with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the independent retailer. AAH visited the shop in the run-up to World Book Day to meet Sara and her daughter Gudrun, who now helps manage the family business…

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Reading has been a lifetime passion for Sara Bowers. She was an avid reader of fiction before developing knowledge of children’s books while working as a primary school teacher. After taking a career break to raise a family, Sara would read to her three daughters and they in turn inherited their mother’s love of books. At that time, the family lived in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, where a friend had opened an independent bookshop. Sara would regularly buy new books and attend events at the shop, and dreamed about opening one of her own. This dream became reality when the family bought a house on Steyning High Street.

Sara recalls: ‘The house belonged to an elderly lady who was the companion of the renowned composer John Ireland. In later life, she had become something of a recluse, living with her cats while the house slowly degraded around her. When she died, the house was auctioned, and although it needed a huge amount of work and was really more than we could afford, we took the plunge. For several months, we lived with family and friends while my husband Robin and his brother re-roofed the property and improved every aspect of the interior. We finally opened the bookshop on 8 December 1984.’

MAGIC TOUCH

Set back from the road within a 17th century farmhouse, visitors to Steyning could be forgiven for missing it and even locals go many years before discovering this hidden treasure. However, the bookshop has always had to find enterprising ways to attract customers, including building an extension to provide space for a specialist children’s books section.

didn’t like to leave Edinburgh, so the invitation was politely declined. Over the years, we’ve seen fans queuing all the way down the High Street at midnight dressed as wizards when a new Harry Potter instalment was released! It was J. K. Rowling that changed perceptions of children’s books and altered the commercial landscape, and now there are more great books for children that ever before.’

ALONG CAME A GRUFFALO

While J.K Rowling’s books sparked the imagination of school-aged readers, Julia Donaldson was creating classic tales for even younger generations. In 1994, Julia published her first book, A Squash and a Squeeze, while living in Scotland. The book was adapted from lyrics to a song she had written years earlier for a BBC programme

called Playboard and was illustrated by German artist Axel Scheffler. While the book was popular, it was their next collaboration, The Gruffalo, that would become a worldwide sensation. Many other wondrous stories would follow, including Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, Stick Man and Zog. Then in 2015, Julia (pictured left with Sara) moved to Steyning, significantly impacting the fortunes of the shop.

Gudrun Bowers said: ‘Mum had established a relationship with Julia from the publication of her first book, five years before The Gruffalo was released. So, every time that Julia and her husband Malcolm visited friends in Sussex, we would try to organise a book signing in the shop. When Julia’s popularity reached stratospheric levels, they moved to Sussex permanently and chose Steyning

Traditional Values...

...Modern Approach

Quality Service

BOOKED

BOOKED

The shop is also a great supporter of newly-published authors and has established relationships with many writers, agents and publishers to organise workshops, talks and book signing events. The list of celebrity authors hosted by the bookshop over the years is impressive.

In November, TV presenter Clare Balding visited Steyning to promote her book, Isle of Dogs. This was shortly after a visit by best-selling novelist Sebastian Faulks, writer of Birdsong, while a highlight of the upcoming Steyning Festival includes a talk by acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas). Not that there haven’t been one or two who got away…

Sara said: ‘Many years ago, a friend told me about a fantastic book she had read by a debut novelist about a young magician. I read it too and was equally impressed, so I contacted Bloomsbury in the hope of inviting the author for a book signing. I was told that J.K Rowling was very shy and

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Sara Bowers at The Steyning Bookshop (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Gudrun Bowers with one of Julia Donaldson’s popular books (©AAH/Alan Wright)

as they knew the town well. Since then, she has continued to write wonderful books such as The Smeds and the Smoos, and most are launched at our shop.’

‘Julia also has a website where people can buy her books. It used to be the case that the only option customers had was to buy the books from Amazon. Julia wanted to give people the option of buying the book from her local bookshop too, and

‘Julia Donaldson’s books often launch at the shop.’

with book orders. So, we had to build a new website to cater to the demand for Julia’s books. As we can’t always compete with Amazon on price, Julia signs her books for us, so we are able to offer something different. We continue to sell signed copies of all her titles currently in print, and when new titles are published, Julia will usually add children’s names too.’

Steyning Bookshop organises workshops and signings with a wide range of other authors too. Some are held in the shop or in a marquee erected in the garden during the summer, while

larger events take place at local community centres or schools. In March, author Kate Morgan presented a talk in the Methodist Church promoting her new book, The Walnut Tree: Women, Violence and the Law, A Hidden History. Other events have taken place at Steyning Grammar School, including many with best-selling thriller writer Peter James.

Gudrun said: ‘Crime writer Elly Griffiths has made regular appearances at the shop, after we held a signing for her very first book. She is now a best-selling author, having written several series, with a huge fanbase for her Ruth Galloway books. We were thrilled to be mentioned in two of her latest novels! Jim Beckett is a Steyning author who writes very

The shop has an imaginative children’s area (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Gill Atherton at Steyning Bookshop (©AAH/Alan Wright)

funny books, such as The Caravan at the Edge of Doom, and we love kids’ writer Vashti Hardy, who lives in Southwick and supported us with a school event on World Book Day.’

‘We regularly arrange for children’s authors to visit schools and have a network of teachers we liaise with, as it’s important to inspire young readers. The topic of children reading for pleasure is something that is talked about a lot in the media and Julia herself has spoken about it on Radio 4. There are some fabulous writers out there and more discussion about children’s books too, with bloggers, podcasts and Instagram sites all highlighting good reads.’

‘However, children from Year 6 onwards often turn away from books in favour of TV and phones. When I was 11, there was only an hour or two of children’s TV a day, so I read prolifically. Now, there are countless channels screening children’s shows throughout the day, so Pandora’s box has been well and truly opened. When they get their own phone too, then reading is even less likely. I would encourage

Alice Garner at Steyning Bookshop (©AAH/Alan Wright)

parents to lead by example by reading their own books, and to allow time to read before bedtime. When children haven’t earned their reading wings, it can be difficult for them to enjoy reading. By reading aloud, even classic books like Treasure Island or The Hobbit, parents can bring stories to life.’

KEY TO SUCCESS

The Steyning Bookshop has experienced challenges during four decades as an independent business. Perhaps the biggest came with the end of the Net Book Agreement, which ensured that all retailers sold books at a fixed price. When the agreement ended in the

1990s, large retailers, supermarkets and then later websites such as Amazon could gain an advantage over independents by selling books at a lower price. However, the Bowers’ have navigated through such storms.

Sara said: ‘We have survived by being a community hub. We take an active role in events such as the Steyning Festival and the Country Fair by organising workshops and talks for children with writers and illustrators. Through our outreach programme, we take authors to local schools to inspire young people to read, and we even host book clubs, as we’re passionate about reading.’

‘There are many groups and societies in and around Steyning that we promote too, acting as Box Office for the Steyning Festival as well as the local film society, choral groups and In Bloom committee. Steyning is a wonderful town with many independents and we all work together to create a supportive community. When you help others, they will help you in return and that has been key to our success.’

Further information:

Visit: Steyning Bookshop, 106 High Street, Steyning, BN44 3RD steyningbookshop.co.uk

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

Gudrun and Sara Bowers (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson at the bookshop

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BUOYANT MOOD

SLK AQUA YOGA OFFERS GENTLE EXERCISE IN LOCAL POOLS

SLK Aqua Yoga hosts a wide range of classes at swimming pools across West and East Sussex. AAH visited an Aqua Yoga session hosted by founders Sue Gilmore and Lizzie Hemmant at West Grinstead Swimming Academy to find out more…

What is SLK Aqua Yoga?

SLK comes from the name of its founders Sue and Lizzie, as well as Kriya, a yoga discipline that incorporates different breathing, stretching and relaxation techniques. In a water environment with natural buoyancy, gravity and hydrostatic pressure, it can offer a gentle form of exercise for people of all ages.

When was the business formed?

Sue and Lizzie met five years ago when they both attended an Aqua Natal course. Having

trained as Aqua Yoga instructors too, they had each run courses independently before joining forces to form SLK Aqua Yoga. Lizzie said: ‘We spotted a new pool being built in West Grinstead, we thought it would be an ideal location and that inspired us to start a business. Our launch was delayed due to Covid, but we managed to host one-to-one sessions and gradually grew numbers as the rules were relaxed.’

What makes a pool ideal for yoga?

No hard floors, no impact and no risk of falling. Many of those attending have mobility or health issues, so free parking next to a pool is ideal. It is also important to use pools with a consistent depth (rather than shallow and deep ends) and where water is heated to a high temperature than most leisure centres.

As well as holding 12 lunchtime classes in West Grinstead each week, SLK Aqua Yoga has expanded its team and now offers classes at four other pools in Storrington, Small Dole, Lewes and Seaford. Lizzie said: ‘Most large leisure pools have waters temperatures around 28° whereas we use pools heated to 31° or more. If the body gets cold, your muscles can’t relax and that impacts your flexibility, so the warmer water helps everyone feel more comfortable.’

Who attends the classes?

They attract people of all ages looking to improve their physical and mental health. Bryan Martin makes the short journey to West Grinstead from his Cowfold home while he continues to recover from an operation. He said: ‘I had a hip replacement and this kind of

Lizzie Hemmant and Sue Gilmore, SLK Aqua Yoga (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Lizzie Hemmant (©AAH/AW)

Session at West Grinstead (©AAH/AW)

Sue Gilmore leads a class (©AAH/AW)

activity is perfect during the initial stages of rehabilitation. The Aqua Walking class is the first step, as they get you in the water in a stable environment, which is important as you feel vulnerable after an operation. I have built up my confidence and strength and have now progressed to Aqua Yoga. The instructors ensure you progress at the right pace without pushing too hard and adapt exercises to suit you. I’m usually the only man and have no idea why! It’s fun, great for body conditioning and I don’t get any of the injuries I’d pick up at the gym!’

What range of classes is offered?

Aqua Walk offers gentle walking and static exercises, designed for people with stability and mobility issues (particularly pre-operation and post-operation) as well as those with knees, hip, ankle and back pain or breathing difficulties. Aqua Yoga is suitable for most people and exercises are adapted where necessary for individual needs. Aqua Tone is particularly suited to post-natal and menopausal women as it focuses on core, abdominal and pelvic floor toning, while Aqua Yoga Fit is set to upbeat music. Aqua March is ideal for smaller and deeper pools, while Aqua Jog is based on the ‘Couch to 5K’ concept, offering

short bursts of jogging on the spot initially, interspersed with simple yoga techniques and working up to a 35-minute jog. Sue said: ‘Our motto is “Aqua Yoga for every day and every one”, so we have classes to suit different people. We limit class numbers to eight, so we can provide one-to-one attention when needed. We’re all self-conscious about our bodies in one way or another, and we find many people prefer to be in smaller groups at privately-owned pools.’

There is also an Aqua Natal class?

These are suitable for pregnant women, from 14 weeks to full term. However, expectant mums can join any class that fits with their other commitments. Both Lizzie and Sue have trained with Birthlight, a UKbased charity that has pioneered teacher training courses in yoga to nurture the physical wellbeing of women and babies. Lizzie said: ‘For expectant mothers, it’s lovely to experience weightlessness in water, as pregnancy can be tiring. Gentle movements relieve pelvic and back pain too, as water’s buoyancy allows for up to 30% more body movement. There is a wonderful social side to our classes too and customers often meet for tea and cake at Camellia Botnar afterwards and lasting friendships develop.’

Bryan

‘Aqua Yoga is fun, great for body conditioning and I don’t get any of the injuries I’d pick up at the gym!

Bryan Martin

We have over 25 years’ experience in organising group trips to the theatre, local and national attractions and short breaks.

We ensure a hassle free experience, with someone always on hand to offer guidance, with discounts on tickets to nationwide attractions. Our programme takes in West End theatres, stately homes, palaces and gardens, river cruises, steam train rides and afternoon teas. For our short breaks, we visit beautiful towns and cities, as well as an annual trip to continental Christmas Markets.

Our upcoming trips include:

CALENDAR GIRLS & MEAL Thursday 25 April

Enjoy a home-cooked meal before watching Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls at the 18th century theatre, The Mill at Sonning. £99.50 per person.

THAMES CRUISE & TEA Wednesday 22 May

Enjoy Afternoon Tea on a 90-minute cruise on the River Thames with views of iconic London sights. £89.50 per person.

Dale Jannels

Director impactsf Ltd

01403 272625

Switching deals at the opportune time

Looking to remortgage? Don’t assume you have to wait until your existing deal finishes before you can start the ball rolling. If your current mortgage deal ends within the next six months and you want to lock into a new deal now, it is possible to secure a deal even if you’re currently tied into your existing mortgage.

There’s one risk to watch out for: you might be tied into your current rate and have to pay an Early Repayment Charge (ERC) if you switch before the end of the deal. However, in the main, you can remortgage at any time during this period and the new mortgage will start when the old one ends. There’s no point doing it if it’s not likely to benefit you in the long run., so you want to choose a time when there’s a positive benefit to moving your mortgage.

Fixed rate mortgages run for a set term, typically between two and 10 years, and then usually move on to the lender’s Standard Variable Rate of interest (SVR) which is often higher (some currently are over 8%). Whether the interest rate on the new deal is higher or lower than you’ve been paying depends on what’s happening to rates at the time. You don’t have to stay with the same lender and should certainly shop around to see what’s on offer. The more equity you have in the property, the lower the ‘Loan to Value’ and the better remortgage deal you could get. If you are midway into your Fixed Rate mortgage but still decide to remortgage, an ERC might apply to your current deal. These can be large amounts, but you could consider it if interest rates have dropped since you took out your mortgage as it may beneficial to you longer term. Terms will apply.

Whatever the scenario, speak to a specialist who has the whole of the market available to them to ensure you get the right mortgage for your needs and requirements. www.impactsf.co.uk

THEATRE TRIPS | DAY EXCURSIONS | SHORT BREAKS

Our appropriately named on-site café and bar with its thoughtfully created Breakfast and Seasonal Menus offers a selection of hot and cold options for your indulgence

Many of our cakes and sweet treats are handmade on site Locally sourced ingredients feature throughout our menus including local craft bakers’ breads and burgers from our very own beef herd.

Not feeling hungry? From the bar we provide a generous choice of soft drinks, draught and bottled beers, premium spirits and a wide selection of wines all to be enjoyed overlooking our beautiful Sumners Lake. Find a comfortable spot outside on the upper or lower decking and take in the scenery or cosy up in our Safari Tent and enjoy the war mth and crackle of log-bur ning stoves

Current Opening times:

Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm

Food Service: 9am to 3pm

Tel: 01403 732539

Web: sumnersponds co uk

Instagram: @sumnersponds

Facebook com/SumnersPonds

Do health professionals refer patients to SLK Aqua Yoga?

Horsham Hospital Falls clinic recommends classes to people with stability or mobility issues. SLK has also developed relationships with midwives, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other specialists in both the public and private sector who recommend aqua yoga to patients and clients for a wide range of reasons. Lizzie said: ‘Those who have just had a knee or hip operation particularly benefit. They typically experience tightness in their muscles and joints after an operation and regular exercises can be challenging. People find they’re more comfortable in water during their early post-op rehabilitation. We start them gently with Aqua Walk, which is minimal impact, and guide them as they make gradual steps to recovery.’

Can it help with arthritis too?

Aqua Yoga can help with a wide range of conditions including arthritis, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis and scoliosis, as well as breathing difficulties, perhaps relating to long-Covid or asthma. Others find it helps with stress and anxiety. Emma Campbell attends SLK Aqua Yoga and is now recovering from an operation. She said: ‘I was on an NHS waiting list for two years due to the pandemic, and have attended classes both pre-op and post-op. When I finally had my operation, I was determined to do everything I could to help my recovery. Doctors recommended that I walk every day as part of my physiotherapy, but the weather has been dreadful and footpaths are slippery and muddy. Aqua Yoga has been perfect for me. When you’re in water, you don’t think you’re doing much as it’s so relaxing, but my core muscles are strong for somebody who has recently undergone a major operation. The instructors build your strength slowly too as they understand your limitations. I really can’t speak highly enough of them!’

Further information:

For details about classes and pools, email slkaquayoga@gmail.com

www.slkaquayoga.co.uk

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

Emma Campbell receives guidance from Sue (©AAH/AW)

Why wait any longer!

Over the last couple of years, we have all found it difficult to hear and communicate while wearing masks. Anyone with a hearing loss has found it even more of a struggle. Now that we are free of masks, many people are realising that their hearing is not as good as it was. Amazing new technology is now available to enhance hearing like never before. Come in and find out more about Arc AI.

Rechargeable bluetooth technology

Living in isolation can be bad for your health and wellbeing. For many people, poor hearing can lead to isolation and withdrawal. A growing body of evidence points to a connection between hearing health and overall health. People who treat their hearing loss not only hear better, but may lower their risk for serious health issues such as cognitive decline and dementia. Come in and find out about new rechargeable bluetooth hearing technology!

Try the latest hearing aids completely free of charge!

We offer you the chance to try the very latest hearing aids completely free of charge or obligation. Take them away and try them in your own environment. Hear for yourself how different life can be! All part of our Better Hearing Guarantee.

Call and book an initial consultation

At the Horsham Hearing Centre we continue to offer a professional service in a comfortable environment. If you have struggled to hear over the last couple of years, why not book a priority appointment with one of our Audiologists and try some of the latest hearing aids?

Experience a new normal with better hearing. Interest-free credit available. Hear now, pay later!

SPICE OF LIFE

HEN & CHICKEN SERVES PUB CLASSICS AND INDIAN CUISINE

While many pubs may claim to be unique, The Hen & Chicken in Southwater’s assertion has more substance than most.

It serves classic English dishes alongside authentic Indian cuisine, and bears all the hallmarks of a traditional inn while also embracing a younger clientele with live music events. This unusual combination ensures the pub attracts people from across the age spectrum.

The building has been a fixture on Worthing Road for about 250 years and for the past 160 has served as a pub. Therefore, The Hen & Chicken holds memories for many locals. While there was initially relief that the pub wouldn’t be another lost to development, some expected the new owners to turn it into a

restaurant, probably with a new name to accompany a fresh menu. Yet, two-and-a-half years later, the old sign remains, along with the architectural grey paint that received a mixed response when it was introduced by a previous tenant and remains a a touch unusual!

Owner Belal Ahmed, who has a business interest in two other Indian restaurants in the District, said: ‘When we arrived, people in the village came to thank us for saving the pub, but assumed we had ideas to change its identity and become an Indian restaurant. The more I thought about it, the more I thought, “why shouldn’t we keep it as a pub?” After all, that is what the people want. So, that’s what we did. We didn’t modernise the building at all, as contemporary changes didn’t fit with the low oak beams, exposed brickwork and fireplaces.

We kept the old tables and chairs and the framed photos of local pubs and village life, with many of them showing Southwater back when it had its own station on the South Downs Line.’

‘Perhaps the biggest decision we made was to continue offering classic English pub dishes, such as fish and chips and steak and ale pie, alongside Indian cuisine. It has been very successful, as we find that we attract larger parties of families and friends. Often, there will be one or two people in a group who don’t like Indian food, so rather than them missing out, they can order something simple like a burger. As the prices here are very affordable, it means we are one of the best places for families to dine out in the Horsham area.’

Belal Ahmed, owner of The Hen & Chicken, Southwater (©AAH/Alan Wright)

James Murphy serves food (©AAH/AW)

Lamb chapli kebab (©AAH/AW)

Chef Manohar Lal has cooked for world leaders (©AAH/Alan Wright)

CONTRASTING MENU

The menu has two contrasting sides. One side has dishes you’d expect to find at any English pub, including lamb shank in red wine and rosemary gravy (£16.50), chicken, mushroom and leek pie (£14.95) and salmon fillet in Béarnaise sauce (£15.95). Turn it over and you’ll find something else entirely, with a menu inspired by chef Manohar Lal.

Manohar has vast experience of working in leading restaurants, including Veeraswamy, now a Michelin-starred restaurant on Regent Street, which is renowned as the city’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant. His work in the hospitality sector has seen him cook for powerful politicians. Earlier this year, he was among the chefs preparing food for world leaders including Chinese premier Li Qiang and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While such a résumé could perhaps see him working at more prestigious venues, Manohar enjoys freedom and flexibility at the Hen & Chicken, where he has introduced a menu that takes inspiration from Indian cuisine.

‘There are restaurants stuck in the past, serving the same old dishes.’

Belal said: ‘Food on the sub-continent is changing rapidly and dishes that were popular 20 years ago are no longer found. Indian cuisine has moved on, as it has in most countries, yet there are restaurants in the UK that are stuck in the past, serving the same food they were a generation ago that do not represent the country’s modern culture. They are the restaurants now struggling to attract customers and closing down, as people are more knowledgeable about food from different regions of India nowadays. It is not good enough just to offer tikka masala, korma and madras. So, we do our best to keep abreast of exciting dishes from across India and serve them to our customers.’

The menu includes pub favourites including fish and chips (©AAH/Alan Wright)

TRADITIONAL DISHES

For our starters, we enjoyed crispy coated prawns (£7.95), before tucking in to a delicious soft-shell kekada (crab) fried in Oriental butter (£7.95) and a chilli paneer consisting of Indian cottage cheese in the chef’s signature spicy sauce. The stand-out starter was the lamb chapli kebab, a dish from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of Pakistan, of thin patties with a lovely combination of spices and aromatics.

Main course meals include Rara Gosht, a tender lamb dish with onions, ginger and garlic cooked with north Indian spices. Chicken taka tak is a delightful street food favourite and takes its name from the sound of the cooking utensils hitting the tava (traditional frying pan) as it’s stir-fried. Chef’s recommendations include tawa lobster, sourced from the Cornish coast, cooked in Manohar’s special spice mix, and a Kerala-style dish of sea bream covered in banana leaf and grilled in the tandoor with south Indian spices. The popularity of Indian street food has inspired the introduction of Dosa too. Many will be unfamiliar with it, but dosa is enjoyed by millions of people on a daily basis in India.

Belal said: ‘Dosa is traditionally eaten at breakfast, but now you see it being sold as a snack throughout the day in cities across the country. They are like a large crepe or pancake, with fillings of meat as well as mashed potato or rice and a variety of

Hen

vegetables and spices. We offer several varieties, including a butter masala dosa, chicken tikka dosa and a cheese dosa (ranging from £13.95 - £15.95) served with mashed potato, coconut chutney, roasted tomato and our own special vegetable curry. You do not see dosa on many menus, as there are not many authentic Indian restaurants in the Horsham area. However, there are lots of people who travel here from across West Sussex to enjoy it, as it is a filling and affordable snack which is also very sociable, as it can be shared with friends and family.’

LOCAL BEERS

Despite the dual-focus of the menu, there remains space for locals to enjoy a quiet pint. It’s no surprise to find Cobra beer (a favourite of Indian restaurants) on draught, but the free house pub also supports local breweries including Harvey’s of Lewes and Rudgwick-based Firebird, and wine from the local vineyards of House Coren.

The Hen & Chicken has further enhanced its fortunes through a lively entertainment programme. This has included musical tributes to Abba, Elvis, Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga, and regular quiz nights too. This combination of food, drink and music has even earned the pub a Travellers’ Choice Award from Trip Advisor.

Belal said: ‘We have an outside seating area with decking and patio heaters, and during the warmer months we have music playing, so there’s always a good atmosphere. Even in winter, we host quizzes and live music inside, just to offer something different to customers. It works well, especially for residents of Southwater and Horsham, as we have free parking too. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, as we have managed to create something different, ensuring we maintain the feel of a traditional pub while also offering an authentic menu unlike anything else around us.’

Further information:

The Hen & Chicken, Worthing Road, Southwater, RH13 9BH Call: 01403 733088

henandchickensouthwater.co.uk

Henandchickensouthwater

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

Rara Gosht, a tender lamb dish cooked with north Indian spice (©AAH/Alan Wright)

(©AAH/Alan Wright)

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SWEET HARMONY

AWARD-WINNING CHOCOLATE TREATS AT MOOCOCO IN STORRINGTON

MooCoco in Mill Lane, Storrington has won many awards for its artisan chocolates since opening five years ago. AAH visited the shop and met chocolatier Kim Robinson as she prepared for the busy Easter weekend…

WORLD ADVENTURES

Long before becoming a chocolatier, Kim developed culinary skills working in a variety of eateries. After studying for three years, she worked in NHS catering before running a successful family restaurant in Devon with her parents, where she specialised in desserts. After marrying, Kim’s husband’s work took them around the world, to countries including Gabon, Nigeria, Syria and Singapore,

broadening her knowledge of foreign flavours. While raising a family, Kim loved making fascinating cakes for her children’s birthdays. However, it was while living in Australia that she first developed a real passion for chocolate.

‘I attended a course where I learned how to craft sugar flowers. While I was there, I met someone who had been on a chocolatiers course, working with Callebaut, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality chocolate. She said it was lovely chocolate to work with, so I attended various Callebaut courses, before buying a bag of callets and making my own chocolate. I still felt I had more to learn, so upon my return to the UK, I contacted a professional chocolatier in

Oxfordshire, where Barry Callebaut has its UK headquarters. This culminated in me spending a week helping prepare treats for a major chocolate seminar, where I developed the skills that I needed to start my own business.’

BEST KEPT SECRET

Kim started by making chocolates for friends and family, and selling some in local shops. She called the business MooCoco as her children call her ‘Moo’ and it has a handy dairy connotation too. Five years ago, she began searching for a unit to showcase her full range of chocolates and found the ideal spot at a former veterinary practice away from the High Street in Mill Lane, Storrington. After a major refurbishment, Kim opened the doors of

Kim Robinson, Owner of MooCoco in Storrington (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Small chocolates at MooCoco (©AAH/AW)

Special eggs for Easter (©AAH/AW)

Chocolates are made on site (©AAH/AW)

the shop in 2019, with space divided between manufacturing and retail, so that customers can see Kim making the chocolate. Aside from a handful of treats, i ncluding Turkish delight and fudge, everything is hand-made on site using only high-quality ingredients.

‘The single origin chocolates have tasting notes, like wine!’

Kim said: ‘I use Callebaut chocolate, not only because it tastes wonderful and is used by leading chocolatiers around the world, but because of the positive impact it has on cocoa-growing communities around the world. Callebaut established the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, working with farmers to ensure they receive a fair salary and can create self-sustaining communities. I also source chocolate from several other luxury producers including Chocolaterie de L’Opera and Casa Luker.’

‘At MooCoco, we offer a range of chocolate bars, including a signature collection of Single Origin chocolates, so you know exactly where it has come from, be it Madagascar, Ghana, Guatemala or anywhere else. These are enjoyed by more discerning customers and come with tasting notes, similar to those of a fine wine. We are a destination shop and it takes time for people to discover us. People often say we’re Storrington’s bestkept secret, but we have plenty of regular customers through recommendations and word-of-mouth.’

Chocolate hearts and eggs (©AAH/AW)

Chocolate gift boxes (©AAH/AW)

Kim Robinson at MooCoco (©AAH/Alan Wright)

What makes now the right time to consider your next move in the property market?

MORE BUYERS

As the property market gears up for the Spring season, homeowners contemplating selling their properties are preparing to reap the benefits. With a notable 11% surge in buyers compared to this time last year, there’s a sense of opportunity in the air for sellers. The increase in buyer interest isn’t the only encouraging sign. The market is also witnessing a rise in available properties, offering prospective buyers a wider array of options to find their dream home.

MORTGAGE SUBMISSIONS

Recent data indicates a promising trend in mortgage submissions, with numbers climbing from around 51,000 to 55,000 since December 2023. This means there are almost 4,000 new movers out there. Whilst that might not sound a lot, that’s potentially another 4,000 buyers looking for their dream home.

BRIGHTER SPRING

Springtime usually renews energy into the sales market, as brighter days and blooming gardens create an ideal backdrop for photos and property videos. In addition, Spring offers more hours of daylight and clearer skies, as well as an association with fresh beginnings. Homeowners considering listing their property find themselves in a favourable market. With heightened buyer interest, more properties available and a growing pool of mortgage applicants, there is a sense of optimism and potential, appealing to prospective buyers seeking a fresh start.

'Recent data reveals that there are 4,000 new movers out there looking for their dream home.'

James Bailey SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT

MAGICAL EASTER

Besides chocolate bars, MooCoco offers a delicious selection of chocolate treats, from MooCoco-teasers to tumbled raspberries, dipped honeycomb to Gianduja almonds, and chocolate bombs with marshmallow to dark chocolate praline ‘cigars’. For Easter, Valentine’s Day and Christmas, Kim creates special gifts such as wreaths, love hearts and advent calendars, with seasonal decorations inspired by the artisan chocolate shops of Europe. This Easter, she made a selection of chocolate eggs infused with added elements including honeycomb, fudge and fruits and nuts.

Kim said: ‘Our eggs contain 300 - 400g of chocolate, so they are quite weighty! In addition to chocolate bunnies, I have made eggs designed with an African theme, inspired by the patterns of giraffes and leopards, with a thin layer of white chocolate over a milk chocolate bass to create a sheen effect. It is a time-consuming process, as you can only pipe half an egg at a time to ensure the patterns dry, but it’s worthwhile as they make a special gift for Easter. We have eggs that can be filled with individual chocolates too, or even dragon eggs for children. I find that there isn’t anything particularly special about buying a massproduced egg from a supermarket. When people come to us, they inject a little bit of magic back into Easter. Whatever the time of year, we always wrap chocolate with ribbons or place them in gift boxes, as we want to create an experience.’

EQUIPMENT HIRE

ROBOT

MooCoco treats (©AAH/Alan Wright)

DELICIOUS BITES

For many, it is in the realm of the single chocolate that MooCoco truly excels. Some of the most delicious individual treats include a 70% truffle made with single origin chocolate from Papua New Guinea, where volcanic rock gives it a smoky flavour with leather notes.

Passionfruit is a treat that even those who usually avoid white chocolate will adore, while the Champagne truffle is infused with Jean Goyard Marc de Champagne. Other favourites include English peppermint, lemon cheesecake, and rose and violet fondants, with a guava flavoured treat now in development. Many have

received awards, including some 15 Great Taste Awards, with coveted two-star awards for four chocolates including the Armagnac truffle and chocolate brownie. The shop has also been recognised in the 2023 Academy of Chocolate awards with two bronze awards and two silver awards, including its tumbled Brazil nuts.

Kim said: ‘Once you have the skill, the world’s your oyster when it comes to making chocolates. However, I have always had a natural talent for flavour combinations. My grandfather was a whiskey blender, so perhaps I have inherited some of his skill and adapted it to chocolate! I always encourage customers to try something new to see if they like it and of

course it is nice to be recognised with awards too. The Academy of Chocolate, as that is judged by professional chocolatiers and chefs, so I am especially proud of have received four awards from them.’

Further information:

MooCoco, Gatley House, Mill Lane, Storrington, RH40 4NF

Open: Thursday – Saturday, 10 am - 2pm. (Closed the week after Easter Sunday, during summer and in January) moococo.co.uk

Words: Ben Morris

Photos: Alan Wright

We can help you understand the true value of your business and make better informed financial decisions.

MooCoco has a stunning selection of chocolates (©AAH/Alan Wright) lemon cheesecakes (©AAH/AW)

MooCoco bars (©AAH/AW)

Chocolate truffles (©AAH/AW)

TRACING THE RAILS DOCUMENTS THE STORY OF THE TUNNEL VISION

Clock Repairs

By Stephen Jackman

A new documentary series focuses on the history of the Steyning Line, a railway line that closed in 1966.

Tracing the Rails - A Nostalgic Journey along the Steyning Line tells the story on the route that connected Shoreham-by-Sea to Horsham, serving stations at Bramber, Steyning, Henfield, Partridge Green, West Grinstead, and Southwater.

In 1966, the UK lost around 4,000 miles of railway in closures recommended by Lord Beeching in his infamous Beeching Report. The Steyning Line was among them, with the last train being the 9.28pm train from Brighton to Horsham on Sunday 6 March 1966. Only a small section remained open until 1980, with the purpose of serving the cement works near Shoreham.

Today, large parts of the Steyning Line are used as a footpath and bridleway on the Downs Link, with little trace of its history remaining aside from a handful of platforms

and tunnels. The most visible reminder of the Line’s past is a railway carriage at the old West Grinstead Station. Painted in British Rail Buckingham Green, it is a more modern carriage than those that once used the line, although it has served as an information point for those interested in the Link’s history.

However, many people who ride or walk on the Downs Link are unaware of its history of the Steyning Link. This inspired Upper Beeding residents Chris Kirk and Lou Partridge to embark on a documentary series about their beloved Steyning Line.

Chris said: ‘We love to walk along the Downs Link and we would often come across something relating to a rail track, which sparked our curiosity. We wondered what it related to and it was only then that we discovered that steam trains had once chugged along the Adur valley. As a keen filmmaker, I had been looking for an interesting project and so we decided to focus on the railway. We wondered if people might

THE STEYNING LINE

find the idea boring, but it has generated huge interest from local people. Everyone seems to know somebody with a story about the railway, whether it’s someone who used to work at one of the stations or a place where an original feature of the railway exists. It’s important we tell this story now, before more evidence of the line disappears forever. Even now, surviving sections or remnants of the line are still being lost to new development, particularly around Shoreham.’

SOCIAL HISTORY

With Lou in place as producer of Tracing the Rails, director Chris reached out to his friend Stephen Cranford, an experienced radio and TV broadcaster from Worthing, to see if he would present the series. Steve and Chris first met as teenagers when they

worked together in a model railway shop and had kept in touch as they pursued careers in broadcasting, with one behind the camera and the other behind it. Steve (pictured inset with Chris) jumped at the chance to present on a subject he had remained passionate about.

Next to join the team was transport historian Mike Jaimes, who presents some of the historic segments the focus on railway operations during the Steyning Line’s heyday.

Producer Lou said: ‘From the outset, we set out to make a documentary that would be enjoyed by everyone, not just railway enthusiasts. It is as much about social history as anything else, as we hope to encourage people to discover the link for themselves and know its heritage. So, we felt it was important to present traditional aspects of

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Director Chris Kirk seeks information from Steyning Museum

Director Chris Kirk and co-presenter Mike Jaimes at a Signal Box

Presenters Stephen Cranford (left) and Mike Jaimes on the Steyning Line

rail travel to a generation that has never needed a printed ticket, as they simply tap a mobile phone. While Steve leads the presenting, we can use Mike’s expertise whenever we need to talk about signal boxes, or describe how passengers bought tickets, or the importance of brickworks and industry to the Line. Usually, these segments are combined with old cine-reel footage we have sourced.’

‘Many people have shared photos and memories of the line.’

Some of that footage has come from museums in Steyning, Horsham and Henfield, which have given their support to the project and helped the production team connect to others with stories to share about the Steyning Line.

‘Many people have come forward to share photos, films and memories,’ says Chris. ‘There have been a few surprises. For instance, there’s still parts of the original track at West Grinstead, hidden in the undergrowth, and the original brick railway bridge at Henfield is buried under tonnes of soil. Near Bramber, lettering from the station sign survived and have been recreated. The sign is now propped up against a garden shed!’

PILOT EPISODE

The team are methodically following the line from Shoreham to Christ’s Hospital, telling the story one station at a time, akin to a Time Team discovery. Archive material is combined

with new footage, beautifully filmed, with drone footage offering a bird’s eye view of the landscape. Chris’s direction and special effects expertise and Stephen’s professional presentation add to the broadcast-standard quality of the production. A pilot episode has premiered on YouTube and its success has given great encouragement for the team as they embark on filming six full Tracing the Rails episodes, to be aired later this year.

Steve said: ‘The first trailer received lots of views. Normally, you’re lucky if you get 500 views, but we had 30,000 in the first few weeks and picked up thousands of new subscribers. Now, when we’re filming along the Downs Link, people stop to speak to us as they’ve heard about the project. Social media has been a wonderful tool, as we can post what we’re doing and others can contribute their own photos or footage, some of which might never have been seen before. We’ve become increasingly aware of the local importance of the Steyning Line to people and one of the

Steam train at Horsham Station (Photo: Ben Brooksbank/Creative Commons)

Presenter Stephen Cranford (left) meets Friends of Henfield Museum

lovely things about Tracing the Rails is that you don’t have to be especially interested in trains to enjoy it. Seeing footage from the golden age of travel – the transport, the fashion, the luggage, the staff, the steam trains – creates a sense of nostalgia that stirs memories.’

‘What I have found impressive throughout this journey is the sheer workload that went into building the line when it was all built in the 1850s. Without the advantage of machinery we’re familiar with today, workers were able to dig tunnels and alter the landscape by hand, which required a remarkable effort by a huge workforce. This was achieved in less time than we now spend on consultations and inquiries!’

The team hope the documentary will attract interest from a major broadcaster eventually, although the current intention is for the series to premiere on YouTube, where the channel has established a significant following. Filmed will continue over the coming weeks, with a possible location for the finale being Horsham Station, where a steam train is scheduled to arrive on Saturday 20 April.

Further information:

The team continue to welcome contributions, especially for those with footage, photographs or relevant information relating to stations at Shoreham, Bramber, Southwater and Christ’s Hospital. If you have materials or memories of the Steyning Line to share, please contact the team at info@tracingtherails.com or visit tracingtherails.com

Words: Ben Morris

A train passes through Bramber in 1966 (Photo: Brian Bennett)

The Tracing the Rails crew of Mike, Stephen, Lou and Chris

Itchingfield Junction on the Steyning Line (Photo: Alan Barwick)

FINAL WORD

MUSEUM EXHIBITION CELEBRATES PAINTING WITH PARKINSON’S

AIMEE BLEACH

Aimee runs a monthly art class at Mannings Heath Village Hall that helps people with Parkinson’s, combining painting with a variety of music.

When my dad, Julian Pike, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago, I was inspired to start an art class for those whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s.

Along with playing the guitar, painting was always something that gave my dad pleasure and I saw first-hand how it helped him on his Parkinson’s journey. Parkinson’s didn’t seem to impact his love of art in the way it had with other aspects of his life, so I researched the subject during the Covid lockdowns, with the idea of establishing a specialist art class in the Horsham District.

I was inspired by the Tingey method, an art therapy programme founded in Australia for people with Parkinson’s. Artist Nancy Tingey travelled the world on a Churchill Fellowship, meeting neuro therapists and art therapists to shape a programme that could relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The Tingey method uses loose intuitive painting to music, enabling the artists to get into a ‘flow’ and therefore relaxing their nervous system and letting a sense of relief wash over as symphonies are turned into explosive colour.

I was determined to launch the first class in the UK using this method and contacted the Horsham and District branch of Parkinson’s UK, which supports people like my dad by offering a wide range of classes and social events. Classes are held every second Friday at Mannings Heath Village Hall, and are for all those affected by Parkinson’s including friends, family and carers. At each session, we present a talk on an artistic theme, ranging from aboriginal art to contemporary painters such as David Hockney, then organise an exercise that is often based on the theme. So, we’ve painted large silk scarves inspired by the work of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, drawn on the floor using home-made bamboo pens, and watched animated projections of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. We will soon be welcoming ceramist Lisa Yazdabadi, giving members the chance to experiment with clay.

Something magical happens during our sessions and the paintings that come out of the class are full of joy, colour and boldness, with everyone having their own signature style. We see the difference it makes to those attending and how it aids not just their mental wellbeing, but also their physical movement. Sue West, from Horsham Parkinsons UK, said: ‘It’s magical painting with watercolour inks on wet paper to music. You almost forget you have Parkinson’s.’ ‘Pauline, who also attends the class, adds: ‘My Parkinson’s makes me constantly move so I have to go with the flow of my body. I find the art activities inspiring and wonderful which gives me a buzz and liberates my Parkinson’s so I can be creative, whilst also being inspired by the live music’.

Perrier visited too, adapting his usual frenetic style of drumming for something calmer! Some of the class had a go on his drum set and discovered a new talent, while Nathan told us it was one of the most rewarding gigs he’s ever done!

Sessions would not be possible without help and support from the community. These include the incredible musicians who come play, as well as my mum, Lesley, who bakes cakes for the sessions, and the family, friends and supporters who help ensure their loved ones are able to attend. Even my two-year-old son Fionn helps in his own way, by giving out cuddles!

‘Something magical happens during our painting sessions.’

We read poetry to conjure up imagery that people may wish to paint. Live musicians then play and the room descends into silence as people get lost in their paintings. The creative side of the mind takes over and there is even a sense of physical easing. A frozen moment can become a turning point and tremors may be stilled. We have welcomed pianists, cellists and violinists to play at sessions, as well as wonderful harpist Margaret Watson, while Littlehaven School allowed us use of 14 bongo drums for one class. Heavy metal drummer Nathan

We were delighted that Horsham Museum & Art Gallery agreed to host an exhibition of art by Painting with Parkinson’s, alongside that of other artists. Nikki Caxton, Museum Curator, has done a fabulous job on the exhibition and we’re hugely grateful for her efforts in creating a display that our artists can be proud of. We are displaying a total of 16 paintings for three months, with the display running now until 1 June. Profits from sales will go back to the Horsham branch of Parkinson’s UK, helping them to continue providing essential support to those suffering with Parkinson’s.

For more information, or if you would like to attend a class, please contact aimeebleach@outlook.com or call 07815 969267

Art helps people with Parkinson’s Disease (Photo: Jdoorphotography)

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