August 2012 AAH

AAH ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE

The Mystery of Knepp How the historic estate has become one of the country’s most unique conservation sites

August 2012

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Call 01293 851913 Email: info@abmbuilding.co.uk Website: abmbuilding.co.uk Liston House, Faygate Lane, Faygate, RH12 4SJ

View all previous editions of AAH at www.aahorsham.co.uk

Missing the Boat At the start of last summer, I was contacted by a woman at Horsham Library, who asked for three copies of AAH to be delivered every month.

Apparently, it’s a good publication to have in the reference section and to have filed for future use.

So if you’re reading this in, let’s say, 2062, perhaps undertaking a school project on how the 2012 Olympics affected Horsham, then I’ll save you some time - you won’t find much about the Games here!

Part of the reason is that I’m terrified of breaking any Olympic copyright laws (I’m trying to avoid using the word ‘ring’ and the use of any of the main colours) but primarily it’s because we have been a bit unfortunate with timing.

This magazine will be distributed from Friday, 3rd August - the day in which Jade Nicholls, who works at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, will be trying to qualifying for the final of the women’s discus. But we went to press six days earlier, so there’s not much we can yet say about the Games.

For what it’s worth though, I thought the opening ceremony was fantastic until Hey Jude, as did my grandma (“he’s had his day” she said) and my dad said that watching the men’s road race at Box Hill was an incredible day out.

We also spent a day at the Knepp Estate with Sir Charles Burrell. There are ten pages on Knepp, but I suspect you would need several large volumes to tell the full and no doubt highly entertaining story.

Hopefully, despite the lack of Olympic chat, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy here.

As you can see from the photo, Toby and I left our wives (well, one each) at home as we had a relaxing break (well, 20 minutes) at Raylands Country Park in Southwater.

Finally, just a note in an effort to stop the phone calls. We can’t deliver AAH to every home in the district! I’m sorry if someone you know receives it and you don’t, but to print 47,000 magazines for every home would cost far more than the total amount we bring in

Ben Morris (All AAH Articles, Layout & Advertising) and Toby Phillips (All Photography)

Ben and Toby at Raylands Country Park. Toby must have finished off the bottle before starting work on the front page picture! through advertising. We are getting there - our circulation has increased dramatically in recent months with another 500 added to the print run for this edition. Locally, we’re now second only to the County Times group of newspapers in terms of circulation. So be patient - we hope to reach you all one day! In the meantime, we do drop copies into Horsham Museum, but you’ll have to be quick...

Ben, Editor

Cover Story Of course we didn’t get the pony to pose in front of the Knepp Castle ruins! However, there are more genuine elements to the front cover image than you might think!

Ben had driven past the site (seen from the A24 near Dial Post) and spotted a deer in front of the ruins, and thought it would make a perfect cover shot. On our visit to Knepp, the only animals near the ruins were a few camera-shy pigs. But there was a pony in the next field, so Toby took a photo and using his Photoshop skills placed the pony in front of

the ruins. The moon really was in the gap in the castle, and the colours of the sky have been exaggerated rather than fabricated.

Ben’s first thought on the image was ‘no way!’ but it’s grown on him...

Moments after taking the picture of the ruin, Toby lost his footing whilst crossing a muddy stream, losing a shoe but hanging onto his cameras. We then spotted deer on the horizon. Toby took a wonderful silhouette shot (Page 36) but the deer never turned towards the ruins for our ‘dream’ shot!

If you would like to discuss advertising in AAH, please contact Ben or Kelly on 01403 878026.

Eighth Page £50; Quarter page: £100; Half Page: £175; Full Page £300

CONTENTS

Copies of past editions of AAH (except July 2011 which is sold out) are available for £3 each (this includes postage). Please send a cheque (payable to AA Publishing Ltd) of £3 for each copy to: AA Publishing Ltd, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3PT.

8 My Story So Far

43 Moments in Time

We meet Victor Jannels, a recently honoured Horsham businessman

Remarkable photos from a Horsham man’s world travels in Victorian times

12 Top 10

48 Meal Review

The best ideas for days out with the children during the summer holidays

The Garden at Cisswood House more than just a hotel?

16 School for Parents

52 Art

A special focus on a school for children with cerebral palsy near Billingshurst

The Association of Sussex Artists prepare for their 100th exhibition

22 One to Watch

57 Group Discussion

William Duffin hopes to waltz his way to success in ballroom dancing

Why it’s good to talk for members of Heather’s Cancer Care group

25 Music

61 Events

We meet local jazz legend Freddy Woods and his band

The month’s highlights include the action-packed Loxwood Joust

62 Raylands Park

30 Tennis Focus

The caravan park near Southwater that you probably didn’t know was there

Billingshurst Tennis Club has made a remarkable recovery over ten years

34 Knepp Castle

66 How Interesting

How the estate is undertaking a pioneering conservation project

The fire that destroyed one of the south’s greatest art collections

The AAH Team Editor: Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899

Contributors Jeremy Knight (Robert Henderson feature and assistance on Knepp Castle fire story)

Advertising Manager: Kelly Morris advertising@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899

Additional Thanks to...

Sir Charles Burrell, Terry Copping, Kate Rollings at Fishers Farm

Photography: Toby Phillips tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk 07968 795625

Door-to-Door Delivery team The Paterson family, Geoff Valentine, Cydney Magnus, Scott and Andrew Price, Sarah Guile, Amy Rogers (all Horsham rounds), Anna Laker and Alex Besson

(Billingshurst), Jamie Towes, Laura Harding and Karen Taylor (Southwater), Jack Barnett (Monks Gate/Mannings Heath), Karen Parnell (Warnham), Will Smith (Ashington), Roger Clark (Partridge Green and Cowfold), The Morris Family (Slinfold, Horsham, Tower Hill, Nuthurst, Maplehurst, Crabtree), Toby Phillips (Town Centre), Herbie Whitmore (West Grinstead), Ben’s Grandma (Wisborough Green) Website Run by Mi-Store of Brighton. Read all of our editions at www.aahorsham.co.uk

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AAH News Round-up

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6 1: Horsham Skatejam is held in Horsham Park on Sunday, 19th August. BMX, skateboarding and in-line skating competitions will be held for competitors of all ages throughout the day. There is a £5 entry fee. The organisers have set up a Facebook page (search ‘Horsham Skate-park’) or call Sam on 07588 895764.

2: Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is currently displaying work by Henry Moore, Jacob Epstein, Paul Nash, Ivon Hitchens, Stanley Spencer and 12 other greats of British art in a temporary exhibition called ‘A Summer of Great British Art.’ The University of Chichester’s Otter Gallery is being refurbished so 17 pictures from its collection are being loaned to Horsham Museum. The exhibition, which runs until 15th September, is supported by Toovey’s.

3: The Grow Your Own Festival is held at Parham House on Sunday, 12th August at 11am - 5pm. BBC Radio 4's Pippa Greenwood will be on hand to give hints and tips on getting started with fresh, healthy vegetables.

There will be a Flower Festival in Parham House and numerous nurseries will be present and selling plants ideal for cut flower arrangements. Master classes include Getting started with a smallholding (Westlands), How to grow delicious fruit (Dr Ali Valsecchi), Growing flowers for cutting (Fittleworth Flowers), Beekeeping for Beginners (Tom Moore), Herbs for Healing (Sarah Beard).

Admission is £9, Children (5-15yrs) £4.50.

4: Horsham District Council is working with Tanbridge House School as it considers building a new £1.2million athletics track for the district on the school site. Early discussions have already taken place and a proposal was put to the school governors recently. They are keen to engage in further talks. The current athletics track at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre will remain until a replacement site is located.

5: The four week Horsham Food and Drink Festival begins on 4th September with the Big Nibble in Horsham Town Centre. During the festival period many of the district’s

All Pictures by Toby Phillips except for Box 2, which shows art by Ivon Hitchens, courtesy of Horsham Museum/Horsham District Council. Image 5 shows Tristan Mason of Restaurant Tristan, which is involved in the Food and Drink Festival

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vineyards, breweries, farm shops, producers, pubs and restaurants will be hosting events and offering discounts for those with a festival programme. You can download a copy at www.horshamlocalproduce.co.uk 6: Eighty stalls have been selected for the New Horizons Appeal Autumn Gift Fair in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice at Knepp Castle, Shipley. A preview evening is held on Wednesday, 19th September, at 6.30 - 9pm.

Fair Day is Thursday, 20th September, at 9.30am - 4pm. Set in the a large marquee on the polo lawns of Knepp, it makes for a perfect day out, with an excellent array of gifts to purchase. Contact Paula Daly on 01293 447367 or visit www.stch.org.uk/newhorizons 7: Gary Holder presents an acoustic showcase at the Capitol in Horsham on Monday, 15th October at 7.30pm. Gary welcomes the Maypole Band, The Other Band, Airs and Disgraces, Blueszoo, The Occasions and Yonder. Tickets cost £7.50 from 01403 750220 or www.thecapitolhorsham.com

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AAH News Round-up 10

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13 9: On Friday 19th October, Cantatrice, along with Divas Undaunted, Songbirds and a full orchestra, perform the stirring work Adiemus

by Karl Jenkins under the direction of Steve Dummer at The Hawth theatre in Crawley.

Cantatrice is a 100-strong ladies choir based in Steyning. Tickets from www.hawth.co.uk or 01293 553636.

10: Aspiring performers at Horsham-based Dramaworks have been busy. Eighty-six students have taken LAMDA exams with excellent results. Aimee Purchase and Lila Porter reached Grade 2 at the age of seven.

Julia Martin, director of Dramaworks, said: “We are so proud of all our students and our unique formula of fun-filled drama workshops and specialised teaching from English and Drama experts has yielded great results. These awards help literacy, confidence and acting skills." To register for September check the website www.drama-works.net or call Julia on 07786 398869.

11: Berkeley has begun marketing homes on

the new Highwood estate to the west of Horsham. The initial phase sees the development of 32 homes made up of two to five bedroom homes. To find out more visit www.highwoodhorsham.co.uk 12: Horsham Natural History Society’s 2012/13 winter programme is packed with a wide variety of presentations that include such diverse topics as bird migration, glow worms, lichen, sea life, ponds, ancient woodland and otters, as well as a number of presentations given by expert members.

Winter meetings are held weekly on Monday evenings and start on September 24th.

For full details visit www.hnhs.org.uk 13: Cromptons at the Olive Branch has scooped a prestigious award, just months after the Horsham pub was taken over by new owners. The pub and restaurant was recognised at the 2012 Best Employers in Hospitality Award, hosted by Caterer.com and held at the Lancaster London. Manager Kim Neaves and owner Andrew Crompton

had decided not to attend as they felt they had no chance of winning so soon after taking over at The Bishopric pub. Kim said: “We didn’t think we were in with a chance because we haven’t been here long. We were dumbfounded when we found out and disappointed that we hadn’t attended. It’s a great honour for us and it is nice that the service we provide here has been recognised.

The way Andrew runs the business means he has huge respect from his team and that is reflected in the award.”

13: Horsham District Council is publishing the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites document for public consultation. Once agreed, the document will seek to safeguard existing sites with planning permission and identify suitable sites for permanent use to fulfil the existing identified need. The document is at the ‘Preferred Options’ stage and was published for an eight week consultation period on 6th July. Comments must be received by 4pm on 31st August.

Http://consult.horsham.gov.uk/portal

All pictures by Toby Phillips except Boxes 11 and 12. Box 11 is courtesy of Berkeley Homes, Box 12 is an iStock library image of starlings.

Image 14 pictures Finn, a traveller at Washington, taken in January 2012 for a feature in February’s AAH.

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Victor Jannels, 66, Company Director

‘For a few months, I held a world record in

Tenpin Bowling’ I was born in Scotland in June 1946 but my family moved south when I was 18 months old.

My father was born in Australia to an English family that had emigrated and my mother is from Lisburn in Northern Ireland. They were both Ministers in the Salvation Army and met at a post box near Belfast when they were sending letters home to their respective families.

We moved to Liverpool when I was six or seven. We lived in Knotty Ash. I have a picture of a street party held for the Coronation in 1953 and I am sat next to Richard Starkey, who went on to become Ringo Starr.

Because of my parents’ vocation, we moved around. After a few years in Liverpool we moved to the Midlands. First we were in Wolverhampton, where I became a football fan. We also lived in Aston, right next to Villa Park, so it was inevitable I became a

football fan.

I was a Wolves fan and they were the team back then. They won the league twice and the FA Cup. When I was about 11-years-old, I used to go to the midweek games. I couldn’t afford a ticket, but policemen had spare tickets in their pockets for kids like me. Five minutes before the game they would let us in and we would get passed down over the heads of the crowd to the front.

I wasn’t academically gifted, but I was Head Boy in my final school year. I decided not to go to University, as I wasn’t certain I was cut out for it. Some of my friends had joined the armed forces and I was receiving postcards from Guam, Singapore and all over, so I went into the Air Force when I was 18 as an aircraft electronics technician.

I played lots of sport during five years in the RAF. I had always thought I was a great

footballer, but I wasn’t. I did though manage to get into the command and services sides.

When I moved to RAF Wyton near Huntingdon I found that my squadron leader was a fan of tenpin bowling, and at that time was RAF champion. During the interview I told him that one of my interests was tenpin bowling. He invited me to watch the team bowl. Somebody didn’t turn up, so I stepped forward. I didn’t do particularly well but he must have seen something as he took me under his wing and taught me how to bowl properly. Seven months later I took the RAF title from him.

I won that and the inter-services championship twice over the next five years. I was taken all over the world to play in tournaments for the services, both for football and tenpin bowling. I held a world record in tenpin bowling for a few months. I also went over to Singapore for a major

My Story So Far championship competition and came third but should have won. I had it in my grasp!

I bowled professionally for a short time when I came out of the forces but I thought I ought to get a proper job and started working for Provincial Building Society in Birmingham. I graduated through the business there, becoming branch manager in Coventry before moving to Horsham to run the south region. I then moved into London to run the City and West End operations.

I was headhunted by Citibank, then the largest bank in the world, to work in their mortgage banking division, and that was when I really broke into mortgages.

I played in a brass band and one day we played a concert in a village called Stotfold in Hertfordshire, where I met Sheila for the first time. I was going to visit my parents in Lincolnshire a few days later and so I invited Sheila along, even though I hardly knew her.

She agreed to join me and so our first date was five days long! She has been my backbone since the day we married, 39 years ago.

I started Mortgage Solutions in 1986, with Clive Hancocks, and we broke into financial services. After five years I sold my interest in the company. I started AToM (All Types of Mortgages) in 1991 together with Sheila, turning our children’s play room into an office for the first two years.

We established ‘complex prime’ mortgages, which is when the mortgage is not straight forward and not suited to high street lenders. We found lenders who would underwrite a deal based on individual circumstances.

We then took this service to major insurance companies, and that is when the business really took off.

We went from doing twenty five business deals a month to doing three or four hundred.

In recent times, the financial services industry has been hit dramatically.

There was a purple patch between 2004 and 2006, when lenders were advancing money constantly. It was like a licence to print money. That was wrong of course and the industry needed correction, but perhaps the correction went too far.

The last four or five years have been tough.

We had a staff of some eighty

Victor met his wife through the Salvation Army, just as his father had done

40 10 ‘There was a purple patch when lenders were advancing money constantly. It was like a licence to print money’ people. We had to manage them down to a more acceptable number as we planned for the future. This meant saying goodbye to some very good friends and we didn’t enjoy doing that.

My eldest son, Dale, is our Managing Director now and my youngest son Neal looks after the IT and also runs a small software company. Both of their wives are also involved in the business.

Sheila is the Financial Director. We have a daughter, Deborah, who is a teacher and joining the business is the furthest thing from her mind!

I was recently honoured to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mortgage Strategy Awards 2012. It was an individual award but it reflects what we have achieved as a business.

It was a real surprise. I hadn’t really planned to go although Dale was up for an award too so he persuaded

me to attend. It turned out he knew what was going on.

I was involved with Roffey Football Club for seventeen years, having joined them as a player when I was thirty three. I later became manager and then chairman of the club. I was also on the board at Horsham Football Club and for a time AToM sponsored Horsham YMCA. I’m still involved with the Salvation Army band. Many people bash anyone who has faith but I think it’s important for people to say that they are happy to be Christians.

I am happy to be a Christian.

I guess I would like to wind down but I wouldn’t like to stop. I’d like to do a bit more gardening, play more golf, and perhaps do some travelling. I’m taking a back seat in terms of the day-to-day running of the business.

It’s time for the boys to take that on now.

Victor in his late teens, at about the time he became an aircraft electronics engineer

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Ten of the Best: Summer fun for kids

Get out of the house If you’ve planned a proper holiday for the summer, then we’re delighted for you. If not a tiny bit envious.

But if you face another month of trying to find something for the children to do, here are a few ideas which might help you out.

We’ve kept our choices primarily local, so no space for theme parks or zoos such as Drusillas Park, and we’ve left off coastal destinations (although you can’t beat a day with a barbeque and a beach cricket set at West Wittering).

Also missing out, but well worth a visit, are places such as Southwater Country Park and Warnham Nature Reserve, and of course we have many great walks and cycle routes along the South Downs National Park to take advantage of.

With regard to the sports camps, it is worth visiting the Horsham District Council’s Leisure Link website as there is a great programme over the holidays with a range of sports catered for.

You can also pick up a guide for 50p at the Tourist Information Centre at Horsham Museum.

This event, at Dunsfold Park in Surrey (about nine miles south of Guildford) just keeps getting better. Highlights include civil and military flying displays, with an RAF Tornado and the Red Arrows display team (Sunday only). Over 500 vehicles, including record-breaking race cars, will be at the event and there will also be motoring demonstrations. Arena entertainment includes a new Stunt Zone and also of interest will be the Hot Rod Zone, flight simulators and a fairground.

For tickets visit http://www.wingsandwheels.net

Wings and Wheels 26-27th August

Holmbush Farm Open All Summer

Kids Go Wild Outdoors 8th, 9th,14th & 29th August

Ashington Festival 18th August

The farm, located in Faygate off the A264, is an enjoyable day out for younger children.

They love the small animal handling area where they can touch rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks, turkeys, ducks and even ferrets.

Holmbush also has tractor rides, the animal barn, indoor play areas and goat racing. It is worth checking the website as the farm regularly has additional entertainment from the likes of Tom the Jester and local magicians. www.holmbushfarm.co.uk

Sussex Wildlife Trust is running fun activity days for children at locations including Woods Mill at Henfield (14th August), Tilgate Park in Crawley (9th August) and Leechpool & Owlbeech Woods in Horsham (8th and 29th August). Themes include survival skills, crafts, rock-pooling, games and bushcraft.

Children do not need to be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. For information visit sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

Ashington puts on a fantastic festival. The day’s events begin with a colourful parade at 1.30pm. At the Recreation Ground you’ll find the Harris Brothers Funfair, a fun dog show, car boot sale, flower show and classic and vintage vehicles. Musical highlights include former X Factor finalist Laura White, a Freddie Mercury tribute act, Horsham Royal British Legion Band, and ‘Aloud Out’ finish with a lively covers set. A firework display is held at 10pm.

RSPB Pulborough Brooks 23rd August On 23rd August the reserve hosts an evening of ‘Night-time Wings and Other Things’ recommended for children over seven, at 7.15 - 9.30pm.

Join the wardens just before dusk to find out what amazing creatures come out as the sun sets across the reserve. Look out for bats in the sky, moths around the lamps and snakes in the grass. £6 per person (half price for RSPB members) Booking essential.

Family-friendly activities are held at Pulborough Brooks throughout the holidays.

Sports Camps All Summer You can take your pick of sporting activities. Holbrook Club host football weeks and the Mike Yorke Golf Academy at Horsham Golf & Fitness Club has week-long coaching camps for kids, as does Cottesmore. The club - in Pease Pottage - runs fun golf days for children aged 4-8, using plastic balls and clubs. Horsham Lawn Tennis Club has several camps and other camps should satisfy the needs of lovers of athletics, badminton, cricket, kayaking and table tennis. Visit www.horshamleisurelink.co.uk

Capel Classic Car & Bike Show 14th August There’s an American theme to this year’s show, so expect to see Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, Lincoln and Pontiac cars, with some Harley Davidson bikes cruising in too. There will also be the usual blend of veteran, vintage and classic cars, rally and race cars, and some classic commercial and military vans. The show is held in aid of St John the Baptist Church in Capel.

Visit www.capelcarshow.com

The Gift They’ll Never Forget...

Watch our videos on YouTube

A trial lesson or one day course with Southdown Gliding Club Call 01903 742137 or email gliding1930@tiscali.co.uk Buy Online at www.southdowngliding.co.uk

14 Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre Wednesdays in August Fishers Farm Open All Summer

Every Wednesday in August the museum hosts a variety of craft and educational activities. This year's themes include Air and Space, Wild Wood and Art Party. Amberley offers 36 acres of crafts, vintage transport, exhibitions and nature trails. You can find other summer holiday highlights including a Harley Davidson day at www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

Horsham Museum 10th, 13th, 22nd and 29th August

Win family tickets to Fishers Farm on Page 56 The Wisborough Green farm is popular for its animals, tractor rides, play zones, pony rides in the sand school and the roller-racers. But several special events catch the eye.

Every Friday in August, Hawking About bring their birds of prey, performing live demonstrations. Some visitors may even get to hold a Harris Hawk. Pig racing and the Shetland Grand National are also popular. Visit www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk

Dig for your own dinosaur bones in a 90 minute session held at Horsham Museum at 10.30am and 2pm. Suitable for 5-9 year-olds. Older kids may enjoy The Mummy’s Tale (8- 11 year-olds) on 8th, 17th, 20th and 31st August.

Learn how the Egyptians mummified the dead and see objects from the tombs.

Cost is ÂŁ5. Visit www.horshammuseum.org

Advertising feature

Treating the Best Cranfold Physiotherapists treat Grenadian Olympians

Wendyanne Harrison, Andy Hollingsworth and Karen Love Below - Kanika Beckes and Paul Redman Physios from Cranfold Physical Therapy Centre have been helping the Grenadian Olympic team with their preparation for the London Games.

The team were training at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre in Horsham and had requested physio as part of their training facilities.

Horsham District Council approached Cranfold about a year ago with initial discussions about helping with the athletes, as Cranfold has bases in Horsham and Dorking, as well as Cranleigh, and of course, they were delighted to have the opportunity to be involved.

“Most physios love treating sports people and to have the

opportunity to work with some of the best in the world on our home turf for London 2012 was a dream come true,” said Wendyanne Harrison.

“At the last minute, the coach requested a chiropractor to be part of the treatment team, and although the Cranfold team does not include a chiropractor, we were lucky enough to be able to recruit Penny Edwards-Moss, an experienced local practitioner, to join us.

“It was very interesting to work closely with Penny, as although the two professions look at the body in similar ways there were differences in

technique to achieve the end result. We learned a lot from each other, and from exploring what we could each contribute to give the most effective combined treatments.

“The coaches and some of the athletes were interested in us discussing our findings as there were some that were common to many of the track athletes – possibly due to always running the track curve in the same direction. We asked if they ever ran clockwise for training and several looked horrified!”

The Grenada team has many very promising young athletes.

Wendyanne said: “Watching them train with their fluid movement was a joy for a physio to watch!

“Their main medal hope is Kirani James, a World Champion 400m runner who appears to be able to float around a track,

and who was at camp with his trainer and coach, Harvey Glance.

“Harvey was huge fun and very interested in our text books. He asked questions about our treatments as he has a degree in Health and Human performance.

“It was only later we realised he was an Olympic gold medal winner himself, having been part of the 1976 USA 100m relay team.

He was also Head Coach at the University of Alabama, where he attracted Kirani to study.

“The team gave us Grenadian Olympic pins as souvenirs which we will treasure as reminders of a very special ten days. We will be following their progress over the course of the Games closely.

Come on Grenada!”

Cranfold Physical Therapy Centre is a BUPA Approved Practice, which offers a wide range of therapies across our sites, including Chartered Physiotherapy, Sports Physician, Sports Therapy, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Acupuncture.

Our aim is to reduce your pain, aid your recovery and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.

Find us at Village Surgery, Southwater & now at 2 Denne Parade, Horsham

Web: www.cranfoldphysio.co.uk

Tel: 0845 025 4000

Jack develops his walking and balancing skills on parallel bars.

Opposite: Maya in the Wrens class at the Dame Vera Lynn Trust School for Parents

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MUMS K N OW

B E S T Bobby and Charlie Grainger will be celebrating their third birthday later this month.

Like most twins, they have a close bond. They share a room and Bobby sometimes sings to his brother when they go to bed.

But sadly, many things that come naturally to Bobby are more difficult for Charlie. When Charlie was twelve months old, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, an incurable motor condition that restricts physical development.

It is a relatively common condition, affecting about two in every one thousand births, but it can have a dramatic impact on not only the individual but also their families.

In Five Oaks near Billingshurst, there is a special school that is achieving incredible results in helping parents develop the skills of children with cerebral palsy.

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust School for Parents is located next to the SCOPE-funded Ingfield Manor School, which itself offers specialist conductive education for children aged five to sixteen.

The school for Parents was also funded by SCOPE until 2000, but now relies solely on donations made to the Dame Vera Lynn Trust, with no government funding.

The school offers a priceless service for children aged up to five, and their parents. Charlie and Bobby’s mum, Laura Grainger, said: “At twenty-eight weeks I went for a scan and it was all fine, but at thirty weeks they said the babies had to come out immediately. It was a bit of a shock.

“Everything seemed fine initially.

Bobby weighed three pounds and was in the Special Care Baby Unit for five weeks and Charlie was there for seven weeks and weighed even less. But when we got home, we found Bobby was doing things that Charlie could not. I knew something wasn’t right.

“Charlie’s hands were fisting a lot and he wasn’t able to hold his head up. We went to the paediatrician for a follow-up appointment and they told us that they suspected that Charlie has Cerebral Palsy.

“The boys do play well. Bobby doesn’t really understand and sort of wrestles Charlie a bit, like all boys do! But they are in the same room and at night Bobby sings and Charlie squeals with laughter. They like being together – we’ve had instances where we’ve had to go to hospital for procedures and found that Bobby can’t settle without Charlie being around.

“Someone recommended the School for Parents to me and it’s been brilliant. We learn lots of things here that we can take home with us. We learn how to sit the children, how they can use the sofa for side-stepping, for example. We also develop feeding and potty training skills.

“It also gives you the confidence to push the children a little more than you might if you were on your own. I remember when I first came here the children were sat down and I was worried as Charlie could not sit. It meant he had to work that bit harder and

‘When Dame Vera Lynn heard it was losing its funding she pulled all of her celebrity friends together and they kept the school going’

18 this all helps the children become more independent.

“It’s great to see other parents too.

They are the best source of information!

We talk about various centres, ideas, and things like disability allowance.

Doctors can help of course, but mums know best!”

There are currently sixty-six families registered at the school, who attend every week. There are twelve group sessions during the week, with a maximum of six children per group.

Each child normally joins a beginners group, with children attending sometimes from as young as four months. They then go into the two to three year-old group, then on to three to five year-old group.

The School for Parents began life in 1983, but the current school was purpose-built in 1992. Since 2001, the school has been provided through funding by the Dame Vera Lynn Trust.

The Trust runs two schools for parents, the other being in Suffolk, and a fundraising team based at Five Oaks needs to generate in the region of £660,000 every year to keep the schools running.

Regional Fundraiser Rosie Wyer said: “Dame Vera Lynn had been involved in the school for some time, and when she heard it was losing its funding she pulled all of her celebrity friends together and they very quickly raised about £250,000 to keep the school going and established a fundraising team.

“The school took her name on because she was the one that made it happen.”

Ruth Whitbread, Head of Fundraising and Marketing, added: “Dame Vera has been involved with Cerebral Palsy for a long time, perhaps as long as sixty years.

“When there was a possibility that the centre could close she was determined to keep it going. It is something that is very close to her heart.”

The running of the School for Parents is the responsibility of Sarah Ffoulkes Roberts, Head of Early Years, who is supported by experienced full-time and part-time staff.

Sarah said: “The team here work in partnership with parents so it is empowering for them. It’s a positive

‘We try and give parents the confidence and skills to help their children’ info@strandshairsalon.co.uk

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atmosphere with a ‘can-do’ environment. We are looking at what is possible for the children and how to solve the problems that they have.

“We try and give parents the confidence and practical skills to help their children. Because they come every week, the skills they pick up here are reinforced at home and the children make progress. It’s a very holistic approach so we are looking at all areas of a child’s development.

“There is a theme to each session and the children get used to that pattern. That makes them feel secure and helps them with their learning. Our children need to learn a lot of the skills that come naturally through maturation and development to other children.

“Every child is unique in that they all have different needs and abilities, but we focus on what children can do and the next steps forward.”

Rachel Sebastino, Deputy Head of Early Years, added: “The sort of things we work on here are rolling, balancing techniques, propping up their body, headrolling, visually tracking objects, tracking by sound, and similar activities. We have lots of games and lots of singing.

“We use the swimming pool too, with sessions based on the Hallywick concept (a swimming method developed for disabled people) so there is an adult with every child rather than us using floats.

“We also have the Early Years Play Area. We were fortunate enough to have some funds donated to develop the area a couple of years ago, and it was designed to specifically meet the needs of the children.”

In recent years, fundraising and major donations have become more difficult to come by.

However, businesses including Horsham-based chartered

The School for Parents team: Tracey Oldmeadow; Rachel Sebastino (Deputy Head of Early Years), Sarah Ffoulkes Roberts (Head of Early Years), Eluned Lyons and Vanessa Harris.

Above: Harry with his mum, whilst Charlie enjoys a puppet game with Tracey. Opposite: Jasper develops his skills with mum

All About Horsham Magazine AAH is delivered directly to homes across the district.

Residents in Mannings Heath, Partridge Green, Ashington, Cowfold, Slinfold, Warnham, Dial Post, Monks Gate and West Grinstead receive AAH. We also deliver extensively in Horsham, Southwater and Billingshurst.

We do our best to ensure our advertisements stand out and are placed within interesting features that will be read by thousands of people.

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20

Above left: The Wrens class at the Dame Vera Lynn Trust School for Parents in the Early Years Play Area.

Above: Jack attends the school once a week with his mum

accountants Spofforth’s and the estate agent Guy Leonard and Co are among the Trust’s supporters.

The fundraising team host golf days, fire walks, abseiling events, concerts and also has places in the Brighton Marathon.

Sarah said: “We rely on local donations, and we’re very fortunate that we have a dedicated fundraising team and that the families of the children are so supportive.

“These are challenging times but it’s important that the School for Parents remains strong in the future.

“We are finding that more and more families are phoning up. We have seen forty families since last September wanting places at the School for Parents, so Rachel and I have to assess all of those new children. We want to be able to meet the demand.

“We’re always looking at maintaining the quality that we have but also meet demand for new families that want to attend.”

If you would like to support these families by making a donation you can either send a cheque payable to the Dame Vera Lynn Trust to the address below or by debit/credit card over the telephone.

Alternatively if you would like to commit to a monthly donation please visit www.dvltrust.org.uk to download a Regular Giver form.

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust, Trust Office, Ingfield Manor School, Five Oaks, Billingshurst, RH14 9AX Tel: 01403 780444.

Email: trustoffice@dvltrust.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1089657

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One to Watch William Duffin Ballroom dancer

23

FLIRTY DANCING Having a girlfriend as a dance partner can help to draw real emotion from a routine, says Southwater dancer William Duffin There is one tutor group at Tanbridge House School which boasts two of the country’s most promising male ballroom dancers.

One is Dan Malov, who dreams of becoming a World Champion in the future. Keeping him honest is William Duffin, who shares a birthday with Dan, and also aspires to reach the top level.

William has represented Great Britain in ballroom championships on the continent for three years. Now, with his new dance partner and girlfriend Melissa Kirkpatrick, he hopes to be more competitive on the national and International scene.

It was William’s parents who first introduced him to dancing. They would attend sessions run by Marion Fenton at The Drill Hall in Horsham and it was there that William was introduced to his first dance partner (Melissa is his fourth dance partner).

John and Linda Foskett, renowned ballroom dancing tutors based in Dorking, helped William reach a new level, and within a few years he was competing nationally.

William said: “I really enjoyed dancing from the start and I liked the music too. I watched all of the television shows like Strictly Come Dancing, and I used to look at the dancers

and think that I wanted to be that good.

When you actually start ballroom dancing, you realise that they are not that good!

“John brought me on a lot as a dancer. I was dancing with a girl called Amy for three years and we represented England three times at the World Championships. The first was a Ballroom Championship in Moscow, then a Ten Dance Championship in Barcelona, then another Ballroom Competition in Moldova.

“Melissa and I had a trial in November and

we started dancing together in January.

You can get good dancers that don’t work together as people have different ideas about how to dance.

“When we first got together our styles were very different. I was very light and flight-orientated and Melissa had a more grounded style. It was a weird first dance but we found a compromise.

“We still don’t move together that fluidly but we will get used to each other. We have not come close to reaching our potential yet but if we keep practicing we will get there.

“It’s quite common for dancing couples to be (boyfriend and girlfriend) too. We can be sitting around and have an argument about dancing, and we find ourselves falling out because of it!

“But it has benefits as you look like you’re enjoying yourself as you want to be dancing with them. It’s easier with the passionate dances too like the Rumba.”

So far, the best result for the couple is a second place in the UK Closed Ten Dance Championships in Bournemouth. After only three months together, the duo placed 31st in Junior Blackpool, a major International event featuring 192 couples. With a previous dance partner, William came 19th in Barcelona for Great Britain.

Melissa and William now see John and Linda twice a week, and also travel to Solihull to see Martin Cutler for Latin dance training. As well as practicing Ballroom dances - including the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep – couples need to perfect the Latin dances for the Ten Dance contests.

Latin dances include Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.

The couple will need to practice harder than ever, as William turns 16 this year, meaning they need to step up from Junior to Youth and Amateur levels.

William said: “Ultimately we would like to teach younger kids to dance. We’d like to get to a world level, turn professional and then start teaching. Then maybe I can start paying dad back for all he’s done over the years!”

Bold as Brass Why Freddy Woods remains a local jazz legend On the first Wednesday of every month, Freddy Woods and his Big Band squeeze into a room at Horsham Cricket Club for a night’s entertainment that has been called ‘Horsham’s best kept musical secret’.

The band, including vocalist Sarah Prichard, perform numbers by the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Besie, King Oliver, Glenn Miller, Benny Golson, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie.

We spoke to Fred Woods as well as musicians Richard Guest, Andy Walker, father and son Peter and Sam Walker, and pianist Mike Lavelle about Fred and the band’s history...

Fred: “I never had any academic musical education. My father was the local bandmaster of the Salvation Army and when I was eight I joined a class of boys and we learnt musical theory on the blackboard.

After a few weeks he gave us all an instrument and I started playing. I joined the RAF in 1944 but fortunately I wasn’t trained early enough to go on operations.

I was demobilised in 1947 and went into the music business. I became completely disillusioned with it. I formed the opinion that ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune.’”

Fred: “I had heard the music that Dizzy Gillespie was playing at that time. He was an early hero – he changed my life really. But I could not play that music and earn a living. I came back to Horsham in 1948 and got a job, and played with part time bands. I’ve been doing that ever since.”

Andy: “Fred was in a band called The Progressioneers in which he played the trumpet, as he still does. I think he is the last one of the original band still alive.”

Peter: “I have played with Fred for 54 years, back from the days when he was one of The Progressioneers and I was eighteen or nineteen. I learnt a lot off him in those early days. The reason people play with Fred is because he was such a good musician in his day and it is still a privilege to play alongside him.”

Fred: “The Progressioneers was started in about 1948 by a local musician called Stan Redford, who ran a band in Horsham. I joined along with one of my brothers. After Stan, Jimmy Petts took it over and it became The Progressioneers and we played regularly at The Drill Hall.

I had three brothers who played with

Top: Fred Woods. Above: Andy Walker, who also fronts a small band of his own at the Sussex Oak

26 ‘Where else can you get one hundred people in a room and have a beer?’ him and they all had the greatest respect for Jimmy.”

Peter: “Back then, popular music was big band music, with the likes of Ted Heath’s band. Then Rock ‘n Roll came in and that still involved a certain amount of jazz. You would have songs such as Rock Around The Clock (Bill Haley & his Comets) which would have a saxophone solo.

But when The Beatles came along it all went out of the window.”

Fred: “This Big Band started about 35 years ago when a friend of mine called me and told me about a group at Forest School.”

Richard: “I’ve been with the band since it started about 35 years ago. It started as an evening community band at Forest School, and Fred was brought in to lead the band. We used to rehearse at the school on a Wednesday night and like most musicians do, we went to the pub afterwards.”

Fred: “We went to the Hornbrook Inn for a drink after practice and the landlord John Fisher said ‘why don’t you come and play in my pub?’ On our first night there was a big notice up that read ‘Live Tonight – The Freddy Woods Big Band’. That’s how it all started.”

Richard: “We played at The Hornbrook for many years, before going to the Hunter’s Moon in Copthorne and now here at the Cricket Club.”

Fred: “We got the offer to play at the Cricket Club about fifteen years ago and we’ve been playing there ever since. I always say it’s the best kept musical secret in Horsham! We had a member of Ted Heath’s orchestra playing the

Above: Richard Guest has played with The Freddy Woods Band for many years. Far right: Fred has written arrangements for regular singer Sarah Pritchard

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bass trombone at a recent concert, and he brought along people who were amazed at what a lovely venue it is there.

I’m so grateful that we get the opportunity to play there.”

Andy: “Where else can you get one hundred people in a room and have a beer? You have got the Holbrook or here and that’s about it in Horsham now.”

Mike: “I’ve always played jazz locally and watched the Freddy Woods Band for years. I was filling in every now and again when I was needed, but was not a band regular. Playing jazz has been a big part of my life. I remember as a teenager I was listening to Dave Brubeck and I realised what was going on with jazz music. It was incredible as I could suddenly hear what was happening musically.”

Sam: “I’ve been playing piano since I was four, and now I also play saxophone and flute clarinet. My father (Peter) sat me down on the piano at the age of four and said ‘this is what you are doing for the next half an hour.’ Now I play alongside him in the band, which is great, and I teach music a couple of days a week.”

Andy: “When I was thirteen I would come down with my dad and occasionally sit in and blast out a couple of tunes. I’ve been a regular in the band pretty much since I left school. I also lead a small band and we play at the Sussex Oak in Warnham.”

Fred: “About fifteen years ago, we had been to Lewes for a Christmas party at Stan’s and I had (younger brother) Les with me. I must have fallen asleep at the wheel and went off the road and hit a tree. I was taken to hospital.”

Mike: “I was the surgeon on call at the

28 ‘Fred is a genius. He is one of the best trumpet players you could ever meet’ Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath that night, and Fred was brought in very seriously ill and I had to operate on him. I didn’t know it was Fred - . It was so severe I had to rush in and the first time I saw him that night was in the operating theatre, covered in drapes. It was a life and death situation.”

numbers and after four months I put them back so there are no repeats during that period. I write quite a lot of stuff myself. I’ve done about 60 arrangements for Sarah Pritchard who sings with the band. I’ve done other arrangements for the band, which is good training and therapy for me.”

Fred: “My wife was at the hospital and she said ‘Mike Lavelle? Fred knows him and plays with him’. He led the team that saved my life.”

Peter: “Fred is a legend in his own lifetime. He has perfect pitch, he is a gentleman, he is intelligent, and he can hear anything and take it down. You could give him a CD and he could write down the whole arrangement with harmonies.”

Mike: “Thankfully he made a full recovery. I joined as a permanent member a few years ago.”

Fred: “Before every concert I have to get out about 400 band parts, and put them in order, and then file them back again. Every instrument has its own file. Every concert we play twenty-four

Sam: “Fred is a genius. He is one of the best trumpet players you could ever meet and is a great arranger. You play in his band for the fun, not for money. They’re a good bunch of guys and good musicians.”

Sam Walker plays saxophone in the band

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Freddy Woods Band 57 Fred: “Richard is very keen on big band music and runs The British Legion Dance Band. He is a colossal help to me. All I have to worry about is the music and to a degree the money and he does the arranging of the band. He enables us to keep it all going.”

Andy: “Some of these guys come a long way to play for nothing. They put a bucket round at the end of the night and it might raise £100, and £10 gets given to those who have travelled the furthest.

But I’ve not had a penny out of the band for ten years, as it’s not why we do it. In years gone by Freddy was the man and he still carries respect because of what he has done.”

Peter: “We have an enthusiastic and friendly audience here so you get feedback from them too. It’s sad that there are not many young people listening to jazz. Some of it is quite difficult to listen to – not what we play here – but some jazz is. Also there are a lot of very good jazz musicians who do not play to the audience; they play for themselves and do not make it easy listening. You do have to learn how to listen to jazz.”

Sam: “It is difficult to get younger people involved in jazz. It works up in London, with the Jazz Café and places like that, but in Sussex it’s quite tricky.”

Mike: “Jazz is not fed to people nowadays, but I’m convinced that if you made people listen to it they would end up liking it! It’s just not forced on people like pop music is.”

Fred: “I’ve always loved Bebop but that sort of music has gone completely out of fashion except amongst people of my generation. Will it have its time again? I don’t know. You have some big bands that just play Glenn Miller. It is lovely stuff and quite hard to play.

We play it sometimes – you never hear applause like you do when we play ‘In the Mood’. We could play that song every time but the guys in the band have played it thousands of times and want to play something different.”

Andy: “It is hard to get new people through the door, and when people do come here for the first time they often say ‘how come I never knew about this before?’ Once you get them in they nearly always keep coming back.”

always make sure I am back in the country for this night – I wouldn’t miss it for anything. The adrenaline gets pumping and it’s brilliant.”

Fred: “I have three brothers and a sister, and two of my brothers were professional trumpet players. Stan finished off with the London Philharmonic and he lives in Lewes now. Dave went to Canada after seeing an advert for a violinist for the Halifax Symphony Orchestra in Canada. He was a founder member of what was one of the best big bands in the world, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. My other brother Les died recently. As for the Freddy Woods Band, who knows what will happen without me.”

Peter: “The future for the band is okay so long as Fred is still going. When Woody Herman and Count Basie passed on, their bands kept playing for a while but the character of the band disappears. When I play a solo, I’m not really playing it for me - I’m playing for Fred.”

Richard: “I still enjoy performing. I

Top: Freddy arranges the music for each instrument before every show; Pianist Mike Lavelle helped save Fred’s life after a car crash Left: Peter Walker performs a solo on the saxophone; trumpet player Steve Titchener is Head of Brass at Christ’s Hospital School

the brink

Club returns from

31 ‘In the past there were no real role models.

But there are a lot of charismatic players in the game and we are seeing British success’

Ten years ago, Billingshurst Tennis Club was not in great shape. There were just two courts, membership was perilously low and with a lack of professional role models, the future was not looking good.

A decade on, over 100 juniors and just as many seniors regularly play tennis at the club on four newlyresurfaced courts, three of which are under floodlights.

The club has recently benefitted from a new £50,000 court, and with a team of qualified coaches in place and hopes for a new pavilion in the next two years, the future is looking good.

Rob Faulkner is one of a number of coaches at the club, led by Level 3 coach Dave Almond. Rob said: “Ten years ago we had very few juniors and about 50 adult members. It was getting to the stage where there was a high possibility that the club would fold.

“We paid a high rent to the council, so a lot of the membership fees were swallowed up straight away and we were not able to invest any money into new facilities.

To keep the club properly maintained costs an awful lot of money. You have to have a proper maintenance budget – we probably set aside £6,000 a year just for cleaning the courts, re-coating every few years, maintaining the floodlights and looking after the clubhouse.

“You have to keep a high membership to do that, so over the years we have built it up. We have been successful in building up the junior programme, with about 120 children involved now and about the same number of adult members, so we have a good nucleus of players.”

Billingshurst Tennis Club takes youngsters for coaching from the age of five at Mini Red level, with the youngsters playing on mini courts. They start off by playing fun

games using low compression balls and smaller rackets before developing on to the next level and eventually the adult teams.

The club’s commitment to junior tennis ensured that Clubmark status was granted. This in turn helped secure funding for the new court from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Biffa Awards.

The club can now run coaching sessions at the same times as having matches and can potentially host tournaments across all four courts.

Rob said: “It’s a lot easier for kids to get into tennis from a younger age than it used to be and the talent is slowly coming through. We have two juniors regularly turning out for the adults. Two or three others will be breaking into the adult teams this year and from now on that is likely to happen every season.

“We have junior teams as well and this is the first year we have entered three teams into the Team Tennis events. We’ve had a mixed bag of results but it’s been successful to the point that we are now arranging friendly games throughout the summer and the kids absolutely love it.

“I think that tennis was seen as being a little elitist in the past and professional tennis was a bit dour.

There were no real role models.

But there are a lot of charismatic players in the game now and we are seeing British success.

“Obviously there is Andy Murray but also we have even younger players, such as Heather Watson and Laura Robson, and they are inspiring the next generation.”

The main junior coaching is held on a Saturday morning from 9am 3pm. Dave Almond runs the sessions and he is supported primarily by Rob, a Level Two coach, and Di Burroughs (Level One). Further coaching is held for juniors on Thursdays and another

32

‘To keep the club properly maintained costs an awful lot of money’ fully qualified coach, Glyn Jukes, who coaches at Horsham as well, is at the club every Monday and Wednesday.

The courts are open seven days a week for club members, with a number of special classes available.

Club President Di Borroughs said: “We run ‘Rusty Rackets’ on a Friday for people that haven’t played for a long time. They

sometimes stay on and often decide they want to become a member.

“We also get parents of children becoming members. They see how well their children are coming on and want to play tennis with them, so we now have a family membership.

Our rates are very low so it does encourage the whole family to join. We’ve also recently started running Cardio-Tennis sessions, that

are as much to do with fitness as tennis, and that’s an enjoyable workout!

“We hire the court out for the public to use as well. The whole purpose of the club is to promote tennis to the local community and get as many people involved in the club as possible.”

For more details about the club visit www.billingshursttennisclub.com

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Sir Charles Burrell in front of Knepp Castle

Photography by Toby Phillips

Grazing the Dead Knepp Estate in Shipley has devoted thousands of acres of land to a unique wildlife project that is boosting the population of many species of animals Fallow deer flee as Sir Charles Burrell drops a gear as he attacks a muddy slope at the wheel of his 1953 Pinzgauer.

He brings the Swiss military vehicle to a stop in a field on the edge of woodland on the Knepp Estate, close to a herd of Lornhorn, regarded as the oldest pure breed of cattle in England.

He bounds out of the vehicle, and allows us a moment to take in the scenery. The only noise aside from the approaching cattle comes from one of the five pairs of buzzards nesting on the estate, hovering high above us.

“Being part of this project is an amazingly rewarding experience,” says Sir Charles.

“The speed that nature has reclaimed the land here is remarkable. Every day brings with it a new discovery and it is a wonderful feeling to observe the changes.”

Knepp is a 3,500 acre estate that stretches from Dial Post in the south to Southwater in the north. The most familiar part of the

Knepp Estate

There are 350 deer on the Knepp estate and about the same number of English longhorn (far right)

estate for most people is the ruin of the old castle ruins, overlooking motorists to the west of the A24 in West Grinstead.

The Burrell family has owned the estate for over 220 years, although it is some 800 years since the original castle was destroyed.

Sir Charles, or Charlie as he is known, lives in a stunning gothic mansion built by John Nash. He lives there with his wife Isabella and two teenage children, Nancy and Ned. For generations, the Knepp Estate generated income through arable and dairy farming, but in 2001 Charles embarked on a series of regeneration and restoration projects, with Knepp still undertaking less intensive meat production.

Sir Charles said: “The farming decline we saw over a ten year period from 1996 had a dramatic impact on us and led us to make significant changes in the way we managed our land.

“I farmed intensively for 17 years and it got to the point where I wasn’t going to spend another bean

on dairy farming.

“The land here is classified as grade 3 or grade 4 agricultural land (farm land is classified on a five grade level, with grades one and two being the most versatile, productive land) and the estate is comprised of relatively small fields.

“Our land has very specific requirements and is difficult land to farm.

“So we decided the time had come to abandon the way we had farmed.

We opened up the estate to land regeneration, wildlife conservation and educational facilities and put into practice new ways of meat production.

“The projects we have already underway and that we are planning for the future are taking Knepp into a unique position in ecological land management.

“We are designing these projects to explore ways that unproductive ex-agricultural land can be used to benefit British wildlife.

“Of course, we need to ensure that the Estate brings in money, so we are producing high quality beef,

‘I farmed intensively for 17 years and it got to the point where I wasn’t going to spend another bean on dairy farming’ Read more special features online at www.aahorsham.co.uk

St Hugh’s

Chanctonbury Ring

Christ’s Hospital

Kingdom Faith

HSO

Town Hall

37

The regeneration started with the introduction of fallow deer, Exmoor ponies, old English longhorn cattle and Tamworth pig pork and venison.�

The regeneration started in 2001 with the introduction of fallow deer, Exmoor ponies, old English longhorn cattle and Tamworth pigs on 750 acres of the estate.

The project was so successful that most of the estate was gradually turned over to the

wildlife project. First, the grazing area was extended by 750 acres in 2005, then a further 1,000 acres in 2009.

Some of these grazers - the longhorn cattle, fallow and roe deer and Tamworth pigs - are harvested for meat, sold through Garlic Wood Farm, a family-run business in nearby

Coolham.

There are now about 350 deer on the estate.

The fallow deer were introduced on completion of a ring fence in February 2002, having been purchased from Petworth and Gunton Parks.

Roe deer occur naturally on Knepp but in the

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Left: A pig relaxes near the edge of the Mill Pond; Charlie Burrell with his 1953 Pinzgauer; Helen Butler works in the gardens of Knepp and last year hosted open days in the Walled Gardens which raised £1,700 for local good causes past were traditionally culled. However, in the last decade only a handful have been shot, and their numbers have increased.

The English longhorn came close to extinction in the middle years of the 20th century until it was rescued by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Fourteen cows belonging to neighbouring farmer Chris Cook were introduced to Knepp in June 2003.

The herd grew naturally and the Burrells ended up buying them from Chris. Now the

estate has about 320 cattle split into three herds.

The Tamworth is thought to be the closest descendent of the Old English Forest pig.

After World War II, breeding stock numbers fell dramatically - to a point during the 1970's when there were only 17 surviving boars.

Stock from Australia was imported, but the work of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust has helped to ensure the Tamworth’s survival.

In 2005 Knepp bought two sows and eight

fun into the fundamentals

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female piglets from a Forestry Commission grazing project and two years later a boar was introduced to the seven remaining sows.

In April 2007 the first piglets were born.

The pigs have an entirely natural diet, choosing when and where to forage.

The estate also has some beautiful Exmoor ponies. Knepp originally acquired six fillies in November 2003. Two years later a colt was introduced and the first foals were born the following autumn.

Exciting times at Pennthorpe These are exciting times at Pennthorpe School!

A new Headmaster, Matthew King, took the leadership of this leading Sussex prep school in September 2011, and his infectious enthusiasm has most definitely permeated into the staff, parents and pupils.

Not only is the academic achievement high, but the school’s tagline of ‘putting the fun into the fundamentals’ really does ring true. There is a real buzz about Pennthorpe’s pupils, who genuinely seem to enjoy learning and who benefit from a well qualified, truly enthusiastic staff. But it is not just the academic on which the school focuses. Pennthorpe prides itself on turning out ‘all-rounders’, children who, yes, are competent academically but who also make time for art, music, sport and performing arts, all of which make them more fulfilled and confident as individuals.

Those of you who know Rudgwick will know that the school has just opened a brand new Art and Design centre, which can only act as a further boost for

Pennthorpe’s art department, already renowned for its extraordinarily high standards of achievement under Head of Art Nick Perry, and which continues to produce art scholars of the highest calibre.

The new building also includes a 21 station iMac suite – plans are already afoot to teach the children basic animation techniques, photo manipulation and even music technology using this cutting edge equipment. The music department, under the vibrant leadership of Director of Music Linda Cole, now has a large Rock Choir who have recently performed as part of the Young Voices concert at the O2.

This is a thriving school really looking to the future. If you would like to see for yourself, please come to one of our Open Mornings on Tuesday 25th or Saturday 29th September.

If you can’t make it to either of these, don’t worry - just call the Headmaster’s Secretary on 01403 822391 ext 201 or email her on f.long@pennthorpe.com and she will be happy to arrange a tour for you.

47

It is possible that in the future there will be more animals introduced to the estate.

The red deer is one animal that Sir Charles would like to bring in, but they need to ensure that the estate can support another herbivore in the winter.

The European bison, elk and beaver are other species which may be considered if the circumstances are right. it is not only the larger animals that have benefitted from the wildlife project.

Knepp has seen remarkable success with bird species and many insects.

A beetle thought to be new to science was discovered on the estate, and the elusive purple emperor butterfly has thrived in recent years. However, it is not known how badly the population was affected by early summer’s rainfall, which has impacted butterfly populations across the country.

Birds including the nightingale, turtle dove, song thrush, white throated sparrow and woodlark have been flourishing, as have buzzards, and the red kite has even made an appearance.

Sir Charles said: “This is an on-going experiment. With the way our climate is changing, we need to understand how best to manage nature reserves.

“Our experiment is one way of looking at conservation. This wildlife project is the largest of its type in England. It is the only project of its type in private hands so it’s a unique project of great interest to the country.

‘It is the only project of its type in private hands so it’s a unique project of great interest to the country’

40 “What we are doing here will help us gauge what needs to happen in order to revive and restore conservation areas in the future.”

The project marks a significant chapter in the history of the Knepp Estate. People who use the A24 will know the ruin, although you’re unlikely to know of the old

castle’s association with one of England's most notorious monarchs, King John.

The castle was almost certainly built before 1200, by the lord of the Rape of Bramber, William de Braose or his son Philip, as one of three fortified sites lying north of Bramber. William was at King Richard's death bed in 1199, and at first

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Knepp Estate ‘His wife and heir were starved to death in prison and he was hounded to death in exile in France’ was one of John's trusted barons. In 1206 he offered hospitality at Knepp whilst the King was preparing an expedition to France.

But two years later, he became a victim of King John's infamous cruel streak. His wife and heir were starved to death in prison and he was hounded to death in exile in France.

The King stayed at Knepp three times between 1209 and 1211, while he was raising money for yet another unsuccessful attempt to regain his lands in Normandy.

Nine royal carpenters were sent to carry out repairs in 1210, and a chimney was constructed. He stayed again in early 1215, when his queen, Isabella of Angoulême, stayed on for nearly a fortnight.

In April 1215 the barons began their rebellion and towards the end of the year, as John was

trying desperately to gain support, he ordered the return of confiscated property including Knepp - to the de Braose heir, Giles, Bishop of Hereford.

Unfortunately the bishop died before this was done, and the constable at Knepp, Godfrey de Craucumb, was directed to restore the castle to the King's agent.

Months later, as John faced both his own rebels and an imminent French invasion force, Ronald Bloet (the King’s agent for Bramber) was ordered to burn the buildings and destroy the castle.

The new castle was built for the Burrell family in 1812, but much of it was destroyed in 1904 by fire. As well as destroying the mansion, many notable works of art including paintings by Holbein and Van

Dyke were lost forever. (See a separate article on Page 66).

Sir Charles said: “We lost one of the great collections of art in the family, and we lost most of our family portraits and treasures.

“But to some degree the fire saved the castle. It meant we were able to give a complete, modern renovation to a building which was nearly 100 years old.”

The modern building remains one of the area’s great country

!

Simon Hillary is a full-time gardener at Knepp

homes, and the estate has a large portfolio of properties including cottages, houses, stables, offices and light industrial units.

Knepp also hosts polo matches across the estate and has several sites for hire for corporate and private functions, including the occasional wedding.

But it is the wildlife project that makes Knepp one of the most fascinating locations in the Horsham District.

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42

Meandering On After three centuries of change, nature takes course A dramatic addition to the Knepp Estate’s Wildland Project is a major redesign of part of the River Adur.

The huge scheme will see the river return to its natural meanders through Knepp after three centuries of being directed into a canal.

This will return the old water lags to a natural flood plain system and encourage richer diversity of wildlife and plants.

The visit of AAH Magazine to the Knepp Estate coincided with a breakthrough day in the river’s development, with the new meandering course set out for the river meeting the present day route.

In the early 19th century a stretch of the River Adur was straightened and widened to allow barges access to the iron workings below the great dam wall of Knepp Mill Pond. Since then it has been further canalised for agricultural drainage. This means that the current deep straight channel floods in the winter and all but dries up in the summer.

Sir Charles Burrell said: “The scheme will re-naturalise the river, restoring its natural meanders and thereby reintegrating the surrounding floodplains. Hopefully this process will encourage the return of wading and nesting birds, as well as a

whole range of insects and amphibians, important marsh plants and riverine trees like black poplar.

“Our motivation is both aesthetic and environmental, and the project would not be possible without expert advice from the River Restoration Centre, and funding and support from the Natural England, the Environment Agency, Sussex Wildlife Trust & West Sussex County Council.”

The reach of the river to be entered under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme is approximately 2.2km, stretching from Capps Bridge to the A24 including Tenchford Bridge.

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Phileas Fogg didn’t see any of this In 1873, Jules Verne published his classic fictional adventure story Around the World in Eighty Days.

As he carried out his global navigation with haste, Phileas Fogg encountered drugs, sacrificial rituals, kidnap and marauding warriors. Not a trip for the faint hearted then, but such journeys at that time were made primarily by rich upper class men with a pioneering sense of endeavour.

One such man lived in Horsham, and in 1874 he set off on a remarkable journey that would take him around the world in two and a half years!

Thankfully for the people of the town, he captured a now lost world in a series of stunning photographs. The images have long been in the archives of Horsham Museum.

Nowadays, a tour of India, Indonesia,

Thailand, China and Japan can be undertaken by any gap year student with a copy of the Lonely Planet, but it cannot compete with any trip undertaken during the golden age of travelling in the Victorian era.

Robert Henderson was a director of R & J Henderson, East India Merchants, and had connections with several other trading companies including The Bangalore Jute Factory, India Rubber and the London Assurance Corporation.

In September 1878, Robert married Emma Hargreaves and moved to Sedgwick Park. Two years later Violet Lena Henderson was born (in 1902 she would marry Lord Leitrim and as Lady Leitrim she would donate items to the museum). A son, Robert Evelyn, was born in 1881 but died in 1925, after a distinguished military career. A year later

Above: The Dayak are a people native to Borneo.

Traditionally they were known as headhunters, as can be seen in the photo Right: Tegora Hill in Borneo (images courtesy of Horsham Museum/HDC)

44

Above: Dayak women

‘The albums he compiled contain some of the finest examples of mid Victorian photography’ Neville, the diplomat, was born. The youngest son, Reginald George, died in the Great War in 1917.

But four years before he was married and the children came, in January 1874, Robert undertook a world tour, visiting India, Singapore, Indonesia, Siam, China, Thailand and America.

At least we believe it was Robert and not Emma that undertook the tour…

As neither appears in any images it is conceivable that either one of them went on the tour.

However, Robert let his estate in 1874, suggesting it was he that travelled. On the other hand, two years earlier Emma inherited £12,000 when her mother died – a nice amount to see the world before settling down, perhaps?

But we’ll continue on the very likely assumption that the traveller was Robert. The four albums he compiled

contain some of the finest examples of mid Victorian photography including work by Felice Beato (Japan) and Samuel Bourne (India). As Bourne operated in India between 1863 and 1870 it is more than likely that Henderson collected the prints from the studio itself.

They were then pasted in to four green leather bound albums and eventually donated to Horsham Museum in 1930. Captions were written to locate the scene, or describe the person.

The four albums are:...

Volume One: India, Singapore and Jahore -19th January and 20th July 1874 Volume Two: Java–Borneo–Siam (including Batavia and Bangkok) – 21st July and 10th Oct 1874 Volume Three: Japan (including Hong

Right: The King of Siam and (bottom right) Siamese actresses Above: young people play croquet on the Palace lawns (Images: Horsham Museum/HDC)

Travelling in Camera Kong, Macau, Canton, Shanghai, Nagasaki, and Yedu), China – 11th October 1874 and 30th January 1875.

Volume Four: Japan to America (including Yosemite, Salt Lake City, and New York).

31st January and 3rd May 1875.

A decade later, in 1885, Emma joined her husband on a trip to Japan. It was here that they brought the large earthenware vase which was donated to Horsham Museum in 1931 as described in a letter that Emma sent to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The V&A rejected the donation and so fortunately Horsham Museum received it.

With the object came a copy of the letter Emma sent the V&A which reveals something of her travels.

Winding back a few years, it was in 1878, when Emma was pregnant with Violet, that the couple’s home, Sedgwick park, received one of its most notable guests, Alice and Reginald Hargreaves.

Reginald was Emma’s brother and he married a young girl called Alice Liddell.

Alice is acknowledged to be the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland, having met Charles Dodgson (who wrote under the moniker Lewis Carroll).

When Alice married at Westminster Abbey, she wore on her head ‘a circulet of diamonds’ which was the gift of Robert and

Above: Wat Chang (also known as Wat Arun) is a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok. It would have been only a few decades old when Henderson visited.

Also, The Quay in Singapore Left: A Dayak Chief (All images courtesy of Horsham Museum/HDC)

46

Another view of Wat Chang and (right) the Palace at Siam (Images: Horsham Museum/HDC)

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Emma Henderson.

The couple then spent three weeks at Sedgwick Park for their honeymoon. Alice wrote: “I think Sedgwick will be a long time before it shelters two more foolishly happy creatures than Reginald and me”.

Whilst at Sedgwick they drove to the nearby monastery (St Hugh’s at Parkminster, which is between Cowfold and Partridge Green) and found it “exceedingly hideous”.

The park was covered with mushrooms which they picked by the hatful, Reginald also shot game, bagging one partridge, wounding another and bagging two waterhens. The marriage lasted 46 years.

Robert Henderson was a director of the Bank of England at the time of his death.

Emma had the choice of staying on at Sedgwick Park or moving to a smaller property. She chose to stay and it was probably then that she devoted time to the gardens which she continued to enhance.

You can see many of the images from Robert Henderson’s world tour in the Travelling in Camera exhibition at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery on 23rd July to 8th September 2012.

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49

Branching Out Can The Garden restaurant at Cisswood House extend its appeal beyond the walls of the hotel?

‘People want a lot more for their money these days and expectations have changed’, says Gary Hall, the food and beverages manager at Cisswood House Hotel.

He’s right, of course. When it comes to food, the bar has been raised considerably over the last decade, but prices have not risen accordingly. On the hotel side, the surge in discount websites has ensured that many hotels have far tighter profit margins.

But Cisswood House has still been able to invest in recent years. The hotel – built in 1928 - recently underwent extensive refurbishment, and even now the health and leisure facilities are being improved.

After a period when the hotel seemed to be continuously changing hands, the current owner appears to be intent on raising the standard.

One of the ways this is being done is

through changes in the kitchen. The restaurant at Cisswood House, which few people remember is actually called The Garden, has a new head chef, Mark Cheeseman.

Mark has introduced an entirely new menu since starting at Cisswood House in June 2011, using mostly locally-sourced produce.

Gary said: “Mark brings with him plenty of experience and he is here to try and bring the standard of food up. We want to be known as being better than the restaurants in Horsham town centre, and have a reputation for putting together a good, honest locally-sourced menu.

“The quality of food here has definitely improved since Mark arrived. The presentation is better and the quality all round is noticeable. Perhaps we used to focus a bit more on the banqueting side, but now the restaurant offers a more hickory smoked beef carpaccio

Review: Cisswood House soft poached duck egg

Summer Pudding

relaxed dining experience.

“There are a lot of good pubs around here and before Mark came along The Garden might not have had much of a ‘name’.

Because of that, it is difficult to get into people’s consideration and for us to put across the message that we are here, we do good food, so come and see us!

“I think the aim eventually is to go for some awards, but first we need to get people through the door for them to try us and form their own opinion.”

One area which Mark has paid particular attention to is the vegetarian menu. There is nothing that an adventurous vegetarian will not have seen many times before, but at least there is choice.

Main courses include aubergine and roasted red pepper timbale, asparagus with sundried tomato and wild mushroom and spinach lasagne.

A main meal costs £15.95, two courses at £21.95 and three courses for £27.95.

This price might be competitive enough to

ensure that most hotel guests will resist the lure of The Pass at South Lodge or The Crabtree pub (both within a mile of Cisswood House) but is it enough to attract non-hotel visitors?

We approached our review with that question in mind.

For starters I chose the hickory smoked beef carpaccio with rocket puree, caper berries and parmesan foam. The parmesan foam offered a nice alternative to lemon or oil flavoured beef.

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51

charred south coast mackerel

‘The quality of food here has definitely improved since Mark arrived’ Toby opted for a simple but satisfying soft poached duck egg on toasted brioche, with pea shoots and bacon jam.

The chef is evidently a stickler for presentation, even if his efforts are somewhat diluted by the plain décor of the restaurant. Whilst clinical and efficient, it does lack the character and charm of the hotel’s exterior.

Other starter options include beetroot and coriander cured salmon with goat’s cheese cream, and seared scallops with asparagus panna cotta, tomato and sea salt.

My choice of main course was the charred south coast mackerel with cannelloni of smoked risotto and crab. The cannelloni was a fine complement to the fish, not only in terms of flavour, but also in helping to ensure that the size of the mackerel was not an issue.

The crab risotto was well textured and not excessively flavoured to allow that lovely charred mackerel taste to linger.

Toby much enjoyed the slow roasted pig cheeks placed on top of garlic mash with apple puree and roast baby vegetables. The whole dish carried strong flavour and was again almost

poetically presented.

If those dishes fails to stimulate your appetite, other mains include the pan fried breast of duck with beetroot mash, roast rack of lamb, and balentine chicken.

Side orders, incidentally, include buttered asparagus, fennel, runner beans and leeks, wilted baby spinach, creamed potatoes, chips and new potatoes, and cost £2 each.

The dessert menu is a treat. The chocolate cup is filled with a white chocolate sorbet and black cherries of Jurassic proportions.

The only slight disappointment is the accompanying chocolate ganache, which could perhaps benefit from being either creamier or (at the other end of the scale) darker, as oppose to its current rather flavourless form. No tiny imperfections for Toby though,

who looked like a five-year-old in an icecream parlour as he made swift work of his pretty summer pudding with vanilla yoghurt and lime sorbet.

Throughout the meal we found the staff friendly and helpful, and whilst Mark Cheeseman’s menu may be fairly conservative, the food served is of a very good standard.

Inevitably the whole dining experience feels – well, like eating at a hotel! If The Garden is happy to go on providing predominantly for staying guests, then that is all well and good.

But if it hopes to appeal to the masses, draw them away from East Street in Horsham and stop them from reaching South Lodge Hotel’s restaurants, it’ll perhaps need a more unique selling point.

slow roasted pig cheeks

52

Sussex Artists offer a

Mixed Palette When The Association of Sussex Artists was founded back in 1928, it was supported by some of the most influential people in the county.

The first president was Mr J. T. McGaw of Horsham, who as well as being an aspiring artist, was a prominent member of the Horsham Club. Previously, he had established Mannings Heath Golf Club on land he owned.

The Association was backed by patrons with plenty of financial clout including The Duke of Norfolk and the Marquis of Ely. Mrs Duncan Grant was among those who were members in the early years. This will

have been Vanessa Bell of the Bloomsbury Group, an influential and scandalous group of associated writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists.

The influence of the English aristocracy on art and literature has waned over time.

These days art has opened up to the masses, resulting in a wider range of artistic styles and a new wave of contemporary artists producing an increasingly divisive output.

This month, the Association of Sussex Artists will be celebrating its 100th exhibition, it what is its 84th year. Whilst it may no longer be fronted by the wealthy upper classes, the

Clockwise from top left: Art by Lynne Masters, Brian Hastings, Claire Phillips, Heather Withers and Wendy Standing

work on display continues to draw crowds.

Members include Claire Phillips from Partridge Green, whose dramatic images of Death Row inmates and more recently a series of paintings of orphans in India, convey a powerful message.

Marilyn Panto, a Brighton artist who has received commissions from across the world, will exhibit her fine bronze sculptures, and other notable exhibitors include the eye-catching impressionist watercolours of Heather Withers and the life-like wildlife paintings of Fiona Champion.

About 150 artists will be exhibiting, of which two thirds are members of the

Sussex Artists Association. Many others have submitted art for the exhibition at the Drill Hall – the same venue as the very first exhibition in 1928 - with a ten strong committee making judgements on which work to include.

Association Chairman Terry Copping admits that it is increasingly difficult to find a balance between the traditional paintings of landscapes and seascapes - which remain popular with art buyers in Sussex - and more modern styles.

He admits that new styles need to be embraced to attract new people to the Association of Sussex Artist exhibitions.

Terry said: “We push out for contemporary work but to get good pieces is not easy. It is still the self-representational work and landscapes that generate the most interest. There are

elderly people who like and buy these pictures and in all honesty that is what keeps us going.

Traditional pieces of work sell.

The more you push the boat out the more elitist it becomes and the harder it is to sell art.

“It’s a difficult balance. As a member you get four pieces of art to put in to the exhibition but sometimes you get two that are of a good standard and two that really shouldn’t be there.

“This year, the committee will be making some tough decisions as it can devalue the whole exhibition if there is poor work.

“The other problem we have is the computer-generated work as it causes a lot of controversy amongst the committee. I’m not keen on it – I’d rather work was not manipulated by a computer – but I think we’ll have to change our stance at some

‘It is still the self-representational work and landscapes that generate the most interest’ Paintings by Terry Copping (top) and June Knowler

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54

Art by Alison Ingram (top) and Peter Hilliard

point. I may be showing my age but we do like to keep certain things traditional within the society.”

Gill Palengat, a fellow member of the Association, added: “The other problem is that you don’t want people saying ‘that isn’t very good’ or ‘I could have done that’, or non-members asking why their piece of work was rejected when a piece of lower standard artwork is exhibited.

“But it’s tricky, as they have paid their membership and feel they are entitled to display work.”

The Association charges a low fee for artists wishing to submit work for the exhibition, as work is often rejected, and tries to get as many new ideas into the exhibition as it can.

Some might say that the Association of Sussex Artists of being stuck in its ways and behind the times, but Peter Hilliard, responsible for some stunning maritime images, says that contemporary art is increasingly prominent.

“We try to get an assorted balance but keep the work good”, he said. “It is difficult to keep moving with the times. We have a selection committee so we try to judge fairly. I think over the last ten years we have been leaning more to contemporary art rather than traditional art, so we’re getting a good mix of all different media

as we try to attract younger artists.”

In days gone, there were notable artists amongst Sussex Artist’s membership including Claude Muncaster, who was commissioned to do a series of watercolours of royal residences shortly after World War Two, and Dame Laura Knight, who was the official artist at the Nuremberg Trials. There were also notable patrons with deep pockets.

Terry Copping said: “The incredible part about those early days is the sponsorship they had in the beginning. The list of patrons in 1928 makes unbelievable reading. They must have hit the highs initially – just

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Sussex Artists Graham Wells’ painting of ploughing, Micki Bennett’s ‘When the Boat Comes In’ and ‘Poppies’ by Wendy Standing

about everybody who was anybody in the British Aristocracy is there.

“We still provide an exciting exhibition but we are struggling to a degree as the economic situation is crippling. People are not spending the money and we have competition for other exhibitions of course.

“Trying to save money is the biggest concern for the committee. You have to decide where to make cuts without cutting so much that

If you are planning a party or event this year then call West Sussex’s premier sound and lighting supplier. We can supply the right equipment at the right price to ensure you have a great party.

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the association has little or no public profile.

It’s something I try to address but I’m not sure I’m always successful.

“But we have a high standard of work, We have Claire Phillips, who I believe one day is going to be up there with the big names, as her work is phenomenal. Occasionally we still uncover a new artist capable of great work.

“We were slack for a while, putting in work when we should not have been, and it was

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sub-standard. That will not happen again – contemporary or traditional, it has to be good art.”

The exhibition will be open daily in the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF, on 16th25th August, 10.30am-5pm. The exhibition closes at 3.30pm on Saturday, 25th August. For details and examples of some of the artists’ work visit http://sussexartists.org/

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56

Win family Tickets to Fishers Farm for a

fun-filled adventure There will come a time during the holidays when your children have had enough of playing down the park, or that the excitement of the paddling pool fades away.

Treat them to a day to remember by visiting the award-winning Fishers Farm Park in Wisborough Green, on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

Fishers Farm offers a unique mixture of farm animals and adventure play, making it a perfect day out for families with children aged up to ten-years-old.

The farm and animal barns give young people the opportunity to handle small animals, and visitors can even ride on a horse or pony in the sand school. Seasonal farrier demonstrations and shire horse demonstrations are also held.

Tractor-Trailer rides are held throughout the day, and how about pig racing for something a little bit different?

Fishers Farm boasts a fantastic array of rides and play activities for children, including a 25ft Climbing Wall, Merry-Go-Rounds, Trampolines, Water Peddlerz, Pedal Karts, Tunnel Ride, Swing Boats, Forgotten Farm Adventure Golf, and during the summer

holidays, Splash Attack!

For the younger children, Fishers Farm has three indoor soft play areas, Jolly Jumbo's play barn, barrel bugs and a toddlers play area.

All of the family can enjoy the woodland walk, and the new daily farm show in the Barn Theatre. There’s plenty of food and drink available too.

Fishers Farm is open every day at 10am to 5pm. For a full list of activities, special events and admission prices, please visit http://www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk

For a chance to win tickets to Fishers Farm for all of the family, answer this question...

Berkshire, Tamworth and Gloucestershire Old Spots are all breeds of which animal? a) Pig b) Sheep c) Horse Email your answer, along with your name and address and a contact number to editor@aahorsham.co.uk by 24th August 2012.

The ‘Was it really a year ago? Doesn’t time fly?’ section The story about a fallow deer who was knocked down by a car and became best friends with a rabbit was a hit with readers! The pair hit it off immediately with the rabbit taking on a maternal role. A video of the two enjoying one another’s company at Holbrook Animal Rescue centre has been seen over 25,000 times on YouTube.

We featured the Horsham Ride-in Motorbike show, held at Ingfield Manor in Horsham. But unfortunately the event was hit badly by rain, meaning few bikers came along to take part in competitions and watch the live rock music. It meant that no event was planned for this year, but hopefully it can be a fixture on the calendar in the future.

We were at The Tanners Arms in Brighton Road, Horsham, for our music feature. On the night, the likes of Singfield and Stick in a Pot performed an acoustic set. The pub was become increasingly popular because of its commitment to live and original music. The Tanners remains one of the best places to see up-and-coming local bands in Horsham town.

We visited the Mill House Hotel in Ashington and met owners David and Karen Ockelford, as well as son Richard who is the head chef. The family were trying to push the restaurant to people other than guests of the hotel.

Since our visit, the Mill House has gone on to win a certificate of excellence from food review website Tripadvisor.

57

It’s Good to Talk Heather’s Horsham Cancer Care Group

Twice a month, in the small Unitarian Church in Horsham, a small group of people meet to laugh, cry, and share their experiences.

They all have one thing in common – they have lost someone close to them to cancer.

Some may be new to the group, experiencing grief for the first time, whilst for others time has - to some extent - made the loss more bearable.

The group is Heather’s Cancer Care Group.

For some, the meetings are an opportunity to pass on experiences of dealing with the loss of a loved one. They offer a shoulder to cry on or simply listen to people whose world has been turned upside down.

There are currently about 25 people in the group, which meets twice monthly for two hours, and occasionally organises outings and social events.

Heather’s Cancer Care group has only been established for about four years, having

been formed by a group of women who visited The Olive Tree in Crawley.

The women wanted to set up a similar group offering support in the Horsham area, and so a few women including Shirley Denhart and Mary Mitchell looked for a location.

Sue Evans was at the first group meeting.

She said: “We wanted a centre we could come to in Horsham. There was a group that had run years ago but that disbanded and there hadn’t been one for a while so we thought we could see what we could do.

“I contacted various halls and establishments as we searched for a venue. The Unitarian Church in Worthing Road was a venue we liked as it is located in the town centre next to the bus stop, but initially we were worried about the rent. Then I spoke to Eileen, who was a part of the church and also became part of our group, and she said ‘leave it with me’ and sorted it out.”

Mary Mitchell said: “Most of the committee here originally went to the Olive Tree – that is how we know each other.

“I went there after my husband died of leukaemia and Shirley went there too as she had been affected by cancer. It was Shirley who had the idea of setting up this group.

“If people need more support they can still go to the Olive Tree and there is a lot of Outreach support too. We always have time for people.”

The group meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 2-4pm and all who have been affected by cancer are free to drop in to have a cup of tea and biscuits.

It is a free service, although a donation box is passed around.

For more details call Sue on 01403 823858 or Yvonne on 01293 512378.

Sandra Manvell

“

Is it personal? Yes it is.

We all have a responsibility to ourselves and others to be accountable for our actions and decisions. And yes, the state has its part to play, but whilst it becomes more intrusive the actual support it provides is becoming less certain: That which was once clear and possibly taken for granted is now much less straight-forward and far more uncertain.

It seems that no matter where you look there is something in the media about the uncertainties that await us. Young or old it assails all! And in particular those who are already and those who are approaching retirement it will potentially affect disproportionately.

The increasing costs associated with an aging population are not going to go away and whilst an uncomfortable fact of life we are going to have to deal with it.

We all have different ideals, values and resources

and these have to be weighed in the context of the individual’s circumstances and needs.

There are potential choices and opportunities but you need to be aware of the possibilities and generally they do not come knocking on your door unsolicited.

So do something positive and seek advice: There is no charge for an initial discussion of up to 45 minutes, but in that time you will be made aware of the types of things you could possibly benefit from and any potential charges you could incur if you want to pursue matters. Don’t be too shy to ask - it’s all about you.

I have over 35 years client experience in financial services, everyone of them unique to the individuals concerned.

Contact: Tim Henson FCIB, CeMAP, CeRER, CeRCC, on 07956523703 or tim@sixtyplusonline.co.uk www.sixtyplusonline.co.uk

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“

Caring Future for your

My husband was born here and I met him in the 1950s. We lived in Crawley for many years and moved to Horsham for our retirement really.

But within a short time of us moving here he became ill and sadly passed away, so we had little time really to enjoy the retirement. That was five years ago. The group here have been really supportive throughout and I come here whenever I can as the atmosphere is nice and now after five years I can help others. I feel now I’m mainly passing on my experience but I still find coming here to be a good anchor. I think it helped me get over the grieving process as you can see people who have been down the same route as you. You can see the despair people go through, especially when they are quite young. I had been married for 43 years, and I didn’t have another serious boyfriend before him. When you’re bereaved it feels like you’ve lost half of yourself. But people here listen, and eventually you see that you can look ahead. You can come here with what seems an insurmountable problem and go away thinking you can cope. This group has given me the confidence to cope with everything. I’m not so sure that, if I had seen this place advertised, I would be come to it, but I was lucky enough to be introduced to the group. Having been given counselling via my doctor from a person who had no idea about bereavement, I didn’t feel the group could do a great deal for me. But this place is different. The committee members are always there to support and reassure you.

‘Coming along to a group like this is not for everybody, but we know there are a lot of people out there who could benefit’

59 John King

“

Sue Evans In a former life I was a midwife. I lived overseas and when I came back I did a ‘back to nursing’ course. But things had changed in nursing and I didn’t want to work in a hospital again. It wasn’t as hands-on as it once had been. Eventually I went to Crawley Cancer Care (which became The Olive Tree) and stayed there for a while, and I learned the value of talking to people. People (who have lost someone to cancer) are being told what

to do and they lose control of their lives to a degree. So to come to a group where they talk, get other people’s ideas and gel together is great. That self-support is unbelievably powerful. We cater for anyone whose life is affected by cancer at any stage of the journey. Coming along to a group like this and discussing issues is not for everybody, but we know there are a lot of people who don’t know about us who could benefit.

“

“

Jane Ross

I was widowed ten years ago, losing my wife to cancer. About four or five years ago Mary helped start up Heather’s Cancer Care, but men wouldn’t come along. She asked if I’d come along, and I said that I would. It helps people that are new to bereavement to speak to people who have gone through it.

I say to people that I had the best girl in the world – you’re never going to forget them - but it does get easier and you survive. I think some can take it easier than others. When my wife died, there wasn’t a group like Heather’s for me. St Catherine’s Hospice ran a bereavement service for men, which was a help, but as new men came in having just experienced the loss of a loved one, I was starting to feel a little drained so I moved on. Men can be stubborn and don’t talk about their feelings. I think I was fortunate in that about a fortnight before she died, my wife asked me what I would do when she was gone. I said that I would never re-marry, but I might want a bit of female company at some time, and she told me that I had to do what I wanted to do. That helped me a lot – it wasn’t a problem for her and she understood. By talking about such things with my wife it gave me a lot of energy, and there is no guilt. I don’t speak to many men who have had that. We were a very united family, a very positive family, and I used to speak to them and say that she would not want people wallowing in grief. You have to move on.

But at the same time you have to appreciate that we are all different and deal with grief in different ways. With some people it is difficult to find the right words to help them. But when we go out it’s great to see everyone having a good time, even if it’s just for a few hours.

“

My only daughter Melanie became ill with cancer. I didn’t know who I could talk to and one day I picked up the newspaper, saw Mary’s number and she said ‘Why don’t you come along?’ Now they can’t get rid of me! That was four years ago and Melanie died three years ago. She came here as well initially. It was very helpful as we have a good laugh and a joke, as well as a cry. If you want to have a private moment then everybody respects that.

Melanie definitely benefitted from her visits – she liked a bit of banter. We’ve occasionally been on outings as a group.

We’ve been on the Arun and Wey Canal,

which was very pleasant, and we’ve been to the theatre a few times. You can just drop in – we have a lady who is here for the first time today – but we do seem to find it hard to let people know that we are here. The group definitely helped me – I don’t think I could have got over (my daughter’s death) without it. It’s always in my mind to do what Melanie would have wanted me to do as we were so close. I’m not really a religious person but I find myself speaking to Melanie every day sometimes I say rude words to her! But you cannot give up on life – you have to keep going.

“

“

60

I was introduced to Heather’s Cancer Care after my husband passed away due to cancer last July. I didn’t start coming along though until a couple of months after he died as it took a few weeks to really get myself together and face talking to people. I found it really useful because other people here have been through similar situations, losing husbands, wives or close family. It made me feel I wasn’t on my own and the emotions I was going through were not unusual. Once you’ve got the funeral out of the way, your family just get on with things. You can’t get it through to someone who hasn’t been through losing a husband or a wife. You cannot imagine what it is like. To watch somebody you love go through everything that he went through the suffering, chemotherapy, finding it was working one session then discovering you cannot continue with treatment, only for the end result to be the same, is heart-breaking. It is not easy to get over. Here, you can come and say to people that you are having a rough time and they will sit and listen. It’s like having counselling. The other ladies have been through similar things so they know exactly how you feel. You don’t have to suffer alone.

We’ve also been on a few outings, which is great for me as it helps you to adjust to a new way of living.

Mary Mitchell

“

My husband died nine years ago. We had only been married two years when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, which is a hideous disease. He had to go to the Royal Marsden Hospital so there was lots of travelling to and from there. His was a typical story - going into remission, coming out, being told he was going to die and then recovering, before he eventually succumbed after three hideous years. He was sick for the greater part of the marriage. I gradually recovered from his death and I thought that I had had an awful lot of help from people when I needed it and I wanted to give something

back. I used to be a trustee at The Olive Tree in Crawley, but when I went back to work it was more difficult to keep that up.

So I gave that up and Heather’s Cancer Care group started at the right time. I’m on the committee and do a lot of the organising but it’s therapy for me too. We only meet once a fortnight as people have all got other things to do and for the people that come here that is enough.

Sometimes, people stop coming and that is often a success story as that shows they can do without us, but we always need to make sure that is the case by calling them.

“

“

Julia Kirkham

“

19th August

The Festival of Sound in Horsham begins on 2nd September. About fifty bands will play on five stages around Horsham’s town centre.

For details visit www.festivalofsound horsham.co.uk

25th August

A Batty Night Out is held at Warnham Nature Reserve at 6:30-8.30pm.

The Horsham District Council-organised event with Jenny Clark costs £7 (adults) and £4 (child).

Booking is essential. Call 01403 215263.

Amberley Museum hosts a Harley Davidson day.

Visitors can also indulge in the delightful installations, artefacts, vehicles and features at the museum.

For more visit amberleymuseum.co.uk

The garden of 4 Bens Acre, Horsham, RH13 6LW, are open at 1-5pm.

A garden full of colour and texture, built on a slope creating terraces.

Cakes and tea served in garden, also plants for sale. Entry £3.

6th September

12th August

The Southwater Sprint Relay Race hosted by Horsham Amphibians Triathlon Club takes place at Southwater Country Park. Route includes a 400m swim, 18.5km cycle, and 3.8km run. The race starts at 8am.

24th August

St Nicolas Church in Itchingfield hosts a Summer Evening Recital of Popular and Classical Music by guitarist Mark Jennings and violinist Andrew Wickens. 7.30pm. £7 from 01403 738477 or pip@mcbean.me.uk

A Terrier & Family Dog Show is held at The Kennels, West Grinstead from 12pm.

There will be both fun and formal classes. Local trade stands, food and drinks. Adult £1.50, child 50p, U-12s free. Classes are £1.50.

2nd September

4 - 5th August

If you love food and drink visit the Big Nibble in Horsham town centre, a two-day event that launches the month-long Horsham District Food and Drink Festival. Events from 10am-4pm include cooking demonstrations.

23rd August

23rd August

Storrington Museum has a Junior Archaeology Fun Day. Dig for buried treasure and make bronze pots.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

10am - 4pm. For further details call the museum on 01903 740188.

The Loxwood Joust is held at the beautiful Loxwood Meadow on 4th-5th at 10am-6pm. With Living History Village & Medieval Learning Zone. Tickets cost £12 for adults, child £6. For details visit www.loxwoodjoust.co.uk

2nd September

Now On

Horsham Doll’s House Club is exhibiting at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery. It’s a truly eye opening and amazing exhibition to see. The displays contain a variety of objects showing a sense of fun and humour

1-2nd September

events

You’ll find more details on forthcoming events in the News Round-Up section on pages five and six

South Lodge Hotel hosts Garden Tours at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm followed by afternoon tea in the lounge. See the new Victorian kitchen garden. £22.50.

Booking essential. Call 01403 891711

Please send event details to editor@aahorsham.co.uk

62

Jewel the

in

Crown

Raylands Country Park may be off the beaten path, but its holiday homes are becoming increasingly popular We may never see a day when Jeremy Clarkson is relaxing in a caravan as opposed to blowing one up, but for many others they are an increasingly attractive proposition.

The economic slump may have hit package holiday providers, but it has led to a steady rise in caravan sales over recent years as people look closer to home for their holidays.

This has helped British tourism, which has been good news for holiday parks across the country. One company to have benefitted is Roundstone Caravans, which has been based in Southwater since 1930.

As well as the business headquarters on

Worthing Road, the family-run company operates Raylands Country Park in the peaceful surroundings of Jackrells Lane in the fields between Copsale and Southwater. You’re unlikely to have come across it, but a lack of passing trade is actually pivotal to its success.

The site was bought at auction back in 1979 by Bob Morris – the grandson of Roundstone Caravans founder John William Whitehouse. Bob died last year, but the business is now in the hands of an experienced team including Bob’s sonin-law Neil Blanch, who is married to Bob’s daughter Shirley, long-serving employee Steve Holloway and Bob’s daughter Rosie Kent.

Also providing more than a helping hand at Raylands are Sandie Hall, the park manager, wardens Ken and Jenny Watts and groundsman Henry Dewey.

Raylands has always had a licence to operate for only eight months of the year.

However, the park has recently been granted a licence for eleven months, giving it a major boost for the future.

Rosie said: “We had never applied for the eleven month licence before as dad was happy for the site to go along as it was.

“For him, Raylands was a bit of a jewel in the crown. He was always very careful that any development was done nicely, with plenty of space for people for pretty gardens and he always kept modern

Raylands Country Park

Above: Sandie Hall manages the park and Henry Dewey (right) is the fulltime groundsman. Far Left: Peter and and Diane Crouch have had a holiday home at Raylands Country Park for eight years.

‘I don’t understand why more people don’t get into Caravanning’ caravans on the park.

“He liked the fact that it would shut down for a few months each year as it would allow time to carry out maintenance and development and rebuild the roads when needed. But you have to move with the times, and we know that some of the other parks in the area have had longer licences for several years now.

“We took a fresh look at the business as we found some people were heading to other sites, not because they preferred them, but because they needed the eleven month flexibility. that was especially true for those who use the static caravans as a second home.

“Demand has grown for holiday parks because people are not just staying in their homes all of their lives any more.

They may downsize, or buy a home abroad and need a caravan (in the UK).

Some of the people we have here are not coming far but just want to get away from their

environment and this is a nice, peaceful, rural setting. You don’t want to be driving three hours to get to your caravan every weekend, so for a lot of people we are a better option than coastal resorts.”

There are currently ninety-eight static caravans on the site. During the early years, there was less than half of that number, with most of the business at Raylands coming from smaller touring caravans, but that trend was gradually reversed as the focus switched to

the holiday home style static vans.

Nonetheless, touring vans are still welcome on the site on seasonal static pitches.

As most of the people staying on the park are retired or semi-retired people, the decision was taken to make Raylands child-free.

Grandchildren often visit and visitors are welcome to bring children, but young families are not allowed to own caravans on the site.

This set-up suits the residents just fine. Peter and Diane Crouch have been residents at Raylands for eight years, using their static caravan during the summer and living near Sarasota in Florida during the winter.

Peter said: “It was an impulse buy – we

64

Jenny and Ken Watts are wardens at Raylands Country Park used to have a twin axle touring caravan and would spend the winter in Spain, but we now spend our summers here and we have a place in Florida too. We go there in December and come back to England in June.

“We came to have a look at one of the caravans on the site and suddenly it was a done deal. We tend to be quite spontaneous!

“It’s nice, you feel safe here. It’s nice to hear a few grandchildren about from time to time, but they can’t stay permanently, which is also nice!

“The beauty here is that we are with likeminded people, we have a nice little club

house with good food and entertainment, the tennis court, and there’s a nice walk to Horsham which takes about an hour and ten minutes through woodland.

“For us, Horsham is one of the nicest towns in West Sussex. We go to Southwater Country Park too, and there are some lovely walks around here - it’s only fifteen minutes into the village. What’s not to like?

“I don’t understand why more people don’t get into caravanning, especially when you hear about housing problems, and older people living alone in homes struggling to make their pennies go around. You couldn’t want a better lifestyle than this.”

‘We spend our summers here and we have a place in Florida’

As it transpires, more people are coming around to Peter’s way of thinking, with a steady rise in caravan sales over the last four years. Next year, static caravan sales come with a 5% tax rate, although that is not nearly as worrying for the industry as the 20% rate initially proposed.

New static caravans currently cost around £30,000 whilst second-hand holiday homes cost from about £10,000.

Raylands has helped increase its cause recently by introducing balconies. Rosie said: “'Raylands has responded to owners requests and allowed balconies on the park.

The manufacturers have upped their game

Raylands Country Park

Neil Blanch building a new balcony with help from Ben Gumbrell: Gnomes are a common sight, although Bob Morris couldn’t stand them! over the last few years and now balconies provide a lovely looking decked area which really enhances peoples holiday homes, doubling their space and transforming the way they use them.

“We’ve had some bad weather this year, and you don’t want to come outside and sit on the wet grass below. It is nice to be able to sit on a balcony. It gives the vans a new lease of life.

“Neil has devoted a lot of time to putting

them up. Dad was very fastidious about the grounds and wanted the park to look perfect all the time. Neil also likes things to look perfect, and dad liked that quality in him.

He has great attention to detail and he loves getting his hands dirty. He is respected by the staff as he gets stuck in – he was cutting hedges in the rain this week. He is an ideal manager as he leads by example.”

Raylands Country Park now has three brand new 2012 holiday homes for sale, all on prime locations within the park grounds. These modern homes are fully equipped with central heating and double glazing.

For details visit the website at www. roundstonecaravans.com

66

The ‘things you probably didn’t know about Horsham that are really quite interesting’ page...

The fire that destroyed one of the south’s

great art collections One of the country’s great art collections was lost in a devastating fire at Knepp Castle in 1904.

At 1am on 18th January, a fire broke out in the castle, the home of Sir Merrik and Lady Burrell who escaped in “very scanty attire” as the West Sussex County Times reported.

The fire took hold very quickly, destroying the historic and oldest part of the property, the south wing, including the library. The Horsham brigade arrived in less than an hour but was hard pressed to pump water by hand from a lake 150 yards away.

It was decided to send for the Steyning brigade and a man was despatched on his bicycle. It was dark and his problems began when his light went out; later he fell off, was misdirected at Ashington, and the whole journey took him two hours!

Lost in the fire were no less than eight paintings by Hans Holbein, one of the great portrait artists of the 16th century. In recent years several of his paintings have sold for more than £20 million, so the loss cannot be understated.

Holbein works lost were ‘Anne of Cleves’, ‘Cromwell, Earl of Essex’, ‘Stafford, Duke of Buckingham’, ‘Sir Henry Guldeford, Comptroller of the Household of King Henry VIII’, ‘Lady Guldeford’, ‘Sir Richard Rich, Chancellor to Edward VI’, ‘Algidus’ and ‘A Woman of Rank’.

In addition to the Holbein collection, the fire destroyed three paintings by Paul van Somer, one of the leading painters of the Royal Court during the reign of King James I of England. Paintings by Frank Hais, Philippe de Champagne, Anthony van Dyck, Sir Peter Lely and Quintin Matsys were also lost.

Unfortunately because the fire happened before widespread development of art history, the impact of the loss is hard to say, but the quality of the artists suggests that if they had survived then Knepp Castle would be one of the great artistic treasures of the South East of England.

Merrik Burrell and those assisting him did everything they could to save some of the most precious treasure, including valuable china, but most of the artistic treasures were

in the library and the dining-room and therefore beyond reach. The County Times suggested at the time of the fire that the insurance on the pictures was “scarcely more than minimal” and recorded that Lady Burrell lost £6,000 worth of furs.

The newspaper stated that when the Horsham Fire Brigade arrived, Captain Moses Brooks saw that there was no chance of saving the southern wing. The Brigade then set to work and successfully prevented the flames from spreading. The fire engine from Warnham Court arrived and was placed near the lake, from where it drove water into a receptacle on the top of the lawn from which the two manual engines from Horsham pumped, enabling four jets of water to be thrown upon the flames.

A mishap occurred to the second engine from Horsham. It seems that when near Cripplegate Mill the engine swerved and PC Marsh and another were thrown into a ditch.

It was as late as 6.30am when the Steyning brigade received the call from the messenger.

When they arrived the fire was under control.

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