NEWS ROUND-UP

Announcements & Events from across the Horsham District

Email submissions to editor@aahorsham.co.uk

A major work by Juan Manuel Blanes sold for £1.15million at Toovey’s auctioneers in Washington in February.

The painting, ‘A Gaucho on Horseback’, which depicts a horseman pointing as two other riders gallop away on the horizon, set a new world record auction price for the Uruguayan painter. Research by Tim Williams, fine art consultant at Toovey’s, revealed the painting’s remarkable provenance, which helped to attract bidders from around the world to the auction, conducted by Nick Toovey.

Tim said: ‘Blanes’ Gaucho paintings celebrate the way of life of these independent, rugged horsemen whose lives embodied the South American “Wild West” and national identity in a similar way to the cowboys of the United States. The open prairie beneath an expansive sky would have contrasted with the pressured urban lives of the cosmopolitan collectors who patronised Blanes’ work.’

The painting, painted circa 1875 – 1878, was acquired by a private Uruguayan collector. tooveys.com

Horsham-based business The Dog-G8 Company has appeared on BBC programme Dragons’ Den. The pitch by owners Peter and Chris Maxted secured an investment of £50,000 from entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, in return for 20% of the business. The family firm designs and manufactures concertina dog safety gates, which can fit a variety of configurations. In 2020, The Dog-G8 Company benefitted from a LEAP Small Business Grant, offered by Horsham District Council.

The Bear in Market Square, Horsham, closed on 11 February. A statement on its Facebook page read: ‘After a long time trying to get the best possible deal for our lease renewal, it has become unfeasible for us to continue our journey. With a 20% rent increase and nearly 18% increase on draught products through the brewery, it is just too difficult in the current economic situation.’ The Bear, run by the same team as The Stout House, thanked its customers and staff, past and present.

Chris Murray has been appointed as the new Headmaster at Pennthorpe, effective from Summer term 2023. Chris is currently Senior Deputy Head at Holmewood House, having held previous positions at Somerhill Prep, Moulsford Prep and Cheltenham College, as well as a stint as a rugby coach for London Wasps RFC. Pennthorpe’s current interim Head, Lydia Waller, leaves to become the new Head of Laxton Junior School, Oundle. pennthorpe.com parham-races.co.uk

Crawley & Horsham Point-to-Point races will be held at Parham Racecourse near Storrington, RH20 2ER, on Saturday 25 March.

The day includes six races over fences, hound parade, fun dog show, beer tent, funfair, trade stands and food and drink stalls. Families can take picnics and enjoy a springtime day at the races. Tickets £15 (children free). Gates open at 10.30am with arena displays from 11am and racing from 12.30pm.

Refugee Tales holds its next ‘Walk With Us’ event in Horsham on Saturday 18 March, at 11am. Walkers will meet at Horsham

Railway Station and walk to Warnham, before following the Riverside Walk back to town for lunch at the Quaker Meeting House. The walk is seven miles long and takes about five hours. Refugee Tales organises walks every month in solidarity with refugees, people seeking asylum, and people who have experienced immigration detention. By joining the walks, the community can welcome them and hear about their experiences. To book, visit the Eventbrite page at https://t.ly/fP2O. refugeetales.org

The Horsham 10k race, organised by Horsham Joggers, takes place at Horsham Rugby Club, Hammerpond Road, RH13 6PJ, on Sunday 14 May, at 11am. Part of the Sussex Grand Prix series, the race attracts club runners from across Sussex and further afield. The race, licensed by UK Athletics, is open to all and about half of entrants are fun runners and joggers not affiliated to a club. It is ideal for those who enjoy ‘Parkrun’ and are looking to step up to a longer distance. The event starts and finishes at the rugby club. It is run over a well marshalled two-lap course that includes bridleways and roads, with water stops along the route. There is also a 1.2k junior fun run for U16s within the grounds of the rugby club. Prizes will be awarded to the 10k male and female winners across a variety of age categories and there will be commemorative medals for adult and junior runners. The race is sponsored by local independent estate and letting agent, Brock Taylor. Enter at: horshamjoggers.co.uk/horsham-10k/ horsham10k

West Sussex County Council is preparing to submit plans for a multi-million-pound retail park, as part of a regeneration scheme in Broadbridge Heath. WSCC wants to redevelop Broadbridge Heath Depot, a site that was identified as being surplus to requirements in 2018, to deliver a new commercial and retail space, including a discount food retailer. A planning application is being prepared and is set to be submitted in the spring. Residents can find out more and have their say at broadbridgeretailpark.co.uk

Center Parcs has withdrawn plans to develop Oldhouse Warren, an ancient woodland near Crawley. In a statement, the company said: ‘We have undertaken rigorous environmental and ecological surveys and, having analysed the details, we have concluded that the site is not a suitable location for a Center Parcs village.' The news was well received by Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT), which along with the Woodland Trust, CPRE Sussex, Sussex Ornithological Society, RSPB and the residents’ group Protect Oldhouse Warren, had fought the proposal. The SWT said: ‘We have saved a special part of Sussex, home to rare breeding birds such as the marsh tit, goshawk and firecrest, as well as wonderful woodland flowers.’ sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk

YMCA DownsLink ymcadlg.org

Group has summited plans for an allweather 3G pitch at YMCA Horsham Football Club’s Herbert Direct Stadium at Gorings Mead. The development has been designed by McArdle Sport Tec and Tiger Turf, and YMCA Downslink Group are hoping to attract funding from local partners and the Football Foundation. Established in 1898, Horsham YMCA FC has been playing at Gorings Mead since 1929. The development would allow the club to offer a sustainable, community pitch for generations to come, with added capacity to support women’s and youth football.

Claire Vickers was appointed the new Leader of Horsham District Council on 2 February.

Cabinet Member appointments include Cllr Philip Circus (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Recycling and Waste), Paul Clarke (Finance & Assets), Liz Kitchen (Planning & Development), Roger Noel (Leisure & Culture), Richard Landeryou (Economic Development), Tony Hogben (Horsham Town Centre), Tricia Youtan (Housing and Communities) and Josh Potts (Environment & Rural Affairs).

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

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

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

Current Opening times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm Food Service: 9am to 3pm

The North Sussex branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) hosts its Spring Equinox Beer Festival at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF, on 24 – 25 March. There will be over 50 beers on offer, with Sussex cider and wines from Kinsbrook too. For the first time, there will be beer and cheese tasting events, hosted by Christine Cryne. Friday’s session is held at 6 -10pm, with two sessions on Saturday (11.30am – 4.30pm and 6.30 – 10pm). Tickets (which include a festival glass) can be bought from The Malt Shovel, Anchor Tap and The Beer Mine in Horsham, or at northsussex.camra.org.uk/equinox

Tel: 01403 732539 Web: sumnersponds.co.uk

Instagram: @sumnersponds

Facebook.com/SumnersPonds

The Midnight Walk, held in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice, takes place in Horsham on Saturday 10 June. 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the hospice, so additional entertainment is planned, with special prizes for top fundraisers. Starting from The Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath, participants can choose a distance of two, seven, 13 or 20 miles. The routes all go through Horsham town and provide a safe, marked walk. Registration includes a T-shirt, refreshments and medal, as well as a glass of fizz and breakfast at the finish. stch.org.uk/midnight-walk-2023-sign-up/

Iriness Yoga & Wellbeing hosts an Open Day at Victoria House, Victoria Street, Horsham, RH13 5DZ on Saturday 25 March. The day includes introductory yoga classes with senior yoga teacher Irina Pashkevich Bourdier, to demonstrate the benefits to mental health and wellbeing, as well as physical health. Classes at 10am and 11.30am. Sign up for free at iriness.com/open-day l Leonardslee also hosts model boats on the lake on 15 – 16 April, 10am – 3pm. There will be yachts, steamboats and warships as the Schooner Radio Control Group visit. leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is hosting a 'Hide & Sheep' Easter trail, bringing to life the much-loved Aardman character, Shaun the Sheep.

From 25 March - 23 April, visitors to the grade I listed gardens can use a special App to reveal Shaun in augmented reality, hiding out in a farmyard scene. Players can download the app in advance from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Local choir Cantatrice perform Adiemus by Karl Jenkins at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF, on Saturday 1 April, 7.30pm. The choir will be joined by its sister choir from Steyning, a string ensemble (led by violinist and conductor Rob Campkin) and eight percussionists. The programme also includes music by Piazzolla, Gershwin, Caplet and Shostakovich. A second performance will be held at the Steyning Centre, BN44 3XZ on Saturday 13 May, 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (U18s free) from 07880 855960 or cantatrice.co.uk

Three bands will perform at Revelations at the Roffey Club, Spooners Road, Horsham, RH12 4DY, on Friday 10 March, 7.30pm.

Revelations was established at The Rec Rooms in 2022 to promote original music in Horsham. The Rec Rooms has since closed, but it’s hoped that Revelations can continue at other venues. March’s line-up includes Rogue Awakening, a female-fronted hard/alternative rock band from Horsham, Call of Sirens, a rock band from Hampshire featured on BBC Introducing, and Sypha, a talented new band from Brighton. Tickets £5 from eventbrite.co.uk

Michael W. Phillips from Partridge Green has written a book based on 30 years’ experience as a management consultant. The Naked Negotiator, How to Negotiate the Salary You Deserve, has been published by Austin Macauley. Michael used his decades of negotiation experience to distil the key lessons into an easy-to-read and entertaining story about a young manager in desperate need of a pay rise from an otherwise good employer. The Naked Negotiator is available at online bookstores in paperback and Kindle.

Coolham Live Music

Club hosts the Cinelli Brothers and Marcus Praestgaard

Trio at Coolham Village Hall, Billingshurst Road, RH13 8QN, on Saturday 20 May, from 7.15pm. The Cinelli Brothers have been nominated as ‘Best Blues Band’ at the UK Blues Awards for the last four years’. Guitarist Marcus Praestgaard returns with a new trio, having spent the last 18 months performing in saxophonist Tom Waters’ Electric People. Tickets £20 (bring refreshments) from Rich at coolhamtickets@gmail.com