AAH (All About Horsham) Magazine February 2026

AAH FEBRUARY 2026

COVER STORY

Our February 2026 cover features Isaac Hussey, a 16-year-old musician from Horsham, at Lancing College.

Isaac is a Music Scholar at Lancing and to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, presented a concert commemorating music composed and performed in concentration camps during the Second World War. Ben and Alan visited Lancing several days before the concert, aware that Isaac would have no time to spare for interviews and photos on the night itself. The initial plan was to use the Crypt as the backdrop for photos, but having only had time to take one photo of Isaac with his cello, we had to vacate the room for choir practice. So, we moved to the Chapel, where we took the cover shot of Isaac with his Italian Corelli accordion. Ben returned to watch the emotional concert, which earned this talented musician a standing ovation.

Other cover contenders included motorcycle racer Don Gilbert of Nutbourne, coach Libby Baker at Horsham Boxing Club, and promising young golfer Billy Stott at Slinfold Golf & Country Club.

As a free magazine, AAH is grateful to the support of all its advertisers. If you’d like to find out more about promoting your business in AAH, please contact Ben (preferably email). We offer every 6th advert free, like a cafe. We also design adverts for free, if you need help!

ADVERT RATES (PER MONTH/EDITION)

EIGHTH PAGE: £60 + VAT

QUARTER PAGE: £115 + VAT

HALF PAGE: £195 + VAT

FULL PAGE: £340 + VAT

DOUBLE PAGE: £575 + VAT

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Ben Morris

editor@aahorsham.co.uk

advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

MARCH 2026 AAH MAGAZINE

The next edition will be online on Sunday 1 March at www.aahorsham.co.uk with printed copies out on Tuesday 3 March.

ROUND-UP

Food Waste recycling set for roll-out and mystery of the missing white-tailed eagles

MOTORSPORT

Don Gilbert of Nutbourne is preparing for his first ride at the Isle of Man TT

COMMUNITY

Horsham Boxing Club has launched women-only sessions on Sunday mornings

Horsham musician Isaac Hussey presents Holocaust Memorial Concert in Lancing

Friends Ehlana Boult and Hannah Knipe begin new era at The Denture Shop

Eight-year-old Billy Stott becomes first Young Golf Ambassador at Slinfold

Billingshurst-based company Mindstorm Coding teach vital skills at Farlington

Kindred Sauna on the Knepp Estate, Dial Post, offers a revitalising experience

Theresa Gilsenan highlights a hidden danger after the death of her husband

AAH is an independent magazine founded in 2011. It is owned by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District.

Editor: BEN MORRIS

editor@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

Photographer: ALAN WRIGHT

alanwrightphotography.co.uk 07747 617387

Alan works for AAH on a freelance basis and can be booked for all kinds of commercial work.

DISTRIBUTION

We deliver directly to 5,500 homes in the Horsham District with a further 6,500 placed in our bespoke, spring-loaded stands.

DOOR-TO-DOOR:

Delivery team: Jacquie Paterson, Tom Thorne, Oliver Matson, Charlie Merchant, Jill Shuker, Alec Baker, Walker family, Ben Raymond, Ellis Raymond, Browning family, Katie Drysdale, Palmer family, Butcher family, Jackie Fisher, Samuel Dales.

AAH STANDS

Horsham: Swan Walk x 2 (M&S and D&D Cafe), Henry Adams, At Home Estate Agents, Crates Local (all in the Carfax), Gwyn’s Bakery, Johansson’s Cafe (Bishopric), Jones & Tomlin Horsham (Medwin Walk), John Lewis, Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Rail Station, Horsham FC, New House Farm, New Street Butchers, Holbrook Club, Steban’s Salon,

Village Stands: Newbridge Nurseries, The Bridge (BBH) CoCos’ Salon & Beeson House (Southwater), Billingshurst Leisure Centre & Coco’s Salon (Billingshurst), Bluecoat Sports Centre (Christ’s Hospital), Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (Lower Beeding), Warnham Village Stores, Slinfold Golf Club, Mannings Heath Golf Club, The Milk Churn (Rudgwick), Meadow Stores (Thakeham), Kinsbrook Vineyards (West Chiltington) Golden Plaice (Ashington), Rusper Village Stores, Roffey News, Roffey Park, The Bakery (Partridge Green), Henfield Leisure Centre, Steyning Leisure Centre, Cobblestone Walk (Steyning), Spring Gardens (Washington), Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Joanna’s Tearooms (Storrington), Knepp Wilding Kitchen & Shop (Dial Post), The Clubhouse (Kilnwood Vale), Fishers Farm (Wisborough Green).

Supermarkets: AAH is available at Tesco Extra in Broadbridge Heath & Sainsbury’s Horsham, through Self Select Distribution.

Notes: We have replaced the stand at Spring Garden’s with a new wooden one, made from old pallets by Lily’s Cottage, Storrington.

REACHING FURTHER TOGETHER

KNOWN SUPPORTED FOCUSED PROGRESSING READY

I am seen, listened to and valued for who I am.

Foundation Term Programme

Starting this April, a new Foundation Term Programme designed to help students get up to speed and ready for the next academic year. Year 6 for Year 7, Year 8 for Year 9, Year 9 for GCSE.

Teaching adapts to how I learn, with meaningful feedback and care built into every day.

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Significant Academic Scholarships available. A nurturing, academic environment with flexible payment plans to support affordability.

Calm classrooms help me concentrate, grow in confidence and enjoy learning.

My strengths and gaps are identified early, so I can move forward with purpose.

Nursery & Reception Open Morning, Wednesday 25th February 2026

Whole School Open Morning, Saturday 7th March 2026

Scan the QR code or visit www.farlingtonschool.com to register for our Open Mornings.

I am preparing for the next stage –academically, emotionally and socially.

LOCAL NEWS

MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT

Horsham District Council will start weekly food waste recycling collections from March. The service will be rolled out in phases, with a starter pack delivered to every household from February to April.

Collection start dates will depend on where residents live. Each household will receive a lockable outside food waste bin and a 5-litre caddy for use in the kitchen. Flats will receive a kitchen caddy and a communal external food waste bin. Compostable liners and a leaflet –

Horsham Matters’ Christmas campaign raised £18,093, providing 500 parcels for families in need. The charity, which runs the Horsham District Foodbank as part of Trussell’s network of foodbanks, praised the efforts of local people and businesses. A community packing day in November brought together over 60 volunteers to prepare boxes, with groups from businesses then continuing to volunteer. Employees from a further nine businesses packed parcels in-house, sorting food and toys to match families’ needs. The Christmas Parcel Project is a great way for companies to offer team-building experiences and raises funds. horsham-matters.org.uk

which lists what can and cannot go in the food waste bin – will be included. Refuse and recycling collections will continue as usual, every other week. Collection days will not change, with the food waste recycling bin collected weekly on the same day as the recycling or general waste bin.

Cllr Jay Mercer, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling and Waste at HDC, said: ‘More than 40% of the rubbish in an average Horsham District household bin is food

The Shipley Arts Festival 2026 was launched with a preview evening at Toovey’s Auctioneers, Washington, on 18 January. Founded by Andrew Bernardi in 2000, the festival features professional ensembles, as well as young musicians from Bernardi Music Group’s (BMG) String Academy. The programme includes the London Christian Choir with the BMG at Shipley Parish Church on 3 May, the Stradivarius Piano Trio Concerto at Warnham Park House on 30 May, and We Will Baroque You at Lackenhurst on 5 June. A highlight is the Wilding Concert at Knepp on 12 July, with a Concert in Memory of Gordon Lindsay held on 6 September. bernardimusicgroup.com

waste and the average UK household throws away around £700 of edible food each year. By recycling food waste separately, we can cut the amount of rubbish sent to landfill, lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions and make better use of our resources.’

The new recycling service is part of the Government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms, designed to make recycling easier and more consistent across the country. horsham.gov.uk/waste-recycling-and-bins/

Choreographer and dancer Louie Spence joins the cast of Dick Whittington at The Capitol, Horsham from 29 November - 3 January 2027. Louie played Mister Mistoffelees in the West End company of Cats and – following his success with Pineapple Dance Studios – has been pirouetting his way into the public’s heart ever since.

Following the record-breaking success of Robin Hood in 2025, The Capitol are delighted to have secured this show-stopping addition to the cast and can’t wait to see what Louie will bring to the role of The Cat. The pantomime will be the première production after a refurbishment project. thecapitolhorsham.com

AAH News is available in audio format in association with Roundabout Talking News. horsham.mytn.uk

Three white-tailed eagles that are part of a re-induction project led by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation have gone missing. One of the birds was born in Sussex and was among the first white-tailed eagles to fledge in England for hundreds of years. All eagles released as part of the re-introduction project are tagged with satellite trackers, allowing the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation to follow their movements. Last September, the trackers of two eagles were found dumped close to each of the bird’s last recorded locations, in Sussex and Wales. Both had been cut using a sharp instrument. In the case of another eagle, its tag stopped

sending data in November, while in Scotland. Tim Mackrill from the Roy Dennis WF said: ‘It was devastating to find the stolen and dumped tags, particularly for the chick in Sussex who fledged last summer and had only just begun its life.’

In September, a tag belonging to the Sussex-born eagle (number G842) was recovered from the River Rother, nr Petersfield. It too had been removed using a sharp instrument. Searches in the area to locate the body have been unsuccessful. Sussex Police are appealing for information. Contact 101 or 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 769. Right: One of these Sussex chicks was involved in the disappearance.

Some local gardens will be open in February as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Winter provides an opportunity to visit snowdrop gardens, as well as colourful blends of aconites, hellebores, iris and crocus under early blossom. The Old Vicarage in The Street, Washington, is open every Thursday from 5 February, 10am – 4pm. This creative garden, nurtured over 35 years, spans over three acres with formal topiary, seasonal borders, water sculptures, Italianate gazebo, Japanese garden with waterfall and tea house, and a kitchen garden with fruit trees. With 4000 tulips and bulbs planted annually, the garden also sees snowdrops in February. The Old Vicarage was the highest earning NGS garden in 2025, raising £26,792. Admission £10. www.ngs.org.uk

As part of the Horsham Green Film Festival 2026, four environmentallythemed films will be shown at Trafalgar Road Baptist Church, Horsham, in March and April. Six Inches of Soil, a documentary about young farmers (above) using regenerative agriculture, will be shown on Tuesday 3 March, 7.30pm. Power Station, a heart-warming documentary about two artistactivists in Walthamstow, is screened on 17 March, 7.30pm. Food for Thought explores the rise of plant-based eating on 31 March, 7.30pm, before The People’s Emergency Briefing on 21 April, 7.30pm. Entry free (donations welcome). Email films@transitionhorsham.org.uk

Horsham Riders Club have raised funds for three Yamaha AG100s for motorcyclists in The Gambia. Ever since the trials club was founded, members have ridden for fun rather than competition, ensuring funds could be used for good causes. One of the charities that the club supports is Riders for Health, a social enterprise that provides transport and rider training for health workers in Africa through its Two Wheels for Life programme. The enterprise operates a fleet of 167 motorcycles, which are replenished to ensure they are safe and reliable. In January, 61 Yamaha AG100s arrived in The Gambia, with 35 funded by Two Wheels supporters. Bikes help health workers

access remote communities, helping to save lives and reduce the spread of disease. For more on the charity, visit twowheelsforlife.org Horsham Riders

Magnolia Gardens

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We offer a comprehensive residential Architectural Design and Build service. We help those looking to extend or improve their homes, including bespoke new builds, extensions, loft conversions and remodelling. We offer a tailored service to suit your budget and your project’s needs. Simply think of the space, and we’ll do the rest, offering every service under one roof, from architects and designers to builders and carpenters.

Traditional meets modern

ABM offer the complete Design and Build solution, employing the services of experienced architects, designers and construction workers, adopting traditional building skills with modern materials. Our standards meet the FMB’s strict membership criteria and has past independent inspections that meet government-endorsed Trust Mark Quality standards, giving our customers peace of mind.

If you are looking for a company that can Design, Build, Manage and Deliver your project, then you are in the right place. Our comprehensive service enables you to focus on other aspects of your life, as we meet all your requirements. How you wish to use any of our services is always at your discretion and we provide a detailed programme of works throughout the project, including performance indicators.

Gobsmack Comics in Swan Walk has revealed that it is fighting for survival after 10 years in the town centre. The shop is a specialist retailer of comics and graphic novels, as well as video games, collectibles and merchandise of brands including Transformers, Gundam and Pokémon. In a Facebook post, owner Drew Dewsall wrote: ‘Over the last two years, we have seen huge rises in operating costs such as service charges, rates and utilities, while Wilko’s closure resulted in a significant footfall reduction. As it stands, it looks increasingly likely that the next couple of months will be our last, unless some kind of rescue plan can be found.’ gobsmackcomics.co.uk

British Lifestyle brand The White Company will be opening of a new store in Horsham, with the launch scheduled for spring. Located in a 1,900 square feet unit on West Street, formerly occupied by Trespass, and will offer clothing, homeware, fragrance and children’s wear. The Horsham store will be the brand’s 77th store to open its doors in the UK and Ireland, and will create 12 employment opportunities. Beth O’Reagan, Head of Property at The White Company, said: ‘The new store reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in bricks and mortar on the UK high street and we look forward to welcoming customers to explore and enjoy our latest collections.’ thewhitecompany.com

Edwards

Carpentry & Joinery | Cabinet Making | Steel Windows & Doors

Established in 1975, Edwards has a fine reputation for fitting bespoke steel windows and doors. We provide a professional service from design to completion.

We work in conjunction with Wenban-Smith, a leading supplier of steel windows and doors. Steel’s slimline elegance creates a minimalist divider for the home.

Fitted with modern, efficient glazing, they give you warmer winters and cooler summers.

Wenban-Smith’s steel windows and doors are manufactured in the UK and meet British Standard requirements. All our products are purpose-made and so can be manufactured to match existing windows and doors or to a unique design.

We also supply internal partitions, fire-rated doors and door screens, sliding doors and shaped windows and doors. We offer W20, W30 and W40, as well as Standard Metal Window Sections. These can be fitted with double-glazing or single glazing on heritage projects.

Horsham Folk Club welcomes Three Idle Women to The Normandy Centre, Denne Road, Horsham, on Sunday 1 March, from 7.45pm. The trio have a fondness for close harmony singing and stories carried through song. Since releasing their debut album in 2024, they have featured on Mark Radcliffe’s Radio 2 folk show. Admission: £10 (Members £7). The folk club welcomes Flint County on 8 February, Chris Griffin’s Musical Odyssey on 25 February, with J’Ockley and an Open Floor night on 22 February. horshamfolkclub.co.uk

Loxwood Jazz Club welcomes Ronnie Scott’s regulars

The Drawtones to North Hall, Guildford Road, Loxwood on Tuesday 24 February.

Featuring seasoned jazz artists, the band also nurtures young talent. Led by keyboard supremo Rod Pooley, the band features Andy Williams (guitar), Simon Bates (sax), Daniel Dotor (bass) and James Chapman (drums). They recently recorded with London Community Gospel Choir. Tickets £15. north-hall-loxwood.sumupstore.com

The internationally renowned Watoto Children’s Choir brings its Better Days Tour to Ashington Parish Church, Church Lane, RH20

3JX on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June, 6pm. The choir comprises Ugandan children who have overcome hardship. Through music, dance and personal stories, they share a message of hope, faith and resilience that resonates with audiences of all ages. watoto.com/tour.

Family Foundations

Trust host a fundraising concert at Dalesdown, Honeybridge Lane, Dial Post, RH13 8NX, on Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm. The evening features music from Celtic Shore (inset), The Jazz Collective and Mister Piano Man and Friends. Liquid refreshment (no alcohol) provided, with a raffle. FFT oversees Dalesdown Christian Conference and Activity Centre. Tickets £20 from Eventbrite. dalesdown.org.uk/ family-foundations-trust

The Blunter Brothers return to Horsham Sports Club in Cricketfield Road, Horsham on Friday 13 February, 7pm.

Back by popular demand, the band play classic funk, soul and Motown, with hits from James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and many more. Over 18’s only. Tickets £17.50 (£16 members). horshamsportsclub.com

Eight-year-old Ruby Skinner, a member of Horsham-based Storytellers Performing Arts School, raised £810 for The Little Princess Trust by having all of her hair cut off. Ruby had grown her hair for two-and-a-half years before having it cut to raise funds for the Trust, which makes wigs for children undergoing treatment that causes hair loss.

Ruby was inspired to help others after seeing her own grandad suffer hair loss during his treatment. To raise further funds, Storytellers donated a portion of ticket sales from its festive production of A Christmas Carol, in which Ruby played the Ghost of Christmas Past (above). This ensured that over £1000 was raised in total. www.storytellers-arts.co.uk

A Flackwoods Will costs £159.00 Plus VAT

The Steyning Bookshop at 106 High Street, Steyning, hosts a book signing by Julia Donaldson on World Book Day, Thursday 5 March, from 3.30pm. Julia, author of much-loved books such as The Gruffalo, Zog and Room on the Broom, will be signing copies of her new book, The Magic Feather. steyningbookshop.co.uk l Waterstones in the Carfax welcomes authors Claire Douglas and B.A Paris to the store on Tuesday 10 March, 5pm. The two authors celebrate the release of new books The Family Friend and When I Kill You. Admission £5. waterstones.com

Kevin Newman presents The Little History of Sussex at Leonardslee Gardens, Lower Beeding, on Saturday 28 February from 10.30am. The Washington-based author and tour guide offers an overview of Sussex’s past, followed by a Q&A. Tickets £17.50 with garden entry included. Refreshments provided. leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Enjoy an Afternoon of Gilbert and Sullivan at Holy Trinity Church, Rushams Road, Horsham, on Sunday 22 February, 3pm. Jon Openshaw and accompanist Jenny Jeffery lead a choir and soloists to perform G&S’s best-loved songs. Tickets £15 from eventbrite.co.uk

Separate Star Productions present Nothing New Twixt Me & You! at Causeway Barn, Horsham on Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm This musical revue features songs from the Great American Songbook, together with poems and prose, all on the theme of love. In aid of Turning Tides, Tickets £10 OTD or buytickets.at/separatestarproductionscic/

Collectors’ Toy and Train Fairs will be held at the Ashington Centre, Foster Lane, RH20 3PG, on Sundays 1 February, 8 March and 19 April. A selection of toys and models are bought and sold, including Dinky, Hornby, Scalextric and Airfix. The fair also visits Steyning Centre on 10 May. modeltoyauctions.co.uk/news

As part of the 250 years of Methodism in Horsham celebrations, Cornerstone Methodist Church in London Road hosts a craft fair on Saturday 14 March, 10am – 3pm. Hand-made crafts and stalls from the Embroiderers’ Guild and Usborne books. Refreshments, with face-painting and raffle. cornerstone-mc.org.uk

Horsham District Council has announced the recipients of grant funding, as part of its Better Billingshurst Community Fund and Investment Programme. Community grants will be awarded to Billingshurst Bowling Club, Billingshurst Community Partnership, Billingshurst Primary Academy Bees, Billingshurst Primary Academy, Billingshurst Women’s Hall, Horsham Matters, and The Weald Community School (to build upon its Greenpower Racing Team). The total grant package exceeds £13,000. The Council collaborated with Billingshurst Parish Council and Billingshurst Community Partnership. www.horsham. gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/ better-billingshurst

The Shelley Memorial Project host a Quiz Night at St Leonard’s Church Hall, Cambridge Road, Horsham on Saturday 28 February, 7pm. There will also be a poetry-themed raffle, with prizes including a rare bottle of sherry generously donated by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and a signed copy of Simon’s poetry collection, Dwell. Tickets £6. The Shelley Project also hosts Poetry and Pavlova, an International Women’s Day Poetry Reading and Open Mic Event at The Women’s Hall, High St, Billingshurst, on Saturday 8 March, 3-5pm. Guest poets The Booming Lovelies will also be sharing pieces from their collection. Tickets £15. shelleymemorialproject@btinternet.com

Fishers Adventure Farm Park in Wisborough Green will host its first comedy Night since 2015 on Saturday 7 February, 8pm. Edinburgh

Comedy Award-winning comedian Will Duggan will MC, with comics including Paul F Taylor, Alex Petrovic and headliner (pictured) Laura Lexx (Live at the Apollo) Tickets £15. Not recommended for Under-18s. fishersfarmpark.co.uk

A Charity Golf Tournament will be held in aid of The Olive Tree at Slinfold Golf and Country Club on Friday 24 April, 10am – 4pm. Teams of four will play 18-holes (Stableford format) with a post-round meal and awards. £350 per team. All skill levels welcome. horsham@olivetreecancersupport.org.uk

The story of the Crystal Palace is the topic of the next talk by the Friends of Horsham Museum & Art Gallery at Cornerstone Methodist Church, London Rd, Horsham on Wednesday 25 February, 2pm. Sussex lecturer Ian Gledhill outlines the story of the structure. Admission £7.50 including refreshments.

Horsham Symphony Orchestra presents a programme of contemporary British and 20th century masterpieces at a concert at St Mary’s Church, Horsham, on Saturday 14 March, 7:30pm. This enriching concert opens with Come Spring by Martyn Harry, followed by Paul Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler, a powerful symphony inspired by Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald. The evening culminates in Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring the acclaimed pianist Andrew Zolinsky, mastering one of the most technically demanding concertos of all. Tickets £20. ticketsource.co.uk/horshamsymphony

Two Morris sides perform at Silly Moo Cider’s seasonal celebration at Trenchmore Farm, Burnthouse Lane, Cowfold, on Saturday 21 March, 11am – 4pm. As part of an ancient tradition, Mythago Morris and Black Swan will dance to ensure a bountiful apple harvest. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle whilst sampling Trenchmore’s home-grown Silly Moo Cider and wagyu or veggie burgers. Entry is free, all are welcome. trenchmore.co.uk

This next episode of the Tracing the Rails documentary will be filmed in the coming months, covering a section of the lost railway line that includes West Grinstead and Southwater. The team are actively seeking photographs, memorabilia and cine-film from these locations, or even a Southwater Brick to illustrate the brickworks. The next episode, to be aired in spring, includes an appearance by locomotive 41312, one of the last steam engines to serve the line, spending its final

years running services between Brighton and Horsham via Steyning. As with other episodes, it has been fact-checked by script editor Alan Barwick, curator of Henfield Museum. His careful eye and deep local knowledge continue to add depth and authenticity to the series. The documentary is hosted by Stephen Cranford from BBC Radio Sussex, and uncovers hidden stories of the once-thriving Steyning Line, which closed in 1966, a victim of the ‘Beeching Axe’. tracingtherails.com

APEX PREDATOR APEX PREDATOR

FORMER FOREST PUPIL AIMING FOR ISLE OF MAN SUCCESS

Don Gilbert from Nutbourne has set his sights on the Isle of Man TT after impressive performances at the Manx Grand Prix. Here, the former Forest pupil talks about the triumphs and tragedies of his career, and his life-long ambition of competing in the world’s most famous road race…

Where does your passion come from?

We lived on Langhurstwood Road in Horsham and when I was only six or seven, I had a Yamaha PW80 that I rode in the nearby woods. However, that was only short-lived and I didn’t ride again until I bought a Suzuki TS50, aged 16. Living outside of town, owning a bike gave me independence and freedom.

How did you make the jump to racing?

I had a burning desire to race. I loved watching British Superbikes on TV, cheering on my favourite rider, Chris Walker on his blue Suzuki. A friend called Craig Scott bought a bike and

wanted to go racing. He lent me the money to buy a second-hand bike to join him. We entered the F400 series, run by the British Motorcycle Racing Club (Bemsee), racing at circuits such as Brands Hatch. It was entry-level amateur racing, but I was useless. I regularly fell off and when I didn’t, was near the back. It takes time to build confidence on a motorcycle, but just an instant to lose it. I didn’t have natural talent and had to work hard to improve.

What was your next step?

Having made steady progress in my second season, my uncle generously helped me to buy a Yamaha R6. I entered the Thundersport GB 600cc Championship and started registering decent results. In my second season, I was regularly on the podium and won several races on my way to third in the championship. Funding was still a problem, as racing as a privateer is hard, especially when you’re competing against teams with new bikes and

tyres. But I started to believe that if I put the work in, I could be successful. My Thundersport results also ensured that I obtained a licence to compete in road racing events.

Where was your first road race?

It was in 2014 at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough, home to the International Gold Cup race and the only English track on the international road racing calendar. It is one of my favourite tracks, and one of my best results came in the Barry Sheene Feature Race at Oliver’s Mount in 2024, which I won. In 2015, I entered the Manx Grand Prix, which is held on the same track as the famous Isle of Man TT. It’s for riders at a lower level than the TT, giving them the experience to one day make the jump to the Tourist Trophy. However, the event ended in disaster for me.

What happened?

Now, I know the Isle of Man circuit well, having almost brain-washed myself into learning the

circuit through on-board YouTube videos and PlayStation games. But back then, I was younger, more naïve and hadn’t prepared properly for such a challenging course. In the first race, I out-braked myself and crashed near The Creg-NyBaa, a pub on a sweeping right-hand bend. I wasn’t hurt, so we patched up the bike for the Senior race. I was caught by a rider behind, as we set off at 10 seconds intervals, and as is common courtesy, lifted off the throttle and allowed him through. When this happens, you try to stay close to them, to learn from the faster rider. Unfortunately, after flicking out his leg in gratitude, the other rider accidentally down-shifted. I had no time to react to his sudden decrease in speed and hit him from behind. My leg became wedged in his bike and I was dragged down the road for several hundred metres, with his rear wheel removing much of the skin down the back of my right leg.

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How bad were the injuries?

Having been air-lifted to a local hospital, I then required skin grafts at the specialist burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. Only a day before the race, the Isle of Man coat of arms had been tattooed on my right calf. One of the three armoured legs was grazed clean off! It took a long time for the wounds to heal, not helped by my own impatience that caused the first skin graft to fail, requiring a second operation.

How long before you raced again?

I returned to the track the following season, although didn’t return to the Isle of Man for several years. Instead, I spent two years in the International Classic Grand Prix series, riding a 250cc bike for Exactweld, a team based in East Grinstead. We travelled all over Europe, supporting championships such as Italian Superbikes and racing at circuits like Mugello and Paul Ricard. I won a few races, but also had many accidents, as old two-stroke bikes often suffer mechanical issues. This was followed by two unremarkable seasons of road racing, where solid results were hard to come by. I returned to the Manx GP in 2019 but suffered with reliability, and had an uncompetitive debut at the Ulster GP too. Then the pandemic curtailed racing for a couple of years.

‘At the Macau GP, I felt like a hero, as Chinese fans were queueing up for my autograph, which I had never experienced before!’

Did that impact your progress?

Two years of circuit racing, followed by lockdowns, set me back in terms of my road racing goals. I returned to the Manx GP in 2022, but the event was impacted by bad weather. The following year, I suffered a variety of mechanical issues, but 2023 was also the year when I lost my closest friend in racing, Gary Vines. We had planned to ride together during practice for the Manx, as he had more experience and I wanted to shadow him for a few laps, to build up confidence. But while I was trackside in my leathers, ready to go, Gary was running late, so I took to the track alone. I had just completed one lap of the 37.7-mile course when the red flags came out. Gary had crashed at Ballagarey, just a couple of miles into his lap. In my first visit to the Manx, a rider in front of me was killed instantly after hitting a tree and I remember seeing the marshals waving flags. But that was the first time I had lost a close friend.

Did it make you think about quitting?

Yes, but I know Gary would’ve wanted me to carry on doing what I love. I also want to stop on my terms: because I’ve lost the love for it, or I’m too slow. Not because of something that has happened to somebody else.

Have you returned to the Manx GP since then? I returned in 2024, but didn’t register a good result. I was starting to feel cursed at the Manx, but last year, everything finally clicked and I finished 5th of 44 runners in the Senior race. In the past two seasons, I’ve also had some good results in the Northwest 200, a famous road race in Northern Ireland. In my first visit, I rode a Suzuki to 14th in the Superbike race and a Kawasaki to 17th in the SuperSport. The following year, I suffered with technical problems but recorded a top 20 in the SuperSport. Last year, I claimed another top 20 finish, this time in the Superbike race, which included Michael Dunlop and John McGuiness. These results earned me an invite to the Macau GP.

Is this a prestigious event?

The Macau Motorcycle GP is an invitation-only Superbike race. To be invited, you need to have registered top 20 finishes in the Northwest 200 or Isle of Man TT. Although you need to be fast, it’s important to be a safe rider too, as Macau is a dangerous, highly-technical street circuit. I spent a couple of hours learning the course on a simulator in Brighton before travelling! I was hoping to compete on a new bike, but instead rode an ageing 2017 Suzuki, which was a bit embarrassing. However, I finished 13th, in sight of the top 10, with three-time TT-champion Davey Todd taking victory. For a week I felt like a hero, as Chinese fans were queueing up for my autograph, which I had never experienced before!

Are you racing in 2026?

I have joined Parker Car Transport Racing on the back of strong performances, including a podium in the Gold Cup Superbike race at Oliver’s Mount. Now, my target is more top 10 finishes. Although the team are providing me with race-ready bikes, I still cover the cost of tyres, fuel and entry fees. So, I’m grateful to businesses who can provide sponsorship, even small amountsr. As well as Parker Car Transport, I am grateful for the support of current sponsors QED, Drake’s Garden Services, Bear Competitions, IJ Lynn & Sons, McPherson Agric, Motorcycle Parts Warehouse, Reid Engineering, McClafferty Haulage, Bradley Fuels, John Beers Recovery and Commercial Repairs, Advanced Transport Solutions, Maxflow Power Products, Wilplas UPVC and Helmet City.

Monza Sport is an approved service dealer for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth and now Jeep, offering the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

We offer servicing, repairs, warranty work and MOT on Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. Also, air-con re-gas, tyres and 4 wheel alignment. We have a waiting area with Wi-Fi and are near the Red Lion pub – alternatively we have modern low mileage courtesy cars available for our customers.

We have a vastly experienced Service Manager in Keith Avey and one of the country’s best technicians and diagnostic experts in Kevin Riddles. On four occasions we’ve topped the JD Power customer satisfaction surveys for Alfa Romeo.

(*No.1 out of 165 Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler Jeep dealers for customer satisfaction in the UK, Jan - Mar 2018)

What are you goals for the 2026 season?

I have always wanted to do the Isle of Man TT, but hadn’t earned the right, owing to my modest performances at the Manx GP. It has taken longer than I hoped, but I have now achieved that standard by finishing 5th and recording a 119mph average lap time, well above qualification requirements. I did consider returning to the Manx this year to try to win it, but it doesn’t have the prestige of the TT. So, I hope to enter the SuperSport, Superstock and Superbike races, as well as the blue-ribbon event, the Senior TT. I would also like to hit 200mph for the first time, having previously reached 194mph at the Northwest 200.

Do you feel it has been a long journey to this point?

I’ve had to sacrifice an awful lot. Although I run my own business, Nutbourne Landscapes and Construction, I don’t own house or have my own family, as I’ve put everything into racing. I’m now 34 and things are finally coming together. It would have been nice if it had happened 10 years ago, but in road racing, experience is everything. Leading riders like Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison are older than me, and their success has come from knowing how to get around the Isle of Man not only quickly, but safely. So, my aim is to compete in as many TT races as I can, gain good experience and look to improve the following year.

INTERVIEW: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright (Racing photos submitted by Don Gilbert)

Further information: @dongilbert_34

INDEPENDENT LETTINGS AGENCIES: MYTH VS REALITY

Q: Are independent agencies too small to handle my property thoroughly?

A: Myth! While independents may be smaller, they often focus on quality over quantity. Clients get personalised attention, quicker responses and situation-specific guidance, rather than being just one of hundreds of properties managed by a corporate system.

Q: Can they really compete with big chains on marketing and reach?

A: Absolutely. Independent agencies use targeted local marketing, professional photography, virtual tours and online advertising - combined with their valuable community connections. In many cases, an independent can find the right tenant or buyer faster than a larger chain.

Q: Are they less knowledgeable about pricing or regulations?

A: Not at all. Independent agents are embedded in the local market, most often

living and working locally, giving them a deeper degree of expertise: understanding neighbourhood character, property values, tenant behaviour, schools and commuter patterns. Their guidance reflects real experience, not generic national policies.

Q: Could service be inconsistent because the team is smaller?

A: Actually, smaller teams offer a more direct and responsive service. You deal with the same dedicated contact throughout, never a centralised (or even international)

call centre or faceless department. Questions are answered promptly, updates are clear, and advice is relevant to you.

Q: What if my agent is unavailable – could this be risky or slow things down?

A: Independent agencies are agile. Even if someone is unavailable, the team adapts quickly. You still benefit from personalised care and a proactive approach, without bureaucracy slowing progress.

Q: Why choose an independent agency?

A: Reputation matters locally. Independent agencies thrive on recommendations, repeat clients and long-standing relationships, which encourages professionalism, attention to detail and genuine care. In a market that can feel impersonal, they deliver expertise, guidance and service with warmth and consistency, which larger chains sometimes struggle to match.

HOOKED ON

HORSHAM BOXING CLUB HOSTS WOMEN-ONLY CLASS

Horsham Boxing Club’s new womenonly sessions on Sunday mornings have proved an immediate success.

After attracting a dozen people to the first training session on 4 January, the group is now running close to capacity at the amateur boxing club’s base in Horsham Park. Run by Level 2 amateur boxing coach Libby Baker, the sessions provide a safe environment for strength, cardio and fitness training, as well as boxing skills and drills. Libby joined the amateur boxing club 10 years ago and has gone on to represent Horsham in nine competitive bouts. She credits the club with boosting her confidence in every aspect of life.

Libby said: ‘When I first attended a training night at the age of 16, I was nervous, as there were no other girls there. John Essex (Head Coach) told me to grab a skipping rope and that was it. Other members gave me support and immediately made me feel welcome. Like the experienced boxers, I did some pad work with John and wasn’t made to feel like a beginner. I instantly felt at home. We’ve had several talented girls come through the club since then, including Peyton-Marie Jeffery (known as Red) who also trains regularly with the men.

‘However, I appreciate that many women wouldn’t have the confidence to walk into a boxing gym, so with the

LIBBY BAKER AT HORSHAM

BOXING CLUB (©AAH/AW)

The Best Local Produce

New House Farm is located in a beautifully renovated 16th century barn in the rural outskirts of Horsham. Our locally-sourced produce includes fruit & veg, bread, meats, cheeses, a wide range of Sussex beers, spirits and wine, and hand-made local arts and crafts.

Strawberry Fields Tea Rooms

Our popular Tea Room serves a full breakfast menu, as well as Ploughman’s lunch, sandwiches, toasties and baps, with a fantastic selection of home-made cakes. We have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Hot food served until 3.30pm.

FITNESS

Sunday sessions, I wanted to provide a safe, friendly group that appeals to women looking for fun and fitness. By introducing them to boxing gradually, perhaps one or two might eventually develop the confidence to join a regular club session too, or potentially step into the ring one day.

‘John and (son) Danny Essex have taught me everything I know about coaching. I have studied their methods and try to emulate them on the pads, during drills and in exercises, always maintaining high levels of energy. I have also taken additional courses in areas such as physical training and nutrition, which help me when it comes to leading sessions.

‘The women-only group is proving even more popular than I had hoped for, with

people returning week after week. The girls have only known each other for a short time, but they’re laughing and socialising and there’s a really good atmosphere.’

GREAT COACHING

The sessions offer a similar workout to a regular club session, with warm-up and conditioning, bodyweight exercises, footwork and defence drills, pad work with trainers and heavy bag punching too. The flexibility of the pay-as-you-go sessions suits those with busy lives too, such as Lucy Maskell.

Lucy said: ‘My husband, Peter, has been training with Horsham Boxing Club twice a week since 2011. Although he never had the desire to box in the ring,

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the fitness elements have been great for his health and wellbeing. I enjoy fitness activities such as Pilates, and have tried Boxercise in the past, but had never previously been tempted to join a session at a boxing club. However, when I heard about the women-only sessions, it gave me the confidence to try it.

‘I was a little nervous at first, but immediately felt comfortable as the sessions attract all kinds of women. The energy is incredible too. I’ve been in fitness classes where you find yourself staring up at the clock, but the hour flies by here! Libby is a great coach, as it doesn’t matter if you don’t punch as well as others, of if your movement isn’t perfect; she gives you the encouragement you need.’

Georgia Pritchley has more boxing experience, training during the week as well as at the women-only session. Previously, she followed in the footsteps of her famous uncle Ray Wilkins by playing football, joining Fulham and Chelsea and also playing for England Under-21s, before taking an interest in boxing.

Georgia said: ‘My dad is an East-Ender and has always loved boxing, so I’ve inherited his passion for the sport. When I first attended a Horsham training session, Libby was there and her support was important to me. Without her, I would probably have felt quite intimidated, being surrounded by men, but she made me feel comfortable. Since then, I’ve found boxing is great for my fitness. It also helps to relieve

stress and if you’ve had an argument with your partner, you can let it all out! Boxing is a highly technical sport too and the movement of the hands and feet is hard to master. I find that the discipline it demands really helps to focus the mind.’

BRIGHT FUTURE

Libby credits Horsham Boxing Club in helping her transform from a shy teenager to a confident person, in and out of the ring. She has enjoyed competing at various times during a decade with the club, and reached the quarter finals of a national competition when aged 18, where she lost out to the eventual winner.

In recent years, injuries and travelling have limited boxing opportunities, but having returned to full fitness, she hopes to represent the club once again later this year, while continuing to run the Sunday morning sessions.

Horsham hosts fight nights at the Drill Hall, usually twice a year, with its boxers taking on those from other amateur clubs. Some of Horsham’s contenders also travel to similar events hosted elsewhere to give them more experience, while leading prospects, such as Marco Fatehnia, compete in regional and national competitions too. His success – and that of others – owes much to the commitment of John Essex and his son, Danny.

Libby said: ‘John has so much love for the club and is a legend to everyone involved in Horsham boxing. Even after 40 years, he is still here nearly every day, keeping the club moving forward. We’ve enjoyed great success in recent years, especially with Marco and Red, who both won medals at the Nationals last year. Others have boxed for England, and we now have 28 carded (registered to spar and compete) boxers, with another 17 who are close to that level. So, the future of the club looks bright.’

‘I first brought Danny along to Horsham ABC when he was eight and the club has been a huge part of both our lives.’

One problem the club has is that the building it occupies is very small. It was once used as public toilets and space inside is at a premium. Plans for an extension have been delayed and soaring construction costs have made the challenge of fundraising even more difficult. However, John – who continues to fight cancer – believes it will eventually happen.

John said: ‘I first brought Danny along to Horsham ABC when he was eight years old and the club has been a huge part of both our lives ever since. I have great memories of him winning the IPA title, as well as success by other great boxers we’ve produced, such as Simon Hopkins, who also turned professional. When we started out, we barely had space for the ring, as we only occupied what had been the gents’ toilets. It was only when we expanded into the ladies’ that we had more space for training! This was achieved with the help of the late Bob Morris of Roundstone Caravans, who served as Chairman for many years. We’ve had to make improvements and maintain it over time, especially the roof, but have managed to keep the building safe and dry.

‘The club has changed too, serving more people in the community. On Tuesday evenings, we welcome a group with Parkinson’s, and we offer coaching to children as young as five, which Danny introduced. I must admit I was dubious at first, but the response from children and parents has been excellent. Danny is quite strict and emphasises the importance of youngsters representing the club in the right way. Many parents have said that boxing has had a positive impact on their child’s discipline, and in other aspects of their lives too.

‘We also support those who want to compete. This is perhaps the most expensive aspect of the club, as it costs a lot to support boxers when they travel to championship events around the country. You must do these things though, otherwise the club isn’t functioning the way it should. If someone has a chance to win a title, you have to help any way you can.

‘My only disappointment has been the failure to complete the extension. We do so much in the community, but imagine how much we could do with more space. We were granted planning permission to extend three years ago, but by the time we had agreed the terms of our lease with the Council, the planning window was almost closed. Our preferred builder was committed elsewhere, and the delays have put us back to square one. The Council had also agreed to contribute significantly to the extension costs, but the time frame for this support has elapsed, while construction costs have risen.

‘We are still in talks, but there’s a feeling that we haven’t been treated fairly by the Council. We’ve been responsible for maintenance of the building for a long time and now to be told that we may not receive any funding is frustrating. I was hoping I would see the extension built. However, I know Dan, Libby and others will make it happen one day and take the club to the next level.

‘When I was diagnosed with cancer, I had to pack up pad work and other aspects of coaching. Danny stepped up and works like a dynamo. That used to be me in the ring, so I know how tiring it is, working with 16 boxers on the pads in a single session. It’s exhausting! He has done an unbelievable job and that does give me personal satisfaction and pride, as I’ve trained him since he was a boy. Now, he has taken over and has earned the respect of everyone at the club.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information:

Women-only pay-as-you-go sessions are held every Sunday, 9 – 10am, at Horhsam Boxing Club, next to the North Parade Car Park, Horsham, RH12 2BH. www.horshamboxingclub.co.uk

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LOST IN MUSIC

Horsham teenager Isaac Hussey produced and performed at a remarkable concert at Lancing College on 27 January.

The programme featured music that was composed or played in concentration camps during the Holocaust. These includes rarely-performed works by Jewish poet/ composer Ilse Weber and Czech composer Gideon Klein, who were both murdered at Auschwitz in 1944.

The concert was produced by 16-year-old Isaac, a Lower Sixth pupil at Lancing College, as part of his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). He played several instruments alongside fellow musicians at the concert, which was held to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day.

Isaac said: ‘As well as being a musician, I’m a keen historian. Last year was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the BBC screened several documentaries about concentration camps, including The

Last Musician of Auschwitz. Other events held to mark the occasion included author Anna Sebba hosting a talk at the Imperial War Museum about the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. These and other events inspired me to take an interest in music written and played at concentration camps.

‘I wrote a paper, entitled ‘Was the role of music in the Nazi camps of the Holocaust a force for good or bad?’ and was awarded a Young Historian Award (GCSE Modern World prize) in a competition organised by the Historical Association. During the course of my research, I learned a lot about the lives of various composers imprisoned in concentration camps during the Second World War and discovered some of their music too. In some instances, music they composed during imprisonment has never been performed in its entirety. This gave me added incentive to unearth compositions and ensure these beautiful pieces were heard.’

ISAAC PERFORMED A CONCERT AT LANCING COLLEGE (©AAH/AW)

MUSIC

MUSIC

LOST MUSIC

He has gone to remarkable lengths to share the music of largely-forgotten composers, even visiting the former ghetto of Terezín, Czechia, where he was granted permission to film narratives, which were screened at January’s concert and used to highlight the stories of individual composers.

He travelled to the Czech Music Information Centre in Prague too, piecing together works by composers imprisoned at Terezin, including Viktor Ullmann, an Austrian composer who was murdered at Auschwitz in 1944, and violinist Egon Ledec, another victim of Auschwitz. Isaac also met Francesco Lotoro, an academic at the Institute of Concentration Camp Musical Literature (ILMC) in Italy, which protects the heritage of music written in concentration camps.

Isaac said: ‘Francesco is a renowned musicologist of the Holocaust and has successfully saved many compositions, so he was hugely helpful. I also contacted Schott Music in Germany, one of the world’s oldest

publishers of classical music, who provided sheet music for choral works. The trip to Terezin Memorial was very emotional. I visited the barracks where the composers were imprisoned, and even saw a secret Jewish prayer room concealed underneath, where Hebrew murals of the Star of David have survived.

‘Even as I began my search for repertoire, I always had in my mind the idea of one day performing them with musician friends. However, I didn’t expect it to become such an extensive project! What I have found most interesting are those compositions that may have been documented, but rarely heard. In some cases, they have never been properly recorded. Some beautiful pieces were written in concentration camps, with luscious harmonies and strong Jewish folk influences.

‘Some of the musicians murdered in the Holocaust had great promise and had studied under well-known composers (Ullman was a pupil of Schoenberg, while Pavel Haas studied under Leo Janacek) and their lives were cut short. This concert was a way of ensuring that their music lives on.’

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

The concert is not only the result of an extensive research project, but also demonstrates Isaac’s progress as a music scholar at Lancing College. The son of Horsham composer/arranger Chris Hussey (previously featured in AAH for his folk opera,

‘I would like to return to the archives to expand the repertoire further and perhaps perform even more ambitious works in future.’

Beware the Mackerel Sky), Isaac joined Lancing in Third Form (Year 9). His musical journey began with the cello when he was only five-yearsold and he has since also learned the clarinet, saxophone, piano and accordion. Choral music is another passion and after performing in local choirs, he joined the Cathedral Choir at Chichester as a boy soprano. Isaac has adapted to his maturing voice and continues to enjoy singing with the school choirs.

He said: ‘I join Chapel Choir during Eucharist every Wednesday morning, while one of our Evensong performances was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. As well as singing in the Chapel, school choirs have given me the chance to perform at prestigious venues, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Hampton Court Palace. Lancing College presents many opportunities and I’m involved in something musical almost every day. As well as choirs and A Cappella Club, it has a Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Big Band, while I also play in a clarinet trio, saxophone quartet and various other ensembles. I have continued to study the cello too, taking my diploma last year with a recital that included pieces by Frank Bridge and Vivaldi.’

January’s concert demonstrated the talent at the school, featuring v–arious ensembles including a string quartet, clarinet trio and a violin duet. It featured 16 young musicians performing 21 pieces by the likes of Viktor Ullmann, Ilse Weber and Gideon Klein (all victims of the Holocaust), as well as works by Robert Schumann (whose music was forced upon prisoners) and Pablo de Sarasate (which was performed by the women’s orchestra at Auschwitz). The finale was a remarkable piece called Wiegala by Ilse Weber, who died in a gas chamber in 1944, along with her son, Tommy. Isaac played the accordion on this haunting piece, accompanying soprano Izzy Moss and a 14-strong choir. The concert ended with a well-deserved standing ovation.

Isaac said: ‘The concert explores the complex and often contradictory role of music in concentration camps. While music offered moments of dignity and hope, it was also used by the Nazis as a tool of psychological torture and humiliation. I would like to return to the archives and expand the repertoire even further and perform more ambitious works in future. These could include Hans Krasa’s Brundibar (a children’s opera performed in secret in 1941) and his Study for Strings, fragments of which were recorded. There are still other pieces waiting to be discovered, so perhaps my research will take me to other concentration camps too.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: lancingcollege.co.uk/lancing-college/ senior-school/performing-arts/music/

For further information about life at Broadbridge Park, or to RSVP to one of our upcoming events, please get in touch.

At Broadbridge Park, we make sure every day brings something special.

Whether you enjoy afternoon tea with family, getting creative with arts and crafts, or relaxing with a book, there’s something for everyone.

Broadbridge Park is a purposebuilt luxury care home in the desirable location of Broadbridge Heath in Horsham, offering high quality nursing, residential and dementia care. Life at Broadbridge Park is centred around our

residents, their needs and wishes. We pride ourselves on a home filled with comfort and a touch of luxury, with care that comes from a genuine interest in people. All bedrooms are en suite and our home boasts facilities including stunning wheelchair accessible landscaped gardens, a cinema, hair salon, and a large bistro café that’s perfect for enjoying one of our many activities, or to catch up with loved ones over a hot drink.

There is always lots happening at Broadbridge Park Care Home - why not join us at one of our events.

Dementia Café

Every Tuesday, 2pm – 4pm

A welcoming and supportive event for carers and those living with dementia. Whether you need information or just a friendly chat and advice, we’re here for you.

High Tea at Three

Every 1st Weds of the month, 3.00pm – 4.00pm

We’d love to welcome the community to join us for high tea each month. Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee alongside sweet treats freshly prepared by our Head Chef.

BOOK YOUR VISIT WITH US TODAY

BRIGHTFUTURE

NEW ERA BEGINS AT THE DENTURE SHOP IN HORSHAM

Two friends who first met at Millais School are writing a new chapter in the history of The Denture Shop in Station Road, Horsham.

Following the retirement of co-founder Nigel Boult, the business is now owned by his daughter Ehlana Boult, herself a qualified Clinical Dental Technician (CDT), with support from clinic manager Hannah Knipe.

Hannah joined the clinic, on the corner of Depot and Station Road, last July. Her experience in administration and customer service allows Ehlana to focus on the challenge of fitting and repairing a range of modern dentures. Hannah said: ‘We have been close friends since secondary school, where we bonded over our shared love of English and History. Back then, we imagined pursuing those subjects as a career, yet here we are running a denture shop!

‘When the time came for Elhana to officially take over the business, she needed someone to take on the management aspects, so that she could focus on dentures. I really enjoy my

role, especially helping our patients by giving them dental hygiene advice or liaising with their regular dentist. There are many misconceptions about dentures, the most common being that they need to be placed in a glass of water at night. That’s not the case, although they do need lightly cleaning each day. This is the kind of information that I can pass on, as often you can see highly-qualified clinical technicians or dentists who are too busy to talk at length to patients.

FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

The business was founded by Nigel and his close friend (and Ehlana’s godfather) Andrew McLean in 1990. They set up a laboratory in Redhill, making and repairing dentures that were fitted by established dental practices.

Dentures must be fitted by qualified dentists or Clinical Dental Technicians, and with no CDT courses available in the UK at that time, the co-founders spent two years in Canada, studying at the renowned George Brown Col-

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lege, leaving with qualifications that met the requirements of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. After returning to the UK, they established their first denture shop in Redhill, going on to open further branches in Horley, Worthing, Hove and Horsham in 2016.

‘The more teeth that you need replacing, the more affordable dentures become.’

Upon Andrew’s retirement two years ago, the original Redhill branch was bought by the adjoining dental clinic. The Horley and Hove sites both closed at the end of tenancy agreements, leaving just Horsham and Worthing. Ehlana joined the business in 2016 and along with Hannah, divides her time between the two locations. However, she was not always destined to follow in her father’s footsteps…

‘I studied at Collyer’s College and planned to pursue a career in nursing. I was offered a differed placement at Edge Hill University, but I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing for six months until the course started, so helped dad at the

Horsham shop. I enjoyed it, even gaining a diploma as a dental technician during that period. I immersed myself in the role and as someone who loves crafting things, appreciated the detailed work involved in making dentures in the lab. My dad had wanted to retire a little sooner, but he waited until I was a fully qualified Clinical Dental Technician (CDT), meaning that I can fit dentures too, before handing over the reins. I have now achieved this goal, with my graduation taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.’

PRICE OF A SMILE

As is evident from its name, The Denture Shop focuses solely on dentures. While a dentist can fit dentures (whereas a CDT cannot carry out dentistry treatments such as extractions and fillings), dental surgeries often work with denture specialists, not only to alleviate their workload but also because of the high level of expertise CDT’s possess in this one area of dental care.

As a one-stop shop, The Denture Shop is also able to offer a fast service, with patient consultations, scans, fabrications and repairs all carried out under one roof. While the advancement of dental implants mean that dentures are not the only

option for those looking to replace missing teeth, there are reasons why someone would choose to wear them, says Ehlana…

‘One of the primary advantages of dentures is the price. We can fit an entire set of dentures for £1599, about the price of a single implant. So, the more teeth that need replacing, the more affordable dentures become. However, if you’re able to afford £40,000 for a full set of implants, that’s understandable, so we cater to a different market.

‘Also, not everyone is able to have implants fitted. With age, bone density decreases and a successful implant relies on strong bones for the insertion of titanium screws into the jawbone. This process is followed by a six-month wait for the gums and jawbone to heal before you even discuss the crown attachment. For many, it’s not a pleasant experience, as patients are kept awake (under local anaesthetic) throughout surgery for implants. One of the main advantages of implants is longevity, but denture technology has improved too, with some lasting up to 10 years. Advancements in scanning techniques also help us to create more precise, comfortable fits.’

DIGITAL AGE

While studying for her Masters, Ehlana used an Intra-oral scanner, a hand-held device that captures real-time 3D digital images or impressions of a patient’s teeth, gums and oral structure. She has now introduced this state-of-the-art technology to The Denture Shop.

She said: ‘With our new Trios 3 wireless scanner, we can take a detailed picture of the patient’s mouth and record it digitally. When using such devices at university, I found that dentures based on digital scans fitted phenomenally well, when compared with those made entirely by traditional techniques, as the scans build a detailed picture and capture the individual characteristics of the mouth and teeth. Even if you are making a single set of dentures (just the top or bottom row of teeth), we still record a picture of the whole mouth and these images are stored on the computer, so if you need another denture at a later date, we can easily find the scans again.

‘We also invested in a 3-D printer, which gives us the best impressions that we can possibly take. It helps to reduce the margin of error, as

Mortgage options for the Self-Employed

Being self-employed offers flexibility and independence, but when it comes to applying for a mortgage, the process can feel less straightforward. Many self-employed borrowers worry that irregular income or complex accounts will limit their options.

The reality is that self-employed mortgages are very achievable – provided lenders understand your income properly. Self-employed clients need to navigate lender criteria and understand what’s required before they apply. Mortgage lenders need confidence that income is stable and sustainable over the long term. For employed applicants, payslips and contracts make this easy to assess. For the self-employed, lenders rely on historic income evidence instead.

You’ll usually be treated as self-employed if you are a sole trader, in a partnership, a limited company director with a shareholding (often 20–25% or more), a contractor or depending on contract structure, etc. Each of these is assessed differently by lenders, so understanding how income is presented is so important.

Most lenders will request SA302s from HMRC (usually last two years) along with Tax Year Overviews to confirm declared income; Company accounts (for limited company directors); Personal and business bank statements (normally three months); Standard ID/proof of address and other requirements depending on circumstances. Having these prepared early can significantly reduce delays once an application is submitted.

Self-employed applicants often face challenges such as fluctuating or seasonal income, a short trading history or income retained within a limited company. This is where a specialist mortgage broker like Impact can make a difference, by understanding which lenders are more flexible and how to present income accurately.

Being self-employed doesn’t prevent you from getting a mortgage. With the right preparation and guidance, securing a competitive mortgage should be well within your reach.

alginate (the fast-setting, putty-like material traditionally used for dental impressions) can shift slightly, and plaster expands as it dries too. The tiniest imperfections can feel enormous to the patient, yet this process largely negates that. Of course, it makes the job of a dental technician partially redundant, but there will always be a need for a skilled hand to carry out repairs to dentures.’

As well as scanning technology, there have been advancements in denture materials too. The Denture Shop offers five different kinds of acrylic dentures, with each available as a single set or a complete set. These vary both in terms of the detail and shaping of the artificial teeth, ranging from the Essential set (a full set costs £1,599) to the Enigma (£3,899).

Further information: 48 Station Road, Horsham, RH13 5EY Tel: (01403) 210616. www.thedentureshop.com ESSENTIAL

In addition to acrylic sets, the shop offers chrome casting. Whereas the base of acrylic dentures is 2-3mm thick, chrome casts are about 0.3mm, making them more comfortable. These are fabricated by a chrome specialist (the only part of the process not carried out in-house) and can include partial castings designed to cover only certain areas, meaning patients can continue to feel the base or roof of their mouth.

Hannah said: ‘We begin with a consultation, to understand exactly what a patient wants. Some require the most affordable option, some are happy to pay for the best dentures, while others find something in the middle. The Enigma is like the Ferrari of dentures, as they look so realistic. Natural teeth have a translucency and graining

that captures light in a certain way, while over time their shape and form takes on its own characteristics. The best dentures recreate that natural look, but they’re not for everyone. Some people want a bleached look – like Rylan Clark’s shiny veneers! We initially fit a wax model of your dentures, so a client can see their shape, colour and position before we make the final set. That gives customers much more confidence!’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Hear Better, Feel Better

The Horsham Hearing Centre is the longest established dedicated Hearing Centre in Horsham. Opened in 1995 by husband and wife team of Audiologists, Julie and Jonathan Ormerod, the couple still run the centre today and offer their clients unrivalled expertise and experience in dealing with hearing problems. Unique in their profession, they offer customers a “Better Hearing Guarantee”. The chance to try the latest technology hearing aids at home in your own environment to help you decide if hearing aids are for you.

Situated in a 500-year-old building opposite the Horsham Library, The Horsham Hearing Centre offers a complete Hearing Care service. Call us or call in today to book a priority appointment.

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There are many different hearing aids available with different styles, features and cosmetic solutions that can enhance your daily life. Modern hearing instruments are designed to provide clear, crisp sound enhancement so that you can hear and understand better. We offer both ‘in-the-ear’ aids, custom-made to fit perfectly, and ‘behind-the-ear’ hearing aids, including the most popular style, the Receiver-In-Canal (RIC).

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The Horsham Hearing Centre, 22 Worthing Road (opposite the library), Horsham, RH12 1SL www.horshamhearingcentre.co.uk | horsham@hearcentres.com

BILLY STOTT IS SLINFOLD’S FIRST YOUNG AMBASSADOR MASTERS DREAM

Billy Stott is only eight-years-old, but he already has dreams of winning the Masters and wearing the most famous jacket in sport.

In January, Billy was named as the first official young golf ambassador at Slinfold Golf & Country Club, where he first picked up a club at the age of five. He has enjoyed remarkable success since, becoming British Junior Champion and winning the Under-7 Boys’ Champion of Champions World Championship at Lough Erne, Ireland.

Matt Cornall, PGA Golf Coach at Slinfold, said that natural talent, as well as enthusiasm, have inspired Billy’s progress. Matt said: ‘We have a vibrant junior section at Slinfold and the coaching staff encourage all of the young players to progress from our 14-bay driving range to the par-3 course as soon as possible. This transition usually comes when they can drive 80 yards comfortably, which Billy achieved very quickly. It was apparent from the outset that he had talent, with an ability to adapt his swing to create a wide range of shots. We can ask him to hit the ball high or low, left or right, or even faded shots that rise or curve depending on natural obstacles, and he’s able to do that.

‘Just as important as Billy’s ability is his love of the game. I have never come across a six-year-old that had to be dragged off the driving range! Billy just wants to keep on hitting more and more balls! When it comes to youth development, it’s important to keep junior sessions fun too, as you don’t want golf to become a chore. Billy certainly loves to play and that is aiding his development, to the point where he has already won a world championship.’

FAMILY AFFAIR

The Golf Academy at Slinfold continues to grow. In addition to Billy’s recent success, three of its juniors were selected for the Under-14 Sussex Academy last year.

The club coaches over 100 children a week through term-time classes, holiday camps, and weekly roll-up sessions, while taster days for U-10s from local schools have introduced many others to the game. As well as regular junior competitions, the club hosted the inaugural Slinfold Junior Open four years ago, an event which is now established as an annual highlight for boys and girls. The vibrant atmosphere creates a fun, inclusive place for children to learn the game and this approach is increasingly yielding results.

‘Justin Rose – my second favourite player after Rory McIlroy – sent me a signed picture and a Masters hat, which I keep in my room.’

As well as support from Slinfold, Billy’s progress requires a huge commitment from his family, with his parents taking him to tournaments across the country and even overseas. It would be natural to assume they too are keen golfers, but that isn’t the case…

‘I had only played one round of golf in my life before Billy first visited the driving range with a friend and started to show an interest in the game,’ said dad, Ollie Stott. ‘However, I played cricket as a schoolboy and enjoyed rugby too, so I like to think that some of his talent comes from me! It is only recently that I have started regularly playing golf with him, as I want Billy to enjoy the game as much as possible, and I’m aware that he won’t need me to carry his clubs around forever. During one round, Billy came over to me, as I had struggled on the opening holes, patted me on the back and gave me words of encouragement. It felt surreal, coming from my eight-year-old son!

‘The junior membership fees at Slinfold are very reasonable and the club has helped him to build confidence, learn course etiquette, develop his short game and improve his swing in a fun environment. The option to play the nine-hole

MATT

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or the 18-hole course with shortened black tees provide a development pathway for young players too. However, travelling to competitions further afield is more costly. It requires a huge commitment for all of the family, including his younger sister, Lara. Our holidays now revolve mostly around golf tournaments, but it’s something we are all enjoying.’

WORLD CHAMPION

Many of the events Billy competes in are part of the British Junior Golf Tour, which has categories for Under-7s, then boys and girls aged 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18. The series has a track record of developing talent, with many players progressing to join the professional ranks, including the PGA Tour. The tour takes in courses across the country, with tournaments held most weekends throughout the spring and summer. The tour schedule also includes prestigious events including The Daily Mail World Junior Golf Championships (held in Malaga, Spain) and the European Open, which will be hosted by the Bogogno Golf Resort, Italy, in July.

Billy also competes in the Sussex Junior Golf Development Tour, which was founded in 2023 to encouraging less experienced children from local clubs on to the course in a friendly environment. The 2025 Sussex Tour visited several venues in the Horsham District, including Mannings

Heath, Cottesmore, Slinfold and Horsham Golf Academy, with Billy’s consistency helping him to become both Under-9 and Tour Order of Merit champion. During a busy season, Billy also secured a top 10 finish at the Faldo Futures Under-9 Final at The Belfry. However, the highlight came at the FloGas Champion of Champions at Lough Erne, Ireland, billed as the world’s biggest junior champions invitational. There, Billy triumphed in the Under-7s, with the nine world champions in the various age groups coming from seven different nations.

Billy, who lives in Ifold and attends Cranleigh School, said: ‘We played nine holes

course is harder than the Castle Hume course. It was exciting, as there was a £1000 prize for anyone who shot a hole-in-one on the par-3. I came quite close, but I haven’t shot a hole-in-one yet!

‘It was a good tournament to win, as there were players from across Europe and even South Africa. I shot +6, +2 and +6 to win, and they gave me a huge trophy. It was really nice, as my mummy and sister came to Ireland as well, to support me. Also, Justin Rose – who is my second favourite player after Rory McIlroy – sent me a signed picture, as well a hat

MASTERS DREAM

Throughout the winter season, Billy has been maintaining an edge by competing at international tour events organised by U.S Kids Golf, winning several events in January, before he embarks on another season on the British Junior Golf Tour.

He has also been announced as Slinfold’s first young golf ambassador, with the Club giving him free junior golf membership to help him achieve his dream of one day becoming a full-time professional. Luke Blacker, General Manager at Slinfold, said: ‘It’s a privilege to support Billy with his extraordinary talent. Our team of coaches do a fantastic job in teaching him and our other junior golfers, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. Rory McIlroy had better watch out!’

Marco Penge from Horsham

In 2012, AAH featured Forest pupil and promising golfer Marco Penge from Horsham. Marco has since won three titles on the European Tour and has qualified for the US Masters and The Open in 2026. www.aahorsham.co.uk/ content/marcopenge

Billy continues to develop his game. As well as hitting a 242-yard drive (admittedly downhill) he has a fine short game and nearly chipped in his first hole-in-one with a 7-iron. Now, the coaches at Slinfold, including Matt Cornall and fellow PGA Professional Will O’Halloran, are helping him improve his swing as he aims for future success.

Billy said: ‘Last week, the coaches showed me how to keep my arm straight when I swing, which helps to generate more power. I could see from the simulator that the ball speed was faster and it went further down the range, so it worked. This year, I would like to get my first hole-in-one, but of course my dream would be to one day win the Masters.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright Photography

Further information:

For more details about golf membership for both adults and juniors at Slinfold, visit: www.slinfoldclub.co.uk/membership

To follow Billy’s journey, visit www.billystott.com billyjuniorgolfer

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WISE WORDS

PSYCHIATRIST LARRY CULLIFORD’S QUEST FOR WELLBEING

After a long career as a GP and Psychiatrist, Steyning resident Larry Culliford has written his memoirs. ‘Happy as Larry: a Psychiatrist’s Quest for Mental Health and Wellbeing’ charts his journey from troubled childhood to global adventures and spiritual maturity. Here, Larry explains how his book unravels the mysteries of emotional healing...

BON VOYAGE

As a student at Cambridge, I travelled extensively during the summer vacations. After my parents divorced when I was 17, I avoided going home as I struggled with my unpleasant step-mother, who came between me and my father. My mother had no money and no home, so I hitch-hiked to Greece in 1969 and the Middle East two years later, visiting countries such as Lebanon and Syria. In 1970, I spent the summer working and travelling in North America. These experiences probably taught me more about life and people than university.

After studying Medicine at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, I transferred to Guy’s Hospital, qualifying as a Doctor at the age of 24. After two house jobs, I travelled to New Zealand’s North Island to take a surgical post. Wanting to visit the South Island led to me undertake a six-month psychiatry training position in Christchurch. I had a natural aptitude for the role, which helped me come to terms with my own problematic background. I also realised why I was in New Zealand: I was as far away as could be from my dysfunctional family!

After New Zealand, I spent two years as a general practitioner in Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Australia, carrying out Locum healthcare work. It was fun; at one time in the Outback I was the only doctor for a hundred miles; but eventually I had to decide whether to stay in Australia or return to England, to be a GP or a psychiatrist. In the end, I moved to South Australia and became a trainee at Hillcrest Psychiatric Hospital in Adelaide, a new beginning for me.

In Australia, attitudes to psychiatry were positive and I never felt stigmatised, but it was different when I returned to England in 1982. Although jovial, people would often quip about head shrinking. It was only in quieter moments that people opened up and talked, perhaps about depression or a relative’s schizophrenia.

I completed my training at St George’s Hospital Medical School, moving to Steyning on becoming a Consultant Psychiatrist at The Lady Chichester Hospital in Hove, soon to become Aldrington House Community Mental Health

Centre. It was a time of great change, as most large mental hospitals were being closed and emptied. I was the first psychiatrist appointed in Brighton with no long-term beds for patients. Consequently, the workload was huge, leaving many patients without adequate support.

Burning out after six years, I took on a less stressful job, continuing to work as a community-based psychiatrist for another 12 years until retirement. I have always loved writing and have written two works of fiction and several self-help books, including Little Book of Happiness, some under a pen name, Patrick Whiteside. Friends encouraged me to write my memoirs, which combine aspects of my travels, relationships and career with a reliable guide towards supreme mental health, spiritual wellbeing and wisdom. Determined to cure my own ills, I’ve also attempted to unravel the mysteries of emotional healing that can lead others to personal growth, joy, contentment and love.

When studying Medicine, we were first taught about healthy bodies, then what can go wrong, then about treatment. Nature heals cuts and broken bones. Medical teams work to provide optimal circumstances; cleaning wounds, prescribing antibiotics, setting fractures, etc. In contrast, during my psychiatry training, no overview was offered. Mental health was simply assumed to be the absence of symptoms. So, I asked myself, “What is the mechanism for emotional healing? Does that too follow a natural process? If so, how can we best promote it?”

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‘Experiences are part of life’s journey towards spiritual maturity and wisdom, and also joy, contentment and love.’

Eventually, I developed a theory of emotional healing built on complementary pairs. These include sadness and joy, guilt and innocence, shame and worth, and anxiety and calm. These emotions switch during the healing process, so the painful one gives way to its healthier, pain-free opposite. Anger, for example, eventually leads to acceptance. Powerful grief, such as the loss of a loved one, takes longer to heal. But feelings of grief can eventually metamorphose into positive feelings of joy, contentment and inner peace.

As a result of this healing process, people become more resilient, courageous and compassionate. Every time you let go of something, you grow a little. Equanimity is a word I like; your emotional state becomes more balanced and positive. These experiences are part of life’s journey towards spiritual maturity and wisdom.

Many professional experiences taught me important lessons. I recall seeing one patient in Australia, while working as a GP. After mysteriously waking up tearful for three nights in a row, she thought she was going mad. Nothing in her family background, relationships and working life explained her sorrow. It was only after sitting quietly for some minutes, that she remembered she’d had a pregnancy terminated a few months earlier, and all became clear: unconsciously, she had begun grieving for the lost child, just when it would have been born.

I think people have what I call a ‘wisdom mind’, which somehow knows better than we do. To explain the human developmental journey, it’s helpful to consider five inter-connected dimensions of human experience and understanding: physical (energy and matter - the miracle of existence); biological (organs and organisms - the miracle of life); psychological (mental activity - the miracle of consciousness); social (relationships - the miracle of love); and spiritual (souls and the sacred - the miracle of unity).

My book explores this unified vision to help readers make sense of it and apply it to improving their own mental health and wellbeing through a range of wisdom exercises. Daily quiet time is necessary. I meditate for 30 minutes each morning. Others might relax in the bath surrounded by candles, go jogging, knit, or walk in the countryside. Reading words of wisdom helps too, be it poetry, philosophy or scriptures from different faiths. (You don’t need to be a Buddhist to benefit from the words of the

Buddha.) Nurturing loving and generous friendships, carrying out acts of kindness and service work too. Finally, I advise engaging regularly with nature in any way possible.

Today, people increasingly seek out help for their mental health. As well as qualified psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, there are growing numbers of life coaches and well-being experts to consult, which I welcome. I confidently hope my book will have broad appeal, aiming to provide a welcome, hopeful antidote to the destructive political and social unrest of our time.

INTERVIEW: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information:

Happy as Larry: A Psychiatrist’s Quest for Mental Health and Wellbeing is available through New Generation Publishing in paperback and E-book. Visit Larry’s website at www.LDC52.co.uk

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CODING CLUB PREPARES CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE

YOUNGSTERS MAKE LEGO SPIKE CARS (©AAH/AW)

Mindstorm Coding held a coding camp at Farlington School, Horsham over the festive break. AAH visited the school to see how the Billingshurst-based business is helping young people to prepare for an AI revolution…

SCRATCH PLAYERS

It is the third day of a four-day, Star Warsinspired course presented by Mindstorm Coding. Already, young participants have been introduced to AI programming, writing code on a Raspberry Pi Pico, a popular tool for coding hobbyists. Now, they’re fitting their coding devices to their own LightSaber, using a bespoke model built entirely from scratch.

For coding enthusiasts like nine-year old Max, the course is a chance to expand their programming skills. Max said: ‘I first learned about coding on a website called Scratch, where you play fun games and learn the basics of coding. The Raspberry Pi device is more advanced, as it uses Python coding, which allows you to create more complicated

code. We have all done our own coding for the LightSabers. Through coding, you can make them flash on and off, or even light up in different colours. We have also been able to use a 3-D printer to personalise the grips of our LightSabers too.’

Ten-year-old Charlotte explained how the course develops other skills too, as the Mindstorm team and Farlington’s own DT teachers also helped them make component parts for LightSabres, and demonstrated how to connect and solder wires. Then, on the final day of the course, youngsters tested their sabres in slow-motion battles. These were filmed in front of a green-screen, which through digital software was replaced with a galaxy far, far away!

As well as making replica swords, the course included elements of LEGO’s educational coding programme, SPIKE. LEGO builds such as the ‘Break Dancer’ and ‘Quality Check Robot’ use Micro-Python scripts to help teach the basics of computer coding.

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Another pupil, Charlize, 10, said: ‘We programmed LEGO cars, which are built especially for programming and coding. The cars can understand commands, so you can move them forward or back, turn left and right, or even spin around. The cars have light animation parts too, so you can write things that appear on top, all through coding.’

FUTURE-READY

Mindstorm Coding was established two years ago by Chris Roche. Chris spent 30 years working in the education sector, mostly for Harrow-associated schools in Asia. By focusing on computer sciences within STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Chris helped many schools gain prestigious Apple Distinguished School recognition, before launching his own business.

He said: ‘After three years in education, I needed a new challenge and the thing I’m most passionate about is providing children with skills for the future. I feel that children should be learning about STEM subjects and developing engineering skills, so I started out by offering “code camps” and after-school coding clubs for schools that understand the importance of coding, but may not have the time, knowledge or experience to deliver such courses in-house. The driving factor was to help children develop the skills for a successful future.

‘Artificial Intelligence is developing rapidly, and already many entry-level jobs are disappearing because of AI. However, young people need to know how these basic programmes work and understand how AI can potentially be a tool to help them. I believe that the next generation of skilled engineers will know how to use AI to do much of the heavy lifting. However, I don’t feel the current curriculum teaches children how to use it properly, which is why these courses are so useful. We introduce them to AI programmes, show how it can help in different situations, and even demonstrate how it makes mistakes.’

‘All of the camps have a theme and we have previously run them around themes of Minecraft and Robotic Rescues, exploring how robots can operate in dangerous areas to help people in trouble or carry out safety checks. Other camps are focused purely on game development, so each one we do is new and interesting. I hope that the children leave at the end of the week feeling that they have learned a lot, been inspired, and with a sense of having been on an adventure.’

MINING TALENT

As well as making LightSabers and LEGO SPIKE builds, the group explored their coding and computer science skills with Minecraft Education. Within the Minecraft world, the youngsters used Python scripts to create their own Star Wars-themed world, further developing their AI literacy. Minecraft education is a type of Minecraft where you

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can create worlds using Python or basic block scripts. One group worked together to build different components in their Minecraft world, with Ben (pictured inset) designing a Death Star complete with laser weaponry, while his friend built a Star Destroyer. Some Farlington School pupils are going a step further, building a life-size replica of R2-D2 as part of an extra-curricular project overseen by teacher Jamie Morris, Head of DT, Computer Science and Food & Nutrition. Mr Morris has forged a friendship with Chris at Mindstorm Coding over their shared passion for computer science, making Farlington an ideal location for coding courses.

Mr Morris said: ‘The school is part of the Bellevue family and we run an AI programme.

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became friends with Chris. Having held a Minecraft-themed camp, we wanted to do a Star Wars themed event this time. Over the summer, I built prototypes for the LightSaber, which evolved from a clunky design without any buttons to a sleek concept with a good grip. It is a great way to demonstrate the practical uses of AI to pupils, beyond cheating on their homework, of course!’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information:

For details about local courses, or to book a camp, visit www.mindstormcoding.com MindStorm Coding

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KINDRED SAUNA FINDS ITS NATURAL HOME AT KNEPP

Kindred Sauna offers a Nordic-style hot and cold experience on the Knepp Estate, Dial Post. AAH visited the campsite to relax in a wood-fired sauna and meet Kindred’s founder Marianne Drake…

CRAZY PROJECT

The initial spark for Kindred Sauna came when Marianne visited Wowo, an Uckfield campsite with a wild spa. Marianne enjoyed the day so much that she thought about offering a similar experience, utilising the beauty of the South Downs.

She said: ‘Stepping into a sauna after taking a cold plunge was the greatest feeling ever. Being out in the countryside with friends was invigorating, so I had the idea of building my own sauna. I bought a horsebox, which are an ideal size, and carpenter friends helped transform it into a sauna, while a LEAP grant from Horsham District Council helped us to create a website.

‘Some of my family and friends thought I was crazy, but it has been great fun and offers a respite from my other job, working for the NHS.’

INTO THE WILD

As a Steyning resident, Marianne was aware of the re-wilding project at Knepp. Some 3,500 acres have been given back to nature, with the estate becoming a safe haven for rare species including nightingales, purple emperor butterflies and – most famously – white storks, which breed at Knepp. While most visitors use the car park at the Wilding Kitchen and Shop

as a base for walking its trails, there is also a camping and glamping site at a tranquil corner of the estate set within a wildflower meadow. It is here that Kindred Sauna can be found, alongside The Yoga Garden, which hosts retreats and therapies in Mongolian-style yurts.

Marianne said: ‘Knepp was the ideal location, as it’s in the countryside and had the potential to host wild swimming. So, I met the managers of the campsite and presented my idea, which was then approved by Sir Charles Burrell and Isabella Tree, who own the estate and ensure everything aligns with Knepp’s ethos of sustainability. Over the past two years, we have found that the sauna complements the campsite, The Yoga Garden and also the Wilding Kitchen and Shop.’

TAKE THE PLUNGE!

In lockdown, many people discovered the joys of wild swimming in rivers, lakes and the sea. This led to increased participation in similar activities, with the concept of cold plunges

followed by a hot sauna becoming more common. Kindred Sauna opened in October 2023 and soon found its audience.

Marianne said: ‘When we arrived at Knepp, there were only a handful of saunas in Sussex, whereas now there are close to 30. Many of us now place more importance on health and fitness, and are looking for fun ways to spend time with friends, often without alcohol. As there are no under-12s on the campsite, it’s very tranquil, and we have established a lovely community of people who visit regularly. It’s not uncommon to welcome 50 people in one day.

‘It really is invigorating to take a cold plunge,

swim in the pond at the campsite. However, it has been very cold lately and heavy rainfall means the pond doesn’t look its best. So, we have a cold bucket shower instead, if you don’t want to step into the water!’

STORKS OVERHEAD!

The westernised concept of the sauna originated in Finland, where inhabitants are used to freezing temperatures and long periods of darkness. The sauna is a common feature of Finnish homes and is used for bathing, drying clothes, and traditionally even childbirth, as they can be the most hygienic room in a house. These saunas are typically wood-fired, and

(called a kiulu) to produce soft steam (loyly) which increases heat. Kindred Spirit uses these same traditional methods in its wood-fired saunas, using cedar wood on the exterior and a thermo-treated wood that remains cool and comfortable in high temperatures for seating.

Marianne said: ‘It feels like a more natural experience when heating with wood. Some saunas at health spas and country clubs use electric power, but this is expensive and wouldn’t suit the ethos of Kindred Sauna or Knepp. I think that having a wood-fired sauna, using sustainably-sourced logs from a Sussex estate, and being able to add water to hot stones too all adds to the experience. People

‘We often see storks flying overhead too, as well as kites and other birds of prey, so it’s a wonderful spot for wildlife-watching.’

RURAL ESCAPE

Kindred’s first sauna is called Tara, after a Buddhist Goddess. Tara can seat up to six people and is available for private hire. Marianne has added a second sauna, Gaia, named after a Greek Goddess who personifies the Earth. Gaia is a bespoke sauna, built upon a flat-bed trailer and designed to complement shepherd’s huts elsewhere on the campsite. Gaia can seat up to eight and is used as a communal sauna, so people can visit alone or with a friend to chat or sit in silence, if they prefer. The option of wild swimming is included in the cost.

Marianne feels there is still potential for growth and has considered introducing a third sauna. She said: ‘I would love to introduce a sauna in Horsham, but would need the right location. If we could find a location where we could offer a cold plunge – perhaps an iced bath in a tub or galvanized cattle trough – it would be great to introduce more people in Horsham to an authentic Nordic experience!’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: Book an experience online at: www.kindredsauna.com

Email: kindredsauna@gmail.com

FINAL WORD

HOW A SPOT OF GARDENING TRIGGERED FATAL DISEASE

Theresa Gilsenan

Theresa, who lives in Ashington, highlights the hidden dangers of compost after losing her beloved husband Anthony to a rare strain of Legionnaires’.

I would like to start an awareness campaign, so that another family doesn’t have to go through what my family and I suffered after my darling husband, Anthony Gilsenan, died last summer.

Anthony was fit, healthy and full of beans, loving every minute of our life together. He enjoyed cycling, gardening, walking our pet cockapoo, heading away on adventures in our caravan, and attending music concerts across the country. He also loved his Mark 1 Jaguar and drove dozens of happy brides on their wedding day. Anthony played jazz guitar in a band in Worthing and also at home, filling my life with music, fun, laughter and love. Anthony was a gentleman and was loved and respected by all who knew him.

On 29 July 2025, while I was out in Worthing, Anthony decided to re-pot our olive tree, as the soil level was low. He visited a local garden centre and bought a fresh bag of peat-free, multi-purpose compost by a well-known brand and was very pleased with the results. The tree was firm in its new pot of compost and started to flourish once more.

Unbeknown to him, inside the bag of compost was invisible bacteria of what we now know caused Legionella Longbeachae. Within a week, these would begin to impact his health. Despite being outside in fresh air, he must have inadvertently inhaled compost spores while refilling the pot. Who would ever think such a thing could happen?

Six days later, he started feeling unwell. I took him to the doctors, but they thought it was a virus which would run its course. During the following days, his symptoms worsened and I battled to get him seen again. After calling NHS 111, we went to Worthing Hospital’s A&E on the Friday afternoon. Anthony was immediately admitted and I was so relieved that he would get the care he needed. The

hospital and staff were wonderful. He walked into A&E, joking with other patients in the waiting room, yet died only two days later. The doctors shook their heads in disbelief, having done absolutely everything they could to save him. They didn’t understand the power of this dreadful bug.

We were all with Anthony when they turned off the machines: his devastated grown-up children, grandchildren and his sister joined me at his bedside as he passed, not quite believing what was happening. How could he leave us so suddenly?

can include bolder and clearer warnings on bags. It remains to be seen if or when this will happen. However, I urge you all to open a bag of compost with care. Wear gloves and a face mask, and ensure the compost bag is opened in the open air. Make sure you discard the mask carefully when you’ve finished and thoroughly wash your hands after handling compost.

‘Peat-free compost can be a breeding ground for Legionella.’

Following his death, I received numerous phone calls and one of these was from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The results of various tests on samples taken by a diligent ICU nurse led to the diagnosis of Legionella Longbeachae. Studies suggest that the materials used in new kinds of peat-free compost can be a breeding ground for Legionella bacteria. While human infection is rare, the hot temperatures – like those we experienced in the summer – can increase the risk, as bacteria thrive in warm soil.

Our local MP, Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs) is helping to raise awareness and it is my hope that manufacturers of compost

All the compost companies have accurate and detailed instructions on their websites, but have only a small label (usually placed at the bottom) on the bags themselves. But how many of us really read these safety labels or check the website before planting bulbs in our gardens? I would appreciate any help from anyone who can help me to raise this issue further, both locally and nationally. I am indebted to Ben Morris, editor of this great magazine, for his support. He knew Anthony and wrote a wonderful piece about him and his beloved 1959 Jaguar (which was used in the ITV series, Endeavour) back in 2012.

I am left in a sad, lonely and quiet place, still not quite believing what has happened. I have been helped enormously by my wonderful family and close friends. However, after 55 years of being very happily married to my best friend and soulmate, to lose him so suddenly is hard to bear.

If you can help Theresa with her campaign, or have a similar experience to share, please email her at: curtaintheresa@gmail.com