AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2025

AAH NOVEMBER 2025

COVER STORY

Our November 2025 cover features Sam Fuchs, a Goldsmith at Wakefields Jewellers in West Street, Horsham. It is the first photograph taken by Toby Phillips to be on the cover of AAH since April 2021. While Toby no longer takes pictures for us on a regular basis, he has many local commercial photography clients. Toby took photos of the Goldsmiths at the Wakefields workshop in mid-September, with AAH editor Ben visiting for interviews two weeks later. The pair later discussed the shoot over a pint at The Crown Inn, Dial Post. The cover shows Sam holding tweezers and a welding gun as she repairs a ring on a charcoal block. A hook rack on the wall was edited out of the background to accommodate the AAH logo. Toby took the photo with a Phase One medium format camera, offering superb detail and colour. Other cover contenders included Steve Fairclough, author of The Greatest Album Covers of All Time, the team at Gobsmack in Swan Walk in Horsham, and Gill Buchanan, Centre Manager of Swan Walk.

ROUND-UP

Details of Horsham’s Christmas Launch Party and the return of Leonardslee Lights

How Swan Walk has adapted to retail challenges throughout its 50 year history

Aurora Vincent House in Horsham is a new SEND school for autistic children

the skilled goldsmiths in the workshop of Wakefields Jewellers in West Street

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

DECEMBER 2025 AAH MAGAZINE

The December 2025 edition will be online on Monday 1 December at aahorsham.co.uk with printed copies out Tuesday 2 December.

Bicycle Exchange is offering e-bikes for hire near the South Downs

hosts Pikachu and Chewbacca for its 10th anniversary

meet some of the creative retailers at Cobblestone Walk in

Fiona

ABOUT US

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), Horsham Bedding Centre (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), Golden Plaice (Ashington), Rusper Village Stores, Roffey News, Roffey Park, The Bakery (Partridge Green), Henfield Leisure Centre, Steyning Leisure Centre and Cobblestone Walk (Steyning), Spring Gardens Nursery (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 welcome Ellis Raymond to our distribution teamh. Ellis has taken on a round in the Comptons Lane/Millais area of Horsham. AAH also has a new small stand at the offices of the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes in Queen Street, Horsham.

Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) has put forward a legal challenge opposing the construction of a second operating runway at Gatwick Airport. CAGNE is urging the Transport Secretary to revoke development consent, and says it may bring a judicial review challenge if this does not happen. The group says that there was a failure to properly assess greenhouse gas emissions from the project and its impact on climate change. cagne.org

Southern Water has completed a £4million upgrade of a wastewater treatment works in Slinfold.

In efforts to improve water quality, Southern Water has created a new filtration plant to catch more phosphorus and other tiny contaminants. It has also increased the capacity of the treatment works so it can treat more flows at peak times and after heavy rainfall, making storm overflows much less likely. In addition to the improvements at Slinfold, £3.5m has been spent to improve another wastewater treatment works in Forest Green. southernwater.co.uk

A new bridge has been installed over the River Adur, maintaining an important link between Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding. The White Bridge, so named as it was previously painted white, was replaced with a new green bridge on 2 October. A working party was formed in 2022 under the auspices of the Steyning & District Community Partnership, to look at ways to improve walking and cycling connections between the communities. This partnership,

chaired by Roger Potter, includes residents and representatives from Parish Councils, Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council. Funding came from HDC’s Rural England Prosperity Fund, Wilson Memorial Trust and South Downs National Park, with further support from WSCC. Footpaths are also being improved, making it easier for local people and Steyning pupils to avoid dangerous crossings. visitsteyning.co.uk/whitebridgelink/

Slinfold Golf & Country Club has hosted its first Junior Open Golf Championship. The day-long competition, played on the 18-hole Parkland course, was supported by Sussex County Junior Golf and formed part of the Sussex Order of Merit. It attracted 40 junior golfers, with four winners qualifying for the Justin Rose Daily Telegraph Championship. The Handicap Champions were George Brooker and Darci Lewis-Bradbury, while Gross Champions were Oscar Tollit and Millie Lynsdale-Nock. To become a junior member of the golf club, visit slinfoldclub.co.uk

Bluecoat Sports at Christ’s Hospital officially opens its new padel courts on Saturday 22 November. Four padel courts will be available to members and non-members on a pay-and-play’ basis, with members receiving a discount. The opening day’s events include an exhibition match with special guests, beginner sessions, plus junior padel classes.

Georgia Stables of

Club represented England at the Northern European Championships at Herewoode Academy, Leicester on 24 - 26 October. England took gold in the team event, with Georgia winning silver in the uneven bars. hgc.org.uk

Horsham’s Home Specialists

" From the beginning with Alexander designer Alistair at the Horsham showroom to Teresa keeping us well informed of the process and the superb work of all the fitters, we now have our dream kitchen.”

GUIDE STEAK to

Nursing, Dementia, and Residential Care at Broadbridge Park Care Home

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

Businesses and charities are invited to enter Horsham District Council’s Christmas Magic Displays Competition, as part of its ‘Buy Local Gift Happy’ campaign. The competition celebrates the creativity of festive windows and internal displays, with prizes available to winners. Entries are open until 7 November at horsham.gov.uk/business/business-training/visualmerchandising

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

West Sussex Philharmonic Choir will be holding their autumn concert at St Mary’s Church, Horsham on Saturday 22 November, 7.30pm. Under the direction of new Musical Director Jonathan Lucas Wood, the choir will perform Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with four talented young soloists, accompanied by piano and harmonium player Edward Dean. Tickets £15 from westsussexphilharmonicchoir.org.uk

Horsham Harmony Choir ended its summer term with a varied concert led by MD Sharon Lewis, raising £834 for St Catherine’s Hospice.

The choir will hold its Christmas Concert at YMCA Football Club, Gorings Mead, Horsham, on Sunday 7 December, 3pm, with chances for audience participation. Free entry, donations for Turning Tides. Licensed bar. The choir also welcomes new members in all voice parts. horshamharmonychoir.co.uk

Mainly Madness perform at Holbrook Club, Horsham, on Saturday 13 December, 7.30pm (music 9pm). Mainly Madness are a Two Tone and Ska tribute band, playing songs by Madness and the likes of The Specials and The Beat. Book soon to avoid disappointment. Adults only. Tickets £17.50. theholbrookclub.co.uk

Horsham Twinning Association hosts a Carol Concert featuring One Accord Choir at the Unitarian Church, Worthing Road, Horsham, on Saturday 6 December, 7.30pm. Carols will be sung in English, German and French. Followed by seasonal drinks and light refreshments. Free entry with collection. horsham-twinning.org.uk

l One Accord also present Classical Favourites at Holy Trinity Church, Horsham, on Sunday 23 November, 3pm. Tickets £10 (includes refreshments) from oneaccordchoirhorsham@gmail.com or Helen on 07922 014632.

The Mary How Trust hosts its annual Community Carols event at St Mary’s Church, Pulborough, on Wednesday 17 December, 7pm (doors 6.30pm). Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies as you join in with carol singing, led by the Arun Choral Society. Free event with donations welcome.

l The Trust has also organised The Big Christmas Quiz, hosted by Doug Brown, at West Chiltington Village Hall on Saturday 6 December, 7pm. Bring your own drinks/snacks. Tickets £10, £100 cash prize. Tickets from village Nisa.

– 5pm Friday 8.30am – 4pm | Saturday 8.30am – 12pm

Improvements have been made to St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School in Lambs Farm Road, Horsham. Earlier this year, St Robert’s was awarded a Local Community Initiatives donation by Sussex-based company Southern Grounds Services. As well as installing new fencing and gates at the front of the school, SGS transformed an unused area into a Prayer and Reflection Garden and Allotment Area, with produce to be shared with the local community. The project was made possible thanks to the support of SGS and their supply chain, whose contributions of materials, and expertise helped bring the vision to life. The school offers special thanks to Covers, Newbridge Nurseries, Squires Garden Centre, Hilliers Garden Centre and Bury Hill Top Soil. In keeping with a focus on sustainability, all materials from the redeveloped area were recycled or repurposed within the new design. strobertsouthwellhorsham.co.uk gssouthern.com

Lucy Shepherd from Horsham has published her debut novel, Sonny. The book follows the story of Sonny, a 12-year-old boy who is adopted, has come through the care system and has attachment issues which affect his identity and relationships. It’s a book which carries hope, as through consistent and unconditional acceptance, Sonny begins to find himself. Lucy used her experiences as a foster parent to write the story and raise awareness of issues children in the care system face. Order through Waterstones or Amazon.

Washington-based author Kevin Newman has two new books available in paperback. Chronophobia

1: The Desadomy Element is set in 1990s Brighton and tells the story of a group of teens with special powers to ‘tear’ time. The Ghost’s Train is aimed at young adults and features the adventures of 13-year-old Peggy Brunarrius, who has visions of long-lost trains, platforms and stations of the old Steyning Line. Although for children, both books will appeal to adults as they are steeped in Sussex history. Both books are available on Amazon.

Stephen Walsh, a longserving teacher at Christ’s Hospital, has published a collection of poetry, High Ball to the Wee Man Measuring out his life in Scotland’s World Cup campaigns, Stephen explores Scotland’s flirtations with football’s top competition, from the 1970s to the present day. There are guest appearances from such true blue Scottish heroes as Joe Jordan, Archie Gemmill and Maradona! Published by CHapbooks at £9.99. Order via Waterstones, Amazon or with free postage via https://ebay.us/m/jxDqgd

Sit back and relax and let Kim and her team coordinate your window dressing needs, from start to finish. With over 15 years of experience working for leading blind brands before establishing her own business to offer a local, family-feel company that cares about service and quality. Offices based in Southwater and Angmering.

Heavy Horsham, a night of original rock and heavy music, will be held at Rock Brewhouse, East Street, Horsham on Saturday 13 December, 7.30pm. The headline act will be Horsham’s Rogue Awakening, who recently performed in the Live Lounge for BBC Introducing in Sussex & Surrey. Opening are RE:O, who play a blend of cyber punk, rock and Japanese culture, with further support from Eastbourne band Chub, who have played major festivals such as Bloodstock. Free entry.

Manor Theatre Group

present Hook: The Panto Strikes Back at Warnham Village Hall, Hollands Way, on Friday 12 – Sunday 14 December. During last year’s panto, the Magical Talisman was stolen by Captain Hook, which is where this year’s production picks up the story. Peter Pan, Ariel, Sinbad, Triton and others once again try to retrieve it and save Panto Land. Terrible jokes, even worst singing, wobbly scenery and mediocre dancing await your viewing pleasure! Tickets £14 (children/conc £12) from manorhorsham.co.uk

Half Cut Theatre present A Christmas Carol at The Capitol, Horsham, on 12 – 17 December. Following sell-out national tours of The Canterbury Tales, Much Ado About Nothing, Treasure Island and Twelfth Night, this creative company of actors bring their acclaimed adaptation of Dickens’ classic to The Studio. There will be misers and magic, music and mayhem, ghosts and goodwill to all men, combined with Half Cut’s hallmark hilarity, all told by a company of talented actor/musicians. Tickets £20. thecapitolhorsham.com

Lights & Bushels, Horsham’s award-winning community theatre company, premières its latest production at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Thursday 20 November, with further performances at Fishers Farm Theatre, Wisborough Green, on 21 – 22 November. The evenings consist of two one-act plays. A Pot of Bones is based on depositions from the Ely assizes, when the parents of a missing boy were accused of murder after bones were unearthed. The Reckoning sees Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins being visited on his deathbed by three of his victims. The plays were written by Barry Syder. Tickets £16 from lightsandbushels.com

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We offer a wide range of relaxation treatments, from massage and facials to waxing and nails, with advanced skincare products. Discover our full list of treatments on our website.

Looking for the perfect place to treat a loved one to some pampering and relaxation. We offer gift vouchers too, which come beautifully wrapped and are available online. The perfect gift for Christmas!

The Lounge Beauty & Wellbeing 82a Kempshott Road, Horsham, RH12 2EY 01403 276318 l info@theloungebeauty.co.uk www.theloungebeauty.co.uk

4pm, Free entry & Festive Refreshments

‘The extension included a number of smaller shops (some readers may remember the juggling shop), which were later amalgamated to become Wilko. Upper floors were used as office space by Trend Control Systems and –more recently – Horsham District Council. The glass roof was installed around the same time, ending Swan Walk’s era of open walkways.

‘The next big challenge came when Sainsbury’s began its search for a larger premises. When I arrived at Swan Walk, Sainsbury’s only had six months left on its lease and the development of the store on the former site of Tanbridge School had been controversial. For Swan Walk, it was an opportunity to do something different and the introduction of British Home Stores (BHS) changed the retail landscape.’

SHIFTING SANDS

Swan Walk has had its ups and downs over the years. Brands that were once commonplace on High Streets across the country have gone, with the loss of Topshop and BHS keenly felt in Horsham. The town’s Wilko store was among the last in the UK to close in 2023 and its loss has had an impact too.

Managing the arrival and departure of retailers is an exciting challenge, as well as a constant balancing act. While some plans are developed over several years, the shifting sands of the retail industry means that running a shopping centre always brings unexpected challenges, says Gill Buchanan...

‘Sometimes, you plan changes a long time in advance, while other developments are more of a surprise opportunity. Just this summer, Poundland was sold for a pound and who would’ve thought that a few years ago? Next previously operated in West Street and held discussions about a move to Swan Walk for several years before the opportunity arose in the old BHS unit. It was a similar story when it came to accommodating Superdrug, as when you’re planning to amalgamate several small units into one big shop, it involves managing leases and securing vacant possessions in order to develop.’

‘We have needed to reconfigure the layout of Swan Walk many times over the years to react to market trends and accommodate new

Club and supports good causes, notably through its annual Donation Station, which has raised about £220,000 for charities including Cancer Research UK, while there’s a donation point near the toilets for the Horsham District Foodbank.’

‘Independents help separate us from towns which mostly support national brands,’ says Gill. ‘We are proud to have welcomed businesses that began outside of Swan Walk, such as Gobsmack, while others such as La Vida and Hugo & Green have opened in the shopping centre and now continue elsewhere. It’s never nice when a shop closes and people tend to have a gloomy outlook whenever it happens. However, there’s also excitement when a new retailer comes in and only recently, after the closure of Sienna Rocks, we welcomed Peony, a Sussex-based women’s fashion outlet.

‘While the internet is often cited as a major contributor for closures, Horsham has embraced change. The way people shop has evolved and the town has adapted by opening more restaurants and cafés, while hosting thriving markets too. As a result, people enjoy coming into town for reasons other than to shop. They meet friends for lunch, grab a coffee before work, pop to the Post Office

at TG Jones, pick up a nice meal at M&S, or chat to other parents while their kids play at Happyscamps. They might come into town less frequently than they used to, but they’re staying longer and spending more. Lots of people come to combat social isolation too, soaking up the atmosphere in a friendly place.

‘Click and collect is driving footfall in attractive market towns like Horsham.’

‘The internet has changed shopping habits, but Horsham is well placed to benefit. Click and Collect is driving footfall, so attractive market towns like ours are doing well. Friday Lates brought people into town on summer evenings too, which was fantastic for pubs, bars and restaurants in East Street and Carfax. However, I think Covid made us reflect on life and many decided that spending time with family and friends was more important than working tirelessly. Therefore, there isn’t the demand from retailers for more late openings. However, we will host late night shopping on 21 November in support of the Christmas Launch Party.’

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.

New House Farm Function Room

Set within a beautiful barn, our function room is available for private hire, catering for all kinds of occasions from family celebrations to corporate events.

l The Mobile Fish Company visit every Friday, 11am - 2pm.

Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm Closed on Mondays. Hot food served until 3.30pm. www.newhousefarmshop.co.uk

SAFETY FIRST

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Swan Walk collaborated with St Mary’s CofE Primary School on an art project, challenging pupils to draw pictures of what they think they will look like when they’re 50, with artwork displayed in the centre. Muffin Break donated 50 muffins for a free giveaway, while a Robot Making Workshop was held in July, with youngsters working at interactive stations.

Swan Walk also hosted a Toy Time Machine Summer Trail, with participants able to enter a competition to win Toy Barnhaus vouchers. The popular toy shop is another success story. Having started out as a pop-up, it now occupies a prime location and records impressive sales

figures. Store Manager Lianna Bassett joined as an assistant 11 years ago, working her way up to become Manager four years ago.

Despite the milestone anniversary and a recent change in Swan Walk’s ownership – with CUBE RE having acquired the centre in December 2024 – it’s very much business as usual. Gill said: ‘The change of ownership has had little impact on the customer experience and new investment with a fresh viewpoint has been good for everyone.

‘Day-to-day operations have continued much as before, and we’ve been quietly making small improvements. We have a wonderful team that regularly reviews public safety and operations, to ensure we deliver a great environment

all-year-round. We installed a water harvesting system in the public toilets in 2022 and that has already saved half a million litres. Only in April, we introduced a food waste collection service, working with 60 operators to recycle waste into new energy. Customers often don’t know about these things. It’s enough to know that we’re working hard to ensure that Swan Walk is clean and safe, and a good place to visit all year round.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: For the latest on openings, promotions and events, visit swanwalkshopping.co.uk

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.

Latest Hearing Instruments

Hear in Noise with AI

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).

30 Great Years in Horsham

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our business in Horsham, we are offering readers of AAH a very special offer.

Simply quote the code “AAH” when you book an initial consultation and you will receive a technology upgrade if you go on to purchase hearing aids. This could be worth up to £800.

We fit only the latest and best technology from the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers. One of the latest products we have is the Audibel Vitality AI instrument. It incorporates secondgeneration Artificial Intelligence (AI) processing to give you the best hearing in challenging listening situations. If you haven’t tried hearing aids for several years, come and experience Vitality. It could change your life!

Better Hearing Guarantee

We offer you the chance to try the latest hearing aids completely free of charge or obligation. Take them away and try them in your own environment and hear for yourself how different life can be. At the Horsham Hearing Centre, we offer a professional service in a comfortable environment. If you struggle to hear, why not book a priority appointment with our Audiologists and try the latest hearing aids?

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

DIFFERENT CLASS

AURORA VINCENT HOUSE SCHOOL OPENS IN HORSHAM

Aurora Vincent House, a new school for autistic children aged 11-16, opened in North Parade, Horsham in September.

Vincent House is part of The Aurora Group, which operates 27 schools, colleges and residential care homes in the UK. The building has been extensively renovated and refurbished, having previously been used as offices by children’s charity Action Medical Research.

Rob Walton, Headteacher at Vincent House, said: ‘West Sussex County Council approached The Aurora Group after identifying a significant need for a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in the county, as some children were already having to travel to schools in Surrey, and demand for places continues to grow. So, Aurora began looking for suitable locations and took over the North Parade site in 2024.

‘It required extensive renovation, including amalgamating an annexed building and major roof improvements. Having been appointed as Headteacher last September, I was able to visit the site every few weeks to follow its progress. This meant I could offer guidance on small yet important details that make a big difference to the wellbeing of students. It was lovely to work from a blank canvas, as it enabled us to create a school we could all be proud of.’

SAFE PLACE

Year 7 pupils attended their first day at the new school on Friday 5 September, with children in other year groups integrated the following week. An official opening, attended by Horsham MP John Milne, was held on 30 September. Currently, there are 31 children at Vincent House, including 11 in Year 7, with numbers expected to steadily rise towards its capacity of 72 in the coming years. The school adopts a “neurodiversity affirmative” approach, creating a safe and engaging place to learn for children who have struggled – or would be expected to struggle – in mainstream secondary schools.

Rob Walton said: ‘SEND is a broad term and can include people with a range of educational needs, such as physical disabilities, autism, cognitive impairments such as dyslexia, as well as children with behavioural or anxiety issues. It is my opinion that if a SEND school tries to offer too much, it risks diluting the quality of its

CLASS

education, as staff need to be trained in a wide range of issues. Having worked in education for many years and having had countless discussions with SEND teachers and safeguarding leads, I believe a more focused approach brings greater benefit, which is why we focus on children on the autistic spectrum.

‘All children are different, without a doubt, especially within SEND schools. However, if they all have a similar profile then it makes their education easier. Also, it’s easier to attract and retain the right staff on the academic and pastoral side, and give them the tools to do their job properly.

‘We have children who have been out of education for a long time, perhaps even years, and some have been through difficult experiences. They need to be integrated back into education at a special school where they will feel safe and supported, along with others with similar needs. If they were placed in a special

school with a wider remit – including young people who have a history of behavioural issues, for example – then that may have a further negative impact on their education and mental health. That is why we carry out assessments to gauge whether a child would fit into our school for a host of reasons.’

STAYING TRUE

The curriculum at Vincent House is built around an individual’s own learning needs and goals, with each student following a bespoke pathway through Key Stages 3 and 4. This flexible approach allows students to spend more time on a particular subject or activity, if it increases their overall engagement in school and helps their mental wellbeing. Therefore, most days are different to that of mainstream schools.

While there is a timetable, there are no bells to signal the beginning and end of lessons, and students can take short breaks during a class if it helps them to re-focus. Deviations from the uniform are forgiven, with some choosing to slip off their shoes during lessons, while it’s not unusual to see a student sat on a desk as opposed to a chair if it makes them comfortable and helps them concentrate.

Students call staff by their first name, creating a pleasant environment, and there’s no homework either, as academic study can sometimes increase anxiety and tension outside of the supportive environment of a SEND school.

While some students live within the Horsham District – several even walk or ride to school – others travel from further

ROB WALTON (©AAH/AW)

Café by the Lake

We offer a delicious range of hot and cold dishes, from seasonal breakfasts to hearty lunches, all crafted with care. Sweet treats and cakes are baked in-house using fresh, local ingredients, including artisan breads and burgers made with beef from our own herd.

Just here for a drink?

Take your pick from a wide selection of soft drinks, draught and bottled beers, premium spirits, and wines – all best enjoyed with stunning views over Sumners Lake. Sit back on the upper or lower deck, or get cosy in our safari-style tent, warmed by the glow of a real wood-burning stove.

Leaving so soon?

And if you’re not ready to leave, why not stay the night? With lakeside lodges, glamping, camping and touring pitches, Sumners Ponds is more than just a visit–it’s a place to slow down, connect with nature, and feel at home.

afield. So, each day begins with students spending 40 minutes with their Form Tutor, helping them to relax and prepare for the day ahead. When it comes to the curriculum, there is a purpose-built science lab and a wellequipped IT-suite, and students can partake in a range of activities.

During AAH’s visit, children baked scones in Food Tech, storyboarded a short film in Media, learned reverse drawing techniques in Art, played basketball in the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and used Google Earth to find countries in Geography. There is also a Sensory Room, where students can listen to music in an egg-shaped chair, while others regularly meet to play Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game. Soon, Vincent House will be introducing swimming lessons, while there are hopes of expanding its horticultural area and adopting the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in future too.

Headteacher Rob Walton said: ‘Often there are no other solutions for a student other than a mainstream school and some children get lost in the middle. They are not so special that they should clearly be at a SEND school, yet cannot cope in the mainstream system. Sometimes people perceive special schools to be places for those with more severe learning needs, but many of our children achieved good SAT results in Year 6. However, it’s other pressures of mainstream school they struggle with.

‘Some parents feel a sense of failure when their child falls out of mainstream education, and it’s not until they see them improve at a SEND

school that they see the positives it can have. Staff at mainstream schools do their best, but when dealing with hundreds or thousands of pupils, cannot provide that extra level of support. They might offer them pastoral or sensory support, often away from their peers, but this can actually add to a child’s sense of isolation, causing them to camouflage or mask their true self to an even greater extent.

‘In mainstream, there’s also a focus on exams and qualifications. We have many students here who will take GCSEs. However, qualifications become less relevant if they have anxiety, depression or other mental health issues that might impact their ability to work or pursue interests in later life. We encourage them to be true to themselves and give them the life skills that will impact their entire lives. We need to help our children navigate a neurotypical world without changing them. Life can be difficult, but we can give them strategies to get around the challenges they will undoubtedly face, without having to mask their true self to suit everybody else.’

THERAPY DUCK

For those entering at Year 7, Vincent House has a primary-trained teacher, which is helpful to those who might have missed large parts of their primary education, giving them a chance to catch up before moving on to the next level.

As well as academic classes, students can exercise in a playground including swings and climbing apparatus, while there’s an area for horticulture where young people can grow plants and vegetables. The school has on-site therapists too, including Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), and Clinical Psychology.

Staff also promote a positive atmosphere and the school has already adopted unusual quirks. One student, Darcie, mooted the idea of a therapy duck and an inflatable duck called Vincent is now part of the school’s activities. The Headteacher also awards small ducks as prizes to students, while Darcie herself has a school jumper featuring an embroidered duck. Reeva, the pet of Deputy Head Abbie Simmonds, acts as the school’s well-being dog, regularly providing company to young people.

Those that don’t need dogs and ducks may find comfort in the canteen, commonly referred to as Roberto’s, in homage to both the Head Chef and the restaurant quality of his cuisine.

Rob Walton said: ‘Children are well fed and all meals are free here. Some autistic children have eating disorders, so they visit Roberto in the morning to find out what’s on the menu and he prepares something different for them, if need be.

‘That is just one of the many positive things that parents and carers have commented on. Some families chose to send their children here long before the school was even open, after hearing about our ideas and vision at Open Days. They put their trust in us and joined us for what was quite an emotional ribbon-cutting event in September. When they tell me how much their children have changed since joining Aurora Vincent House, it makes me very proud of the job we do here.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: Tel: (01403) 337500 VincentHouseSchool@theauroragroup.co.uk www.theauroragroup.co.uk

laser welding technology has made our job easier in many ways and expanded what’s possible. When it comes to making repairs, laser welding eliminates the risk of damaging gemstones through heat, compared with a soldering method, and it also gives you a near invisible, seamless finish too.’

MAKING MEMORIES

As well as repairs and servicing, Wakefields create bespoke jewellery. This can be an entirely new wedding or engagement ring, or transforming antique jewellery into something new and contemporary, with Wakefields’ knowledgeable consultants working with clients throughout the process.

Some clients request rings, pendants or bracelets that can carry the ashes of a loved one or even a pet, helping to keep their memory alive. Engraving services are offered on-site too, for those who wish to personalise a piece of jewellery or a watch.

Rachel Raine, who has worked at Wakefields for more than 20 years and is now Repair Shop Manager, said: ‘Bespoke jewellery is one of the most exciting parts of the job and the team enjoy the challenges they present. Often, clients bring in an old piece of jewellery, perhaps an heirloom that

‘It’s hard not to be emotionally invested when you’re creating something so special.’

belonged to a parent or grandparent, hoping to use it to make something new. Our designers work with the client to produce CAD designs from hand-drawn sketches, then it’s down to the goldsmiths to repurpose the pieces and let the jewellery live on for another generation.

‘Some clients have a vision of what they would like, but others need some guidance and we have the experience to help them. Our sales team have spent time with the goldsmiths in the workshop too, helping them to understand the processes behind creating bespoke jewellery. Even if a concept initially seems impossible, there’s always a conversation about how we can achieve it.

‘Recently, we made a beautiful butterfly necklace for a client, using gemstones from jewellery she no longer wore but wanted to keep

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As well as diamonds – hand-selected for their brilliance – lab-grown diamonds offer clients a greater carat selection within a more moderate budget. Some pieces include gemstones too, selected by Dominic and Melanie from the world’s most prestigious gems and minerals show in Tucson, Arizona.

Melanie Wakefield, an expert gemmologist and certified diamond grader, said: ‘Sourcing gemstones is something that we love, as it gives us the opportunity to create individual pieces. We are highly selective when it comes to buying the finest loose gems and returned from this year’s show with over 150 gemstones including tourmaline, sapphire, topaz, Tanzanite and garnets, as well as rare, unusual stones, such as watermelon tourmaline and bi-colour sapphires.

We also acquired three gems by internationally renowned gem cutter John Dyer, including a lilac StarBrite Tanzanite (below) that captivates anyone who sets eyes on it.

‘Nearly all of these gems have been chosen to become unique pieces of jewellery which cannot be repeated. People don’t always realise that elements of a single ring might have gone through several pairs of hands before it’s ready to display, from the cutter of the diamond to the goldsmith who casts or hand-makes the ring, to a gem setter. Each person in the chain is highly-skilled and passionate about the process and at Wakefields, we want to

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share that passion with everyone. Customers don’t often have the chance to see the work that goes into creating fine jewellery or sentimental pieces that give life to something new. It requires the dedication of wonderful professionals and ends in the magical moment when jewellery is unveiled and worn at an engagement, wedding or other special occasion. It’s a privilege to be part of that journey.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Toby Phillips

Further information: Wakefields Jewellers, 11 West Street, Horsham, RH12 1PF Open Mon – Sat: 9:15am - 5pm wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk

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STOP READING ABOUT AI - START USING IT!

Kieren

Johnstone Co-Founder Red River

Barely an hour goes past without somebody mentioning AI.

Fads in the tech world are nothing new…Bitcoin, Big Data, Virtual Reality, have all come out of the tech world into common parlance in the last couple of decades. Some of these fads endure and some fade.

AI is different - not only is the capability of the technology unprecedented, but the potential application and impact are so widespread. Productivity gains can be readily realised by every industry, every organisation, and well, everyone.

ChatGPT, the poster child of the revolution, currently receives 5.4 billion visits per month, and it’s far from the whole story. It sits in the category of Generative AI, alongside Sora, Gemini, Claude and numerous others.

Governments and society as a whole are still grappling with the legal, ethical, moral and regulatory challenges that have arisen. Then, there are industry-specific products and tools built on the tech, and vast opportunities for forward-thinking businesses or entrepreneurs to make something new and amazing using it.

Scary, yes? Well it doesn’t have to be. By getting involved now, seeing practical examples of how it can help you in leisure and business will demystify this technology. Yes, you do need to keep your eyes open. Don’t go booking yourself on impossible holidays on the suggestion of ChatGPT, remember to do your own research too. If you ask something silly, it will always give you an answer.

A good starting point would be to keep a window open with ChatGPT as you work. Consider it a “helpful assistant” you can delegate questions and tasks to. Can’t think of a word? Need an executive summary for a document?

‘Seeing practical examples of how AI can help will demystify the technology.’

Want to analyse a cumbersome set of spreadsheets? Set it going and see how it does. With these kinds of tasks, you’re likely to be very pleasantly surprised.

We have many AI success stories to share - from helping us to do business in Portugal without speaking the language, to optimising database queries. It even identified my own need for an operation, just days before the window for viable surgery passed, after a physio missed the signs.

The dark side of being a “helpful assistant” becomes apparent when you really dig in, however. An assistant so hell-bent on being helpful that it’s compelled to give an answer, even when there isn’t one. It won’t push back. It’ll use its best guess when it should have asked for clarification.

The way around this is through providing context. If you imagine that you’re handing your request to an enthusiastic intern with widespread general knowledge and access to

Google, on a piece of otherwise blank paper - you’ll start to develop a sense for what’s required. In that case, you’d be sure to leave them with, “any questions, just ask!” - so do the same here. Give examples of what kind of answer you want and what kind you don’t. Have it come up with a plan first, so you can check the approach.

Working carelessly with your new assistant, over-dependence or complacency are very real risks. Businesses should develop an AI policy - since everyone is using it, encouraging personal responsibility and having guidelines is crucial. After a few days, you’ll find yourself wishing it could do more. If only it could talk to your warehouse or update that internal system you have directly. Or, if only you didn’t need to ask it but it was proactive at automating some task you tackle regularly.

This is where we come in. These things are all possible, since these agents can be configured to use tools, and the same capabilities can be automated and built into your systems and business. If you’re interested, we’re running an AI focused event and would love to have you stop by. Keep an eye on our socials for updates and register your interest by emailing us

www.river.red email: hello@river.red 0344 8802357

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E-BIKE

RENTALS IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH

DOWNS

The Bicycle Exchange has expanded its services since relocating to the Wiston Estate in Washington.

The business, founded by Dan and Francesca Lawrence, initially sold pre-owned bicycles from a rural barn in Billingshurst. The Bicycle Exchange then took on a second unit in Ashington, offering servicing and repairs while also establishing a small café. Now in Washington, next to Chalk Restaurant, the Bicycle Exchange is utilising its location close to the South Downs Way by offering an e-bike rental service too.

Dan said: ‘The South Downs Way stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne and people love riding it. It’s a 100-mile ride and is very challenging, so some like to take it easy and complete the route in three or four days, while others may start early in the morning and complete it in just one day. Some ride an MTB, but because there are difficult uphill sections over rough terrain on the Downs, many prefer to use an e-bike.

‘Some MTB riders joke that it’s cheating to use an e-bike, but there are times when you’ll be very happy to have the assistance of battery power! Even though it helps you up hills, you still get great exercise on an e-bike and – for some – it means continuing to ride at a time of life when they lack the strength to complete long distances, allowing them to carry on doing what they love.’

‘With this in mind, we’ve launched a new website (www.ridethedowns.co.uk) giving people the chance to rent a good quality, fully-charged e-bike for anything from two hours (£45) to one day (£85) or even an entire week (£295). Lots of people are interested in buying an e-bike but want to try one first before committing to spending a significant amount of money. So, we offer a scheme in which those who want to rent an e-bike can receive a discount of the rental amount, if they then wish to buy one of the bikes new. We use Trek Powerfly +4 bikes, which is a perfect book for exploring off-road trails like the South Downs Way.’

CRANK IT UP

At 100-miles long, the South Downs Way is beyond the battery of most e-bikes. Dan has tested the ride himself and rode a 52-mile stretch from Winchester to Wiston with 11% power remaining. So, The Bicycle Exchange is an ideal spot for both bike and rider to re-energise. As well as offering e-bikes, a wide range of pre-owned bikes and a busy workshop for repairs, Cranks Café @The Bicycle Exchange has been extended to offer food, including breakfast baps, jacket potatoes and a range of toasties. Run by Francesca, the café also sells ice cream shakes, fruit smoothies and pancakes, with a games area (including table football) to keep people entertained.

Francesca said: ‘We serve a great cup of coffee, as well as cakes and treats from Kim’s Kitchen Sussex. The toasties are popular too and we’re holding a competition in which people can create their own toastie for our menu, with the winner receiving a free toastie every week for a year. With other features such as a book swap, the café is becoming popular, and we hope to grow further still, perhaps organising events such as quiz nights.’

PARKRUN PLANS

Thanks to its rural location, close to features such as Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring, The Bicycle Exchange is a good spot to start or finish a ride, with maps available there too. One group of cyclists

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)

already sets out from Crank Café on Sunday mornings, while The Bicycle Exchange has collaborated with guided ride specialists Marmalade MTB, giving more people the chance to ride the Downs on an e-bike. It’s also hoped the café will soon host an official ParkRun.

Dan said: ‘We already organise a social Sunday run, offering 5K, 8K and 10K routes on local trails. This has proved popular, with between 40 to 50 runners attending. The Wiston Estate is keen to support a Saturday ParkRun too and approached us about the idea, as Cranks Cafe would be an ideal place for runners to meet and have refreshments. There’s a lot going on, as we’ve also launched West Sussex Bike Exchange, a charitable arm of the business. We take donations of unwanted bikes and those that are good enough will be serviced and sold through the business, with profits going to our charity partners, Turning Tides and Chestnut Tree House. Any that can’t be sold but are still good bikes will be fixed and given to somebody who may need a bike but doesn’t have the money to buy one. It’s another way we can contribute more to our great local cycling community.’

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

STORE WARS

GOBSMACK IN HORSHAM CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

GOBSMACK HOSTED A 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

Gobsmack celebrated its 10th anniversary in September by welcoming characters from the world of film, comics and popular culture.

Having started out as a specialist retailer of comics and graphic novels, the shop has expanded to offer video games, merchandise, trading cards and collectibles. Gobsmack is well-known for its character-themed events too and to celebrate its milestone anniversary, the shop welcomed the likes of Jack Sparrow, Pikachu and Chewbacca.

The business was founded by Drew Dewsall, who was in the process of writing a graphic novel when he launched Gobsmack Comics in Piries Place. He recalls: ‘I was working with an artist, Chris Hazard, and we thought that opening a comic book shop would give us the time to work on our own project, while also helping to fund it. We underestimated how much work is involved in running a shop and with families to support, our priorities changed. We shelved our plans for the graphic novel and I continued at the shop.

‘At the time, comic books were enjoying a resurgence and we were riding the crest of a wave. Marvel films were dominating the Box Office and we found that children introduced to characters such as Iron Man and Captain America through the big screen would then seek out comics to learn more about the character’s back story. Unfortunately, that curiosity waned as comic book films have saturated the movie industry, which has had a negative impact on demand for comics.’

GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL!

By the time that Gobsmack had moved to larger premises in Swan Walk, it had developed a range of merchandise alongside comics. This include action figures and collectibles from the world of Marvel

(Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man etc) and DC Comics (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman etc). Others come from the realm of science fiction – films and TV shows with a popular or cult following, such as Transformers, Godzilla, Alien, Predator and Star Wars. However, it is the Japanese phenomenon of Pokémon that has been even more pivotal to the shop’s fortunes…

Drew said: ‘Pokémon is more popular now than ever. Nintendo are masters of making it relevant to every new generation and it continues to account for a significant percentage of our business. They release a core series (currently Scarlet & Violet) every two years, with a new set released every few months (Phantasmal Flames is due soon) and even as an official retailer, we struggle to get our hands on enough stock to meet demand.

‘The shortage means you have Pokémon “scalpers”, who try to buy up new stock and sell it online at inflated prices. During our most recent launch, one man was unhappy as we limited customers to one set of cards each. He tried paying youngsters to buy more for him, in the same way teens used to ask adults to buy them cigarettes and alcohol! This annoys me, as not only are scalpers denying genuine collectors of all ages the chance to buy and enjoy the cards, they’re also selling them online at vastly inflated prices, knowing some people will still pay. On many occasions, we’ve had children crying in the shop because we’ve sold out of Pokémon!’

THE K-POP BOOM

Another success story is Warhammer, in which people can assemble and paint miniature figures and play table-top strategy battles. Gundam model kits are popular too. For many years, UK buyers could only buy imported Gundam products from Japan, where the influential animé series was created. Now, Gundam kits are distributed by Bandai Europe, with entry kits starting from £10.99. Also central to Gobsmack is a cabinet featuring a wide range of stunning hand-painted figures by studios such as Gentle Giant, as well as scale die-casts by Hot Toys, attracting older collectors with deeper pockets.

Spotting emerging trends is vital, says Drew: ‘I think the fact that I never really grew up helps! Having my own children keeps me informed too and the shop’s young team help track social media trends. Occasionally, something takes the world by storm and surprises everyone, as was the case with KPop Demon Hunters. Even production companies can’t predict if something will strike a chord with the masses, so it’s only later that merchandise becomes available. As my daughter is obsessed with K-pop, we offered Demon Hunters products as soon as we could, quickly selling out of posters, bags and other merchandise. On other occasions, something I think is amazing hasn’t connected with buyers. Sometimes, I have to rein in my interests and accept that not everyone is as geeky as I am!

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‘Whether any of our current items will be worth a fortune in the future remains to be seen. When Star Wars: Episode I came out, lots of people bought the action figures with the intention of keeping them in their boxes. But the reason original Star Wars toys in mint condition are so valuable is because nearly everyone who bought them played with them, creating a sense of nostalgia. I doubt people are going to pay hundreds of pounds for a Phantom Menace figure in years to come!’

‘Scale

die-casts of superheroes by Hot Toys attract collectors with deeper

pockets.’

RETRO ARCADE

In addition to Gobsmack, Drew runs Square Eye Retro Arcade, which until recently occupied a vacant unit in Swan Walk. At Square Eye, visitors paid for a time slot rather than to play individual arcades. Drew’s collection includes some of the greatest arcades of all time, such as Asteroids, Pacman, Paperboy, Point Blank, Operation Wolf, Space Invaders and Mortal Kombat, as well as racing games such as Out Run and Hang On Deluxe. The arcade proved popular, drawing a younger audience to Swan Walk, and Drew hopes to one day open a bar or café with retro games.

‘Square Eye replicated the feeling of walking into an arcade in the 1980s, which is exactly what I wanted,’ he said. ‘Young people loved it too, which is crazy considering they normally play video games a million times more powerful. Arcades offer a more social experience – something in short supply for many people. It was also an affordable way to try classic games. If you go to a coastal arcade centre, you’ll pay £2 or £3 for a very short game that probably doesn’t reward good play with extended life in the same way that the old classic arcades do!’

If arcades still have a place in modern society, maybe comic books do too. Marvel have reignited interest in the format through its Ultimate Universe series, launched in 2023, while more recently, DC Comics have launched the successful Absolute Universe series, featuring characters like Superman

DOORS

While comics alone don’t bring in enough business, Drew’s passion means that he will continue to support the format, even if the word ‘Comics’ has disappeared from the shop’s branding.

After 10 years, Drew feels that running a shop is harder than ever, but hopes that Gobsmack continues for many years to come. ‘This year has been very tough and I wasn’t certain we’d make it to our anniversary,’ he said. ‘Earlier this year, the world’s largest distributor of comic books filed for bankruptcy and that had a huge impact on the industry. We’ve also had to contend with supply issues for Pokémon, subscription deals all but killing off demand for physical video games, and the cost-of-living impacting sales of high-ticket collectables. We’ve also been hit by service charge rises in Swan Walk, placing further pressure on independents like us. So, we may need to think about moving on if an opportunity comes up elsewhere that gives us more scope.

‘However, the anniversary event went well and we’re hoping for a great Christmas and New Year, taking us up to Force February, where we will again host our annual Star Wars-themed event. From the outset, we wanted Gobsmack to be an inviting shop, where people have the freedom to browse and discover their first comic or graphic novel, and develop their own interests. I didn’t want Gobsmack to be one of those old-fashioned stores run by people who make you feel out of place if you don’t have extensive knowledge of comic books. If you’re starting to collect something – whatever it is – you can chat to us and we will do our best to help.’

WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: Visit Gobsmack at 67 Swan Walk, Horsham, RH12 1HQ gobsmackcomics.co.uk

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A Fresh Perspective Can Help Rental Property Owners

After the ‘here, there and everywhere’ of Summer – with holidays and routines all over the place – Autumn brings a welcome sense of structure again. For landlords, it’s a time to take stock; reviewing properties, tenancies, and the support received from their letting agent. It’s not always about dissatisfaction; often it’s about checking that the service you signed up for still fits where you are now.

Q: What are the benefits of sense-checking lettings arrangements?

A: Landlords’ needs evolve. Some may want more proactive advice, regular communication, or stronger tenant retention. Others might simply be seeking reassurance that their property is being as well looked after as possible, in a changing market. These are common reflections, not complaints, and they’re worth exploring before becoming swept up by Christmas.

Q: One key trend is the centralisation of property management. How does that affect Horsham landlords?

A: It’s a growing trend in larger agencies. Centralisation can make operations more efficient, but it often removes the personal touch. When maintenance, inspections and tenant communication are handled from an out-of-area hub, landlords and tenants can lose that quick, local response and on-theground understanding that really matters when issues arise.

Q: How can landlords tell if their agent is still the right fit?

A: It’s worth asking a few questions: Does my agent still communicate in the way I need? Do they know my property and tenants personally? Are they managing things proactively rather than reactively? Every agency has its strengths, and the best fit often comes down to communication, local knowledge, and shared values.

We welcome conversations with landlords who want to sense-check how their property is being managed; no obligation, just an open chat about what’s working and what could work better. Our inaugural Landlord Lounge event (see below) is an opportunity for exactly that. Autumn is a great time for reflection, and small changes can make a big difference. Whether you’re completely satisfied or just curious about your options, it never hurts to explore what’s out there.

For an album’s artwork to become iconic, does the music need to be great too?

Do you plan to write more music books?

Having met Kurt Weddle during this project, I have since helped edit his book Nirvana: Never Mind the Photos. It’s a lovely book, featuring 140 rare photos taken during promotion of Nevermind, which became stratospherically successful. The book had its challenges though, as the baby pictured in the pool with the dollar bill has grown up to become very litigious! I also edited Terry O’Neill: Every Picture Tells a Story Terry passed away in 2019, but his images helped define icons such as Kate Moss, David Bowie and Brigitte Bardot.

Will the artwork of more recent albums be revered in future?

It’s hard to know, as there isn’t such a need to sell physical records. Why go to great lengths to create beautiful art in a world of digital downloads and streaming? There are some terrible covers by the likes of Ed Sheeran, so perhaps I could do a book of the worst album covers of all time!

What are your hopes for the book?

It’s early days, but it could be published as a hardback. One idea is to increase it to 50 covers for future editions, which could accommodate some more recent albums, such as those by Stormzy, who has had some great covers. They didn’t quite make the cut this time, which is down to their recent release more than anything else. I’ve also mooted the idea of turning the series into a podcast and a few photographers have expressed an interest, so watch this space…

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: You can order the book at https://shop.kelsey.co.uk

That’s true in most cases, as we associate artwork with the music and form a nostalgic connection with a certain time in our lives. The Clash’s 1979 album London Calling adopts the same pink and green font as Elvis Presley’s eponymous 1956 debut, with both invoking the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll of the time. Grace Jones knew the importance of style when it came to covers such as Nightclubbing In the 1960s though, concepts could come together very quickly. The Beatles were initially planning to release an album called Get Back (later renamed Let it Be) but when they decided to release Abbey Road first, art director John Koch had just two days to produce the artwork. The famous photo of the band crossing the road was taken by Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan, who climbed a ladder to take it. Paul McCartney had already sketched out a concept, but Iain took just six photos and only one had all four members with their legs apart and in synch.

Do you have a favourite cover?

As I was born in Northern Ireland, my favourite is Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin, featuring children on Giant’s Causeway. That has an interesting story too, as it’s an amalgam of several images. There were actually only two children – a brother and sister – who were photographed.

WALK-IN SHED

COBBLESTONE WALK IN STEYNING IS A HUB FOR CREATIVES

HOLLIE CHEESMAN RUNS POT LUCK CREATIONS (©ALAN WRIGHT/AAH)

Often called a “hidden gem” of the Horsham District, Cobblestone Walk is home to 24 small businesses off Steyning High Street. With the popular Cobblestone Tea House ensuring a steady stream of visitors, the Walk gives new businesses a chance to establish a foothold, with some previous occupants such as Slipped Discs and Sakala having made the jump up to the High Street. Today, the Walk is home to beauty therapists and barbers, architects and osteopaths. It also boasts a wonderful array of creative businesses selling art, pottery and hand-made wares. We visited just a handful to find out more…

POT LUCK CREATIONS

Hollie Cheesman founded the independent pottery painting studio a year ago. In November, she will be moving into a larger unit to also offer pottery workshops to customers...

Last summer, I was working for a company specialising in reptile care when I suffered a heart attack, aged 21. I have fibromyalgia, a long-term chronic disease, which was probably a contributing factor. During a bout of flu, I experienced chest pains and spent two weeks in hospital. It left me unable to walk and talk properly and I had to gradually improve my mobility and vocal strength again.

I couldn’t return to my previous job, so to keep my mind active I took an interest in pottery. I rented a small unit at Cobblestone Walk to sell my ceramics, before moving into a larger unit with space for a studio too. Customers buy plain ceramic pieces and paint them how they like. As well as functional items like mugs, bowls, pots and vases, I sell decorative ornaments or characters like Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants. There are also some ceramics I make myself, using a slip

casting technique (pouring liquid clay into a plaster mould) that people can paint in the same way. Painted pieces are then fired in a kiln at my home and collected at a later date.

We’re a good place for children’s parties, and I’ve squeezed as many as 10 youngsters in before. Everyone paints their own piece and the birthday child can take home a customised bowl with all their names and fingerprints on. As well as parties, I welcome lots of parents with young children making clay imprints, as well as adults who like spending an hour with a friend, chatting and painting. It’s an affordable way to pass time, with pieces starting at £3.50.

This November, I’m moving into a bigger unit once again. This will give me the space to offer more personalised gifts, as well as scope to offer workshops where people can make their own pottery. I may also be able to offer other services, such as Teddy bear workshops, and sell more recycled garments by Trash Goblin Garms, a small business owned by my sister-in-law. It would be lovely to have my own High Street shop one day, but at the moment I’m enjoying building my business.

WRIGHT)

Mandy Kendall has run Mamo Art for two years. Accompanied by her dog Jess, she sells hand-made ceramics and work by local artists...

Sculpture is my main creative passion and I sell my own work at the shop, including mugs, trinkets and ornamental figures. My aim is to sell them, so they’re very affordable. I also offer pottery lessons (Mandy’s Pottery Workshop) from my home, leading groups as they make ceramics.

To offer variation, I sell pieces by other potters too, including Heather Ellwood and Annie Batten, an experienced

MICHELLE AT MADE BY MICH (©AAH/AW)

artist known for beautiful ceramics with multiple layers of glazing. I also sell work by artists including Monique Clark, Liz Bolloten and Julie Ingham, whose distinctive prints of Sussex towns and landmarks such as Brighton Pavilion are in demand.

There are social benefits to being in Cobblestone Walk and I’ve become friends with other traders. It can be quiet at times and cold in winter, but it’s nice having people around to talk to. As well as locals, the Walk attracts many tourists. I take pleasure in knowing my pottery has found its way to America, Sweden and Australia!

Michelle Williams is one of the latest arrivals in Cobblestone Walk. She offers unique gifts made from vintage materials and dried flowers...

I have two small children, so working full time is difficult. The shop gives me the flexibility to fulfil my family commitments while bringing in extra money. When it came to finding somewhere to base the business, I went on an exploratory trip and came across Cobblestone Walk. There were units free, so I decided to go for it.

It has a nice environment as everyone helps one another. I’ve opened up for one of my neighbours and others have done likewise for me, so it’s good to have that support.

I use a wide range of materials, such as vintage China cups and saucers, to make candle holders and other unique gifts. I like dried flowers too as they make beautiful decorative bouquets and wreaths. I’m already working on my Christmas range, which will be ready by November. If I could put my Christmas tree up now then I would, as I love the festive season, and hope it brings in lots of customers!

Scheme will speed up Property transactions

With technology advancing as quickly as it is (or appears at least), it’s astounding that we can get a full mortgage offer issued in less than a minute, yet the conveyancing and legal side can take 20 weeks to complete the rest of the property transaction! Many people have tried to fix this anomaly, but nothing has ever really progressed.

A couple of years ago, I joined the executive committee of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), a group of individuals and organisations who share a common goal; to promote the application of open property data for the benefit of all. Our members include property data providers, technology companies, property professionals, lenders and others who believe that open data is essential to a thriving, innovative property industry, and to allow informed decisions, whether you’re a buyer, seller, lender, intermediary, surveyor or conveyancer.

Recently, it’s been gaining significant traction and the Government recently issued funding to a joint initiative between the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) and OPDA of almost £750k to create a digital framework aimed at transforming the buying and selling process. The project, developed in partnership with Raidiam, pioneers of Open Banking, will establish a framework for digitising property data and enabling secure data sharing among all parties involved in a transaction.

The Property Data Trust Framework, which brings together information from sources including HM Land Registry, local authorities and conveyancers, suggests that by allowing conveyancers to access verified data from a single source, the system could reduce the time, cost and risk of transactions by two-thirds. This is huge!

OPDA will oversee data standards, industry engagement, and collaboration across stakeholders to ensure full representation of the property lifecycle.

So, finally, we are seeing a huge step forward in what is deemed a “broken home buying and selling process”. This will see the transaction move quicker and more seamlessly, ultimately benefitting the end consumer. And that can only be a very good thing!

JAG’S JEMS

Inspired by her love of the Caribbean, Chris Davies-James sells hand-made jewellery using sea-glass, semi-precious gems, pearls and sterling silver...

I lived in the Caribbean, working as a diving instructor on Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It was hard making a living, so I started a side business making jewellery from sea glass. Grand Turk is south east of Miami and The Bahamas and – owing to currents – a lot of sea glass washes up on its beaches. Of course, people love the romantic notion that it comes from shipwrecks and some of it probably has, but most comes from rubbish legally dumped at sea by the Americans decades ago.

Sea glass has great beauty and some colours – such as orange, red and turquoise – are quite rare. Red glass was hard to manufacture but was used for ship lights, as well as bottles of

Schlitz Beer, s popular with sailors at an American naval base on the island.

One day, I was collecting sea glass with my three-legged dog Jagger, the love of my life! He stopped on the beach and I could tell by the way he looked at me that he’d found something interesting. He was stood over a lovely piece of red sea glass. I returned to the UK two years ago to take care of my mum, who passed away earlier this year. So, when I opened my own shop, I named it after Jagger.

I had brought some sea glass with me and use it to make jewellery pieces. I also use Keshi and Biwa pearls, as well as semiprecious stones such as Chrome Diopside –which has a beautiful green colour, similar to emerald – and Tanzanite, a rare-blue violet gemstone. I also sell a small selection of pieces by other local jewellery makers, including KEM Designs.

jags.jems

PEBBLE PICS

Donna Dale enjoys combing the beaches for shapely stones for her range of quirky, pebble-based pictures...

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I used to offer aromatherapy massage at Cobblestone Walk, until I was diagnosed with arthritis and the job became difficult. While on a trip to Spain, my mum came across a market stall selling pictures featuring pebbles and thought it would be something I would enjoy doing, so I gave it a go.

Lots of my pictures have quirky messages or memes, but I also like to design my own backgrounds to enhance a scene, before using pebbles to add characters. Some customers have a specific idea and I enjoy the challenge commissions represent. One customer wanted a gift for someone who loves the circus, so I made a Big Top background with pebbles as acrobats. I also make pebble pictures for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other special occasions.

I walk along beaches to find many of my own stones. They’re not easy to find, as pictures tend to work best with smooth, rounded stones, although it’s nice if they have some imperfections to give them character. I sell on Facebook too, but like having a base to work from. There’s a good atmosphere and although even some locals have never been to Cobblestone Walk, those that have found us will often return.

RECLAMATION LIVING

Jill Weir opened her shop in April, selling a range of upcycled gifts made from reclaimed wood by her husband, Russ...

This is our first shop after selling on Etsy for three years as YourUpcycledHome. Russ uses old scaffold planks, floorboards and pallet wood to make quirky items like noticeboards and paper roll holders. Everything is re-used, so we buy old hooks, measuring tape, bulldog clips and anything else to create something novel. We first had the idea during a holiday in America when we saw a glass table built around an aircraft’s turbine engine. While we couldn’t create anything on that scale, we were inspired to design functional pieces from upcycled items.

When we moved to Cobblestone Walk, we wanted more points of interest, so as well as our own pieces, we sell products by other brands with a sustainable ethos. These includes glasses made from bottles of Bombay Sapphire and Grey Goose Vodka, candles made from wine bottles and even notebooks made from recycled coffee cups. Another favourite are Gramophone coasters, which are popular gifts for dads. We see people flicking through them to find records their dad would like!

The business is going well and we’ll soon be moving to a bigger unit, formerly occupied by Paws For Tea. That will give us room for a nicer window display and some larger upcycled products, which is very exciting!

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FINAL WORD

MUSICIANS UNITE FOR TRIBUTE ALBUM TO MATT LONG

FIONA LONG

Fiona, mother of the late blues musician Matt Long, highlights a remarkable new album that pays tribute to her guitarist son, who lost his fight against cancer at 29.

A quite extraordinary album has come together out of tragedy.

Matt Long was the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for multi award-winning UK blues rock band Catfish and was twice named Instrumentalist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards. He was from Wisborough Green and attended The Weald in Billingshurst and the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford. He died in October 2024, following an 18-month battle with bowel cancer, aged just 29.

Shortly after he died, a music friend of Matt’s called Dudley Ross, suggested to our family that Matt’s musical hero, Joe Bonamassa, could be asked to record one of Matt’s original songs as a tribute. Matt had been lucky enough to meet Joe several times through Matt’s dad Paul, who was a producer of the Paul Jones Blues Show for several years and had recorded Joe on a number of occasions. They were delighted when Joe agreed.

I had the idea of maybe making this a bigger project as a fundraiser for the cancer ward at Royal Surrey County Hospital, where Matt was treated. I thought it would be nice to create a whole album featuring original songs written by Matt, performed by other artists who had been kind enough to support Matt during his illness by performing at various benefit gigs held across the country last summer.

There was phenomenal support for this idea from Matt’s many friends in the music world. It quickly grew into a double vinyl, with 16 incredible tracks including guitar solos from Joe Bonamassa and Walter Trout on two tracks, which both retain Matt’s vocal. There are also tracks from Elles Bailey, The Cinelli Brothers, Blue Nation, Sean Webster, When Rivers Meet, Brave Rival, Will Wilde, Zac Schulze, Alice Armstrong, Dom Martin, Chantel McGregor, Katie Bradley and his best friend from music college, who is now a vocalist with metal band Avantasia, Adrienne Cowan.

There are also guitar solos from two of Matt’s tutors from ACM in Guildford, Nic Meier and Nat Martin. Each artist has put their own spin on Matt’s songs, which makes each track unique and very special.

of charge and also mixed much of the album. Also, a special mention to Matt’s close friend and former writing partner Alice Armstrong, who has produced a very special album cover.

All funds raised from the album will go to the cancer ward at Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford which cared for Matt, to be used for equipment to specifically help cancer patients.

‘Helping others makes Matt’s loss a little easier to bear.’

The album will go on pre-sale on what would have been Matt’s 31st birthday, Friday 7 November. The first single will be also be released on the same date, and others will follow over the following couple of months before the album is officially released in the Spring.

The album also includes the encore from the benefit gig for Matt at the Stables in Wavendon last summer, featuring many of the artists who are on the album and from which the tribute album will take its name - the wonderful live version of the Joe Cocker version of a Beatles classic, With a Little Help From My Friends. This seems a very apt title for an album created by many of Matt’s music friends to honour his memory. Special mention to Dan Lucas of Joplin House Studios in Kent, who allowed the artists to use his studio free

Matt would have been overwhelmed with the amount of love that has gone into this project from his friends in the music community. Being able to use the money raised from the sale of this album to help other cancer patients in some small way makes his loss a little easier to bear.

We are so immensely grateful to every single person who has contributed their time and talent to producing this album, and hope it will be a fitting tribute to Matt.