SEPTEMBER 2017
5
When Poets Were the Pop Stars
Should monuments honour bad parents? There has been a lot of debate about the status of statues over the last few months. In America, there is a heated argument over which historical characters should be honoured with monuments. One of the most significant is the General Robert E. Lee monument, which was removed from New Orleans in May, as it was seen to symbolise the pro-slavery Confederate Army. As opposed to General Lee’s more universally admired work as a Dodge Charger in The Dukes of Hazzard. Inevitably, it wasn’t long before the furore spilled across the pond and British journalists began questioning if our historical monuments met modern moral standards. In an opinion piece that was swiftly blasted by other newspapers, a brave columnist for The Guardian outlined a well-considered case for toppling Admiral Horatio Nelson, whilst probably accepting that most would disagree. I was hoping to wade into the debate by analysing the merits of public monuments here in the Horsham district. But, sadly, there’s not much to pick at. All we have is a former Head Master of Collyer’s College riding in a donkey cart (Piries Place) and swans in a shopping centre, whose views on slavery remain a mystery. We did have The Rising Universe, or Shelley Fountain as it was known, but that has now gone. Regular readers may recall that I defended the fountain; not because I thought it an attractive piece of art, but because I felt its removal was part of a relentless pursuit of the mundane by some influential people in town. They wish Horsham to be inoffensive and dependable, like the Bargain Hunt of market towns, yes? Yes! If Horsham was to ever commission a statue of a historical local figure, there’s a good chance that Percy Bysshe Shelley would still get the nod. He was one of the great romantic
September 2017 Ben Morris Words & Design Toby Phillips Photography
SEPTEMBER
2017
Thanks
David Hamilton/Ashwater Press for photos in the My Story So Far feature (p25) Emily Summers for the RSPB Pulborough Brooks column (p66) West Grinstead Local History Group for various photos (p62) Evolution Fitness for allowing us use of its Horsham gym for the Callum Barney feature (p33). And the photo above, of course!
poets. That doesn’t mean a lot these days, but in the early 19th century, poets were the pop stars of the age, and Shelley was Justin Bieber. You may not appreciate his creative output, but he certainly impacted popular culture! Shelley may not have put his life on the line to fight for slavery, like General Lee. However, his inability to act responsibly as a parent must raise questions regarding his worthiness of any marble tribute. Whilst a master at expressing love in literary form, Shelley was bloody dreadful at raising kids. His first wife killed herself and their children were put into foster care. This was fortunate for them, when you consider the fate of Shelley’s children from his second marriage. Two died during infancy whilst their parents indulged in a tour of Italy. Another child that Shelley was responsible for, conceived by a mystery woman, didn’t survive for very long either. Only one child reached an age
when they might pop into town and buy Shelley a ‘World’s Best Dad’ mug on Father’s Day. Although if that ever happened, it would surely have been with a twisted sense of irony. Shelley’s brief life (he fell off a boat and drowned) could be perceived as a lesson in poor parenting, interspersed with poetry brilliance. Like so many brilliant men in their chosen field (there’s little doubt General Lee was a master military tactician), Shelley was a flawed character. The world is asking questions about the type of people we should honour. But we don’t have to look far to find truly deserving alternatives. I am talking about normal, honest men and women who did - and still do - incredible things to fight for our country. I was recently sent a photograph by Christ’s Hospital School, who people often think we’re linked with, but we’re not. They just happen to advertise on our front
cover! Anyway, the photo was taken a century ago, on 31 July 1917. It shows five of the school’s former pupils, who were reunited whilst serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment during The Great War. Just a few hours after enjoying dinner together, the five would go over the top at Passchendaele. Two would never return home. One would never recover from the horror and would take his own life a few years later. Two would live to a good age, one with a Military Cross to his name. We’re fortunate in Horsham to have a very good War Memorial in the Carfax. Thanks to the efforts of individuals with an interest in military history, additional names of local men who died at war were added just a few years ago. I consider myself to be a military history enthusiast, although I’m not a fan of the ceremonial focus of Remembrance Sunday. I find it frustrating that my son, who is a cub, finds the day quite boring. He must sit still in church and keep the flag staff at the right angle, whilst the news criticises people who appear on TV without a paper poppy that can be bought for 10p at a petrol station. He’ll hear words like ‘sacrifice’ a thousand times, yet he’ll hear no story or true accounts that might help him paint a picture of what really happened. Like most people of any age, he couldn’t tell you the name of any soldier on the War Memorial; He couldn’t name a single pilot involved in the Battle of Britain, arguably our finest hour. People like Billy Fiske, who was based just down the road at RAF Tangmere. So, I hope that, if ever the council does ever commission a statue, we do not choose to honour the pop stars of the age. Instead, I hope we honour the normal people just like us who – when they had to – did something incredible.
Ben
6
To Contact the Editor please email Ben: editor@aahorsham.co.uk
CONTENTS 10
News Round-Up Horsham Council pays £15m for The Forum and Beer Festival coming soon.
25
My Story ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton recalls his Radio 1 days and dinner with ‘Doddy.’
33
One to Watch Callum Barney on his difficult journey to the top of the Powerlifting world.
39
Style
COVER STORY: SEPTEMBER 2017 The September 2017 cover features ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton at his home. Ben interviewed David at a table in the garden and after having a look around, Toby chose the same spot for photos. The green weatherboard of the shed made an ideal backdrop. We took several other photos of David with his book about the glory days of Radio 1, which are used in the My Story So Far
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Experienced stylist Roberto Genesio joins the Look Fantastic team.
EDITOR: BEN MORRIS editor@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899 LETTERS: The Editor, AAH Magazine, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT
41
ADVERTISING: KELLY MORRIS advertising@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899
Julia White’s work is inspired by nature and work by Arthur Rackham.
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOBY PHILLIPS www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk 07968 795625
Art
48
Food & Drink We review the The Half Moon Inn, Kirdford, now run by model Jodie Kidd.
53
Community The Pink Gift Fair in September will be bringing over 50 stalls to Parkside.
62
History West Grinstead Local History Group have complied a book on WW1.
feature, starting on page 25. David and Toby had a good chat, as it turns out that Toby’s father worked with the DJ during his years as a producer at the BBC. They exchanged a couple of text messages during the photoshoot! Other potential covers included powerlifting champion Callum Barney, Jodie Kidd at The Half Moon and members of the West Grinstead Local History Group.
WEBSITE: www.aahorsham.co.uk We publish AAH online every month. You can read archive editions too. ADVERTISING Eighth Page Advert: £55 + VAT Quarter Page Advert: £110 + VAT Half Page Advert: £185 + VAT Full Page Advert: £310 + VAT Every Sixth Advert is Free For details or an AAH information book email advertising@aahorsham.co.uk or call 01403 878026 ARCHIVE EDITIONS/PHOTO SALES Past editions can be purchased for a cost of £3. Contact the Editor. Images can be purchased, either as digital downloads or prints. Contact Toby for details. DOOR TO DOOR DISTRIBUTION Horsham: Max Paterson, Jacquie Paterson, Andrew Price, John Gatehouse, Kathryn Bland, Lewis Spiller, Owen Wirth, Pat Gibbs, The Cocoracchio family, George Voisey, Connor Heald, Paula Hunter, Katie Drysdale, George Williams, Sam Tasquier, Edward Hitchings, Amy Dallas, Joe Tait Southwater: Connor Brown, Jack Taylor Villages: Samuel Dauncey (Mannings Heath)
Adam Browse (Warnham) Will Sessions (Ashington), Ben Morris (Stands), Mike Hoare (Nuthurst),Connor Wykes (Partridge Green), Oak Tree Farm Care (Maplehurst & Copsale); Mark Simpkin (Washington), The Palmer family & Sam Coles (BBH) James Hobbs (Thakeham), Callum Matthews (Storrington) PICK UP POINTS 4,000 more copies are available at businesses, clubs, organisations, and community centres across the district. Our stands can be found at... Horsham: Sakakini (Carfax), Artisan Patisserie (Market Square), Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Museum, Horsham Rail Station, Roffey Post Office, Crates (Carfax) New House Farm, Swan Walk, The Capitol Village Stands: CoCo’s (Southwater); Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Jengers Bakery in Billingshurst; Coco’s (Billingshurst) Barns Green Village Store and Sumners Ponds, Hutching’s Butchers in Partridge Green, Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, Bluecoat Sports (Christ’s Hospital). NOTES: We would like to thank Sam Coles, who is moving on from his delivery round in BBH to take up a weekend job in Horsham. If you’d like to take over Sam’s round on the new Wickhurst Green estate, email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk We also thank the Simpkins, who will be passing on the Washington round due to family commitments. If you live in the village and would like to take over, please email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk SUPERMARKETS AAH is available to pick up for FREE at Tesco Broadbridge Heath and Sainsbury’s Horsham. TWITTER: If you have nothing better to do, you can follow Ben and Toby on Twitter @AAHMagazine and @tobyphillips1
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NEWS ROUND-UP
10: News
Ashington Toy Fair will be held on Sunday 1 October at the village Community Centre
Horsham District Council has bought The Forum, between Sainsbury’s and West Street in Horsham town. The £15million investment includes accommodation currently let to four tenants (Dunelm, TK Maxx, Blacks and Benson for Beds) as well as ownership of the 472 space Blackhorse Way car park, for which the council currently pays rent. The purchase presents the council
with a “strategic opportunity” to improve the link between Sainsbury’s car park and West Street and to develop the “Forum Piazza.” It also gives the council “freedom to change or redevelop the car park in the future if necessary.” A supplementary capital budget has been approved by the council to fund the purchase. Cabinet Member for Finance and
Celebrate the life of a man who has interviewed some of the most important cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Sir Michael Parkinson appears at The Capitol, Horsham on Thursday 5 October at 7.30pm. In conversation with his son Mike and showing highlights from the Parkinson archive, An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson is an entertaining and informative look at his remarkable journey. Tickets cost £28.50 from 01403 750220 or www.thecapitolhorsham.com
West Grinstead & District Ploughing & Agricultural Society holds its annual ploughing match and show at Westons Farm, Itchingfield, on Saturday 16 September, from 9.30am. There will be 12 ploughing classes including vintage, horse ploughing and steam ploughing, as well as hedge laying, welding competitions, a livestock show, farrier display, tug-of-war, sheep
Assets, Brian Donnelly, said: “This is both about investing to make money – money to increase future income to support our council services – and about supporting our policy of council investment within our district. This acquisition gives us control over a major strategic site, one that is a big part of the council’s vision for the town centre.” Picture: Piazza Italia on The Forum
shearing and tractor rides. Other attractions include the parade of hounds from the Crawley & Horsham Hunt, terrier racing, clay pigeon shoot and a gundog scurry. Harris Funfair will also be there with children’s rides. The event is kindly hosted by David Exwood and Christ’s Hospital. Entry is £6 (children Under 14 free). http://westgrinsteadploughing.co.uk
Round-Up: 11
Southwater Art Club is holding its popular annual Experience Art Exhibition on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October. With a range of art in a variety of mediums, the exhibition includes craftwork as well as prints, cards, wood-turned items and pottery. A selection of free children's art activities will be available over the weekend. Contact the secretary on 01403 733838 for an invitation to the Preview Evening on 6 October. http://southwaterartclub.co.uk/ Picture: Art by Tracie Callaghan
Would you like to indulge in a luxury shopping experience in the beautiful surroundings of Knepp Castle? If so, join the New Horizons Appeal at their annual Autumn Gift Fair in aid of St Catherine's Hospice. The boutique-style gift fair, sponsored by Crest Nicholson, opens with an exclusive preview evening on Wednesday 20 September, ahead of the main fair on 21 September.
The preview offers people a chance to beat the crowds and enjoy a glass of bubbly and canapés whilst browsing more than 80 individually selected stalls. Tickets for the preview evening, from 6.30 – 9pm, cost £15 in advance from Suzanne Connor on 01293 447367. Tickets for the main fair cost £5 on the door. For information, email newhorizons@stch.org.uk Pictured: The 2014 Autumn Gift Fair
Jackson Live in Concert, starring Ben and his incredible dancers, comes to The Capitol on Sunday 8 October at 7.30pm. Presented by Sweeney Entertainments, this show is in its eight year of touring and sees the hugely talented Ben recreate the Michael Jackson experience with his rendition of classic songs. Jackson Live in Concert features live vocals, superb dancers, fabulous costumes and the signature dance moves. Tickets cost £21 from 01403 750220 or www.thecapitolhorsham.com
12: News
To submit News/Events for consideration email Ben: editor@aahorsham.co.uk
Step back in time to the 1990s when Girl Power: The Spice Girls Experience, presented by Sweeney Entertainments, comes to The Capitol on Thursday 28 September at 7.30pm. The show celebrates two decades of the Spice Girls’ greatest hits.
The girls are supported by a superb live band, with stunning costumes and exciting choreography making this a spectacular concert. Tickets cost £23.50 from www.thecapitolhorsham.com or the Box Office on 01403 750220.
Horsham Beer Festival will be held at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, on 9 – 10 September. The festival, organised by The Beer Essentials on East Street, features 50 real ales and 10 ciders, hand-picked from across the UK.
There will be three separate fourhour sessions over the weekend, featuring hot and cold food and live entertainment, including Morris dancing on Sunday. www.thebeeressentials.co.uk Pictured: Organiser Gareth Jones
Award-Winning Farm Shop New House Farm Shop and Tea Room is located in a beautifully renovated 16th Century barn, hidden in a quiet spot on the edge of Horsham. People come from all over to enjoy our cafe and locally sourced produce.
Strawberry Fields Tea Room Our tea room was voted Best Tea Room in the Sussex Life Food and Drinks Awards 2014.You can enjoy cakes and sandwiches, paninis and Ploughman’s Also, don’t miss our Full English Breakfast (Served until 12pm).
Baah Wars Maize Maze Open New House Farm celebrates the 40th anniversary of Star Wars with a ‘Baah Wars’ themed maize maze. The Darth Vader maze is now open. Check the New House Farm Maze page on Facebook for full details.
S
Tea Rooms and Farm Shop open 7 days a week www.newhousefarmshop.co.uk 01293 851890 New House Farm, Old Crawley Road, Horsham, RH12 4RU Open Every Day from 10am - 5pm
Horsham Bridge Club raised £300 for the Friends of Ingfield Manor during its 70th anniversary tournament on 30 July. Members enjoyed birthday cakes made by Gini Phillips. The club hosts a 10-week course for beginners, starting on Monday 25 September. www.horshambridge.co.uk
A wedding fair will be held at Mannings Heath Golf Club and Wine Estate on Sunday 26 November, from 11am – 3pm. Walk around the venue and meet a hand-picked selection of recommended suppliers. Free entry. For details email weddings@manningsheath.com
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NEWS ROUND-UP
14: News
Horsham Museum hosts an Art exhibition by Sarah Duffield, starting on 23 September
St Mark’s Church in North Heath Lane, Horsham, hosts a flower festival on 8 - 10 September. Themed In the Beginning, the festival celebrates St Mark’s being made the Parish Church of Holbrook. The flower festival is open from 10am - 5pm (2pm 5pm on 10 September). Admission and parking is free. Refreshments are available and all are welcome.
Horsham AmeriCARna will be held in Horsham town centre on Sunday 24 September. This new, motoring-themed event is a celebration of American cars and motorcycles, including customised hot rods, muscle cars, NASCARs and
Harley Davidsons. There will be themed stalls and rock ’n’ roll music. The event is organised by Horsham Time Well Spent and AmeriCARna will run from 10am - 4pm. www.horshamamericarna.show
Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity is holding a Will Writing Week from Monday 9 - Friday 13 October. They have teamed up with Kreston Reeves Private Client LLP in Horsham, who are offering a limited number of appointments to help with your will. They are offering reduced rates which will be donated to the charity. For more information or to book an appointment, please email carole.whorwood@dvlcc.org.uk or call 01444 473274. There are new volunteering opportunities in the Horsham district. Worthing Churches Homeless Projects needs volunteers to help prepare and serve breakfast to homeless people in Horsham from 8.30 - 11.30am. There are three volunteers on each shift with one taking responsibility to cook breakfast and the others supporting. Horsham Town Community Partnership needs a new Chair to oversee its work on projects including the Riverside Walk. The Oasis Club, a day support service for people living with dementia, would like a volunteer to assist staff. West Sussex Community Minibus Association offers a vital service to residents from as far afield as Steyning and Billingshurst. The charity is looking for a new volunteer treasurer to oversee its financial affairs. Find out more information by contacting Voluntary Action by emailing volunteercentre@hamsva.org.uk or call 01444 258102 or visit www.hamsva.org.uk
Round-Up: 15 Simon Reid, formerly Principal of Gordonstoun School, will succeed John Franklin on his retirement as Headmaster of Christ’s Hospital this September. Simon’s career has seen him teach in a number of prestigious schools including Brentwood, Stowe and Christ’s Hospital (1993-2004), where he held various posts including teacher of English and boarding house master. After Christ’s Hospital, Simon spent seven years as Deputy Head at Worksop College before heading to Gordonstoun in 2011. Simon commented: “In my immediate predecessor, John Franklin, I have a tough act to follow. John’s tenure saw the School make considerable advances, with major improvements on the campus, an enhanced strategic and financial footing and greater connectedness to the wider community. Most of all, he kept the School true to its original mission to create opportunity for those in need.”
The former singer with Noah & the Whale performs at The Capitol, Horsham on Sunday 1 October at 7.30pm. The Old Vic, in association with Fane Productions, presents Charlie Fink’s Cover My Tracks, after a successful run in the West End. The Noah and the Whale songwriter Charlie Fink, multi-award-winning playwright David Greig and director Max Webster, bring us the tale of an idealistic young songwriter who sets out to write a pop masterpiece and vanishes without a trace. Cover My Tracks also sees Charlie perform songs from his new solo album. Tickets cost £22.50 from 01403 750220 or www.thecapitolhorsham.com
A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
A R E YO U P R E PA R E D F O R THE CHANGES AHEAD? In the current climate of uncertainty, it is important to seek face-to-face financial advice. The United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union brings a 43-year association to its end. Parts of the transition period are likely to continue to be volatile for investors, and markets will not be fully at ease until there is more certainty about the timing and nature of the UK’s exit, and the details of its future trading agreements are known. Global markets have been turbulent since the referendum, while the pound has come under pressure, and there is no denying that the Brexit result will continue to create disruption in the short term. But putting aside the recent
MATTHEW WYKES Associate Partner
volatility and taking a long-term view will help people plan more confidently for the future. “At times like this, it pays to keep calm when all around are losing control,” says Neil Woodford, a selected fund manager for St. James’s Place. “This doesn’t change anything fundamental. I don’t think the prospects of the businesses I have invested in have deteriorated at all as a result of Brexit.” Whilst there are also fresh political risks for people to consider, the referendum result does at least remove the largest domestic uncertainty that had been troubling markets. As markets look ahead,
the very slowness of exit negotiations should enable sentiment to settle and investors’ focus to turn to the future and explore their options carefully. Chris Ralph, Chief Investment Officer at St. James’s Place says, “The short term noise in markets is not always easy to resist. It is important to always maintain a long-term view and, whilst the referendum result may yet alter a great deal about the UK, it does not alter the principles of investing or people’s need to build and protect their financial future. It is highly recommended that people seek face-to-face financial advice,
so they can gain a clear perspective on the challenges and opportunities that exist in the current climate.” For further information, or to arrange a meeting, please contact Matthew Wykes of St. James’s Place Wealth Management. Matthew can be contacted by phone on 01403 710422 or by email at matthew.wykes@sjpp.co.uk. The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and the value may fall as well as rise.You may get back less than the amount invested.
Tel: 01403 710422 Email: matthew.wykes@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.matthewwykes.co.uk
The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. H2SJP26104 06/17
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Round-Up: 17
NEWS ROUND-UP
Numskull triumphed in the Original Bands category at Horsham Battle of the Bands in the Human Nature Garden of Horsham Park, on 19 August. Soho Dukes and Leave the Engine Running were runners-up. In the Covers category, Half my Kingdom were crowned winners, with Manbitesdog and Dead 70’s named as
Showtime Australia presents the critically-acclaimed live concert The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show at The Capitol, Horsham on Saturday 30 September at 7.30pm. Featuring the breathtaking vocals of Belinda Davids accompanied by a fabulous six-piece live band and dancers, this is a beautifully crafted two-hour tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers. In 2013, Belinda beat almost 15,000 other hopefuls to land the dream role and the show has already wowed audiences across America, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Asia and Australia. Tickets cost £31 from www.thecapitolhorsham.com or the Box Office on 01403 750220.
runners-up. Serena Dalton won the Acoustic Originals competition, with Christelle and Rebecca Riedmann runners-up. http://www.horshambotb.co.uk
Assurity Consulting, an independent workplace compliance consultancy, recently held a volunteer day at The Springboard Project in Horsham. During this annual day out the office, employees visit the local charity to tidy the garden and create artwork. In 2007, the Assurity Consulting team created a ‘Springboard Junction’ mural on the wall. A decade on, the mural has been refreshed with a Harry Potter theme.
Picture: Original Bands winners, Numskull. Image courtesy of Cheryl Zimmerman / Chezzimmphotography)
To commemorate the 100th year of Lions Clubs International, Horsham Lions Club have provided a hide at Warnham Local Nature Reserve. Horsham Lions Club, now in its 55th year of service, decided to mark the centennial by supporting the local community. The idea for the hide was put forward by Lions Club member Aston Trelford, who was also a volunteer at the Warnham reserve. Sadly, Aston passed away after a short illness before construction on the hide began. The Friends of Warnham Nature Reserve thanked Horsham District Council and Horsham Lions for the hide, which has fittingly been named in memory of Aston Trelford. Jenny Boyce, who was Aston’s partner, cut the ribbon before guests, including Horsham MP Jeremy Quin, could inspect the hide. Pictured: Jenny Boyce; Jeremy Quin and Lion President David Trowbridge
Piries Bar has been steadily growing its gin offering and now boasts 100 varieties. As well as local gins, others come from as far afield as New Zealand and Canada. Manager Ross Andrews said: “We offered nine gins a little over a year ago. Now we’ve had to modify the bar to make space for them all.” Garnishes include adventurous cardamom pods and even star anise. Piries Bar hosts a Gin Club on Thursday evenings and organises monthly tastings. Visit their social media sites for details.
Chanctonbury Chorus hosts open rehearsals at Steyning Grammar School, School Lane, Steyning, on Wednesday 13 September, from 7.45 - 9.45pm. It presents an opportunity for potential new members to try out. The chorus’ next concert is Brahms’ German Requiem, with Hurstpierpoint Choral Society, professional soloists and a full orchestra. Email christine.tarry@btinternet.com or call on (01903) 815467 for more information.
NEWS ROUND-UP
18: News
To submit News/Events for consideration, email Ben: editor@aahorsham.co.uk
Join Nik Kershaw for an intimate evening of songs and stories at The Capitol, Horsham on Friday 29 September at 7.30pm. Nik came to prominence in the 1980s as a solo artist, releasing eight singles including Wouldn't It Be Good and I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me.
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He also appeared at Live Aid in 1985 and penned a UK number-one single for Chesney Hawkes, The One and Only. Tickets cost ÂŁ21.50 from www.thecapitolhorsham.com or the Box Office on 01403 750220.
Older people in the Horsham area who are lonely on Sundays are being offered company. A scheme run by the charity Contact the Elderly organises monthly tea parties for groups of older people aged 75 and above on Sunday afternoons. Members are collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a host’s home, where they meet with a small group for tea, chat and friendship. The group is welcomed by a different host each month but the drivers (who are police checked) remain the same. It is all free of charge. The established group in Horsham has space for new guests to join tea parties on 17 September, 15 October, 19 November and 10 December. Email julia.rivas@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or call 01273 805451 for more details.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS - JUST LIKE YOU! The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush brush before beforethrough throughtoto improvers. STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE adaptto to student’s We adapt eacheach student’s andgive givethem them all the needs and all the andhelp helpthey they need guidance and need to develop their their artistic artistic skills. skills.The The curriculum isisfun, fun,comprehensive comprehensive and interesting. Over the course we we will explore four different media; pencil drawing & sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and blending with water colours and acrylics. Step by step tuition in the basic techniques and secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of art.
STILL LIFE TO LANDSCAPES By the end of the course, students will have created a minimum of 12 pieces of their very own original art they can enjoy forever, from simple still life and flower studies to beautiful countryside landscape scenes. FUN, EASY CLASSES Learn to draw faces, friends, family and pets in the first few weeks. We make it Fun and Easy for you. YOUNG AT HEART This course is a brilliant way to learn new skills you will be able to enjoy forever. It is also a great way
of meeting new friends and and to to have have a fun experience you will always remember and cherish! It is open to adults of all ages. LIMITED PLACES To maintain our high standards of tuition, classes are kept to small numbers – so places available are limited! If you are interested, please call now for details.
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Round-Up: 19 Horsham Natural History Society’s autumn season of meetings starts on Monday 25 September. Francis Kelly from Surrey Butterfly Conservation talks about the fun side of butterflies on 25 September. Ecologist Penny Green (pictured) will be talking about the Re-wilding project at Knepp on 9 October. Meetings are held at the Wesley Hall, London Road, Horsham, at 7.30pm every Monday until March 2017. Visitors are very welcome. http://www.hnhs.org.uk
Prime, an exhibition of paintings by Jacky Bellamy, Jane Cattlin, Philippa Paterson and Juliet Robertson, will soon be held at the Atrium Gallery, Emily Ball at Seawhite Studios, Star Trading Estate, Partridge Green. Meet the artists at an opening party on Saturday 16 September, from 10am – 4pm. Each artist has a connection with the Seawhite Studio, having attended courses with director Emily Ball and her team of tutors over many years. The exhibition continues until 16 February 2018, with viewing by appointment only. For details of courses at the Studios, visit www.emilyballatseawhite.co.uk Picture: Art by Philippa Paterson
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The Arts Society Horsham hosts a series of lectures at The Capitol, Horsham, over the coming months. On Wednesday 13 September, Dr. Susan Kay-Williams talks on Tapestry, The Ultimate Wall Hanging. On Wednesday 11 October, hear Linda Smith’s lecture on Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves: The Representation of the Working Classes in Art. Then on Wednesday 8 November, Frank Woodgate talks about Ai Weiwei in his talk Everything is Art, Art is Everything in Politics. Lectures start at 10.45am, with coffee available from 9.45am. Visitors are welcome with an admission fee of £5. The Arts Society Horsham was formerly known as The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Horsham.
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20: News
We have an online Events listings page at www.aahorsham.co.uk The Parham Harvest Fair, a celebration of autumn and country life, will be held on 23 - 24 September, from 10.30am – 5pm. The fair brings together the best of homemade food, locally-grown produce as well as cookery demonstrations, working horse cart rides, gun dogs and falconry displays. On Sunday, BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey Radio will be hosting the popular gardening show ‘Dig It’, with hosts Joe Talbot, Jim Buttress and Parham’s head gardener Tom Brown (pictured) live from the fair. www.parhaminsussex.co.uk
The UpBeat Beatles perform at Warnham Comrades Club, Hollands Way, Warnham on Saturday 30 September, from 7pm. The event is the official launch for regular open mic nights at the venue. The Upbeat Beatles will be supported by other bands, disco and a barbecue. The venue has a licensed bar. Tickets cost £20 (concessions for seniors and children) and are available at www.eventbrite.com (search The UpBeat Beatles)
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Horsham Artists Open Studios (HAOS) hosts its contemporary Art Fair at County Hall North, Chart Way, Horsham on 21 - 22 October. HAOS Art Fair is open to the public and features a range of artists include painters, print makers, sculptors, ceramicists, jewelers, glass & textile artists. www.horshamartistsopenstudios.co.uk
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Doing Pilates regularly also means patients have fewer recurrences of painful episodes. So if you have ever had back pain, you will understand why our classes are therefore so popular! Having treated people for many years, the physios at Cranfold Physical Therapy started teaching Pilates classes as a way of increasing our patients’ core and back strength, thus helping them reduce both the severity and the number of times their back ‘went’. However, as Pilates addresses muscle tone and strength in the
whole body, the results also include a longer, leaner and more upright posture. Many of our patients have now been with us for many years and continue to enjoy the classes which are relaxed and fun, as well as therapeutic.
NEW CLASSES Our new Pilates membership year begins again in September, with more classes than ever before in all our locations (Foundry Lane, Horsham; Pixham School, Dorking: Cranleigh High St). With no joining fee and the ability to cancel at any
“I wanted to take this opportunity to saw how much I enjoy and benefit from Rosie's classes. She is an amazing teacher - rigorous, but makes it fun and is very kind. It's such a lovely group too. Each week I can really feel the benefit, and feel less pain and stiffness in my back.” Cranfold Client time, the monthly membership is fully flexible for our patients, guaranteeing them their place on their class every week. There’s no disappointment at the class being full, or having to ring up at 6am to book your place! Cranfold’s classes are taken only by experienced Chartered Physios, or degree - level Sports Therapists, who have all trained in Pilates (APPI) at post graduate level. Many of our patients have a history of spinal or joint pain, but some simply want to have the reassurance that the level of precision and correction our specialist teachers provide will allow them to progress safely. Every patient joining our classes has a free 1:1 session each year with their teacher as part of their membership. This is important to enable the teacher to learn about you, and find out what you want to achieve from the classes and also to update themselves about any health changes. With the class size being limited to just 10 patients or fewer* and as the therapists are movement
and anatomy experts, they adapt the exercises as needed for each member, ensuring safety and effectiveness. (* Max 10 patients in Horsham and Dorking: max 8 in Cranleigh)
NEW CLASSES Due to demand, we have two new mixed ability evening classes opening in Horsham with Rosie and Amanda, and two new Friday afternoon classes with Sarah in Cranleigh. “I’m loving teaching my Pilates members,” said Rosie. “It’s lovely to see how people’s ability improves – even with just one class a week and even if we suspect they may not be practising at home!” Details of membership and all our classes are on our website www.cranfoldphysio.co.uk/ cranfold-pilates-classes/ Call Sarah G or Wendyanne on 01403 721050 or email us on pilates@cranfoldphysio.co.uk for more information
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My Story: 25
MY STORY SO FAR...
‘Diddy’ David HAMILTON David Hamilton, who lives near Horsham, looks back over a remarkable career, from playing ‘Diddy’ alongside Ken Dodd, to his time as a DJ during the golden age of radio.
I was born in Manchester in 1938. My father was a journalist for The Daily Mail and my son is a reporter for The Daily Express, so we are a family of journalists! My father was wounded during the Second World War. He moved to London, living in a council flat, and struggled after the war. My mother lived in Fulham, in a flat so basic that the bath tub was in the kitchen. To have a bath, you had to take the table top off it! She stayed with me at her parents’ farm near Horsham during the war and met a soldier stationed in Rudgwick, which broke up the marriage. I was an only child but I loved life at the farm. Radio was my window to the world. I remember hearing commentary from football grounds like St James’ Park and wondering what it would be like to be part of a huge crowd.
I went to boarding school at Kingswood House in Epsom. I passed the scholarship test and went to Glastonbury Road Grammar School at St Helier. This was great, as you received a good education but - unlike the public schoolboys - you didn't think you were destined to run the country. I loved football and had a trial at Wimbledon, but wasn’t taken on.
After leaving school, I travelled to the Soccer Star offices to ask for a staff job. They were surprised to discover I was only a schoolboy, as they thought the person writing the column was much older. Not only did I not get a job, they stopped publishing my column. I can only think that they were embarrassed to discover they’d been using a child.
I was a good writer at school; a skill I inherited from my father. When I was 15, I sent an article to a football magazine called Soccer Star. To my surprise, they published it. So, I wrote to the editor and asked if I could write a weekly column. He agreed and asked me to report on provincial clubs playing in London. I would watch teams like Manchester United play city clubs including Fulham, Chelsea and Charlton. The money from this column made me quite a wealthy schoolboy!
I looked for a scriptwriting job in television, which was brand new, but there were no jobs around. There was a position going for an office boy to deliver the mail. My father said I should take it, as I’d have a foot in the door. Eventually, this helped me meet the right people and I was liberated from the mailroom. Aged only 18, I wrote my first script for an ATV Sunday night film series called Portrait of a Star. We would profile actors like Marlon Brando and Henry Fonda,
interspersed with movie clips. That was going well until National Service halted my career. I thought National Service was a waste of my time. I was posted to Germany with the RAF, where I spoke to the head of the forces radio station. He needed somebody to read the football results. I was a football fan, so that was my first job on radio and it developed from there. I took my mother's maiden name, as my father's name, Pilditch, didn’t suit broadcasting. I told the station director that the music they played – Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee – was fine for the officers, but that the troops wanted rock 'n' roll. At the time, the only station that played rock ‘n’ roll was Radio Luxembourg. We were based in Cologne and Elvis was serving in the American army in Frankfurt. There was a
26: My Story
Read more incredible stories on the My Life So Far section at http://www.aahorsham.co.uk/
great buzz about him being in Germany. When I had my own show, I played Elvis records, as well as records by Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. It was the music of a new generation. Until then, we’d had to put up with our parents’ music, like How Much is that Doggy in the Window? Suddenly, we had our own sound and I was among the first DJs to play it.
Above: David (far right) horse riding in Hyde Park with Noel Edmonds and Tony Blackburn
David (front left) with other famous faces including Terry Wogan and John Peel during his days at Radio 1
Charlie Fink's - Cover My Tracks Sunday 1 October 7.30pm
The station director was so embarrassed about playing this ‘heathen music’ that he followed it with a speech by the Padre! Cliff Richard was one of the first pop stars I interviewed. He came out to Cologne to promote Move It and signed a photo for me. We were both teenagers at the time. After National Service, I returned to ATV but didn't get on with the new controller, so became an announcer and later newsreader at Tyne-Tees Television. Today, people become overnight stars on reality shows, but in those days, you had to learn your craft. I also hosted a pop quiz and a music show, Rehearsal Room. The biggest local band were The Animals, who had a hit with House of the Rising Sun (1964). There’s footage on YouTube of me interviewing singer Eric Burton. I was privileged to present one of the earliest televised interviews with The Beatles. I then compered an outdoor gig for them at Urmston, Manchester in 1963. I also introduced The Rolling Stones at the Palace Theatre. I had a red MG sports car, which I was very proud of. Somebody thought it was Mick Jagger's and scratched a love message on the bonnet. I drove around with ‘I love you Mick!’ scratched on my car for weeks. Ken Dodd had moved to 9 99ITV for a 9
A night of live music and theatre. In an interconnected, digital world, what does it take to disappear?
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Saturday night show, Doddy's Music Box, a combination of music and comedy sketches. He needed somebody to play the ‘straight man’ and I got the call. During rehearsal, Ken called me ‘Diddy David’ and the crew all laughed. He took me to one side and said: ‘Do you mind me calling you Diddy? If you do, I won't do it anymore; but I think it would stick!” I didn't mind and I've been stuck with that nickname for 50 years! We did two series of the show and Ken was the hottest ticket in town. He’d been number one in the charts, keeping The Beatles off the top, so it was a major break for me. It presented me with an opportunity to meet incredible people and make public appearances. Ken would open shops and supermarkets and they’d often say, “Can you bring Diddy David along too?” Ken turned up for the matinee of my first pantomime, playing Buttons at Bradford Alhambra. Afterwards, he came to the dressing room and said: “I’m taking you out for dinner.” We went to a fish and chip shop, he ordered cod and chips twice and then took two lagers out of his coat pocket and placed them on the table. He gave me advice for playing Buttons. He said: “Remember, Cinderella is a cow. She’s only going out with the Prince because he's rich and you're the little pageboy she really loves. So, you have to work on the pathos!” My radio career ran simultaneously to my TV career. I hosted the Beat Show and then Music Through Midnight for the BBC Light Programme, in the days before Radio 1 and Radio 2. The Light Programme was the only radio people could hear for a long time. Then, pirate radio stations came people what they 9 99 and gave 99 along
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David Hamilton: 27 wanted, which was great records. In 1967, the government outlawed pirate stations and that's when the BBC set up Radio 1 and Radio 2. The Light Programme had a music show called Swing into Summer. They tried out different hosts to see who might suit Radio 1 and I was one of them. However, I was not picked for the original Radio 1 line-up, which I was very upset about. They offered me a show on Radio 2, which was viewed as being old-fashioned and I didn't want it. Radio 1 was where the hot-rocking jocks were and I wanted to be one of them. Most of the original Radio 1 team were ex-pirate DJs. The pirates had been outlawed and to soften the blow, the DJs were offered positions at Radio 1. They also brought with them a huge fan base and were very good at ad-libbing, whereas the Light Programme worked mainly to scripts. I waited patiently for six years. From 1967, I stood in on numerous occasions for Jimmy Young, Terry Wogan, Tony Blackburn and others and I also hosted Radio 1 clubs. Finally, in 1973, I was given my own three hour daily show. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. I was 34-years-old and felt it was now or never. The first song I played was Can the Can by Suzi Quatro. Radio 1 was enormously powerful, with huge listening figures. Some DJs were more famous than the artists they were playing. They were household names. Artists struggled to have a hit if a song wasn’t played on Radio 1, so producers, who picked the playlist, were very powerful. They would be wined and dined by record companies and rules were put in place about what we could accept as gifts after one producer was given a free holiday to Malta! I liked to have some input about the records I played, particularly with Hamilton’s Hotshot. That was certainly the case with Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and When Will I See You Again? by The Three Degrees. I enjoyed playing charity football matches for the Radio 1 team. Through showbiz games, I played at Old Trafford against Bobby Charlton. At another game in aid of the Bradford City fire dependents, we played an ex-Leeds United XI that included Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter. Frank Worthington, one of their players, came into our dressing room before the match and said: “I've always wanted to be in showbiz, so I'm playing for you!” Nobody argued with him.
“I was privileged to present one of the earliest televised interviews with The Beatles” David (with the ball) played for the Radio 1 football team, facing Bobby Charlton on one occasion.
28: My Story We didn’t earn much money. Nowadays, top DJ’s like Chris Evans have huge salaries. However, the BBC were more careful with their money in those days and didn't spend licence payers’ money unnecessarily. Radio 1 DJ’s would always host Top of the Pops and the most I was paid for that was £90. After recording, I would sometimes host a show at The Dun Cow on Old Kent Road, which earned me more money than a TV show watched by 18 million people. But we all knew that Radio 1 gave us a shop window to get the gigs. I presented about 15 episodes of Top of the Pops and came back for the 25th anniversary show. Pop music appealed to people of all ages, so families watched it together, speculating what would be number one. Music was for everyone, from children to grandparents, and songs like Grandma reached number one.
David helped The Three Degrees reach the top of the charts by making their song his ‘Hotshot.’
begin with, I just played records and talked, and people were looking at me like they expected me to perform cartwheels! I spoke to other DJs and they told me that they introduce games with some audience participation. I was playing in Camberley when a woman in a leopard skin bikini started dancing on stage. She told me she was an African princess. She added something new, so joined me on a tour. She would usually drag a man up to dance with her and one night in Brentwood, she practically undressed a chap and we were banned from the venue. Then the story appeared in The News of the World and the phone was ringing off the hook with bookings!
In 1977, my show moved to Radio 2 after a period when it was broadcast on both Radio 1 and Radio 2, giving it a huge audience. Radio 2 was not the station it is today so I wasn’t pleased. Tony Blackburn took my old slot at Radio DJ’s were constantly Radio 1, which seemed stupid to travelling around the country to me as we had a similar audience. play roadshows. I must have Still, Tony and I were good friends 15/12/2016 Page 1 played 1,000 different venues. To 09:20and I was Best Man at his wedding.
David Hamilton: 29
I continued presenting on TV, including four years hosting an ITV game show called All Clued Up on Sundays. I also hosted Up for the Cup, which only ran for one series, as well as the TV Times Gala Awards, one of the biggest award shows in the industry. Seaside Special was an outside broadcast show aired on BBC 1, which I hosted in the 1970s. That was great fun as it took us to beach resorts all over the country. I’m now back working for BBC Sussex and Surrey and have more freedom. During a recent show, I played Don’t Mess with my Toot Toot (Fats Domino) and it got a great reaction, so I played it again and the producer was dancing around the room! I also have a weekday morning show on The Wireless, targeting older listeners. I travel to London once a fortnight to record two weeks’ worth of shows in one day. My first radio show was in 1958, so I would like to clock up 60 years if I can.
David wore his gold jacket on a recent appearance on The One Show with fellow DJs.
I stayed at Radio 2 for nine years, feeling my show was really Radio 1 ½. Then a new controller came in and wanted me to play the likes of Max Bygraves. The listeners didn’t like it and neither did I, so I left for commercial radio, including a stint at Capital. Commercial radio is interesting, but you are working for business people who are more ruthless. You can be dropped after one bad set of figures, as they need to make money.
TOOVEY’S
I still love performing. Two years ago, I compered a gig for a brilliant rock ‘n’ roll band called The Fugitives. It went well, so last year I joined them on a 33-date nationwide tour. We’re off on another tour later this year. For the finale, I put on my gold suit and sing Great Balls of Fire with the band. 30 September 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Radio 1, so I have written a book called ‘The Golden Years of Radio 1: Hotshots, Big Shots and Potshots’. I was interviewed about the Radio 1 days and felt that someone who was there should write about that era. I published my autobiography 20 years ago, but didn't think there would be much demand for an updated version, so this new book is written primarily about other people. I’ve written a chapter on the other ten DJ’s pictured on the cover, as well as the person I’ve deliberately cut out of the photograph. I couldn’t airbrush Jimmy Savile out of history. But the book speaks for itself; we didn’t know what he was up to as he kept himself to himself. He wasn't one of the team. We didn't really know him very well, as he wasn't the sort of chap that
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30: My Story
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www.atomltd.co.uk If you are a Buy to Let landlord and own more than four properties, then this could be of interest to you.. On 30th September, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA’s) second round of regulation rules will impact the Buy to Let sector. These requirements revolve around the ‘professional landlord’ and specifically anyone who owns more than four properties. These follow the recently implemented phase one, which took place in January 2017, implementing more stringent rental calculations and affordability assessments. The overall aim of the rules is to bring all lenders up to prevailing market standards and guard against any slipping of underwriting standards during a period in which firms’ growth plans could be challenged by the changing economic landscape and the impact of forthcoming tax changes.
‘Changes affect ‘Buy to Let’ landlords’
So, what does this mean? The new rules require lenders to assess applications using a specialist underwriting process, review and stress test the landlord’s whole portfolio, as well as the individual’s financial capability. This includes those held in a Limited Company name. Lenders will be required to make sure you are not over exposed and any decision to lend will be made once the whole portfolio has been taken in to account. Each lender will interpret the rules differently and many lenders have not yet (at the time of writing) confirmed how they will be looking to change things. However, the murmurs across the market suggest that some lenders will look at all assets and liabilities, possibly even a business plan for the portfolio, cash flow, any previous experience in property rental and both property rental and personal incomes. This could also include budget forecasts. As a standard, we expect to see the usual tax returns, three months bank statements and copies of all Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements being requested. Therefore, if you are looking to change properties, buy further or reassess current portfolios, you might be wise to do it sooner, rather than after 30th September. Without a doubt, and as with any previous regulatory implementation, lenders turnaround times will be affected as new rules bed in and processes will become slower than usual, for a while at least.
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David with his latest book on the golden years of Radio 1
“Some people might be upset by the book, but it is only the truth. It includes the good, the bad and the ugly!” you would go to the pub and have a drink with. He certainly didn't have any friends amongst the other DJs. We heard rumours, but it’s hard to act on them. Yes, it turned out he was a horrible character and I was surprised by the extent of his crimes. I've never known a story like his. Somebody so sainted in life and tainted in death. Some people might be upset by the book, but it is only the truth. It includes the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m the good, Noel Edmonds the bad and Tony Blackburn is the ugly! Sadly, many of the people in that line-up have passed away. Ed Stewart, a good friend, died last year and of course we’ve lost Terry Wogan and John Peel. When Ed died, there was a get-together of old friends. Mike Read played guitar and we sang some old Buddy Holly songs. I still like to keep busy as it stops me being under my wife's feet. I have been married to Dreena for 24 years, although we’ve been together for 34 years. I have two children from a previous marriage and Dreena has three children, with nine grandchildren between us. We live in the countryside near Horsham, in the same farmhouse
where my grandparents lived when I was young. I once interviewed Junior Campbell, singer of the Scottish band Marmalade. I couldn’t believe it when I arrived to find he was living at the home where I grew up. I told him to let me know if he ever decided to move, which he did, and here I am. I wouldn't listen to Radio 1 today, because it's not for my age group. Certainly, the glory days of Radio 1 could never happen again as you could never draw such a big audience. When I started, there was one station and now we have about 600. Those days are over.
INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
You can buy David’s book, The Golden Years of Radio 1, published by Ashwater Press, on Amazon. David also hopes to organise a book signing at Waterstone’s in Horsham soon.
If you have an interesting story to tell and would like to be featured in our My Story section, we’d love to hear from you! Email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk
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One to Watch: 33
RAISING THE BAR
Callum Barney aims to retain Powerlifting world title So, who’s this then? This is Callum Barney, pictured at Evolution Fitness in Horsham. Callum will be defending his powerlifting World Championship title in America later this year. What is powerlifting? Powerlifting involves three disciplines: the squat, the bench press and the dead lift. For the squat, the barbell is raised from your back, with competitors having to squat down until the hip crease is below the knee, and then stand back up. The bench press requires the competitor to lay on their back, lower the bar against their chest and then raise it. The dead lift is lifting weights from the floor. There are different categories for people of different weight and Callum competes in the 75kg class. It sounds like weightlifting… Weightlifting uses the ‘snatch’ and the ‘clean and jerk’. Unlike powerlifting, that requires lifting the barbell and weights above your head. Callum said: “Powerlifting is a very different discipline and the two have existed separately for a long time.”
Weightlifting is in the Olympics though, isn’t it? Yes, although it could be that other types of lifting challenge its Olympic status in future as they grow in popularity. The reputation of weightlifting has also been damaged by a string of high profile doping scandals. There must be drugs in powerlifting too? Probably. However, Callum competes in events run by the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) which is affiliated to the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) where competitors are banned for life if they test positive for drugs. He said: “If someone has taken drugs, I don't want to compete against them, because it's unfair. I don't really have an issue with people doing it, as it’s their life choice. But take your advantage to a federation where it’s more accepted.” There are other powerlifting federations then? Yes, and each has different rules and their own championships. The largest is
Clubbercise with Kate! Get fit & have fun at Clubbercise dancing to club anthems from 90’s to today. Easy routines with rave glow sticks & disco lights. Tuesdays at 8pm - Roffey Millenium Hall Thursdays at 7.30pm - Millais £5 a class Book online: https://bookwhen.com/clubhorsham or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ClubHorsham
34: One to Watch
Callum Barney in training at Evolution Fitness in Horsham
Callum feels the strain during a competition
Read our feature on Fit to Box on the Sports Section at www.aahorsham.co.uk
the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) which has applied to be recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IPF events have been attracting media attention, particularly in America. Anyone caught taking drugs is banned from IPF events for only two years. However, there is a crossover between competitors and Callum is considering entering an IPF event. When did Callum start out? He first went along to the gym club with his older brother, but initially didn’t enjoy it. He said: “It was an ‘old school’ bodybuilding club that is quite intense and I was an overweight kid. I couldn't lift much at all and didn't know what I was doing.” However, he kept going and soon caught the bodybuilding bug. Bodybuilding? With the bulging muscles and tanning lotion? Yes, lie Arnie used to do before he turned to terminating bad guys. Callum said: “I became obsessed with super fit guys in amazing shape. I was even cutting out food just to become leaner and lose my body fat. I wasn’t interested in strength; my focus was on being on the stage.” Why would that appeal to him? The tragic death of a close cousin in a car accident affected Callum badly. Feeling he had to compensate, Callum tried to live “two lives worth” and admits he pushed himself too hard. He said: “I carried the emotional weight of what happened for too long. I took it to the extreme and pushed myself in the wrong direction.” This obsession with the way he looked led to bulimia. He added: “Ironically, I hated how I looked, no matter what. I could look in the mirror as much as I wanted, but I always pushed myself to be leaner.” What changed? When his brother returned from University, he could see that Callum’s
Callum Barney: 35 physique had altered rapidly. He’d lost 30kg in body weight in one year. Callum needed a healthier lifestyle, but still wanted to push himself. He did that by turning away from bodybuilding to powerlifting, focusing on strength rather than physique. He said: “I wanted to lift more, but I was only eating 800 calories in a day that included two five-mile runs and a three-hour training session. I was wrecked!” Sounds like he needed a good, hearty meal… Well, Callum did make steps to change his diet. He said: “Whereas my drive had been to look leaner, the drive became to lift weights. Eating was a justification for becoming a better powerlifter. It was never a case of counselling or somebody giving me the right advice. I justified it myself.” How long before he was good at powerlifting? Callum thought he was good almost straight away. But he was to find out in a most humbling manner that he wasn’t!
Embarrassed, was he? Well, he’d put me to shame, but his efforts didn’t impress at a high level. Callum said: “At my first meeting, I was opening my squat with 120kg, my bench at 100kg and my dead lift at 180kg. They were quite impressive numbers to me but they weren’t impressive at a competitive level. It just so happened that the two other powerlifters at that meeting were the British Junior Champion and the British Open Champion. If they hadn't made me look so ridiculous, it wouldn't have inspired me to achieve quite so much over the next 12 months.”
“I could look in the mirror as much as I wanted, but I always pushed myself to be leaner.”
Back to the drawing board… Not entirely. Despite being well beaten, Callum’s total over the three disciplines was good enough for him to qualify for the 2015 National Championships. He scraped in by just 0.5kg. But after a good squat at the Nationals, Callum failed with his opening bench press and was out. “I was devastated, but wanted to prove that I could do it,” he recalls. He has an unbreakable spirit! Indeed. Listen to this quote:
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36: One to Watch
Callum hopes to put up a good defence of his World Championship title in Boston
If you’d like to advertise in AAH, see details in our advert on Page 56
“When I choose to do something and set a goal, I say to myself ‘it's now inevitable’. When I tell myself I'm going to be number one in the world, it’s inevitable. After the Nationals, I said ‘it's inevitable that I'm going to do this again and be better.’ There was no stopping it. I just had to get it done.” And guess what happened the following year? He came second to last? No! He returned and become 2016 National Champion in the BDFPA 75kg Junior (Under 23) class. Callum had already enjoyed a stellar year. In March, he claimed his first British junior record with a 245kg dead lift. He went on to break eleven records
as he dominated the junior class, claiming the European title too. Wow, he stepped up a notch. That escalated quickly! It did, didn’t it? Callum then had to make his mark in the Open section, for powerlifters of all ages. He achieved that on the biggest stage of all - the World Championships at Lake Garda in November 2016. He said: “There were 16 lifters from all over the world in my class. My aim was to try and win the Junior title.” I sense a Hollywood script… Callum’s squat went brilliantly, although others lifted more. His bench press was good too, even if Callum didn’t set the ultimate
benchmark. Finally, encouraged by friends and family, Callum produced a fine dead lift, leaving him convinced he had beaten his main rival to the junior title. Then they started announcing the results in reverse order, starting with 16th place. That’s embarrassing for the guy in last place... Fortunately for Callum, that wasn’t him. He said: “I figured I might be around sixth overall, so I was ecstatic when my name hadn’t been read out after they announced fourth place. Then they read out two names in joint second place and I wasn’t one of them. My first thought was that they’d forgotten me entirely.
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Then they said: ‘In first place in the Junior and Open section...’ It was the most incredible moment as I really hadn't expected it.” Consistency won through then? Precisely. Whilst Callum didn’t win in any single discipline, his total of 585kg – a new personal best – was enough for victory. When will he defend the title? This year’s WDFPF World Championships are in Boston, where there’s likely to be a greater American contingent. He’s also endured a tougher year with preparation hampered by injuries. He said: “My preparation for the Nationals wasn't good as I had suffered with lower back and sciatic pain. I won, but my performance was below my best.” Has he been beefing up down the gym since then? Yes, although his job keeps him in pretty good shape anyway. Callum coaches with Barbell Resistance, mostly around the Horsham area. He also runs sessions at Evolution Fitness on Gladstone Road, Horsham, and has trains at The Pavilions and The Underground Gym in Hove. What’s Callum’s aim for the World Championships? To give a decent showing. Callum said: “I would like to reach 600kg in total and break the British record. I would also like to break the dead lift record of 265kg. I have pulled 267kg in the gym, but I need to do it in an official competition. There is a bit of pressure, but I just don't want to put up a poor defence. If I do my best, I‘ll be satisfied.” Is he a happier person now than when it all began? Callum said: “I remind myself that the kid I was wouldn’t have dreamt of any of this. I had no interest in fitness at all; now I'm an international powerlifter with clients and am hoping to open a gym later this year. At some point, I will push myself a little less hard; but not yet!”
INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
You can watch videos of Callum in action on YouTube. For more details on Barbell Resistance visit https://barbellresistance.wixsite. com/website
Look Fantastic, which recently moved to a new premises in the historic heart of Horsham, is delighted to welcome vastly experienced stylist Roberto Genesio. Roberto is well-known, having worked in Horsham for many years. He spent 15 years learning his trade in Milan before arriving in England in 1997. “I developed my skills as a stylist in Italy, before I travelled here and somehow settled in Horsham,” said Roberto. “I worked with Jamie Thorne and Becca Mason when the salon was in Piries Place and called Crown’s. Back then, they were two young and promising stylists. All these years later, they own the salon and have families of their own. “I moved to London for a while but eventually returned to Horsham, where I worked at another successful salon in the town centre. “I always kept in touch, particularly with Jamie as we share a passion for motorcycles. I remember the day he told me about their ideas for a new salon in Market Square. Amazingly, they have achieved everything he said and the salon looks incredible. “For a stylist, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to work in such a big, modern salon and be part of a growing team. I’m confident that I’m going to be happy at Look Fantastic with Jamie, Becca and the other stylists. “I hope that many of my clients who have supported me over the years will come and
“For a stylist, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to work in a big, modern salon.”
see me at my new base and see what Look Fantastic has to offer.”
Respected Stylist Having bought the site of the former River Kwai restaurant, Look Fantastic invested in transforming the building into a vibrant salon. New items – including Spitfire chairs and recliners by the basins - were introduced and more staff were recruited to meet growing demand, with Roberto the latest edition. Jamie said: “We’re delighted to have Roberto
6 Market Square Horsham RH12 1EU
on board. He’s a well-known and respected stylist in the town and his customers have been very loyal. Bringing him here shows how far that we’ve come at Look Fantastic and we’re very much looking forward to his arrival on 9 September.”
Look Fantastic is offering new customers 50% of a Cut & Blow Dry on their first visit to the salon at 6 Market Square, Horsham. Look Fantastic also offers reward and loyalty cards to regular customers.
01403 250110
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Art: 41
The Natural Touch
Foraging helps enhance Julia White’s artwork and plants. However, I try to express the same childlike wonderment of the countryside that I felt from Rackham's work; it is like you’re in another world.”
You may not be familiar with the name Arthur Rackham, but you’ll recognise the distinctive work of this fine illustrator. Rackham’s work brought many classic stories to life, including Aesop’s Fables, Gulliver’s Travels and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. His style, a distinctive blend of Nordic and Japanese influences, came to define the magical world portrayed in fantasy books like Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. Steyning artist Julia White was among those who grew up fascinated by his work. Now, Rackham’s illustrations influence her own art, particularly in terms of the colour palette. “I love the subtle colours that Rackham used,” she said. “The style was whimsical in that he would portray fairies and mythical creatures. Yet the pictures could also be dark and scary when they needed to be. Rackham lived along the South Downs (in the village of Houghton), so it’s nice that I share that connection.”
Creating a Whimsical Effect
Tranquility, one of Julia’s botanical images
Foraging on the Sussex Downs Whilst Arthur Rackham was best known for drawing characters, Julia focuses on an entirely different subject matter. It is really only in the colour of her work where Rackham’s influence is evident. Julia’s work is more
botanical as he makes nature the focus of her art, often foraging for plants and flowers on the Downs. “I love the Sussex countryside. I take a lot of photographs whilst out walking and I also enjoy taking home plants that catch my eye. “My work doesn't involve people and is instead focused on insects
Julia adopts different methods to suit the several wildly contrasting styles of art that she moves between. For her plant-inspired Whispering Grasses and Botanical series , Julia meticulously lays plants which she sometimes presses first - on to a metal etching plate. The plate is then dipped into an acid to leave perfect impressions of the plant. Julia said: “If the etching lacks character, I will enhance it by hand before going through the process again. Once I’m happy, I add light colours to create the whimsical, old world effect that I like. “I then use a printing process to transfer the etching to paper. Some etchings can involve multiple
42: Art
Read our feature on Egyptology enthusiast on the Art page at www.aahorsham.co.uk
Four pictures from Julia’s Mini-Beasts series, which involves a digital process
plates on top of one another or even mirrored to creat a reverse effect.” Another aspect of Julia’s artistic output involves a digital process. Photos will be put through a combination of filters in Adobe Photoshop, before being enhanced with touches by hand. “Even with digital pictures, the work is finished off with gold or silver leaf, or occasionally water colours if it suits the piece,” said Julia. “The essence of my work is that it incorporates a natural process, so I always finish a piece by hand so that everything is unique.”
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Art to Make Your Skin Crawl Initially, Julia’s artistic output was along the botanical lines. Her first three pieces were exhibited at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters visitor centre and were subsequently shortlisted for the autumn exhibition of the Society of Botanical Artists. “The society insists that pictures are an accurate interpretation of a plant,” said Julia. “If I add additional marks to an etching, they don’t qualify. I like botanical art, but it’s not something I would solely focus on as I like to express myself in other ways.” One of these other forms of expression involves insects. Julia is interested in bugs, particularly beetles, which are the focus of her mini-beasts series. With these pictures, etchings of plants overlay a digital image of the beetle. Julia said: “People either love the flower pictures or they love the bugs. Someone who loves my flower pictures asked me: ‘How can you do something so joyful and then something so awful?’ To some, there is a darkness to the mini beasts, but I don't see that because I grew up loving bugs. I see a lot of beauty there
Julia White: 43 and the colours of some of the species are incredible.” Julia is also in the process of creating a series of art based on the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, a species in rapid decline. Conservation work is underway on the Downs to help provide a better habitat. Inspired by the butterfly’s plight, Julia wanted to create some art around it, but didn't have any pictures of it until a lepidopterist offered photos in exchange for a piece of art!
The Importance of Enjoying Art Growing up, Julia was fascinated by nature, collecting shells and fossils at any opportunity. Whilst her father served in the Armed Forces, Julia lived in Cyprus, where she had to make her own fun after school. “We would go down to the beach most days and that was my introduction to nature,” she recalls. “I would watch the sea, listen to the waves and just take in
the outdoors. “When it came to GCSE art, I would just paint and draw plants. In the end, I stopped painting plants as I thought it was too easy. I tried portraits and life drawing instead, but I was terrible at it! For a time, I convinced myself I wasn’t any good, whereas the truth was I wasn’t doing the art that I most enjoyed.” It’s been an unusual route back into art for Julia. She didn’t pursue her interest at college and instead became a hairdresser. In a bid to satisfy her creative needs, she found work at a theatre, making wigs and facial hair, which led to a job at Madame Tussauds. “That was where I really learned to paint,” said Julia. “The sculptors are not able to include much detail, so the colour and features are added by a make-up team. “Every wrinkle, pore and freckle is hand-painted. I was there for five years, working on numerous models including Prince Phillip!”
“I see a lot of beauty in bugs. The colours of some species are incredible.”
Julia moved to Steyning to raise a family, returning to art when her
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44: Art children started school. She attended a six-week course at Sussex Art and Printmakers in Partridge Green, learning the etching techniques that helped rekindle her artistic passion. “I fell in love with art again,” she said. “The products they were using were similar to those that I used for the wax works. Although etching was very different to painting heads, it felt like a natural progression.”
Introducing the Magic of Fairies
A digital print finished in gold leaf from the Whispering Glasses series
Julia is now experimenting with other print processes and materials to complement her nature-themed art. She recently attended a course on painting with egg tempera, as well as a course on hybrid printmaking that produces darker results. However, Julia may require a lighter process as - inevitably her work enters the realms of make-believe, with fairies on the horizon! “People have asked me if there are fairies in my pictures, even claiming they can see them! That is because of the tones I use, which are similar to those used by Arthur Rackham, who would often draw fairies. “However, whilst he inspired me, I portray my own interests in my work. Art needs to come from the heart if you’re to enjoy it.” Julia is also studying oriental methods, with a view to perhaps creating fabric pieces. A small series of holistic paintings is also on the horizon. Julia is trained in holistic studies and her herbal series offers another contrasting aspect to
her artistic output. “I'm trying to explore a feeling with the herbal series,” said Julia. “It excites me artistically, as it is the total opposite of the botanical and mini beasts art. It's modern and expressive and opens up a different market.”
Helping People Follow their Heart Julia is one of the artists exhibiting during Lewes Artwave (ends 3 September) with her work on display at A.S Apothecary in Lewes throughout September. Having recently exhibited at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, Julia is exhibiting at New Art Gallery in Alfriston in September and with fellow members of Steyning Arts at Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester, on 26 September - 8 October. Julia also teaches make-up at Northbrook College and offers art classes to adults at the Artisan Bakehouse in Ashurst. “The course is run with the ethos of giving inspiration to people to follow their heart,” she said. “I hope that my workshops help people free their minds a little bit and get back to enjoying art.”
INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
For more details on Julia’s artwork, visit her website at www.juliawhiteart.co.uk
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48: Food & Drink
18/10/2016 09:46 Page 1
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The Half Moon, Kirdford, RH14 0LT Visit our traditional country pub and enjoy the finest ales, wines and spirits by our Inglenook fireplace or our beautiful garden. Our extensive menu offers home-made food prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. Pop in and enjoy some well deserved refreshment at the end of one of the many beautiful walks in the area.
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Located on the fringes of West Sussex, close to the border with Surrey, Kirdford is the type of village where members of successful progressive rock bands choose to retire. The Half Moon Inn, a charming 15th century pub, has long been at the heart of this idyllic village. With low ceilings and protruding oak beams, the pub wasn’t built with 6’2 international models in mind. Yet the new landlady is indeed Jodie Kidd. That may initially appear an unlikely partnership, but as Jodie explains, taking on the pub made perfect sense… Jodie, how many times have you hit your head in here? I am born and bred in this area, so was brought up in historic Sussex houses. I've knocked myself out several times over the years, so now I instinctively watch my head. The only times I’m caught out now is when I'm wearing a hat or in high heels. How did you come to take on the Half Moon Inn? I have two business partners in this project, Dan Elson and Chris Lee, who are old friends of mine.
I grew up around here and the Half Moon was one of my locals. After my modelling career, I came back to the area and settled near Loxwood. Towards the end of last year, I heard that the pub might close and that developers were interested in turning it into houses. I thought that would be a great shame, as we are losing a lot of good country pubs. So, you initiated the idea to buy it? There was never really a plan. I was out with my friends and it just came up in conversation. One of the partners, who lives in London, was looking to invest in a property in the countryside, whilst the other had this dream of owning a pub that he didn’t think would actually happen! We were all excited by the idea, so we came to have a look around the pub. We absolutely fell in love with it and bought it on the spot. Did the pub need much work to bring it up to standard? We spent five months refurbishing and getting the look right. I selected everything from the chairs and tables and cutlery, to the paint and the pictures hanging on the wall. I've also put
2
10:11
The Half Moon: 49
Jodie Kidd is the new landlady at The Half Moon Inn, Kirdford
on display a wooden plaque with the pub’s ethos carved into it. The plaque was made at a rehabilitation centre for Help for Heroes, as a ‘thank you’ for the work I’ve done as an ambassador for the charity. There have been teething problems, as you’d expect with any old building. But we finally opened the doors at the end of July. You’ve snuck in a few pictures relating to motor racing… I met Dan and Chris through motor racing, so we all have a passion for cars. One of the dining rooms has an animal focus, but in the bar area you’ll find motor racing pictures. We recently held a supercar meeting
here with drivers visiting Goodwood before coming to the pub for lunch. How often are you at the pub? I've been a lot more hands-on than I thought I would be, although I have an incredible team here. As I only live a few miles away, it’s easy for me to come in and see how things are going. I have an office at home and am currently working on television projects, but I’m able to come to the pub most days. I'm part of the furniture and the novelty of seeing me around seems to have already worn off amongst the regulars! What are your aims?
To offer amazing food and yet maintain the fact that we are first and foremost a pub. In the background of this normal pub, there would be Michelin star chefs producing incredible food. We’ve created a restaurant area where you can get dressed up for a special celebration and have an amazing experience with great service. At the same time, you could sit underneath an apple tree in the garden and enjoy the exact same menu. Has running a pub been harder than you expected? I have never done anything like this before, but I knew it would be a lot of hard work. What I didn't initially appreciate was the
importance of the Half Moon to the community. A pub really is the heart of a village as it's where people gather and discuss ideas. That is why we have two sides to the pub. We have the restaurant side and the traditional part, which is what the villagers wanted. We didn't want to isolate the farmers and workers in the community who like to come in for a pint after a day‘s work. Clearly, you want to establish a reputation for good food… We have some beautiful pubs in this area and we want to fit into that but be unique, so we are pushing the food element. The Lickfold Inn and The Leconfield (both in Petworth) are producing
50: Food & Drink
Read our review of the Benguela Brasserie in Mannings Heath on the ‘Food & Drink’ section at www.aahorsham.co.uk
The Half Moon Inn could have been sold to developers
Executive Chef Paul Welburn prepares the dressed crab salad
food of a Michelin star standard. We would like to create a menu on that level in a pub environment with affordable prices. We offer a two-course meal for £20 cooked by a Michelin star chef.
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Who is your Head Chef? Paul Welburn, who was formerly at The Leconfield (Paul held a Michelin star for five years at W1 at The Cumberland Hotel). Paul is the Executive Chef here and the other chefs all have very good experience. We will be bringing in other chefs for special events, such as curry nights. I’m good friends with Aldo Zilli and hopefully he’s going to come here and prepare some Italian dishes too. We are striving for incredible, affordable food, as we want people to have an amazing time here. Are you hoping to earn a Michelin star in future? We will see how it goes. We’re not saying that we're going to be a Michelin star restaurant. We are just going to see how far we can go. We’ve put a lot of work and money into the pub, so we'd like to deliver the best that we can. The menu highlights several local producers? My ethos is basically ‘plot to plate’. I want our menu to be as organic as possible and the first thing that I did here was focus on our organic vegetable garden. Already, about 20% of our food is grown here and everything else is locally sourced, as we want to promote sustainable food. We use Goodwood and Cowdray estates for our meat and our tomatoes are from Nutbourne Nursery. With our fish dishes, the chefs can tell you when it was caught and the name of the fishing boat! I want to source everything from Sussex and Surrey, as they’re the best counties!
The Half Moon: 51
Clockwise from top left: G&T cured chalk stream trout; dressed crab salad with scorched watermelon; strawberry cheesecake and strawberry sorbet; Beautiful table setting; lamb rump with tender stem broccoli
You also support local winemakers and brewers? We have a very good wine list that includes a selection from the Bolney Wine Estate. We also have some biodynamic and organic wines, as well as a selection of speciality teas. We also have our own bitter, the Half Moon Eclipse, made for us by Bolly Brewing, a microbrewery in Wisborough Green. I told them what I was looking for and they’ve brewed a beautiful bitter, using Sussex hops. How has the feedback been after three weeks? Seeing people showing an appreciation of the work we are doing has been great. I feel like I'm doing this for the village as well as myself, so when people tell me that they adored the food or love the décor, it gives me great encouragement. It’s incredibly enjoyable and I love coming to work. I feel very proud of the work we have done and I hope other people are loving it too.
Dining Experience We sat down in the dining area, which Jodie referred to as the ‘animal room’ as it features colourful pictures of pigs, cockerels and kingfishers hanging on the wall. The table and the settings are immaculate, from the spotless wine glasses and designer cutlery to a snip of lavender slid between the napkin folds. As you would expect from a woman who has made a career out of making things look good! The garden is equally appealing, with circular tables on the patio area bordered by a pretty herb garden. Even on a weekday lunchtime, the pub is busy with drinkers and diners - no doubt lured by the set lunch with three courses for £23. However, when it came to our choices, we stuck to the à la carte menu. Starters include pressed chicken terrine with potato salad and cauliflower puree (£8.50) and charred mackerel with
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52: Food & Drink
If you run a pub/restaurant and are interested in a Review, please email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk
Clockwise from left: Roast dayboat Selsey plaice; Bakewell tart with vanilla ice cream; The Half Moon Inn has its own bitter, brewed nearby in Wisborough Green.
Award-Winning Sausages by David Bell
Also find us at New House Farm in Horsham, Sussex Produce in Steyning and Capel Stores. You can also enjoy our sausages at cafe’s including The Olive Tree (North Heath Lane) and New House Farm Cafe
Made using only British Quality Assured Pork. Available every Saturday at the Local Produce Market in the Carfax and many other quality stockists We are a family run business & pride ourselves on using only the finest ingredients for all our sausages. We are continually creating new varieties to complement the more traditional flavours. Some of our most popular sausages include: Traditional Pork Cumberland Pork, Sage & Red Onion
At the Horsham Market in the Carfax every Saturday
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molasses yoghurt, fennel salad and hazelnuts (£8.50). I chose the Nutbourne tomatoes with scorched watermelon and dressed crab salad (£9). It was a beautifully presented, flamboyant summer dish with fresh, malty crab delightfully complemented by chunks of watermelon. Toby tried the G&T cured stream trout with dill emulsion, preserved lemon gel, compressed cucumber and treacle croutons (£9). Served on an lovely stoneware plate, it was surprisingly presented like a small bouquet of colours and flavours. Whilst the crunchy croutons were perhaps too much of a contrast, the dish was certainly vibrant and exciting. Mains include rump steak (£24), braised lamb Shepherd’s pie (£14.50) and roast cod (£18), whilst the only vegetarian dish evident is a courgette risotto (£12). I ordered the rosemary-scented lamb rump with tender stem broccoli, salsa verde and lamb gravy (£20.50). lamb rump is becoming increasingly common on menus and when it’s cooked like this, it is a sublime cut of meat. There’s little else on this simple plate, which allows the high quality of the meat to speak for itself. Tony went for the roasted Selsey plaice with sweet corn, brown shrimp butter and sea vegetables (£18). This busy plate maintained a stylish balance of flavours, with the fish falling lightly off the bone as you’d expect from talented chefs working with the pick of the morning’s catch. We finished with two pleasing desserts. The Bakewell tart (£7) was slightly overshadowed by the moreish vanilla ice cream, which had us yearning for a second scoop. The strawberry and basil cheesecake with strawberry sorbet (£7) was immaculately presented and couldn’t be faulted. The Half Moon is on the costly side, but it does offer good value for money, with carefully selected, high-quality local produce presented with panache by an ambitious team. Jodie Kidd: not just a pretty face...
WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
To view the menu or book a table, visit the Half Moon Inn website at www.halfmoonkirdford.co.uk or call 01403 820223.
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* Event fee and service charges payable. We charge an event fee on subsequent sales RI WKH SURSHUW\ 'HSHQGLQJ RQ ZKHQ \RX VHOO \RXU SURSHUW\ WKH HYHQW IHH ZLOO EH between 2.5% - 5% of the market value of your property at the time of sale.
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Community: 55
The Fun of the Fair
Independents join forces for annual Pink Gift Fair What is the pink gift fair? An event featuring over 50 hand-selected stalls, held to raise funds for Brighton Cancer Research Laboratories. What type of stalls? Small, independent businesses will be selling products that are completely different to what you would find on the high street, with fashion, jewellery, ceramics, pottery, children’s gifts and clothing, art prints and stationery. Is this the first Pink Gift Fair? The inaugural fair was held last year at Roffey Park. This year’s event is held at Parkside, the Horsham District Council offices. That’s the building to the left of The Black Jug pub. It’s not a council-run event, although it has supported the Pink Gift Fair by allowing the team of volunteer organisers to
stage the event at Parkside. What’s new at this year’s fair? Outside the venue, there will be a vintage merry-go-round and sweet shop, as well as face painting. Inside, complimentary healthcare professionals will be offering taster sessions of reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki healing, sports massage and wellbeing through Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). There will also be many businesses not at the 2016 fair. How does the event raise funds for charity? The more you shop, the more money that is raised. Stallholders donate 10% of every purchase made and that goes directly to the Research Laboratories, where scientists are seeking to find cures for all 200 types of cancer.
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56: Community
ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE
WRITTEN BY LOCAL PEOPLE AAH is an independent magazine, owned and produced by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District. Since the magazine was first published in May 2011, AAH has been renowned for its colourful features and superb images by Toby Phillips Photography. We believe that our editorial content is unrivalled in the Horsham District, with innovative ideas such as our ‘My Story So Far’ and ‘News Round-Up’ features.
ADVERTISING IN AAH Each month, the magazine is delivered to 15,000 homes in Horsham, Southwater and villages including Broadbridge Heath, Mannings Heath, Ashington, Partridge Green, Copsale, Storrington and Washington. In addition, AAH is distributed to hundreds of businesses. Thousands more copies are picked up from our stylish spring-loaded stands as well as Sainsbury’s and Tesco. The magazine is also published in a high resolution format online at www.aahorsham.co.uk
EIGHTH PAGE ADVERT: £55 + VAT QUARTER PAGE ADVERT: £110+ VAT HALF PAGE ADVERT: £185 + VAT FULL PAGE ADVERT: £310 + VAT DOUBLE PAGE FEATURE: £500 + VAT Every Sixth Advert Free of Charge FOR ALL ENQUIRIES CONTACT BEN OR KELLY
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The Pink Gift Fair will include a number of boutique-style fashion stalls
Why is that guy dressed like a mermaid? That’s Ben, the AAH editor. He was asked to put on the lower half of a mermaid costume, for reasons we’re not entirely sure of. We’ve not been made aware of any maritime theme and he makes a pathetic mythical siren. Can we move on? Tell me about some of the stalls... Carole Dawes runs a small business called Carole’s Glass, making items out of stained glass. Carole said: “I cut the stained glass by hand and place various pieces together to create decorative items including sun catchers, pots and animal ornaments. It started about 14 years, when my husband booked me on to a course in stained glass techniques in Horsham. It was a hobby that got out of hand! I saw details of the Pink Gift Fair on Facebook, so I thought I would try it as I’m local
and it’s for a good cause.” Will there be jewellery stalls? Yes, including Stellar Jems (http://www.stellarjems.co.uk) which combines the creative talent of Moira Cooper and Sandra Sargeant. To stand out from the crowd, they use different materials and techniques which result in intriguing pieces. Moira makes items using chain mail, adopting techniques that date back to 1000 BC. Moira said: “I sometimes work with silver and titanium, but to make items more affordable most are made with anodised aluminium, which creates an incredible array of beautiful colours. You can also anodise niobium, which creates a range of iridescent colours. There is a huge amount of work that goes into each item, as you need to make the tiny rings by hand and weave them together. We don’t make much money, but we certainly enjoy making these beautiful pieces of jewellery.”
Pink Gift Fair: 57
Moira Cooper is bringing Stellar Jems to the Pink Gift Fair
And what about Sandra? Sandra makes a range of jewellery based on knitted illusion cord or coloured copper. These statement items sometimes incorporate pearls, which are increasingly popular. Stellar Jems has three ranges: the chain weaver range, the jem weaver range and the rainbow dreamer range. The latter is so called because it comprises a variety of semiprecious stones and shoppers are encouraged to put together their own items of jewellery by picking stones, like children in a sweet shop. Moira said: “We try to be imaginative in what we are doing and let people have fun with their jewellery.” What about the fashion front? There will be beautiful products on show from independent, boutique-style businesses including Facets Fashion (https://www.facetsfashion.com), which specialises in thermal underwear and co-ordinated outdoor clothing. It offers a range of high-quality items, primarily made by family-run fashion houses in Italy including Buglione, Dana Pisarra, Ghiro, Moretta and Oscalito. Facets Fashion was founded by Joanna Daley, who said: “I moved here from South Africa and I was looking for thermal underwear as it is so cold in this country! I didn’t find what I was looking for on the high street, which is why I decided to start the business. I now have a range of upmarket, hand-made items are not available elsewhere.” Does Facets Fashion have a men’s range? There is a selection for men, but owing to the likely visitors to an event called the Pink Gift Fair, most items are for women. As well as thermal underwear, there is a range of Italian outer wear fashion and nightwear.
Joanna Daley’s Facets Fashion offers upmarket thermal underwear from Italy
58: Community Is there somewhere to relax after shopping? You could head over to a stand run by Holistically Balanced, where Angela Abbott will be offering taster sessions. Angela, a holistic therapist at Hollytree Healing Centre in Barns Green, is a reiki master and professional kinesiologist. Reiki master? Like Mr Miyagi? Not quite. As a holistic therapist, Angela helps people counteract the impact of stress on their health and well-being. She said: “I support people physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually to resolve their issues and help them feel happier and healthier. This is the first time there will have been complementary therapy sessions at the Pink Gift Fair, so I hope people will come along and experience different ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that they might not be aware of.”
Holistically Balanced will be offering therapy sessions at the Pink Gift Fair
Take the stress out of shopping! That’s the idea. Angela will be
offering both reiki and kinesiology during the event. She said: “Holistic therapy is easier to experience than it is to explain; it is a natural healing energy that helps support you and recharge your system. People respond in different ways; some fall asleep, others see colours or experience a tingling sensation. Either way, we hope that people feel a difference in the days after a session.” Wonderful! So, when does the Pink Gift Fair take place? Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, from 9.30am to 4pm each day. Admission is £3, which includes a strip of raffle tickets. Parkside offers some parking for shoppers for a donation of £1 per vehicle. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/pinkgiftfair or Twitter @pinkgiftfair or the website at www.pinkgiftfair.co.uk
WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
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West Grinstead Group: 63
Dorothy Banks, Colin Rudling and Norman Berry of the West Grinstead Local History Group
picked up her baby, just before the engine smashed through the roof and landed on the bed!
immediately. It also helped consolidate the group, as we had a target to aim for.
Norman: One story, which we hadn’t been aware of, related to a rehearsal for glider landings in Normandy, which secretly took place in Dial Post. A lady told me about this event, but nobody in the history group had ever heard about it. We visited Knepp Castle, where it was reputed to have happened, and in their archives found a photo of gliders amassed on the ground.
Dorothy: Our next big project was education, culminating in a second book, When the School Bell Rang. It features pictures, memories and records of schools including St Mary’s, St Thomas More, Dial Post, Cowfold Grammar and Yago College. But what really spurred us into action was getting hold of the records for Jolesfield School before they were submitted to the West Sussex Records Office.
Colin: When we first approached the RAF about it, they claimed no such event took place. Then we spoke to Martin Mace, a military historian who we had met before when he visited the Juncker plane crash site. Martin regularly visits the war archives and knows where to look! He helped us unearth a complete account of what happened on the Knepp estate. It was an American operation and they chose Dial Post as the field pattern was the same as those at Normandy.
Norman: The early records from Jolesfield were excellent. They kept a detailed log of everything that happened, including disciplinary records! St Thomas More, which was near the Catholic church and is now a housing development, is another school we included. It started as a school for the poor and became an orphanage with a chequered past.
Norman: The book was very popular and sold out almost
Dorothy: We were fortunate in that many people in the parish have kept hold of school photos that we could publish. We also had a good group of people prepared to be interviewed. Many
64: History of them say, ‘Oh no, my life isn’t very interesting.’ But once they’ve had a drink, they can't stop talking! The book also highlights well-known pupils including Tony Grantham, whose sister Mary still lives in the parish. He was the first Royal jump jockey and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Colin: This area, particularly Partridge Green, is an area where people tend to stick around, which helps when it comes to research.
Famous aviator Gustav Hamel’s aeroplane on Snare Hill in Partridge Green in 1911 (Picture courtesy of Joy Gibson)
Quality Service
Dorothy: Whilst the school book was less popular than the war book, there was still a lot of people who bought it because they have an interest in local history. Our next effort, When the Camera Came, was simpler. A member of the group had the idea of producing a ‘then and now’ book, with old photos alongside new photos of the same location. Colin: West Grinstead parish hasn't changed much, apart from Partridge Green, which grew considerably because of the railway station on the South Downs line and the brickworks. Even when the railway line closed, the village adapted.
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Norman: We've been fortunate, as Partridge Green has grown steadily. We haven't had huge estates built here in the way Southwater has, so it still feels like a village. It has retained its character and there is a good community. We’ve had companies like Dark Star that have moved here and been community-minded, taking on The Partridge pub. Colin: Our next project was a small book about Hopit, the war horse. John Forrester “Jack� Colvin, who lived at Shermanbury Grange, served in the First World War and took his horse, Hopit. Jack reached the rank of Colonel and returned home with Hopit in 1919. Hopit has his own gravestone at Shermanbury, engraved with details of his campaigns including Ypres and The Somme. Dorothy: We organised an exhibition combining the Hopit book with research that had been carried out on the First World War by one of our most active members at the time, Herbie Whitmore. He was involved in most things related to West Grinstead and even delivered AAH in the area. When Herbie passed away shortly after the exhibition in 2014, we decided that his research should form the basis of a book, When West Grinstead Went to War: 1914 - 18.
West Grinstead Group: 65 “Many people in the parish have kept hold of school photos that we could publish.” Dorothy: We researched all the names that we could find in the records and those listed on our War Memorial. We also carried out ancestry searches and went through military records of anyone with a local connection. Then we came across the absent voters’ list, an electoral register for people serving who were entitled to vote in the 1918 General Election. That list included the name, address and military service number for local men at war. When we discovered that list, the project took off, as it meant we had another 200 names to research! Colin: There is a misconception that people didn't move around much in those days; but they certainly did. Young men moved from farm to farm and parish to parish looking for work, so the book includes details of people who may not have settled here for long and probably had no relatives here, but they did have a local connection. Norman: When it came to research, the war diaries were vital. Sometimes, details of a soldier’s death could be very descriptive and at other times might only be a couple of lines. Most local men who signed up for war early in the war served with the Royal Sussex Regiment or the Royal Engineers. However, we had to research dozens of other regiments as when subscription was introduced in 1916, men were posted wherever they were needed. Colin: Whereas the book on the Second World War was based mainly on the stories of survivors and on local events, the book on The Great War is solely a record of those who served. We needed a different emphasis because of the limited information available to us. Dorothy: We were driven by the same motivation; to create a unique record for the parish. We knew it wouldn’t be as popular as the Second World War book, as none of the people we’re
Too young to enlist, Vivian Boniface served with the West Grinstead branch of the Volunteer Training Corps, pictured above in 1914 (Pictures courtesy of Andrew Campbell)
66: History
Read our feature on Cowfold History Society on the ‘Group Discussions’ page at www.aahorsham.co.uk
COLUMN RSPB Pulborough Brooks Image: Ben Andrew/RSPB
“We tried to find as many photos of the soldiers as possible, but they are like gold dust.”
writing about are still alive. But we were very thorough and worked solidly on the book for four years.
village and were quiet, ordinary working men. It is very difficult to equate what they did at war to their life in the parish.
Norman: We tried to find as many photos of the soldiers as we could, but they are like gold dust. We knew it was important to have them printed, as in another generation a lot of those photos will be lost, as people won't know who they are.
Dorothy: The books can certainly take over your life, but they’re fascinating projects. You hear people say that there weren't any young men left after the war. When you do the research, you discover that was true.
Colin: It is quite a revelation to read about the lives people led after they served. They might have won the Military Cross for bravery, then returned to the
Norman: We are thinking about the fire service as our next project. We have a few pictures and stories from our previous projects that relate to it and Partridge Green still has
Eerie Call of the Nocturnal Hunters
a fire station, so we can hopefully access records. We hope that such a book would serve as a tribute to the work that they do.
WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS
Books by the West Grinstead Local History Group are available at Horsham Museum, except the World War Two book, which has sold out. For details of future talks or for information about the group, contact secretary Norman Berry on 01403 710465.
The evenings have well and truly started to draw in now. Although this means we have said goodbye to summer, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the natural world. Your back garden and local green spaces come alive with wildlife at night and now is a great time to experience some of these nocturnal wonders without having to wait up too late! As the sun sets, the air fills with all sorts of strange noises. You may hear the “twiiit” of a female tawny owl, our largest species of common owl, as she waits for a nearby male to call “twooo” in reply. The juveniles will be looking to establish their own territories before the breeding season starts early next year. Perhaps a distant fox will screech out its eerie call, sounding rather alarmingly like a woman screaming, or the odd, barking alarm noise of nearby roe deer may catch your attention. There’s another winged creature that will be making lots of noise at dusk too, but unless you have supersonic hearing, you won’t be hearing it! Instead, look out for the silhouette of our common pipistrelle bat as it hunts for midges and moths. There are 2,400 different species of moths for the bats to pursue in the UK, so plenty of food to be had. Why not come along to our Night Time Safari on 9 September to learn more about the mysterious creatures that come out at night?
Emily Summers RSPB Pulborough