AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) MAGAZINE JUNE 2025

AAH JUNE 2025

COVER STORY

ABOUT US

Our June 2025 cover features Taylor Ticehurst at the Kopinski Ballet Academy in Maplehurst. As you can see from the options below, it was a tough decision, as we also took some great shots during our interview with Greg Hart and Andy Stewart of rock band Cats in Space at Sedgwick Park House. We met Taylor at Michael Kopinski’s studio on the outskirts of Horsham, which is a wonderful venue for ballet but full of mirrors! AAH photographer Alan Wright had to work from the corners to ensure he remained largely concealed from view (you can just see his reflection in the left-hand edge). Michael was also a stickler for detail, checking every photo to ensure that Taylor was pictured performing with the correct posture! In post-production, Alan also removed the ceiling lights and the barre’s support stand, which can be seen in the unedited shot above. Other cover contenders came from the shoot with Cats in Space, especially the photo of guitarist Greg Hart chilling in a chair!

ADVERTISING

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

ADVERT RATES (PER MONTH/EDITION)

EIGHTH PAGE: £60 + VAT

QUARTER PAGE: £115 + VAT

HALF PAGE: £195 + VAT

FULL PAGE: £340 + VAT

DOUBLE PAGE: £575 + VAT

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Ben Morris

editor@aahorsham.co.uk advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

JULY 2025 AAH MAGAZINE

The July 2025 edition will be online on Tuesday 1 July at www.aahorsham.co.uk with printed copies distributed from Wednesday 2 July.

NEWS ROUND-UP

Friday Lates returns to Horsham town and Collyer’s rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted

DANCE

Taylor Ticehurst has been offered a place at the Royal School of Ballet

SPORT

Horsham Football Club win the Isthmian Premier Division in dramatic style

Spike’s Sight Words helps young people to develop their reading skills

Michael Harling of Horsham has written eight fantasy adventures for children

Revival dry cleaners in Southwater celebrates its 40th anniversary

Rock band Cats in Space hit new heights with London support slot for ELO

Sussex Solar Ltd is a family-run business celebrating its 20th year in June

Paula Ksiazczyk is on a mission to help stray cats in Morocco

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

Editor: BEN MORRIS editor@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

Photographer: ALAN WRIGHT alanwrightphotography.co.uk 07747 617387

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

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

DOOR-TO-DOOR:

Delivery team: Jacquie Paterson, Jill Shuker, Tom Thorne, Oliver Matson, Charlie Merchant, Alec Baker, Walker family, Ben Raymond, Matthew Down, Browning family, Katie Drysdale, Madison Scott, Chapman family, Palmer family, Butcher family, Jackie Fisher.

SPRING-LOADED STANDS

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

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

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

EDITOR’S NOTES

ENJOYING THE SUCCESS OF HORSHAM’S SUPERB SEASON

Back in 2007, Horsham FC enjoyed one of its greatest days. They played League One Swansea in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup and earned a replay, thanks to a late penalty.

The record books say that 2,731 fans attended that rainy night in November. But it’s like a local Woodstock, in that many more claim to have been there. For what it’s worth, I missed out during the stampede for tickets, but thought I’d still get in somehow. I assumed more tickets would be released on the night, or I’d jump over a fence from Gorings Mead, or tell a steward that I was mates with one of the Horsham lads! Instead, I spent that evening in The Queen’s Head, close enough to hear the cheers before some bloke poked his head in the door to shout updates.

In the years since, I’ve only watched Horsham sporadically, perhaps once a season. That continued to be the case even when my eldest son played for Horsham’s Isthmian Youth team. In fact, prior to last month, the last time I had watched the Hornets was when he was selected for his one and only appearance in the Senior team, in a cup game against Whitehawk in 2022. Although they lost, my son likes to claim that he assisted a goal, as he was fouled and the subsequent free-kick led to a Horsham equaliser. Hearing him talk, you’d think he had taken the free-kick!

While that was a proud day for me, as someone who loved playing but fell considerably short of

such heights, I’ve never really invested in supporting Horsham, or any club for that matter. I’ve never waved the green and yellow scarf; never donned a bucket hat; never joined the Lardy Army as they belted out “No surrender to the low-fat spread”. I think that’s largely down to the criticism that afflicts sidelines and terraces at every level of the game. I heard it every week watching my son’s matches, yet seldom hear such negativity while watching my younger son, who has gone down the rugby route at Pulborough. I recall that when my son came on for Horsham as a very young-looking and far from mature 17-year-old, two supporters in front of me muttered that he wasn’t strong enough, before he’d even kicked a ball!

However, last month, I jumped aboard a coach full of supporters and headed to the Amex Stadium to watch Horsham in the Sussex Senior Cup Final. Rather than wearing club colours, I wore black jeans and a grey fleece to keep me warm. In defence of my lack of civic pride, I hadn’t planned on going to the game. I had visited Horsham FC earlier in the day, to refill the AAH stand inside the clubhouse. I had my usual catch-up with Matchday Secretary Annie Raby, who I’ve long suspected is really the lifeblood of Horsham FC, and before I knew it, I was off to Brighton!

As a Johnny-Come-Lately, I squeezed into a seat on the front row at the Amex Stadium. The pre-game atmosphere was fantastic, with Horsham fans far outnumbering those from

Littlehampton, and the Lardy Army singing as they queued for burgers and beers. I bumped into a few old faces and briefly made a new friend, though only because he used me to ‘chat and cut’ his way along the queue. He nearly had the nerve to order before me!

It wasn’t the greatest game for the neutral and remained goalless as it entered injury time. I heard grumbles of discontent and the frustrated gesturing of flailing arms from those more invested in the team’s fortunes. Then, James Hammond hit an unstoppable free-kick (the match report said 30-yards and who am I to question it?) sparking wild celebrations. Like 3,000 others, I believe I was the first to their feet, fist-pumping the air before the ball had even hit the net.

The final whistle went and kids wearing masks of Horsham manager Dom di Paolo scrambled down to the front for autographs. Exhausted players leaned over the hoardings to embrace family and friends, while Chairman Kevin Borratt was so overcome with joy that he performed an impromptu jig! I turned around and was confronted with a sea of yellow and green, with the core supporters in the Lardy Army singing in the upper tier. I joined along, tentatively at first, but my self-consciousness soon eased. For a brief moment, I tasted a little of what it means to support a football team. It’s not always good and not always pretty, but every now and again, it can give you a little bit of magic.

©JOHN

LOCAL NEWS

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

Horsham’s popular Friday Lates live music and food entertainment nights are returning for the spring and summer. Organised by Horsham District Council and Food Rocks Markets, the events will take place every Friday night from 6 - 8pm throughout June, July and August at the Carfax Bandstand. The programme opens on 6 June with a D-Day dance night with the Spinettes and continues with Eras Night with Taylored Swift (13 June), Third Wheel (20 June) and a Ska Night with The Gangsters (27 June).

Singer and flautist

Sylvia Akagi and singer/guitarist/ composer Peter Golden will perform a mix of traditional, classical, blues and original music at Horsham Carfax Bandstand on Saturday 7 June, 1.30 - 2.30pm, as part of the Sussex Sounds concert series. Other acts scheduled for the Bandstand in June include Karen Whittingham (14th, 1.30pm), ROKH (14th, 3:30pm), Lucy Diamondz (21st, 1:30pm), Les Elvin (21st, 3:30pm), Redeye Zack (28th, 12pm), Retro Ralph (28th, 1:30pm), Call Me at Midnight (28th, 3:30pm) and Lianna Haynes (29th, 12pm & 2pm), whose set-list will complement Armed Forces Day.

July’s line-up includes a Country Night with Made in Tennessee (4 July), The Wonderful West End (11 July), Abba Night (18 July) and Pride Night with Crawley LGBTQ (25 July). August’s line-up includes a Bachata and Salsa Night (1 August), Return of the King with The Almost Elvis Band (8 August), Reggae Night with One Love Orchestra (15 August), a Red Hot Chilli Peppers tribute (22 August) and Fusion Night with Dhol Collective (30 August).

l Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is also

Horsham Symphony

Orchestra presents a concert of classical wonders at St Mary’s Church, Causeway, Horsham, on Saturday 28 June, 7:30pm (doors 7pm). The concert features multi award-winning piano soloist Caroline Tyler playing Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto, one of the greatest works in the piano repertoire. Caroline has performed concerts worldwide, at venues including the Barbican Hall in London. The evening’s programme also includes Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmilla Overture and Schubert’s Symphony No.9 ‘The Great’. Tickets £20 (U16s/students £5) from ticketsource.co.uk/horshamsymphony

hosting its own Friday evening openings, offering the chance to explore its exhibitions out of hours and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments from 6 – 8pm. Confirmed acts include Sussex folk duo Folkus on 13 June, Brighton jazz duo Sloth in the City on 18 July, Lianna Does Vintage (celebrating 80th anniversary of VJ Day) on 15 August and Steel Tribe on 12 September. horsham.gov.uk/community/events-inhorsham-district

West

Chiltington

Silver Band presents a Musicals Sing-Along Concert at West Chiltington Village Hall, Mill Road, RH20 2PZ, on Saturday 7 June, at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). The Summer Singalong Concert features songs from well-known shows and films. Join in, or simply sit back and enjoy the music. The Band perform under new MD Linda Harvey. The evening includes refreshments, bar, raffle and quiz. Tickets £10 (accompanied U16s free) from Julie (simplythebest21@btinternet.com), Richard (rabarron@btinternet.com) or Nisa Local in West Chiltington. westchiltsilverband.com

The Horsham Children’s Parade, organised by CIC Happy Accidents, will be held in the town centre on Sunday 6 July, from 11am.

Hundreds of children from across the Horsham District will showcase creations and costumes made to a theme of ‘Celebrating Sussex’ during workshops with professional community artists. There will be a carnival atmosphere as the parade makes its way from Denne Road through the town, arriving in Horsham Park at about midday. The children will be accompanied by drumming band Boom Tribe, Brighton School of Samba and the Kings of Dhol. horshamchildrensparade

The parade will lead to Horsham Park, where the Rotary Club of Horsham will host Funday Sunday, from 12 – 5pm. This free community event includes live music, circus skills and a variety of stalls, attractions and food and drink outlets from local sports clubs, charities, organisations and businesses.

l M & L Benson’s Pleasure Fairs will also be in Horsham Park for Funday Sunday.

Benson’s will be bringing traditional fairground attractions and sideshows to the park on Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 June and Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 July.

mlpleasurefairs.co.uk/horsham-park-funfair/

Broadbridge Heath celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May with a special display outside the offices of the Parish Council in Sargent Way. Over 1,000 poppies were knitted and crocheted by Broadbridge Heath WI and friends, with another 200 felt poppies contributed by other residents. WI committee member Jacqui King said: ‘We wanted it to look as if the poppies were floating down to the war memorial, so we sewed them together using fishing line.’

RCM scaffolding Ltd assisted by building a frame to safely hang the poppies from.

l Horsham’s VE Day celebrations were focused around the Carfax Bandstand and the War Memorial. St Mary’s Church hosted a Ringing out for Peace on 8 May, before the Sussex Band of the Royal British Legion performed at the Bandstand. The day’s events ended with a ceremony and speeches before a beacon was lit at 9.15pm and those gathered sang the National Anthem.

Kinsbrook hosts a Summer Festival at Kinsbrook Vineyard, West Chiltington Road, Thakeham on Saturday 21 June, 1 - 9pm. This familyfriendly event (children & dogs welcome) includes live music, food stalls, DJ set, kids’ yoga, face painting and wine tasting hosted by founder Joe Beckett at 2pm (additional £15). Tickets £25 (£10 children, U5s free). kinsbrookvineyard.com

Toy and Train

Collectors Fairs will be held at Ashington Centre, Foster Lane, RH20 3PG on Sundays 6 July and 10 August, 9.30am – 12pm. The toy fair also goes to the Steyning Centre on 15 June. Fairs feature a range of stalls selling Dinky Toys, Horny, Matchbox, Airfix and other toys. Entry £2. modeltoyauctions.co.uk

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens in Lower Beeding hosts the Southern Classics Society Annual Charity Car Show on Sunday 15 June, 10am – 3.30pm. Held in aid of MNDA, the show includes cars and vans from as early as 1912. Display open to classic vehicle owners. leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Southwater Infant & Junior Academies

PTFA host a Summer Fair at Worthing Road, Southwater on Saturday 5 July, 12 - 4pm. The fair will be held across both schools. Activities include inflatable laser tag(pre-booking required), obstacle course, bungee run and a human fruit machine. A prize draw includes a cash prize of £250. All invited. Entry £1 (50p children).

All Saints C of E Primary School in Tylden Way, Horsham hosts a Summer Fair on Saturday 5 July, 11am – 2pm. Weather permitting, there will be a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring a Spitfire and Hurricane. There will also be visits by local fire and police services, a bouncy assault course and inflatable games. allsaints.w-sussex.sch.uk

Wednesday 9th July

Collectors’ Toys

Silver & Plate Jewellery

Thursday 10th July

Furniture

Advertising & Transport

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art Rugs & Carpets

Wednesday 16th July

Coins, Banknotes & Medallions

Wednesday 23rd July

Antiquarian & Collectors’ Books

Thursday 24th July

Wristwatches & Pocket Watches

Clocks & Barometers

Scientific Instruments & Cameras

Wednesday 6th August

Prints, Maps & Posters

Decorative Pictures

Silver & Plate

Jewellery

Thursday 7th August

Furniture

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art

Needleworks & Textiles Rugs & Carpets

Wednesday 13th August

Firearms & Edged Weapons

Militaria, Medals & Awards

Wednesday 20th August

Paper Collectables

(Stamps, Cigarette & Trade Cards, Postcards, Photographs, Autographs & Ephemera)

Thursday 4th September

Asian & Islamic Ceramics & Works of Art

Wednesday 10th September

Fine Art

Silver & Plate Jewellery

Thursday 11th September

Furniture

Objects of Virtu

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art Rugs & Carpets

Wednesday 8th October

Collectors’ Toys Silver & Plate Jewellery

Thursday 9th October

Furniture

Arts & Crafts Furniture & Applied Art

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art

Needleworks & Textiles

Rugs & Carpets

Wednesday 15th October

Coins, Banknotes & Medallions

Thursday 16th October

Wristwatches & Pocket Watches

Clocks & Barometers

Scientific Instruments & Cameras

Wednesday 5th November

Prints, Maps & Posters

Decorative Pictures

Silver & Plate Jewellery

Thursday 6th November

Furniture

Tribal Art, Antiquities & Natural History

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art Rugs & Carpets

Wednesday 12th November

Paper Collectables

(Stamps, Cigarette & Trade Cards, Postcards, Photographs, Autographs & Ephemera)

Thursday 13th November

Asian & Islamic Ceramics & Works of Art

Wednesday 26th November

Firearms & Edged Weapons

Militaria, Medals & Awards Antiquarian & Collectors’ Books

Tuesday 2nd December

Wine & Spirits

Wednesday 3rd December

Fine Art

Silver & Plate

Jewellery

Thursday 4th December

Furniture

Objects of Virtu

Collectors’ Items & Works of Art

Rugs & Carpets

Thursday 11th December

British & Continental Ceramics & Glassware

St Robert Southwell School in Lambs Farm Road, Horsham hosts a Summer Fair on Saturday 28 June, 12 – 2pm. Live animal handling, obstacle course, bouncy castle, live entertainment, glitter tattoos, candy floss! Free entry.

Thursday 25th September

British & Continental Ceramics & Glassware

Wednesday 17th December

Wristwatches & Pocket Watches

Clocks & Barometers

Scientific Instruments & Cameras

GEOLOGY CLASS AT COLLYER’S (©AAH/AW 2023)

Ofsted inspectors have judged Collyer’s as ‘Outstanding’ across every category for its daytime Sixth Form provision, with an Overall Effectiveness rating of ‘Outstanding’.

In its report, Ofsted praised the teaching, saying that ‘teachers use a range of very effective teaching strategies to devise interesting, challenging and highly relevant activities.’

The report added that ‘students behave exceptionally well and highly value the very positive, productive and supportive learning culture at the college.’ The report also praised the ‘consistently high-quality learning programmes’ and said that staff ‘provide excellent support for students.’

The college was also commended for its evening Adult Education funded courses, which were graded as ‘Good’. Collyer’s Principal Dan Lodge said: ‘We are thrilled to have such an emphatic inspection report, which fully captures the multitude of elements that make the college exceptional and the wonderful work our staff do for our students.’

Having opened the new Shelley building, café, drama studio, memorial library and immersive suite in the last two years, the college is now embarking on a project to build a state-of-the -art Tech Centre, which will house subjects such as maths, engineering and physics. collyers.ac.uk

Windlesham House, an independent day and boarding prep school in Washington, will officially join the Charterhouse family of Schools on 1 August. Under the agreement of the merger, Windlesham House will retain its current identity, name, ethos, values, no uniform policy and its badge, as well as its day-to-day operational autonomy and senior leadership teams. Ben Evans, Headmaster at Windlesham House, will also continue in his role. He explained: ‘This move will see Windlesham House join with one of the finest independent senior schools in the UK.’ Windlesham House was established in 1837 as the first prep school in the UK and its alumni include Mumford & Sons and Tom Hiddleston. windlesham.com

Horsham Air Cadets have committed to increasing their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills by building an electric racing car.

1015 (Horsham) Squadron

Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is joining the Greenpower challenge. Organised by UK charity the Greenpower Education Trust, the initiative encourages young people to enjoy STEM subjects by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car. The cadets have purchased a kit car from the Trust and hope to race it this summer. Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, donated £3,000 towards the purchase.

FREE BOWLS

IN HORSHAM PARK

Horsham Park Bowls Club Open Day Saturday 24 May, noon to 4pm

Or try our free taster sessions all summer

Every Monday, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, every Saturday 11 – 1pm, every Tuesday 10 – 12.

A fun, gentle introduction to this social game, in the delightful setting in Horsham Park – next to the tennis courts. No experience or equipment needed. Try before you buy!

Horsham’s Largest

The National Garden Scheme sees many of the most beautiful gardens in the Horsham District opening to the public to help raise funds for charity and good causes.

Two Horsham gardens will open for the first time this summer. Swallow Lodge at St Leonard’s Park opens on Saturday 7 June, with slots at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. The owners of the small, charming garden love roses and delphiniums, and many of these can be seen in the cottage-style border. Admission £5, home-made teas, pre-booking.

Talma at 58 Pollards Drive opens on Sunday 8 June and Sunday 20 July, at 2pm – 6pm. A wild garden leads to a pretty cottage-style area with a magical woodland walk. Admission £6, refreshments served. Book online or pay on the day.

Architectural Plants on Stane Street, Pulborough,

opens for the NGS on Sunday 27 July, 10am – 5pm. A tour takes in the Acer house, a greenhouse of exciting and rare exotics and a specialist Niwaki production zone. Admission £12, refreshments served. Book online or pay on the day.

Other gardens opening include Alderbury, Church Hill, Pulborough, on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July, 11am – 5pm, and Steyning Gardens on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, 10.30am – 5pm. Meadowside in West Chiltington has a garden designed to encourage wildlife and is open on Thursdays 26 June and 3 July, 10am – 4pm, while Sullington Old Rectory, Storrington opens on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 July, at 9.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm (pre-booking essential). Please check the NGS website beforehand for updates. findagarden.ngs.org.uk

A Summer Charity Garden Party will be held at Old Comptons, 125 Comptons Lane, Horsham, RH13 6BP, on Saturday 23 August, 2 – 8pm. Held in association with the March & Darnley and Carfax lodges of the Freemasons, the party includes a hog roast or chicken roast salad, welcoming drink, bar (or bring your own), live music, raffle and a charity auction. Tickets £35 from mikebrindle@rocketmail.com or briantweedysfi@hotmail.co.uk

A Flower Festival will be held at St Mary’s Church, Causeway, on 19 – 22 June. Flower arrangers from local churches and organisations will contribute to a floral display with a theme of For the Beauty of the Earth Free entry. Donations to the Parish Fabric Fund. stmaryshorsham.org.uk

An Open Gardens event will be held in the village of Rusper on Saturday 14 June, from 2 – 5pm. Tea and cakes available at Rusper Church and a map of participating gardens will be available for £10, in aid of the North Aisle appeal.

lasting power of attorney

The Kinder Business Network holds its next meeting in Horsham town centre on Wednesday 25 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Kinder Business is a networking group that welcomes all businesses with an interest in sustainability, be that a casual interest or a full commitment to environmental practises. Its friendly meetings often include a guest speaker and are held in Horsham on the fourth Wednesday of every month. June’s speaker will be Henny Swan from TetraLogical. Visitors £15. kinderliving.co.uk/kinder-business

Thursday 19th June, 7.30pm

Armed Forces Day will be held in Carfax, Horsham, on Sunday 29 June, 10am – 3pm. There will be a vast array of military vehicle displays, themed stalls and street food and drinks to enjoy in the Veterans’ Village. There will be a short parade at 10.45am leading to the War Memorial for 11am, before a Surrey and Sussex Drum and Bugle Corps display at 11.30 and cadet displays at 12.15pm and 1.30pm. There will be music throughout the day, before a Sunset Ceremony at 2.45pm. armedforcesday.org.uk

Horsham Artists hosts its annual Art Trail at 15 venues across the District on the weekends of 7 – 8 and 14 – 15 June. More than 50 local artists will be exhibiting work including paintings, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, glass art and wood-turned items, with many venues hosting several artists. John Lewis in Horsham will be one of the venues, hosting eight artists including Esther Clark-van Oostrum and Katy Edgington, while another eight including Horsham painter Cherry Parsons and ceramicist Sarah Russell will exhibit at 11 Causeway. The Chapel on Denne Road also welcomes eight artists, including painters Dominic Simpson and Angela Brittain. For more details and to download a map, visit horshamartists.org/2025-art-trail/

Horsham Harmony’s next concert will be held at YMCA FC, Gorings Mead, Horsham, on Sunday 29 June, 3pm. No admission charge, with donations to St Catherine’s Hospice. This day-time community choir meets at Brighton Road Baptist Church (no religious affiliation) most Wednesday mornings from 11am –12:30pm. There are no auditions and the choir holds two free concerts a year, as well as other visits to care homes/community groups. New members welcome, with first session free. horshamharmonychoir.co.uk

Horsham Society Hosts 70th Anniversary Talks

You are all invited to our special programme of free talks. They are open to everyone and there is no need to book.

Shops & Shopping: The Small Shop Through the Ages

Millennium Hall, Crawley Road, Roffey, RH12 4DT

Dr Janet Pennington, well-known historian and public speaker, explores how different shopping was for our ancestors and looks at shops, their signs and names.

Waste Water and Clean Water in Horsham

Thursday 17th July, 7.30pm

Millennium Hall, Crawley Road, Roffey, RH12 4DT

Southern Water will be looking at Horsham in terms of supply and waste water and the issues that arise.

The Impact of Planning and Infrastructure on our Town

Thursday 4th September, 7.30pm

The Barn, Causeway, Horsham, RH12 1HE

Dr Roger Smith, Council for the Protection of Rural England, Sussex trustee, will be considering the impact of potential changes around Horsham.

‘Last Orders’ Revisited Thursday 16th October, 7.30pm

The Barn, Causeway, Horsham, RH12 1HE

Ron Bates will tell you about the bygone pubs and brewers of Horsham.

Talks last approximately an hour, including an opportunity to ask questions. Free refreshments will be served.

ALSO: HORSHAM HERITAGE FREE TOWN CENTRE GUIDED WALKS

Join one of our Heritage Guides on a free ninety-minute walk in Horsham town centre and hear about some of Horsham’s fascinating history. Meet at 2.30pm outside Horsham Museum, Causeway, on any Wednesday or Sunday from now until the end of September. Booking is not required. Queries to: events@horshamsociety.org

AURORA AFRICANIS BY CATHERINE FLANDERS

Horsham District Council is asking your views on how you would like to see Horsham town centre managed in the future. Government plans to reorganise local government would mean that Horsham District Council (HDC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) would cease to exist. Instead, a new Unitary Authority would be formed, meaning that the future of facilities such as the War Memorial and Horsham Museum would be decided by a larger organisation, possibly not based in the Horsham area. One idea that the Council is considering is forming a Horsham Town Council to take over running these services and facilities, also including town bandstands and Horsham Park. The town council would be comprised of locally-elected people and would support central Horsham and represent local views to any new Unitary Authority. A public consultation ends on 16 June 2025. horsham.gov.uk/consultations

Artemis Aerospace has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. The Steyning-based company has been recognised for its excellence in international trade. Employing 14 people, Artemis Aerospace is a leading aviation component supplies and support service, with international hubs

Sussex Green Living has expanded its community recycling scheme, helping to collect more items that cannot go in to Council recycling bins. Many single-use plastic items such as pens, toothbrushes, batteries, vapes and make-up cannot be recycled by HDC. However, SGL has collection points around the District to save such items from landfill. Now, more items can be recycled at these points including corks, crayons, used stamps, glasses and helium balloons. For locations, visit sussexgreenliving.org.uk/single-use/

Horsham District Council has launched a new round of funding to support eligible business growth projects in rural areas. The Council has been awarded over £260,000 to invest in local rural businesses and sustainable community projects from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). Projects previously supported include installing solar panels and establishing a small-scale dairy processing unit. Applications close 13 June. horsham.gov.uk/business/business-funding/ rural-england-prosperity-fund

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A heat of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) Young Market Trader of the Year competition was held in Horsham town centre on 27 April. This year’s event saw 11 young entrepreneurs vying for a place in the Southeast Regional Final at Broadway Market in Hackney, London on Sunday 13 July. Horsham’s winner was Garden to Jar, owned by Sarah Griffin, who makes chutneys, jams and preserves. Redamancy Art (Madison Varney), Simply Beads by Freya (Freya Herrett-Allen), Silver Hollow Jewellery (Daniel Scott) and Mspwildlifeart (Megan Smylie-Page) were highly commended and will also go forward to the regional final. The competition was organised by local market operator Coden Events in association with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and supported by Horsham District Council. horsham.gov.uk/business/district-markets

A charity event focusing on endometriosis is scheduled to be held at Beauty Secrets, East Street, Horsham, on Wednesday 25 June, 5.30 – 8.30pm. The event aims to raise awareness of endometriosis through sharing stories and highlighting treatments available. There will be talks by Beauty Secrets therapists, organiser/advocate Tracey van Gemere and representatives of Endometriosis UK, a charity that helps those suffering from the disease. Ticket details unavailable as AAH went to press. See Beauty Secrets website for updates.

The next meeting of the Friends of Horsham Museum & Art Society takes place at the Wesley Hall, London Road Chapel, Horsham on Wednesday 11 June, 7.30pm. Kathryn Ferry, an authority on seaside architecture, design and culture, will speak on British Seaside Architecture. Kathryn is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the media officer for the National Piers Society. She is also the author of several books and often appears on TV and radio broadcasts as a seaside cultural expert. Admission to all is £7.50.

A new wellness festival for women will be held at Innerbloom in Small Dole, nr Henfield, on Saturday 14 June, 10am – 5.30pm. Olakino Together is a one-day festival to help women rediscover what makes them feel good - mind, body and soul. The day includes yoga, a sound bath, breath and meditation workshops, inspiring talks, sauna, fire pit circle and a mindful marbling workshop. Olakino Together has been organised by events planner Katie Bartholomew and life coach Sarah Ritchie. olakino-together.co.uk

Sandgate Choir present a Midsummer Gala at Thakeham Village Hall, RH20 3GW, on Sunday 6 July, 3pm. Join the choir for a variety of choral classics, spirituals, popular music and afternoon tea. Tickets £15 (U16s £7, U5s free) from thesandgatechoir.com

Professional operatic baritone

Jon Openshaw will lead Horsham Chamber Choir in A Night at the Opera at The Barn, Causeway, Horsham on Saturday 21 June, 7:30pm. The choir present music from some of the great operas including Carmen, La Traviata, Rigoletto and Il Trovatore, with some Gilbert and Sullivan thrown in too. The choir is joined by soprano Heather Caddick, mezzosoprano Deidre Arratoon and tenor Robin Whitehouse, as well pianist Alison Sutton. Jon himself will perform with this professional quartet as baritone soloist. Tickets on the door or online from horsham-chamberchoir.org.uk

Shipley Arts Festival presents the annual Wilding Concert at Knepp Castle on Sunday 6 July, 6.30pm. The programme had yet to be fully annouced as AAH went to press, but will include Schubert’s Trout Quintet and is likely to feature the Stradivarius Piano Trio, with Andrew Bernardi (pictured) on violin. There will also be a private viewing of portraiture by artists including John Piper, Godfrey Kneller, Graham Sutherland, Lucian Freud and Svetlana Cameron, to be enjoyed with a glass of Nyetimber and canapés. Tickets £50 from bernardimusicgroup.com

The Capitol hosts Summer Comedy Club Nights In association with Rangatainment Comedy on Saturdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 August, 8pm. The evenings feature new names on the comedy circuit as well as familiar headliners including Seann Walsh, Jen Brister, Lou Sanders (inset) and Simon Brodkin. Tickets £10.

A Bring Your Own Baby Comedy event is held on Monday 14 July, 12pm. The UK’s premier baby-friendly comedy club caters to parents while keeping little ones safe and entertained. The bar serves tea and tipples. Strictly babies under 15 months, buggy parking and changing facilities available. Tickets £16. thecapitolhorsham.com

AAH has formed a collaboration with the Roundabout Talking News, providing news and features for the service. RTN is a Horsham-based charity, providing a free service for the visually impaired since 1978. Volunteers record local news and features and make it available online, via Amazon Alexa or via a posted USB memory stick. Local news is also sourced from The West Sussex County Times. https://horsham.mytn.uk/

©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT

Nymans

Handcrafted Histories: Exploring the Arts & Crafts Movement

Sat 19 Jul – Sun 26 Oct: 11am–4pm

Delve a little deeper into the Arts & Crafts movement, as told through a selection of special pieces from the historic collection at Standen. From exploring intricate detail in craftsmanship, to the wider social impact, the exhibition explores the eclectic influences and social ideology that made this movement so powerful and unique. Last entry to the house is at 3.30pm. Exhibition included in general admission.

nationaltrust.org.uk/standen

The Art of Illusion: The Theatrical World of Oliver Messel

Sat 14 Jun – Sun 26 Oct: 11am–3.30pm

An exhibition exploring the creativity of Oliver Messel, theatre designer for stage and screen, and master of illusion and make-believe. From interior design to theatre props and film work, Oliver Messel’s life in design was influenced by a childhood spent at Nymans. He became Britain’s leading stage designer of the mid twentieth century with his lavish designs. Normal admission applies.

National Trust Images / Claire Hewitt, Oliver Messel © National Portrait Gallery

EN POINTE

TAYLOR TICEHURST HEADS TO ROYAL BALLET

SCHOOL

So, who’s this then?

This is Taylor Ticehurst, a Horsham dancer who has been offered a scholarship at The Royal Ballet Upper School.

Is this a big deal?

The Royal Ballet School is one of the most prestigious in the world. The Upper School in Covent Garden has a rigorous admission process, training only about 100 full-time students from all over the world in classical ballet. What makes Taylor’s achievement all the more remarkable is that he didn’t join a dance school until he was 12 years old.

Where did his journey begin?

Taylor joined JN Theatre in Horsham when he was at primary school and enjoyed being part of the group’s musical adaptations. He didn’t enjoy singing much, but demonstrated a flair for dancing and, at the recommendation of a friend’s sister, attended Horsham School of Dance for the first time in 2021. It was a day Principal Dance Teacher Annie Dunkley remembers well. ‘From the moment Taylor

walked through the door, it was evident that he was extraordinarily talented. He had a lot of catching up to do but was enthusiastic, dedicated and had an abundance of natural talent, so his progression was astonishing.’

Did Taylor only learn ballet there?

Horsham School of Dance teaches a range of styles including tap, modern and contemporary. However, it was ballet that Taylor enjoyed the most and where he truly excelled. He said: ‘I like the discipline of ballet and the clear definition of what is right and wrong. I’m not such a fan of hip-hop or street dance, which is more open to interpretation. Ballet demands clean lines that you can work on until they are perfect.’

Why did Taylor take to ballet so naturally?

As well as being tall, Taylor has an ideal physique for ballet. However, as Annie explains, his greatest attribute is his desire to learn. ‘There are certain things that your body must be able to do naturally if you want to attain a high level of performance. However,

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it is even more important to have an absolute joy of dancing, as you need that to get through the hard hours of training every day. Taylor has that passion and always wanted to train harder and longer.’

How did he progress from there?

Taylor was involved in various productions, festivals and competitions through HSD and as a pupil at Tanbridge House, where he took part in Dance Live! In early 2022, Annie – who also trained at the Royal Ballet School – suggested that he audition for the Central School of Ballet Associates in London. Taylor was accepted into the programme in early 2022 and attended Saturday classes. Early the following year, he successfully applied to the Associate Programme at the Royal Ballet, offering a higher level of classical training.

It didn’t put him off though? Apparently not. While Taylor continued with the RBS Associate Programme on Saturdays, he also auditioned for Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, a full-time vocational boarding school. He was offered a full scholarship, joining in September 2023. He said: ‘Tring was intense and so different to anything I had experienced before. I had grown used to a regular school day and suddenly I was having to commit to a much longer day with academic studies in the morning and four hours of vocational training in the afternoon. It was draining, but I coped because of my love for ballet.’

‘I

TAYLOR TICEHURST

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TAYLOR AT KOPINSKI BALLET ACADEMY (©AAH/AW)

And now he has another scholarship? Before applying to the Upper School, Taylor sought the expertise of Michael Kopinski. Michael completed his training at the Royal Ballet Upper School before embarking on a successful career as a soloist with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. He now runs Kopinski Ballet Academy from a purpose-built studio in Maplehurst. This year, some of his private students have been accepted into prestigious dance schools including White Lodge, Tring and the Central School of Ballet.

How did Michael help?

He helped Taylor refine his technique, giving him the best chance of a successful audition for the Upper School. Michael said: ‘It was a very tiring day and I really did work him hard, but Taylor’s ability was evident. I can tell pretty much instantly if someone has the potential to reach a high level and Taylor is tall, strong and flexible with natural musicality. He’s also very intelligent with his dancing, which will stand him in good stead for the demands of the industry.’

Did he have to audition at the ballet school then, like in that film, Billy–Hold up! Let’s try get through a story about a male ballet dancer without mentioning that! For Upper School, there are multiple audition stages. In the preliminary rounds, dancers attend a small class, before submitting videos of routines that include key

ANNIE, TAYLOR AND MICHAEL

exercises. Once applicants are whittled down, there is a final audition. Taylor said: ‘It’s not quite the same as the film; I certainly didn’t punch anyone in the changing room! But it can be intense as you perform certain moves in front of a panel of three or four people and you don’t know what they’re looking for. You just have to dance and hope they like it!’

Quite a selective process then...

Around 1500 students audition, with only the most promising offered a place. Taylor said: ‘A lot of the students progress from the Lower School, which means fewer places are available to those from outside the school. So, I was competing for a handful of places against dancers from all over the world, as the Royal Ballet has a global reputation.’

Has Taylor faced much negativity?

While acknowledging that ballet isn’t something many boys do, it’s pleasing to write that he has experienced nothing worse than good-natured banter from friends. Annie believes Taylor’s parents deserve huge credit. She said: ‘I have spoken to mothers with sons who have expressed an interest in dance, but whose husbands have refused to allow it. Some stigma remains for male dancers, which is ridiculous given the strength and agility the discipline demands.

Taylor’s parents come from a very different world (as owners of New Street Motorcycles in Partridge Green) and yet they’ve been extraordinary. They have always been positive with their support and sought good advice to help steer him in the right direction.’

What’s next for Taylor?

He is currently in his second year at Tring and joins the Upper School this September. His scholarship at the Royal Ballet runs for three years (though students re-audition before their third year) and should he graduate, he hopes to embark on a career on stage.

Does he have a dream role?

Taylor would like to work with Staatsballett Berlin because of its diverse repertoire. But his dream is much like that of any ballet dancer. ‘I have an album of classical music and love to dance while cleaning my room! I have to confess that I am drawn to the emotion and melodies of Tchaikovsky, so to dance in a ballet like Swan Lake would be a dream come true.’ n

WORDS: BEN MORRIS

PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT

Further information: horshamschoolofdance.co.uk michaelkopinski.com

TAYLOR PERFORMS A GRAND JETÉ AT THE KOPINSKI BALLET ACADEMY (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

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Since moving to their new clinic premises on the Graylands Estate in 2020, they have grown their team of Horsham chiropractors with the addition of experienced practitioners to meet the growing needs of their community. Here are just a small selection of the Google reviews left by patients...

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GLORY DAYS

HORSHAM FC CELEBRATE LEAGUE AND CUP TRIUMPH

Horsham Football Club have enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in their 154-year history, winning the Isthmian Premier Division in dramatic fashion and following up this success with a last-minute winner in the Sussex Senior Cup Final at the Amex Stadium.

Here, we tell the story of the season with help from Manager/Coach Dominic di Paolo, Chairman Kevin Borrett, General Manager Leighton Mitchell, Player of the Season Reece Meekums and Robbie Murdoch, a member of The Lardy Army that keenly support the Hornets…

Kevin: I have been chairman of Horsham FC since 2008. I arrived at the club soon after we had famously taken Swansea City to a replay in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup (December 2007). It was a difficult and unsettled period for Horsham, as we were ground-sharing after the sale of our old home at Queen Street, and were relegated into the County league for the first

time in 64 years. We had gone through seven managers in four years before Dominic di Paolo (pictured below) joined us in 2015.

Dominic: Ten years ago, we were a homeless club playing our home matches at Horsham YMCA’s ground. We had been relegated into the County League and barely had enough footballs for training. However, a handful of committed people kept the club alive and we managed to quickly secure promotion back into Isthmian Division One South. After a couple of years playing home matches in Lancing, we finally moved to our new stadium at Hop Oast in 2019. This coincided with our promotion back to the Isthmian Premier and gave us the platform to grow.

Robbie: The Lardy Army was founded in the 1990s and initially was comprised of just a handful of loyal

supporters. Some founder members continue to attend games, home and away, and have great stories from the wilderness years, when only a handful of fans would travel. I first watched Horsham FC as a teenager, during the final years at Queen Street. I was there for the FA Cup tie against Swansea and I’m still drying out from the experience! However, I was not among those dedicated fans who stuck with the club during the ground-sharing days and it wasn’t until the move to Hop Oast that I started supporting the Hornets

I grew up playing for Sussex coastal teams including Fishersgate Flyers and Hollingbury Hawks, before joining Brighton and Hove Albion’s Youth Academy when I was 11 years old. I remained with the club until I was 19, when I joined Worthing. After a season on loan at Bromley, I became

HORSHAM FC CELEBRATE WINNING THE LEAGUE TITLE (©JOHN LINES)

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR SAM BORRETT AND CHAIRMAN

KEVIN BORRETT WITH THE LEAGUE TROPHY

a first-team regular at Worthing, playing in National League South. After several consistent seasons, there came a day when I wasn’t selected for a matchday squad and I felt it was time to move on. My good friend Danny Barker, who I first met at Brighton’s Academy, was already at Horsham and encouraged me to join him. So, I signed in October 2023 and we had a good season, winning the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 48 years at Brighton’s Amex Stadium. Although I scored in the final, I didn’t play my best football that season. Dom was very supportive and felt I would benefit from a good pre-season with the club. That proved to be true, as we developed a good dynamic prior to the first league game this season.

Dominic: We couldn’t have scripted the season’s finale any better, but it took us a while to hit our stride in the league. It is difficult to focus on a league campaign while you are also enjoying a cup run and this season, we again reached the 1st Round of the FA Cup. After coming through four qualifying rounds, we were drawn away to Chesterfield. When you play teams several leagues above you, it’s necessary to set up the team differently and –having trained to prepare for that

‘When the final whistle blew, we didn’t know if we had done enough!’

DOMINIC DI PAOLO

– it’s not easy to then switch back to a more attacking system for league games. Cup runs are great for players and fans, but they do impact league form. Once we had exited the FA Cup and FA Trophy, we got into a rhythm in the league and looked very good.

Reece: We lost eight league games before Christmas, as we played a lot of cup fixtures too. At Worthing, I had never done very well in the FA Cup, but Horsham have become used to cup success in recent years. In 2021/22, we lost to Carlisle in the 1st Round, and soon after I joined, earned a replay against Barnsley. This year, we had the tie against Chesterfield, losing 3-1. Playing in the FA Cup is great for us players, as you have names on the back of your shirt and there’s the excitement of watching the draw on TV. But it does affect you mentally. Once we had been knocked out, we flew in the league.

We won 1-0 away at Canvey Island just before Christmas and that triggered a fantastic run that propelled us up the league.

Dominic: When we defeated Dover away on New Year’s Day, they were top of the table. The three points nudged us into the play-off positions and was a catalyst for our form in the second half of the season. Our final match was at home to Hashtag United and the memories of that day will stay with me for life. I was quite relaxed before the game, as I knew we had to win and score a lot of goals, so my job was just to get the best performance out of the team. It was a real rollercoaster, as we went behind, then scored five goals and missed two penalties to win 5-1. When the final whistle blew, we didn’t know if we had done enough, as our rivals Billericay were still playing their match and if they scored one more, would beat us to the title on goal difference.

Reece: We played some great football against Hashtag Utd, but didn’t score in the final 30 minutes. When it ended, the reaction from the crowd was mixed, as we still didn’t know the Billericay result. Finally, word came through that we were champions! It was an amazing day

and the following week, we had a get together at the stadium to celebrate with friends, family and supporters.

Kevin: We had hoped to challenge for promotion this season, which we thought was more likely through the play-offs. So, we’re delighted to have achieved it as champions. It’s a testament to Dominic, his coaching staff and the players for the consistency they’ve demonstrated throughout this season.

Dominic: Aside from the Covid years, we’ve had eight good seasons that have brought league promotions and cup success. When a team has such moments, players want to stay and that has been the foundation for stability. We have a squad of players who get on well, both on and off the pitch. When they are not winning, every football club makes changes, be it the manager or players. When we stop winning, people will naturally start asking questions of us too, as football is full of opinions. However, Horsham is in a great place at the moment. We play an attacking brand of football that I think fans appreciate, which is important, as part of my job is to make sure we attract good crowds to keep the club ticking financially.

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STRIKER CHRIS DICKSON CELEBRATES WINNING THE LEAGUE

Robbie: It is nice to see so many youngsters at games. They gather around the players’ tunnel at the final whistle and take photos on their phones. The club works well with the local community, inviting schools to games. Many of these children have returned with parents or relatives, as they had such a good time. So, there’s a family-friendly atmosphere and the club’s volunteers are a big reason for that, as they really look after families.

Reece: My partner grew up in Horsham and I have now moved to the town as well, working at The Bridge Leisure Centre. As I live and work in Horsham, I have a good sense of the club’s importance to the local community. When I’m at the gym,

people are always asking me about our results, especially youngsters, who look up to us players. Attendances have swelled too, which makes a difference for us on the pitch. We took 500 fans to Lewes, which was incredible. Such support raises our performance.

Dominic: I do like it when schools attend games. There was a time when some people at Horsham District Council were reluctant to grant us permission for a new ground, as they couldn’t see the value to the community. I would argue that we’re now seeing that value, as the town has a club it can be proud of and people are responding. Parents are bringing children to matches, rather than having them stay indoors playing computer games or even leaving the area to support teams in higher divisions. At Horsham, people can

experience a pure version of football, without the corporate aspects of the Premier League.

Robbie: At the moment, we are riding a wave and it’s great to be part of the club’s success. The atmosphere is the best I have ever known it. You could sense the optimism growing as the season went on and when you have hundreds of fans travelling away to Carshalton, you must be doing something right. You don’t have to be part of the Lardy Army or join in our songs – plenty of people support the team in their own way. However, we do feel some responsibility to set an example. Our chants are good-natured. One song adopts the hymnal tune of a common terrace anthem, with the lyrics changed to ‘No surrender to the low-fat spread,’ a reference to our association with lard (see below panel). Another chant, ‘It’s just like watching Peru’, harks back to the days when we weren’t very good!

The Lardy Army are an integral part of Horsham Football Club’s fan-base, providing support at both home and away games. The group was formed in August 1996, during a midweek game at Dorking, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Supporters including David Rick, Paul Oxley, Mick Sendall, Mark Huntsman, Steve Snow and Dean Woodhall made a commitment to support the team at every match, with a theme of lager, lard and general laddish behaviour. Their calling card became a bar of lard, with one sent to the Chairman of opponents, along with a note from the HFC APF – Anti Polyunsaturated Faction. It was this good-humoured act that inspired the group’s name...

Horsham fan

Robbie Murdoch told AAH:

‘The story goes that the Chairman of Hungerford Town FC took offence to the bar of lard and contacted Horsham’s legendary Chairman Frank King, when the club was still at Queen Street. He stormed out of the boardroom demanding to know, “who are these lardy boys?” and it grew from there! We still send lard in the lead-up to big games, such as the FA Cup ties against Chesterfield and Barnsley. Both of those clubs tweeted about it and joined in the fun.’ Some founder members remain supporters and David Rick returned from Spain to watch the recent Sussex Senior Cup final. There are hopes of a reunion in 2026, when the Lardy Army celebrate their 30th year. At home games, they are usually located at the Octotech Stand in the first half, moving to the side stands in the second half.

Robbie adds: ‘It’s a great thing to be a part of and we meet up outside the club socially too. In terms of becoming one of the Lardy Army, it’s really just a matter of joining in with the singing. We are now seeing some of the younger fans starting Lardy Army chants, which always makes the old boys smile!’ n

HORSHAM FC HAVE MANY YOUNGER SUPPORTERS; MIDFIELDER LEE HARDING CELEBRATES AWAY AT BOGNOR

Leighton: Our kit and merchandise have been hugely popular. We sold out of home shirts, sold hundreds of bucket hats and scarves, and had more than 200 pre-orders for a new ‘Champions’ T-shirt. I was at the club until 3am packing shirts myself, as we’re not Amazon! It used to be just (long-time fan) The Colonel wearing Horsham FC colours in town, but now you see yellow and green everywhere.

Kevin: I consider myself a fan as well as Chairman, although when money hinges on a result, like it did in the final league game, it can be a heart-fluttering experience! I started watching games with my son, then a teenager, and it was only a quirk of fate that I became more involved in the club. In the immediate post-war years, Horsham had a very successful team and it wasn’t unusual to see 4,000 – 5,000 fans at Queen Street. But by the time the club

left that ground, the average gate was only about 400 and when we were at Lancing, attendances for midweek games averaged around 250. This season, we have averaged 1500 for Saturday games. The club lost the town in many ways, but now people who have previously been ticket holders at London clubs prefer to enjoy good quality football locally, where they can be more involved.

Kevin: When I first came to the club, I desperately hoped that we would make the FA Cup 1st Round, having just missed the Swansea experience. After achieving this three times in 100 years, we’ve now done it three years out of the last four. It was also a personal ambition for Horsham to reach the Sussex Senior Cup final, so I had to pinch myself when we made it to the Amex last season and won it. Now, we’ve done it two years in a row!

Robbie: I remember looking around the Amex Stadium at the 2024 final, and it was a sea of green and yellow. It was unbelievable. We again took thousands of fans to this season’s final, taking up an entire stand, with many of the youngsters wearing Dominic di Paolo masks. The game itself wasn’t great, but when James Hammond fired home a free-kick from 30-yards six minutes into injury time, the roof nearly blew off the stadium.

Reece: I have been fortunate to win the Sussex Senior Cup with Worthing and Brighton too, so this was my fourth win in the competition. Last year, everything went our way in the final and we won 3-0. The match against Littlehampton was very different, as they were very physical. It wasn’t a great game for the neutral, but last-minute goals always add to the sense of euphoria, for players and fans!

LUCAS RODRIGUES TAKES ON A LITTLEHAMPTON DEFENDER IN THE CUP FINAL; JAMES HAMMOND FIRES IN THE WINNER

GUIDE STEAK to

Dominic: Very few non-league teams have won the Sussex Senior Cup over the past 30 years, so to win it in successive years is a great achievement. We didn’t play particularly well but to find a winner in the way we did was a wonderful end to the season. The Horsham FC Wikipedia page is being updated regularly with titles and it’s a good feeling to be adding history, raising the profile of the club and the town.

Kevin: I’m hopeful the nucleus of the title-winning team will stay together for our first season in National League South. I’ve always felt that our natural level is the Isthmian Premier, but with the ability to push on from time to time. There are additional costs to playing at a higher level, and there will be players who cannot travel the extra distances and others may need to be brought in, while there are attritional costs of going up a division too. The leading teams in National South have bigger crowds than Horsham and stadiums to facilitate that, so we are a little constrained in some respects. However, our average attendance this season would have been ranked ninth highest in the National South. So, we have a good support base and facilities that meet the FA’s requirements.

Dominic: We’ve have beaten teams in the league above us in one-off games, but it’s easy to motivate players for such occasions. Maintaining that level week-in, week-out will be the challenge. If we can keep the group together, I think we have the togetherness to compete, but we must be realistic. There are nine full-time teams in this division and we will be travelling to bigger clubs with a bigger support base. We were not exactly heavyweights in the Isthmian Premier and will be among the smaller clubs in National South, so it’s going to be tough. But you have to embrace these opportunities when they come along and give it your best shot.

The ground can comfortably hold 2500 in summer, but if we had that number on a rainy winter’s day, 1500 of them will get wet as we don’t have enough sheltered areas. Another target is to attract more commercial sponsorship. We receive fabulous support from small local businesses, estate agents in particular, but not from larger commercial organisations. I would appeal for them to get in touch, so that we can tailor a package to suit their needs. As well as the men’s senior team, we have a successful ladies team with huge potential and will soon launch the Horsham FC Academy, so there are various sponsorship opportunities available.

Leighton: We have grown the commercial side of the club on the back of recent success. We opened the 1881 Lounge for matchday hospitality, attracting new commercial partners and bringing in extra revenue. We are developing other commercial revenue streams, as the higher up the leagues we climb, the more support we will need to ensure we remain a sustainable club. We are delighted to announce a new kit partner for the next four seasons too, with Joma providing quality kit for players and supporters.

Kevin: Dom deserves huge credit, together with his management team and players, for the season that we’ve had. However, the final word should go to the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. They built the foundation for our recent success, keeping the club going in the wilderness years and bringing the new ground to fruition. We still rely on them for so many things – running the club bar, cooking and serving food and hot drinks, manning the ticket turnstiles and stewarding. They will be even more important as we work towards professionalising the club, while maintaining the family character that we’re rightly proud of. n

Kevin: We are not looking to increase our capacity, but what we would like to do and have already started talking to the Council about is making it more comfortable for our supporters.

INTERVIEWS:

Ben Morris

PHOTOS:

John Lines

For news, fixtures and information on commercial opportunities, visit horshamfc.co.uk

REECE

“ ”

Holmewood Interiors recently fitted our new utility room and we can highly recommend them.

Shaun pays very close attention to each project as the work progresses, and his team of fitters are all highly skilled and very polite and considerate toojust lovely.

We are really happy with the quality of the units and the high standard of workmanship.

Thank you to Shaun and all the team - we love it!

MAUREEN — APRIL 2025

“

Holmewood has been superb from start to finish. Iva worked with us to produce an excellent design with high quality visualisations.

Shaun and his team have been thoroughly professional in delivering, fitting and finishing the cabinets, and arranging for the worktop and cooker glass backing to be delivered and fitted.

The work was completed on schedule to a very high standard. We are now enjoying a delightful kitchen.

MIKE — FEBRUARY 2025

”

Explore more customer projects

Visit our showroom in Horsham

Visit our showroom in Horsham

12 Queen Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5AF

12 Queen Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5AF

Book your appointment today and explore the possibilities

Book your appointment today and explore the possibilities

t: 01403 254090

t: 01403 254090

e: info@holmewoodinteriors.co.uk www.holmewoodinteriors.co.uk

e: info@holmewoodinteriors.co.uk www.holmewoodinteriors.co.uk

est. 2017 HORSHAM

est. 2017 HORSHAM

WORD PERFECT

SPIKE’S SIGHT WORDS ENCOURAGES YOUNG READERS

Spike’s Sight Words create award-winning educational games to help children learn to read and spell. AAH met CEO and founder Sophie Bradley and the brand’s eight-armed mascot Spike at her Mannings Heath home to find out more…

What was the inspiration for Spike’s Sight Words?

I have always encouraged my two children to read books, as it was something I loved during my own childhood. My daughter, Georgina, who is now nine, inherited that love and was reading when she was only two years old. To help her develop, I would write “sight words” for her to learn and place them under her pillow, and she would be so excited when she woke up to find them. However, our son Alistair, who is a year younger, was not interested in this game and was obsessed with his toy cars. We didn’t mind that, but I didn’t want him to miss out on the joy of reading. The eureka moment came when I thought of a way to incorporate cars into a learning game.

How did you achieve this?

I drew a racing track across a sheet of plain paper and told my son to pick a toy car to play with. I chose one too and they acted as our playing pieces. We set up a game on the living room table and started rolling dice to move the cars around the board, reading out words as we went. It was the first time I had seen him express any enthusiasm for learning new words. He is an intelligent boy, but like many children, he is more of a visual learner, who responds to being engaged in the process, rather than learning directly from a book. This gave me great encouragement, so I designed an improved race track on a computer and we used this to play many more times. It made me think that many other children would benefit from the idea and would like to learn words in such a way.

But not just a racing track?

It made sense to help my son’s learning to base a game around cars. However, I wanted to encourage that same level of excitement for every child, so I came up with 30 designs,

SOPHIE BRADLEY, FOUNDER OF SPIKE’S SIGHT WORDS (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

including aliens, ancient Egypt, cats and dogs, Chinese dragons, dinosaurs, football and a magic forest. I worked with a specialist artist to come up with original designs and the insects board has hundreds of individually drawn ants! Each board has a series of holes that can be filled in from a bag of tokens. These tokens all have words on them, divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced words, to appeal to children of different ages and abilities.

Do you choose certain kinds of words? We use common exception words, also known as sight words, which is a word that doesn’t follow typical phonetic rules and has an irregular spelling. I focused on spike words as my son struggled with these. He couldn’t grasp why ‘know’ and ‘knee’ were spelt with a K and why ‘said’ is spelt the way it is. We also use high frequency words, which are key for early development. These are the small words that make up much of our language, such as ‘the’, ‘to’ and ‘our’.’

How long do games last?

Games take only a matter of minutes. We sell theme packs which contain three boards, and the idea is that you can use the same bag of tokens to play on different boards. The key to learning spike words is repetition, and the more you read a word, the more familiar it becomes. The rules are flexible, so that a parent – or educator if in a school environment – can

Extra-Gordon inary

A Day in the Life of a School Dog

Hi, my name is Gordon!

I am the school therapy dog at Southwater Junior Academy

This month, I want to tell you about my favourite space here. No, it’s not my fluffy dog bed; it’s the amazing eco garden.

I’ve sniffed out that lots of children enjoy the calming space of the eco garden. I’ve overheard them chatter excitedly about frogspawn turning into tadpoles and then into frogs. They can’t wait to get their paws on the soft wispy grasses or build bug hotels. I love being out in the fresh air and it seems humans do too!

As a dog, digging holes is one of my favourite pastimes. Who’d have thought that children enjoy this too… although they dig holes for planting flowers instead. Strange but true!

It’s such a great community here. I love the new pond area, which has been renovated by a kind parent. They gave their time to build a new decking area and even bought all the materials for us. Our eco warriors can now go out and get involved in hands-on projects, learning about the importance of sustainability, biodiversity, and nature.

Next time, I’ll tell you about some other paw-some things at the school!

set their own rules. The packs do come with playing pieces, but we encourage children to use anything. My daughter sometimes played with a pepper grinder, as she found that funny, and it helped her engage with the games. With the word tokens, some children like to learn words phonetically, while for others it tests their spelling too.

Where is the most interest coming from? When I set up the business, I imagined that the greatest demand would be from parents wanting to assist their children’s learning. However, we have found that the themed boards particularly appeal to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as they are visually engaging and the tokens use a dyslexia-friendly font. We were nominated for a British Dyslexia Association award and recently won a Best Educational Support Program award too. We find that the games are also good for those learning English as a second language, and there is potential to adapt the concept for other languages in future. Because they are so flexible, people find their own way of using the packs. One client even made her own ‘emotion’ tokens to use with boards, helping young people to understand and express various feelings.

Do you have previous experience of designing board games?

Most of my previous work has been in the film and television industry, where I have worked as a location manager and logger, who transcribes and logs footage, creating a detailed document that summarises key

‘An octopus has excellent cognitive abilities, so I thought it was the perfect mascot for the brand.’

SOPHIE BRADLEY

scenes. I was involved in programmes including Big Brother and Wife Swap, before working in Qatar for 14 years. There, I worked as a live graphics operator, a technical specialist who creates on-screen graphics during live broadcasts. It was an exciting and sometimes high-pressure job. If we received a breaking news report of a major event in Bangladesh, for example, I would have a matter of seconds to source a map and create a visual pin-point to accompany the report. I also established a small company called Dining in Doha, reviewing hotels, bars and restaurants. It did very well and took us to some beautiful venues until social media largely negated the need for such websites. I then returned to the UK with my husband, Moe, and established Spike’s Sight Words.

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

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

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

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

You have a mascot too. Tell us about it… From the outset, I wanted to include an animal in the company name and logo. I liked the alliteration of Spike’s Sight Words, so it was a matter of deciding what animal Spike would be. It needed to be an intelligent animal to complement the concept of learning, so we thought about an owl, dolphin or chimp. Then I read about how the octopus has excellent cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills, and thought it was perfect for the brand. We designed Spike, our own mascot, and I’m very grateful to my husband Moe, who wears the costume during school visits. The children really respond to Spike, although having a giant octopus around does tend to distract them from actually playing the game!

What is the next step for the business?

Marketing remains a challenge. However, I have big plans for the business and we recently launched an international donations scheme, where businesses and individuals can cover the costs of a Spike’s Sight Words pack to be sent to schools, community groups or orphanages around the world. One pack was sent to a Ugandan orphanage and it was incredible seeing videos of children enjoying the games. We have also had discussions about expanding into India.

Can traditional games still excite a digital generation?

I think people like the fact that it’s a physical product. We have considered the idea

PARENT & CHILD PARENT & TODDLER CLASSES AVAILABLE

of developing an online version, but it simply doesn’t offer the same benefits. Our whole concept was to encourage children to develop their communication and language skills through social interactions. I have no interest in encouraging young people to spend even more time in front of a screen, as I believe they can learn in a more enjoyable and beneficial way though play. n

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: info@spikessightwords.com spikessightwords.com spikessightwords

PLAYERS CAN CHOOSE THEIR OWN PLAYING PIECES WITH SPIKE’S SIGHT WORDS (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

Hear Better, Feel Better

The Horsham Hearing Centre is the longest established dedicated Hearing Centre in Horsham. Opened in 1995 by husband and wife team of Audiologists, Julie and Jonathan Ormerod, the couple still run the centre today and offer their clients unrivalled expertise and experience in dealing with hearing problems.

Unique in their profession, they offer customers a “Better Hearing Guarantee”. The chance to try the latest technology hearing aids at home in your own environment to help you decide if hearing aids are for you.

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

Latest Hearing Instruments

Ultimate Streaming by Arc AI

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

Hearing Aids with Bluetooth

Most hearing aids today now have built-in Bluetooth compatibility. This means they can be linked to a Smart phone or iPad and controlled by those devices. You can stream phone calls, music and more directly from your Smart phone to your hearing aids and some can also monitor your health and brain activity. Hearing aid Apps can help you better understand conversations and hear in noisy environments.

Hearcentres fit only the best technology from the leading hearing aid manufacturers. These include Arc AI by Audibel, our full line of superior sounding hearing aids that connect easily and adapt seamlessly to your life. Featuring integrated sensors and artificial intelligence, they’re designed to not only help you hear effortlessly, but also live actively. It includes a Fall Detection which notifies loved ones if you fall.

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

Horsham Hearing Centre, 22 Worthing

Growing the impact of volunteering

To mark Volunteers’ Week, Horsham District Council is launching further support to boost local volunteering.

From 2 to 8 June is Volunteers’ Week, a UK-wide campaign to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.

Facilitated by UK Government Shared Prosperity Funding, Horsham District Council is celebrating this campaign by launching a new round of grants this June to help local community groups and charities to recruit and support volunteers. The fund will be followed by volunteer support training sessions, launching Autumn 2025.

This new offer builds on last year’s successful project, where 15 voluntary groups received grants for volunteer days, training, marketing, and more. A total of nearly 300 volunteering opportunities were reported to have been supported or created through the fund.

Complementary Volunteer Support

Training sessions upskilled volunteers and volunteer managers, covering topics like volunteer recruitment, good practice in volunteer management, and volunteer connect and coffee mornings. Over 80 volunteers and 50 organisations attended.

The new funding and training offers will seek to further build the resilience of local voluntary groups and enable more local people to access volunteering opportunities.

Local voluntary groups can stay up to date by signing up to the Council’s Voluntary Sector Support e-newsletter here: www.horsham.gov.uk/ voluntary-sector-support

HISTORY BOYS

AUTHOR’S GRANDSONS INSPIRE ADVENTURE BOOK

SERIES

After finding success with a series of amusing travelogues, New Yorker Michael Harling has penned a fantasy adventure series for children. Having settled in Horsham, he hopes that the local landmarks featured in The Talisman series will strike a chord with readers…

TRAVEL BLOGS

I was born and raised in upstate New York. I always enjoyed writing and used to contribute articles and columns for US newspapers and magazines. In 2001, I visited Ireland for a two-week holiday and during the trip met a group of travellers, including Shonagh, who was living in Crawley at the time. Six months later, we were married and I moved here permanently, settling in Horsham.

I started writing a humorous blog called Postcards From Across the Pond, about my experiences in the UK. At the time, blogs were very popular, but not many were any good!

I managed to attract a respectable following as my style wasn’t dissimilar to that of well-known travel writer Bill Bryson. These blogs were collated into a book that was published by Lean Market Press in 2009 and led to two follow-ups, More Postcards From Across the Pond and Postcards from Ireland They did quite well, selling on both sides of the Atlantic.

My first novel was called Finding Rachel Davenport, published by Prospero in 2012. It is a humorous caper about a former teen prodigy who was a world-class gymnast and Miss Teen England, who finds herself working as a clerk for a travel agency by day and solving crimes by night. The inspiration for the lead character came when I visited the Flight Centre in West Street, Horsham. Rachel Davenport was the person who helped us book our flight and when she gave me her business card, it said ‘International Travel Consultant’. I thought it made her sound like a superhero and the plot developed from there!

After my two grandsons were born in America, I wanted to write a book for them, to help create a connection between us, across the Atlantic. It was a simple story called The Magic Cloak, about two American boys who receive a magical cloak from their grandfather that transports them to a village in medieval England. They have to adjust to the harsh life of a peasant in the Dark Ages while also trying to recover a mysterious amulet called the Talisman. It only took me a month to write and I self-published the book on Amazon Kindle. However, when I returned to work on another novel, I found myself struggling for ideas and motivation. All I could think about was the children’s book. So, before I knew it, I had written a follow-up and planned out a series of eight books!

MICHAEL HARLING WITH HIS THREE TRAVEL BOOKS (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

LOCAL HISTORY

It was Shonagh who initially came up with the magic cloak idea. She found a set of blue velvet curtains in a charity shop, made a cloak out of them and suggested I could use that as the portal. I initially struggled to see how I could make it work, but it turned out to be a good idea, as it allowed the boys to shift from one location and era to another. In the second book, The Roman Villa, the boys experience the mysterious world of Druids, Romans and Celtic warriors, before The Sacred Tor introduces them to the legend of King Arthur and secrets of the Glastonbury Tor.

From the outset, I based their adventures locally, as my original idea was to tell my grandchildren about the place where I lived. In the first book, the protagonists search for the dragon in St Leonard’s Forest, only to find it is a legend conjured by a band of robbers to keep people out. In the second book, their adventures take them to the Sussex town of Fishbourne, home of a Roman palace. There is evidence of the villa having been destroyed by fire and my book places the boys in Fishbourne at the time of the blaze. So, the stories weave real history with fictional adventure.

‘An obsidian mirror was the inspiration for the Talisman, a mysterious stone featured in the books.’

MICHAEL HAS WRITTEN EIGHT BOOKS IN THE TALISMAN SERIES (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

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

Offices based in Southwater and Angmering.

The fourth book, The Bard of Tilbury, is set in the time of William Shakespeare, while The Crystal Palace takes the boys to The Great Exhibition of 1851, where they meet Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The sixth story, The White Feather, is set during the Great War, when towns and villages in Surrey experienced Zeppelin raids. In my story, the boys shoot down the first one, but the credit goes to William Leefe Robinson, the guy who really achieved it. The penultimate book, The Isle of Avalon, takes the characters back to Arthurian England, while the final story, The Talisman, is set during the Second World War and brings the series to a conclusion. For the final instalment, I invented a military base just outside of Horsham, loosely based on the bomb disposal unit established in Broadbridge Heath in the 1950s.

Although they can be read as standalone books, the eight stories follow a narrative arc. Early in the process, I felt I needed something that tied the books together. At the time, there was a crystal shop on East Street and when I spoke to the owner about my books, she showed me a mirror made with obsidian, a volcanic glass formed when lava is rapidly cooled. This was the inspiration for the Talisman, a mysterious stone that plays a part in each of the books and that the lead characters must guide safely through different eras.

I wrote a book a year, and each time would send a copy to America for my grandsons. I self-published initially, then having completed all eight books, spent a couple of years rewriting them in the hope of broadening their commercial appeal. I accepted early in the process that they wouldn’t attract a major publishing house. There are so many brilliant books for young adults already available, so anything new has to be exceptional and in all honestly, mine doesn’t hit such heights. Also, a top publisher might publish the first couple of books, but unless they set the world on fire, the rest would go unpublished. I liked the idea of giving readers an entire series, so opted to self-publish.

very pleased with their work. What has been more disappointing is the response from local book shops. I reached out to several but didn’t hear back, except from Natty Noo in the Carfax, where they are available. So, the books haven’t gained much traction commercially. I’ve not written them for money, as I’m retired now and it doesn’t matter to me. However, a story isn’t really a story until somebody has read it! So, I would love for a few people to give them a try. n

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information:

I often find that self-published books are let down by the cover, so I did seek help on this front. I worked with a company that produced professional covers at a fair price and I’ve been

The Talisman series by Michael Harling, along with his other books and Postcards series, are available through Amazon and his website, lindenwald.com

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

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

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

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

Tel: 01403 732539 Web: sumnersponds

Wheelchairs

ultra-light prices start from £199.00

We have the latest Ultra Lightweight Wheelchairs with an ultra compact frameperfect for frequent travel. Features include half folding backrest, swing away removable footrests and easy to use attendant brake system. At only 9.2kg this is the lightest wheelchair in our range.

Hire Scooters & Wheelchairs:

Wheelchair Hire £5.00 per day; Scooter Hire £6.00 per day

Service & Repair:

Call for a free consultation and latest call-out prices.

Stairlifts

We are an accredited dealer for Acorn Stairlifts. Call us to arrange a FREE no obligation visit from an engineer. New and reconditioned stairlifts are available.

Walkers

ultra-light prices start from £99.00

Aluminium Lightweight Tri-Wheel Walkers feature a lightweight aluminium frame that is easy to manoeuvre, making them ideal for use indoors or outdoors.

Able2’s new Saturn rollator (below right) is a lightweight design rollator with four wheels and a modern look. Good for indoor and outdoor use.

Scooters

Recliners

Car-boot scooters from £899.00

The Apex Alumalite is a lightweight, compact travel scooter. Easy to put into the boot. Aluminium frame makes this our lightest four-wheeled scooter yet.

£2,165

The Mirage is a groundbreaking scooter combining revolutionary lightweight design and stability with easy folding and storage.

£2,299

From £799.00

Our Rise Recline Chairs offer a blend of comfort and medical assistance, without compromising on style. The Largo Rise Recline Chair (pictured) is an embodiment of dignified living.

We also stock walking sticks, crutches, bathroom/living room aids & incontinence products

Why now is a great time to be a landlord

With constant headlines about market uncertainty, you might assume it’s a challenging time for landlords. But dig a little deeper and a different story emerges, as 2025 is proving to be one of the most promising times in recent years to be a landlord.

Tenant demand is soaring. Across the UK, mortgage rates and affordability challenges are keeping more people in the rental market for longer. This means fewer void periods and greater choice when it comes to tenant selection. For landlords offering well presented homes, competition is fierce and the rents achieved are reflecting that.

Rental values are strong. In Horsham and West Sussex in general, average rents have seen consistent growth over the past

several years, with desirable properties commanding premium prices. For landlords who keep properties in good condition and respond promptly to maintenance, this is a golden opportunity to maximise yields without overextending.

Legislation is driving professionalism. Far from being a burden, modern compliance is levelling the playing field. Professional, well-prepared landlords stand out and

tenants notice. In fact, landlords who embrace these changes often enjoy longer tenancies, better tenant relationships and smoother management overall. The long view pays off. Buy to Let remains a solid long term investment. Despite short term fluctuations, property continues to deliver reliable returns through rental income and capital appreciation. With more support available than ever, from lettings agents to mortgage and tax advisors, landlords don’t have to go it alone.

By partnering with a trusted local letting agent, you’ll benefit from guidance on ever-evolving legislation, effective marketing to the right tenants, and seamless day to day management. In a market where professionalism is key, the right support can turn a good investment into a great one.

SPIN MASTERS

40 YEARS OF DRY CLEANING BUSINESS IN SOUTHWATER

Revival Dry Cleaners and Launderers in Southwater is celebrating its 40th year and its 10th under the ownership of village resident Gail Stansmore.

The business was founded by Rob and Gill Francis and for many years was located in the old shopping precinct on Station Way. When the area was redeveloped, Revival was one of several business that was re-located to Lintot Square, which opened in December 2006.

Initially, some of Revival’s business came from commercial clients in London, with Rob picking up bedding and curtains from hotels to be cleaned. However, as local demand grew, Revival focused on dry cleaning and laundering for Southwater and the surrounding areas. After Rob passed away, Gill sold the business to Gail, who lives in Southwater.

Gail recalls: ‘I previously worked for my dad, a chartered surveyor, but I needed to look for something new when he retired. When my husband suggested Revival, I was initially sceptical as I didn’t know anything about dry cleaning. Yet 10 years later, here I am!

‘I spent two weeks working alongside Gill, learning as much about the industry as I could, while Lynn West, a long-serving member of the Revival team, stayed on and continues to play an important role. It was reassuring for long-serving customers to see that Lynn and other members of staff remained, as we’ve always attracted people from the local area. My daughter Harriet now works at Revival too, so there are seven of us in total and we can cope with whatever each day brings.’

PERC OF THE JOB

With tumble dryers and washing machines commonplace in modern homes, the days of laundromats on the High Street are gone. However, Revival has survived by focusing on dry cleaning and introducing additional services, such as ironing. Free parking at Lintot Square helps too, as customers don’t have to lug heavy suits or wedding dresses across town. A loyalty card scheme rewards regulars, with every 10th visit earning a discount, while Revival also recently offered a prize hamper to celebrate its 40th year.

Gail said: ‘There was a time when most customers brought in just their delicate items for dry cleaning, such as suits and coats. Instead of water, dry cleaning uses a solvent called Perchloroethylene (PERC), which is quite potent but gives the best results. However, there is equal demand

for laundry, as traditional laundromats are few and far between, but there are still people who don’t have the time or simply don’t like doing the laundry. When I was growing up, my mum always ironed everything, but since taking on Revival, I’ve been surprised by the demand for ironing services, especially gentlemen’s shirts and trousers. We have seen demand for dry cleaning and laundry services increase since Covid too. If people can afford it, they are happy to leave the laundry to others.’

In addition to everyday laundry, Revival has cleaned thousands of dresses and suits used for special occasions, including 86 wedding dresses last year alone. Gail also runs a duvet offer every spring and autumn, with 240 duvets being passed over the counter last time.

To keep up with demand, the shop has two washing machines with an 18kg capacity (a regular machine has 7 – 10kg capacity) as well as two smaller domestic washing machines. It also has two large tumble dryers, three ironing stations and a rotor steam cabinet used for smoothing out the creases in garments such as jackets, coasts and shirts.

Gail said: ‘It doesn’t matter if the suit comes from Tesco or Armani, as we treat every garment with the same care. Over the last 10 years, I have learnt an awful lot about clothing and yet still, every day brings items I haven’t seen before, made from different fabrics and materials. Designers love to invent new things to give us headaches in this industry, and labels often give vague cleaning instructions!

‘However, for the most part, everything runs smoothly as we have an experienced team. We are still exploring ways to grow and now offer a collection and delivery service to help future-proof the business. It was something we introduced during Covid and it helped us meet many new clients, adding to our list of loyal customers, some of whom have relied on Revival for four decades.’ n

WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: 5 Lintot Square, Southwater, RH13 9LA (01403) 732709 revivaldrycleaners.com

GAIL STANSMORE AT REVIVAL (©AAH/AW)

REVIVAL IN LINTOT SQUARE (©AAH/AW)

Locally available

Joanna’s Boutique Tea Room

Storrington/Chichester/Cranleigh

The Brolly Brewing Tap Room Horsham

Firebird Brewery Rudgwick

Kissingate Brewery

Lower Beeding

New House Farm Horsham

The Billi Tap Billingshurst

The Fox Inn Rudgwick

Random Hall Hotel Slinfold

The Horsham Cellar Horsham Carfax

D’arcy’s Wine Bar Horsham

Boco (’bo-co’): Old West Sussex dialect meaning ‘lots of’/’much.’ From French, ‘Beaucoup’.

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

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

High Tea at Three

Every 3rd Weds of the month, 3.00pm – 4.00pm

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

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

Broadbridge Park is a purpose-built luxury care home in the desirable location of Broadbridge Heath in Horsham, offering high quality nursing, residential and dementia care. Life at Broadbridge Park is centred around our residents, their needs and wishes. We pride ourselves on a home filled with

Dementia Café

Every Tuesday, 2pm – 4pm

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

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

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

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

COOL CATS

HORSHAM MUSICIANS READY FOR ELO SUPPORT SLOT

Guitarist Greg Hart and keyboardist Andy Stewart have performed in rock bands since they were teenagers growing up in Horsham. While youthful ambitions were thwarted, their rock ‘n’ roll dreams have finally come true as members of Cats in Space, culminating in a support slot for ELO this summer. AAH met the musicians at Sedgwick Park House to hear about their journey…

SWEET DREAMS

Back in 1982, Greg Hart was putting together a rock band. From the age of 11, he had wanted to be a rock star and formed his first band, Snow Blind, while still at Forest School. When they split, he set about forming a new group inspired by his passion for American rock.

One Saturday afternoon, he went into town, intending to place an advert in the window of the local music shop appealing for a keyboard player to join the band, Icemon. He popped into Dixon’s in Swan Walk to borrow a piece of card and a pen from a friend who worked there. As

it turned out, one of the other shop assistants was Andy, a budding keyboardist. Andy recalls: ‘Greg handed me a cassette tape of songs that he liked, and the first two tracks were Separate Ways by Journey and No Way Out by Jefferson Starship. I knew immediately that I wanted to be in his band, and I’ve still got that cassette more than 40 years later.’

LONG WAY TO THE TOP

After Icemon, Greg and Andy were both founder members of Moritz, a six-piece band that saw them join forces with musician friends from London. At the time, Adult-Orientated Rock (AOR) was big business, with bands such as Bon Jovi and Foreigner enjoying chart success. In 1986, Moritz played two well-received shows at The Marquee in London and released an EP, Shadows Of A Dream, featuring lead single Can’t Stop Loving You

Despite being touted as a leading-light of the British AOR scene, a major label deal failed to materialise and the band folded two years

later. Out of the ashes, Greg, Andy and bassist Ian Edwards formed If Only, fronted by female vocalist Jackie Bodimead. This project saw Greg collaborate with experienced songwriters including Geoff Downes from rock supergroup Asia. With a host of well-crafted songs, the band were tipped to replicate the success of other British acts such as Def Leppard and Thunder. However, the musical tide was turning…

‘We came close to a commercial breakthrough with If Only,’ says Greg. ‘We were recording an album that cost over £100,000, using some of the best production equipment available at the time. However, we took too long and the musical landscape changed. It was a time when every “hair metal” band looked identical, with the same ripped jeans, same long hair, same guitar solos, same beautiful girls in the videos. But we had MTV playing in the studio and noticed that these three guys with straggly jumpers were getting more and more airtime. That was Nirvana. Grunge signalled the end for bands like ours.’

GREG HART AND ANDY STEWART OF CATS IN SPACE (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

Looking back, Greg and Andy can reflect on sliding doors moments that didn’t go their way. A leading AOR agent was critically injured in a motorcycle accident while on the verge of signing If Only. One of the band’s songs was offered to Cher but never released, while Greg turned down a request for another song to be recorded by American singer Patty Smyth. Her album was subsequently a million-seller thanks to global hit, Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough.

Greg said: ‘The stars never aligned for us and our window of opportunity came and went. In hindsight, there are things we might have done differently, but you’ve got to make bold decisions in this industry and when I was in my mid-twenties, I was cocky, ambitious and wanted to keep the best songs to myself, as you always believe things are going to work out.’

IMITATION OF LIFE

Grunge would make way for other genres, such as Britpop and Nu Metal, and there would be no soft rock revival for decades. If Only parted ways and Andy turned to piano teaching, also establishing himself as a Musical Director, working with amateur theatre groups including HAODS. Greg began performing in tribute acts including Flairz, who captured a nostalgia for glam rock by donning glittery outfits and platform shoes, playing hits by the likes of T-Rex, David Bowie and Queen.

ANDY STEWART (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

‘It niggled that I wasn’t performing my own songs. I felt more like an entertainer than a guitarist.’

He also performed in Limehouse Lizzie, a Thin Lizzy tribute. Although he earned good money, he grew tired of touring and took a sabbatical, focusing on painting at a collaborative arts project called The Gallery in Park Place, Horsham. But it wasn’t long before he rediscovered his love of guitar...

Greg said: ‘I grew up loving the pop music of the 70s, from glam rock to heavy rock bands like Rush and Kiss. I loved the hair metal groups of the early 80s too, but my heart always belonged to the 70s. So, I reunited with Andy and formed the Supersonic 70s Show, playing everything from ABBA to ELO. We had some great times, but we only played covers and it niggled that I wasn’t performing my own material. I felt more like an entertainer than a guitarist.

‘One day, the former singer of Moritz walked into The Gallery. We got talking and decided to finish the album we never got around to recording in 1986. Remarkably, rock journalists took an interest in the

story and we had more column inches than we had ever enjoyed before. The band had developed a small cult following in the intervening years, without us really knowing about it. We contacted our old sound engineer, Ian Capel, who we worked with on If Only, and recorded two albums. While it was only ever going to be a short-lived project to resolve unfinished business, it was the catalyst for us putting together the band I had always wanted to form, which was a proper 70s style band with modern production values.’

WHAT’S NEW, PUSSYCAT?

Cats in Space formed in 2015, with Greg and Andy joined by drummer Steevi Bacon, guitarist Dean Howard, bassist Jeff Brown and vocalist Paul Manzi, who had also been part of the Supersonic 70s Show. Mick Wilson, formerly of 10CC, joined as a backing vocalist and collaborated with Greg on songwriting. Following the success of their debut single, Mr Heartache, the band released

their debut album, Too Many Gods. The songs kept coming and Cats released a second album, Scarecrow, with lead single The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party becoming a live favourite during the band’s support slot for Thunder’s UK tour in 2017. Later that year, they supported Phil Collins at Hyde Park, Deep Purple on their Long Goodbye UK Tour and opened 10 nights of Status Quo’s Plugged In Live and Rockin’ Tour

Having earned a reputation for dynamic live shows, the band released two live albums, as well as Day Trip to Narnia, the third studio album with Harmony Factory Records. Lead single Thunder in the Night saw the band blend rock and disco influences. When Paul Manzi departed to join Sweet as a full-time member, Mark Pascall stepped in as lead vocalist and performed on the fourth album, Atlantis

featuring catchy rock anthems such as Listen to the Radio

This was followed by 2022’s Kickstart

The Sun and 2024’s Time Machine, with the eponymous lead single one of the band’s finest to date.

Andy is the grandson of English entertainer Arthur Askey and his experiences with the band have seen him follow in his footsteps. He said: ‘We have been lucky enough to support acts such as Blondie, Blue Oyster Cult and Deep Purple. We had to wait until we were in our 50s, but Greg’s tenacity has provided us with amazing memories. We performed at the Hammersmith Odeon twice in one year, and I know it meant a lot to Greg to play the same venue as Queen and Black Sabbath. But for me, the highlight was playing the London Palladium. We were supporting Bonnie Tyler and I got to play on the same stage where my grandfather used to perform. When you’re a supporting act, you may only have a 30-minute set and it’s over in a flash, but you have to savour those moments.’

WHAT’S MY AGE AGAIN?

Cats in Space was formed with the working title of The Vanity Project. When it came to discussing a permanent name, Greg and drummer Steevi threw around the usual rock clichés over a pint in a Parsons Green pub. The eureka moment came when they talked about their recently-deceased pet cats looking down on them from space! The name has been pivotal to the brand, with a felinefriendly space pod featuring on album sleeves, promotional videos and merchandise. Last year, the band signed to Cherry Red Records, with Time Machine the first of a mooted three albums with the label. With six studio records, two live albums and a 2019 Christmas release behind them, the band have a rich source of material at their disposal, ensuring fans flock to live shows.

Andy said: ‘Fans like the fact that the records take them back to the 70s, as they thought that kind of sound was dead. Rock fans are very passionate and can become quite emotional when they discover a band playing new material with the old rock spirit. Greg has a head full of songs and continues to develop as a songwriter. He has been doing this since his teens and to maintain that passion for music is incredible.’

ELECTRIC DREAMS

This year, the band will be writing new material and will release a box set of their first four albums. As part of a concerted effort to grow their European

GREG HART (©AAH/AW)

fan-base, the band will perform on a rock ‘n’ roll cruise in the Norwegian fjords too. But despite their recent success and priceless memories, their story serves as a cautionary tale.

Greg said: ‘I’m not completely satisfied with my musical journey, although it’s strange how those sliding doors moments that worked against us in the 1980s have turned in our favour decades later. But this industry presents serious challenges to your mental health. In the late 80s, there were hundreds of people like us, all wearing the same clothes with the same hair styles, enjoying life in what was a great time to be young. A few years later, many were broken, as we’d been sold a dream, but ended up without homes or families of our own.

‘Many friends gave up on the dream to do other things, and sometimes they tell me that they wish they’d stuck it out, like I did. I point out that they have paid off their mortgages, and have wives and children. I just couldn’t surrender to music, as it’s what I love. But it’s only recently with Cats in Space that I’ve achieved a lot of what I wanted. On 13 July, we’ll be one of the support acts for the Electric Light Orchestra at Hyde Park, which will be a dream come true. The motto of the story is that if you keep knocking, eventually the door will open.’ n

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

MANY THANKS: To Clare Davison, Owner of Sedgwick Park House, for allowing use of the venue for photos. Also Collyer’s student Luke English, who assisted with interviews.

Further details:

For more information on albums, tour dates and merchandise, visit catsinspace.co.uk

FAMILY AFFAIR

SUSSEX SOLAR CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Sussex Solar Ltd is celebrating its 20th year as a family-run business this June. Founded by Horsham-based husband and wife Andy and Amanda Baxter, the business is now located in Southwater and has established a fine reputation as renewable energy experts.

THE SOLAR-COASTER

Before establishing the business, Andy worked at Edwards High Vacuum, a leading developer and manufacturer of specialist vacuum products at Manor Royal, Crawley. Andy’s role as a Project Manager took them both overseas, including two stints in America, but after the arrival of their first child, Andy and Amanda moved back to their home town of Horsham. Solar thermal panels had been fitted to the roof of their new house, but Andy soon discovered that they were not generating any hot water, so he investigated further and managed to fix them. They were to provide the inspiration for the business…

Andy recalls: ‘At the time, government incentives made renewable energy schemes very appealing, but often the companies selling solar panels lacked the expertise to properly install them. Our home was one of many with poorly-fitted panels, installed by a company that had gone bust and was therefore unable to repair them. So, being technically minded, I climbed on to the roof and fixed the problem. Then, I repaired my neighbour’s solar panels and it was at that point that I realised there might be a great business opportunity.

‘I attended a week-long course at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales, learning from experienced installers, before tentatively launching my own business. Close friends and relatives helped me out with an extra pair of hands and the business steadily grew until we incorporated Sussex Solar Ltd in June 2005. Amanda’s business and management economics knowledge complemented my technical and practical skills, so we combined forces.’

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AMANDA, DOMINIC AND ANDY BAXTER AT SUSSEX SOLAR LTD (©AAH/ALAN WRIGHT)

DIVERSIFICATION IS KEY

While government incentives boosted demand for renewables, the effect was temporary and the boom-to-bust cycle became known as the ‘solar coaster’. At the end of 2011, the UK government reduced the incentives offered through its Feed-in-Tariff scheme (FiT), which paid homeowners for generating electricity from solar PV panels. Three years later, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was launched, offering quarterly payments to homeowners installing solar thermal and heat pump systems. These payments were significantly reduced in 2016 and were eventually phased out altogether, putting many firms out of business. However, Andy was able to use his engineering background to diversify the business and add other renewable technologies to Sussex Solar’s portfolio.

Amanda said: ‘Adding other technologies to our existing service and maintenance offering enabled us to survive the solar coaster dips each time government incentives were reduced or withdrawn. Diversification proved key to our survival.

‘Other firms entered the industry when government incentives were on offer, then as incentives were withdrawn there was a race to the bottom by

others, both on pricing and quality. These firms often went under, leaving their customers unsure of who to turn to for repairs and servicing. We have customers who have stayed with us for 20 years because they trust us, so this has provided us with repeat business.’

‘There was so much scepticism towards renewable energies, even though the benefits were obvious.’

NEXT GENERATION

In the wake of Covid, Sussex Solar moved to a larger premises at Oakhurst Business Park in Southwater, with the workforce expanding to include electricians, plumbers and installers, as well as an office team focusing on sales and marketing. Andy and Amanda’s son Dominic Baxter has joined the family business too, serving an apprenticeship and gaining further qualifications as a heat pump engineer and electrician. Dominic is very keen to gradually take over the business over the next few years, allowing the business to continue successfully in a safe pair of hands.

AMANDA BAXTER (©AAH/AW)

MODELLING SOFTWARE (©AAH/AW)

Andy said: ‘Back in 2010, the output of solar panels we installed were typically 200 Watts, generating around 180kWh each per year. Now, panels are larger and considerably more powerful at around 450-500W each. Improved manufacturing methods have drastically reduced the cost to the consumer too, while various mounting systems have been developed, so that solar panels can be fitted to all kinds of roofing surfaces and ground mounts.

‘We also now utilise an advanced software programme to provide customers with an accurate report of what renewable energy systems could be installed at their home or business, as well as how much energy they could potentially generate and the costs involved. When I started out, I made these calculations on spreadsheets, so modern software has made the job much easier!’

PUMP IT UP

Sussex Solar are accredited installers of Vaillant and Mitsubishi air source heat pumps and currently the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant provides £7500 towards the cost of installation. The BUS grant is available to homeowners looking to replace existing fossil fuel heating systems (gas, oil, LPG and electric boilers, for example) with heat pumps to help reduce emissions. Heat pumps generate up to four units of heat for every unit of electricity used to power it, compared with a less than one-to-one ratio achieved by fossil fuel boilers.

Heat pumps can be especially beneficial when used alongside other renewable energy sources, says Dominic: ‘You can’t use solar PV to directly power a gas boiler in order to heat water. However, solar panels can help power a heat pump. So, this can be a very efficient system, especially when combined with a battery storage unit, such as Tesla’s new Powerwall 3. This can help people make considerable savings.

Dale Jannels Director

Finding the right mortgage for you

Thinking about buying a home in or around Horsham? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the ladder, understanding how mortgages work can make the process feel a lot less daunting.

A mortgage is simply a loan you take out to buy a property (and pay interest on!) Most people can’t afford to pay for a home outright, so they borrow the money and repay it over time — usually over 25 to 40 years.

‘Different types of mortgages suit different needs.’

There are different types of mortgages, each suited to different needs. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your payments the same for a set period, offering peace of mind. Tracker mortgages follow the Bank of England base rate, so your payments can rise or fall. Discount mortgages offer a lower rate for a limited time, while offset mortgages link your savings to your loan to reduce the interest you pay. There’s no one-size-fits-all; the best option depends on your circumstances.

In the Horsham area, the average house price is above the national average, which can make deposits a challenge. A couple of lenders now offer 100% mortgages, so no deposit is required at all. However, these rates tend to be higher and could be 10-15 year fixed rates, so may have penalties to leave earlier. The main lenders typically ask for at least a 5–10% deposit, but a higher deposit can unlock better rates. There are also schemes to support buyers, especially first-timers. These may include Shared Ownership and Right to Buy.

The mortgage process involves several key steps: getting an Agreement in Principle, finding a property, submitting a full mortgage application, valuation and completing the legal work. It’s wise to get your finances organised early on. Don’t fall for common myths, like needing a perfect credit score or assuming renting is always cheaper. Lenders now cater for nearly all circumstances and credit history.

And remember, there are over 11,000 mortgage products, so speak to an independent and whole of market mortgage adviser to better understand your mortgage options.

THE TEAM OF ENGINEERS AT SUSSEX SOLAR AND (RIGHT) DOMINIC AND ANDY INSPECTING PANELS

‘For example, if you drive an electric car, you can charge it at night, taking advantage of the lower rate for off-peak electricity available between 12am – 7am. You can also recharge your battery storage units, which can then be used during the day to save you buying peaktime electricity. You can also use this stored electricity to run the heat pump throughout the day, making savings. At the moment, the price of electricity is very high in the UK, so a heat pump is not always an easy choice without financial incentives. However, if the electricity price was to come down, heat pumps would be even more appealing to the wider market, as they’re already more efficient and better for the environment.’

BRIGHT FUTURE

Recent fluctuations in the price of gas and electricity have encouraged many to turn to renewable energy, not only to help the environment but also to protect them from future price rises. Whatever challenges await, Sussex Solar is well placed to meet them.

Andy said: ‘I used to find it frustrating, as there was so much scepticism regarding renewable energies, even though the environmental benefits were obvious. Now, the tide is turning and as manufacturing costs come down and the technology improves, people are seeing both the environmental and financial benefits of adopting renewable energy. I am very

confident that Dominic will continue to develop his knowledge and eventually take over the business when we retire. We have always grown at a manageable pace and employed people from the local area, giving them the skills and training they need to progress in the industry. We’ve always operated diligently and tried to look after every single customer. That is why we look to the future with great optimism as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.’ n

WORDS: Ben Morris

PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: 01403 371000/hello@sussexsolar.com www.sussexsolar.com

FINAL WORD

Paula Ksiazczyk

Alongside partner Glenn Pearson, Paula is on a mission to help Morocco’s stray cats and plans to launch neutering programs too....

Sun-soaked rooftops, vibrant souks, the scent of spices in the air. For many, Morocco is a dream destination, but hidden in the shadows of its bustling streets is a crisis few tourists notice - hundreds of starving and sick cats, struggling to survive.

When I first visited Morocco, I knew something had to be done. Returning in March with my partner, Glenn, we spent long days feeding and caring for stray cats and kittens, funding everything ourselves. We have always been huge animal lovers and share our home with a rescue cat, Mr Mouse. Seeing the suffering of strays in Marrakech made it impossible for us to turn away. In just three days, we fed over 80 cats and kittens, but it didn’t feel like enough.

GROWING AMBITIONS

Realising the scale of the problem, we launched a fundraiser to expand our efforts and thanks to generous donors, hit our target. Instead of stopping there, the success only fuelled our passion. Seeing the suffering first-hand made it impossible to turn our backs. Now, we’re working towards becoming a registered charity by March 2026. This will allow us to provide structured, long-term support for Morocco’s strays.

A key focus is launching a neutering program to reduce the number of kittens born into such harsh conditions, preventing unnecessary

suffering. We want to create something sustainable, as feeding the cats is essential, but education and sterilisation are key. Without that, the cycle of suffering continues.

ROLE OF TOURISTS

We want to encourage tourists to help stray cats in small yet impactful ways. Many cats rely on support from kind strangers and a simple gesture can make a huge difference. In Marrakech, a tray of wet cat food costs six dirhams (around 45p) and can feed a hungry stray. Leaving out a small container of water is life-saving, especially in the heat. We’ve seen many tourists comment on how cute the cats are without realising how much they struggle.

Beyond direct aid, we hope to launch an education programme for local school children on animal welfare. We have arranged a meeting with a local organisation that educates keepers of working animals and hope to launch a school programme in the future. Changing the mindset from a young age is key. By teaching children how to care for animals properly, we can create long-term change beyond just feeding and rescuing.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

‘Basic treatments save stray cats from painful infections.’

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, Hearts4Cats returned to Morocco in May, where we once again met the harsh

reality of hundreds of suffering street cats, but your support made a difference: over 60 more cats received care, 15 street feeders were installed and we began vital talks with local business owners and organisations to build lasting solutions. We’ve booked our next trip for July - another critical chance to save lives. Donations so far have covered luggage, vet bills and emergency transport for the sickest cats. We’re now working directly with local vets to treat severe cases, but we can’t do it alone. Monetary support allows us to act fast when lives are on the line. Flea and worm treatments (often forgotten in cupboards) can be lifesaving, so if you have any spare treatments, we can collect them locally. Every donation, every dose, every act of kindness, matters

What started as a personal mission has become something much bigger. We are overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone who has supported our cause. Every donation, every share, every kind message helps keep us going. If everything goes to plan, we hope to take the initiative beyond Morocco, helping strays in other countries too. To everyone who has donated, shared our story, or sent words of encouragement - thank you. This is just the beginning and together we can create something truly life-changing for these animals.

GLENN PEARSON AND PAULA WITH THEIR RESCUE CAT, MR MOUSE