AAH (All About Horsham) February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

5 Where do I go now for a thin crust pizza?

It’s Like a Portal to Another World!

There was sad news for Horsham last month. Strada closed.

According to the local press, customers were “shocked” by the “sudden” closure of the restaurant, as if there was ever a time when High Street businesses shut in a more gradual fashion.

Can you remember the good ol’ days, when Italian chain restaurants shut down in instalments? First the Parmesan cheese would run out, then the fresh tortellini would go, and on the last day there was just one waiter who’d given up pretending he was Italian, serving garlic bread to customers sat on the floor.

Apparently, residents were “distraught” at the closure, which gives the impression of diners inconsolably weeping along East Street as the damning reality hit them that there were now only three restaurants along that 100m stretch where they could buy a mid-budget thin-crust pizza.

What the closure of Strada does do is highlight the difficulty in turning a profit with a town centre business. And that’s not even one competing against the internet.

Strada isn’t a shop that has to contend with customers using them to find out exactly what they want, only to order it for a few quid less from an online shop that contributes nothing to the world, but has no major overheads.

The closure of Strada also demonstrates the impact that empty units can have. It only takes one or two before shoppers perceive they’re at the dead end of town.

I dare say other businesses are on the brink. Even a couple of additional units with fairground posters glued to the window or unopened ‘final notice’ letters scattered on the doorstep will have a negative impact on businesses in East Street, Park Place and Queens Street.

So, it’s important that businesses are given a fighting chance, without being crippled by rates. Otherwise, more will close and shoppers really could be distraught.

Meanwhile, Horsham District Council is increasing car parking charges again.

Congratulations HDC, this is the one millionth thing you’ve increased and then tried to justify by claiming that it makes up for your shortfall in Government grants. I’m sure the council will spend it wisely maybe on an overpriced consultancy firm to advise it on how to increase tourism in the district!

On that subject, local tourism appeared to receive a boost this month, with a feature

February 2018 Ben Morris Words & Design Toby Phillips Photography Thanks

Jeremy Knight of Horsham Museum for pictures and text for our feature on historic working in Horsham (p53) Bradley Steenkamp for additional images in the Horsham Coffee Roaster feature (p28) Jo Willis for pictures of her artwork (p47) H O Charles for book cover artwork (p35) Emily Summers for the column on RSPB Pulborough Brooks (p66)

in The Guardian. I first read about it on HDC’s ‘News’ section. ‘Horsham’s Hidden Gems are recognised internationally!’ hailed the headline.

It must have been quite an accolade to have earned a council press release. After all, HDC didn’t publicise the changing of its constitution regarding planning applications, or petitions regarding bin collections. So, this must be super important!

Imagine how disappointed I was when, after much browsing on the travel section of The Guardian, I finally found the article.

It was a ‘filler’ feature churned out two days before Christmas when nobody’s in

the office, with those travel writers that could be bothered to respond to the email naming somewhere that was unexpectedly pleasant or memorable.

For the billionth time, a Guardian journalist mentioned Calabria in Italy and expressed the wish for nobody else to ever discover this idyllic hillside village overlooking the sparkling Tyrrhenian Seas.

That aside, it was a modest sprinkling of unusual locations. It’s true that Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods got a mention, but they haven’t quite been designated the eighth wonder of the world. However, our woods have been ranked alongside an ice cream shop in Oregon, a boutique hostel that plays Sade records in Ibiza and a field of Highland cattle near Ramsgate as places that are quite nice.

The Guardian journalist enthused: ‘The forest paths are knotted with the roots of ancient oaks and there’s a sense of time travel tramping through the tunnels of trees. In two hours, we didn’t make it over to the 55 acres of restored heathland at Owlbeech - the dog was busy chasing squirrels and I was in a portal to another world.’

As somebody who regularly walks in the woods but doesn’t often go to London, I feel exactly the same when I step off the train at Victoria.

“There’s a sense of time travel as I amble beyond the soggy sausage rolls at Whistlestop. I’m left with a sense of bewilderment as software developers scurry under the giant electronic timetable whilst tweeting their disapproval of Trump, ambivalent to the painted lines that guide people of every creed and colour to McDonalds, the Gatwick Express and all corners of this kaleidoscope of culture. I was in a portal to another world.”

Anyway, this month, we’ve got some cracking features. We’ve been to Max’s Diner, where you can eat a burger surrounded by Buddy Holly memorabilia and the front grill of a Chevy Camaro. I’ll tell you what it’s like. It’s like a portal to another world. We also visited Horsham Coffee Roaster, where we find out that the owners regularly visit Rwanda to meet the farmers who produce their coffee beans. It must be like a portal to another world.

Finally, we interview author H.O Charles, who has written a series of fantasy epics, featuring immortal characters that can wield fire and magic.

I’ll tell you what that must be like…

Ben

6

To contact the Editor please email Ben: editor@aahorsham.co.uk

CONTENTS 10

News Round-Up Horsham parking charges set to rise and incinerator fears for Warnham

21

Culture Have superhero films had a positive impact on sales at Gobsmack Comics?

28

Business

How Horsham Coffee Roaster gives a good deal to farmers in Rwanda

35

One to Watch

COVER STORY: FEBRUARY 2018 Our February cover features Amelia and Bradley Steenkamp, owners of Horsham Coffee Roaster. They are pictured next to a beautiful Joper coffee roaster at The Studio in Plummers Plain.

The feature has been a long time coming.

The couple first contacted AAH about an article in the summer of 2013. However, we hadn’t long since visited another excellent local coffee company (Coffee Real, which made the cover in May 2013) so we decided to wait a while. Five years later...

H.O Charles has a cult following for her self published fantasy epics

AAH: THE TEAM

41

EDITOR: BEN MORRIS editor@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899 LETTERS: The Editor, AAH Magazine, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

Food & Drink

Max’s Diner on Graylands Estate wins plenty of fans with its American styling

47 Art

Jo Willis presents her striking range of rural and market scene paintings

53

History Jeremy Knight looks back at the changing face of employment in the district

60

Letters Fears for a bland and boring town and support for local pantomime

63

Group Discussion

We meet the Horsham branch of Embroiderers’ Guild at Wesley Hall

ADVERTISING: KELLY MORRIS advertising@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899 PHOTOGRAPHY: TOBY PHILLIPS www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk 07968 795625 WEBSITE: www.aahorsham.co.uk We publish AAH online every month. You can read archive editions too.

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Contact the Editor.

Images can be purchased, either as digital downloads or prints. Contact Toby for details.

DOOR TO DOOR DISTRIBUTION Horsham: Max Paterson, Jacquie Paterson, Dominic Goddard, John Gatehouse, Kathryn Bland, Lewis Spiller, Richard Judd, Pat Gibbs, The Cocoracchio family, Tom Hayler, George Voisey, Gemma Voisey, Connor Heald, Paula Hunter, Katie Drysdale, George Williams, Edward Hitchings, Amy Dallas, Joe Tait

It’s been worth the wait, as the links they’ve established in Rwanda make for a very interesting story.

Toby set up a light for this shot and Ben is stood just to the right, holding up a reflector to try and add a little more light to Bradley and Amelia’s faces.

Other potential cover options included author H.O Charles at her home in Broadbridge Heath, Julie Talbot serving a burger at Max’s Diner and Drew Dewsall, owner of Gobsmack Comics in Swan Walk.

Southwater: Connor Brown, Jack Taylor Villages: Samuel Dauncey (Mannings Heath) Adam Browse (Warnham) Tommy Charlwood (Ashington), Ben Morris (Stands), Mike Hoare (Nuthurst), Connor Wykes (Partridge Green), Oak Tree Farm Care (Maplehurst & Copsale); The Palmer family & Amy Butler (BBH); James Hobbs (Thakeham), Callum Matthews (Storrington) PICK UP POINTS 4,000 more copies are available at businesses, clubs, organisations, and community centres across the district.

Our stands can be found at...

Horsham: Sakakini (Carfax), Artisan Patisserie (Market Square), Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Museum, Horsham Rail Station, Roffey Post Office, Crates (Carfax) New House Farm, Swan Walk, The Capitol Village Stands: CoCo’s (Southwater); Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Coco’s (Billingshurst) Barns Green Village Store and Sumners Ponds, Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, Bluecoat Sports (Christ’s Hospital).

NOTES: A new AAH stand has been placed outside Henry Adams estate agents in the Carfax.

We’ve had to remove stands at Hutching’s Butchers in Partridge Green and Jengers Mead Bakery in Billingshurst as they were being blown about in high winds. If anyone can offer an alternative site in either village and is happy to take the stand inside at the end of each day, please contact Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk LEAFLETS We can deliver leaflets with copies of AAH. Please email editor@aahorsham.co.uk for prices and distribution details.

SOCIAL MEDIA You can follow Ben and Toby on Twitter @AAHMagazine and @tobyphillips1

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NEWS ROUND-UP

10: News

A firewalk will be held in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice on 2 March

A rise in parking tariffs has been outlined by Horsham District Council for the 2018/19 financial year. The council hopes that an increase in prices will generate an additional £150,000 in income, helping to offset the reduction in government grant money. At a meeting on 25 January, councilors were also asked to approve a new rural car park investment plan.

Following the introduction of the rural parking disc scheme in April

St Catherine’s Hospice has been chosen as the official charity for the Barns Green Half Marathon & 10km race taking place on Sunday 30 September. Barns Green Half Marathon race director, Vernon Jennings said: “This year, our association with St Catherine’s is particularly poignant as we recently lost two dear friends from the village, Brian Muncer and Mike Awcock, who were very prominent figures in village life. Between them, they clocked up 56 years as senior marshals for the race. Both passed away just before Christmas and both benefitted enormously from St Catherine’s support.” For details on how to take part, visit barnsgreen-half.org.uk

2017, the council plans to make a significant investment in rural car parks to improve layouts and increase capacity.

Cllr Gordon Lindsay, cabinet member for the local economy, said: “The proposed changes will create a better price balance between the hourly, daily and annual costs for parking.”

I think that’s political talk for “We’re rounding up prices.” horsham.gov.uk/parking

Local Horsham businesses, charities and organisations are invited to enter teams, preferably in fancy dress, in the annual Horsham Rotary Charity Pancake Races. The event is held in the Carfax on Tuesday, 13 February (Shrove Tuesday) from midday.

The pancake races are run during half term so that families can enjoy the entertainment. The event, sponsored by Ringway, sees teams

London’s prestigious Wam Bam Club brings a decadent cocktail of burlesque, circus, comedy, magic and music to The Capitol in Horsham on Friday 16 February at 8pm. The Wam Bam Belles & Buff Boys, led by Lady Alex, bring a new selection of the finest international cabaret acts to take the audience on a rollercoaster ride. Tickets cost £25 from the Box Office on (01403) 750220 or thecapitolhorsham.com

of four take on an 80m relay race designed to encourage a mix of skill and speed. There will be cups and prizes on the day for categories including the best team fancy dress and best flipper. In addition, colourful mascots will compete in egg and spoon races.

Teams cannot enter on the day, so please register by emailing horshamrotary@btconnect.com

Round-Up: 11 Picture courtesy of www.ni4h.org

Britaniacrest has revealed revised plans for a new incinerator in Horsham. At a public exhibition held at Roffey Millennium Hall, Britaniacrest Recycling revealed proposals to build a 24-hour recycling, recovery and renewable energy facility at the former Wealden Brickworks site off Langhurstwood Road. The company withdrew a previous

application which attracted strong opposition from the community. The objectors set up a website and online petition against the incinerator plans.

Britaniacrest said it had worked with architects and engineers to alter and improve the proposal.

For more on the campaign against the incinerator visit http://www.ni4h.org

Seedy Saturday, organised by Transition Horsham, is held at the Quaker Meeting House, Worthing Road, Horsham, on Saturday 10 February, from 10am – 2pm. Bring your own seeds, preferably labelled, dated and packaged, to swap one-for-one or pick up seeds for a small donation. The event will be opened by Jean Griffin, well-known local radio gardening expert, and you can also find out more about the environment, horticultural societies and energy saving. Entry is free, refreshments available.

The 10-piece Big Chris Barber Band perform at The Capitol on Thursday 1 March. Inspired by Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen, the band perform everything from New Orleans to blues to late 1920's Duke Ellington. You’ll hear Chris’ favourites including Bourbon Street Parade, Jubilee Stomp, Petite Fleur, When the Saints Go Marching In and more. The Big Chris Barber Band stand out as one of the finest of its kind.

Tickets cost £23.50 from (01403) 750220 or thecapitolhorsham.com Christopher Gale from Toovey's will attend a toy valuation morning at Horsham Museum on 18 February, from 10am – 12pm.

Christopher will be on hand to assist with the identification and valuation of toy trains, cars, Teddy bears, dolls and collectors' toys.

For more details call (01403) 211661. tooveys.com

NEWS ROUND-UP

12: News

To submit News & Events for consideration please email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk

The 12th annual Piazza Italia will be held in Horsham on Friday 30, Saturday 31 March and Monday 2 April in the town centre. The Easter Italian festival, a celebration of fast cars, Italian food and culture, is Horsham’s most popular annual event. It will feature a supercar parade, the Italia in Piazza market and

motorcycles will return to Piazza Italia too. The organisers are particularly hopeful of attracting Lamborghini owners (I know, which one of my many Lambos will I bring?) Anyone lucky enough to own one who would like to be involved can email tcm@horsham.gov.uk

Mel’s Milers hosts a 10km multi-terrain run at Christ’s Hospital on Sunday 25 March, at 10am. There will be prizes for the first three male and female runners as well as other categories, with race medals for finishers. The race is run to UK Athletics rules. Refreshments and changing facilities available. Entry is £12 (£14 for unaffiliated runners) and forms are available from melsmilers.co.uk

Oye Santana performs at The Capitol in Horsham on Saturday 17 February, at 7.30pm. Oye Santana perform four decades’ worth of hits from Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va to Smooth and Maria Maria. With Oye Santana, every track is a fiesta and every performance is a show. Tickets cost £19.50 from (01403) 750220 or thecapitolhorsham.com

Broadbridge Heath musician Ann Beresford has written a new mini musical for children. The Tale of 3 Trees is a reflection on the Easter story in the Bible.

It is based on a Christian folk tale about three trees who dream about what they will become in their future. One tree is made into the manger where the baby Jesus slept. The second tree became a fishing boat which carried Jesus and the disciples through a storm. The third tree was made into the simple cross on which Jesus died. Ann, wife of Paddy Beresford, the vicar of St John’s Church, originally wrote the music for a popular children’s summer holiday club. The Tale Of 3 Trees music book and CD is available from the publishers at www.outoftheark.co.uk/ the-tale-of-three-trees.html

Strada, an Italian restaurant in East Street, Horsham, has closed. The decision was made after disappointing trading and rising costs in an increasingly competitive market. Employees have been given the opportunity to relocate to another branch.

Strada has thanked customers who have supported the restaurant.

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14: News

For more local events visit the Events section at aahorsham.co.uk

NEWS ROUND-UP

Pictured: Jon Stefani at a WeFiFo event in 2017

The Horsham Music Circle welcomes brilliant young musician Jess Gillam for a performance at St Mark’s Church, North Heath Lane, Horsham, on Saturday 17 March, at 7.30pm. Jess is the first saxophonist to reach the finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year.

She is joined by another star performer, Anthony Hewitt, regarded as one of Britain’s most gifted pianists. They will play works by Marcello, Debussy, Ravel, Nyman, Heath and DeRose. Tickets can be bought from HMC on (01403) 252602 or from Horsham Museum or online at wegottickets.com/ HorshamMusicCircle

A new volleyball club for girls started at Farlington School on 16 January.

The club, backed by Horsham District Sports Development, is open for 12 18 year olds.

Sessions will be coached by Zbigniew Adamczyk, known in the volleyball world as Ziggy. He will bring a wealth of experience, having coached professionally in his native Poland,

where volleyball is the national sport.

Whether girls are new to the game, beginners or have played before, all will be welcome. Sessions will run during term-time on Tuesday evenings, from 6.30 - 8pm. The first two classes attended by any individual are free of charge. For more informtaion email ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk

MOON RIVER & ME – JIMMY OSMOND

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MasterChef winner Dhruv Baker will be cooking at a WeFiFo event in Horsham on 28 July. The curry and beer extravaganza will see the chef accompanied by Partridge Green brewery, Dark Star, showcasing a selection of beer matched to the menu.

Tickets cost £30 from wefifo.com

Round-Up: 15 Local tribute band Quo-caine will be playing another show with Status Quo bassist John 'Rhino' Edwards and his band, Rhino's Revenge, at The Holbrook Club on Saturday 31 March, from 7pm.

Tickets cost £15 and are available from The Holbrook Club on (01403) 751150. http://www.quo-caine.com

Horsham District Council’s Economic Development Team has secured over £72,000 of funding from the Local Enterprise and Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP) Small Business Grants Scheme.

The money will be used to support small businesses in the Horsham district that help boost the tourism economy.

The council will be granting funds of up to £4,000 per organisation at three different periods over the year. Applicants will need to show how their initiative will increase the number of visitors coming to the district and promote the core themes in the Visitor Economy Strategy. Any business interested in applying should email business.development@horsham.gov.uk

Horsham & Mid Sussex Voluntary Action has new volunteering opportunities available. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which trains hearing dogs to alert deaf adults and children to important sounds and danger signals, needs help with fundraising events which might include running a stall at the local fete or organising a sponsored event. The Samaritans in Horsham and Crawley need a treasurer. The role involves dealing with day-to-day accounts, banking, attending bi-monthly meetings and liaising with auditors. Home Start is a charity offering non-judgemental, confidential emotional support and practical help to families with children under five in Horsham using trained and supervised volunteers to provide support. The service needs volunteers to support families needing help. Training is given. If you are thinking of volunteering visit hamsva.org.uk/opportunities

TOOVEY’S INVITATION TO CONSIGN Entries are invited for our forthcoming specialist sales of Asian Ceramics & Works of Art on 19th April and 14th June For free valuations and advice please contact Tom Rowsell

A selection of Chinese items auctioned in our December Asian Art sale for a total of £8,200

The leading antique and fine art auction house in West Sussex

SPRING GARDENS, A24 WASHINGTON, RH20 3BS 01903 891955 auctions@tooveys.com www.tooveys.com

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Round-Up: 17

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www.horsham.gov.uk/bincalendar

Find out what is changing and read our Frequently Asked Questions www.horsham.gov.uk/newbincollections Telephone: 01403 733144

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Find out when these changes start in your area and which bin you need to put out each week

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published in photography magazines and an RHS competition winner. horshammuseum.org

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and unique art. Responses and Reflections will exhibited until 24 March. horshammuseum.org

Tom Hard will be exhibiting his photographs at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery from 10 February - 5 May. Tom is an amateur photographer who has lived in the Horsham district all his life. He studied photography at Collyer’s College.

The exhibition of images from Sussex and the South East engages his passion for landscape photography. The exhibition includes images

da y

The sculpture and art of Carol Wagstaff is now being exhibited at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery. Using sculpture, print, photography and painting, Carole explores and then translates the atmospheres, interior or historical significance of spaces to create a response to her experience.

She is able to produce distinctive

to Premonstratensians. Members £16, non-members £24. To book call (01903) 872309 or email horshamarch@hotmail.co.uk

ol d

Horsham District Archaeology Group’s day school will be looking at Archaeology of Medieval Abbeys and Priories at Easteds Barn, Southwater on Saturday 17 February, from 10am - 4pm. The event is hosted by Simon Stevens, senior archaeologist with Archaeology South-East, a division of UCL (University College London). There were more than 1,000 such establishments in the British Isles, inhabited by a range of orders from Benedictines to the Cluniacs and from the Carmelites

18: News

To submit News & Events for consideration, email Ben at editor@aahorsham.co.uk

Tristan Loraine of Fact Not Fiction Films

Horsham District Council will be rolling out changes to waste and recycling collection services throughout February.

Recycling bins will be collected one week and household waste bins collected the same day the following week.

Garden waste will continue to be collected fortnightly, for those who have subscribed to this service.

Currently, the Horsham district recycles 44% of its waste and it needs to raise that to meet the government target of 50%.

The council hopes that the reduction of household waste collections will encourage more people to recycle, as well as saving money. For a waste and recycling collection service calendar visit horsham.gov.uk/newbincollections

Fact Not Fiction Films will shortly be releasing a new documentary called Lucy: Breaking the Silence. The Horsham-based film company has made the documentary with the support of the non-profit organisation, the Lucy Rayner Foundation in Reigate. It looks at the important issue of depression and suicide in young adults. factnotfictionfilms.com

Millais School in Depot Road, Horsham, hosts a pre-loved prom dress sale on Saturday 10 February, from 12.30 - 3pm. It’s an opportunity to sell prom dresses, shoes, bags and accessories. For details contact Ruth on 07780 676879 or email prelovedpromsales@gmail.com

Horsham District Age UK presents Strictly Vintage at The Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham on Saturday 17 March, from 2 - 5pm.

The 1940s and 1950s tea dance is open to all ages and abilities and includes live music, with prizes for best-dressed dancers. Tickets £13 from (01403) 751304 or fundraising@ ageukhorshamdistrict.org.uk

Strictly Vintage

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Business: 21

Can Comics Kick Ass? Gobsmack Comics Aims to Break Beyond a Cult Following Horsham has a comic book store?

It does indeed. Gobsmack Comics was established by Drew Dewsall in 2014 and for two years the store has been in Swan Walk.

Sounds a bit mainstream!

The dark and dingy stores, like the one run by Comic Book Guy in The Simpsons, are a thing of the past.

Drew said: “A shop like Gobsmack Comics would never have survived in a shopping centre 15 years ago.

Comic shops used to have a strange atmosphere and the person behind the counter didn’t care if he sold any comics. I didn't want my shop to feel intimidating for those who don’t know about comics. So I went for more of a boutique style. People love the design, with Spiderman crawling on the ceiling and R2-D2 in the window.”

“They’ve saturated the market with superhero movies.”

Comics are still nerdy, right?

Perhaps not as nerdy as they used to be. The global success of film adaptations, particularly by Marvel (Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine, Daredevil, Thor, Black Panther) and DC Comics (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman) has generated billions of dollars at the Box Office. However, there’s been a downside. Drew said: “Initially, the films helped the comic book industry, as people wanted to find out the history of characters they loved on the big screen. Now, they’ve saturated the market with superhero movies and people are fatigued by it. I think Iron Man has now appeared in a dozen movies. Therefore, it’s not generating a cult culture.”

So, superhero movie fans are not becoming comic book lovers?

That’s right. Whilst memorabilia – especially posters and T-shirts - sell well, the comics industry hasn’t experienced a significant boom. Drew said: “Some of the big names are struggling to put a decent series of comics together.”

What’s the point in visiting Gobsmack Comics then?

Fortunately, there’s a lot more on offer than Batman and Spider-Man.

Drew Dewsall established Gobsmack Comics in 2014, initially selling at conventions

22: Culture

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“If you like any form of literature, you will find a comic that suits your interests.”

Gobsmack Comics has graphic novels to suit readers of all ages

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There’s an incredible and largely untapped range of graphic novels which cater for everyone from young readers to adults.

Drew said: “If you like any form of literature, you will find a comic that suits your interests. Some people simply don't like books with pictures, but if you appreciate stunning artwork and a good story, there’s something for you. There are many history or science fiction themed novels, whilst others are built around social issues and can be great for teenagers. Films like Kingsman, Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass all stem from comic books too, so it’s worth taking the time to explore.”

Drew’s a bit of a comic books expert, is he?

Actually, he admits to having a limited knowledge, at least compared to some. Drew said: “Comic fans can be quite obsessive and have incredible memories. They come in and say, ‘On Page 3 of Batman issue 612 where Batman does this’ and I have no idea what they’re talking about! I still try to read as many first issues as possible, so I can recommend them to customers.”

First issues?

New comic books are launched all the time. They start with #1 and if people enjoy it, they can subscribe to the whole series.

Usually, comics are created with limited runs, often six issues.

They can potentially continue for years or even decades. Action

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Comics, which launched Superman, ran from 1938 – 2011 with consecutively numbered issues, reaching #957 before a re-launch. Detective Comics, which launched Batman in #27, has racked up over 900 issues. Batman himself has been the star of his own comic since 1940.

Some of these old comics are worth good money, right?

No. If you have one of these comics lying around, bring them down to the AAH offices and we’ll give you a fiver for the lot.

Saves you a trip to the dump.

Really?

No, not really. There’s huge value, especially if they’re in pristine condition. Action Comics #1, featuring Superman lifting a VW Beetle above his head, sold at auction for $3.2million. Other comics to have sold for more than $1million include Amazing Fantasy, featuring Spider-Man’s first appearance, and #27 with the first Batman cover. Rare comics do exist here in Horsham, including one of the most collectable in the world. Drew said: “Recently, a gentleman came in with his daughter and she was wondering if he needed his comic book collection insured. He had some old comics that he’d kept in good condition, including X-Men #1. I pulled up a picture online to check if it was the right one and he nodded. I told him that comic alone was worth at least £20,000. He had

Action Comics #1, featuring Superman lifting a VW Beetle above his head, sold at auction for $3.2million

Gobsmack Comics: 23 Many other films like Kingsman, Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass stem from comic books such a valuable collection that I didn’t even want to touch them. My insurance wouldn’t come close to covering any damage that could possibly occur!”

Depressing for all those who threw out their old comics?

That’s something Drew often hears.

“When somebody comes in and tells me which comics their parents threw out, I don’t have the heart to tell them what they would be worth now. But that’s the reason the few that survived are so valuable.”

Presumably first issues aren’t all so coveted?

That’s right. If you’ve got the 1992 Bucky O’Hare #1 protected in cellophane, it’s barely worth its original cover price. Those collecting new toys and comics may also find the long term gains minimal. “When Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released, people were buying armfuls of figures in the belief that they’ll one day be worth a fortune,” said Drew. “But they won’t be.

With the original toys, nobody thought to collect them. Children just opened the packet and played with them. Now, they’re made in such high numbers that they not going to be worth huge amounts."

Gobsmack Comics does still sell Star Wars merchandise though?

Yes. In fact, Drew’s a good person to chat to if you want to understand why so many Star Wars fans didn’t like The Last Jedi. It was Drew’s love of Star Wars as a child that drove his passion for science fiction and later comic books. In what has become the busiest day of the year for the shop, Drew’s friends at Iconic Legion visit the store dressed in authentic Star Wars movie costumes. On 3 February, shoppers will see Darth Vader, Storm Troopers and a 7 foot Chewbacca in Swan Walk.

Gobsmack Comics has memorabilia for films and TV shows as well as a wide range of graphic novels

24: Culture

Gobsmack Comics is popular with children, partly thanks to R2-D2

There’s a range of T-shirts and posters in the shop

“Some schools have banned Pokémon trading because it was causing problems on the playground, so they come here to trade instead.”

How was Gobsmack Comics born?

The business was formed in 2014 when Drew started selling at comic book conventions in his spare time. He bought a job lot of comics from eBay and it grew from there. He then signed up to be part of a pop-up shop in Swan Walk for a month and received such good feedback that he quit his job at a telecoms company and looked for a small unit. He found the ideal location in Piries Place, and opened the shop in October 2015. Initially, Drew

hoped that the change of career would give him the time to complete his own comic, but running a business has been more demanding than he anticipated.

Tell me about this comic…

Along with a local artist, Chris Hazard, Drew has been putting together a graphic novel called Dark Fractions. Drew said: “It's taken a long time to complete and there are still parts that need re-writing. But it looks fantastic as Chris is a great artist.

It would be nice to have

something published.”

Why did Drew leave Piries Place?

When it was announced that Piries would be redeveloped, Drew found a new location in Swan Walk. “We lost our independent shop feel by moving into a shopping centre,” says Drew. “On the plus side, we have much higher footfall.”

And how is business?

After two years in Swan Walk, Drew admits that it’s tough but he is still seeing growth and

loves the job. Whilst comics might not be flying off the shelf, merchandise including posters, a range of Warhammer items, Pop Vinyl figures, action figures from films and TV shows ranging from the A-Team to The Terminator, official Game of Thrones memorabilia and Pokémon cards draw in customers.

Drew said: “Pokémon is still popular and every other Sunday we have a swap day in store. Some schools have banned Pokémon trading because it was causing problems on the playground, so they come here with their parents and trade instead.”

What does the future hold for Gobsmack Comics?

There could be a major development soon (keep an eye on the AAH News Round-up section in the coming months) as Gobsmack Comics is hoping to evolve with more of a community focus. Drew said: “We’ll be bringing in some retro video game arcades and trying to create a community hub. As part of that, I’d love to host art and writing workshops for children and introduce them to good comics.

We’re also hoping that an excellent artist, who works on special effects for Hollywood films, will host a workshop. That is ultimately the aim - to be a truly community-focused store.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: BEN MORRIS

If you are interested in finding out more visit Gobsmack Comics in Swan Walk, call (01403) 257310 or visit http://gobsmackcomics.co.uk

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28: Business

DAILY GRIN 20 Questions: We meet the Horsham Coffee Roaster team Bradley and Amelia Steenkamp, founders of Horsham Coffee Roaster, meet AAH and explain how the business grew from the garage...

1: Why Coffee?

Amelia: I was a teacher but after the birth of our first son, I didn’t want to return to a demanding full-time job. Still, I needed something to replace the income.

Brad, who is a pilot, took a fivemonth contract in Canada and whilst there we came across lots of small coffee roasting companies. They sourced great beans and the result was that coffee generally tasted better than what we were used to back home. We thought we could do something similar as there weren’t many small batch coffee

roasters in West Sussex at that time.

2: What was interesting about it?

Bradley: In Canada, traceability was important to coffee companies and customers. The coffee could all be traced back to a single farm. We are all accustomed to reading the label of a wine bottle, where the estate or region ir comes from makes a big difference to the consumer.

We could see a similar trend evolving with coffee, with people caring about the product and willing to pay extra for something that not only tasted better, but was also ethically produced.

3: How did the business begin?

Amelia: We established a market stall for the Horsham Coffee Roaster in the Carfax. We’d be

there every Thursday and Saturday.

The roasting was all done in the garage of our home in Pease Pottage, so we were producing small amounts. We expected the bulk of our business to come from selling bags of coffee beans, but most people just wanted a nice cup of coffee, especially in the winter months. We might sell a dozen bags of coffee on a good day, but our income was small.

4: Where did you source your coffee beans from?

Bradley: There are very good businesses that have established connections with farmers and coffee producers around the world. We solely used these businesses initially, as they not only source the offee but also handle shipping and distribution.

We would try various coffee from

all over the world, choose those that suited us and roast them at home. Now, the business has grown to the extent that we have established our own partnerships with producers in Rwanda.

5: Why choose Rwanda?

Amelia: I set a project for pupils on Rwanda whilst still teaching. It focused on the history of the country and the genocide of the Tutsi in 1994. We felt that by sourcing coffee from Rwanda, in a small way we would be helping the country in its recovery.

Bradley visited one of our suppliers there and told me that Rwanda is beautiful and that the people are very friendly, so we made a trip together. The area around Lake Kivu is green and hilly, not at all how we imagined Africa to be. For Bradley, Rwanda

Horsham Coffee Roaster: 29

Left: Steve McCusker on the Joper roaster Above: Stephen Wood with his stylish espresso machine Below: Products and hot drinks can be bought on site

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D is the one place that he craves going back to.

6: What was the benefit of visiting the country?

Bradley: It was great for us to see that our money was going to the right people. We’re a business and we need to make a profit, of course. But it’s a nice feeling to know that you're not cheating anyone and you’re giving the farmers a fair deal. We consider ourselves a small company, but when we went to Rwanda we were made to feel extremely welcome.

We even met the mayor. They appreciate what we are doing and we could see how companies like ours make a difference to them.

7: What difference are you making?

Bradley: We visited a centralised facility where farmers bring their harvested coffee cherries and are paid upon delivery. This one

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facility serves about 200 farmers, so it's a cash crop for the community and we’re a part of that. We have established a relationship with a single farm, so we have full traceability. We are paying double the Fairtrade price and in some cases more, so although we’re not Fairtrade certified, we are certainly giving farmers a fair deal.

8: Did Rwanda change your business outlook?

Amelia: Very much so. We’re proud of the partnerships we have formed and want to do more to help. When we visited Rwanda last year, we visited a local school. The senior section was nice, but the primary part of the school was very old and walls were crumbling away. We decided to raise money to make it safe, so we held a few fundraising events and that improvement work was carried out during the school holidays. We would like to do more community

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30: Food & Drink

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“We lean towards traditional methods as it offers more of a fruity flavour and is more beneficial to farmers.� projects in the future in various countries we source coffee from.

9: We else do you buy coffee from?

Bradley: Rwanda is the one country where we deal directly with the farmers. We have been out to Kenya and one of our team, Steve McCusker, will be visiting Costa Rica where we hope to establish new connections. We still work with reputable suppliers that provide full traceability to bring in coffee from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Honduras and Brazil. We hope to establish direct links in all these countries, eventually.

Amelia Steenkamp with the Joper coffee roaster

10: Is there a big contrast in flavour between countries?

Bradley: There's great variation in the flavour profile. Much depends on how the seeds are processed.

The coffee bean is the seed inside

a fruit that is often referred to as a cherry. After picking, some producers run the cherries through a wet processer, which strips off the fruit and leaves the coffee bean, which then go through a fermenting process. Other farms adopt a more traditional method, picking cherries straight from the tree and removing the fruit by hand. This method usually results in a fruitier coffee bean. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

11: Which style do you prefer?

Amelia: We lean towards traditional methods as we like the fruity tones. It also tends to be more beneficial to the community as it supports more workers. In Rwanda, we have asked for our farm to provide us with micro lots of coffee, using various harvesting methods. Like wine, the way the cherries are harvested can affect

Horsham Coffee Roaster: 31

There is now a coffee bar at The Studio in Handcross

the flavour. For these micro lots, we pay an additional $2 per kilo, so there is great incentive for them when they’re producing 1000kg for more money and no additional cherries. It helps them increase their profits, which benefits the entire community.

12: What do you do with the coffee beans?

Bradley: Our job is to properly roast the beans and prepare them for sale. Much like the harvesting process, the roasting process is hugely important. If you remove beans from the roaster too soon, the coffee will taste weak and grassy, which is immediately recognisable to customers. Leave the beans in the roaster too long and you end up with a burnt and bitter taste. There are natural sugars in coffee, because it's an organic product. The sugars start to caramelise and produce a fruit flavour whilst roasting. You need to go beyond the caramelisation stage, yet maintain sweetness, so it’s a balancing act.

13: What kind of roasting machine do you have?

Bradley: Our roaster is made by Joper, a family-run firm in Portugal.

I went to visit the company and liked the way they build their machines. They’re very solid and look like old steam trains. Cast iron is a good material for the roasting process. This machine also has good software control, integrated into what looks like a vintage piece of kit. We are very

specific as to how we roast and we use the software to maintain consistency. We measure time, temperature, intensity of heat and airflow throughout the process.

14: How many finished coffees do you have?

Bradley: Most of what we offer is single origin coffee, such as Rancho Alegre from Nicaragua, Kianderi AA from Kenya and Suke Quto from Ethiopia. They are labelled with traceability to one producer. We also have two blends that combine coffee beans to create a certain flavour. The two Horsham Coffee Roaster blends are Workhorse and Pioneer.

Pioneer is fruity and sweet, whilst Workhorse is more traditional, with a nut and chocolate aroma. We also make bespoke blends for customers.

15: Who are these customers?

Amelia: One of our customers is The Flying Coffee Bean, which has many outlets at railway stations.

They have been a good customer, and now their business has grown to the extent that they will be roasting their own coffee. We’re in the fortunate position of supplying lots of companies, so we don’t have all our eggs in one basket.

People can also buy our coffee bags from farm shops including Crates in the Carfax and Plaw Hatch in Sharpthorne.

16: Do you still sell at the Carfax market?

Amelia: I stopped doing the

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32: Food & Drink “We moved out of the garage, which was great for me as the house was starting to smell of coffee!”

Horsham Coffee Roaster has established partnerships with farmers in Rwanda

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market after the birth of our second child. It became very difficult to continue with a baby around. Although people would help me, it wasn’t manageable. I do miss being part of the market and chatting to the public about coffee, but at the time, the wholesale side of the business was growing and where we were expanding. We moved out of the garage, which was great for me personally as the whole house was starting to smell of coffee!

17: Where did you move to?

Amelia: We rented a unit on Church Lane Industrial Estate in Lower Beeding, working with a 15kg coffee roasting machine.

Two and a half years ago, we moved around the corner to where we are now, The Studio at Howards Nursery, Plummers Plain. We had bought the Joper roaster, which wouldn't have fit through the door of our previous unit. We purchased the roaster thanks to a Sussex business scheme grant.

18: Can people just drop in to The Studio for a coffee?

Amelia: We have created a bar area so that people can drop by.

Some customers like to buy some bags of coffee too. We use Stephen’s beautiful espresso machine, although he is hoping to open his own coffee shop in London soon and he’ll be taking that with him. We don’t have too

many people coming in, as we’re a bit out of the way, but we have regulars.

19: Is the coffee expensive?

Bradley: The producers work very hard to produce an organic product and the price needs to reflect that. As well as being a quality product, we need to ensure that all the relevant information is communicated to the end user as that makes a lot of difference to the conscientious coffee drinker.

20: Have I missed anything?

Bradley: I didn’t mention that I’m a licensed Arabica Q Grader. It’s a high-level coffee qualification based around a set grading system for coffee. This reinforces the standards of specialty coffee and demonstrates integrity within the supply chain.

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS/ BRADLEY STEENKAMP

Visit Horsham Coffee Roaster at The Studio, Howards Nursery, Handcross Road, Plummers Plain, RH13 6NX or online at horshamcoffeeroaster.co.uk

Please contact Tony on 01403 754089 or 07526 658688

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Bradley and Amelia’s visits to Rwanda have had a profound effect on the business

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FULFILLING A FANTASY

H.O Charles has found a cult following with her self-published books Fantasy book writer Hadleigh Charles of Broadbridge Heath tells AAH how she went from rejections from publishers to 100,000 downloads for her debut novel.

The idea for my first book came whilst I was writing my PhD on public engagement with science.

I hosted radio shows and podcasts about scientific developments and would study the audience. But I lost confidence in the project. I started writing City of Blaze as a bit of fun. It was something to take my mind off my PhD, but eventually it became my primary focus.

I didn't tell my friends and family that I was writing a book and I published it anonymously. I chose H. O Charles as my pen name as it was genderless. Many fantasy authors are men with beards and H. O Charles fitted the bill. As I was writing something along the lines of what the reader expected, I didn’t want to put them off in any way.

36: One to Watch

Read our feature on screenwriter Matt Charman on the My Story So Far section at aahorsham.co.uk

I sent the finished book to just two publishers, but it was rejected. So, I decided to self-publish. I made a digital copy of City of Blaze: Volume 1 of the Fireblade Array available as a free download and then worked hard to produce volumes two and three within a year. The second book is 200,000 words long, so it was challenging. People download the first book for free as they have nothing to lose. If they enjoy it, hopefully they will pay for the next instalment in the saga. That is how an author can make money.

You need tens of thousands of downloads for your free book to make the subsequent books worthwhile. If 100,000 people download the first book and 5 - 10% of those pay for the second instalment, you’ve done very well. Once a reader is involved in the story, the continuation rate is higher. About 70% of people who bought my second book then read the third, but it gradually tails off.

When I published the first book in 2012, there were various online outlets for writers to submit their free book deal.

Websites would promote your book on Facebook and through subscriber lists.

Now, most of these have disappeared or are ineffectual. One that has grown and is well-known is BookBub. It started out working for self-published authors and they picked up City of Blaze without my knowledge. I noticed a spike in sales and found that they had promoted my work. Now, BookBub publishes books by famous writers too and has become powerful in the publishing world.

There is a lot of material out there.

Anyone can self-publish, with varying degrees of quality. However, the traditional route of working with a reputable publisher still yields the best results, as the network between PR agencies, journalists and publishers remains strong. However, you can do well through self-publishing, if you have a good product. You need to publish a

“People download the first book for free. If they enjoy it, hopefully they will pay for the next instalment.”

H. O. Charles: 37

“Everyone wants to be a fantasy writer because of books like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.� lot to remind readers that you are out there. Otherwise, they’ll move on to another writer!

Fantasy is a genre that attracts good sales, but it is bloated in terms of the number of authors. I read an article by a major publisher who stated that they receive more submissions from fantasy authors than any other genre. Everyone wants to be a fantasy writer because of books like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.

My first book was downloaded about 100,000 times. That sounds a lot, but it represents a tiny fraction of the market. On BookBub, the number of subscribers for fantasy books alone is two million. Most of my sales come from America, where I have a small cult following. I receive the occasional fan email. They usually want to know when the next instalment is out.

I design my own artwork for my book covers too. I used to mess around on a website called b3ta, where people can post pictures, cartoons and videos that make people laugh. That was how I started learning about Photoshop.

I designed a few covers for other writers, as well as my own, and gradually my skills have improved.

I’m on a list of cover designers and have built up a portfolio. My

images are getting better all the time.

Ultimately, the Fireblade Array series centres on a romance. It’s slightly trope in that it features a Prince and a servant, but what's different is the world they inhabit.

The biology of the characters is different to humans, in that they could conceivably live forever, if it wasn’t for conflict. Their world is different in that people are addicted to sex and live in quite a promiscuous society. But they gradually change the way they perceive relationships. As the series progresses, the relationship between the central characters affects the rest of the world. As one becomes obsessive, his darkness brings this world to the brink of destruction. The immortals become mortal and suffer human inflictions, such as disease. It’s a fantasy story, although it doesn’t have dwarves, dragons and elves.

However, there is sorcery. Women are born with a natural ability to wield fire but men can channel that power and control women, to a degree.

There's nothing explicit in terms of the sexual content, but it’s not suitable for young readers. I have seen reviews from parents who have given the book to their daughter and were a bit surprised by the content!

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38: One to Watch As H. O Charles, I am about to publish my seventh book, the final instalment in The Fireblade Array.

I have plans for spin-offs and a prequel to the series, but my intention is to take a year or two away from fantasy books as I have other projects in mind. I would like to write a historical fiction novel based on the Vikings, which would require more research. My first Degree was in archaeology and anthropology, so hopefully some of that knowledge will help me.

Hadleigh designs the cover art for her fantasy epics (courtesy of H.O Charles)

There has been a definite progression in my writing style. I think my first book is good, but it's an early work and my most recent books are technically more advanced. I am also gained confident in my style.

of experience and sales behind me now, which will help. But at least now I know I can earn money from self-publishing, which also gives you a far higher percentage of the money earned.

People can still download my first book for free on sites including iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Amazon. If you enjoy the first book, I hope you’ll carry on with the series, which ends with Volume 7: Ascent of Ice, scheduled for release on 28 February.

INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS

Even with hindsight, I don't think I could have done anything differently when I started out. I have done well to be as successful as I have been through self-publishing. I may send my next book to a couple of publishers to see if it’s of interest. I have a lot

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You can find H.O Charles books on several websites listed within the article. Hadleigh also has a Facebook page with latest news.

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Food & Drink: 41

Going to the Chapel

Max’s Diner has found plenty of fans with giant portions and a little help from Buddy Holly and a Chevy Camaro

Julie Talbot serves up a burger

On the Graylands Estate, near a landfill site on Langhurstwood Road, you’ll find a quaint little chapel.

It is thought that the chapel was originally built as a place of worship for those employed at the Manor House.

Nowadays, it has the front assembly of a classic Chevrolet Camaro hanging over the door.

Pinned to the walls are the sleeves of vinyl records by the same artist playing on the Jukebox; The Shadows, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash.

Any gaps are taken up by vintage giant bottle caps of American drinks companies, framed front

“Once you start delving into the 1950s & 60s rock 'n' roll scene, it’s amazing how many people love it.” covers of classic comics or posters of iconic Hollywood movies stars including Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Audrey Hepburn.

The automotive theme is bolstered by advertisements for Cadillacs, Pontiacs and Mustangs, whilst a set of working traffic lights beam above the espresso machine.

Customers sat on classic red and white striped seats are served burgers so big that to bite into them properly would require the

mouth of a plankton-feeding whale.

All of which makes Max’s Diner quite unlike your average chapel on your average business estate.

Spanish Adventures The diner was established nearly two years ago by Julie Talbot, who lived and worked in Horsham for many years until taking her family to Spain, where they opened a restaurant.

Julie said: “We were on the Costa Blanca for 10 years and opened our first restaurant in the same square as Eduardo’s, owned by Elliott Wright (star of ITV’s The Only Way is Essex). We served an English menu, mainly for Brits on holiday, but the economic downturn hit us hard.

“We returned to England where I continued to work in the restaurant business. I was at The Star in Rusper for four years, then at Red in Dorking. When this site came up, we thought it would be a perfect location for our own restaurant.

“It had previously been JoJo’s Café, which for whatever reason never quite worked out. So, we knew we had to do something

42: Food & Drink

Read our feature on The Solid Chocolate Company on the Food & Drink section at aahorsham.co.uk

Max’s Diner is located in a chapel on the Graylands Estate in Horsham

The restaurant has a guitar and rock ‘n’ roll albums pinned to the wall

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different if people were going to come this far out of town. That is why we came up with an American theme.

Except for Smith and Western, there was nothing else like it around.”

Whilst Julie was never heavily into the rock ‘n’ roll scene, her father loved rockabilly and was always playing Elvis records, so she knew enough to make a start.

Julie’s husband created the look of the restaurant - named after the eldest of her three children - buying memorabilia from American themed events and antiques shops, whilst a friend sourced the front end of the Camaro.

When the diner finally opened, the couple couldn’t believe the reaction to the American nostalgia.

“Once you start delving into the 1950s and 1960s rock 'n' roll scene, it’s amazing how many people love it,” says Julie. “When Horsham District Council organised the Americarna event in the town centre, they were knocked for six by the sheer number of people who showed up.

“There is an awful lot going on, with American car owner clubs and bikers coming together at shows across the country. With muscle cars, hot rods or the classic cars comes certain music and fashion too. People love dressing up and Americana can be a way of life for some.

“People were soon arriving in American cars, a lot of them from the Horsham area. Some have become good friends. We’ve also seen biker groups like Hogs Back and the Hells Angels visit and they’re always friendly.

“In the summer, we keep the front door open and occasionally you hear the roar of a Harley or a V8 coming up the driveway. The chapel vibrates and everyone looks out to see what it is.

We’ve even had a couple of NASCAR racing cars visit.

Max’s Diner: 43 “The Americans add peanut butter or pineapple to burgers and that doesn’t work here.”

“We happened to have Americans in the diner at the time and they thought it was out of this world.

“It’s particularly pleasant here during the summer weekends, when all the other businesses on the estate are closed. There’s lots of parking space and we have a nice little garden area, so it’s a lovely place to be.”

Big Appetite In terms of the menu, Max’s Diner caters for those with a big appetite.

Favourites include The Gourmet for £10.95 (6oz steak burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, salad and bourbon sauce) and the £10 Red Hot Dutch (6oz steak burger with a hot Dutch chilli cheese, salad and spicy barbecue sauce).

Cheaper options include the quarter pound American beef burger (£6.95) and chicken breast

burger (£8.95), whilst a kids’ menu is available too. The burgers come with onion rings and chips served in mini deep fry baskets.

The chips and onion rings might be cooked from frozen, as you would expect in a small diner run by a small team (Julie was assisted only by her daughter, Hayley).

However, the burgers offer great value for money.

We chose The Gourmet and the Chilli Burger (8oz steak burger with home-made chilli, mature cheddar cheese and jalapeno relish) and whilst it was a challenge keeping it all in the bun, it was undeniably great fun and the food was very enjoyable.

For the more discerning diner, Max’s lacks refinement. But anyone complaining might ask themselves what they expect from a restaurant with a guitar hanging on the wall and a Jerry Lee Lewis soundtrack.

Julie said: “We try to vary the choices through our Specials

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44: Food & Drink

Julie and daughter Hayley at Max’s Diner

board. Those that prove popular can be added permanently to our menu. We currently have The New Yorker, The Chilli Burger, as well as wild boar sausage and a full rack of ribs with home-made coleslaw. During the summer, we serve seasonal dishes like chicken skewers and chilli dogs.

“A lot of it is home-made. We source the meat from local butchers and make the 6oz and 8oz burgers ourselves. We also offer gluten-free or vegetarian food, which surprises a few people.

“Our burgers are big as people want a proper American experience. Not everything works, because the English have different tastes. The Americans add peanut butter or pineapple to burgers and that doesn’t work here. But we try lots of combinations to see what people enjoy.

“Last year, we started serving breakfast until 12pm. As well as offering a full English, we serve waffles and pancakes, which are popular with children.

“Young people love coming here as it’s different. They even enjoy the old songs on the jukebox. Unfortunately, we don’t have an original Wurlitzer, as they are now worth more than the entire building! But still, the jukebox is a talking point and gives people something else to remember us by.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS

Max’s Diner is open Tuesday – Friday, from 11am – 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 4pm. For more details about special events, visit the Max’s Diner Horsham page on Facebook or call (01403) 252272.

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Art: 47

A LIGHT TOUCH

Jo Willis uses shadow to create striking rural scenes My dad was a part-time artist, but art didn’t interest me much when I was growing up. Perhaps I was playing the part of the rebellious teenager, refusing to study art as my father felt that I should.

Whilst I was good at drawing, I did little aside from copying LP covers or sketching clothing when I studied the history of fashion. It wasn’t until 2012, when I was 49-years-old, that I truly applied myself. I realised that if ever I was meant to be an artist, it was now or never.

the equipment, which was useful as I didn't know which medium I would like working with, be it acrylics, pastels, oils or water colours. It turned out that I took to oil paints.

I went there for two years and my output was dominate by landscapes and floral scenes. Then I came to a crossroads. My work was beginning to stagnate. I wanted to improve but Lydia couldn’t be expected to dedicate all her time to me as I was in a mixed group. She suggested that I seek the help of an oil painting specialist.

The First Steps

The Comfort Zone

I went to The Art Academy on Foundry Lane Industrial Estate in Horsham, run by Lydia Sanderson.

Lydia gave me a photograph of a harbour scene and told me to copy it whilst she went to make a cup of tea.

She came back, said ‘Okay, you can draw!’ I was handed some paint and I loved it!

The Art Academy is very sociable and flexible in terms of commitment. It suited me perfectly. Lydia provided

Piers Ottey runs dedicated oil painting classes at The Mill Studio in Ford, near Arundel. He persuaded me to experiment with different subject matters and I quickly moved away from landscapes.

As well as expanding my subject matter, I developed my technique.

Piers showed me how by painting light and dark shades, you can create the face. I was genuinely amazed to see it happen.

Sunrise (Courtesy of Jo Willis)

48: Art

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“I create bright, atmospheric paintings, with dramatic contrasts between light and shade.”

One of his teaching methods is to ask you to select an image from a small pile of carefully selected postcards and produce a painting from it. The postcards will follow a similar theme and are chosen to challenge you as an artist.

I'd never attempted anything like that and it pushed me to try new things. One of these challenges involved painting a figurative portrait, which was far out of my comfort zone. I also tried my hand at abstract and whilst I failed abysmally, the experience was liberating and exciting.

Piers also encouraged me to interpret the work of famous artists, which gives you a greater understanding of style and techniques, in turn helping you improve. Every time, I learn something new.

Developing a Style

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When I started out, I painted flowers, gardens and landscapes, but I didn’t have a distinctive style. Now, I feel like my work has

consistent characteristics.

I use a limited colour palette to create bright, atmospheric paintings, with dramatic contrasts between light and shade. People are starting to identify my style, which is encouraging as it’s taken several years to reach that stage.

You can certainly see the influence of Piers’ work in my paintings, but the artist that has always inspired me is David Hockney. I went to see his exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2012 and it was just incredible.

His use of colour is sensational and for an artist who loves strong, bright colours, it was like nothing I had seen before.

Every Picture…

My recent work is based on interpretations of black-and-white photographs. Using old photos presents me with the opportunity to use whatever colours I like, within a limited colour palette.

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Spectators at Horsham Cricket Ground (Images courtesy of Jo Willis)

Jo Willis: 49

Jo’s artistic style has changed since she started attending classes by Piers Ottey in Ford, near Arundel. (Images courtesy of Jo Willis)

working from photos as some are copyright protected. However, there is a wealth of valid resource material out there.

A neighbour in Mannings Heath has a vast collection of historic images of Horsham. Some depict places such as Horsham Cricket Ground, which I have painted in the past.

I also painted a cricketing scene to raise funds for a new pavilion at Nuthurst Cricket Club. Limited edition prints have raised several thousand pounds, thanks to the generosity of players, supporters and the occasional visiting team.

My rural scenes, particularly cattle market pictures, have proved popular. A farming family in Berkshire let me use several albums of photographs of their farm, which provided me with lots of inspiration.

Paintings of this type have been well received in Horsham, as they tell a story.

People are always fascinated to know the details behind them.

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Artists Working Together I am a member of Horsham Artists Open Studios (HAOS).

As well as exhibiting at the group’s annual art fair, I participate in the summer art trail. It’s nice to see people coming back year after year to see new work by the artists involved.

Previously, I exhibited with Warnham artist Lesley Taylor, but in 2017 I openedup my own home, sharing the space with sculptor Claire Morris.

I’m trying to promote my work further afield too. I applied to an Open exhibition hosted by the Society of Women Artists (SWA) at the Mall Galleries in London and was delighted when two of my paintings were accepted. One of my cattle market paintings was sold.

This year, I’ll be exhibiting at the Surrey Contemporary Art Fair at Sandown, along with fellow HAOS members Alison Ingram, Angela Brittain and Sue Collins.

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50: Art

If you’d like to know more about The Art Academy visit theartacademy.biz

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‘I painted this from a black and white photo I found on the Basingstoke Gazette website and exhibited it at the Royal County of Berkshire Show in September 2017. It depicts Lindsey Mackay auctioning the last pen of pigs at Basingstoke Cattle Market’s last public auction in May 1966. One of the organisers of the show recognised the auctioneer and his colleagues bought the painting as a retirement present for Lindsay.’

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MATTHEW WYKES Associate Partner

Tel: 01403 710422 Mob: 07974 062561 Email: matthew.wykes@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.matthewwykes.co.uk

Before becoming an artist, I worked in the City, running a business development team. My role focused on relationship building and required me to host presentations. Consequently, I'm not worried when it comes to promoting my work. Some artists can be anxious about that aspect, but I enjoy talking about the things I'm enthusiastic about.

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Art is a full-time job for me and I run it like a business, not a hobby.

I find that gives me the drive to get up and work, as opposed to picking up a paintbrush only when I fancy it.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I paint from 9am – 5pm. I have read that many successful

artists worked this way. Francis Bacon would cancel a commission if someone was late for a sitting. I don’t find this approach takes away any of the passion of being an artist. Whatever you do, it’s vital to paint from the soul and I feel that I always do that.

INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS/ JO WILLIS

You can view more of Jo’s work at www.artfromjow.com For information on Horsham Artists Open Studios visit horshamartistsopenstudios.co.uk

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History: 53

All Work, No Play How Horsham’s employment history mirrors the town’s economic growth, from brandy to brickworks...

The Horsham area was renowned for its brickworks (Image: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

For many people work is central to their identity. One needs only to think of how many people have surnames that come from an ancestor’s employment; Baker, Fletcher, Bowman, Cook, Cooper, Butcher, Hunter, Mason, Woodman and Thatcher to name just a few.

The Parish records of Horsham are littered with surnames that reflect work, employment, crafts, and skills.

Work is a strange thing, when you think about it. What is the modern day equivalent to a person who hunts for food? Is it ordering food online and if so, can that be classed as work?

Up to the last 200 years, for many people work was their life. The concept of work changed when people became employed and received money or food in return for labour. The introduction of Income Tax in 1798 led to a

Jeremy Knight of Horsham Museum looks back at changing work environments in the district and how Horsham came to be world-renowned for its brickworks at Warnham and Southwater

change in our relationship with work.

The last two centuries also saw the rise of the working class, defined as much by the nature of their work as by a common sense of identity and the demand for a political voice.

A new exhibition at Horsham Museum looks at work, but more specifically at employment, in the town. It reveals a great deal about the jobs that defined Horsham and how industrial changes has shaped the town we know today.

We take a look at some of those key industries here...

Plenty of Brandy Local directories give us an insight into the type of business which operated in Horsham and information about the people who lived and worked here.

Holden’s Annual Directory of 1816 and 1817 was published with the intention that it should be subscribed to, as every two years an updated directory would be published. The directory listed traders and cities across Great Britain, although no general produce shops are recorded.

It reveals that Horsham had more than its share of spirit and brandy merchants. Of the 26 merchants listed, 13 sold spirits, brandy, or wine. The current crop of breweries and distillers are merely continuing a local tradition!

Surprisingly, despite the region being noted for its agriculture and markets, very few traders sold products raised from the land.

The directory listed only three timber traders, two leather, two malt and just a single trader selling coal, wool, corn, rag and flour. The mention of a rag merchant may seem surprising, but until the invention of wood pulp paper in the 1840s, the paper industry consumed vast amounts of rags supplied by merchants.

The Post Office Directory of 1855 lists 77 people who it defines as ‘Gentry’. It also records 303 traders, many of whom carried out more than one trade. Alfred Agate, for example, was a corn

54: History

Horsham Museum hosts an exhibition of art by Carole Skinner-Rupniak from 7 Feb - 16 Mar

Horsham’s first motorised dust cart in 1931 (Image: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

and coal merchant, whilst Martha Aldridge was listed as a plumber and glazier, house, sign and decorative painter. Medical professionals included surgeons, druggists, chemists and one veterinary surgeon, whilst Victorian women were often engaged in a range of trades, not just in dressmaking and millinery.

In the 20th century, Horsham was still predominantly rural. The census return of 1901 reveals that one quarter of the urban district’s workforce of 2,790 males were working in building and related trades.

Horsham’s position as a regional hub of the railways is highlighted by the 154 males recorded as working on the railways, whilst 52 males and 15 females worked as clerks in commerce.

Some of these workers had probably attended the Commercial Academy at Springfield Park, the only vocational private school in Horsham.

There was also a rise in the number of musical instrument dealers, piano tuners and clubs and societies, with new leisure activities reflecting the aspirations of Horsham’s expanding middle class. This is also reflected in the political landscape, as Horsham turned its back on the Liberal party and elected Conservative MPs throughout the 20th century.

A Land Fit for Heroes

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Left: Southwater brickworks. The site is now a country park.

Above: Survivors of the First World War return to work at the Post Office (Images: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

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A “land fit for heroes” is a well-known saying about the aftermath of the war, used by Lloyd George during his election campaign of 1918.

The return of soldiers would have a significant impact upon the town. Many soldiers hoped to be able to return to work and Horsham Urban District Council received many such requests.

On 1 January 1919, the council had a request by Lieutenant A. S. Garman, formerly an assistant in the surveyor’s office, asking for his old job back.

Lt. Garman also requested an increase in his salary to reflect his rise through the ranks in the army.

A month later, the council faced further requests. Mr. E Davies, an electrical engineer in the army, was reinstated in his role of switchboard attendant.

Mr. D Holmes was discharged from the army so he could continue his legal pupilage.

Not only was there pressure on local businesses to take back former staff, but there was governmental pressure on the council to recruit former officers and to train them for 12 months as electrical engineers.

With the return of the soldiers from war, many women, who had been doing the

Working in Horsham: 55

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Can Bitcoin Secure a Deposit?

You’ve probably seen some of the hype around the rise of what’s called ‘Cryptocurrency’. Specifically, relating to Bitcoin and other similar electronic currencies. Currently they are not regulated and their price can fluctuate immensely day by day.

Mrs Nightingale working at a dairy farm (Image: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

“Brick-making is one of the manufactures in which women and children take an active part.” work in the men’s place, were made redundant.

At the council on 26 March 1919 meeting, it was noted: “The services of Miss Evans, switchboard attendant, might be dispensed with. As none of the regular male switchboard attendants had yet returned it was proposed to retain the services of Miss Jupp, the senior switchboard attendant for the present.”

This typifies the experiences of many women who were returning to the domestic sphere having contributed to the war effort.

Women in Work The abiding image of working life is that it was a man’s world, that women stayed at home and did domestic work and the allimportant task of bringing up children, whilst men went out to work.

However, when you look beneath the surface a different picture emerges.

When the work was hard physical toil, men did predominate. But women have always worked.

In Pyne’s British Costume, first published in 1805 he states: ‘Brick-making is one of the manufactures in which women and children take an active part: the whole process is very laborious. It is common to meet with a family

composed of a father and mother and four or five children of both sexes, from eight years of age to eighteen or twenty, busily employed at the same shed, whose joint labours produce a great deal of money during the season for making bricks, which is from the month of March to the month of September.’

Women have historically worked in retail whether as owners, operators, managing the accounts or in sales and customer service. Women also worked on the farm; assisting with the harvest, caring for animals, and carrying out the milking.

Then there was the army of female servants working as maids and cooks across the country.

An interesting aspect of women’s work has been that whenever a new technology or industry emerged that did not appear to be stereotypically male, women were often employed in that sector.

Surprisingly, the emergence of photography saw many women employed in this area. When typewriters were developed, they quickly became associated with women’s work and female workers were trained to use them. Office work was viewed as a female domain.

Peter Davidson, the architect who designed the Royal and Sun Alliance building in Horsham in the 1990s, claimed to have considered the needs of female workers in his

However, there have been a number of success stories and thus providing funds which could possibly be used as a deposit for a property. Normally, lenders will want to see a build up of savings, or proof of where the funds have come from, inheritance etc. With no formal category for this type of return, and no formal guidance from the regulators, some lenders may class it as gambling and not allow it as a form of deposit.

Despite some lenders confirming they will assist, some of the major high street names have already confirmed they will not accept deposits derived from cryptocurrency. With technology thriving as it is and some cryptocurrencies now worth hundreds of billions dollars worldwide, this could be deemed quite an ignorant view. I suspect, as they become more widely known and used, only time will move this forward.

With this in mind, Technology plays a major part in our financial world. Some lenders already do a lot of their functionality via a mobile app, including voice and face recognition. Impressive hi-tech stuff indeed.

Most people will start their home buying process via the Rightmoves and Zooplas of the world, but some commentators are also predicting that the whole home buying process will soon become a digital revolution. With more effective use of technology cutting down the mortgage process, some entities launching ‘robo advice’, and many lenders now processing everything online, I can see how that can happen.

However, at the same time, I can also see many customers just wanting to speak to someone face to face. Especially those who have not grown up with technology! Plus, as mortgage volumes are increasing, we will see more and more customers fall out of the 'technology only' bracket. So, explore all options and if the technology becomes too confusing, pick up the phone!

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Working in Horsham: 57 ‘From the early 20th century, brick making became a year-round industry, employing many people.� design: ‘53% of Sun Alliance employees are women. I wanted to make them feel happy about going to work on Monday morning.

An office should be a theatre for the occupants - a place where they have a chance to look good, feel good, dress up.

Most women don’t lead lives that require dressing up. They don’t dress up to go to the supermarket. So, going to the office you see it a lot in cities like Atlanta and Dallas - is for dressing up. It’s the ‘feel-good’ factor coming through big and strong.�

Throughout the 20th century, as local governments and state-run institutions expanded, new areas of employment for women emerged. Women began to be employed in local government, nursing, teaching and librarianship.

This did not mean that women had equal opportunities of promotion, job security, employment rights, or pay. In effect, women were treated as a second-tier workforce. The situation only started to change in the 1970s and today is still an ongoing cause of dispute.

The shop at W.Prewett Ltd, the millers of Horsham (Image: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

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Brick Making We can’t discuss employment in the district without investigating brick making.

This was a seasonal industry from the 17th to the 19th century until the foundation of major brickworks such as Warnham and Southwater.

From the early 20th century, brick making became a year-round industry, employing many people. Christ’s Hospital School, which moved from London to Horsham in 1902, was constructed using around 25 million bricks, many of which came from Horsham, Warnham and Cranleigh.

One local myth is that Broadbridge Heath grew from housing the builders who worked on the site. However, this is untrue.

Warnham Brickworks was founded in 1896

by Peter Peters, who purchased the land at Pond Tail Farm. By moving out of Horsham town centre, Mr Peters could use the railway line to bring him the town refuse and to take away his bricks.

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58: History â&#x20AC;&#x153;New engines, driers and kilns, which enabled 310,000 bricks to be made every week in the 1920s.â&#x20AC;?

Left: The last Southwater brickworks chimney was blown up on 4 August 1983, 16 years after the closure of the railways line on the Downs Link.

(Images: HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

Three years later, Mr Peters sold out to William Belcher, a London builder, who created the Sussex Brick Company Ltd. In 1903, only two men were working at the site, but the business was transformed and the following year three kilns were operating with a target output of 20 million bricks a year.

During the First World War, the original brickworks north of the station closed, never to reopen.

After the war, the industry boomed and three more kilns opened. In 1927, the year the company reverted to its old name the Sussex Brick Company, a night shift started which was to run through the Second World War right up to 1979.

The company continued to grow after the Second World War and merged with Redlands Holding Limited in 1959.

The brickworks at Warnham is now operated by Wienerberger Ltd. Southwater was famed for its brickworks for almost a century.

The factory started in 1890, when the father of Peter Peters purchased Andrews Farm and ran a brick-working factory on the site. As the farm was next to the railway line, it allowed for two sidings; one for dispatching the bricks and the other for receiving coal.

In 1898, Peters mortgaged the works to raise money for investment in Warnham and in 1899 it was sold to Horsham builder Mr Mills and his new partner William Weban-Smith.

They formed the Southwater Brick & Tile Company in 1900, which produced a high class, pressed engineering brick.

In 1907, Southwater Brick & Tile Company amalgamated with the Sussex Brick & Estates Company Ltd at Warnham, improving the finances of the firm.

The works continued to develop after World War One with the introduction of new engines, driers and kilns, which enabled 310,000 bricks to be made every week in the 1920s.

The men also saw improved working conditions, with a bathhouse opening in 1924 and special events including an outing to Southend for employees.

About 400 people travelled first class and the chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife gave out chocolates and cigarettes to all.

By the 1950s, the bricks made at Southwater were being exported all over the world. In 1959, the site became part of Redland Bricks Ltd, but by 1982 the brickworks were closed. The railway line was axed in 1967 and on 4 August 1983 the last Southwater chimney was blown up. In its place, the council created a country park.

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LETTERS

editor@aahorsham.co.uk @AAHMagazine

Please send your views on the Horsham District, articles in AAH, or Shakin’ Stevens to Ben Morris by emailing editor@aahorsham.co.uk

All About What?

Jack James of Horsham writes:

Cloud Gallery features art by some of the very best artists in the country

The future doesn’t have to be bland Amanda Chaffin of Horsham writes: When I moved here in 2003, Horsham was a lovely market town with independent shops and a wonderful feel to it.

Over the last 14 years, I have seen the town change from that small market town to a much bigger town that is set to be exactly the same as every other town in the UK, with the same shops and nothing unique or original about the shopping experience.

Living within the vicinity of Piries place, it was of course with some regret that I saw Waitrose leave this area. I have been interested in seeing what is proposed for the re-development of this area.

What a shame it is that all the

Shaky Corner G. Leslie of Horsham writes: It’s been a while since there’s been anything about Shakin’ Stevens in AAH. Merry Christmas Everyone was included in The Telegraph’s best 100 Christmas songs of all time. But there was no mention of David Bowie.

Does this affect how we judge the cultural impact of either artist?

Editor: It’s a good point. I’d love to know the views of other readers on this ongoing Shaky v Bowie debate.

Maybe Bowie will gain revenge when The Telegraph publishes its 100 best songs ever about space? Or lamp dwellers in denim...

developers and councils can visualise are cinemas and more restaurants and cafés. I am a parent to an 11-year-old, so you would think that the idea of having three cinemas in town would fill me with glee, but it doesn’t. It’s not necessary.

We already have a perfectly adequate cinema. So, why does the council think we need three?

And why is it that all they can think to put in the town is cafés and restaurants. In the last two months, we have lost the hospice shop and a great little independent cheese and chocolate shop in East Street.

Now I see Strada has closed due to disappointing trade and growing competition.

So, why does the council want to put more cafés and restaurants around the new multiplex where Wilkinsons is and in Piries Place when the existing cafés (Lotties in the Bishopric) and restaurants are closing?

We travel a lot in Europe and most towns still have bakeries and butchers and plenty of independent shops. It is a pleasure to shop there because it’s different, which is what we’re lacking in the UK. It can be done as a couple of years ago we visited Tavistock and Totnes, which are both small towns thriving with a good mix of small businesses and independent shops.

What we need are small units for start-ups and independent makers at affordable rents, not more chain stores and restaurants. I don’t live in the

past; I know we need to look to the future. But the future doesn’t need to be boring and bland.

I think the council should be criticised. I think they have lost sight of what made people want to move to Horsham in the first place and why it was No.2 in the list of places to live. It has no vision with regards to the future of the town.

Editor: I couldn’t agree more.

Having bought some bumblebee chocolate lollipops from Wimblehurst Chocolates for Christmas, I was very sad to see that shop go from East Street.

I wrote in my editorial some months ago that I would love a central area devoted to small start-up units with cheap rents.

This would give people a chance to grow a customer-base and take the next step. Horsham does still have some brilliant independents run by local people (La Vida, Cocoa Loco, Cloud Gallery, Sussex Lighting, Ragdolls Framing, La Source, BattleQuest Games, Apache Menswear, Beer Essentials to name a few) but it’s tough for many of them. We’ve lost some great independents (The Cloth Store, Horsham Enoteca, The Linen Shop, Sugar and Snow, Tomoli & Will, Pure White Lines, Oxygen Extreme, Steisi, Raspberry Laces and more) within a short period ot time.

You’re right, unless independents get a bit more help from the council - and from the buying public too - Horsham is in danger of adopting an identikit feel.

I couldn't help but notice what appears to be an unfortunate front page text layout of your January edition cover, resulting in it reading ALL ABOUT HORS. Perhaps this is meant to be a subtle nod towards the theme noted in the Cover Story piece on Page 6 about the ‘demise of comedy panel shows’?

Editor: It just about says Horsh, which is of course a reference to Horsh Beirut, an urban park on the southern edge of the Lebanese city. It’s also known as Bois de Pins. We’ve had dozens of people asking for its existence to be recognised by AAH!

Bargain hunter

Sally West of Billingshurst writes: I could relate to your Christmas shopping experience in Horsham (Page 5, AAH January 2018).

Particularly the discussion about buying from Amazon - a decision that should never be taken lightly! But it was interesting to read that the only shop where you asked for a discount was Samuel Parker. TV programmes such as Bargain Hunt have a lot to answer for, as many people feel it’s now acceptable to ask for a discount from small shops. As the editor of a magazine that highlights independents, I was surprised to read that you’re among them!

Editor: I know! And I got what I deserved from the manager. I love that shop and recommend to readers that you pop in to this little place on Middle Street if they’ve never been before. Full of little gems.

Hawth show proves Pantomime is still popular with the masses

ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE

The editor didn’t enjoy it, but The Capitol pantomime was also a great success

Jan Tubbs (The Hawth front of house team) writes: I read your review of the Capitol pantomime with much interest (AAH, January 2018) You state “the glory days of pantomime are behind us.”

Really?

I suggest that you went to the wrong panto! If you had visited The Hawth you would have experienced a quite different scene with Snow White & the Seven Dwarves.

The dwarves were great, the scenery was superb, the dancers were excellent and the quips and jokes wonderfully funny. Any innuendo was at all times clever and never offensive.

In the second half, there was a

3D spectacle, again quite amazing and a bit scary. The people leaving were of the opinion that it was a brilliant panto. There were 52 shows and almost all played to a packed audience. Maybe next year, go to The Hawth, just to experience an entertaining pantomime.

Editor: I’ve since spoken to a couple of people who really enjoyed the Horsham panto and didn’t agree with my opinion on it. I’m reliably informed that Jack and the Beanstalk was the Capitol’s highest-grossing pantomime to date, so it would appear that I was wrong and that these are very much still the glory days of panto. Just not sure it’s quite my thing!

HDC - I won’t go away quietly!

David Spencer of Horsham writes: I have been in communication with my councillor and Horsham District Council over the issue of the halving of refuse collections starting in February 2018.

I have two main problems.

1) Obtaining a larger bin 2) What is happening about a refund for the loss of service we have paid for within this year’s Council Tax payments?

I would be less concerned about this fundamental change to our refuse collection service if it was scheduled to take place at the start of the next fiscal. But ripping us all off within the Council Tax year is wrong.

My email is still waiting for a

reply. I can only assume they hope I will go away if they don't reply. But I see in the local press that I'm not the only one that feels this change is wrong.

I have also just discovered that there is an e-petition, hidden away on the HDC website, on this very subject. Perhaps others that feel strongly on this subject might like to sign the petition.

But hurry, it is due to expire on 23 January.

Editor: Alas, with AAH being a monthly magazine, we are out too late to be of any help. The council does have an issue with these petitions though, as very people tend to know about them. Not sure if there’s a simple solution though...

WRITTEN BY LOCAL PEOPLE AAH is an independent magazine, owned and produced by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District.

Since the magazine was first published in May 2011, AAH has been renowned for its colourful features and superb images by Toby Phillips Photography.

We believe that our editorial content is unrivalled in the Horsham District, with innovative ideas such as our ‘My Story So Far’ and ‘News Round-Up’ features.

ADVERTISING IN AAH Each month, the magazine is delivered to 15,000 homes in Horsham, Southwater and villages including Broadbridge Heath, Mannings Heath, Ashington, Partridge Green, Copsale, Storrington and Washington.

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Group Discussion: 63

SEAMLESSLY TOGETHER The Horsham Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild Anne Hellyer’s work is inspired by architecture

Much excitement has been generated by the planned arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry in five years’ time.

The historic work, which depicts the defeat of King Harold by William the Conqueror during the Normal Conquest, hasn’t left France since the 11th century.

Perhaps the arrow in the eye will prove to be a shot in the arm for the popularity of embroidery in this country.

Embroidery’s prevalence in art and culture is steadily on the rise.

Textile artist Victoria Villasana applies colourful embroidery to black and white images of music

“The difference between embroidery that my mother used to do compared to what we do now is huge.” icons, including David Bowie and Nina Simone. Fashion designer Pablo Ramirez is making waves with his contemporary embroidered clothing, whilst its increasingly prevalent in decorate shoes and boots by niche brands.

For over a century, the Embroiderers’ Guild has helped ensure that those with a passion for crafts have always had an

outlet to discuss and practice the art. Formed in 1906 by graduates of the Royal School of Art Needlework, the Guild’s aim is to maintain a high standard of work and design.

Across the land, local branches attract healthy membership numbers. However, the Horsham branch has struggled to draw new faces to its monthly meetings.

The branch meets at Wesley Hall, within the Methodist Church on London Road, Horsham, on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Members enjoy occasional outings and the group regularly hosts workshops, inviting textile and stitch specialists to talk about and present their work. But persuading those who love embroidery to join the Guild is a challenge.

Horsham branch president Frances Westwood, who particularly enjoys making covers for books, said: “We used to have more members but times have changed. Embroidery is still very popular, but some embroidery

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Embroiderers’ Guild: 65 Teresa McAuliffe (Treasurer) “I used to do cross stitch in my spare time, but when I retired I wondered what I was going to do with myself. I decided to learn more about things that have always interested me. I attended the Royal School of Needlework and that led to a diploma. I've also attended courses at venues including the V&A in London. The Embroiderers’ Guild helps me maintain enthusiasm as there is always an opportunity to try something different. I made a Cheshire cat for the Alice in Wonderland competition and a chipmunk for another project. This required advanced silk shading to create the right look for the fur and feathers. The Ladies with Hatitude workshop was fun and a bit wacky, so there’s always things to inspire us. It would be lovely if we could just see a few more people coming along to join us!”

2

groups can’t attract new members.

“I enjoy coming as you meet new people. There is a strong social side to our meetings, as people are always willing to share their knowledge. We also have workshops, so we can keep in touch with how embroidery and associated arts are evolving.

“Things come in and out of fashion and new techniques are being developed all the time.

“The difference between the embroidery that my mother used to do compared to what we do now is huge.

There's a lot of influence from overseas and the internet has made the world smaller, so we can learn about new skills and even new materials.”

What’s in a name?

Janet Brown, chair of the Horsham branch, believes the name of the group could affect membership numbers, which is currently down to about fifteen.

A Guild might suggest a degree of excellence is required to join, which could convince potential members that they are not good enough to be considered.

However, that isn’t the case and the Embroiderers’ Guild welcomes anyone who loves stitching or textiles.

“Some people have left the Guild and formed independent groups, but I believe it’s a great thing to be a part of,” said Janet. “It has a long history, keeps a very important collection and membership brings many advantages.

“To me, the Embroiderers’ Guild allows like-minded people to meet and exchange a few ideas. We host stitching afternoons, workshops and occasionally participate in regional and national competitions. We also attend events such as Stitchfest at the South of England Showground with the South-East Region of the Embroiderers’ Guild.

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66: Group Discussion COLUMN RSPB Pulborough Brooks

Image: RSPB

Survival of the fittest in action

Above: Frances Westwood and (right) Janet Brown

“I’m known for using unusual materials.

I work with potatoes, as well as other household items, to apply print effects.”

“The competitions usually have a theme. One focused on Alice in Wonderland, which resulted in some very colourful work, whilst this year the Guild will be marking the centenary of the end of the First World War. “We’ve had some fascinating workshops over the year too.

Liz Ashurst spoke about European folk art and Fay Maxwell, who is well known in the world of embroidery, presented an excellent talk on Ladies with Hatitude.”

Simple Ideas On the day of AAH’s visit, Anne Hellyer was visiting the Horsham branch to present her eye-catching work.

Based in Andover, Anne creates textiles of buildings or city scapes for her small business, Painting the Town.

(paintingthetown.org.uk) The uniqueness of Anne’s work is typical of the type of speaker the Horsham branch brings in to pass on new skills and techniques to members.

Anne said: “For my work, I start with calico, paint various strips of fabric to build layers and then stitch it together with a technique called free machine, which is when you use the sewing machine to move in different directions, as opposed to straight lines.

“My big pieces, such as the city scene of London, are very time-consuming, but when I take them to craft shows, they are always a talking point. I love architecture as there’s always history and a story behind a building.

“I’m known for using unusual materials. I work with potatoes, as well as other household items, to apply print effects. It’s

great talking to people, particularly young people at schools or Brownies groups, to show them how you can create texture and colour with simple ideas.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PICTURES: TOBY PHILLIPS

The Horsham Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild meets in the Wesley Hall at London Road Methodist Church, Horsham, on the fourth Thursday of the month. For details email janet-brown@btconnect.com or visit the national website at https://embroiderersguild.com

There’s a battle for survival happening right on your doorstep and you might not even notice it. If you have bird feeders in your garden, it’s likely you will have enjoyed watching the tousles between the blue tits and the feisty robin, or the flocks of starlings squabbling amongst themselves.

Although these displays are entertaining, what you’re seeing is the classic “survival of the fittest” where only the strongest birds will get the best food. Precious energy is used in these battles and the daylight hours are still very limited at this time of year, so the birds must maximise their feeding opportunities—come spring, they’ll have chicks to provide for as well as themselves. Our tit species spend 54 minutes in every hour feeding, while the tiny goldcrest burns off the calories as soon as they are consumed, so must feed non-stop from dawn to dusk.

As a nation, we put out between 50 and 60 thousand tonnes of bird seed every year and our growing interest in feeding our garden visitors has had positive impacts on certain species.

According to last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch report, numbers of goldfinch seen feeding in our gardens have increased by 44% in a decade, thanks to the introduction of nyjer seed and sunflower hearts. While most of us put out food because for the joy of watching the birds, the reality is that we provide a vital lifeline that can the difference between life and death.

Emily Summers RSPB Pulborough

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