AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) OCTOBER 2021

OCTOBER 2021

AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) OCTOBER 2021 ADVERT RATES Eighth Page £55 + VAT (93mm x 63mm) Quarter Page £110 + VAT (93mm x 133mm) Half Page £185 + VAT (190mm x 133mm) Full Page £310 + VAT (A4 with 4mm bleed) Double Page: £520 + VAT Special offer: Every sixth advert is placed free of charge, like a coffee shop. We can also design adverts if you need help, at no extra charge.

9 News Round-Up Dates for firework displays in Horsham and Slinfold, and local botanical artist publishes book

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAN WRIGHT https://alanwrightphotography.co.uk Email: alan.wright@ alanwrightphotography.co.uk 07747 617387 Alan works for AAH on a freelance basis and is available for family portraits, as well as corporate and commercial work.

17 My Story Horsham FC midfielder on his life in football, from Sparrows to an all-time appearances record

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23 Theatre Toby Miles reflects on his stage journey, from Les Misérables to star of the Capitol panto, Aladdin

COVER STORY The cover features Gary Charman, who made his 615th appearance for Horsham Football Club in September, more than anyone in its 140 year history. What makes the achievement extra special is that he grew up in the town, playing for Horsham Sparrows before becoming one of Horsham’s greatest players.

We met Gary at the Camping World Community Stadium and took this photo of him leaning in a corridor by the changing rooms. There’s a collage of club pictures and headlines from down the years on the walls, offering an ideal background. Afterwards, Gary popped down to The Boars Head for a chat with Ben, the editor. Other cover contenders were Chelsea Blues and guitarist Kev at Coolham Live Music Club, and Toby Miles at The Capitol.

ABOUT AAH AAH is an independent monthly magazine, owned by editor Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the Horsham District. It is distributed to 13,000 doors, as well as pick-up points around the District.

28 Music

EDITOR: BEN MORRIS editor@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899 AAH Magazine, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3PT

Coolham Live Music Club attracts some of the finest blues, jazz and soul talent in the country

ADVERTISING: BEN MORRIS advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899

AAH ONLINE www.aahorsham.co.uk AAH is published online on the 1st of each month. Archive editions are online too, along with past features.

DISTRIBUTION The magazine is delivered to about 13,000 homes in Horsham, Southwater and villages including Broadbridge Heath, Mannings Heath, Billingshurst and new estates at Highwood and Wickhurst Green.

DOOR-TO-DOOR TEAM Horsham: Jacquie Paterson, the Judd family, the Rollingson family, the Voisey family, Katie Drysdale, the Garner family, Jill Shuker, the Arliss family, the Bloomfield family, Jake and Eve Lovett, Lara Green, the Gavira family, Hannah and Harvey Dold, Alessandro Cavallo, Jack Nicholls, the McCormick family, Charlie Merchant, Harry Baker, Melanie Bradley.

Southwater: The Brown family, The Chapman family Villages: The Palmer family (BBH) Amy Butler (Wickhurst Green) Nathan Williams (Mannings Heath); Lynsey Hare (Billingshurst), Max Morris (Ashington), James Hobbs (Thakeham), Derek Bradnum (Nuthurst) The Morris Family (West Chiltington) Oak Tree Farm Care (Maplehurst & Copsale not currently able to deliver)

PICK UP POINTS & STANDS Thousands of copies of AAH are also available in our stands, at businesses, clubs and shops across the district.

Horsham: Henry Adams (Carfax), Crates (Carfax) Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Rail Station, New House Farm, New Street Butchers, At Home Estate Agents (Caterways), Holbrook Club, Gwyn’s Bakery (Bishopric) Village Stands: Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Barns Green Village Store, Bluecoat Sports (Christ’s Hospital), Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (Lower Beeding), Warnham Village Stores (Warnham), Slinfold Golf Club (Slinfold), Steyning Leisure Centre and Cobblestone Walk (Steyning) Spring Gardens Nursery (Washington) Joanna’s Boutique Tearooms (Storrington) We hope that stands at CoCo’s salon at Southwater and The Bridge Leisure Centre will return soon. Horsham Museum is closed but the stand will return once it re-opens. Currently, our stand at Swan Walk is not available, due to COVID. BACK ISSUES We do keep a few copies of past editions. Copies cost £3.50 each, which includes postage.

Email: editor@aahorsham.co.uk LEAFLETS We can deliver leaflets with AAH. Email: editor@aahorsham.co.uk £40 + VAT per 1,000 copies NOTES Following on from the introduction last month of a new stand at New House Farm in Horsham, we are delighted to have another new spring-loaded and specially-branded stand at The Milk Churn, a wonderful cafe at Bookham Harrison Farms, Old Brickworks, Rudgwick. www.bookhamharrison.co.uk

FAREWELL TANYA A special thanks to Tanya Forbes, who has delivered AAH Magazine to 350 houses every month for 4 years, but is now heading to the University of Surrey. All the very best, Tanya!

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Business

Health

Motors

Community

The founders of C&M Fire Alarms in Horsham look back as the company celebrates 50 years

Horsham Vegan Fest is growing in popularity thanks to a host of incredible new start-ups

Tony Roseaman at Cycle Sprays Paint in Cowfold on the growing fashion for retro-style motorbikes

Horsham Lions Club hosts its annual Swimarathon and makes an appeal for new members

FUELLING THE FIRE

Notes from the Editor: Should we blame the media for petrol rage?

I was enjoying a beer with a friend in the garden of a youth hostel in New Orleans in 2002 when a loud, brash American strolled over to introduce himself. When I replied, he said, “You’re British? What the hell happened to you guys after W.W.2?”

He seemed genuinely ignorant of any contribution our country had made in the 60 years since the war ended. However, he knew two things for sure. First, we drink warm beer. I tried telling him that that wasn’t entirely true, but he didn’t buy it. And secondly, we love queues.

Traditionally, we’ve been patient, haven’t we? At the Post Office, we stand there biting our tongue while a pensioner counts pennies out for a first class stamp, seemingly oblivious to the queue snaking beyond the door. Or we look on, pretending not to be bursting with inner rage as Maureen at booth 6 munches a sandwich in full view with her “CLOSED” board displayed. “Could you not wait five bloody minutes before going for lunch?”

Not that we’d say it out loud...

But the fuel crisis might have changed our queuing attitudes. We are usually calm, but seemingly not when there’s a prospect of missing out. Certainly, few of us acknowledge that we’re part of the problem.

It’s as if “panic buying” is something that only everybody else is doing, isn’t it?

I’m guilty of that too. My fuel dilemma isn’t a particularly dramatic one, although it is fairly typical. I woke up early on Saturday morning, had a cup of tea and read my book.

Because I’m old. I remembered seeing something on the news the night before about fuel shortages. So, just in case, I drove my wife’s car to the BP garage in Ashington. She’s a teacher and I knew she was low on fuel, so I thought I’d sort her out before I worried about my van, which remains empty.

As it was 7:30am, I wasn’t expecting a queue. But there it was, stretching out the forecourt and up to the roundabout 50 metres away. I was gobsmacked at this unprecedented situation until I watched the news later! I queued for 25 minutes and it was all very orderly and polite. I even directed a car to the far lane, which was clear but had been obscured by a lorry.

“Cheers mate!”

I put £60 of diesel in the car. Turns out I needed to, as it meant my wife could drive to work all week. But I wouldn’t normally put that much in, as my grandad told me years ago that you burn through fuel faster with a full tank as the car’s heavier, and that goes through my mind whenever I’m at the pump. Because of that, I usually put about £30 in the tank. So, by doubling that, I wasn’t buying petrol the way I would normally. I was a panic buyer. And because of panic buyers, the garage had run out of petrol by the afternoon.

As I write, we’re in that inquest period where we want answers. People seem genuinely mystified that the government didn’t have an emergency plan in place, as if there should be an emergency plan for everything! Now we’ve had time to reflect, we’re thinking of good ideas, as if they were obvious all along. Like reserving pumps for NHS staff and key workers. But that’s tricky too, isn’t it? Because none of us likes to be told that we’re not as important as others, do we? Whether we stock shelves at the supermarket or drive kids to school or deliver free magazines, somebody somewhere needs us, right?

One common argument is that it’s all the media’s fault. “None of this would have happened if it wasn’t plastered all over the papers!” It is true, in that millions of us wouldn’t have rushed out to a petrol station if the news hadn’t told us that there was a risk of forecourts running out due to a lack of tanker drivers. But you could say that about absolutely anything, couldn’t you? The news can hardly be blamed for reporting, well, the news!

However, when it comes down to our diminishing patience on the forecourt – fighting over queue cutting or the filling of Jerry cans – I do wonder if the media really is to blame. Would drivers fight and post videos to the Mail Online if they hadn’t seen videos of drivers fighting on the Mail Online?

It’s a vicious circle...

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NEWS ROUND-UP Announcements & Events from across the District

Horsham fireworks night (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2011)

Horsham fireworks Night will be held at The Cricket Ground, Horsham Sports Club, Cricketfield Road, Horsham on Saturday 30 October, with gates open for fair and food stalls at 5.30pm and fireworks at 7.30pm.

Fairground rides include a carousel and chair-o-planes. Only 1,000 spaces are available. Advance tickets £7 – £10 (U5s free) from the club or M&J News or https://biy.ly/HorshamFireworks

Slinfold Bonfire Night with fireworks will be held at the Red Lyon pub in The Street, Slinfold, on Saturday 6 November. There will be hot food including a BBQ and pulled pork. Gates open at 6.30pm with the bonfire lit at 7.30pm and the fireworks display starting at 8pm.

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens hosts a Halloween pumpkin trail on 23 – 31 October, with children encouraged to dress up in

ghoulish costumes. £2 per child, with garden entry required for non-members. www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk Fishers Farm Adventure Farm Park in Wisborough Green hosts Halloween Happy Hauntings during October half term. As well as mystical creatures, creepy houses and spooky beings, each day ends with the Monster Mash at the Halloween disco. www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk

No Jacket Required

HorshamHawks (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2015)

A Woman’s Life

No Jacket Required, the UK's top Phil Collins tribute, returns to the Capitol Theatre on Saturday 23 October. Thirty years after the release of Collins’ only live album, the band will incorporate all of those Serious Hits into their show, plus the best of the rest from his chart-topping career as a solo artist and with Genesis. No Jacket Required are a 12-piece band and their show has drawn acclaim from audiences over an 18-year career. Tickets £21.50 from www.thecapitolhorsham.com

Horsham Hawks Basketball Club has obtained Diversity Funding to launch an All Girls’ Development session for ages 10 to Under-16. Sessions are held at Collyer’s College on Tuesday evenings and are led by current players India Belfield (who played National League for Sevenoaks Suns and Worthing Thunder) and Teagan Holden (who played for Brighton Cougars). It is hoped that as well as developing basketball skills, the sessions will lead to a league team. www.horshamhawksbasketball.com

Lights & Bushels, an award-winning theatre company based in Horsham, premiere A Woman’s Life at The Capitol Studio on 21 – 23 October. The play is a new adaptation of Guy de Maupassant’s novel Une Vie, written

by Lights & Bushels co-founder Barry Syder. Set in 19th century Normandy, the book was described by Leo Tolstoy as “possibly the best French novel since Hugo’s Les Misérables.” Tickets £14 from www.thecapitolhorsham.com or (01403) 750220. www.lightsandbushels.com

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Self portrait by Vincent Lines (©HDC/Horsham Museum & Art Gallery)

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery reopens to the public on Saturday 2 October after being closed since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Initially, opening days will be Thursday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm, though it will also be open on Sunday 3 October. The Museum’s extended closure has provided an opportunity to refresh its galleries and exhibitions, with improved displays and new features. www.horshammuseum.org

To mark the re-opening of Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, the first temporary exhibition will celebrate the life of Vincent Lines during his time in Sussex. Appointed Master in Charge of Horsham School of Art in the mid-1930s, Lines spent the next decade living in the town, capturing Horsham and surrounding areas in his artwork. As well as painting, he was a master lithographer, capturing images on paper using a stone block.

Leigh Ann Gale of Horsham School of Botanical Artists has published a new book. Colour for Botanical Artists and Illustrators explores the world of colour in the plant kingdom and offers practical methods of using colour in botanical painting.

With over 500 images, the guide uses the author’s art, diagrams and step-by-step tutorials. Published by The Crowood Press, it costs £18.99 from www.crowood.com

The Queens Head in West Chiltington has opened a new library and digital hub. Publican Stephanie Young has transformed part of the pub into a relaxed area with sofas and books.

A digital hub has been introduced where villagers have free use of a PC. A Community Services Fund Grant from Pub is The Hub, a notfor-profit organisation, helped make the project possible. www.pubisthehub.org.uk

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Jeremy Weaver at St Mary’s Church (©AAH/Toby Phillips 2020)

Horsham Chamber Choir presents A Joyful Celebration of the Italian Baroque – Vivaldi Gloria at St Mary’s Church, the Causeway, Horsham, on Saturday 9 October, at 7.30pm. The choir has a new conductor, Olivia Shotton, bringing energy, joy and musical healing with Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Pergolesi’s ‘Magnificat’, balanced by the glorious ‘Cantate Dominum’ by Guiseppe Ottavio Pitoni and Isabella Leornarda’s ‘Ave Regina’. The choir will be supported by accompanist Jeremy Weaver, who will play the Albinoni’s ‘Adagio in G Minor’. Horsham Chamber Choir is an enthusiastic and forward-looking choir and has vacancies for new voices in all parts. Tickets £15 (£7 U18s) from information@horshamchamberchoir.org.uk or on the door. www.horsham-chamberchoir.org.uk

TOOVEY’S The Foxtrot Serenadors

The 2021 Autumn English Music Festival is held in Horsham on 12 – 14 November. The programme opens with a Friday evening concert at St Mary’s Church with Ensemble Hesperi performing baroque gems.

Saturday’s programme at the church begins with oboist Nicola Hands and pianist Jonathan Pease performing work by Elgar, Britten, Alwyn and Delius among others. The afternoon’s programme includes Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’ alongside works by Elgar and Ireland, while Saturday’s evening recital features English solo songs, with acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Nathan Williamson. On Sunday, the festival moves to the Drill Hall, Denne Road. It features flautist Emma Halnan and harpist Heather Wrighton, while the final concert marks Remembrance Sunday with music from the New Foxtrot Serenaders. www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk CORRECTION: The article on engineer Michael Lugg (AAH September 2021) incorrectly stated that he still owns a green Burrell engine. Since 2005, this engine (William the Second) has been owned by daughter Kate Russell, while Michael owns a different engine (The Admiral), a green Fowler.

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and enjoy refreshments. Men’s Shed is a place where men can feel at home and pursue practical interests in a safe, friendly environment. www.mens-shed-horsham.org.uk

Horsham District Council is looking at ways to tackle the threat of ash dieback disease affecting trees on its land. Ash dieback is a fungal disease affecting the common ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) and other Fraxinus species. The impact of the disease can vary greatly. However, infection can lead to leaf loss and dead branches throughout the crown and clumps of new growth.

In some cases, it can pose a risk to people and property, so the Council is looking at ways to inspect and fell trees in a timely fashion. Woods will be left to natural regeneration rather than replanting. www.horsham.gov.uk/ashdieback

Horsham Park has received two accolades by the 2021 South and South East in Bloom awards scheme. The park was awarded a Silver-Gilt in the ‘Large Park’ category and a ‘Thriving’ in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category. Sally Sanderson, Chair of Friends of Horsham Park, said: “It’s crucial that the park is maintained to a high standard so that it’s welcoming, safe and a great place to be.

Winning the awards is recognition for all those who have contributed time, money, energy and ideas to make the park a fabulous place for our community and visitors.”

Dead ash trees (©HDC)

The Horsham Men's Shed in Duke's Square (behind the Drill Hall) Denne Road, RH12 1JF, is holding an Open Day on Saturday 9 October, 10am 2pm. All are welcome to come and look around, talk to the “Shedders”

Horsham Men’s Shed (©Toby Phillips Photography/AAH 2019) 12

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Pulaski will perform at a showcase at The Rec Rooms in Horsham on Thursday 14 October, from 7pm. The band (then called Pulanski Swam) toured extensively in the mid-1990s, co-headlining alongside indie luminaries Powder, Swervedriver, Strangelove and many others. After signing for Isobel Records and recording a well-received EP, Pulaski disbanded and it has been 25 years since they last performed. But now Pulaski are back to play Horsham (where two members live) before a headline gig at Brighton Electric on 11 December. www.pulaski.uk Horsham United Reformed Church at 45 Springfield Road, Horsham hosts ‘Surrounded by a Thousand Angels’ on 1 – 7 November. Life has been a struggle for many during the pandemic, with loved ones and friends lost and families unable to attend funerals to pay their final respects. The event offers time and space for remembering with prayers, candles, poetry and uplifting music.

Visitors can sit surrounded by an exhibition of a thousand ethereal angels, inspired by a similar event at Ripon Cathedral. On the final day, there will be a roll call for all those people for whom prayers have been requested. www.horshamurc.org.uk

Team Harvey and Sellebrity Soccer (©VJT Photography and Jade Green Productions)

Horsham Football Club hosted a celebrity charity match on Sunday 12 September. Team Harvey, led by former So Solid Crew member MC Harvey, won 6-4 against Sellebrity Soccer, captained by former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder turned pundit Jamie O’Hara. The match also featured the likes of former England and Manchester United defender Wes Brown, Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison, Soccer AM’s ‘Tubes’ and Horsham FC legend Eddie French. Commentary came from Sky Sports News presenter Tom White. The match raised funds for Dom’s Food Mission. www.domsfoodmission.com

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GARY CHARMAN

MY STORY: FROM SPARROWS TO HORSHAM FC LEGEND On 19 September 2021, Gary Charman made a record-breaking 615th appearance for the Hornets in an FA Cup qualifying tie at Kingstonian. Here, Gary reflects on the highs and lows of his life in football...

I was walking though Horsham Park with my family when we came across a Horsham Sparrows training session. They were starting an under-8s team and my older brother Paul joined the club. I was only five and was too young to play matches, but they let me join in with the training.

At the end of my first session, coach Roger Bashford booted the ball high into the air and said, “anyone who heads this can play on Saturday!” Everyone ran away, but I stayed. I watched the ball travel through the air and just let it hit my head!

I played in the under-8s for three years until my age group caught up. From then on right through to under-15s, I played in the centre of midfield alongside my good friend Warren Sweatman, in Perry Begin’s Sparrows team. We were a great side and won everything locally, leading to me being picked for the Sussex rep side.

“I am known for being a very committed player with a winning mentality.”

We won a cup final with Sussex and I scored a brace. After the game, Watford and Chelsea approached me and that led to me spending five years at Chelsea.

Twice a week, my parents or grandparents would drive me to Battersea for three-hour training sessions. I was also a ball boy at every other Chelsea home game. They paid a small allowance but it wasn’t even enough to cover the petrol!

I played for Chelsea u-15s, u-16s and u-18s, in the same group as future stars including John Terry, Carlton Cole and Jody Morris.

We had a strong side and I played against people like Steven Gerrard. We beat Liverpool 3-2 and I scored. I remember how unbelievably fast Michael Owen was!

I travelled with Chelsea’s first team for an FA Cup tie once, although wasn’t selected for the squad. The coaching at Chelsea was incredible though and made me a much better player. When you’re young you don’t appreciate it, but now I think about training with the likes of Gianfranco Zola and Ruud Gullit and realise what an unbelievable experience it was. At Horsham, a few lads used to play for Brighton and they talk about playing alongside Bobby Zamora. I smirk and say, “Yeah, he’s good! But he’s no Zola!”

They introduced a rule whereby youth players needed to live within a 40-mile catchment area. We were a few miles over that and moving closer wasn’t an option for us, so it was over for me at Chelsea. It was hard to take, especially as I felt I was one of the best in my year group. It didn’t help that some of my team mates went on to have amazing careers! But I stayed positive as Brighton, Southampton, Portsmouth and even Crawley were options for me.

While at Chelsea, I’d been encouraged to also play for Horsham, my home town. I trained twice a week at Chelsea, once at Horsham and made my first team debut in 1997, aged 16. The manager Russell Mason

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Gary (with ball) played for Perry Begin’s dominant Horsham Sparrows team for many years (Photo courtesy of the Charman family)

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Gary with older brother Paul pick up awards at Sparrows Day at Horsham’s old Queen Street ground (Photo courtesy of the Charman family)

was good at nurturing talent. He was clever with me, as I’d start against lesser teams at home, but if we were away to a big, physical side, he’d put me on the bench until the last 20 minutes.

Horsham felt I was worth much more, but Yeovil were taking a big risk too, as I was a kid playing non-league football. It was unfortunate for me, as that might have been my chance to play professionally.

After a couple of seasons, us younger players grew physically and we developed into a very good side. In 2000, we had a strong run in the FA Cup, reaching the 4th qualifying round against Yeovil Town. They were top of the Conference and were promoted to League Two at the end of that season. But we played well and took them to a replay. After the tie, Yeovil made a bid for me but it was rejected.

I prepared myself properly for every game and gave my all for Horsham, as it only took one game to change everything. There could be somebody watching you. I am known for being a very committed player with a winning mentality. It didn’t matter if it was a running race at school or a football match, I wanted to win.

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When John Maggs became manager, we weren’t a great team. He changed things around and within 18 months we were top of the league and doing well in cup competitions too. This led to one of the great nights at Queen Street, when we faced Swansea in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup in 2007.

People forget how well we did to get there.

We beat AFC Wimbledon and Maidenhead as underdogs and because of the qualifying rounds we played six games to reach the 2nd round, as many as a Premier League team plays to win the FA Cup outright!

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Swansea were top of League One and going places under Roberto Martinez.

Within two years, they were a strong Premier League side. So, the game was the talk of the town. I've certainly never experienced three weeks like it. I’d always been known as a footballer amongst people my own age in Horsham, but because I was the only local lad playing in this unbelievable cup run, I felt like a mini celebrity! I’d walk through town and be stopped constantly. The club sold out 2,000 tickets in just over two hours. I also remember the landlord at The Bedford saying they had to shut the doors at 5:30pm because the pub was full, as the game was on Sky Sports.

“In the changing room after the Swansea game, the lads celebrated like we’d won the Cup!” It was a horrendous November evening.

The rain battered down and if the covers hadn’t been on we’d never have played.

I remember seeing the Swansea team and thinking, “he's only left out a couple from the last league game!” So, Martinez took us seriously. They scored in the first half but our ‘keeper Paul Seuke made some good saves to keep us in the game. As the second half wore on, we had more possession and I started thinking, “This could happen!”

And it did. With five minutes left, we won a penalty and Lewis Taylor scored.

The crowd ran on the pitch at the end and I remember an old friend Neil Vanson grabbing me and saying, “Proud of you, Gazza!” In the changing room, the lads celebrated like we’d won the Cup and as it was a Friday night, headed into town. I wanted to enjoy the moment with a beer but was so physically shattered that I had to go home after ten minutes! We lost the replay at Swansea 6-2, but it was an experience I’ll never forget. The club deserved that success as we hadn’t had much to shout about for a while.

I’ve picked up a lot of injuries. The worst was in 2009 when I fractured by cheekbone and damaged my eye socket. I required an operation and it took a long time to recover. Even now, I play with a protective mask.

Gary attacks the Swansea defence in Horsham’s famous cup match in 2007 (Photo courtesy of John Lines)

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“I’m very proud to have my own song and still love hearing it from the Lardy Army!”

Gary scores a stunning volley against Barton Rovers. (Photo courtesy of John Lines)

When I played for Bognor in the Conference South, I kicked an opponent’s boot in a tackle and thought, “that hurts!” I said I was okay as it was a huge game and I didn’t want to come off. So, I strapped my ankle up at half time and played the full match. We won 1-0, but the following morning my leg was badly swollen, so I drove myself to hospital. I’d played for 80 minutes with two breaks in my lower leg.

In 2013, I returned to Horsham as player-manager. It was a tough time as after moving from Queen Street the club didn’t have a permanent home ground. Plans for Hop Oast had been rejected at the time, so we played at Lancing, Worthing or Horsham YMCA. I was still playing regularly at the time and stepped in because I love the club.

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Gary in 1997 at the start of his Horsham FC journey (Photo courtesy of the Charman family)

He plays with a protective mask following a bad injury (Photo courtesy of John Lines)

After spells at Eastbourne Borough and Bognor Regis, I signed for Horsham for the fourth time in 2019, aged 38. When you step out the changing rooms, there are pictures of Horsham teams throughout the years. The younger players look at the black and white photos and joke, “You in this, Gazza?”

Playing at 40 isn’t something many people achieve. You can always work on fitness, but you can’t dictate when your body will pack up and I’ve been fortunate in that respect.

We haven't played much in the past two years because of COVID. It’s been a tough start to this season too, but I believe that (Horsham manager) Dominic Di Paolo has assembled a strong side with a great team spirit, as good as any I’ve experienced before. I’m sure results will pick up soon.

I made my 615th appearance for Horsham at Kingstonian, surpassing Mark Stepney’s record. Although we drew and then won the replay, the game didn’t go well for me personally, as I injured my hamstring. Having broken the record, I did have a moment at home when I reflected on the fact that in 140 years of the club’s history, no-one has played more games than me.

Would I have preferred to have played professionally? Yes, of course! Any footballer wants to play at the highest level they can and I’m disappointed that a bigger club never took a chance on me. But I’m so proud of what I have achieved and looking back now, I don’t have any regrets.

The Lardy Army (Horsham fans), have a song for me, ‘Caravan of Love’. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why! But whatever the reason, I’m very proud to have my own song and still love hearing it.

The new stadium has moved Horsham FC into the 21st century. The 3G pitch is the best in the south of England in my view and I think the club will go from strength to strength. In five years’ time, I believe Horsham could be heading towards league football. We have a great location with a big potential fanbase, and great coaching personnel with Jimmy Punter in the first team, as well as u-18s coach Mark Hawthorne and Head of Youth Craig Brewster, who have both played at a high level.

I must thank my partner Amy, who for 17 years has supported me every step of the way, experiencing the ups and downs and helping me recover from my

Gary is a fan’s favourite because of his commitment and desire (Photo courtesy of John Lines)

injuries. And words can’t describe how special my parents are. Twenty-five years ago, they did the 88-mile round trip to Chelsea twice a week and ever since I first joined Horsham, they’ve been massively important members of the team; my mum Jeannie on the meet-and-greet side and my dad Roger on the security side. They love Horsham FC and I suspect I'll be retiring long before they do!

INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT, JOHN LINES, THE CHARMAN FAMILY For the latest Horsham FC news and results, visit www.horshamfc.co.uk HorshamFC 21

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SKY’S THE LIMIT

MAMMA MIA! STAR SET FOR HOMETOWN PANTOMIME

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So, who’s this then?

Toby Miles, who will play the title role in the Capitol’s pantomime, Aladdin.

Never heard of him. What soap’s he in?

None of them. Rather than book a soap star or Christopher Biggins to headline this year’s production, the Capitol have opted for someone local.

Grabbed some poor guy off the street, did they?

If that’s the case, they were lucky, as 25-year-old Toby is quite the performer.

Perhaps his finest hour to date is playing Marius in the West End production of Les Misérables. Nobody will be complaining about the standard of singing…

Toby at The Capitol (© AAH/Alan Wright)

Toby as the cowardly lion in Act Too’s production of The Wizard of Oz (Photo courtesy of Toby Miles)

And he’s a local lad, you say?

Toby went to St Mary's Primary School in Horsham where he played Fagin in the school’s production of Oliver! He has lived in and around the town ever since and is excited to be returning to the Capitol.

Has he done panto before then?

No, but as a boy Toby was a member of Act Too Arts Academy, which often performs at the Capitol to showcase the talents of students. One show Toby remembers is The Wizard of Oz, in which he played the cowardly lion.

“When I went to the theatre for the press photographs for Aladdin, I was in the same dressing room I used all those years ago when I’d just started secondary school. It was a strange feeling!”

Les Misérables was the first show I ever saw, so for it to be my first professional job means it has a special place in my heart.”

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He’s always loved performing then?

Indeed. Toby would even sit on the school bus listening to songs from the musicals. He says, “I was one of those theatrical children who put on shows at home. I remember dancing around the garden sprinklers with my sisters singing ‘It's Raining Men’.”

Not the sporty type…

His dad took him to Horsham Park to play football once, but Toby stood in the goal kicking leaves around, singing Elvis songs! Instead, it was the stage where he felt happiest, although he can play several instruments too. “Act Too was a wonderful, consistent thing in my life as a child,” he recalls. “It was a fun, safe environment for someone who didn’t necessarily fit in elsewhere and prepared me for performing arts school.”

Where was that?

Hurtwood House in Dorking, where he received a scholarship. Toby attributes his successes to date largely to his experiences at Hurtwood. It led to him attending Arts Educational School,

London, where an audition open to all students landed him a role in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables, then the longestrunning musical in the West End. Lucky break, right?

Toby describes it as a “dream come true”. He adds: “I went to drama school not expecting much, as the industry is saturated with talent. I didn't expect to be in anything, let alone one of the biggest shows in London. Les Mis was the first show I ever saw, the show my parents went to on their first date and also my first show for Act Too when I was eight. So, for it to be my first professional job in 2018 means it has a special place in my heart.”

That’s over now though, is it?

Toby was in the last cast of the original production. Les Mis recently returned with a new cast at a refurbished Queen’s Theatre (now renamed The Sondheim Theatre).

However, Toby stepped straight into another major production, featuring the music of one of the greatest bands of the 1970s.

Jefferson Starship?

ABBA. Toby plays Sky in the UK and International Tour production of Mamma Mia! The tour has been disrupted by COVID and during a tough time for everyone in the entertainment industry, Toby worked at his father’s company selling swimming pools and hot tubs.

However, he was able to spend three weeks in Paris with Mamma Mia! With life now returning to some normality, the production travelled to Dubai for a two-week run in September and embarks on a UK tour in February 2022, coming to the Brighton Centre on 27 August.

What does he sing?

Sky’s main song is ‘Lay All Your Love on Me’, which in the film version was performed by Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried.

Not Dancing Queen?

No. How about the one that sounds a bit Greek? I like that…

‘Chiquitita’? No. Nonetheless, Toby says it’s an incredible show. “Every time, without fail, everyone in the audience is up dancing for the final medley. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of!”

Toby at The Capitol (© AAH/Alan Wright)

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“Some Mamma Mia! scenes are set on the beach and that requires me to bare my chest. So, I need to stay in shape!”

Sounds like a fun job…

But it does have different demands. Toby used to spend his day off from Les Misérables sleeping and recovering. These days, he spends any spare time he gets at the gym. “I have to work out for Mamma Mia!” he says.

“Some of my scenes are set on the beach and that requires me to bare my chest. To give me the confidence to strip on stage I need to stay in shape!”

Toby (far right) plays Sky in a new touring production of Mamma Mia! (© Brinkhoff-Moegenburg) 26

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We’re getting a well-toned Aladdin then?

Thanks for linking it back to Horsham! The tour’s schedule gives Toby time to take up pantomime duties for the first time and he’s looking forward to contributing to a memorable family show in his home town. He said: “I haven’t even seen the script yet, but my family have already booked tickets for Christmas Eve and are joking about how strange it’ll be to see my face on the posters. The Capitol staff have done an incredible job with the décor in lockdown and you can see the love they have for the venue. I’m sure that’ll be reflected in the show too.”

INTERVIEW: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT/TOBY MILES/BRINKHOFFMOEGENBURG Further information Aladdin, written by Morgan Brind and directed by Zoe Waterman, will be at The Capitol Theatre on 3 – 31 December 2021. For tickets visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com or call (01403) 750220.

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SAX APPE

Coolham Live continues to attract cream of musical crop At a stable block in Coolham, Tom Waters performs a saxophone solo to a small yet attentive crowd of music lovers.

Backed by his equally talented and youthful band Electric People, Tom performs a song

by Derek Nash, a regular in Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and in Tom’s opinion one of the best saxophonists in the world. Nash has himself performed at Coolham Live Music Club, which for eight years has consistently showcased brilliant acts.

The gigs are organised by Graeme Tame and are mostly held at the Village Hall. However, in the summer months, he opens the doors to his home and welcomes acts to play to a small audience, many of whom bring their own food, drink and even chairs.

Graeme said: “It’s strange that the club is still a hidden gem and that more people haven’t discovered it, because we host some fantastic bands. What is different about the club is that everybody comes to listen, whether it’s jazz, blues, soul, rock, bluegrass or anything else.”

“In many venues, musicians have to contend with people chatting whilst they’re playing.

Here, the audience quietly listen and sometimes that can throw people. Acts can look a bit like a rabbit in the headlights sometimes! But most love it as it challenges them. Guitarist Dave Itel has played to thousands of people, performing with everyone from Chaka Khan to Beyonce, but he once told me that he gets more nervous playing the village hall in front of 80 people than performing at a sold-out stadium!”

“We tend to attract an older clientele that maybe doesn’t want to go to gigs in clubs and pubs. They want to enjoy the music and be up-close-and-personal. One of the great things about this is that people can bring their own food and drink, which makes it a very sociable experience. That’s why we have a lot of regulars. And even if they’ve never heard of the acts, they trust me to book the best talent.”

Inspired by Big Jim The late Jim Sullivan, a well-known local guitarist, used to bring acts together to play at Coolham Village Hall, attracting a small, knowledgeable crowd. Graeme was a regular at Big Jim’s and had himself organised gigs for Ben Waters, a local boogie-woogie pianist (and father of saxophonist Tom Waters).

When Big Jim passed away, Graeme stepped up keep live music in the village.

The acts he books may not be household names, but many are well-known in music circles, often as session musicians, as is the case with sax player Derek Nash, Mick Moody (guitarist with Whitesnake) and bassist Herbie Flowers (who recorded the famous bass line on Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’. Local acts often take support slots and the club is a great supporter of emerging talent.

“We attract an older clientele that maybe doesn’t want to go to gigs in clubs and pubs. They want to enjoy the music.”

September’s gig was kicked off in style by Chelsea Blues, assisted by guitarist Kevanie Memekie (known as Kev). The jazz/neo-soul singer from London performed her own material including new release ‘Wild Spirit’, throwing in occasional covers by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys before bravely

launching into a freestyle section, where she did an admirable job of conjuring a new song from random words suggested by the audience. It’s unlikely Chelsea has had to contend with “horses”, “stables” and “clouds” in the clubs of London!

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Chelsea Blues accompanied by Kevanie ‘Kev’ Memekie on guitar (© AAH/Alan Wright)

Coolham Live Music Club attracts an attentive audience

Having performed at venues including Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Chelsea was on the verge of big things prior to COVID. Now, she’s rebuilding and adapting to a changing music marketplace.

Chelsea Blues enjoys a freestyle section during her performance

Chelsea said: “The gig was wonderful as it’s the first time in a long time that we’ve played to an older crowd. We always try to get the audience involved and singing along, as the moment they sing one line, you’ve got them!”

you only have to sing one line and people start whooping and dancing! For me, the audience is part of every performance and sometimes people won’t listen to you unless you give them a reason to, especially in London. But I’m very commanding on stage, talking to the crowd between songs and demanding some respect. You’re not going to sit opposite me and have your own conversation! I'm going to look you in the eye and say, ‘Hey guys, you having a good time over there?’”

“I’m from the Bahamas and Kev is Jamaican and we like to do things differently. Here, people listen and applaud at the end. That’s how you show appreciation! In the Caribbean,

“But here in Coolham, it’s different. Everyone listens, which pushes you, especially when you’re someone like me who likes to do things on the fly!”

Emerging Talent Headlining the gig was 20-year-old Tom Waters’ Electric People. Few saxophonists can boast such a remarkable start to their career and already Tom has recorded with legends including Ray Davies and Ronnie Wood. He has made a name for himself on the touring circuit, playing with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Mungo Jerry, Broken Social Scene and Nine Below Zero.

As a boy, Tom travelled the world with his dad, piano ace Ben Waters, but it was the saxophone that captivated him. He now studies at The Royal Academy of Music and 31

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making a name for himself on the jazz scene with his band. Tom modelled for Ralph Lauren at the Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum launch in Cannes in July. Fashion is clearly part of his stage persona too, however, it’s the music that marks Tom out as one of the country’s most promising sax talents. He treated the Coolham audience to renditions of songs by artists as varied as The Beatles and Derek Nash, alongside his band comprising Artie Zaitz (organ), Jack Thomas (drums) and Marcus Praestgaard-Steven (guitar).

Tom Waters’ Electric People at Graeme’s Stables, Coolham

Tom said: “I first played at Coolham when I was only nine or ten, along with my dad. So, it’s great to now be here with my own band. I love being on stage with these guys and having my own band is great, as I get to play all my favourite tunes!”

Back to Normal

32

October’s gig will see the club return to the Village Hall for the first time since before the first lockdown. There will be a reduction in usual numbers to promote social distancing, so tickets are already selling quickly. Then in December, Chelsea Blues returns for the Christmas Special, supporting Yolonda Charles, named one of the top 10 bassists in the world by Bass Guitar Magazine.

“Yolonda is unbelievable,” says Graeme.

“She has played with the likes of Jeff Beck, Robbie Williams, Paul Weller and Sting, but like so many acts we bring in she is happy to come here with her own band because they get a listening audience to their own material.”

“We started this club as a non-profit making venture and I don't take anything out of it. We just like to get enough money to pay the musicians and give the sound guys a few quid. We have a whip round for Chestnut Tree children’s hospice too and have raised over £15,000 since we started. If at the end of the night I’m not out of pocket, that’s a bonus. But even if I do lose a bit, at least I’ve seen some great live music!”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT Further information: coolhamlivemusicclub Chelsea Blues www.cbluesjazz.com @cblues.jazz Tom Waters www.tomwaters.co.uk TomWatersSax

CLINIC 121SHOWS VALUE OF One of our luxurious treatment rooms

The beautiful entrance to Clinic 121

EXPERIENCE Clinic 121 offer a range of Aesthetic & Cosmetic treatments all carried out by experienced Therapists, Clinicians and Nurse Practitioners at their prestigious new Clinic in the heart of Horsham.

Here, owner Annette Mitchell describes her painful journey to open the Clinic and the ethical questions that the beauty industry faces…..

I have always had a healthy interest in all things ‘beauty’ and discovered that if you look great, you generally tend to feel great!

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Having been a regular visitor to many beauty salons in the past, I have always felt that there was a niche for somewhere that pays as much attention to customer service as the treatments they offer.

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On many occasions, my designated therapist would be a young, newly qualified Beauty Therapist keen to make her way in the world, which was lovely, but as a woman of a certain age I would have preferred a therapist closer in age to me, given the choice. Having to de-robe in front of these young lovelies is intimidating for both parties. Such experiences gave me a desire for me to set up my own Clinic, where traditional values become one of the most integral parts of the business but one dedicated specifically to offering advice and treatment for the early signs of ageing.

Clinic 121 was set up in 2018 initially, offering anti-ageing treatments to men and women over the age of 35. We were lucky enough to secure a short tenancy above a friend’s hairdressing salon in Worthing and I was especially lucky to meet Karen, who shared my passion and vision and who quickly became my ‘wing woman’. Together we built a team of like-minded Therapists and Clinicians who each had their own area of expertise and many years of experience.

Our first year in business was great but slightly overshadowed by my husband’s poor health. Tom had been diagnosed with bowel cancer some years before and although we encountered some very difficult times he always remained my inspiration for starting Clinic 121 and the support that he offered me became my driving force.

During a shopping trip to Horsham, we found ourselves at Martha’s Barn in Middle Street.

The shop had the best view of the High Street and I knew it would be the perfect location for our Clinic, should it become available. Tom had been friends with Laxley (Martha’s Barn owner) for many years and that’s where the idea of taking over the premises initiated. We knew it would be a challenge, as the shop premises were extensive – which would mean the cost to renovate would be expensive too!

But it was an opportunity not to be missed and one which would enable us to grow the business substantially.

After a series of meetings, we made a decision to take the plunge and relocate the business to Horsham. Our initial plan was to reopen in Horsham in February 2020. This would give us time over Christmas to carry out renovations. Or so we thought...

What happened next could never have been foreseen. Tom was taken ill in October 2019 as we prepared to close the Worthing business.

He was admitted to hospital for a routine procedure. He was supposed to be there for three days but due to unforeseen circumstances his stay lasted four months. Through a series of complications, Tom suffered a cardiac arrest just before Christmas, which inevitably meant plans for the new Clinic were put on hold. Sadly, Tom lost his fight and passed away in February 2020. Nothing could have prepared me for this devastation. To make matters worse, the country then went into the lockdown in March.

Although lockdown was a particularly difficult period for us all, I was lucky enough to be at home with my two grown up children and the family dog. Unable to share my grief with friends or family, I spent hours walking along the South Downs which gave me time and

space to think. This helped me to heal the pain of losing Tom and gave me the inspiration to carry on building the new Clinic. I knew that Tom would have wanted me to make the dream a reality. I was supported by my amazing family, friends and the team who I had worked with previously in Worthing and was able to pick myself up, dust myself down and start all over again.

We took over the premises in Horsham in September 2020, some eight months after our initial planned opening date. I can safely say that these were some of the most difficult days of my life. Taking on such a commitment was going to be a challenge, especially with the threat of more lockdowns. But somehow I developed the most intense determination and began to design and plan, often working late into the night. Luckily, interior design has always been a passion of mine and this became a kind of therapy for me.

Refurbishing the premises to produce such a fantastic outcome couldn’t have been achieved without the help from a group of very special people. The guys from Martha’s Barn carried out all of the building and renovation works and myself, friends and my wonderful team did all of the decorating. The interior is stylish with white marble flooring and elements of traditional styling to make it a relaxing and luxurious place to unwind. The music and the gorgeous smell of essential oils make our treatment rooms the perfect oasis from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

We opened on 4 December 2020, before yet another lockdown which lasted until April. To say this has all been bad luck would be an understatement! However, you just have to deal with the hand you’ve been dealt. I am a determined person who had a vision and personal reasons to create this business, and I can say it has been a worthwhile challenge as it would appear the people of Horsham and surrounding areas have longed for something like this in town for some time. The response we receive is incredible and has made every stage of the difficult journey a real pleasure.

So what makes us so special and why should you choose us? It’s a winning combination of the best range of treatments all carried out by qualified and experienced practitioners within luxurious surroundings, with a special emphasis on exceptional client care, before, during and after your treatment. We are all professionals with many years of experience in our different fields, but most importantly we are relatable in age and the experiences we have endured throughout our lives. We listen and understand the concerns of clients, then offer the best professional advice and treatment plans.

We are lucky to be working alongside a local company offering Mediterranean-inspired luxury skincare and results driven treatments, TempleSpa, a brand synonymous with some of the world’s leading hotels, spas and cruise liners. We considered it necessary to offer an exclusive range of luxury treatments for the face and body as well as more targeted therapies for common skin concerns.

We are also able to offer treatments for most common skin concerns such as acne, eczema, PCOS, rosacea, scarring, pigmentation, milia, spider veins, laser hair removal, leg thread vein

37

Annette and Karen at Clinic 121

removal as well as a full range of aesthetic injectables such as Botox, Dermal Fillers, Vitamin B12, fat dissolving and slimming injections. We are skin specialists and offer some of the best solutions for banishing lines and wrinkles, using some of the latest technology available. We also offer a range of Semi-Permanent Make-Up treatments such as Micro-bladed Brows, eyeliner, lip liner and full lip blush. We will also be introducing a dedicated skin analysis clinic in the New Year, partnering with Obagi.

Currently, the beauty industry remains unregulated, which in essence means that anyone can do a one-day course to learn how to administer an injection of Botox or Dermal Filler. This is something we feel very strongly about at Clinic 121. There are so many risks of things going wrong if you choose someone who is not a registered Nurse Practitioner to carry our your injectable treatment. Sadly, at present we are living with a young fashion for full lips, cheeks and heavily tattooed eyebrows.

We are inundated with young ladies enquiring about the price rather than who will be carrying out the treatment. As members of the JCCP, we are committed to offering professional advice. Price should never be

the most important factor when considering a medical enhancement to your face or body.

Our treatments are carried out by highly qualified nurse practitioners registered with the Royal College of Nursing and Midwifery Council .

We have been influenced by many negative forces throughout our journey to open our beautiful Clinic, but remain determined to bring you the best experience that you can hope for, whether choosing one of our luxury treatments or talking to us about a more clinical skin condition. The continued feedback and great reviews keep us focused on offering you the best treatment. We love being in Horsham and look forward to a very successful future in the town. We would love to see you, so please drop in to say hello! You are always welcome!

For a full list of treatments that we offer ot to book a consultation/appointment, please visit www.clinic121.uk

5a Middle Street, Horsham, RH12 1NW (01403) 276655 info@clinic121.uk Advertising Promotion

The C&M Fire Alarms Team at the City Business Centre, Horsham (© AAH/Alan Wright)

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BLAZE OF GLORY

HORSHAM FIRE ALARM SPECIALIST CELEBRATES 50 YEARS C&M Fire Alarms in Horsham is celebrating 50 years since its foundation.

Rod Stewart was high in the charts with ‘Maggie May’ and the country was days away from the first ever episode of Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game when Robin Carter launched his own business. He was soon joined by friend Ken Marsh and the two endured testing times before building a successful brand. Today, C&M’s vans are a familiar sight, with a team on nine engineers carrying out installations, service and maintenance of fire alarms.

Starting Out...

Robin has been in the trade since 1959, starting as an apprentice at London-based company Strand Electrics before joining Dunford Fire Alarms, a Newcastle-based firm that capitalised on new legislation on fire safety. “Smoke detectors were new and were being installed everywhere,” recalls Robin. “Before then, if you wanted to sound a fire alarm, you had to activate it manually.”

Having been promoted to supervisor, Robin took on a new engineer, Ken Marsh, and they both progressed through the ranks until Robin felt he had the knowledge to set up his own business. “I knew about electrics but didn't have a clue about starting a company!’ he admits. “Fortunately, a friend introduced me to a solicitor and an accountant, who told me I needed £200 to set up, which was a lot back then. I remember my father telling me, “whatever you do, make sure it's a limited company because you’ve a mortgage!” So, I did.”

He was joined in the new venture by brother Peter and friend Ken, combining the surnames Carter and Marsh to form C&M. They ran the business from Robin’s home near Croydon, with his wife Hazel taking on the duties of secretary while also raising a family. The company focused on fire alarms for industrial, commercial and residential businesses rather than homes, but also undertook electrical contracting jobs to keep busy.

Ken recalls: “In the early years, we had to work three day weeks. Everyone was struggling as we had miner strikes, recessions, you name it. Like most people, we had to do odd jobs to make ends meet and sadly, Ken had little choice but to find employment elsewhere.”

Building a Brand The business turned a corner when it took on sub-contracting work for an established firm, Safety Alarm Services (SAS). Although this brought Ken back into the fold, it meant travelling to Liverpool and Birmingham, far from home, and Peter decided to step away from the business.

Robin says, “We spent Monday to Thursday away and came home on Fridays to carry out any local work. Every day, we’d start at 7am and finish late at night, so it was hard work.

One night, we were walking back to the motel when we smelt smoke. Being in the trade, we investigated and found it was

“In the early years we had to work three day weeks. Everyone was struggling as we had miner strikes, recessions, you name it.”

Robin Carter

coming from one of the rooms. I banged on the door while Ken went for help and when we finally got inside, there was a guy lying on the bed. His eiderdown (duvet) had smoke pouring out of it, so we picked it up and threw it out of the window just as it went up in flames. We probably saved the man’s life!”

“We had all kinds of adventures, but it wasn’t easy being away from home. It was especially tough on our wives and our success would not have been possible without Hazel. She put up with so much, running the office with two young daughters to look after.”

Horsham move...

Robin Carter at a local business exhibition before the days of flat screen TVs (©C&M Fire Alarms)

Traditional Values... ...Modern Approach

Quality Service

The business moved to Horsham and its first local job was installing a fire alarm at the King's Head in the Carfax.

C&M moved out of an office at the Carters’ home and into the town centre, above the current Commodore Café.

After a few years, they moved to 56 North Street, before a shrewd business decision saw C&M become the first company at the new City Business Centre off Brighton Road. It has remained there for 28 years, working for countless local companies and organisations. However, C&M’s success owes much to its work in the rail industry.

Ken says: “We had done a bit of work for British Rail, installing fire alarms at small stations. But everything changed when we were asked to quote for the fire system at London Victoria. We weren’t initially successful and some time passed before the company that won the contract asked us if we’d carry out the work as a subcontractor. We were delighted, but asked how they planned to still make money. As it transpires, they were pricing the job in a way we felt was dishonest, so we turned them down.”

“Later, we were contacted by the developers directly and asked to take over the entire project. We ended up

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True Craftsmanship We are a family run business based in the heart of West Sussex just five miles from the busy town of Horsham. We are passionate about what we do & pride ourselves on customer care, attention to detail & the highest quality of craftsmanship.

We offer upholstery services for both modern & traditional furniture with ‘made to order’ solid beech frame furniture now available from our showroom. Our online gallery has some examples of our work, which covers three piece suites, antique chairs, dining chairs, headboards & much more.

We can give any piece of furniture a new lease of life using traditional methods and techniques. We have a wide range of fabrics to choose from & offer free fabric samples.

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working at Victoria for a year, installing fire alarms, detectors and a network of analogue address system across the whole station, including all the shops and 19 platforms.”

“Thanks to that one job, we won contracts at major stations including Clapham Junction, East Croydon, King's Cross and Paddington. As well as London, we work across the south east rail network, which has been pivotal to our success.”

“We always say we’re small enough to care, but big enough to do whatever needs doing.”

Bright Future

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C&M Fire Alarms’ longevity is largely due to organic growth and positive work-ofmouth recommendations, with some of its local customers staying loyal for over 30 years. However, the industry has changed greatly and the business has needed to adapt.

Where the its early years were primarily focused on installations as legislation for fire safety was introduced, the business has also progressed to the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) to ensure equipment continues to meet fire alarm

After 50 years, Robin and Ken are still an integral part of the business (© AAH/Alan Wright)

industry regulations. With over 800 sites across the south east, C&M has continued to grow through unprecedented times.

These days, Robin and Ken take more of a back seat, but it’s still very much a family firm. Robin says, “Some years ago, I asked my daughters Debbie and Victoria if they wanted to become part of C&M and was delighted they decided to come on board and keep it in the family. They are both an integral part of the business with Victoria being Managing Director/Finance Director and Debbie our Commercial/HR Director.”

“In-addition, Ken’s son Rick is Operations Director and his wife Julie is part of the management team as Servicing Admin

Manager. We have a wonderful team of managers, supervisors, engineers and office staff, so the future looks bright.We always say we’re small enough to care, but big enough to do whatever needs doing. That’s a good place to be and we’d like to say a big “thank you” to all who have been part of our 50-year journey.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT Further information: C&M Fire Alarms are based at: Unit 26 City Business Centre, Brighton Road Horsham, RH13 5BB Tel: (01403) 268178 www.cmfirealarms.com

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Hear Better - Feel Better New “mask mode” features

Over the last year, we have all found it difficult to hear and communicate while wearing masks. Anyone with a hearing loss has found it even more of a struggle.

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Living in isolation can be bad for your health and wellbeing. For many people, poor hearing can lead to isolation and withdrawal.

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All hearing aids amplify sounds, but ours improve clarity New Apps available on smartphones allow you to change volume, switch memories and much more. Monitor your body and brain health, set daily goals, and answer calls with the touch of a button, streaming conversations directly to your hearing aid. New “in the canal’ hearing adds are available, with rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity and best-ever sound quality. They are also easy to wear with masks.

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25 Years in Horsham

At the Horsham Hearing Centre, we have continued to use “Covid-secure” clinics throughout the past year and we are proud to have looked after all our customers during this difficult time. All our audiologists and support staff have had Covid vaccinations and we continue to offer a safe service in a safe environment.

If you have struggled to hear over lockdown, why not book a “Covid-secure” appointment with one of our audiologists and try some of the latest hearing aids?

Interest-free credit available over 24 months. Hear now, pay later!

Call the Horsham Hearing Centre on 01403 218700 and quote “AAH” for our technology upgrade offer The Horsham Hearing Centre, 22 Worthing Road (opposite Horsham Library), Horsham, RH12 1SL

www.hearcentres.com | horsham@hearcentres.com

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he consequences of the coronavirus pandemic will be profound, wide-ranging and long-lasting. So, it’s no surprise that sources of optimism, arising since the crisis unfolded, were quickly seized ZUTS 5JWMFUX YMJ RTXY XNLSN‫ܪ‬HFSY NX YMJ effect on our environment.

Global carbon emissions have fallen, according to analysis published on the Climate Action website in May 2020, while data from NASA, published by the World Economic Forum in April 2020, suggests that air quality has improved dramatically as countries around the world have taken steps to restrict activity and travel.

Although the biggest crisis of 2020 is COVID-19, the biggest crisis of the decade is still climate change The view that investments are measured by value alone is changing. In a world awake to the challenges of climate change, energy consumption and pollution, contemporary investing is about FHMNJ[NSL ‫ܪ‬SFSHNFQ \JQQGJNSL NS F \TWQI worth living in.

Understanding climate change risk within your portfolio is increasingly important as world policy continues to evolve. Our

commitment to support you, and future generations, means helping you be conscious of the impact your investment has on climate change, as well as how carbon risk could affect your investment value.

Whilst the environmental impact has been positive, an ONS report Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain, published in April 2020, highlights some of the social aspects of the outbreak. Over half of the 1581 individuals surveyed highlighted that the lockdown measures and worry of the [NWZX FKKJHYJI YMJNW \JQQGJNSL 4SJ NS ‫[ܪ‬J also mentioned it affected their household income and a staggering 84% were worried about the effect the coronavirus was having on their life.

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Shining the spotlight on corporate behaviours helps illustrate why businesses cannot simply be about RFPNSL UWT‫ܪ‬YX 9MJWJѣX F MZLJ F\FWJSJXX that the general public are more sustainable in the way they live their lives. Successful companies also think about their wider stakeholders and strive to improve employee satisfaction and community spirit – and that contributes to long-term success. You too can make a difference through the companies

you invest in when it comes to your investments and savings.

As part of our distinctive approach to investment management, we carefully assess external fund managers’ attitudes to responsible investing. We review how they incorporate environmental, social, and corporate governance in their decisionmaking, and how their investment strategy considers climate risk.

Investors increasingly seek information around sustainability and responsible investing We believe what gets measured, gets managed. Reporting the carbon footprint of our St. James’s Place Portfolios allows us to identify opportunities for change. And this is just the beginning. We’ll continue aligning our St. James’s Place Portfolios with targets GFXJI TS XHNJSYN‫ܪ‬H IJ[JQTURJSYX \NYM the ambition of delivering you greater insight and aligning your investments with your personal ethics.

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Kelly and Victoria offer sustainably-sourced granola at Nom Nosh (©AAH/Alan Wright)

SEEDS OF SUCCESS

VEGAN FEST HORSHAM PROMOTES HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES Lockdown presented an opportunity for many of us to embark on a healthier lifestyle. As people improve their diet and turn to plant-based, gluten-free foods, a new wave of small, sustainably-focused businesses are looking to meet this increasing demand.

In Horsham, this demand was celebrated by Vegan Fest, which brought together various stallholders for an event in 2018. A second festival proved even more successful and led to the formation of a market in Piries Place, now held on the last Saturday of each month. It has steadily grown and is now running at capacity with 18 stalls offering savoury snacks, chocolates, cheeses, body care products, household goods and health foods.

Organiser Helen Crabbe says, “We work hard to offer variety at the market. We aim to keep about 75% of the stalls as food-based businesses as that’s what people are primarily looking for. But we also have soaps, candles and eco-friendly products too.”

“People are now thinking more about where their food is coming from and how it’s made,

and that’s reflected in the fact that we no longer solely target the market at vegans.

Many people do not necessarily want to be vegan, yet they are perhaps making lifestyle changes or maybe committing to a plant-based diet one day a week. I want to open people's eyes to plant-based foods and make them more aware of some of the fabulous things available, as you don’t need to be vegan to enjoy what we offer.”

“We have seen more engagement in the market this summer and if anything, the space is slightly too small now. So, we now have two metre pitches, which offers more vibrancy and promotes a communal atmosphere.”

“We are also seeing businesses around Piries Place embrace the market and get involved too. The M Bar now offers vegan sushi and cocktails on market days. That’s great, as we want to work with shops and businesses to promote Piries Place and attract more people.”

AAH visited the Vegan Market on 26 August and spoke to some of the stallholders involved…

Nom Nosh https://nomnosh.co.uk nomnoshbox Nom Nosh sells plant-based, gluten-free granola made with sustainably-sourced ingredients. Kelly Hudson and Victoria Feneron launched the business in March 2021, and was attending the Vegan Market for the first time.

Victoria said: “We have three products, all made with no refined sugar. The most popular is Classic Oat Granola with a mix of almonds, walnuts, coconut flakes and raisons, with a light seasoning of maple syrup and cinnamon. We also have a

45

Cinnamon & Ginger Granola and a Goji & Cacao Granola, which is our antioxidant option as it’s bursting with superfoods such as linseeds and omega. We are hoping to launch other products with activated nuts and seeds, and a Christmas blend too.”

Rudin with coconut bowls at Organic Worldwide (©AAH/Alan Wright)

“We’re seeing more people interested in granola and health foods, but products sold at supermarkets are often high in sugar. We offer a healthier option without compromising on taste. As well as selling online and at specialist markets such as Horsham, our products are sold in several Mid Sussex shops including Hart Country Stores in Haywards Heath and Lindfield Coffee Works. So, we have a few ways in which we sell to the public and grow awareness of the brand.”

Organic Worldwide

Vegan Crazy www.myvegandulcedeleche.com byvegancrazy myvegandulcedeleche Vegan Crazy sells Dulce de Leche, a caramel spread popular in Argentina. Cintia Yankelevich 46

Sophie’s Delight

started the business in 2019 and has since expanded her range to include Alfajor (shortbread-like cookies) and fudge.

Cintia said, “Dulce de Leche literally means “sweet milk”. I am from Argentina and grew up eating it. We have it on bread, crackers, pancakes, waffles, and it’s used as filling in patisseries.

You cannot miss it in Argentina, as it’s everywhere!”

“I became vegan six years ago and looked for a vegan-free version but couldn’t find one.

So, I decided to make my own! The first effort was okay, but then I tried with coconut milk instead of cow milk and found that it was not only more spreadable, but delicious! I was enjoying it every day for breakfast, then an English friend who has never been to Argentina, said, “You’ve got to sell this because it’s the most amazing spread I've ever had!” I decided to give it a go and had an incredible response, winning two stars at the Great

Kukuya

Ascot Care, 6 Kings Court, Harwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5UR

www.ascotcare.com l 01403 218511

OUTDOOR SEATING AVAILABLE

Renovated 16th Century Barn New House Farm Shop and Tea Room is located in a beautifully renovated 16th Century barn in a quiet spot on the rural outskirts of Horsham. People come from all over to enjoy our cafe and local produce.

Sophie’s Delight offers a selection of vegan cheeses (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Strawberry Fields Tea Rooms Taste Awards after only a few months.

“When people try it, they buy it, as it’s delicious and can be used in anything from sandwiches to ice-cream. In South America, people often use it to make Alfajores, which are biscuit treats. So, I now make alfajor too, as well as fudge!”

Organic Worldwide www.organicworldwide.co.uk organicworldwide Organic Worldwide upcycles coconut shells, working with rural communities in Kenya and Vietnam to sell them in the UK along with cups, candles and other hand-crafted accessories.

Rudin Kassamali said: “Turning coconut shells into bowls has been a family business for 35 years. The shells are a by-product of various industries, such as coconut milk and oils. Once you remove the kernel (the raw white meat inside it) you are left

with a shell which traditionally farmers would burn. But with a drive towards sustainability and reducing our reliance on plastic, we decided to work with craftsmen to do something else with the shells.”

“We have a four-acre compound in Kenya and grow virgin coconut oil. My dad started the business and as a Rotarian, he instilled strong ethical values into the business. One example of that is our work with countless farmers, who make bowls from the shell to ensure they are not wasted.”

“We’re now working with coconut farms in Vietnam as well as Kenya, with bowls and other accessories sold online and at markets in the UK. We empower the farmers by paying them up-front, allowing them to sustain a good lifestyle for themselves and their families.”

“They are all beautiful pieces and can be used like any bowl, for cereal, snacks, salads, ice cream or anything!”

Enjoy cakes, sandwiches and Ploughman’s from our Strawberry Fields Tea Rooms, with outdoor seating now available. The menu include baps, sandwiches, toasties and cake, with full English Breakfast from 10am-12pm

Locally Sourced Food & Drink Our locally sourced produce includes fresh fruit and veg, fresh bread, local meats (including Bangers Galore), beer, gins and wines, Sussex cheeses and more! New: Award-winning, handmade Asian cooking and curry sauces from Nonya Secrets

Visit us on Facebook for latest info on opening dates & bookings

www.newhousefarmshop.co.uk (01293) 851890 New House Farm, Old Crawley Road, Horsham, RH12 4RU

Now open 7 days a week with outside seating

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Kukuya makes several varieties of peanut butter (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Kukuya Kitchen

MARTYN EDWARDS

https://kukuya.kitchen kukuyakitchen Kukuya was started during lockdown by Crawley-based Makaita Mandava. It offers a selection of peanut butters made from traditional African recipes.

Makaita said: “The name ‘kukuya’ is derived from the Shona language of Zimbabwe to describe grinding. Growing up in Zimbabwe, my grandma made her own peanut butter and when I moved to the UK, I always hung on to the taste!”

“Every year, I would visit Zimbabwe and bring back jars of peanut butter, because the brands sold in UK supermarkets are highly processed with too much sugar and palm oil.

To me, they don’t taste like peanut butter at all! When we couldn’t go to Zimbabwe last

year because of COVID, I called my aunt and asked for my grandma’s old recipe, so I could make my own. I was pleased with the results and the idea for a business grew in my mind.”

“We use traditional stone-grinding to make it, which is a slow process but gives you a smooth, creamy texture and preserves all the nutrients of the nuts. We have cashew, almond and hazelnut butters, as well as peanut butter, with more ideas in the pipeline. All of our products are 100% natural and we’re very conscious about packaging too, so only use recyclable materials.”

“The Horsham vegan market has been fantastic for us, as it’s only through this that we’ve been introduced to several farm shops, including Crates Local in the Carfax, which we now supply too.”

“When I took the cheeses to Brick Lane Market in London, they were popular very quickly. Now, I'm more or less dedicated full-time to cheeses.”

Three Little Vegans

“I have lots of different cheeses now, from mild varieties like mozzarella to blu, a blue cheese with organic tofu and spirulina. My popular varieties include Herbivore and Goudie, which are made with organic cashew nuts, and Natale, which has almonds, live cultures and cranberries in it. I also make Truffled, which is great for people who love truffles, and Cashewrella, which is a great melting cheese like mozzarella!”

A Horsham-based business founded by mum-of-three Natalie Chisholm during the second lockdown. It sells beauty and home fragrance essentials with a focus on plastic-free products.

https://threelittlevegans.co.uk threelittlevegans threelittlevegansltd

Natalie said: “I noticed that everything from our bathroom bin had to go in the recycling bin, because it was in a plastic bottle. So, to try and have a plastic-free bathroom, I started making my own shampoo bars. They were for my own children initially, as they have allergies, so I made them with biodegradable glitter to look pretty!”

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49

“I hate plastic and want to create as many products as possible to reduce our dependence on it” Natalie, Three Little Vegans “Since then, the range has expanded to include soaps, shampoo, conditioner, bath salts, cleansing balm, lip balms and more.”

“I hate plastic and want to create as many products as possible to reduce our dependence on it. I even have a shaving bar to use instead of shaving foam! I have a small range of rainbow-themed products too with profits going to MindOut, a mental health charity for the LGBTQ community, and I also sell candles too.”

Natalie offers plastic-free products at Three Little Vegans (©AAH/Alan Wright)

“I mainly focus on the online market because I work full-time and have three children. But I would still love to attend more vegan markets in future to spread word and increase traffic to my website.”

Plant Infusion www.plantinfusion.com PlantInFusionUK plant_in_fusion

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This Crawley-based business makes plant-based ready meals inspired by Indian cuisine. It was another lockdown start-up with ambitions to expand its home-delivery service.

Plant Infusion offers home delivery of Indian-inspired food

Andrea Dance said: “We offer a range of freshly-prepared dishes, which are cooked and delivered to customers on the same day. The business started in July as the home delivery market was growing and we sensed an opportunity to introduce plant-based meals, with a focus on recyclable packaging and sustainability. We already deliver to Crawley and Horsham and plan to grow nationally.”

Soaps at Three Little Vegans

“The idea is that we take classic Indian recipes and give them a twist, as our chefs are influenced by the cuisines of South Africa and Zambia too. Our big sellers are kidney bean burgers, pea-fused pies and the pie bhaji, but we also have beautiful curries like the kidney bean curry and tofu chickpea Kofta, and Asian dishes including Szechuan Mung noodles.”

INTERVIEWS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT Further information The Horsham Vegan Fest is held on the last Saturday of the month (next one is 30 October) from 10am - 4pm. veganfesthorsham

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Social Care Reforms: The Truth Behind the Headlines Claire Carberry, Private Client Solicitor, comments on the proposed reforms to the Social Care system.

I don’t think anyone is in any doubt that the current care system needs to be reformed.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long since the ‘Welfare State’ was introduced to post-war Britain, bringing with it the idea that care should be freely available to all – from the cradle to the grave.

When the reforms were introduced in 1948, the UK population was 49.4 million – it is now 68 million.

Life expectancy has also improved considerably and there are now an increasing number of people living on their own.

The Care Act 2014 was billed as the answer to our prayers. The headlines claimed that no-one would have to spend more than £100,000 on their care, however, the supposedly radical new legislation was very quietly shelved…until now.

What are the proposed reforms?

The proposed reforms introduce a new cap of £86,000 on the amount anyone in England will have to spend on their personal care over their lifetime. It also increased the upper capital limit from £23,250 to £100,000.

Sounds great but the devil is in the detail.

The cap is likely to be based on the 2014 framework – only money spent on meeting a person’s personal care needs counts. Spending on living costs such as rent, utilities, clothing, etc doesn’t. The cap also refers to what the local authority would spend on care – not necessarily what a self-funder actually pays.

The cap also ‘starts’ from October 2023 so care costs before this point won’t count.

So yes, the cap is welcomed as it will mean that some requiring care will be funded at an earlier

Call: 01403 210200 Email: claire.carberry@coolebevisllp.com www.coolebevislaw.com

point but it will be vital to understand how the means-test works (ie what is and what isn’t taken into account).

It’s also important to plan carefully. Ask yourself, how long can you safely manage at home.

If you become unable to manage your own finances, who will do so? Can anything be done to preserve your estate? If you have a loved one who requires care, how can that be managed after your death?

It is likely that all of us will be involved in care at some point in our lives and it’s never too early to start planning. Please contact our Private Client team for advice on a range of Estate and Wealth Planning matters including Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills, Inheritance Tax Planning, Wealth Management and Trusts.

The care system is undergoing much needed reform

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CLASSIC VINYL

Retro bike styling ensures Cycle Sprays Paint keeps busy “There used to be nostalgia for the American dream and Route 66, but now the demand is for the simpler style of motorbike from the 1980s.”

Starting Out Tony always showed a flair for art and aspired to become a graphic designer before his interest waned at art college.

A chance meeting led to him securing a job at a Cranleigh company specialising in custom paintwork and he honed his skills there. The job combined his two great passions of riding and art, and Tony had found his calling.

Tony Roseaman, owner of Cycle Sprays Paint, speaks as he restores a fuel tank from a yellow and black Triumph Tiger Trail from the early 80s at his workshop in Cowfold. “Some of the best-selling bikes of that era are now highly-sought,” he adds. “Bikes like the Yamaha RD 350LC only cost about £1500 new and now trade hands for five times as much. More powerful machines like the Honda VFR750 are worth even more.”

“Bikes from that time and even into the 1990s are booming in popularity. While some like the originals, many people are buying brand new bikes with modern suspensions and brakes, but giving them a retro look. You see a lot of bikes with the Honda blue white and red colours, the different shades of Suzuki blue, or even the yellow and black used by Yamaha in America. That ensures the jobs keep coming in for me.”

Tony at his Cowfold studio

However, that company focused on BMW bikes, so in the late 1980s, Tony left to start his own business offering customised work on a much wider range. Initially, he shared a workshop with a car painting firm, but a fire at the premises left him seeking a new studio. He is now based at the Capons Farm Industrial Estate in Cowfold and often finds himself working on bikes he rode many years ago!

“I have done everything over the years,” says Tony. “From classic British bikes built

by Royal Enfield and Triumph, to wartime Harley Davidsons to modern superbikes by the likes of Ducati and Kawasaki.”

55

“You have to be very precise to match the right colours, especially with Ducati. Being Italian, there isn’t just one Ducati red!”

56

Tony Roseaman at Cycle Sprays Paint

A lot of my work is small scale repairs, required as riders have dropped their bike or come off and need dents, cracks and scrapes fixing. There are occasions when people want more intricate designs for customised bikes or helmets and I do enjoy detailed airbrush work. There used to be more demand as there was a boom for customised Harleys in the 2000s, thanks to TV shows like Orange County Choppers, but that market has tailed off.”

Authentic details When it comes to recreating bikes in a classic style, authenticity is vital. So, Tony works with companies that specialise in motorcycle paints and decals/stickers.

One decals company has a vast library and will know precisely what decals are needed once it knows the year and model of a bike. However, it is on the paint side that problems can arise.

“When it comes to decals, I don’t have many problems,” says Tony. “For bikes from the 1950s and 60s, decals can be harder to source, as they were made with a different material that requires expertise to apply without damaging the paint and lacquers.”

“But on the paint side, you always have to be precise to match colours, especially with Ducati. Being Italian, there isn’t just one Ducati red! There are about a dozen slightly different variants and you’ll find 57

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that a Ducati 851 will not be the exact same colour as a Ducati Paso. Trying to source the right Ducati red can be a nightmare.”

Batman to Kiss Some jobs require Tony’s artistic talents too and he has created many stunning designs for bikes and helmets, with a portfolio including cartoon and comic book characters from Penfold (Danger Mouse) to Batman. He’s even drawn Paul Stanley from rock band, Kiss, on to a helmet.

He says: “I love the customised work as it allows me to use my artistic skills. Interpreting a customer’s idea can be hard, especially when you don’t have a picture to work with. But 90% of the time people love what I do.”

“When you come up with an original design, it takes a lot of time and a detailed portrait might represent 20 hours’ work. But you can’t charge what you should do, otherwise nobody could afford it!

I don’t mind too much though as I love my work. It feels more like a paid hobby than a job and even after 40 years, I still get so excited by some projects that I can’t wait to get into work to finish it.”

WORDS: BEN MORRIS PHOTS: ALAN WRIGHT/ CYCLE SPRAYS PAINT Further Information: Unit 3 Capons Hill Farm, Station Rd, Cowfold, RH13 8DE www.cyclesprays.com E: tony@cyclesprays.com

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4th Horsham was one of many local scout groups supporting the Swimarathon (©AAH/Alan Wright)

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MAKING A SPLA Horsham Lions Club hosts Swimarathon for good causes

Horsham Lions Club is part of the worldwide organisation of Lions Clubs International, operating across more than 200 countries. Membership is open to men and women interested in helping others whilst also enjoying social events.

AAH spoke to members David Trowbridge, Gordon Hoare, Clare Wilson, John Williams and Paul Terry during a Swimarathon at the Pavilions in the Park in September.

David: The Swimarathon is the biggest fundraising event of the year for Horsham Lions. It’s very manageable for people to compete in, as we welcome teams of up to six who swim for 55 minutes. They take turns to swim a length of the pool and if somebody can only swim one length, that’s fine as others can keep it going.

We then have a quick change around and the next six teams begin.

Paul: This is the 10th year of the Swimarathon. Our last one was held in March 2020 only days before the first lockdown. We've done well to host it this year too. Next year’s event will be on 15 May and then in 2023 we hope to resort back to an original March date. September isn’t ideal as schools are back and people are not geared up for sponsorship.

Clare: At its peak, we used to attract 40 teams. After the year we’ve been through though, we’re very happy to have 24 clubs supporting the Swimarathon, as it’s our first major event for 18 months.

John: We receive more support from clubs and organisations than we do businesses, and often see the same teams returning.

This year, we have Horsham Bluebelles Baton Twirlers, St Andrew’s School, Rock Choir, Tanbridge House School, Action Swimmers, Horsham Lifesavers Club, Castlewood Primary School and several Horsham scout groups, including one entirely comprised of Leaders.

David: The Lifesavers Club do things differently, as they don’t worry about how many lengths they swim and use it as part

of their training instead. This year, £5,321 has been pledged, which is much more than we expected. Some teams raise funds for their own club and split sponsorship with the Lions. Tanbridge House swam the most lengths (180), despite having only three swimmers. The record is 194 by the Doggy Paddlers from Assurity Consulting, so I suspect Tanbridge will be back with an attempt at beating that!

Gordon: The Swimarathon is important, as it puts the Lions’ name out there. We used to organise a gala in Horsham Park with a historic vehicle rally. At its peak, it attracted about 40,000 people and became almost too big for members to cope with alone. We’ve also run pony events in the past, which were good but too niche. The swimming event works better as it has wider appeal.

ASH Horsham Lifesavers Club used the Swimarathon as a training exercise

“Horsham still has a sense of community though, which is vital, as people have to want to make a positive difference.”

John: At Christmas, we deliver food and toy parcels to local families in need. Previously we worked with Social Services to identify families, but we’ve since built a close rapport with Saxon Weald. The identities of those who receive parcels are protected, but we ensure money is well spent. We used to donate presents, but often the gifts weren’t what people wanted or needed.

Now, we buy a specific item or donate a gift card of up to £50 per family.

63

Lions Club members David Trowbridge and Clare Wilson

Gordon: We also raise funds through collections in town and at supermarkets, while there are many other schemes run by the Lions. We collect spectacles as part of an international Lions campaign. They are fixed before being distributed to those who need them.

Clare: Another way we fundraise is with our Easter and Christmas hampers, usually run with the help of local pubs. People buy a square on a board for £1 and the winner is pulled at random. But it’s not all work! We meet socially

once a month, usually at a pub that supports our hamper campaigns. We used to have regular meetings at the RAFA Club in Broadbridge Heath too, but when COVID struck we held those on Zoom instead.

David: This year’s Swimarathon will support Horsham Matters, which does so much good in the community. In previous years, we’ve supported Chestnut Tree Children’s Hospice, Sussex Air Ambulance and other charities.

Next year, we’ll fundraise for the Lions, as we’ve not been able to

John Williams is in change of the PA system

so street collections which boost our coffers.

Gordon: People trust us to do the right thing with the money we raise. We don’t hoard it; we spend it quickly. That’s one of the advantages about being a local organisation with good connections. We know how to get the money to those most in need.

John: We’re fortunate in that the people of Horsham are vey generous. Last year, we raised about £2,000 in our Christmas

campaign, which meant we could help about 60 families.

But we do need more members so that we can do more in the community. It’s often hard for people to commit, as people’s lives have changed and they struggle to fit things in around work and family. Horsham still has that sense of community though, which is vital, as people have to want to make a positive difference.

Gordon: I've been with the Lions Club for about 40 years. Rotary and Round Table International

64

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Youngsters from Scouting organisations raised funds for local good causes

tend to focus on the business community, whereas Lions is for anybody who wants to put something back into the community. That’s what first appealed to me. I was born in Park Street and have lived in Horsham all my life, while my grandfather is listed on the War Memorial. So, the town is dear to my heart.

Clare: I initially joined the Leos, an arm of Lions International for younger people aged 18 to 28. The idea is that Leos move on to the Lions but sadly many of the Leo Clubs have gone now. I lived in Guildford at the time and wasn’t allowed to progress to the Lions, as they didn’t accept women at the time. So, I joined the Horsham group instead.

John: One of the ways that Lions has changed for the better is by welcoming women. However, like many Lions clubs, we’re still much smaller than we used to be.

Some clubs have disappeared,

“I have lived in Horsham all my life and my grandfather is on the War Memorial.

So, it’s is dear to my heart.” including Crawley Lions, yet others like Billingshurst are thriving. A couple of friends from Billingshurst Lions have been called in to help us at the Swimarathon, as we don’t have enough members.

David: When there’s only a small pool of active members, there’s only so much we can do before we feel burnt out.

That’s why we’d love to see new faces. We always say family comes first though, and people only need commit what they feel they can.

Be wary when paying above asking price No need to ‘panic buy’ mortgages just yet. There’s plenty to go around! In fact, lenders are in the middle of an amazing interest rate price war.

Just in the last few days we’ve seen lenders looking at 5% deposit mortgages cut rates to below 2.7%. This is a fantastic reduction and shows that lenders are trying to help first time buyers get on the property ladder. Some lenders are also offering free mortgage valuations for this sector. For those with a 10% deposit, we are seeing rates being offered below 1.8% and some offerings with a £1,000 cashback!

For homeowners and those with a bigger deposit, the competition is fierce.

For homeowners, and those with a bigger deposit, the competition is fierce. Rates are now as low as 0.79% for a two-year fixed, 0.89% for a threeyear fixed and 0.97% for a five-year fixed rate. Most come with free valuations and on remortgages, free legals. They are changing all the time, so by the time this is published, these may have changed!

We’ve also seen one lender increase their income multiples for high earners to 5.5 x joint incomes. This means that those earning jointly over £100,000 per annum can apply of these new and increased income multiples. Lenders will look at your overall affordability, income, expenditures, liabilities, etc before confirming these calculations. But in the main, this is a great move by the lender and is available right up to 90% loan to value. Obviously, all of the above have terms and conditions and are subject to individual circumstances.

Finally, let’s remember that the lenders surveyor always has the final say. So, you might find your dream home at £400k.

But the estate agent ‘suggests’ you offer £410k to secure it.

You get the property at £410k, great news. But your mortgage lenders surveyor says sorry, it’s only worth £400k. Therefore, there is a £10k difference and that’s money YOU will have to find as the lender will only lend against their surveyors recommended valuation. We’ve seen this a few times recently, so be aware when you’re paying over the asking price!

Horsham Lions Club welcomes men and women

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Tom and Lily of Horsham Lifesavers Club

66

Gordon Hoare with medals for Swimarathon participants

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Gordon: I find the Lions Club is very rewarding. I visited the Strawford Centre recently, which is for people with learning difficulties, as prior to COVID the centre helped us a lot with collections. Newbridge Nurseries donated some plants and I delivered them to the Strawford Centre as many people who rely on it love gardening. A volunteer told me that the Lions had helped his family during hard times a few years ago. Now an adult, he’s giving something back to the community. For me, that shows what we do is worthwhile.

INTERVIEWS: BEN MORRIS PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT Further information For details about membership, email David Trowbridge at info@horshamlions.freeuk.com www.horshamlions.freeuk.com HorshamLions Editor’s Note: Special thanks to 4th Horsham Scouts and Horsham Lifesaving Club for giving up some of their pool time to allow Alan to take photographs!

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