AAH (All About Horsham) February 2024 by AAH (All About Horsham)

FEBRUARY 2024

AAH (ALL ABOUT HORSHAM) FEBRUARY 2024 CONTENTS

NEWS ROUND-UP The Capitol set for refurbishment and Little Barn Owls wins national award.

HEALTH Aurora Sleep Consultancy reveals the secrets of a good night’s rest.

MUSIC After busking in Horsham, Jack Coldrick (AKA Ink Pix) releases his debut single.

COMMUNITY 4

COVER STORY The February 2024 cover features members of the Horsham BID Task Group in Market Square. They are Willie Hamilton, India De Silva Jeffries, Rachel Noel, Dominic Wakefield, Gill Buchanan and Ben Hewson. Having been approved by town centre businesses, the BID scheme is set to have a significant influence and was a worthy subject for the cover. We were able to bring together several members of the Task Group on a quiet Thursday morning. The obvious location for the shoot was the Carfax Bandstand, but it felt a little clichéd, so we opted for Market Square instead. We took a second shot of the six strolling along East Street, but a member of the public seemed oblivious to what we were doing and tagged on to the end of the row! Other contenders for the cover included Tom Scaniland of Metricell, Georgie Hermitage of Aurora Sleep Consultancy and Jack Coldrick, AKA Ink Pix, at QM Studios.

The Five Loaves Cafe in Storrington brings together people from all walks of life.

36 ART

Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Peter Ireland discovered a passion for art.

HOBBIES Horsham RC attracts people of all ages to enjoy the thrill of radio-controlled cars.

HOUSING Campaigners are trying to prevent land near Ifield Village from being developed.

GROUP DISCUSSION Horsham has approved a new BID scheme, giving local businesses a voice of authority.

BUSINESS Metricell in Horsham has created Stan the App to tackle the problem of potholes.

ADVERTISING As a free magazine, AAH is grateful to the support of all its advertisers. If you’d like to find out more about promoting your business in AAH, please do get in touch with Ben. We offer every 6th advert free of charge, like a cafe. We can also design ads if you need help on that front. ADVERT RATES (Per month/edition) Eighth Page: £55 + VAT (93mm x 63mm) Quarter Page: £110 + VAT (93mm x 133mm - portrait or landscape) Half Page: £185 + VAT (190mm x 133mm) We also have the long, upright shape Full Page: £310 + VAT (A4 with 4mm bleed) Double Page: £520 + VAT (A4 with 4mm bleed ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk advertising@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT

ABOUT US AAH is an independent magazine founded in 2011. It is owned by Ben Morris, a life-long resident of the District. Here’s our cover from 10 years ago (Feb 2013) featuring David Bell, owner of Bangers Galore. Think we actually got a complaint or two at the time! EDITOR Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk (01903) 892899 AAH, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, RH20 3PT PHOTOGRAPHER Alan Wright alanwrightphotography.co.uk 07747 617387 Alan works for AAH as a freelancer and is available for all commercial work. DOOR-TO-DOOR DISTRIBUTION TEAM: Jacquie Paterson, Jill Shuker, Bloomfield family, Eve Lovett, Gavira family, Harvey Dold, Alessandro Cavallo, Charlie Merchant, Harry Baker, Walker family, Ben Raymond, Joseph Down (Horsham). Katie Drysdale & William Fuglsig (Highwood), Chapman family (Southwater), Palmer family (BBH), Luke Butcher (Manns Heath), Derek Bradnum (Nuthurst) SPRING-LOADED STANDS AAH is also available in our stands at local businesses, clubs and shops. Horsham: Swan Walk (outside M&S), Henry Adams (Carfax), Crates Local (Carfax) Pavilions in the Park, Horsham Rail Station, John Lewis, Horsham FC, New House Farm, New Street Butchers, At Home Estate Agents (Carfax), Holbrook Club, Gwyn’s Bakery (Bishopric), Steban’s Hair Salon. Village Stands: Newbridge Nurseries, The Bridge Leisure Centre (BH) CoCos’ Salon & Beeson House (Southwater), Billingshurst Leisure Centre, Coco’s Salon (Billingshurst), Bluecoat Sports Centre (Christ’s Hospital), Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (Lower Beeding), Warnham Village Stores (Warnham), Slinfold Golf Club (Slinfold), Steyning Leisure Centre and Cobblestone Walk (Steyning), Spring Gardens Nursery (Washington), Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Joanna’s Boutique Tearooms (Storrington), The Milk Churn (Rudgwick), Meadow Stores (Thakeham), Golden Plaice (Ashington), Rusper Village Stores (Rusper), Roffey News and Post Office (Roffey) Supermarkets: In association with Self Select Distribution, AAH is available at Tesco Extra in Broadbridge Heath and Sainsbury’s Horsham. AAH ONLINE www.aahorsham.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES

LOCAL PLAN CAUSES TENSION WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS

5 Many dog walkers enjoy Ifield Brooks Meadow (©AAH/Alan Wright)

The word Nimby hasn’t been around long. The Oxford English Dictionary’s earliest reference comes from 1980, although there’s a suggestion that the phrase had been used in the hazardous waste industry beforehand. These days, Nimby is of course a popular acronym, as too is the collective phrase of the ‘Not In My Back Yard’ Brigade. Nimby isn’t a pleasant word. It’s usually deployed in a rather demeaning manner to dismiss the arguments of someone who doesn’t want something to be built close to where they live. Which isn’t fair, as are we not all potentially a nimby? We step outside with tape measures when our next-door neighbour erects a new fence that encroaches into our gardens; we grab a chainsaw when the fast-growing Leylandii at the back of the house opposite blocks out sunlight over the patio furniture. And don’t we generally agree that there should be designated traveller sites in the District to prevent them entering land illegally, but would prefer them not to be on our own doorstep for the sake of our pets, children and elderly neighbours who could be convinced that their driveway needs urgently resurfacing? Considering the levels of Nimbyism we resort to for trivial matters, it seems unfair to direct such a slur to anyone battling large scale housing developments on greenfield sites near their home, right? When a proposal comes along that threatens the entire way of life for a community, it’s only natural to protect it, right?

Why do I raise this? Well, those of us in the Horsham District have been labelled as Nimbys by residents in Crawley. Horsham District Council has published its Local Plan (Regulation 19) and it has not gone down well with our neighbours. The reason is that HDC is pressing on with a plan that will see 3,000 homes built in a far north-eastern corner of the District that effectively adjoins the Crawley ward of Ifield. The Leader of Labour-run Crawley Borough Council called it a ‘step too far’ while the Crawley Labour party’s website went further and called the decision ‘utterly irresponsible’ and asked, ‘why do our Nimby neighbours plan to deliver so much of their housing on the boundaries of Crawley?’ Much of their anger stems from the fact that while the Local Plan includes building many more homes in Southwater and Billingshurst (a case of déjà vu for residents there) it has rejected the idea of new developments that would have impacted its own rural communities, namely Buck Barn and Adversane. HDC’s Council Leader has tried to diffuse the situation by drawing attention to the benefits the land west of Ifield development would offer Crawley: affordable homes to help reduce its own waiting lists and a secondary school to meet existing demand. However, this has done little to quell a sense of injustice and a feeling that if Ifield Village was represented on Horsham

District Council, perhaps more might have been done to protect it. For those who haven’t been there, it really is a quaint and scenic spot, unlike just about anywhere else in Crawley. Ifield Village has the feel of an historic parish (as it is!) and serves as a rural escape for those living in the heavily built-up town. I first went to Ifield Village more than 20 years ago when I was a junior reporter at the Crawley Observer. Even then, the site was threatened by development. I returned in January to meet campaigners for a feature in this edition of AAH (page 49) and was surprised to find it hadn’t changed at all. Walking through fields towards Rusper, it’s only low-flying aeroplanes that remind you how close you are to Gatwick. So why is it in the Local Plan? Unfortunately, it is probably the easiest option, as the land in question is owned by Homes England, the government’s own housing and regeneration agency. It could also be the least damaging option, in that by shouldering so much of the housing demands placed on the Horsham District by the government, it will protect other rural communities for at least a generation. I say at least, as land west of Ifield could eventually accommodate 10,000 homes. All of which will be of little comfort to residents of Ifield Village and others in Crawley who find solitude there. It’s never nice to be accused of Nimbyism, but perhaps on this occasion, our neighbours are not far off the mark.

LIVE LIFE IN FULL

As winter reluctantly loosens its grip, February beckons us to a rejuvenating journey through the evolving landscapes of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, just 10 minutes from Horsham.

On a bright, sunny, cold, crisp day however, when the blue skies and the pure white frost dazzle and amaze, there are few better places to enjoy the views than here at Leonardslee.” JAMIE HARRIS, HEAD GARDENER

Blooms & Bites Mindful walking amidst nature provides a unique opportunity to connect with the changing seasons, promoting tranquillity and well-being and this month we witness the first hints of spring as delicate buds unfurl and brave shoots emerge from the soil. Celebrate delicate snowdrops and vibrant crocuses that brave the remnants of winter, heralding the arrival of warmer days ahead.

February, marking the end of winter in the gardens, introduces a delectable shift in our restaurant’s offering. Michelin star Restaurant Interlude has a whole new look and feel to it, offering an ambient update and introducing a multi-course lunch tasting menu as we take a step closer to spring. With ingredients foraged directly from our Grade I listed gardens, Chef Jean Delport and his team creates an exceptional dining experience.

We look forward to welcoming you to a year filled with nature and culinary delights at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens.

leonardsleegardens.co.uk | Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PP

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NEWS ROUND-UP Announcements & Events from across the Horsham District Email submissions to: editor@aahorsham.co.uk

The Capitol in North Street, Horsham, is set for a refurbishment (@ Toby Phillips Photography)

Horsham District Council is discussing plans to significantly refurbish The Capitol in Horsham. The theatre, which is almost 90 years old, was last refurbished in 2003. Consequently, aspects of its infrastructure, design and layout need updating to align with current day audience and environmental needs. The proposed refurbishments will provide increased seating capacity,

improvements to the building’s infrastructure to help achieve the Council’s net zero targets and alterations to the internal layout. The proposals were expected to be recommended by HDC’s Cabinet on 25 January, before being presented at a full Council meeting on 21 February. If approved, refurbishment work will begin in April 2025 and finish in November 2026.

Cllr Jon Olson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces said: ‘These proposals will not only see The Capitol continue to be a thriving community hub for arts and culture, but will also deliver significant improvements for audiences, artists and staff, and create a more climatefriendly facility for future generations.’ thecapitolhorsham.com

MasterChef: The Professionals champion Tom Hamblet has begun his residency as Head Chef at South Lodge’s Camellia restaurant. A new three-course menu features dishes inspired by his journey on the programme, including wood pigeon with crispy onions, celeriac remoulade and pigeon and chocolate sauce; curried lobster with mango and caper salad, and a lime vinaigrette; and a chocolate and peanut mousse with feuilletine base, mascarpone Chantilly, nibbed peanut tuille, torched bananas and miso caramel. Tom’s residency runs until 31 March, with three courses costing £85. Dine-and-stay packages are available. For bookings, visit exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge/experiences/ tom-hamblet-x-camellia/

Regular readers may recall reading about the Lobular Moon Shot Project in the May 2023 edition of AAH. The project is headed by Dr Susan Michaelis, who lives in Southwater and has been diagnosed with lobular cancer. Susan’s husband, local film-maker Tristan Loraine, directed a film and documentary to raise awareness of the disease. The Moon Shot Project has since gathered momentum and a petition for government support was handed to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, thanks to support from Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland. Horsham MP Jeremy Quin has voiced support too and raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons in January. lobularmoonshot.org

Barchester’s Westlake House Care Home in Pondtail Road, Horsham have been celebrating the life of much-loved resident Cornelius ‘Tony’ Snelling, who passed away on 16 December 2023. Tony served in the Royal Navy during World War Two and was involved in the D-Day landings. He was a member of the Crawley & Horsham Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC) and on Armistice Day, Westlake House hosted a special service in his honour, which was attended by dignitaries including Dr David Skipp, Chairman of Horsham District Council. Tony celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends on 1 April 2023. Audrey Chiduku, General Manager of Westlake House, said: ‘Tony was a great inspiration and we will miss him dearly.’

Calista Kazuko (Photo: ©Ester Keate)

Singer/songwriter Calista Kazuko has released a new single, Colouring the Lines. Calista grew up in Rudgwick and went to school in Cranleigh before moving to London. Her new single is an ode to her growing family and also pays homage to her late father, the violinist Paul Robertson, leader of the Medici String Quartet. Colouring the Lines sees Calista embracing her classically-trained roots, featuring acoustic vocals and piano. The track features fellow Royal Academy alumni Ana Victoria Marinkova on cello. It is Calista’s first solo single since the acclaimed So Much Love, which drew comparisons to Regina Spektor and Tori Amos. Colouring the Lines is now available to stream. Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens and the Surrey Sculpture Society have launched a new collaboration for 2024, showcasing local artists. The Society, which has previously exhibited at the Lower Beeding estate, has designed and curated an Art Walk featuring over 100 sculptures. Designed by both established and emerging artists, the sculptures come in a range of styles, sizes and materials. They include Higher Daddy Higher by Seamus Cuddihy, Feel by Alex Smith and animal sculptures including Prowling Wolves by Graeme Lougher and The Kiss by Sarah Goodfellow (above). As well as an outdoor trail, there is a new indoor sculpture exhibition at Leonardslee House. leonardsleegardens.co.uk

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Steve Dummer conducts HSO (Photo: ©Toby Phillips Photography)

Horsham Symphony Orchestra hosts their spring concert at The Capitol on Saturday 23 March, 7.30pm. The concert opens with On This Day, In This Life, written for the orchestra by Horsham-based composer and performer Mark Elvin. The orchestra then welcomes talented violinist Sophie Mather for a performance of Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto before the HSO performs Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Tickets £20 (Under 18s £5) from thecapitolhorsham.com

Steyning-based choir Cantatrice will join forces with the Paddock Singers from Lewes for a concert at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham on Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm. The two choirs and conductors Zoe Peate (Cantatrice) and Ruth Kerr (Paddock Singers) will be celebrating women, with music by composers and singers who have made a significant mark in their artistic life, including Clara Schumann, Sarah Quartel and Petula Clark. Caroline SharmanMendoza will present readings and quotes from inspiring female writers too. A second concert will be held at Lewes Town Hall on Sunday 17 March, 3pm. Tickets £12 from cantatrice.co.uk

TOOVEY’S 11

The Capitol hosts An Evening With Sir Geoff Hurst on Friday 1 March, 7.30pm. Back by popular demand, Sir Geoff will talk amusingly about his illustrious West Ham and England career. He is joined by his great friend and agent Terry Baker from A1 Sporting Speakers. VIP ticket holders will have a chance to meet the 1966 World Cup winner and have a photograph with him. Tickets £31 (VIP tickets £82) from thecapitolhorsham.com Theatre 48 presents an production of Improbable Fiction by Alan Ayckbourn at The Capitol Studio on Thursday 29 February – Saturday 2 March. Established in 1948, Theatre 48 is Horsham’s oldest amateur drama company and produces two plays a year. Tickets £16 from thecapitolhorsham.co.uk

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Horsham Music Circle presents Portuguese flautist Frederico Paixao at Causeway Barn, Horsham, on Saturday 16 March, 7pm. He is joined by American pianist Mark Rogers for a programme including sonatas by Bach, Poulenc and York Bowen and other works by Tailleferre, Boulanger and Vaughan Williams. For tickets visit horsham-music-circle.org.uk

A very rare copy of John Claude White’s Tibet and Lhasa, published Calcutta 1908, auctioned in our December sale of books for £10,000

Looking to liberate your library? Entries are invited for our next specialist sale of Antiquarian & Collectors’ Books on 24th April For free, no-obligation valuations, please call to arrange an appointment with our book specialist Charlie Howe The leading antique and fine art auction house in West Sussex

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©Bluey/Ludo Studio

The animated TV series Bluey is coming to life at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Ardingly, from Wednesday 27 March Sunday 14 April. Bluey, Bingo and the gang take over the gardens with fun-packed activity zones spread across the landscape. Families begin their adventure at the Welcome Zone, where photo opportunities accompanied by the Bluey theme tune set the scene for the day ahead. Other highlights include a DIY ‘Barky Boats’ activity, wildlife spotting in the Australia Zone and a Dirt Zone, where children can make mud pizzas in the Mud Kitchen. Tickets must be booked in advance from kew.org/wakehurst

(Photo: ©Emma Goldsmith)

Horsham District Council has now purchased Bramber Brooks, securing the public green space for the benefit of local communities and to boost local biodiversity. The site, which comprises 34-acres of green space which includes a private nature reserve and a community orchard. Adding Bramber Brooks to the Council’s countryside estate means the site will retain public access and help deliver biodiversity improvements via a fully-funded Environment Agency-approved project to create wetland areas along the River Adur, contributing to the Wilder Horsham District initiative. horsham.gov.uk/climate-and-environment

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project is offering a range of subsidised courses that teach traditional woodland management and green woodworking skills. A range of woodworking courses teaching heritage crafts are also on offer, including how to make your own walking stick and gatehurdle making. The project area spans 314 square kilometres from Lewes in the east to Storrington in the west, comprising a largely unprotected landscape, bordering the High

Weald AONB and the South Downs National Park. Those living within the area are encouraged to join one of the courses and learn skills that actively manage woodlands to boost biodiversity and strengthen habitats. The courses, run by the Small Woods Association, are available from February 2024 until 2027, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information or to book, visit lostwoods.org.uk

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Queensway Garage in Horsham will host a raffle on Friday 8 March to mark International Women’s Day. Every female motorist who books their car in for a service or MOT during March will have the opportunity to enter. Prizes include a £100 voucher and personal styling session from La Vida Boutique, a silver pendant necklace from T.H. Baker, a treatment worth £100 from Beauty Secrets Salon and Spa and a £60 voucher from The Chapel Hairdressing. For details, call the garage on (01403) 253706 or email queenswaygarageltd@gmail.com

Harry receives the Citizen’s Life Saving Award

Horsham District Council has launched a video to help local firms develop climate-friendly business plans. The video shows how to prepare a strong case to apply for the Council’s new Green LEAP Small Business Grant Scheme, open for applications from 2 - 30 April. Grants of up to £5,000 will be available to fund or part fund climatefriendly business projects. Applications can cover projects including renewable energy solutions, switching to LED lighting,, and creating nature spaces in the workplace. A recent example comes from Jacob’s Bagels in Pulborough, which received a grant for solar panels to power its bakery ovens. The video can be seen on the West Sussex Business Hub, accessed via horsham.gov.uk/leap

Harry Baker from Pulborough has been honoured for his actions after he saved a friend from drowning in the USA. The incident took place at a house in Panama City Beach, Florida on 11 March 2023. Harry, formerly a member of Horsham Blue Star Harriers and now a track and field athletic student at Marquette University, Milwaukee, spotted a fellow student lying on the bottom of a swimming pool and dived in. With the help of

another friend, he hauled the man to the surface and helped administer cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Their efforts were successful and the man was taken to hospital where he made a full recovery. Harry, 23, received a Citizen’s Life Saving Award from the Milwaukee Marquette Police Dept and has also been awarded a Resuscitation Certificate by the Royal Humane Society in the UK. royalhumanesociety.org.uk

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The Loxwood Joust has added a third weekend of revelry and rivalry, with this year’s event taking place on 3 – 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18 August. For the first time, visitors or ‘citizens of Loxwood’ are also invited to camp in the Meadow on the third weekend. Danny Bacon, organiser of the Loxwood Joust, said: ‘We are aiming to create the relaxed and jovial atmosphere of a medieval village encampment, filled with family fun and laughter. For those camping, in the evenings there will be more food stalls, happenings and entertainment to make it a most memorable weekend.’ Early Bird tickets are on sale and workshops, camping and banqueting experiences must be booked in advance. loxwoodjoust.co.uk The Probus clubs of Arun and Forest recently visited the Amex Stadium, home of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. The 15-strong group enjoyed a behindthe-scenes tour taking in dressing rooms, hospitality areas, directors’ lounge, executive boxes and the media centre, while also providing an insight into the club’s history. Probus groups promote fellowship among retired or semi-retired professionals and businessmen, keeping members mentally and physically active. probushorshamarun.org.uk Friends of Horsham Museum & Art Gallery hold their first talk of the year in the Wesley Hall, London Road Methodist Church, Horsham, on Wednesday 6 March, 2pm. Cultural historian Dr Simon Machin will discuss the life of the radical local journalist and socialist campaigner Robert Blatchford (pictured), who died in Horsham in the early 1940s and has a road named after him. Admission £5 for members and guests.

Jean Delport at Restaurant Interlude

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in Lower Beeding has launched a new lunchtime service at Restaurant Interlude. The lunch menu is a multi-course journey, with fresh produce grown on the estate and sourced locally, starting at 12:30pm for drinks and seating at 1pm. This addition complements the existing dinner service, available from Thursday to Sunday. Under executive chef Jean Delport, Restaurant Interlude has won a Michelin Star and three AA rosettes, with a tasting menu inspired by the estate’s Grade I listed gardens. leonardsleegardens.co.uk

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Horsham District Council has set the financial and capital budget for the next financial year, starting in April 2024. The Cabinet recommended to full Council that it raises fees and charges across its services, raising Council Tax by £3.34 (2%) to £170.28 at Band D, and rely on one-off Government funding from the December provisional settlement. The budget will also set a £10.8m capital programme, investing in infrastructure and facilities. The Council is continuing to support claimants on Council Tax Support with a contribution of up to £195. The proposals will be recommended to full Council on 21 February.

MEADOWS WELLBEING Prioritise Your Health and Wellbeing In 2024

Meadows Wellbeing opened in June 2020 in the heart of Billingshurst and has grown rapidly under the thoughtful direction of founder, Jon Meadows. Jon devised the wellbeing centre to fulfil a dream of providing a full range of complementary and alternative therapies to support patients at his flourishing Osteopathy practice, which many locals will remember as Billingshurst Osteopaths. Jon, who has 30 years’ experience as an Osteopath and lives in Horsham, said: ‘Often, I feel that my patients would also benefit from the care of a therapist with different skills to mine, and this inspired me to develop Meadows Wellbeing, encompassing a comprehensive range of complementary and alternative therapies and treatments to support the overall wellbeing and health of my patients.’

The five-strong Osteopathic team provide Structural and Cranial Osteopathy, treating conditions including back and neck pain, joint pain, trapped nerves, headaches, sports injuries, pain associated with arthritis, as well as cranial treatment for newborn babies. There is also a dedicated Mental Health Support team providing Counselling, Psychotherapy, CBT and Hypnotherapy. Other treatments include Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Sports Injury, Rehabilitation and Sports Massage/Soft Tissue Therapy. Meadows Wellbeing also offers a Foot Health Clinic, Reflexology, Homeopathy, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Swedish/Holistic and Pregnancy Massage. There is also Health Coaching, Blood Flow Restriction Training, Medical Herbalism, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Luxury Facials and Ear Wax Removal. More Breathwork Workshop Dates for 2024 too!

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The Salvation Army in Horsham delivered gifts to 334 families in need last Christmas, supporting 1,230 individuals. Local people and businesses made donations to the Christmas Present Appeal, raising over £8,000. The Salvation Army spent over £10,000 supplementing the appeal, meaning that local families in need could receive not only toys, but also food and gift vouchers. The charity worked with 29 schools, as well as social workers and health visitors, who made referrals for families in need. Salvation Army volunteers sorted the donations and made deliveries over the festive period. salvationarmy.org.uk/horsham Horsham Matters has launched a ‘Tintastic’ initiative to encourage food donations to Horsham District Foodbank. The charity, which supports people facing food and fuel poverty, is calling on community groups, schools, churches and local companies to take part in a challenge that aims to increase stocks of tinned goods and raise awareness of the charity’s work. From 22 January to 11 February, organisations are asked to recreate their logo in tins, take a photo and share it on social media @Horshammatters. They can donate the tins to the food bank and tag another organisation to take part. horsham-matters.org.uk Old Barn Garden Centre at Dial Post welcomed over 5,500 children to Santa’s grotto over Christmas, with each visit supporting The Budding Foundation. Another Tates of Sussex garden centre at South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks also supported the charity, with the sites collectively raising £62,000. The Budding Foundation gifted 1,000 free entries to the grottos to other charities and provided dedicated visits for eight special needs groups and nursery schools. tatesofsussex.co.uk

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NEW ENERGY RECOVERY CENTRE FOR WEST SUSSEX

The renewable energy company Qair will be developing a new energy recovery centre on the outskirts of Horsham in the year ahead. The project will create up to 500 construction jobs and around 40 new operational roles once the facility is up and running. The Centre for Horsham Energy Recovery (CHER) will process around 230,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste from West Sussex and surrounding areas each year. The facility will be constructed at the Wealden Works industrial site on the A264 to the north of Horsham. It will generate up to 23 megawatts(MW) of sustainable electricity – enough to power about 47,000 homes. Qair is an independent renewable energy producer which develops, builds and operates wind, solar, hydroelectric and green hydrogen projects around the world. The company is an international leader in responsible energy generation.

Qair purchased Britaniacrest Recycling in September 2022. Britaniacrest is a well-known name throughout Surrey and Sussex and is one of the South of England’s leading private waste recycling companies. The CHER facility will use state of the art technology to treat waste and produce electricity. It will contribute to the UK’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by minimising waste exports and landfill disposal. The project originated with Britaniacrest Recycling and was given planning consent in 2020 following a public inquiry. It will operate to strict conditions set out in an Environmental Permit and will be independently regulated by the Environment Agency. The CHER team looks forward to working with the local community as the project continues to make progress this year.

You can find out more about CHER and contact the project team at www.cher.energy You can find out more about Qair at www.qair.energy/en/

SILVER SUCCESS

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WEST GRINSTEAD SWIM ACADEMY WINS COVETED AWARD West Grinstead Swim Academy has been awarded Silver at Swim England’s National Swim School of the Year Awards. The awards are hosted by the governing body for swimming in England and presented to the best swim schools in the country. West Grinstead Swimming Academy (WSGA) was nominated for the first time and is delighted to have been awarded the runners-up prize. Nick Isaacson, Technical Director at WGSA, said: ‘Having been nominated for a Swim England award, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users of the pool. Swim England were impressed by the unique environment we offer too and named us on a final shortlist of three swim schools. We hoped that we could achieve such high standards after about five years, so it has been a surprise to have been given a Silver Award so soon. Next year, we’ll be going for gold!’

THE POOL The purpose-built pool was opened in the summer of 2020 by husband-and-wife Victor and Vikki Heal. It was designed to be an optimal environment for children to learn to swim and is covered by a circular-shaped building, constructed by a Sussex-based specialist. The 10m pool has a constant depth of 1.2m, with a fully automated Seko dosing system controlling chloring and pH levels and ensuring a complete water turnover every 60 minutes. Air temperature and humidity is similarly monitored by a modern WarmAir system. There are dedicated male and female changing rooms, with WC and shower facilities, and of course spacious baby changing facilities. Exclusive parking is available on site too, adjacent to the pool enclosure.

Teachers Hayley, Vikki and Nick at WGSA

Nick Isaacson with the Swim School of the Year Silver Award (©AAH/Alan Wright) In April 2023, Nick joined Victor and Vikki as a director and the team created the Swimming Academy. Nick said: ‘I also help run a foundation programme for Atlantis Swimming Club in Horsham, which is where I first met Vikki, as her children attend the programme. We share a similar ethos when it came to early years swimming and I joined the team with the aim of expanding the WSGA programme. We now have more than 400 swimmers, from new-borns to advanced swimmers, with our experienced teachers offering comprehensive lessons tailored to individual needs and abilities.’

THE CLASSES Baby and Preschool lessons are held throughout the week, as well as after-school and weekend lessons for children and intensive courses running during the holidays. Children aged 4 – 12 follow Stages 1-7 o the Swim

The Silver Award

England Learn To Swim pathway, from their Discovery Duckling programme for newborns, up to SE Stage 7 for more experienced swimmers, with WGSA presenting unique badges and awards alongside those offered by Swim England. Group lessons are £14 per lesson and Baby and Preschool classes £16, with a free trial to all swimmers when booking online. The academy also works with a charity partner called Level Water to offer children with physical disabilities discounted lessons. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, while the pool is also used by SLK Aqua Yoga. Vikki said: ‘The most rewarding thing is to see a child go from strength to strength, loving the water and the rewards it brings. Teaching a child to swim is one of the most important life skills we can give our children. It opens up so many opportunities for them and something they can enjoy for a lifetime.’

WGSA is perfect for young swimmers

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WISE OWLS LITTLE BARN OWLS NURSERY WINS NATIONAL AWARD

20 (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries have been named West Sussex Childcare Provider of the Year 2023 by Business Awards UK. Last August, Little Barn Owls opened a new site at The Orchard, next to the old West Grinstead Station on the Downs Link. It is the third LBO nursery, adding to established

nurseries at Old Crawley Road in Horsham and Easteds Lane in Southwater. At all three locations, children are encouraged to engage in outdoor adventure. Following the success of Little Barn Owls, founding Director Hayley Peacock also set up Atelier 21 Future School in Pease Pottage, the UK’s first progressive school for children aged 4-14.

Kristie Dodd, Marketing and Events Manager at Little Barn Owls, said: ‘All of our nurseries have access to outdoor spaces, whether that is on-site or via access to nearby woodlands, and we go outside in all seasons. At The Orchard, we have a beautiful garden with plenty of space for children to explore and use their imagination. In the summer, it is beautiful as the trees are full of apples, and of course we

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Children develop a sense of adventure( ©AAH/Alan Wright)

The cold snap doesn’t stop play time (©AAH/Alan Wright)

‘In summer,

can explore the The Orchard is Downs Link too. We have two beautiful with donkeys as well the trees full of as chickens and guinea pigs, which apples.’ the children love to feed. It teaches them empathy and how to care for animals and each other. It also helps them to develop maths skills, as we count out our two donkeys, three chickens and four guinea pig. So, there is an educational benefit to having the animals here, as well as it being good for the wellbeing of the children. That is key to our approach to early years education and we’re delighted to have been recognised by Business Awards UK.’ The Orchard has a capacity for 64 children per day but has been expanding gradually to ensure a smooth transition for those children who moved from Little Barn Owls’ former home at Farlington School. The nursery cares for children aged 3 months to 5 years in two age groups: babies and toddlers and pre-school age children. Having held an Open Day in January, the nursery is now welcoming applications to fill its remaining spaces. WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: The Orchard, Cowfold Road, West Grinstead, Horsham, RH13 8LY Email: theorchard@littlebarnowls.co.uk www.littlebarnowls.co.uk

Our appropriately named on-site café and bar with its thoughtfully created Breakfast and Seasonal Menus offers a selection of hot and cold options for your indulgence. Many of our cakes and sweet treats are handmade on site. Locally sourced ingredients feature throughout our menus including local craft bakers’ breads and burgers from our very own beef herd. Not feeling hungry? From the bar we provide a generous choice of soft drinks, draught and bottled beers, premium spirits and a wide selection of wines all to be enjoyed overlooking our beautiful Sumners Lake. Find a comfortable spot outside on the upper or lower decking and take in the scenery or cosy up in our Safari Tent and enjoy the warmth and crackle of log-burning stoves. Current Opening times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm Food Service: 9am to 3pm

Tel: 01403 732539 Web: sumnersponds.co.uk Instagram: @sumnersponds Facebook.com/SumnersPonds Caring for the donkeys (©AAH/Alan Wright)

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QUIET PLACE AURORA SLEEP HELPS CHILDREN WITH BEDTIME ROUTINE Georgie Hermitage is a Horsham-based sleep consultant, specialising in the needs of babies, toddlers and children. AAH met the mum-of-two to find out more about her business, Aurora Sleep… How did you come to set up the business? I previously worked as a scientist, specialising in cell and gene therapy. It was a good job but I was largely working in a laboratory and didn’t interact with patients. I returned to work after the birth of my son, but commuting was difficult as a parent. So, when I fell pregnant again, I had the idea of being a sleep consultant as I felt it would be more rewarding. Had you come across a sleep consultant before? My son was a good sleeper until he was about 20 months-old, when it suddenly took him hours to fall asleep every night and nothing seemed to help. We tried many things, but most nights would involve my husband or I spending hours in our son’s room. One night, we called a sleep consultant at 4.30am and the advice they provided helped us through a difficult time. I remember texting the consultant when our son slept through the night and wanted to experience that same sense of fulfilment that comes from helping people.

What age are the children you help? I work with parents with babies aged from five months, through to toddlers and children up to the age of six. There are ‘miracle’ babies who sleep through the night without a sound, but most new-borns sleep in short segments. They then gradually sleep for longer periods through the night until the four-month sleep regression, which will be familiar to many parents. At this stage, babies can have difficulty sleeping as their brain and body develops. After a week or two, these issues often recede, but if they regress further, there are ways to help them. How does a sleep consultation work? The client books an introductory call, a 15-minute conversation where we get to know each other. Usually, parents or guardians will keep a log of the child’s sleep patterns, which helps me understand what’s going on and produce a sleep plan. Sometimes, people see results within a couple of nights, while with others it takes longer, so the support continues for three weeks. We set sleep goals, but these often change one way or another, depending on how a child progresses. So, there are always moving targets.

Sleep Consultant Georgie Hermitage has children of her own (©AAH/Alan Wright)

pick between the blue and green toothbrush, Are solutions relatively simple? or the dinosaur and Mario Bros. pyjamas. At some point, every parent is going to face That way, they feel they have control. I love difficulties when it comes to a child’s sleep. working with older children as there’s more Often, they just need advice rather than a psychology involved and I’m studying for a consultation, especially if they’re first-time diploma to explore child psychology in even parents or don’t have the support of others greater depth. to draw on. I have an Instagram page and sometimes help those who just need a Are TV, phone and computer bit of assistance, giving them ideas ‘It’s screens creating new problems? they perhaps hadn’t previously important to Screens are a factor and most thought of. That helps me build at some point will turn relationships with families and have a bedtime parents to programmes like In the Night sometimes they come back routine without Garden to help children relax. to me for a full consultation if I don’t see a problem with that; they require additional help and screens.’ it is far better than having them support. charging around the house before bedtime! However, I do think it’s What methods do you use? important to then go upstairs and go through There are different ways you can train a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve a children to sleep. I don’t commit to just one, screen. as there’s a big difference between a fivemonth-old and a five-year-old. Also, we all Presumably, getting more sleep can have have our own way of bringing up our positive impacts? children. For instance, some people are Absolutely. I have seen that with my own happy to leave a baby crying for a certain son. He used to be tired at nursery and amount of time, while others have to wasn’t eating properly, but there was a comfort them straight away. That’s why it’s noticeable improvement once we worked important I get to know families, so that I on his sleeping routine. It’s important for can come up with bespoke solutions they’re parents to get a good night’s sleep too. Some comfortable with. With toddlers, you can battle on night after night and I have met train them to sleep in the same space, so children who have reached the age of four they are comfortable putting themselves without ever sleeping all the way through. back to bed after they wake up. When That takes its toll. If you’re tired because they reach three or four, their imagination you’ve been up six times in the night, it can become a factor and they begin to wonder have a negative impact on other areas of what is lurking under the bed. I find it a good your life. idea to involve children in their own bedtime routine by offering them choices. Let them

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Georgie offers tips on sleeping (©AAH/Alan Wright)

What are your long-term aims? I hope it will become my full-time job. I have about a dozen clients and often people request consultations on evenings and weekends, when they’re home from work, which fits in with my lifestyle as a mumof-two. Already, being a sleep consultant has provided me with a sense of fulfilment I didn’t have with my old job. When I hear about the progress a child has made, it feels good, as I’m making a difference. Further information: Visit the website at aurorasleep.co.uk Email: info@aurorasleep.co.uk Instagram: @aurora.sleep.consultancy WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Special Offer 20% off for readers Aurora Sleep are offering a 20% discount for AAH readers. Just mention the article when booking a sleep consultation with Georgie.

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BUSK IN THE GLORY INK PIX at QM Studios (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Who’s this then? This is Jack Coldrick, a 26-year-old singer and songwriter from Horsham. Under the pseudonym INK PIX, he is releasing his debut single on 2 February. What does he sound like? INK PIX (as we’ll call him) is influenced by alternative rock bands of the 1990s such as The Pixies, Nirvana and Radiohead. He also loves The 1975, a contemporary band with a polished, pop rock sound. He has combined these influences for his debut single, FR-END. What does INK PIX mean? He thought about releasing music under his own name, but as many other Jacks (White, Johnson, Savoretti, etc) were already established, he decided to do something different instead. One idea was to adopt the name Ink Pixels, and this was abbreviated for the debut single, recorded at QM Studios in Horsham, where he works.

That’s handy! Jack has worked at the studio for five years. Having joined initially as a volunteer for its outreach programme, he now works full-time at QM. As well as helping to run a choir and workshops for people with learning difficulties and additional needs, he joins other members of the QM team to support the Horsham Blue Oasis Club at the Drill Hall. Jack also offers music tuition on drums, piano and guitar, as well as teaching production and recording skills. So, he can play then? Jack has played piano since he was six and later learned guitar and drums. He studied Commercial Music at university, giving him a broad knowledge of producing and recording, as well as other aspects of the industry. Whilst studying, he had the chance to play in several bands, although never as a vocalist. He said: ‘Everyone wanted to be a guitarist or a singer, but there weren’t many drummers and

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keyboardists around. This meant I got to play in different bands and learned what worked and what didn’t.’ Does he write his own songs? Jack has been writing from a young age, but for a long time, singing was a problem. He said: ‘I didn’t have confidence in my voice and felt others were better vocalists. Although I loved writing songs, I couldn’t perform them in front of people.’ How did he overcome this? Partly through running the choir at QM Studios, as his confidence grew as he encouraged others to sing. The other factor was busking. Jack said: ‘You need a license to perform in Horsham, so I tried busking in Brighton initially. I made it too complicated, as I went out with a laptop connected to keyboards and it took half an hour just to set it all up, during which time I became more nervous! When I was finally ready, somebody came over and asked to sing with me and the whole thing turned into a street karaoke session. The next time, I just took an acoustic guitar and that worked much better. Now I sing in Horsham too, including on the Carfax Bandstand with a full band, as the Council is very supportive of live music of all genres.’ Does INK PIX sing his own material? It is mostly covers, such as Creep by Radiohead and Today by The Smashing Pumpkins. But singing his favourite songs has given him more confidence as a

INK PIX performs with his band at The Malt Shovel (©Sam Khan)

used to stop me from performing and got in performer. He said: ‘What is great about the way of what I wanted to do. So, now busking is that you go past the point of ‘I don’t I don’t let it bother me.’ caring what people think. I don’t have the kind of voice you hear on The have the kind How come INK PIX is into 90s X Factor and there will always be of voice that music? people who don’t enjoy what I do. I It’s the edgy sound that excites him. sometimes sing Jeff Buckley, which you hear on He said: ‘I was born in the 1990s, so is a challenge as he has a unique X-Factor.’ it wasn’t music I grew up with and I’ve voice. Someone asked if I could stop had to discover bands from that era for singing Buckley’s songs, but I didn’t care. myself, which I think gives you a deeper It was those kind of negative thoughts that

connection anyway. There has been a wave of 80s nostalgia influencing fashion and music, but now elements of the 90s are creeping into popular culture. Mainstream pop is very polished and stylised now, to the extent that original vocals are largely lost in excessive production. That is why my sound is alternative, as it offers a more raw and edgy sound.’ What is FR-END about? The debut single is a metaphoric take on time, exploring time as if it were a friendship, highlighting stresses of everyday life. The song was first performed at an Open Mic night at The Malt Shovel and had an immediacy that made it an obvious choice as the single. It was recorded and produced by INK PIX and Rob Adams at QM. Jack said: ‘Playing live is a good proving ground for new songs. I felt FR-END had something about it and it’s great others think so too.’ Is an album coming soon? INK PIX doesn’t like to revisit material written many years ago, so is focusing solely on songs penned in recent months. He has six new songs - enough for an EP but not an album – and intends to gradually release them as singles, rather than on an album. He hopes this will help him establish a following, alongside more gigs and perhaps even festivals in the summer. Does he harbour big ambitions? Jack’s aim is to reach a point where his full-time job is making music. He said: ‘Working at QM is one of the best jobs I’ve had, as it allows me to teach music and I’m lucky to be able to do that. It also means I can follow my own passion for making original music and at this time, my ambition is to keep going and see where it takes me.’ Further information: FR-END is out on 2 February on all streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify. You can also watch INK PIX videos on YouTube. WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright/Sam Khan

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Keep doing what you love at Broadbridge Park

At Broadbridge Park Care Home, you can continue doing what you love most. Whether it’s pursuing a favourite hobby, connecting with others who may share your interests, or simply enjoying the comforts of home, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call freephone

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Five Loaves Cafe (©AAH/Alan Wright)

LOAF AROUND STORRINGTON CAFE BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

The Five Loaves Café is held at Storrington Chapel every Friday afternoon. It was launched in October 2022 to bring together people of all ages, and has grown to become an important community hub.

ever since. Most people who visit are not members of our church, which shows we’re reaching out into the community and giving people support. We welcome familiar faces back each week, including some who hold no religious beliefs, and most Fridays see someone new.’

Although hosted at an Evangelical Church run by a caring group of Christians, the cafe The Five Loaves Café has come a long way attracts people beyond its own congregasince the start, with only one person turning tion. They come together for company, cake up for the inaugural event. Brian George and conversation, while Neighbourhood has continued to attend most weeks Wardens also visit to engage in the ‘There and enjoys speaking to people community. from across the community. He is always said: ‘It was the cakes that drew The café was initially mooted by someone to me here in the first place! We’re Jo Johnson, an independent clinical psychologist whose husband talk to at the lucky as there are some great bakers in the group and there’s Lyndon is one of the leaders of cafe.’ always a good selection to enjoy. the Church. Jo said: ‘I saw a The café has been good for me, as I segment on the BBC’s Sunday live on my own close by and life can be Morning Live about a community café lonely. I look forward to Fridays as there is and thought it would be nice to do something always someone to talk to here, and even one similar. As a church, we don’t have much or two youngsters come in sometimes after money, so I had the idea of calling the café school. I didn’t go to the church before I came Five Loaves, a reference to the Bible story of here, but I do now, as they’re a friendly bunch how Jesus made a little go a long way. The and I thought it would be nice to see more of community responded brilliantly and them!’ established the café has steadily grown

Five Loaves Cafe (©AAH/Alan Wright)

The cafe meets at The Chapel (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Molly Wong leads some gentle exercises (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Cake is served! (©AAH/AW)

The cafe attracts people of all ages (©AAH/AW)

Laura Selfridge is not a member of the church but attends the café to meet new people. She said: ‘The café suits me as I can bring my dog and my baby here and relax with a cup of team and a slice of cake. We always get a very warm welcome and some of the older visitors play with Iona, while Bonnie strolls around looking for someone to fuss over her! I’m a single mum and it has been a good way of making connections in the village.’ The café has had a positive impact on the church too, and more than 90 people were

involved in a carol service over the festive period. Additional activities have been held from time to time during café hours, including children’s cooking classes and more recently, relaxation exercises led by Molly Wong. Molly said: ‘I travelled to the UK with my sister in 2019, due to the political unrest in Hong Kong. I am a Watsu therapist and found a swimming pool that I could use in Worthing, which is why I moved to this area. I didn’t have many friends when I arrived, but the church has helped me meet new people and be part

of the community. Usually, Watsu is a form of aquatic therapy, but I have introduced some chair exercises as part to those who want to try it!’ WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: The Five Oaks Café is free to attend and is open every Friday, 2.30 – 5pm at Storrington Chapel, North Street, RH20 4DH. www.storringtonchapel.org.uk

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Peter Ireland with one of his recent artworks (©AAH/Alan Wright)

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Peter Ireland of Billingshurst was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 10 years ago. When it became impossible to continue his job, he developed an interest in art, which helps supress symptoms of Parkinson’s. Here, Peter describes his journey and how he hopes to raise awareness of the disease… I worked as a self-employed landscape gardener for 35 years, covering the Horsham District and beyond. The business was very successful, but by 2010 work was becoming more difficult and I couldn’t understand why. My family noticed that my movements were slower and I walked with a stoop. My coordination was worsening and simple tasks such as doing up the buttons on a shirt became difficult. Even things we take for granted – such as navigating our way around tables with a drinks in-hand – required a degree of planning and thought. I struggled with speech too, but it wasn’t until a few years later, when I was 58, that I finally went to see a doctor.

My father died of an ectasia of the basilar artery, which impacted his movement, speech and balance. I was worried I had the same thing. My GP wondered if it could be Parkinson’s, a disease which impacts the brain and causes shaking and stiffness that worsens with time. I consulted a private neurologist and in 2013 was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Initially, I was prescribed Madopar, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s. This gave me back my stamina and confidence and meant I was able to continue doing most of the things I needed to do, including landscaping. It felt like the handbrake had been taken off. However, the Parkinson’s worsened and by 2018, working a full day was too hard. I went part-time for a couple of years, until I no longer felt safe going up ladders to cut hedges and stopped working. I was a keen golfer and played off an eight handicap. Golf was an important part of my life. I enjoyed snooker too, but Parkinson’s put a stop to these hobbies. I still go fishing

Parkinson’s, but it was a good way to relax and occasionally, but need supervision due to my pass the time. I have a steady hand until the balance issues. Threading line through the eye dyskinesia comes in, which is something I can’t of a hook can be a challenge too - it’s like control. I start shaking and my leg and arms knitting fog for me. Dyskinesia is my worst twitch, which makes it very difficult to enemy. At one moment, everything is Lots of my pictures involve small under control, but then my limbs start ‘I wasn’t draw. blocks or thin lines of colour, so I moving quite violently, accompanied by a feeling of inner and outer keen on art at have to pick my moments to work my art, otherwise I’m going to shakiness. Unfortunately, I also school, so this on ruin an awful lot of work. have curvature of the spine (scoliosis) so my ability to walk has came out of I cannot draw a portraits or someone become impaired. A couple of years nowhere.’ sitting on a horse, as I don’t have the ago, I’d walk five miles comfortably, talent. I draw shapes and patterns. Some but now three miles is my maximum. pieces are quite psychedelic and perhaps this Even so, I try to do strength and stretching stems from cultural influences of the 1970s, as I exercises every morning. listened to bands like Pink Floyd and Wishbone Ash. I don’t plan each piece. My only rule is that During lockdown, I was bored and took an I start in the top left-hand corner and see what interest in art. I wasn’t keen on the subject happens. I have done about 100 drawings now. when I was a pupil at The Weald, so this interest Some take a few hours, while others can take 30 came out of nowhere! It was something I was hours, but what is interesting is that everyone asked to do as homework to help with my

TER Peter fills every corner of the canvas

His art has psychedelic influences

Peter’s art helps raise funds for Parkinson’s UK

has a different favourite. Some like the symmetrical designs while others prefer the more psychedelic, random shapes. Someone even turned one of my designs into a fabric pattern for cushions. I separated from my wife Jannion in 2007 and now live alone. However, she lives close by and gives me friendship and support. She has developed a website for my art and I donate half the money from sales to Parkinson’s UK I would also like to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. About 130,000 people in the UK have it and all we can do is use drugs to try to prevent brain cells from degenerating further, as there’s no cure.

Peter works on his latest piece of art (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Parkinson’s impacts people at different times of their life. I was 58 when I was diagnosed, whereas Michael J. Fox was only 29 and Billy Connolly was about 70. There is a lot of research being carried out to find treatments that help regress the disease. I’m probably too far down the line to really benefit from medical advancements now, but hopefully in future they can discover better treatments and maybe even a cure. Recently, I have been prone to more falls as a result of balanced problems. My speech has become less audible too. I sometimes get stressed in crowded places and this can set off a bout of dyskinesia. If I could offer advice to someone recently diagnosed with

Parkinson’s, I would tell them that there will be good and bad days. Having had bouts of depression, I have had sessions with Time to Talk to try and improve my positivity and to seek help when you need it. To everyone else, I would ask that when you see someone having difficulty with their movement, please be aware that they may be living with Parkinson’s. I would like for the public to have a greater awareness of the symptoms that come with the disease. INTERVIEW: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: www.parkypeterart.com

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KIND TO THE CORE WHY WE CELEBRATE KINDNESS AT SOUTHWATER JUNIOR ACADEMY Rebecca Toogood is Headteacher at Southwater Junior Academy (SJA). She has spent over 27 years in education, with five and a half of those as Headteacher at SJA. Aged 21, Rebecca went to work in Japan, teaching English on the island of Honshu, returning home two years later to continue her career, teaching secondary school English to students aged 11 to 19. She then moved into Local Authority school improvement work and championed disadvantaged and vulnerable children. This led to a leadership roles in two contrasting secondary school settings: one in Hillingdon, the other in West Sussex, until eventually moving to SJA.

Why is kindness so important to you? No matter what our experience of education – good or bad – we all have fond memories of that one teacher or member of school staff who made a real difference to us. When you ask people about this, they invariably smile and recall someone who showed them great kindness in some way. I want to make sure that all children who pass through SJA have not just one, but many fond memories of the kindness they experienced. It’s not just about the adults either; we teach children to show kindness towards each other. We help children to explore ways to look after their own wellbeing too – we call it being kind to yourself. My own fond memory is of a slightly eccentric English teacher whose passion for the Anglo-Saxon epic poem ‘Beowulf’ was captivating. More importantly, her ability to make children feel she truly cared about you was nothing short of magical.

How do you promote kindness across the school? School culture starts with you as the Headteacher. You have to be prepared to lead by example and celebrate those moments of excellence when

you see them happening around the school. I always thank my staff every Friday for the amazing work they do. It’s so important to recognise the great things people do, especially as life in a school can be very challenging. The children are rewarded in so many different ways – too many to list - but my favourite has to be Hot Choc Friday. Children who’ve been a standout example of kindness receive a Golden Ticket at the end of the week. The excitement is tangible every Friday morning when the Golden Tickets are given out by class teachers. At break time, the worthy recipients come to my office where we sit together and chat about what they did… whilst enjoying a delicious hot chocolate, of course! It’s a real highlight of my week and they love it too.

give children lots of wonderful reasons to come to school every day. With excellent behaviour and great attendance, SJA children thrive and make brilliant progress. It helps that SJA teachers know their craft so well with brilliant Learning Support Assistants who scoop up and support those children who may need a little more help.

‘Gordon the golden retriever has been a popular addition to the school.’

Has focusing on kindness led to any other positives? Absolutely! Any time we have visitors to the school - whether its parents looking for a school place for their child, or professional colleagues - we’re always complimented on our pupils’ fantastic behaviour. It’s so important that children can learn in an environment where lessons aren’t interrupted. This can only happen if we truly understand and care about the individual needs of children. My staff are phenomenal and manage to do this so well. They care deeply about the children and make sure a range of support is in place. Another positive is that SJA children want to be in school. They want to see their friends. They want to enjoy learning with their peers. School attendance is so important. We work hard to

We introduced a school listening dog earlier this year, Gordon the golden retriever, who has been a popular addition to the school and another way we support children.

Career Highlight Last March, we were thrilled to receive the Wellbeing Award for Schools, developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau. It recognised the outstanding work being done across SJA to promote mental health and wellbeing across our school community. Through the award, we introduced a new pupil role: Kindness Ambassadors. The role includes sharing ideas in assembly about valuing kindness. At certain times in the year, these specially-nominated children are able to hand-out “Caught Being Kind” cards to other children when they observe random acts of kindness around the school. Examples include a child including someone else in their game or a child helping someone else with their class work. To see kindness so deeply embedded across the school, with children now leading the way, is so rewarding. A real highlight. I couldn’t be prouder.

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Email: office@southwaterjunioracademy.co.uk | Tel: 01403 730475 Please contact us to arrange a visit or enquire about admission

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ELECTRIC DREAMS THE RACING IS FAST AND FURIOUS AT HORSHAM RC

Every Friday evening, Broadbridge Heath Sports and Social Club is taken over by radiocontrolled car enthusiasts.

Joseph Moore races Schumacher cars at Horsham RC (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Horsham RC was formed over 30 years ago. It was a heyday for remote-controlled cars, with Tamiya producing famous models like the Hornet and Tyco’s Turbo Hopper becoming a popular toy for children. Remote-controlled car racing is now enjoying a second golden age, with petrol and electric cars raced both indoors and outdoors across the UK. There’s even an historic RC scene that thrives on the nostalgia of classic models. Brian Stally joined the club a few years after its foundation, when the club met at Forest Boys (now Forest School). He recalls: ‘Back then, we sold remote-controlled cars at our shop, Horace Fuller in Park Street, Horsham. They were popular for a while and we became an official outlet for Schumacher RC, but eventually couldn’t compete with the internet. However, my sons played with RC cars, so it became a real family passion. Thirty years later, we’re still involved, while the club has gone from strength to strength.’

THE CARS To avoid petrol fumes in the social club, Horsham RC races electric cars. They have hosted a variety of RC classes but currently has races in three categories. The first is GT12, in which cars are powered by a single cell 13.5 turned motor. They are fitted with foam tyres, ideal for carpeted tracks. The second is Buggies, perhaps the purest, most prestigious form on RC racing, with jumps added to the course as obstacles. The third class is Mini Touring Cars (MTC), one of the most affordable formats of RC. Chris Moore, who has been Chairman for 15 years, said: ‘We meet throughout the year and while numbers drop slightly in summer, there’s always a good turnout on club nights. We hold five-minute races for people of all ages and

The track layout is regularly altered (©AAH/AW)

long-serving member Brian Stally (©AAH/AW)

A buggy takes on the jump (©AAH/AW)

Matthew Heath is a national champion in the MTC class (©AAH/Alan Wright)

including Torquay, Eastbourne, Nottingham and the Midlands, with talk of establishing a round in Scotland too. I think we’re in a golden age of remote-controlled car racing and yet there’s not enough clubs. We are blocked out most weeks and what we need is more clubs to support the sport’s growth. ‘RC is In an ideal world, we would hold another ‘What’s great is that inclusive and night to give everyone finds their brings together beginners and level and has a fair amount of track time, people of all youngsters more track time, but you so they can improve. ages.’ need volunteers to You can spend £5000 commit a lot of time and on the best equipment effort to run it.’ in the world, but if your fingers aren’t up for the challenge, money won’t help you. It is the driver that THE YOUTH makes the difference!’ Matthew also helps to run another club called Gatwick Raceway, THE TITLES which meets at Holmbush Farm in Faygate and hosts off-road RC Horsham RC runs its own club racing. The larger track there championships, while more appeals to those who enjoy experienced members attend the thrill of off-road buggies. national and international races Although all are welcome at too. Matthew Heath, who works Horsham RC, children need to be at Horace Fuller, is the current supervised. Not that this prevents national champion in MTC, a class some progressing to the sharp designed to be an affordable way end of competition. to compete in RC. He said: ‘Horsham RC also hosts a round Joseph Moore races Schumacher of the national championships, RC cars and receives support held at Worth School. Other from the leading RC brand, giving venues are spread across the UK, abilities. Races typically feature only four cars to keep the track clear and drivers race the clock, bidding to complete as many laps as possible in the allotted time. We have a timing system that records to a thousandth of a second and informs the drivers if their times are getting faster or slower.’

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Chris and Caleb Moore at Horsham RC (©AAH/AW)

him a discount on equipment. This makes a difference when leading racers can change tyres every few weeks at a cost of £9 a pair. Joseph said: ‘I’ve been coming to Horsham RC since I was six and I turned 18 two months ago, so this has been my life! My dad brought me down initially after I found one of his old remote-controlled cars in the garage. I have improved a lot since then and now travel the country representing the club and Schumacher RC.

‘In 2017, I was one of about 300 people to compete at the IFMAR 1/12 World Championships in Milton Keynes, where I finished in the top 100. It was strange, as races were held in a shopping centre, with members of the public stopping to watch. I was only 12 and was the youngest competitor there, but it inspired me to push on with my passion. One of the great things about RC racing is that it crosses generations. Brian Stally has been racing for twice my lifetime, so it’s an inclusive hobby that brings together people of all ages.’

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THE WIND DOWN There has always been a strong social element to Horsham RC. Club nights offer a chance to wind down after a busy week, with members chatting to friends about cars and racing. Like many, Mark Rogers first developed an interest when he was a child and returned to the hobby after having a family. He is another member who competes in national and world championship events. And as Mark explains, while everyone is friendly off-track, the racing is taken seriously.

Range Rogers competes in national and international events (©AAH/AW)

‘The top competitors practice allyear round, experimenting with a wide range of settings and changing components, as you

would an actual race car. They change the ride height, adjust the position of the tyres and test out gear differentials to find the best set-up. Top drivers could be separated by less than a second for an entire race, so one mistake can cost you dear. So, while it’s a social hobby, there’s an element of competition too. However, Horsham RC is a friendly and accessible club where everyone is welcome. There’s a lot of support for younger members too as you need to encourage the next generation.’ WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: For more details join the Horsham RC page on Facebook.

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LAND GRAB THE PATCH OF CRAWLEY UNDER THREAT FROM HORSHAM

With so much of Crawley being densely populated, it’s easy to forget that there are parts of the Borough that have retained their historic charm. Ifield and Worth were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and although the former is now dominated by housing east of Rusper Road, the old village has survived on the other side of the road. Here, a close-knit community centres around the Plough Inn, Barn Theatre and the Grade I listed St Margaret’s Church, parts of which have stood since the 13th century. Ifield Village is a designated conservation area, making it popular with ramblers and dog walkers. The church is home to a yew tree thought some 700 years old, while in the meadows children can leap between ancient ant hills. Beyond the meadow you’ll find Ifield Brook, linking Ifield Mill Pond (which rail commuters to London will be familiar with) to the south and the River Mole to the north. Turning to face Ifield Village from just beyond the brook, you’ll see the view in the photo here, with the spire of St Margaret’s rising above the tree line. You’re no longer stood in the Borough of Crawley, but on the north-eastern tip of the Horsham District.

This is significant, as this area – known as West of Ifield in planning documents - has been earmarked by Horsham District Council for development. It would initially accommodate 3,000 new homes, making it the largest new site for ‘strategic scale’ development in the latest version of the HDC’s Local Plan. However, this number could eventually rise to 10,000 homes, significantly bridging the gap between the towns of Horsham and Crawley. In some parts of the Horsham District, there was a sense of relief when the latest version of the Local Plan was released. Proposals to develop at Buck Barn and Adversane are no longer included and these sites have been shelved, for now. Yet in Crawley, there is a feeling that Horsham is unloading a huge part of its housing allocation on its doorstep. Cathy Durrant of the Save West of Ifield group, said: ‘This is the last remaining place where people living in Crawley can walk to without having to cross a major road and enjoy the solitude of the countryside. We find it frustrating that Horsham District Council has gone to great lengths to protect its own rural escape at Chesworth Farm, yet are prepared to completely destroy ours. It just feels wrong.’

A footpath through the development site with St Margaret’s in the distance (©AAH/Alan Wright)

LOCAL PLAN

The Plan identifies 13,212 homes for development in total, although some will be built at other ‘strategic locations identified in previous versions of the Local Plan, where building is already underway, including Kilnwood Vale, land west of Southwater and land north of Horsham (now known as Mowbray). In addition, smaller-scale sites have been identified in Neighbourhood Plans. All in all, an average of 777 houses will be built in the District over the next 15 years.

Before we look in-depth at the site, here is the current state of play. Horsham District Council has published the Horsham District Local Plan 2023 – 2040 (Regulation 19), a document which replaces the Horsham District Local Plan 2019 – 2036 (Regulation 18). The aim of the Local Plan is to ‘deliver the social, economic and environmental needs of the Horsham District from 2023 – 2040’, while also considering a longer-term context of up to This figure is not dictated by 30 years for strategic scale ‘We are Horsham District Council. development. Regulation is set by the National 19 is now subject to a delighted by ItPlanning Policy consultation which the reaction Framework (NPPF) and runs until 1 March. from Horsham directives feed down to local authorities The most contentious, residents.’ across the country. Local aspects of the Local Plan Councils must do their best are the sites outlined for to balance the government’s housing. Many locations have demands with those of their been considered (readers may communities and there is a feeling recall reading about threats to that the Horsham District and the Chesworth Farm, Rookwood and wider South East region has been Buck Barn in the local press) and overly burdened with new housing, gradually, the Council’s planning threatening vast tracts of greenfield department has whittled them land. down, leaving just three ‘strategic sites’ for significant development. Fenella Maitland-Smith, Chair of These are land west of Ifield (3,000 Save West of Ifield, said: ‘We have dwellings), land north west of published information about how Southwater (1,000) and land east of the government calculates its Billingshurst (650). housing targets and it is evident

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that the Horsham District suffers, as urban areas such as Crawley to the north and coastal towns to the south cannot take much more housing.’ ‘We have set up stands in Horsham town, as well as the CPRE Sussex Countryside Day at Knepp last September, and were delighted by the reaction we received from Horsham residents. Not one person expressed happiness that all these new houses would be built in our back yard rather than theirs. Instead, they feel as we do that the level of development is unsustainable.’

CLOSING THE GAP If there is a feeling in Crawley that local authorities around them are building on its boundaries, then it isn’t without foundation. Previously, Mid Sussex District Council approved the Woodgate development at Pease Pottage, while Tandridge District Council identified land in Copthorne for housing on Crawley’s northern border. If HDC’s Local Plan proceeds as expected, land west of Ifield would initially accommodate about 3,000 homes, 1,600 of which would be delivered during the period of the

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However, your credit score can be negatively affected by several factors – your repayment history, any current debt, and even if you are on the electoral register, could all impact your credit score. When you take out credit, missed payments are recorded on your credit report. This may show lenders that you’re financially stretched, or that you’re having difficulty managing debt, which may negatively affect your chances of applying for credit in the future. Making your repayments in full and on time can help prove to lenders that you are sensible with your money and can pay back what you borrow, which may also help improve your credit score. If you already have a significant amount of credit available, for example, if you have multiple credit cards or a large overdraft, lenders may view this as a negative. If you already have access to credit, why would you need to apply for more? When you apply for credit, it leaves a ‘footprint’ on your credit report. Making too many applications in a short space of time can have a negative impact on your credit score as it might indicate to lenders that you’re having difficulties applying for credit. This may also suggest that you have a poor financial record and affect the success of your application. A good credit score can help increase your chances of successfully applying for a mortgage or loan. It can also improve your likelihood of being offered lower interest rates for repayments. A low score may negatively impact your chances of being offered credit. Either way, if the ‘computer says no’, don’t give up hope as some lenders still do not credit score at all and use a manual/human approach to assess your ability to be offered a mortgage.

Local Plan, along with facilities including a neighbourhood centre and possibly a secondary school. Travel improvements could include the first phase of a link road connecting the A264 at Faygate to the A23 north of Crawley.

However, the development proposed in Regulation 19 accounts for only a fraction of the land to the west of Ifield. The whole site forms a broad arc around fields on the western edge of Crawley, stretching all the way down to Faygate. In future, there is potential for up to 10,000 homes, delivered as three neighbourhoods. This would significantly close the strategic gap between Horsham and Crawley, especially with Mowbray growing out towards it.

Fenella Maitland-Smith said: ‘It is easy to say Because of its location in the heart of the there are employment opportunities because Gatwick Diamond, the land may be perceived of Manor Royal and Gatwick Airport, but many as the best place for new homes. It has jobs are being lost to automation and the jobs employment prospects at the airport, while that are available are often low-paid. There road, bus and rail links are established. The is also a case for the Local Plan to be west of Ifield site has the added convenience of being ‘available and ‘The site delayed until a decision is made on second runway. If the airport deliverable’, as the land is supports a the is granted permission to expand, controlled by Homes England, the colony of rare then would it not be logical to government’s own housing and regeneration agency. This includes Bechstein’s have a regional approach to development and infrastructure? land occupied by Ifield Golf Club, bats.’ Gatwick has made claims about the which is within the area set to be economic benefits of any expansion developed. However, campaigners and if these figures are accurate, then say that Gatwick cannot necessarily be perhaps we should align Local Plans with any depended upon to provide jobs. decision on the airport’s future.’

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RICH DIVERSITY The Save West of Ifield campaign also point to the natural beauty of the area, which it believes is worth protecting. HDC’s Local Plan makes note of the ‘rural character’ of the area, which includes ancient woodland, a section of the River Mole, Ifield Brook Meadows and St Margaret’s Church in the Ifield Village Conservation Area. Any development ‘must respect the rural and natural environment and local heritage’ and ‘be brought forward in a sensitive way which generates net biodiversity gain’. It must also mitigate any adverse impacts on protected species, such as bats. Recent surveys have revealed the site supports a breeding population of the rare Bechstein’s bat. Fenella said: ‘The area has rich diversity in terms of its wildlife, with ancient woodlands and hedgerows supporting a variety of birds. Connected habitats are dotted around the parish of Rusper and we are concerned that we will lose natural corridors with any development. While Ifield Brook Meadows are not part of the proposed development, it would be sandwiched between the new houses and Ifield West village. It will be criss-crossed by lit bridleways and footpaths to provide access into Crawley for residents of any new development, which in turn will impact the character of the village and the conservation area.’ ‘Gatwick Airport Ltd has done fantastic work in studying the biodiversity in and around the area too, employing an ecologist. They have collaborated with Surrey and Sussex Wildlife Trust as part of the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership and recorded many species including nightingales, birds of prey and Bechstein’s bat. Previously, roosting colonies have led to areas being designated as special areas of conservation, but you need the landowner’s position permission to do that and that’s Homes England.’

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Any new development must also provide a comprehensive ‘Ecology and Green Infrastructure Strategy’, which includes a ‘Biodiversity Net Gain Plan’ to demonstrate how a minimum 12% net biodiversity gain will be achieved. However, campaigners say that large parts of the site, including the golf course, have not been properly surveyed.

WATER NEUTRALITY The West of Ifield development would signal the end of Ifield Golf Course. However, National Planning Policy Framework states that any sporting facility that is going to be lost needs to be replaced unless it is surplus to requirements. It is unclear yet whether this is the case. Another concern is water neutrality. In September 2021, Natural England published a statement that showed that the abstraction of water to supply homes and businesses is having a negative impact on protected wildlife in the Arun Valley. They advised that any development in the North West Sussex water supply area mustn’t add to this negative effect.

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Much of the South East, including Horsham District, has also been designated as an ‘area of serious water stress’ by the Environment Agency. All of which has had an impact on the Local Plan. Water restrictions and legislation has contributed to a slowing down of new houses being built and it’s an issue that will need to be resolved in the west of Ifield too. Jenny Frost, who has extensive knowledge of the heritage of Ifield Village and Rusper, said: ‘If we’re to build 3,000 houses West of Ifield, housing approximately 7,500 people, their water will have to be found somewhere. That’s a lot of water, especially at a time when Southern Water are handing out devices for people to time their showers! The other issue is what to do with all the waste water, which presumably would feed into the River Mole. Large sections of the Mole have been declared as being polluted and unhealthy, so we have many environmental concerns too. We’ll continue to fight for all these reasons.’ WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright Further information: The proposed submission and the feedback form can be viewed on the Council’s website at horsham.gov.uk/localplanreg19 Hard copies are also be available for the public to view and comment on until Friday 1 March, 5pm, at Horsham District Council Offices and libraries in Billingshurst, Crawley, Henfield, Horsham, Pulborough, Southwater, Steyning and Storrington.

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JOINT BID

TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES APPROVE HORSHAM BID

Members of the Horsham BID Task Group include Willie Hamilton, India De Silva Jeffries, Rachel Noel, Dominic Wakefield, Gill Buchanan and Ben Hewson (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Businesses in the town centre recently voted in favour of becoming a Business Improvement District (BID). Horsham BID has produced a strategic business plan that aims to improve life for those working in or visiting the town. AAH met Rachel Noel (BID Manager) and members of the BID Task Group including India De Silva Jeffries (Chair of the BID Task Group/ Brod + Wolf), Gill Buchanan (Centre Manager, Swan Walk), Willie Hamilton (Wakefield’s Jewellers), Paul Davies (At Home Estate and Lettings Agency) and Ben Hewson (The Bear/Horsham Business Initiative) to find out more… Gill: I have worked in Horsham for about 30 years and for most of that time, there have been collective business initiatives in the town. Horsham Unlimited, for example, had benefits in that it established lines of communication with the Council and represented the views of the business

community. However, without proper funding or any constitutional authority, such groups have ultimately been unsustainable. That is why we identified BID as the ideal vehicle for us to move forward. Rachel: There are about 320 BIDs across the UK and they’re all different. Some are established in towns such as Guildford, Worthing and Dorking, while others operate in villages or industrial estates, including a highly successful BID at Manor Royal, Crawley. Each BID is bespoke, representing the needs of the businesses in its own area, identifying opportunities and addressing challenges. Willie: BIDs are unique, as they are funded entirely by businesses within the area they serve. Each business pays a levy which, in Horsham’s case, equates to 1.5% of their business rates, although a threshold does exempt some smaller units. For some businesses, the levy equates to less than

£1000 a year, while major retailers such as John Lewis and Sainsbury’s contribute more. There may have been a bit of apathy when we first started talking about a BID, as some wondered if it was something that an affluent town like Horsham needed. But when you start looking at the many ways in which a BID can create a better experience for businesses, staff and visitors, the benefits are clear. Rachel: A BID can only be established with support from local businesses. We held a confidential postal vote, conducted by the Returning Officer at Horsham District Council (HDC) and for the BID to progress, more than 50% of businesses had to vote in its favour. We had a positive result with 77% voting ‘yes’. A second condition is that of all the businesses that vote, the ‘yes’ votes must represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of votes cast, which prevents larger businesses being obliged to fund a BID they vote against. This was

achieved with 53% of the vote. Now, the BID becomes law and businesses are required to contribute financially through the annual levy. This includes HDC, with Council-owned buildings and car parks within the boundary. Ben: The BID covers what you would constitute as the town centre. It includes West Street and the Bishopric (as far as and not including, the King’s Arms), then loops around John Lewis, the new Aldi, Sainsbury’s, the Forum and the library. It excludes the Causeway and the majority of Denne Road, which are predominantly residential, but includes Market Square and East Street. Albion Way forms the northern boundary, with Piries Place, Carfax and Swan Walk included in the BID. It doesn’t extend to London Road, Springfield Road or Queen’s. Rachel: I will coordinate the BID as currently the only paid member of the team. My job is to understand the needs and expectations of local businesses in order to refine and implement the business plan that will cover the initial five years of the BID. I will be supported by a Task Group which will become the initial BID Board, and includes voluntary representatives of local pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, jewellers, estate agents and insurance companies, as well as Horsham District Council. The Board will meet regularly to discuss progress and identify issues that can be included in our business plan. After five years, another vote will be held to decide if businesses wish to continue the BID.

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Ben: This is not an easy time for small businesses. Some are now being asked to contribute to the BID, even though they might have voted against it, and understandably they want to know what they’re getting for their money. Even if they’re paying a relatively small levy, they still need to know it’s being well spent and will benefit them directly. We have worked hard over a long period of time to come up with a range of projects and initiatives that we hope deliver something for everyone. India: Over the next five years, Horsham BID will generate about £1.5million and our business plan allocates funds accordingly. These include initiatives to reduce antisocial behaviour, improve signage and branding, create better Christmas lighting displays and launch parking incentives. Traditionally, Horsham has tended to have a daytime and night-time economy that are not mutually beneficial. We have an opportunity to improve that too. Being in the hospitality industry, I would like to see more events that will draw more people into my café in the Carfax, but we need to ensure that we organise events across a wider range of town centre locations, benefitting more of the BID businesses. Paul: As the owner of a local estate and lettings agency, it’s in my interest to ensure Horsham continues to be an attractive destination. That’s why I was so keen to get involved and join the Task Group. I always loved the ‘headline’ events the Council organised, like Piazza Italia, as they brought thousands of people into the centre and

contributed to Horsham’s excellent reputation as a destination town. I think many of those visiting from further afield stay to eat at a restaurant or visit the theatre, so it’s encouraging to see Horsham BID develop an events strategy. However, that is just one of the objectives in our business plan.

Rachel: One thing a BID cannot do is

replace services already provided by ‘BID local authorities. However, it can initiatives complement them. For example, if could include the Council cleans the streets four days a week but there’s a feeling more festive that this needs to be increased, a lighting.’ BID can cover costs for the other two

Gill: We acknowledge that some businesses in the BID that don’t have shop fronts. There are offices that don’t benefit from having cars in the Carfax or live music on the Bandstand. For them, it might be more important that the streets are well lit to ensure staff can travel to and from work safely. Other BIDs have introduced ‘ambassadors’ or ‘rangers’ that operate in the area, fulfilling customer service roles or acting as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour, liaising with the police and community wardens. This is something else we are already considering.

days. We could potentially also investigate ways to save businesses money on energy costs, advertising, insurance and trade waste through group purchasing. Willie: Another benefit is that businesses once again have a voice within the community. If the Council is considering making changes to infrastructure in the town centre, or are implementing traffic restrictions, they can communicate that information through BID and we can provide feedback from our members.

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Rachel: We will publish a newsletter that has contact details for Horsham BID. We already have a database of email addresses and phone numbers but we hope more people will get involved too. Further down the line, we expect to establish smaller working groups to deliver various projects and will need the business community to come together to succeed. There are many ways in which people can help.

Gill: Whatever levy a business pays, we hope they will feel it is money well spent. If they pay £200 a year, our aim is to ensure they get more than that back in return. This value might

come through social media posts promoting them, savings made on waste collections due to joint contracts, extra business created from events organised by the BID, or even additional footfall created by improved Christmas displays which we hope to implement.

Further information: Email Rachel Noel, BID Manager, at rachel@horshambid.org www.horshambid.org

India: Horsham is a beautiful town but there are always ways we could make it even better. There is a supportive network of businesses here in the town and we feel that now is the right time to take it to the next level. WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright

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ROAD TR

METRICELL EMBARK ON JOURNEY TO FIX POTHO Horsham-based telecommunications company Metricell made national headlines after launching a new smartphone application in January. Stan the App aims to make it easier to identify and report potholes, hopefully leading to improved road maintenance and repairs. AAH met Managing Director Tom Staniland to find out more…

SMALL ROOTS Metricell was founded in 2007 and began life in an office in Sanford House, Medwin Walk, Horsham. It was a time when most businesses saved their data on their own computers and hard drives, but Metricell recognised the potential of cloud technology. Rather than using their own servers, clients could save data on the cloud, which could be accessed anywhere in the world via the internet. Cloud computing was still a relatively new concept (it wasn’t until 2011 that Apple launched iCloud) and Metricell’s willingness to embrace web-based infrastructure attracted clients.

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In 2010, the company made a leap forward when T-Mobile and Orange UK merged to create Everything Everywhere (now EE).Tom said: ‘T-Mobile and Orange had their own systems for storing data about their network coverage and you couldn’t simply merge the two by sharing spreadsheets. We proposed storing all the information in a centralised data warehouse through the cloud, which staff on both sides could access. The project involved significant coordination, but it worked and gave us our big break.’

Metricell was founded by Dr Stephen Mockford and Philip Caiger, with just a handful of employees in the early years. Tom Staniland joined the team in 2010 and the business moved to Barclays House, Bishopric. It wasn’t long though before further expansion meant that the company needed a much larger premises. Rather than leasing, Metricell bought a unit on the Foundry Lane Industrial Estate and embarked on an extensive renovation project. A former warehouse used by a chemicals company was transformed into what is affectionately known as ‘Big Blue’, incorporating offices, conference rooms, social areas with arcades, a pool table, table tennis and air hockey, a café and a gym.

‘Now, there are many more cloud providers including Google, Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and it’s the normal way to store data, as it’s the easiest way for information to be analysed and utilised across an organisation.’

Today, the business has some 110 employees. As well as its Horsham headquarters, Metricell has offices in Malaga, Spain and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, providing opportunities for staff to gain international experience. Dr Mockford retired

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as Managing Director five years ago, with Tom stepping into the role, but continues to serve as Chairman. Tom said: ‘Big Blue has been important in terms of recruiting and retaining staff. We’ve always had a young staff profile as the software developers we employ tend to be in their 20s or early 30s, so we thought long and hard about what we could offer them in terms of facilities. We need to convince talented people that they don’t need to work in London or Brighton, as we have everything they need. As well as facilities, you need to challenge people to ensure they continually improve their skill-set by providing them with new and interesting projects.’

APP-Y DAYS

From the beginning, Metricell has specialised in providing software solutions to telecommunications companies, constantly evolving in the face of technological advancement. While early projects focused on utilising the cloud to store data and providing platforms to analyse it, Metricell’s next step was to help clients improve their network coverage. With the advent of the BlackBerry and other early

smartphones, applications (apps) emerged which could collect data. So, Metricell recruited app developers and built datacollecting software to ensure mobile network operators could build a clear picture of their coverage. This concept has since evolved with the advancement of geospatial intelligence and today Metricell partners with some of the world’s leading companies including the Home Office, EE and BT, Sky, Virgin Media and O2. Tom said: ‘Metricell has little recognition as a telecoms brand as we’ve never been a B2C (Business to Consumer) business. Instead, we’ve traded off the reputation of our client base. There’s always been a big contrast between little Metricell and our clients, which employ thousands of people and have annual turnovers of billions of pounds. But you grow-up quickly when you’re doing business with global brands, in terms of your professionalism.’ ‘We were able to steadily grow year-on-year without much fanfare. But now, to a certain degree we’ve come out of stealth mode and unleashed Stan the App upon the world.’

Rental Moving Trends At the end of last year, the Property Academy carried out a survey into the UK residential property market, which was completed by over 10,000 landlords and tenants. The data revealed a snapshot into what both landlords and their tenants think of the UK residential property market.

The Tenant Survey

THE DISRUPTORS

look like lampposts or trees. We needed to build an image bank, feed Stan is a revolutionary mobile app that its creators hope will become a those into our machine learning server and train the neural network milestone in road safety and to identify them accurately. That community empowerment. Thanks was our first foray into computer to a user-friendly AI-powered platform, Stan the App can to report vision AI.’ potholes seamlessly. Users can ‘We now had the ability to develop select either ‘photo’ or ‘video’ mode mobile and web applications, as to collect thousands of data points well as geospatial data sets. So, in a short drive. Each report we pondered what problems we generated helps contribute could apply our skill set towards a collective voice to and the answer was and by consolidating all ‘It was potholes. We had the the submitted data, an opportunity ability to use computer the app can create a visuals and apply it to for us to picture of our roads and road infrastructure and highlight necessary come in and highways, so under the repairs. leadership of Mike disrupt.’ Mockford, Sales Director, So, how did the idea come we developed Stan the App. about? From an outside perspective, highways can be very bureaucratic ‘Two years ago, we were working on and slow to adapt to change, so it a project for a telecoms provider,’ was an opportunity for us to come says Tom. ‘You would like to think in and disrupt.’ that when a company erects a 15m phone mast, they keep a good record of where it is, but that’s not always the case! We embarked on a project in which we utilised Google Street View to locate towers, but had to develop a neural network that could recognise them. That is complicated, as mobile towers can be anywhere from rooftops to fields, and some are designed to

ROAD HEALTH Stan’s advantage over current methods of gathering data about road networks is that it allows everyone to contribute. With extensive networks that can cover thousands of miles, identifying problems is a monumental task for

From just over 6,000 responses, approximately one-third of renters fall within the 25-34 age bracket, at which point a majority are striving to raise a substantial deposit in order to secure a mortgage on their own home. According to the survey findings, approximately 50% of tenants have a rental history of five years or less. The swift acquisition of rental properties clarifies why merely 27% of tenants viewed only one property before finalising their rental agreements. The remainder explored up to 11 different homes before making their decision or being successful in securing a property, with the majority opting for a 12-month tenancy agreement.

The Landlord Survey From 4,000 participants it was interesting to see the different responses from landlords. An accidental landlord is anyone who hasn't intended to become a landlord but finds themselves needing to rent out a property for varying circumstances; they may have inherited a property, decided to support a family member or a change in personal circumstances. A professional landlord is anyone who treats rental properties as a business and often have multiple homes on a buy-to-let basis. 46% of landlords fall into the category of accidental landlords, and they anticipate their rental portfolios to remain unchanged in the coming year. Meanwhile, professional landlords express the possibility of increasing their portfolio, with 25% building an investment business. The following question was asked in the survey ‘What is the primary reason your portfolio will decrease in the next 1-2 years?’, the responses varied: an increase in landlord legislation (23%), too much worry (17%) and not making enough profit (14%). Overall, 2024 is set to be a positive year, with more legislation being introduced for both tenants and landlords. Whatever the reason for becoming a landlord, the demand for rental properties remains high and encouraging for tenants also. *Data provided by 2023 Renter and Landlord Survey Executive

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local authorities and highways specialists. By using data collected from smartphones placed in car windscreen, Stan the App captures enough data to provide a live health score of Britain’s roads. The app has already been well received by influential figures and organisations. Mark Morrell, known as Mr Pothole, a leading advocate for improved road infrastructure, has voiced his approval, while Metricell has formed a strategic collaboration with the RAC. Members of the RAC will be encouraged to download the app and use it to report road conditions, with users able to view results on a dedicated map within the Stan the App website. Tom said: ‘With Stan the App, there’s no need to manually point a mobile at a pothole, as the AI performs that role. You just need to record as you’re driving and our technology does the hard work. It means we’re able to collect data on a scale that the highways industry is not currently even close to. However, we are fully aware that some things need to change in order to make this project a success. This is a long-term project, for sure.’ ‘By putting the app out there, we hope the market will adapt. Finances are tight when it comes to roads and there are problems with the process of reporting, monitoring and repairing potholes. Currently, if a pothole is reported and isn’t fixed within an appropriate timeframe, the local authority could be liable to pay compensation for any damages it subsequently causes. So where so is their incentive to know about potholes? It almost makes sense to bury their heads in the sand.’

‘In addition to approaching local authorities, we’re in talks with road maintenance and insurance companies, who are looking at the many ways that the app could be utilised. All of which is very interesting for our staff. Most of what we do is telecoms focused, but Stan the App is our first foray into B2C, so there’s lots of excitement. We’re certainly proud of the work we’ve done on it.’ WORDS: Ben Morris PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: Stan is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, or visit stantheapp.com

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Something for every buyer at Graylands Manor This collection of luxury one and two bedroom apartments are nestled within a historic Horsham country estate, many boasting stunning scenic views across the South Downs. A premium finish; with beautiful kitchens, integrated appliances, wood flooring, and retained original features (where possible) including bay windows, ornate fireplaces and stained glass windows.

Downsizers

Buy-to-let

First time Buyers

The apartments come with a 10 year New Home warranty, meaning nothing to do or worry about for some time. The community aspect of apartment living provides security to ‘lock up and leave’ when enjoying holidays, and the residents-only grounds offer you valuable outside space without the responsibility.

Yields of over 5% could be achieved, based on current rental market conditions, making this the ideal opportunity to start or grow your property portfolio. The lowmaintenance aspect of owning a new home also means that you are ready to let without any DIY or modernisation required, and no surprise repair bills.

Graylands Manor offers the perfect opportunity to step onto the property ladder with generously sized apartments, tucked within a semi-rural setting yet still within easy reach of Horsham’s bustling town centre and buzz of the town’s nightlife. Plus, so few apartments that are within a first time buyer’s budget have communal gardens.

To find out more or to arrange your exclusive viewing, contact us on 01403 282511 50 Carfax, Horsham, RH12 1BP | horshamnewhomes@henryadams.co.uk Sales Lettings Land and New Homes Commercial Agriculture