AAH Horsham Oct Magazine

AAH ALL ABOUT HORSHAM MAGAZINE

Soaring Success How Horsham’s Air Training Corps came back from the brink to become the biggest squadron in the county

October 2011

HORSHAM Fireworks Night

Sat 29th October 2011

starts 6pm - Ă„reworks at 7.30pm at Horsham Sports Club Cricketfield Road, Horsham

A FAMILY EVENT with

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) f 5’s free) ( d 5’ TICKETS £5 (under er ticket: 4 for 3 until 15 Oct Family saver TLFNHWV DYDLODEOH IURP FOXE RIÀFH DQG EDU 2 hcsc.co.uk or 01403 254528 or visit www.hcsc.co.uk

Fire reworks by

A OR A AUR Generously supported by

Find our advertising rates at www.aahorsham.co.uk If you want to discuss advertising in AAH, please contact Ben or Kelly on 01403 878026.

We’re happy to design adverts and/or write advertorials.

Quarter page: £100 Half Page: £175 Full Page £300 Double Page: £500

You can view old editions of AAH in a new fancy format on the AAH website at www.aahorsham.co.uk. The website also has now a news section and an events diary.

Stepping up a gear As you will hopefully of read in last month’s edition, Toby and I had an incredible experience with the monks at Parkminster last month.

The article has been well received and it transpires that many people were intrigued by the lives the monks lead (if you missed it, you can view the edition online at aahorsham.co.uk).

It certainly has its perks - traditional fireplace, free fruit, all the apple wine you could drink, no worries about the rising cost of living...

But a life of solitude and peace is not for everyone...

Being a magazine of extremes, we thought we’d look at the people who live at the total opposite end of the noise spectrum - the motor racers.

It seemed a good time to do it, as the famous 12 hour lawnmower race was held in September. So we’ve featured Jolyon and William Palmer, two likeable brothers from Southwater who are hoping to follow their father into Grand Prix racing. There are a number of others from saloon cars, powerboating, NASCAR trucks and single seater racing that we have featured.

In the last two months, we’ve introduced new neighbourhoods to our circulation - Holders Close in Billingshurst, The Rookwood Estate , Earles Meadow and Hills Farm Lane in Horsham , Holm Oaks in Cowfold - to our circulation.

This month, we’ll be expanding our already extensive deliveries in North Horsham towards the Roffey end, with Shepherds Way and part of Lambs Farm Road now on our regular round.

If you’re a new reader, hello, and thanks for not throwing us out with the free flyers.

Once again, the magazine has some wonderful photographs by Toby and his magic camera, which is so fancy you can actually press a button so that it takes five shots in really quick succession like a machine gun - but with pictures.

If you wish to buy any of the images he has taken for AAH magazine, they are available to view on his website www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk Don’t forget the co.uk, as the.com version has been bought by someone else in recent weeks for reasons only they can explain. Monks don’t have those sorts of problems...

Editor: Ben Morris editor@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899

Contributors Chris Connors (Coco’s Foundation) and Arthur Ward (Bill Stallion article)

Advertising Manager: Kelly Morris advertising@aahorsham.co.uk 01403 878026 / 01903 892899

Thank you Jeremy Knight of Horsham Museum, PJ Aldred and Garry Mortimer-Cook (Live & Deadly assistance), Maria and Kelly for putting up with the crazy hours.

Photography: Toby Phillips tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk info@tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk 07968 795625

Website www.aahorsham.co.uk

Ben Morris, AAH editor, and Toby Phillips, AAH Photographer 01403 878026.

E: editor@aahorsham.co.uk

Extra copies of the May, June, September and October edition of AAH are available for £3 each (this includes postage) Please send a cheque (payable to AA Publishing Ltd) of £3 for each copy to AA Publishing Ltd, 2 Viney Close, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3PT.

Cover Image Jaz Hewitt was actually getting in the back of a car and heading away from the 1015 Squadron headquarters when we dragged her out for a photoshoot! Toby had taken a few photos of individual cadets but he wanted the final image to be one that showed the good spirit and camaraderie of the members.

Contents October 2011 8

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Live ‘n’ Deadly Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall came to Horsham with the BBC Live ‘n’ Deadly roadshow. But was it worth it?

Events Find out what’s going on with our great events guide. Includes details about Horsham’s annual firework display

Music We meet Alice Ella, a singer songwriter hoping to follow in the footsteps of her idol, Jessie J

Top 10 As we approach the Battle of the Bands contest, we consider some of the best songs by local bands in recent years

Airfix Artist We look back at the life of Bill Stallion, an artist who drew many of the Airfix model boxes we know and love

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35

40

48

51

Meal Review Our review comes from The Random Hall Hotel in Slinfold, known for its speciality steaks

Southwater Relays Horsham Amphibians host a huge triathlon around Southwater County Park

Skatejam Following a refurbishment, Horsham Skate Park hosted a Skatejam for BMX bikers, boarders and inline skaters

Solar Boom As more of us look into solar panel, we focus on a local company at the forefront of solar technology

Robin Lackford AAH speaks to Robin about his life racing cars, at his renowned classic car garage in Cowfold

tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk You can now buy many of the photos you have seen in AAH magazine

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Lawnmower Race The famous 12 hour lawn mower race appears to be over its difficult period after a good turnout at Five Oaks

The Palmer Brothers We speak to Jolyon and William Palmer as they attempt to follow their father Jonathan into Formula One

1015 Squadron The Group Discussion comes courtesy of the young members of Horsham’s Air Training Corps

Big Quiz Another load of goodies including Fishers Farm tickets and a day at Slinfold Golf and Country Club - can be won!

* Seeing as we’re nice enough to give you this magazine for free, would you mind giving AAH a little mention when contacting any of our advertisers? Thanks!

Crabtree back in business The Crabtree pub has re-opened, having been closed for business for two and a half years.

It’s taken a monumental effort, with the roof needing to be replaced, the chimney rebuilt, and a delicate restoration of a 500 year old section of the building, but the future looks promising for the Hall and Woodhouse -owned pub.

Gone are the concrete blocks in the car park, and in come new business partners Simon Adamson Hope, son Hamish, daughter Daisy; and her husband John Gillhan-Hills.

With a wealth of experience between them, the family are set to make their new business a fantastic success. It will look and feel like a public house but under the supervision of Head Chef, Mark Kinzel, The Crabtree will be known equally for great food.

All the ingredients are carefully sourced from independent local producers. Everything

Mark buys and creates is the finest quality from home baked bread and butter to ice creams, sorbets and preserves.

Simon said that the support they had received from the local community has been fantastic.

The local cricket team, the Crabtree Cavaliers, are particularly happy to have their headquarters back in business.

He said: “I was just driving by one day and saw the pub had a To Let board up so I enquired about it. It transpired Hall and Woodhouse were looking for a business partner and we went from there.

“It’s taken a lot of work to get to this stage.

The roof had to be replaced and the chimney had to come down and be rebuilt, but the part that took the longest was the planning process for an original part of the building. It’s basically a shed, but it’s a 500 year old shed!

“There are a number of important beams

there, and so we’ve carried out our work in conjunction with English Heritage and retained many of those.”

A modest opening party was held on Thursday 8th September where representatives from the local council came to welcome Simon and his family to the local community.

Mark Woodhouse, Hall and Woodhouse Chairman, organised some beer and cheese tasting, and all the guests were shown a taste of the Crabtree.

Mark said: “It is fantastic to see the Crabtree open once more, the service and standards that Simon, Hamish and Daisy have implemented already make us confident that they are the perfect partners to run this public house. We wish them every success for their new venture.”

For details visit www.crabtreesussex.com

Back to Ubombo with clothes you donated

Chris Connors, Group Director

Thanks to AAH readers!

Huge smiles greeted me when I returned to the Ubombo orphanage with the clothes that many of you had donated.

You managed to kit out all the boys in new school uniforms with the many school trousers and white shirts that where dropped off at the CoCo’s Style salons.

All the children got new socks and underwear from the money that you raised through Clothes4Clothes.

It is great to have so many of the local community supporting young local children to fundraise for other

children in desperate need. One of the fundraising events that have had great support is our Family Bingo Night at Southwater Junior Academy.

This was so successful we are holding one a month for the local community at the Southwater Junior academy, which will help to build a kitchen for 38 orphans in Sodwana Bay - a new orphanage we have found on our last trip. It is in desperate need of new facilities to help feed the 38 orphans and many additional children.

But if that is not your thing then why not come along to a ladies nights at CoCo’s Southwater on 24th November and learn how to do your hair?

Contact CoCo’s Southwater on 01403 738800.

Keep bringing those clothes in!

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AAH News Round-up 1

2 4

3

5

7

6 1 Billingshurst Dramatic Society is to celebrate its 70th birthday by presenting Sweet Charity, its first musical in nearly two decades. Professionally trained members Sue Pollard and Natalie van der Braam direct and choreograph. Sweet Charity can be seen at Fishers Farm Theatre on November 3rd, 4th & 5th at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £8 from Mallards in Billingshurst or from Fishers Farm Park (01403 700063) www.billingshurstdramaticsociety.webs.com 2 Last year’s champions, Crawleybased CGG Veritas, retained their crown at the St Catherine’s Hospice Dragon Boat races on 4th September. Second place went to the More Than a Dragon team from More Than Insurance (pictured). Sarah-Jane Smith

from the team said: “My husband lost his father four years ago and he spent the last six weeks of his life in the care of the hospice. Getting a team together is a small way that we can give something back.”

Horsham businesses to get their public-facing windows and displays looking fantastic this Christmas has gotten underway.

The Dressed for Success initiative follows on from the success of the 2010 Christmas windows campaign.

3 The Battle of the Bands Competition is held next month.

Originals heats are held on 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd October at The Chameleon Club, Horsham Leisure Park, Albion Way, with the final held at the Carfax bandstand on Friday, 28th October. The covers final is held on 6th November 2011 (see events guide) and the acoustic final is at The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham, on 7th November. Visit www.hdlma.co.uk for more.

5 Sixty years ago, William Albery donated his collection of posters spanning 150 years to Horsham Museum. Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £45,000, the Friends of Horsham Museum are embarking on an ambitious project to make these posters relevant to today’s generation. The project will involve the preservation of over 250 posters and the cataloguing of the entire collection to produce a digital archive.

4 A campaign encouraging all

6 A Christmas Showcase Art

Exhibition will be held at Horsham’s Capitol Theatre Art Gallery on 21st-23rd November, in aid of the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. On Tuesday 22nd, enjoy a lunchtime audience with wildlife artist David Shepherd (1pm) and on the Wednesday there’s an Auction of Art with broadcaster John Henty. For more information contact Rosie Wyer on 01403 780444.

7 Anyone eating in or out or buying food locally should look out for the number 5, which shows that the establishment providing the food has the highest possible food hygiene score.

The score is part of the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme which started in April. To find out the scores and more, visit http://www.horsham.gov.uk/he alth/12966.aspx

Advertising feature

Light

at the end of the

tunnel

John Inverdale opens improved Cranfold Physical Therapy Centre Cranfold Physical Therapy Centre, which delivers physio and related therapies in several locations in Surrey and West Sussex, marked the end of a long project this week at the Cranleigh head office.

Having been based in the High Street premises for 8 years, in summer last year our landlord changed, with the local pub, financial office and our building being sold to a local property developer.

At our first meeting with the developer, he announced that he would like to change the access into the car park behind us by driving a big tunnel straight through our building!

Having recovered from the initial shock, we then looked more closely at the plans and began to see the opportunities that this would offer us. We worked closely together to redesign the

building, to replace our lost floor space and extend to give us four large and airy treatment rooms and waiting reception, plus a studio space.

The studio is a huge bonus to Cranfold, allowing us to achieve our dream of running rehab and Pilates classes, plus giving us a good space for training and lectures.

We moved out in October 2010 as the bulldozers moved in. We were very lucky in being able to secure a temporary home at a suite of rooms in the Cranleigh Leisure Centre where we could continue to work whilst keeping an eye on the progress of the development.

In July 2011 we moved back as the builders finalised work on the driveway and

other buildings in the development.

Last week we were lucky to have John Inverdale (BBC Sports Presenter) back to officially open the new building – a job he had done for us before in the old building in 2002!

The event was well attended by patients, doctors, staff and local business people. Our new close proximity to the excellent Richard Onslow pub helped the party along enormously as we were able to extend the evening into their courtyard where they served guests a delicious selection of canapĂŠs and drinks.

Having moved the business twice in nine months, we are pleased to finally be settled and be able to find things again!

The Therapy Centre has re-opened on Cranleigh High Street

The Cranleigh centre now provides both Rehab and Pilates classes

There is also an improved lounge area

Cranfold Physical Therapy Centre is a BUPA Approved Practice, which offers a wide range of therapies across our sites, including Chartered Physiotherapy, Sports Physician, Sports Therapy, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Acupuncture.

Our aim is to reduce your pain, aid your recovery and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.

Also at Village Surgery, Southwater & Courtyard Surgery, Horsham

Appointments in 48 hours

Web: www.cranfoldphysio.co.uk

Tel: 0845 025 4000

Steve Backshall, one of our most popular children’s TV stars, was in Horsham Park in September with the BBC Live ‘n’ Deadly road show. 10,000 people had tickets to the free event, but not all went home happy. AAH puts the event in the dock. Was it a major success for the town or a flop for wildlife fans?

The Case For The Prosecution Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, there can be no doubt here that the defendant, the Horsham Live ‘n’ Deadly Show, is guilty of letting down hundreds, perhaps thousands, of expectant children.

The people came to Horsham from Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton, Canterbury, Ashford, Rochester, Ipswich, Hitchin, Bedford and many points in between.

And then they all queued. And queued, for hour upon hour!

Ten thousand free tickets were handed out to people from about 15,000 ticket applications.

It is estimated around 7,000 of the people who were given tickets arrived on the day.

But only 2,800 of those were handed a wristband to see one of the four shows with Live ‘n’ Deadly host and current star of children’s television, adventurer Steve Backshall.

Naturally, these went to the first in the queue, and anyone arriving after, we would estimate,

9.15am, was likely to miss out.

So we therefore have 4,200 unhappy people, many of whom had travelled a long way.

Do I need to tell you how miserable it is to queue for that length of time with children, on a hot morning when the ice cream seller has decided that a Cornetto warrants a £2 price tag?

This was the first of the CBBC Live ‘n’ Deadly road shows, so we can forgive the organising team for being a little slow in working things out, but surely one of them should have done a rough count-up and informed people after a certain point in the queue that they would be unlikely to be handed a wristband.

It’s one thing queuing for two and a half hours if you know there’s a good ride at the end.

It’s not worth it when the only reward is the opportunity to stroke a ferret!

Live ‘n’ Deadly is a great show for children, and Steve Backshall is a star of TV, but people had come a long way to see him, only to be sorely disappointed.

At no point did I see Steve away from those four shows, walking

around and chatting to his fans that had queued a long time to see him! Is he undeserving of the adulation of these children?

And the sideshows were not up to much either. Some snakes, a few spiders, a scattering of ferrets. Corn Snakes fulfil 50% of the criteria for being ‘live and deadly’.

The only good thing about the day was the weather, yet some wished it had rained, as the weather forecasters had predicted.

Then they wouldn’t have made the trip and would have saved themselves from an overwhelming disappointment.

A better wildlife experience would have been to feed the ducks in the Park pond! The Live ‘n’ Deadly Show in Horsham Park can have no reasonable defence to the charge of disappointing hundreds of children in Horsham Park that day. I push for the maximum sentence – a townwide ban of Deadly 60 Trading Cards!

I rest my case.

The Case For The Defence Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, as upstanding members of society I’m sure that you are, as I am, totally bemused by the accusations levelled at Horsham’s Live ‘n’ Deadly Show.

It is ludicrous that people responsible for bringing unbridled joy to thousands of people can be called into question. Here we have a man, Steve Backshall - arguably the most popular children’s entertainer of his generation– who has given up his time to entertain his fans.

The BBC did not charge for this event, yet they could have done and would still have sold thousands of tickets. Instead, they have given something back

to the fans by coming out on a weekend, putting on not one show but four, cramming in 700 people into a tent every time. How many heroes, of this generation or any other, have done anything like that?

Once the four shows were over, did Mr Backshall sneak out of a back entrance and slide away in a Range Rover with blacked out windows? No. Instead, he waited another hour until the final Bird of Prey show was finished late in the afternoon, and spent an hour signing autographs and chatting to his fans.

He spent time with the youngsters, telling them how his favourite Deadly 60 experience was with the Hammerhead Sharks, and that he hoped to see Blue Whales in a forthcoming series.

I will give some concession to the notion that those queuing could have been better informed. That aside, there was not a lot else that could have been done. We’ve all been to theme parks, so we can all have a rough guess as to how long may be spent queuing.

We can’t treat people as idiots, so it is up to those visiting with their free tickets as to how long they wish to spend waiting to get in. There’s a park, swimming pool and bowling alley a short walk away, so it’s not like parents didn’t have an alternative to queuing.

Many enjoyed these other facilities,

while some others took a calculated gamble to wait in the queue and may have lost out.

Once inside the show, queues to get inside each activity tent were lengthy, but people were at least entertained by people from various organisations, including East Sussex Reptile and Amphibian Society, walking along the lines with animals including snakes, lizards and ferrets.

The arena shows were entertaining, with good audience participation. As for the animals not being deadly, I don’t quite know what the prosecution is suggesting? Should the BBC have brought with them a pride of lions, or a herd of rampaging elephants? I think that Boa snakes, iguanas and lively ferrets were more than exciting enough!

It is the view of the defence that the BBC should be praised for organising such a great, free event, and that Aldred Associates and the Horsham District Council event team, which was on hand throughout the day to ensure visitors had access to local information, should be given credit for bringing a major show to the town.

The event no doubt gave a huge boost to the local economy. All those involved had only good intentions, and criticism does not reflect well on the good people of Horsham.

I rest my case.

AAH says: NOT GUILTY! A great day for the majority and a real coup for the town

www.aahorsham.co.uk

10 AAH News: Regular Updates at aahorsham.co.uk

Horsham Beer Festival was a great success, with tickets to all three sessions on the 17th and 18th September at the Drill Hall selling out.

The festival, organised by Gareth Jones from The Beer Essentials in East Street, showcased 50 beers and several ciders. Among the drinks offered were King’s Brighton Best, and Lower Beeding-based brewers Kissingate took along Best, a chestnut-coloured ale with pleasant fruity notes and a dry finish.

The Hepworth Conqueror Stout , Dark Star’s Pale Ale and the Black Dragon Smoked Porter from Welton’s could also be sampled.

Karen Lang’s art is exhibited in the Art Gallery at The Capitol Theatre, Horsham, on 11th October - 13th November.

In this exhibition, called You’re Taking Your Time, Karen represents human dilemmas through large, bold paintings and ceramics. www.langcollynsart.com

As part of Horsham’s 2011 Town Centre Festival, Horsham Rotary Club are once again bringing back Trick or Treating for youngsters.

Accompanied pre-teenage children can visit shops during Half Term and draw Halloween cards to discover whether they have won a treat or have to perform a trick. The children also have to obtain passwords from participating shops as part of a competition.

The Non Stop Party Shop are sponsoring the event.

Other businesses wishing to get involved can email John at jleross@attglobal.net or call 01403 754005.

your " !

" ! !

Horsham District Council has embarked on an initiative called ‘the Future Prosperity of Horsham Project’.

The project aims to steer future changes in the town to ‘maximise its economic potential whilst maintaining and conserving its attractive and historic environment for the benefit of all’.

To achieve this aim, consultants Urban Practitioners were commissioned to kick start the project. Opportunities identified include ‘a walkable Boulevard along Albion Way, better use of the Nightingale Road area for employment, a new hotel on Hurst Road, and as the artist’s impression shows, some squiggly arrows for squiggle cars.

" ! !

The Pass restaurant at South Lodge Hotel hosts an All Stars Dinner - a showcase of guest chefs cooking nine courses between them - is held on Thursday 13th, Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October. Tickets, including dinner and wine flight, cost £95 per person.

A Guy Fawkes Wine Dinner is held on the 5th November, hosted by Harrison Vintners. It costs £75 and includes five courses and matching wines.

Visit www.southlodgehotel.co.uk for details.

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Advertise in AAH from only £50. Call 01403 878026

EVENTS

Picture by Clare Turnbull

DON’T MISS IT! Horsham Fireworks Display 29th October The inaugural Horsham Fireworks Display at Horsham Cricket and Sports Club was a great success last year.

Tickets are now on sale for what looks likely to become a popular annual event. The display, created by renowned fireworks experts Aurora, will be held at the club on Cricketfield Road, Horsham, on Saturday, 29th October.

Gates open at 6pm with the display starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 but you can buy four for the price of three if you buy tickets before 15th October. Food comes from Fenix Grills, Wabi and the Sports Club.

Live music from Joe 90s will follow the fireworks. To buy tickets pop along the club, call 01403 254628 or visit http://www.hcsc.co.uk

HAODS show

Half Marathon

Piano Recital

8th-12th November

30th October

15th October

Horsham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (HAODS) presents its latest production, Chess, at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham.

Set at the height of the Cold War with Russia and America still at each other's throats, Chess brings personal relationships and political games played by the KGB and CIA together with a musical score created by the ABBA team of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.

Two Chess Grandmasters battle both on the chess board and off with the love interest played by the 'pawn' of Florence Vassy. Songs include Pity the Child, One Night in Bangkok, and I Know Him So Well. Tickets cost from £13, concessions available, from the Capitol Box office on 01403 750220.

Picture: John Lines

Horsham Music Circle host Mejumi Fujita in recital at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, on Saturday, 15th October at 7.30pm.

The award-winning pianist with ‘a bewitching tonal palette’ plays Beethoven Sonata Op.53 in C major, ‘Waldstein’ , Rachmaninov Variations on a Theme of Corelli , Brahms Drei Intermezzi Op.117 and Ravel ‘Le tombeau de Couperin’.

Tickets cost £17, Students £10, Under 16s £2.50 from the Hon. Secretary on 01403 252602, Horsham Music at 36 East Street, Horsham, 01403 254880.

You can also visit wegottickets.com/HorshamMusicCircle Pic: Aidan Woodcock

The Barns Green Half Marathon is now in its 29th year and over that period this unique village occasion has raised a huge amount of money for charity.

Last year over 1800 runners took part in the race which follows a route through the lanes of Barns Green, Itchingfield, Christ’s Hospital and close to Southwater through some of the most scenic countryside in West Sussex.

In 2010 the race was won by the superb Kenyan athlete, 20 year old Edwin Kipyego, who ran an astonishing race, finishing almost six minutes ahead of the second placed athlete.

For further details just visit the Barns Green Half Marathon website at barnsgreen-half.org.uk

The covers final of the Battle of the Bands contest is held at The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham. All ages event.

Doors open at 6.30pm.

First band 7pm. £3 entry.

For more details visit www.hdlma.co.uk

18th-20th October

Horsham Town Centre Festival will include a host of Halloween entertainment, as well as the Old Mill Steam Fair providing the carnival atmosphere. Live music will also be staged in the town centre.

Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst, in association with Sotheby’s, holds its October Auction, (Wednesday 18th and 20th October, viewings from 14th), with over 500 lots going under the hammer.

30th October

Paul Zerdin, a talented ventriloquist and comedian, returns to the Capitol in Horsham.

Come and see Paul and friends, the cheeky and lovable Sam, Albert, Baby and new faces too!

Tickets £17 from 750220

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Prolific Irish singer/songwriter Kieran Halpin performs at Horsham Folk Club, The Normandy Centre, Denne Road, at 8pm. Admission £7 (members £5) and U-21s go free. Visit horshamfolkclub.co.uk

12th November

14th October

Ashington Toy & Train Collectors Fair is held at Ashington Community Centre, Foster Lane, at 10.30am -2.30pm. Buy, sell and swap toys including Dinky, Corgi & Hornby. Call Simon on 07727 023893

27-29th October

Horsham’s Eco Fair is held at County Hall North, Chart Way, Horsham, at 10am-4pm.

The event is organised

by Horsham Greening and Transition, and is supported by HDC and WSCC.

6th November

9th October

The Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce hosts the first Billingshurst Business Exhibition and Networking event at the Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre from 12-7.30pm www.billibiz.co.uk

22nd October

-22nd October

Keith Menear’s craft work features in an exhibition at Horsham Museum.

Keith, from Storrington, has developed the art of Raku, a Japanese pottery technique. ‘Transforming glazes’ is open until 22nd October.

Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre hosts an end of season gathering of vintage cars, motor cycles, commercial vehicles, steam engines and more. Always a popular event. amberleymuseum.co.uk

5th November

9th October

La Vida in Piries Place, Horsham, hosts a Frocktober event at 12pm.

You can strut your stuff in your most glamorous outfits and donate £5 to Cancer Research UK. The most glamorous lady will receive a £50 voucher .

3rd November

Events guide also at www.aahorsham.co.uk

A quiz night in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice is held at Southwater Village Hall, Church Lane, at 8pm.

Licensed bar, refreshments and raffle. To enter a team (£5 per head) call Tracey on 731758/email koshroberts@tiscali.co.uk

Please send event details for consideration to

editor@aahorsham.co.uk

From despair to where?

Horsham singer Alice Ella, an unexpected highlight of the Festival of Sound, has overcome ME and is now hoping to follow her hero Jessie J into the pop charts. For now, X-Factor is a last option!

X Factor eh? Does she have it?

Maybe, but we’ll ignore that for a while as Alice Ella actually hopes to gain success the old fashioned way - playing live, writing songs and singing well.

guitarist Vic Chase, who she affectionately refers to as ‘Uncle Vic’. You may have seen him perform with the successful Phil Collins tribute act No Jacket Required.

So tell me a little bit about her...

Alice Ella is a 22 year old singer from Horsham, who first started performing locally about 18 months ago and has impressed with her vocal range. Alice, a dedicated follower of fashion, attracted quite a crowd during the Horsham Festival of Sound, despite playing off the beaten path on the acoustic stage in Park Place.

A case of ‘she’s got the looks, he’s got the brains, let’s make lots of money?’

I’m sure the money bit would be nice for all concerned, but Alice is very much in control.

Vic is happy to support Alice as she bids to make a breakthrough.

Is she a solo performer then?

She does play with a band. She sings and plays the keyboards, and currently performs with

How did they cross paths in the first place?

Alice is friends with Vic’s daughter, Emma. Alice said: “I met Vic and I said ‘do you want to do some covers and pub gigs?’ I did have my own songs written but I didn’t feel confident enough to play them. He pretty

much made me sing my own songs. He gave me a lot of confidence and convinced me that they were good songs.”

Then they played them live?

They started playing, with Alice singing mostly covers and just a couple of her own songs. But they were the songs that people commented on the most, so the duo started practising and performing Alice’s own songs more.

What kind of music does Alice play then?

It’s contemporary pop, along the lines of Jessie J or Ellie Goulding. Alice has covered hits by both of these artists at recent gigs. She is a tiny bit besotted with Jessie J. Alice said: “She’s my idol. I feel like that I’ve been on the journey

with her. I saw her on YouTube before she made her breakthrough, and I thought she was amazing. Then she started releasing stuff and I saw the process of her getting famous.

She had a heart problem, and her song Big White Room is about being in hospital and I can relate to that song.”

In what way can Alice relate to the song?

Alice suffered from ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which saw Alice spent most of her late teenage years in bed.

Don’t most teenagers!

This was a little more serious than that, says Alice. “I was in a wheelchair and was really ill and didn’t have the energy to do anything. But I found the Continued on Page 16

16

More music features at www.aahorsham.co.uk

‘I went from classical to rock and I think I’ve come out a jazz singer’ music of Beyonce and Destiny’s Child fun and therapeutic.”

Did this illness inspire Alice’s music then?

It did – the first song she wrote was Koko. Alice said: “Keep on Keeping On is what my mother would say to me whenever I was very sad. That’s going to be the name of my first album.”

Alice is currently trying to raise enough money to fund an EP. Two songs - Easy and Daisychain, two very personal tracks that relate to the difficult breakup of a relationship, have already been recorded at BabyGirl Music in London. Alice said: “I’m trying to get an EP together and I want to send that out to all the labels.”

Are there any more tracks?

Yes, among them are You Got Me So Good, a piano-led poppy

ballad, and Fly, a more downbeat, crying-at-the-window sort of number. They’re not too bad, although Alice’s voice may not be to everyone’s taste.

Can’t she hold a note then!

Anyone who saw her perform at the Festival of Sound will testify that she doesn’t miss a beat and just occasionally isn’t afraid to express her vocal range in a Diva-style warble! But it’s a very distinctive, powerful, soaring voice, not nearly as frail as the lyrics Alice pens. She said: “My mum was an opera singer and performed all over the world.

She taught me how to sing classically, and then I went to ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music) in Guildford. I went from classical to rock and I think I’ve come out of it as a jazz singer!”

Continued on Page 18

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More music features at www.aahorsham.co.uk

18

Music features in AAH You can see our past music features on hAND, Gary Holder’s Live Music Clubs, Paul Messis, The Stuart James Band and The Tanners Arms in editions available on our website at www.aahorsham.co.uk

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk ACM eh! Could Alice be a star in the making?

She’s certainly hoping so, but is under no illusion as to how hard it is to make a breakthrough. Alice said: “It is hard work.

People think being a singer is an easy route to go for, but it’s probably one of the hardest as there are so many people out there trying to do the same thing. If I can be gigging and making enough money to live on, I’ll be happy!”

So is Alice doing much gigging?

For someone that needed a lot of persuading to get going, Alice is now a confident live performer, and recently played a well-received at Ronnie

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Has Alice recorded any videos?

Not anything in the way of a proper music video, But Alice is a big fan of YouTube and through her channel (alicekitten1234) has received more than 26,000 views. She will also soon be performing an acoustic number on SBTV, an online broadcasting channel for youths.

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Scott’s in London, which came about by “pestering the bookers”. Alice has also performed at Camden and several Brighton venues. She’s also played at the Tanners Arms and The Anchor.

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19

J did a contest and the first person to post a video response won tickets to meet her, which is a dream of mine. I was ill at home with a cold, and I thought, well it’s the first video, not the best video, so I’ll just do it. In a few days it had about 5,000 views because all her fans were looking. It was the one video I really wouldn’t want people to see, but from that people are looking at my other videos. When I got better I wrote my own version of that song, so that has got a bit of attention from the Jessie J fans.”

Sounds like a very successful first year. Could lead to big things…

And hopefully not X Factor! Alice said: “I’ll see how it goes and if everything fails I’ll go on the X Factor. But that’s a last resort as I write my own stuff and there are credibility issues, so let’s hope I can avoid it! It’s going to be hard but I’ve come a long way in a year so we’ll see what happens.”

Where can I see more?

You can listen to a few tracks on Alice’s Myspace page, including You Got Me So Good, which we think is her best song. This is at http://www.myspace.com/aliceella or a few videos (mostly covers though) on her YouTube channel alicekitten1234.

‘It’s going to be hard but I’ve come a long way in just a year’’

20

Feature on the Stuart James Band at aahorsham.co.uk

Hit the right notes Top 10: Songs by up-and-coming local bands These are good times for music in Horsham.

The inaugural Festival of Sound went down a storm in September, with some great performances from the likes of Bad Boy Boogie, an AC/DC tribute act.

The Battle of the Bands contest is coming up too, with a whole host of young bands looking to make a name for themselves. Visit hdlma.co.uk for details on how to enter.

We’ve had a bit of a dig around and come up with a few songs that we hope will whet your appetite and maybe make you pop out and support the local live music scene.

Obviously we haven’t seen all local bands, so if you think we’ve missed a belter do let us know.

This is also one man’s opinion - a man who bought not one but two Menswear records in the nineties! So by no means the authority on the local music scene...

Nonetheless, we think we’ve got ten really good tracks here, and we’re 90% certain that you’ll like at least one of them. Well, 60-70% certain. We’ve tried to serve up a good mix of popular music here, although this is still predominantly a rock town. The likes of Alice Ella (featured inside), Drop Out Luke and Killing Vegas are also worth investigation, as is the Stuart James Band (featured last month).

Happy listening!

Picture: Toby Phillips

Tied to the Mast: Plain Lazy

1

Anyone who saw Tied to the Mast play at Festival of Sound knows that they’re a talented band with talented individuals.

But sometimes it seems like they’re treating it as they’re own jamming session!

For us, this is far and away their standout track, and it’s one where they the hard rocking is substituted for a slow burning

3

4

Sandweaver: Mending

Stick in a Pot: Decider

Most of the band come from Worthing, but guitarist Johnny Stubbs lives and gives guitar lessons locally. This song has become popular (it’s has picked up over 23,000 viewings on YouTube) after appearing on a Canadian TV show called Degrassi.

It’s one of the poppier numbers on the band’s first album Invasion. If you like Mending, check out the recent song Back into the Middle as well.

Picture: Victoria Thompson

Picture: Toby Phillips

We’re big fans of Stick in a Pot at AAH and would recommend watching them live too. You may have seen them at the Tanners Live Lounge recently. They have a new album out called ‘A Number More Than Nothing At All’ which you can buy from their website. Our favourite is Decider, although the single chosen was Navel Lint, which can be downloaded. We also love Plinky the Alien which can be heard on the ‘Hark’ tab at www.stickinapot.com

Phrase Mob: Subarban Decay

2

skateboard-slacker anthem that pitches somewhere between Grandaddy and MGMT. There’s a superb guitar solo at 3.30, and the YouTube video is worthy of praise.

Perhaps a shorter radio edit might be worth the effort in this case...

Do visit Youtube website to watch this one.

The hip hop collective seemed to confuse Horsham folks when they first appeared, as they didn’t play either pop punk or prog rock.

A middle class Tory stronghold may not seem a naturally breeding ground for a hip hop collective of lyrically masters, but they have a good fanbase and there’s melody behind the messenger on the mic. Listen to new tracks now out on iTunes. Oh, and they’ve done a track to the Bugsy Malone soundtrack!

The Collector is essentially a collective of Horsham musicians, including Simon King, Simon Mole, Matt Andrews and double bass player Gary Holder.

They have a number of songs that are easy on the ear, but this eponymous track is a standout.

It’s sung by guest vocalist Leah Miller, who has sung with other local bands and brings beautifully harmonised menace to the dark lyrics.

This acoustic led number

has been played for the last couple of years, but some of the band’s new material is sounding promising too.

A new album, Hinterland, is due out soon and some of the tracks on it such as Hybrid, sound quite lovely.

You can still listen to old tracks on Myspace (remember that?) by searching The Collector Music, but they also have a Facebook page (same search) and new tracks have been uploaded there as well.

10

Last Letter Read won the 2009 Battle of the Bands competition, beating Blue Stragglers (many of whom now play in Tied to The Mast) on countback.

They’ve also picked up nearly 50,000 views on YouTube with this soaring soundtrack to teenage heartbreak. There are decent punk pop efforts on their Facebook page too, although sadly we gather that the boys may now be on a band break...

Picture: Victoria Thompson

Singer Carly, from Washington village, and guitarist Dean from Broadbridge Heath, have returned from a bit of a break with a new name Pipe and Tabor - and new tracks. It’s been a couple of years since they reached the national final Live and Unsigned, and the songs they played there - notably the Kenickie style pop punk blast Rock Star and Reggae spiced folk ditty Stand Down, still sound good. They’ve still got a Myspace page.

Last Letter Read: Miles Away

9 Picture: Victoria Thompson

Mr Fynn: Rock Star

8

Several years ago, Horsham lad Joe Singfield recorded Captain Blackthorn, a slice of indie pop along the Jim Noir lines that is still up on YouTube. But for several years he’s been doing something entirely different with the Wobbly Squadron. Grarse Rooster, off the band’s recent EP, is an intriguing instrumental amalgamation of sounds and samples.

Calum Pratt: Resolution

We had never heard of Paul until he contacted us and said his music might back a good feature (see June’s edition at aahorsham.co.uk). We’re glad he did, as we are big fans of the wonderful, authentic 1960s inspired garage rock anthems he pens.

Check out Time Will Tell on YouTube, as well as his new song The Problem With Me. Cracking videos too!

Wobbly Squadron

7 Picture: Toby Phillips

Paul Messis

6

Picture: Ben Morris

The Collector

5

If there was a prize for the person who could best impersonate Rufus Wainwright, then Calum would win hands down. His mournful acoustic-led songs are not for everyone, but Calum can play and has an uncanny ability to be both sad yet strangely uplifting. Calum released an album in 2010 called Essential Nature and you can download tracks at http://calumpratt.bandcamp.com/

The man who built our

memories This is the story of Bill Stallion, a forgotten artist from Southwater whose work will be recognisable to millions around the world.

This article has been written by Arthur Ward, who lives in Pulborough and recently co-founded enthusiasts’ website www.collectingfriends.com with BBC Radio 4’s Peter Donaldson.

Following the publication of The Boys’ Book of Airfix, his most recent book, Arthur was fascinated to be contacted, via his publisher Random House, by Horsham resident Helen Stallion, the daughter of Bill, a quite prolific Airfix artist whose work had gone unnoticed. Determined to put the record straight, Arthur interviewed Bill’s widow Edna at her Southwater home.

Bill, sadly, is no longer with us, but the images which captured the imagination of a generation will be with us forever.

There was a time in an age before computer games consoles when children saved as much money as they could for model kits.

Perhaps the most coveted kits were created by Airfix, which during the sixties and seventies developed a huge range of model cars, motorcycles, figures, trains, trackside accessories, military vehicles, classic ships, warships, liners, engines, rockets and spaceships, as well as aircraft.

It was not just the contents of the box that made the model kits so appealing, or the excitement of constructing a toy of your own, but the illustrations on the box, which helped bring the kits to

life. Many of these kits are worth good money and are highly collectable, yet the artists behind the famous images have been largely unheralded.

But recently, a Southwater artist has received due credit for the images he created for Airfix.

This is the story of Bill Stallion, who passed away in 2008, but whose images will live on.

As a young man Bill Stallion, a Londoner, joined the prestigious 6th Airborne Division, serving as a wireless operator in Palestine during World War Two. After the war he ended up working in a brewery, but he had always been interested in

Bill Stallion acts out another war scene in his Southwater garden

drawing and found that while living in Brixton it was possible to combine evening classes at London’s prestigious Slade School of Art. Before long Bill had the confidence to embark on a career as a freelance commercial artist and approached agent Dick Browning who quickly took him on. Bill’s chosen vocation was that of a figure artist.

Dick also represented well known design team NegusSharland who were well known for their advertising art, including famous posters for BOAC and notable stamp

designs for the British Post Office. Bill soon became proficient at illustrating press advertisements and poster for companies producing everything from radios to toiletries.

Bill’s wife Edna remembers that he was adept at amending his artwork to suit different international markets, changing the racial characteristics of foreground figures to suit the requirements of consumers in China, Africa or Asia.

Whilst he was scouting for new business in the early 1970s Dick discovered that Airfix, then at its height and producing a dazzling array of new kits

Above: Neighbour Steve would help Bill re-enact war scenes in order to create realistic images.

and model soldiers each month, was keen to add more freelance illustrators to its roster. He managed to get Bill on Airfix’s books and from a period starting around 1972 up until the end of that decade kept his client very busy indeed. By this time Bill and Edna had moved to West Sussex and started a family.

As a figure artist, Bill naturally specialised in illustrating the boxes for Airfix soldiers – mostly for their soft plastic 1:32 scale figures (many of the famous ‘Target Boxes’

are Bill’s) but also for Airfix’s 1:32 scale figure kits – all of the Multipose range and many from the 54mm Collectors Series.

Bill, who worked alone from his studio in his home in Southwater, was forced to cast himself as the subject of many of his paintings.

His family still have Polaroid’s of self-portraits, showing Bill frozen in the classic poses, so familiar to Airfix fans. When the subject was carrying a firearm, which most soldiers were of course, Bill would fashion a German MP42 subContinued on Page 25

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Nursing Hygiene is based in a large unit at Oakhurst Business Park in Southwater, near the RSPCA building, and the lower floor of this huge unit is home to a huge showroom of specialist care products, equipment and furniture.

Anyone is welcome to drop by and browse the latest, stateof-the-art designs, but many people are not aware that the showroom exists!

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machine gun or a Browning .303 SMLE from offcuts of wood or broomstick handles.

The most obvious self-portrait of Bill can be seen in the box art of the Multipose British 8th Army set. He is the figure in the foreground bursting through coils of enemy wire with his bayonet fixed. To accurately portray the musculature on a figureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legs, and the Desert Rats for example, Bill wore short trousers, or had to be photographed in his underpants!

Bill realised that questions might be asked at Haldane Place if Airfix were presented with box-art which repeatedly featured an all too familiar face, so to avoid using himself as the model, he enlisted the assistance of his neighbour Steve Brown, a pilot with BEA. I was told of many occasions when curtains twitched in Continued on Page 26

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Bill film work as sketch artist

US Paratroops 1975 German Paratroops 1975 British Infantry1939-45 1977 German Afrika Korps Multipose Brit 8th Army 1975 German Afrika Korps 1975 US Marines 1941-45 1976 British Paratroops 1973 British Infantry Support Group 1973 British 8th Army 1973 54mm (blister) American Soldier 1775 54mm (blister) British Grenadier 1775 1:32 Waterloo Highland Infantry 1973

2001 Rebel Heart 1997 The Borrowers 1995 Haunted 1994 Scarlett; Princess Caraboo 1992 Alien 3 1991 Company Business; Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves; The Keep; Memphis Belle 1989 A Dry White Season; The Rainbow 1988 Without a Clue; A Fish Called Wanda; For Queen & Country 1987 The Princess Bride 1986 Sky Bandits 1985 Bad Medicine 1984 A Passage to India; Champions 1983 The Keep; Krull ; High Road to China 1982 The Dark Crystal 1981 The Great Muppet Caper; Green Ice 1980 Flash Gordon

25

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26

Bill Stallion: Airfix Artist

Bill would make weapons out of wood, and ask his his wife Edna to take Polaroid pictures. He would then add the relevant army clothing to his drawings, and try to ensure that not every soldier looked like him and his neighbour, Steve!

Continued from Page 25

Edna Stallion at home in Southwater with some of the Airfix model boxes created by her late husband.

adjacent houses and when other neighbours relaxing in their gardens became aware of two grown men, often carrying prop weapons and wearing makeshift helmets, apparently fighting in the garden of Mr & Mrs Stallion.

The couple’s children, Greg, Mike, Kate and Helen soon grew used to such behaviour!

It is because Bill Stallion dealt exclusively via an agent that he has remained anonymous. Airfix’s relationship was only with Dick Browning. Furthermore it is only in recent years that when they can, in appreciation of the work of Roy Cross, for example, Airfix have added artist signatures to box art.

In fact as every enthusiast knows, it is very difficult to be precisely sure about the provenance of lots of vintage Airfix art.

Fortunately because Bill’s daughter Helen, herself a professional picture researcher and familiar with the intricacies of the media world, got in touch with my publisher, Ebury Press, that her father will earn his rightful place in that hallowed list of Airfix Artists.

By the late 1980s Bill’s talents had found a new and more profitable home in the film business and he soon became an in demand sketch artist. For 25 years Bill illustrated, almost frame by frame, some of the biggest movies made in Britain.

A sketch artist plays a key role in film production, working closely with both director and cinematographer so that scenes can be planned and action rehearsed before the camera roll and serious money is spent.

Pencil Artist Lindsay Wright August’s edition of AAH featured the story of pencil artist Lindsay Wright, who has been fighting to overcome cancer whilst establishing a fine reputation for her stunning depictions of rock ‘n’ roll icons

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

To advertise in AAH call Ben on 01403 878026 On one occasion Bill insisted that Edna accompany him on set for the location shoot of A Passage to India.

But on most occasions Bill insisted driving home each day from studios like Pinewood and Elstree.

Edna is the first to admit that it was film work which changed their lives. “In

27

How the story unfolded

only a few weeks working in the film industry Bill could earn the equivalent of a year’s salary painting Airfix boxes,” she said.

Bill storyboarded no less than 27 titles.

I was fortunate to see many of them and, as you would expect of an illustrator of his talent, they are all works of art.

I was fascinated to discover that Bill had worked on a favourite of mine, and I suspect other modellers - The Keep.

This gothic horror, apparently set in a mysterious Transylvanian castle happened upon by an isolated German Waffen SS unit, was actually filmed in Wales.

Bill got on famously with director Michael Mann and his atmospheric drawings must have helped the director capture the scary feeling he obviously aspired to.

I’m delighted that Bill has achieved his rightful place in the Airfix story. I’m also enormously grateful to Edna and Helen Stallion for inviting me into their home and letting me copy the fabulous Polaroid’s and box proofs enabling me to add so much to the ever growing Airfix archive.

By Arthur Ward

As with so many things in my life, there was no skill or detective work involved in my ‘discovery’ of the work of Bill Stallion.

Rather, it started with a simple email from my publisher.

The author of the enquiry, Helen Stallion pointed out that a few of her late father, Bill’s, illustrations had been incorrectly credited and wondered if a correction could be made at a future reprint.

I immediately got in touch with Helen, met her and her mother Edna, and the story above unfolded.

Actually it was her brother Greg, the eldest of Bill and Edna’s four children, to whom the error first came to light. Greg, an environmental auditor in the oil industry, was working on an installation in New Mexico with an American colleague who just happened to be an Airfix enthusiast and had with him a copy of The Boys’ Book of Airfix.

It wasn’t until Greg was flicking through it that he recognised his father’s work (and self-portrait on the Multipose 8th army box). The rest is history...

A small part of the Memphis Belle storyboard by Bill

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Wabi launches Christmas Menu for only £45

Celebrate in Style

Fancy trying something a little different to turkey and Yorkshire pudding for your Christmas meal this year?

Then celebrate the festive season with a meal at Wabi, Horsham’s stunning contemporary Japanese restaurant.

There will be no Brussels sprouts left at the side of the plate at Wabi, named amongst the country’s 100 finest restaurants.

Instead, head chef Scott Hallsworth has produced a mouth-water menu. That offers something for everyone. There’s a tasty price too - the set menu costs just £45 per person.

If you join us at Wabi for Christmas, you can enjoy...

Otsumami - Crispy Seabass Crisps, Edamame, home made Pork Scratchings Seared Salmon Sashimi with Wakame Miso Sauce and Shredded Daikon Salad Tea Smoked Duck Tataki with burnt Ginger Amazu Sauce and Onion Rings Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with

aged Ponzu, Ikura and Crispy Leek Crispy Squid Kara-age with Yuzu Kosho Salt and Green Chilli Dipping Sauce Robata Grilled Pork Belly with Korean Miso and Green Apple Miso Soup Assorted Sushi Profiteroles filled with Christmas Pudding Ice Cream topped with Hot Valhorona Chocolate and Cognac Sauce In addition to the great food, there’s always a good atmosphere in the restaurant. Why not try some of the superb cocktails prepared by our experienced chefs.

All of Wabi’s cocktails are made with fresh fruits, herbs and spices, and experienced bartenders will enjoy mixing any of your favourite cocktails that do not appear on the menu.

Call us today on 01403 788140 or visit our Facebook page for the latest news and offers.

This dish is smoking!

Enjoy some of my favourite Japanese dishes in your own home by following my recipe guides, written exclusively for AAH readers.

Scott Hallsworth, Head Chef

Tea Smoked Lamb with Sweet and Sour Nasu and Spicy Miso Sauce Smoking your own ingredients at home is one of those ideas that probably sounds a bit daunting at first but in actual fact is dead easy.

The best and most cost effective way to create a smoker in the home kitchen is by using a wok with a wire rack inserted to hold your ingredient then top it with something like a large saucepan lid or even a big plate, something that will hold the majority of the smoke in.

It’s good to give the lamb some time in a salt cure or brine before starting out.

Firstly the salt helps to cure the meat, it adds seasoning and it also allows the cells to

open up and take on the smoke better. We add herbs and other bits and pieces to make a cure that is full of flavour and not just about salt, you could easily come up with your own blend with your own favourite herbs or spices.

Ingredients Lamb Chops – As many as you want For the marinade; 1 whole red onion, peeled and roughly chopped ½ bunch coriander 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 5cm Ginger, scrubbed clean and roughly chopped

1 Red Chilli – Chopped rough, have a taste, if it is too hot for your palate then remove seeds and white parts 20g sea salt Blend all ingredients together until smooth, although a few lumps are okay. Then rub each lamb chop with enough marinade to coat well, cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Wipe off most of the marinade and set aside lamb and allow it to get up to room temperature.

Line the base of your wok with some aluminium foil and add the following; 2 tablespoons of raw rice

– any kind will do 3 tablespoons green tea in its dried form Large handful of fine wood chips – you can buy online or any wood mill can provide this. Try to choose something like apple or cherry wood, milled white fence posts usually don’t taste so good.

Heat all until smoking, stir around and get all ingredients evenly smoking.

Place the lamb chops on a wire rack and place this over the smoking ingredients.

Cover it up and turn the heat down, allow to smoke for around 5 minutes.

38 East Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1HL 01403 788140 www.wabi.co.uk

The Review Flagstones Restaurant Random Hall Hotel, Slinfold

Back in Business

There’s very little that is new about the Random Hall Hotel in Slinfold.

The Farmhouse, which the hotel has been expanded around, has been part of the village since the 17th Century, and it has been welcoming guests for decades.

The current owner of Random Hall is Nigel Evans, who bought the grade II listed farmhouse back in 1988 when it was known as The Bob Inn. But in spite of the familiarity of the folk and furniture, the hotel finds itself in the strange position of

having to rebuild its customer base.

Towards the end of last year, Random Hall re-opened as a hotel after eight years as a Bed and Breakfast.

Nigel said: “After we bought it, we turned it into a hotel and a restaurant and added ten more rooms.

Back then the restaurant was known as The Tapestry – it’s only become The Flagstone Restaurant in the past 12 months.

“My wife and I ran Random Hall as a three star hotel for 15 years and then more recently as a dinner bed and

breakfast for residents and guests with private party catering. Then for eight years we changed from a three star hotel to a bed and breakfast.

“We took it easy, living the quiet life, playing golf and running Random Hall as a bed and breakfast.

“Last year, we decided we had to run Random Hall as a hotel again, but we had lost the continuity.

“If you look at all the good places around here – Bill Bryce at Bryce’s in Ockley, Tim Neal at the Chequers Inn in Rowhook, they’ve carried on steadily.

More Meal reviews online at www.aahorsham.co.uk

31

You’ll find that good restaurants stay that way, recession or no recession.

“We just lost our way, led the quiet life, and now we have to claw back those eight years of lost trade.”

But since the hotel re-opened many customers have returned. We won’t go on about the hotel side too much, as this is a restaurant review and not the AA Hotel Guide, but the hotel has retained its warmth and charm - most notably with the exposed stone walls and the Inglenook fireplace in the lounge area - whilst adding modern essentials such as free Wi-Fi in bedrooms and Sky TV. It is hoped soon that a new function room will be built that will help make Random Hall more appealing as a weddings and events venue.

But also, there is the Flagstones Restaurant.

There’s no need to be confused by the name it is all part of Random Hall Hotel, and most of the people dining out there are guests.

But like the Camellia at South Lodge, and Yokebourne Restaurant at The Mill House Hotel in Ashington, all are welcome to dine out there.

Head chef at Flagstones is Jonathan Gettings, who has worked with Nigel Evans for many years. Jonathan was in charge of the kitchen when the restaurant was called The Tapestry, and also at The Red Lion in Ashington, which Nigel ran before taking on Random Hall (incidentally, Nigel also ran what is now The Red Lyon in Slinfold for four years).

Jonathan has kept the menu fuss free, competitively priced and items are sourced locally where possible. For a while, the restaurant had been charging extra for side orders, but now each main has a set price (£14.95) and each comes served with

vegetables or salad with hand cut chips, minted charlotte or mashed potato.

The main course menu currently consists of roast lamb shoulder, pork belly, a fish of the day, and a butternut squash and pine nut risotto, but the menu is changed each month. Six speciality steaks a beefburger, rump, sirloin, ribeye, T-bone and fillet - are menu constants. They are well priced too - the beefburger costs £13.95, the rump is £14.95, and the fillet tops the price list at a reasonable £22.95.

The lamb, pork and the beef is all sourced locally, with farms in Itchingfield and Ewhurst amongst those supplying Random Hall.

Jonathan gets his fish from Worthing, Shoreham and occasionally Newhaven too. But despite the hotel setting, the prices are comparable with most of the good pubs in Continued on Page 32

David Millichamp’s Austin 7 July’s edition featured perhaps the only surviving example of an Austin 7 van in the UK. David Millichamp still takes the van, which was his very first motor vehicle, out to shows during the summer.

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

32

The Review: Flagstones Restaurant

Continued from Page 31

the area.

Nigel told us: “I don’t really want to go too low with the prices. We’re not a two courses for £9 sort of restaurant. That is more for your East Street type of restaurants.

We’re here for the people willing to pay a decent price for a decent meal.”

Back in 1988, when Nigel took on Random Hall, there was a shortage of good restaurants in the area. But that is no longer the case. You don’t have to go too far in any direction before you come across a hotel, pub or restaurant serving very good food.

Re-building a reputation will be a big challenge, but it is one that Nigel and his team can achieve, as Random Hall is delightful. It does have natural charm, being an historic farmhouse, but it also possesses genuine warmth (and not just in front of the fireplace).

The restaurant is representative of the hotel - small, cosy, warm and relaxing.

There’s little in the way of modern decoration, with images of Slinfold

through the ages and of the farmhouse used to decorate the wall and complement the original stone walls and oak beams.

For starters, we opted for the crispy duck salad (you can have it with pancakes) spring onion, cucumber and hoi sin sauce, as well as smoked mackerel served with salad. All the starters cost £5.95 each.

The duck was an excellent, well presented and made for a good sized starter, with delicious fresh vegetables sourced through Cheesmans, a family run firm operating out of Guildford since 1975. The mackerel was off the specials board, and was beautifully flavoured and presented.

For main course, I chose the ribeye (£16.95), vegetables and hand cut chips. A range of sauces are available too at a small additional cost. For what I considered to be a very fair price I thought it was a succulent cut of meat, and the chips were excellent. It would be safe to say, that with many years of experience at several different eateries, Nigel and Jonathan know the best places to source their meat.

Toby (who is getting quicker at taking his photos so the food doesn’t go cold!) went for the pork belly, which was served with wilted spinach, port and apples. This choice was made at the recommendation of our waitress, which seems a good point Continued on Page 34

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The Review: Flagstones Restaurant

Continued from Page 32

to remark on the service - attentive enough but more informal than, for example, the service you might expect at South Lodge Hotel.

Once again, the meat was excellent, tenderly cooked and generous in size, the vegetables fresh, and the mashed potato well textured.

For dessert, we went for the plate of mixed desserts. Individually though, the desserts cost ÂŁ5.25 and if we had to recommend a couple it would be the profiteroles filled with Baileys Cream served with Toblerone Sauce, and the toffee and banana pavlova.

The Random Hall Hotel has and will continue to be hit by the budget hotels, which have marketing power, cheap rooms and Lenny Henry on their side.

But it has something they cannot offer - charm. For us, it was a surprisingly good meal in a pleasant setting. In the case of most of the other places we have been to - The Green Man in Partridge Green, Camellia at South Lodge, Crown at Dial Post to name a few - we knew what to expect to a certain degree.

But we took few preconceptions into Random Hall.

We would certainly go back there just for a meal, as Flagstones itself is more like a quiet country pub than a hotel restaurant.

There is no pretension, from the hotel decor or the staff, and so long as you could be assured of a few other diners to give the place some added atmosphere, it would make for a good dining out option.

Visit www.randomhall.co.uk

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The world

loves a Trier

There were many teams that turned up at the Southwater Relays on September 4th prepared to fight for victory.

They stretched their muscles, ate their energy bars, made sure their bike was well oiled and prepared themselves mentally for the 400 metre swim around the Country Park pond, the 18.5 kilometre bike ride and the 3.8 kilometre run to the finish.

But the reason behind the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success 129 teams of three entered - is not the race at the front. Instead, it is the large number

of entrants who care not for winning, but for testing their own ability with other likeminded athletes of all ages.

The winners came in at two hours and 42 minutes, but when the final finishers - KSM Snails, Never Again, The Three Bettys and last but not least The Horsham Rhinos finished an hour and a half later, there was still a crowd there to cheer them on!

The Southwater Relays is one of the most popular triathlon events in the South East, and is run by Horsham Amphibians

Triathlon (previously known as Amphibians 2 Triathlon Club) The club i is based at Bluecoat Sports Centre at Christ's Hospital and has about 60 members aged from 15 to 70.

To the delight of many people watching, it was a team from Horsham Amphibians that won the relay event. It had seemed an unlikely victory, but Jason Bewley clawed back a five minute deficit to take the lead during the running leg, beating a team from Seven Oaks.

Continued on Page 36

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Continued from Page 35 Nick Finch went out first for the team and set a blistering time around the pond - easily the day’s fastest - and stayed in contention before passing on to Jon Meadows.

Jon put in a consistent performance and it meant that Jason was able to chase down the leader in all three disciplines to take the honours.

Winners in the Veterans class - and an impressive third overall - were Even With Two Oldies, who came from South London Harriers.

MTT, another team from the Horsham Amphibians, came 18th through Mike Porteus, Tony Harris and finally a great last leg from Tony Donnelly.

The Horsham Rhinos came in 129th place, but Will Brett, John Collins and Chris Powell completed every aspect of the race.

The race itself started bright and early at 7am on a Sunday, and if anyone was still half asleep, they would have soon woken up when they dived into Southwater Country Park Pond.

400 metres may not sound too far to swim - up to the far end and back - but it’s a gruelling, heavy swim, and many of the competitors spent over 20 minutes in the water. Which makes Nick Finch’s 6 minutes 34 seconds all the more impressive.

The competitors then run from the jetty, helped from the water by a number of volunteers, and start taking off their wetsuit even as they run up the path towards the bike transition.

They then ride out of the car park and up Cripplegate Lane, heading through the village, up Bonfire Hill before heading on to Coolham. They must then ignore the lure of stopping at McDonalds at Buck Barn, before

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heading back along the A24 to Southwater.

The final leg is a run of about 4 kilometres, consisting of two laps around the Country Park. After all that, you either top up on energy bars, or grab a bacon butty, depending on whether you think you’ll ever do anything quite so exhausting again!

The Horsham Amphibians, who organised the event, have many coached training sessions a week ranging from time trials, biking, studio cycling, track and interval sessions and of course swimming both pool based and open water.

They run a full programme of training sessions including coached swim sessions,

37

fortnightly track running session and a Sunday cycle ride to cater for all abilities.

In the summer months the group swims in Southwater Lake, and there’s even the occasional weekend to the French Alps.

For more information about the club visit www.a2tri.com

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Advertise in AAH from only £50. Call 01403 878026

When Horsham Skatepark was built, Piers Chapman was one of a growing number of local BMX riders pushing for a good local facility.

The former Collyer’s student recalls how Horsham’s skateboarders and BMX riders worked to convince the district council to build ramps at the top of Horsham Park.

In recent years, those original ramps had started to become rotten, and when the council committed to a rebuilding project, they hired a local firm, Piers’ company 9C Ramps.

The extensive renovation was completed only in August, and has made the park even more popular than it already had been.

These new ramps at Horsham skatepark were given a thorough

www.aahorsham.co.uk

examination by BMX riders, skate boarders and inline skaters at a jam on 18th September.

The jam was organised by Sam Richardson, an eighteen-year-old skateboarder who has been a regular at the skatepark for over a decade.

With the help of Horsham District Council’s new street sports co-ordinator, James Wrigley, Sam put together a day of competition that attracted competitors aged from only six years old!

Sam said: “I emailed the council about organising a jam and they were happy to get involved. We used to have a skatejam down here every year but last year there wasn’t one so we had some meetings and arranged it.

“The new street sports co-ordinator, James, hadn’t been involved in running a jam so I offered to help as a regular user of the park. Now every year, without fail, we’ll run one of these events.

“It’s popular down here anyway, but I’m really happy with the turnout. It’s more than I expected. The old ramps were a bit rotten but these new ones are sharp, and we’re all very happy. It was a popular park before and now it’s even more popular.”

The rebuild project began in the summer and took six weeks for 9C Ramps to complete. Piers, who operates the company from a workshop in Warnham, said: “I designed the park, but it’s all about giving the users what they want and not just about what

ideas I have! Having to consider the needs of BMX, skateboarders and the inline skaters does make it more difficult as each discipline has its own ideals, but the key is finding a balance.

“Down here most of the users are BMX riders, and that’s traditionally because the park has been geared towards them, but now there is more of a mix and that’s reflected in the design, particularly in the street areas, which is really good for boarders with the rail, and the inline skaters love it too.

“The original was built when I was at Collyer’s and I used to campaign to get it built! We used to have to go to Crawley skatepark when it was behind the old leisure centre. A few years ago, I told the council that we needed to plan ahead as the ramps will deteriorate, which they did, and now we’ve finally got these new ramps.”

Most of the park’s users are delighted with the new designs, so much so in fact, that many were buying limited edition T-shirts from 9C Ramps during the skatejam, which feature an illustration of the park’s new design.

As for the competition itself, Josh Budden won in his inline skater section.

The second group really got the crowd going with Danny Aldridge wowing the crowds with some tricks but just failing to beat Dan Hemsley to the number one spot.

Next up were the skateboarders who were split into four groups with the Continued on Page 42

41

42

Buy photos at www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk

Continued from Page 41

winners being Charlie Andrews, Louie Parker, Joe Hammond and Harry Weymouth.

The last section of the day was the BMX and the 26 competitors were divided up into eight groups with four or five people in each.

Whilst the first group was showing everybody what they could do it started to rain which meant the competition had to be stopped and could not be restarted until the ramps had dried out.

The rain stopped after about ten minutes and instead of just sitting around waiting for the ramps to dry out, the organisers brought forward the Hippie Jump and Bunny Hop contests which took place on

the ground in the space between the ramps. Reece Goddard won the Bunny Hop and Rick Miller was the winner of the Hippie Jump.

With the rain gone and the ramps now dry the BMX competition got back underway with Adrian Cunningham , 41, taking on the youngsters.

The Skate Jam was finished in spectacular fashion with the High Ollie, High Air and the Best Trick contests. Louie Parker attained 38 inches to win the High Ollie contest, and Drew Bussey took High Air honours.

The Best Trick competition brought the Skate Jam to a close with the best Inline trick going to Adam Nazarko. The best

Continued on Page 44

Updated events guide at aahorsham.co.uk

43

Continued from Page 42

skateboarding trick was won

by Joe Hammond and the best BMX trick was achieved

by Will Copley.

Nick Sanderson, 14, from Horsham, was one of eight people competing in the under-16 roller blading competition, and impressed the crowd with his daring attempts at an ‘invert’.

Nick said: “I come down here about once a week and I’d say it is better with the new ramps. Some people don’t like the transitions, but for the inline skaters it’s good. There

were meetings about the new ramps that we could go to and give our opinions, and quite a few of us went along to those.”

Charlie Liley, 15, is another regular at the skate park. The Horsham inline skater said: “I’ve only been skating for about a year so this is my first proper jam. It gets pretty busy at the weekend down here but there is room for everyone. There’s a good atmosphere down here, and we get a good mix of young and older kids.”

With another generation of

The Horsham Movement May’s edition of AAH featured local Parkour group Horsham Movement, known for its daring but exciting form of free running. See incredible pictures and interviews with its main members online

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

young people fascinated by skateboarding, BMX riding, inline skating, and a not inconsiderable rise in scooter sales in recent years, such facilities as Horsham Skatepark will continue to see plenty of action, and hopefully the skatejam will be held for many years to come.

James Wrigley said: “Sam was really up for getting a jam going, and we at Horsham District Council agreed it would be a good idea and helped put it all together. Sam has done a lot of work in bringing in sponsors and sorting out prizes, and we’ve dealt with the behind-the-scenes

organisation – the food and first aid for example.

“We’ve had a great result – we set up a Facebook page and some 750 people said they would be coming down – and we’ve had a good number of entrants in all the competitions.”

46

Win tickets to Fishers Farm in The Big Quiz

Pictures: Toby Phillips

Church puts its Faith in youngsters If you think that the Church does nothing to attract young families in this day and age, then you obviously haven’t seen how many people there are at the Kingdom Faith Church in Foundry Lane, Horsham.

The Church runs a Friday Nite Club that is more akin to the world’s greatest creche than a Church.

The after-school activity club at the Church has dance mats, large screen PS2 games, cooking, a creative zone, and importantly a

fantastic café area for parents called The Hub, completed a little over a year ago.

Last month, the Friday Nite Club -which is staffed by experienced adult children’s workers and young leaders - was further boosted by a high quality children’s soft play area.

Friday Nite Club, for children aged 5-11, operates on most Fridays at the Church, at 4.30 - 6pm.

The Kingdom Faith Church has been growing

substantially in Horsham in recent years.

The Church promotes itself as a ‘Church with a Smile’ and devotes much of its focus to young families.

Already there is a successful Sunday Night Live scheme for teens and a Little Builders Club offering arts and crafts for children.

To find out more about the Church and its clubs visit www.kingdomfaith.com or seeThe Kingdom Faith Church’s Facebook page.

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Not only does it generate electricity for your own home, but you can also make money by selling back excess energy.

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But who can you trust to provide the necessary expertise when it comes to fitting solar panels to your home or business?

Here at ICA Electrical Contractors, we have been undertaking domestic and commercial electrical work for over 12 years.

We are a fully approved MCS registered installer of Solar PV systems, offering you a full design and installation service and we are a member of the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme.

We are also an approved NICEIC contractor and are registered with the NICEIC Part P domestic installer scheme incorporating Trustmark.

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The New Power

Generation The concept of solar power is relatively simple; sunlight is converted into electricity through photovoltaics.

The idea of free energy from the sun is one we’ve looked at idealistically for decades, although until recently it hasn’t had much impact on daily life for the majority of us.

Chances are, your most memorable experience of a solar panel is when you ran your finger along the single solar cell on a calculator. But in recent years, solar technology has grown and major solar installations have been built the world over. You may have even considered using Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels for your home and business.

It is becoming an increasingly popular option, as it not only reduces your carbon footprint, but the government’s feed-intariff scheme makes solar panels a good investment opportunity.

While the idea of solar energy may seem a simple one, the technology behind it is staggering. It has taken us 130 years from the construction of the first solar cell to reach the point we are now at – where solar power looks set to become the energy source of the future.

Right now, the world’s leading companies are pushing forward with research and engineering new ways to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Computer manufacturers are looking at ways to incorporate solar cells into laptops so they can be charged on the move, phone companies are already introducing small panels onto mobile phones and the technology is being utilised for traffic lights, speed cameras and in many other ways.

The Solar power boom has been good news for one company based in Washington, just off

The Washington based firm at the forefront of the global solar energy boom

the A24. But it’s been a long journey for this local company, which was founded in California before moving to West Sussex where it is run by local resident Gerry Thurgood.

Thermco Systems, a division of Tetreon Technologies Limited, manufactures equipment that is used worldwide to manufacture industrial solar panels. Thermco makes the sophisticated computer controlled furnaces that are used to process Silicon substrates, which eventually form the main component parts of a solar panel.

This highly specialised equipment is vital as it is during the processing of the Silicon substrate that a semiconductor junction is formed.

While that doesn’t mean much to most of us (I picked it up quite quickly as I got a D in GCSE science), it is this junction that generates electricity when light hits the solar cell. The part that Thermco plays is just one small step in the manufacture of a solar panel, but it is a hugely important one.

Controlling the depth and profile of the P-N junction through precise, computer controlled processing is vital to producing an efficient solar cell that will generate the maximum amount of electricity.

Thermco is known as one of the best in the business and the company has the largest world-wide installed base of horizontal diffusion furnaces.

In addition to Thermco’s contribution

to Solar PV production, its equipment is also used in the semiconductor, MEMS, Nano, and LED industries.

Gerry said: “This year, we have shipped to Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, USA, France, Italy, India, Sweden and many other countries. We supply a wide range of customers as we are one of three major manufacturers of this specialist equipment in the world. Companies are constantly work-

ing to achieve higher solar cell efficiencies.

The greater the efficiency the more applications there will be, charging portable devices such as phones, laptops and tablets, or feeding into the grid. The number of applications for this technology is expanding all the time.”

50

Advertise in AAH: Call Ben on 01403 878026

“We are working with universities on the development of next generation devices, trying new ideas, some of which sound simple – such as having two layers of cells and seeing if the photons will go through both layers effectively doubling the current generated for a given surface area.

Reflectors and mirrors are used a to focus more sunlight onto solar panels, and we are also looking at new techniques in this area.”

The fortunes of Thermco have improved in recent years, and 2010 was a record year with

huge growth. It looks set to be an even better 2011, and the company is hoping to expand its manufacturing capacity, with more people working in a bigger unit, in the near future.

“The reputation of the company has grown by word of mouth over many, many years,” said Gerry.

“Even now we do little in the way of proactive selling. We could have people knocking on doors, but we are not in a position to take more orders without taking the business to the next stage which is a bigger facility with more staff.”

Gerry admits that in order to stay ahead, the company is constantly having to assess the direction in which the industries it supplies are heading, which is why they work so closely with universities, but one thing that looks certain is the continued growth of solar power.

He said: “Photovoltaics is a relatively new technology but consider the alternatives. Fossil fuels are becoming more and more expensive, nuclear power which has a major risk associated with the release of radiation, wind power and hydroelectricity.

Solar power has so many advantages, it is free, portable, safe to harvest, uses no moving parts, and is available anywhere there is light.”

Read AAH online at www.aahorsham.co.uk

51 Photo: Phil Brewster

A life on the limit Robin Lackford has been racing for over 40 years, but has built his reputation through his classic car restoration firm As a young boy, Robin Lackford was fascinated by cars.

He started working on cars at a young age, helping his older brother Norman, who raced a Ford Anglia in the Special Saloon Championship.

More than four decades on, he is now a grandfather of three, but Robin continues to live and breathe cars and motor racing.

He has run Robin Lackford Motor Engineering for over 25 years, and the firm has built up a fine reputation for its high quality classic and vintage car repairs and restorations on all classic car marques.

Cars including MGs, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Ford, Alvis and Aston Martin are a common sight at the garage in

Cowfold, where the company has been based for 18 years. Robin has also restored historic race cars such as the extremely rare Autosud.

Robin said: “What makes us different from other classic car specialists is that we offer the full service. We have the mechanical workshop, the body fabrication shop, the body prep shop, the paint booth and the low bake oven, and it’s all on one site.

“Many classic car specialist sub-contract out a lot of this work and only do some of it themselves.”

Robin and his team work on a lot of MGs, as they come highly recommended by the MG Owners Club, but there are always interesting

Pictures by Toby Phillips except where credited

52 Bond Minicar article in June’s edition at aahorsham.co.uk projects undertaken at the garage. Among current restoration projects are an ex-police Jaguar, a Ford Poplar 103E, an Alfa Romeo Spider and an MG TF. But there have been even more prestigious cars, including a Ferrari 250 GTO SWB Berlinetta. “That was one of the worst jobs I ever had,” jokes Robin. “I had to take it out and do 500 miles in it! I’m the only person here qualified to do it. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it.”

Whilst this all keeps Robin on his toes, it can’t keep him off the race track. He races in one of the championships his company sponsors – the Austin Healey Club Championships – as does son Nigel, who works alongside him at the garage having served an apprenticeship.

There’s no sign of Robin slowing down either – he missed out on the championship by a narrow margin this year.

Robin said: “I started going racing when I was about eleven years old with my older brother who is thirteen years older than me. He used to drag me along with him when he went racing in Crystal Palace. In the late 1960s we built a Ford Anglia and we ran that in Special Saloons. Then we

Robin Lackford Motor Engineering in Cowfold, and (below) Robin takes the Elva for a spin (Racing picture by Steve Jones)

built an Escort and then we built our own car with a Fiat 850 body and raced in the Silhouette Saloon Championship. We were filmed in 1983 by the BBC for a television show called Driving Ambition.

“But things move on, and I started racing MGs and built a racing MGB, which I’ve still got. I’ve had that since before my kids were born and now I’ve got three grandchildren.

“These days, I race the Frogeye (Austin Healey Sprite) and I won the class cham-

pionship this season, although I lost out on the overall championship by four points because I was hit in the second race of the season and didn’t score any points.

“I’ve competed in eight races this season, and we’ve had six class wins, six class poles, two outright wins against the big Austin Healey 3000s which have 300 brake horsepower, and we claimed two lap records.

“It’s one of my favourites of all the cars I Continued on Page 54

Racing in the Blood...

The Cunningham family When they’re not running Shaws Glass in Horsham, father and son Peter and Mark Cunningham race on the country’s top circuits in the Dunlop Production GTN Championship.

They won the final race of 2010 while running in Class One of the Britcar Production field.

Now their SG Racing Seat Leon Supercopa is among the front runners in Class Two.

66 North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RD Tel: 01403 211133 www.shawsglass.co.uk

Keeping it in the family The yellow and black vans of Shaws Glass have been a familiar sight on the roads around the district for over 15 years.

During that time, Shaws Glass has established itself as a leading company in all things glass, building a reputation for excellent service and family values.

The family values come easily, as the business is run by Peter Cunningham and his sons Lee and Mark.

But the fine reputation for professional service has taken longer to build up and maintain.

Peter said: “We simply treat our customers as we would like to be treated. We give the best advice we can, supply quality products and only employ

skilled tradesmen who really understand what we're all about.

“We tend to find that people trust us, as we’ve done a good job for them in the past, and for that we are very grateful to all of our customers during our 15 years in business.”

Shaws Glass can supply and install anything in the world of glass, including conservatories, double glazing, front doors, back doors, composite doors, fascia and soffits, replacement hinges, cat flaps, table tops, replacement double

glazed units, cut glass, toughened safety glass, shop fronts, supply only windows, glass balustrades for staircases, and acoustic glass.

Much of the design work is carried out in a large factory unit in Faygate, but customers can visit the showroom at 66 North Street, next to Horsham Station, to view a huge range of conservatories and garage doors, with help and advice from friendly staff with a wealth of experience.

It is countless recommendations over the years that have

ensured the company are one of the area’s most trusted companies, but Shaws Glass also has several industry accreditations.

Recently, they were selected a registered Top 100 Windows and Conservatories Company. Shaws Glass is also approved by FENSA the leading body providing homeowner protection in the double glazing industry - and The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).

For more information call 01403 211133 or visit the showroom in Horsham.

54 Robin Lackford Motor Engineering Racing in the Blood...

James Shepherd James Shepherd , who lives in Itchingfield, is one of the leading offshore powerboat racers of recent times. His King of Shaves sponsored boat was unstoppable in 2007, as James won the P1 Offshore Powerboat title. He also won the Honda F4 Offshore Powerboat Championships four times in succession from 2001.

Continued from Page 52

become a professional driver. He says: “I’ve always been a Club championship driver, and never really had aspirations to become a Grand Prix driver.

“At the end of the day, when you become a professional racing driver, it’s a job, and like any other job you get out of bed and go to work. But what we do is far better than that, as we build a car, go out and race it and beat everyone!

We’re also able to do that for customers too, which is just as satisfying.”

have raced. It still gives me a massive smile every time I race it, especially when it can beat the massive 3000s!”

As well as racing the ‘Frogeye’ Robin also races his Elva 100 in Formula Junior Historic Racing events. Yet despite all of the years he has spent in racing, Robin insists he never had any desire to

For more information visit www.robinlackford.co.uk

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Your ass is grass...

The Cricketers - where it all started in 1973 entered two teams

...and I am the lawnmower!

Legend has it that stock car racing in America began when bootleggers began to increase the speed of their cars to evade police while distributing whisky during prohibition.

Alcohol has also helped to inspire a form of racing (one of more legitimate origin) that has come to define motor sports in West Sussex.

For it was while drinking at The Cricketers Arms in Wisborough Green, that an Irishman called Jim Gavin, along with a few friends, first discussed the idea of having a lawn mower race. The first race they organised on Murphy’s Field back in 1973 reportedly attracted 80 mowers, and a new motor sport was born.

The Bat & Ball took the pub prize Pictures by www.tobyphillipsphotography.co.uk

Lawn mower racing was set up on the principles of no sponsorship, no commercialism, no cash prizes and no modifying of engines. But as mowers fly around a track at speeds of up to 50mph during a 12 hour race at Five Oaks, near Billingshurst, you can’t help but suspect that - forty years on there’s a little tweaking done here and there.

But the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLMRA) has stuck to its origins as a non-profit making organisation. Any profits are given to charities or good causes. In the case of the Five Oaks Endurance Race on 24th September, funds will go to Ingfield Manor School.

56 Advertise in AAH from only £50. Call 01403 878026

A British Championship takes place from May through to October, and the BLMRA also run a World Championships, The British Grand Prix and The Endurance Championship. But the most famous of all remains The 12 Hour Endurance Race, which for many years was held at Brinsbury College.

It’s had its ups (Derek Bell, fivetime winner of the 24-hour Le Mans race, is a former holder of the title) and downs (the recession hit the 2010 event badly, and it was reduced to just four hours with a small turnout) but the future is now looking brighter for local lawn mower racing.

The local endurance race faced a fight for its future after it was decided that the event could no longer be held at Brinsbury after 2008, and suitable new venues were difficult to locate. But this year, the race was staged on an incredible one mile long circuit in a field owned by local businessman and lawn mower racing enthusiast Paul Quickenden.

Paul said: “We bought the field primarily to use it as a track for this event. The last endurance event we took part in was cancelled as the field was too muddy, so we’re hoping this will now become an annual 12 hour event at this site.

“The gate takings were good this year, which is encouraging as we’ve taken a hit over the last few years and entries have been down. Hopefully this will help rekindle some interest in the sport, bring the numbers back up again and help us raise more money next year.

“Hopefully there was not too much disturbance for our neighbours in Five Oaks, and we will talk to them after the event, and then we can go on from this.

There was a big event up in the north of England this weekend too, which affected our entry numbers, but it’s an encouraging step.”

Paul was racing for the Bat and Ball Ferrets, with the Wisborough Green team taking the pub prize by finishing fourth overall, just three laps off a podium finish.

The Cricketers entered two teams, finishing in 17th and 22nd position, whilst the Queens Head Lawn Master Racing team, from Barns Green, endured a frustrating night. The team were badly affected by mechanical problems and completed only 113 laps.

Jeff Burt, who drove for the Bat and Ball Ferrets with Paul Quickenden and Les Goodman, said: “The winning lawn mower completed 361 laps, at speeds over 40mph, so that’s a pretty

Eventual winners Who’s Racing

Racing in the Blood...

John Mickel John Mickel won World and British Legends Cars Championships from 1999-2001 before a less successful stint in NASCAR Truck racing championships. But in 2010 he won the inaugural ASA Transcontinental Series Free State 500 at Phakisa Freeway South Africa in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and he’s now back racing in the UK Legends series.

Read AAH online at www.aahorsham.co.uk

57

Les, Paul and Jeff raced for the Bat & Ball, finishing fourth

impressive distance over that length of time on a lawn mower.

“We came in fourth, although we were hoping for a podium finish and were running third up until about midnight. We had no reliability problems, we just weren’t quite quick enough.

“We were racing in one hour stints, but we changed that to one hour and ten as the race went on as we wanted to stay near the front. We were fast at the changeovers – we have a quick refuelling system and we were coming in and going out again in about a minute.

“There were a lot of good consistent mowers in the race this time. The competitiveness has always been there, but the standard of the mowers has come on, so you’re seeing a lot of the machines finishing the race.”

The race saw 32 mowers in three classes – ride on mowers, roller driven mowers and standard baby agricultural tractors – all start together at 7pm, racing through the night.

The race was won by Who’s Racing by less than a lap from Grass Bandits. The two teams were in a class of their own, with the third place team – Pain in the Grass Racing – finishing 17 laps down.

The Boozy Birds also deserve a mention. Driving a standard mower (painted pink) with a top speed of only 14mph, Sue Avent, Marion Owen and Stacie DaviesMurray made it to the finish having run consistently. They were lapped 289 times, and had to ride along the inside of the hay bales!

For more information and race results visit www.blmra.co.uk

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Like Father

It was fairly inevitable that Jolyon and William Palmer were eventually going to be involved in motor racing.

Their father Jonathan raced in Formula One from the end of the 1983 season up until 1989, and enjoyed a number of points finishes for Tyrrell in his final three seasons.

He then became a test driver for McLaren in 1990, the year in which Senna took his second word title, before he co-founded MotorSport Vision, a hugely successful company that would go on to own and manage many of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top racing circuits.

In 1991, Jolyon was born, and from the

age of four, Jolyon would charge around the family home on a motorised cart, and growing up he took an increasing interest in motor sport.

But he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually start racing competitively until he was 13.

Now aged 20, he has just finished his first season in GP2, a Grand Prix support championship that is now seen as the best route into Formula One. Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Pastor Maldonado are recent winners of the championships.

We spoke to Jolyon and his younger brother William at the family home in Southwater, which aside from several

Like Sons

Formula One racing books on the coffee table, doesn’t provide much visible evidence of the family’s racing history.

It’s been a tough rookie year for Jolyon, blighted by bad luck, but it has done little to alter his dream of driving in Formula One. Jolyon said: “I have to view this year as a learning year, like I did with my first year in Formula 2. The field in GP2 is so strong, and has such depth, but I was one of the top rookies.

“You have to consider that there are top drivers such as Roman Grosjean (who raced for Renault in 2009 but had the misfortune of being Fernando Alonso’s team mate) and people who have been racing in the championship for several years.

“I’ve got winter testing now, which is a good opportunity to show what I can do in a proven top car. Some of the drivers are moving on, and next year I will have the chance to show what I can do against the rookies.”

At the end of September, Jolyon spent time testing with leading GP2 teams iSport and Addax in Jerez, Spain. He ran consistently in the top ten over two days as he attempted to catch the eye of some of the top teams.

He told AAH: “I need to show my potential in testing. I’m very hopeful that I’ll be in GP2 next year, but it’ll be good to prove to myself I have the speed.”

At the other end of the racing scale, his brother William, aged 14, is only just starting out in racing. He has competed in one round of the Ginetta Junior Championship, having competed in a handful of karting events.

William said: “Up until the beginning of this year I really didn’t think that I would be into racing. It was only recently that I started kart racing.

“I’ve driven in six kart races and I won three novice trophies, when I was first of the new driver, so it went quite well.

“Now I’ve moved into the Ginetta Junior Championships.

There is a winter series this year which I’m hoping to compete in and then hopefully race in next year’s full championship.

“The series is for drivers aged from fourteen to seventeen, and the cars are limited to 119mph. On my first time in the car I went out and spun it at 80 miles per hour! I feel more comfortable with it now though and it’s good fun.

“My first race was at Snetterton and I finished in 14th, and Continued on Page 60

Picture: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Left: Father and son discuss tactics; Above: Jolyon has been testing in GP2 recently; Right: William Palmer in action at Brands Hatch

60

The Palmer Family

Jonathan Palmer wins an F2 race at Zolder in 1983. 26 years later, Jolyon won an F2 race and William hopes he can progress to that level too

my next race is at Brands Hatch so I’m really looking forward to that.”

William hopes to progress to higher levels of motor sport, but he’ll have to prove his ability behind the wheel if he’s to reach GP2 like his elder brother, let alone Formula One. He’s doing very well academically at school, so his mum is making sure he maintains his good grades, but on the race track he can be sure of his dad’s support.

Jolyon also admits that the support he has had from his father has been significant.

Jonathan’s company operated the Formula Palmer Audi championship that gave Jolyon his first taste of single-seater racing, as well as the Formula Two Championship, which the young racer then graduated to.

Jolyon said: “It’s helpful to have contacts through him. He has been in the background all the way through my career, having a

Racing in the Blood...

Wilson family Strangely, the throttleman for powerboat driver James Shepherd in P1 was American Craig Wilson, the grandson of Jackie Wilson (right) who ran a garage and marine dealership in Southwater for many years. Jackie and son Mark, Craig’s father, won many national and world titles in powerboating including the Paris Six Hour race as a team.

word here and there and making sure I’m on the right track really.”

The track he is on remains the right one. Having endured a nightmare first season in Formula Two, Jolyon came close to winning the title in his second season, losing out on the championship (and a Formula One test drive for Williams, who his father briefly raced for in 1983) to his only serious rival, Dean Stoneman. He did, though, become a race winner in Formula Two like his father, by taking the chequered flag at races in Monza, Silverstone, Algarve and Brno.

Looking in from the outside, one might think it’s not been a tough route to GP2, but Jolyon is a racer through and through, and knows better than anyone that only talent will get him on to the Grand Prix grid. Just like any other racer, it is all about winning for Jolyon.

Not even the death of his friend

Old editions of AAH online at aahorsham.co.uk Henry Surtees at Brands Hatch has shaken his desire for racing. Jolyon was just in front of Henry when a tyre bounced across the track after another racer had crashed, and hit Henry on the head at high speed.

He said: “The chances of that happening are so remote. It was unfortunate that Massa had his accident with the spring only about a week later (Ferrari driver Felipe Massa was seriously injured when he was hit by a spring that had come off a rival car at the Hungarian GP) but I think you have to try and forget about that if

61

you’re a racing driver and move on.

You can’t step into a car with fear.

“I was the car in front of Henry, but you have to get on with it. As soon as you start driving around the track the only thing you think about is ‘how do I go faster?’”

Due to the age difference, the siblings have never shared a race track, although there have been the occasional go-kart races where the brothers and their father take to the track. Jolyon believes that they probably all share a similar racing mentality. In Formula One, Jonathan was known as a smart, Continued on Page 62

Above: Jolyon wins for the first time in T Cars, and (right) has the strange experience of being interviewed by his father after a Formula Palmer Audi race. Top, Jonathan in F1 in 1986 with fellow British drivers Johnny Dumfries, Nigel Mansell and Martin Brundle.

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Jolyon and William Palmer

Racing in the Blood...

Kieran Vernon Kieran is a talented young racing driver from West Chiltington, who races in the Porsche Carrera Cup. He joined the series for the second half of the season and has been a regular points scorer. He has claimed race wins throughout his career in Formula Renault, Formula Palmer Audi, Formula Ford and the Ginetta Series.

calculated driver rather than a blisteringly fast one, and Jolyon believes that one of his strengths is the ability to think through a race as it progresses.

Perhaps there will be a time when they all demonstrate their racing skills as a family – they have chatted about the Le Mans 24 Hour Race! Jolyon said: “My dad is a fan – he’s been over there a couple of times in recent years and it’s hard to watch it and not want to get involved.

“My focus is on getting into F1, but I would love to do Le Mans one day. There is no plan B for me. I’m just focused on GP2, and until that door closes and the route to Formula One ends, then that’s all I will be focused on.”

For more detials about jolyon visit his website at www.jolyonpalmer.co.uk To check on William’s progress visit www.ginetta.com/championship_junior

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Group Discussion: 1015 (Horsham) Squadron

63

Pictures by Toby Phillips

The sky’s the limit for

Horsham Air cadets It wasn’t so long ago that the Horsham Air Training Corps, 1015 Squadron, was in danger of closing due to a shortage of members.

But now the squadron is as healthy as it has been at any time since it was founded shortly after the Air Training Corps was formed in 1947.

On 18th September, nearly all of the 73 members of 1015 Squadron marched through town to the War Memorial in the Carfax, as part of Battle of Britain Sunday.

1015 Squadron has a fine reputation as one of the better drilled of the country’s 966 squadrons, but it is not just the parading and regimental elements of the squadron that has made it the most popular in Sussex.

For many young people, the Air Training Corps is still viewed as a great stepping stone to a career in the Royal Air Force, and of course presents opportunities for the young cadets to fly a plane!

Stuart Reid, Chairman of1015 Squadron, said: We’ve recently

spent quite a lot of money on a flight simulator which one of the cadets has built. It’s a fairly modest thing – it’s not the sort of thing you would learn how to fly a 747 on, but it’s a good exercise for beginners.

“The cadets at Air Training Corps have the opportunity to learn how to fly and glide, and at 1015 Squadron they learn how to fly a Grob Tutor at RAF Benson. Our simulator is configured to Grob Tutor settings so cadets who haven’t been flying can see what it is going to be like when they get into the skies over Oxfordshire.”

The Air Training Corps is a voluntary youth organization supported by the Royal Air Force, for people aged from 13 to 20 years. Funding for 1015 Squadron building, uniforms and other essentials comes from the Ministry of Defence, but a lot of the activities that the cadets get involved in are selffunded.

Cadets pay a monthly subscription and the squadron also holds fundraising events to help pay for extra equipment such as radios and camping equipment.

Kayaks were another purchase, for water sports activities at Southwater Country Park.

Currently there are 73 cadets at 1015 squadron in Horsham, and the group meets on Tuesday

and Thursday evenings.

Stuart said: “All the time the weather is nice we can hold outside parades, but we have a lot of classrooms in the building and the cadets have lectures and hold activities in which they can acquire many badges for skills and progress through the ranks. They may learn radio communications and such

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To advertise in AAH call Ben on 01403 878026 Luke Yates Flight Lieutenant “I was at Crawley for six months and before that I was with the 2185 Wareham Squadron. I initially joined the cadets as a boy to have some fun, and then I wanted to join the RAF, but they closed the trade that I wanted to go in.

“In my role I take command of the whole unit and guide them towards the vision I’ve laid down as well as making sure everything coming from headquarters is enforced and opportunities are presented to cadets.

This group is very dynamic and numbers are very good – we’re the largest squadron in Sussex – but we are still taking people on. People come to us for an initial induction programme, from the age of 13, and they can stay until they are 20. Then it is time to be-

Tom Burroughs Cadet

“It started for me when I went into Chichester with my mum, and I watched the Chichester Squadron and thought it was something I’d like to do, as I had always wanted to join the RAF. When I moved to the Weald in Billingshurst I met a friend who was a cadet, and I now join him at the 1015 Squadron on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I’ve been here for a little over the year, and was recently given Cadet off the Year. There’s a lot more to it than ceremonial duties – you pick up life skills and it’s a good path if you wish to join the Armed Forces.

It’s a good socially too, everyone knows each other and we’re good friends, so outside of the ceremonial duties it’s quite relaxed.”

come adult members of staff, which many do, or to go out into the big wide world with the skills the Squadron has given them.

We’re a youth organisation that offers adventure and a camaraderie that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. There are also opportunities to fly. That’s the spark for most people!

We go to RAF stations such as Benson in Oxfordshire . We have days out all the time. Recently we were at a swimming event at Horsham Pavilions which the Squadron won, then we were at sports trials in Crowborough.

There’s a great social atmosphere.

They’ve got a unit history here that they can be very proud of and it’s still going very strong.”

John Reid Flight Sergeant

“We’re a Squadron that is well known for its good drill discipline.

We’re a very sporty Squadron. We’ve been kayaking at Southwater and we go to K2 in Crawley to do athletics as well. We have a shooting range here – we shoot .22 rifles and once you have passed something called the First Class you are allowed to take part in extra activities such as flying and shooting.

I went up to Scotland to shoot there, and we go to a wide range of camps at air bases, army bases and naval bases such as HMS Bristol in Portsmouth and HMS Belfast in London. We look at all the armed

forces and how they work.

When I joined I wanted to be a pilot with the RAF so I went to an event at K2 and they told me that a good path into it was the cadets, so I joined the 1015 Squadron about four years ago and haven’t looked back since.

I’ve done a gliding scholarship, walked 100 miles in four days and been all over the place. It’s been a brilliant experience. “

The Great War in Horsham Our two part special feature on the First World War in Horsham can be seen in the July and August editions of AAH, with incredible stories on the town’s characters and accounts on some who fought and died.

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

64

To advertise in AAH call Ben on 01403 878026 Kieren Hill Flight Sergeant “I went to Shoreham air show when I was a kid, with my Grandad, and since then I’ve always wanted to fly a plane.

We then went to Wings and Wheels at Dunsfold and I saw the Red Arrows and I thought ‘I’d love to be one of those pilots’. I also won a competition with the Red Arrows and experienced a flight with them.

“I looked around to see if there was any where I could fly and the cadets popped up, so I rang the squadron and asked if I could come down and try and they said ‘yes’.

“Since then I’ve been flying, shooting, and taken part in many activities. I have hardly ever missed a squadron meeting. We do parade so that is a bit formal, but we can do lessons, drills, and there’s always a new activity to try. For example, we have new leadership exercises every week.

We go on camps – I recently was up at RAF Kinloss in Scotland for a week and we’ve been to Cornwall with the cadets.

“I personally enjoy the public occasions, not just because I’m weird and like drill, but I like being in uniform and looking smart and representing the Squadron.

“I’m hoping to join the RAF as a PTI (Physical Training Instructor).

If I do join it’ll be when I’m about 25.

I’m 20 now so I’ll be leaving in January but the 1015 Squadron is a good stepping stone and has given me some good life experience too.”

skills.

“One of the things we’d like to do in the short term is redevelop the site so we can actually fit more cadets in.

“We find that by word of mouth we are often seeing new cadets, so we don’t need to do a great deal to promote the Squadron.

There’s no barrier, just come along and see if it’s for you.

“There are many people here who are looking at a career in the military, but it’s also said to be very good for employers to see Air Training Cops experience on a CV, as they know they are looking at someone who is responsible, well behaved and properly turned out.”

Stuart says the dynamic of the group and the social element has been like a ‘second childhood’ for him and other parents.

He said: “Some groups are

treated by parents as being like a crèche but that is not the case here – many get involved in the organisational side and also we have several parents who have been involved in the armed forces and it’s nice for some of our cadets to carry on a family tradition.

“There’s always another challenge for a cadet – as soon as you have achieved something there is always something else to aim for. Once you have achieved Corporal you want to get to Sergeant, and then you want to reach Flight Sergeant. You want to do a gliding scholarship and get your wings. A cadet’s life is very fulfilling.”

AAH met some of the cadets at the 1015 Squadron in Horsham to hear what it’s like to be a member of the Air Training Corps...

Group Discussion: 1015 Squadron

66 “I have been here for five years and have stayed as the people here are really friendly – it’s like a small community or a giant family!

You can never get bored of flying. Every time you go up in a Grob Tutor or a glider it’s incredible and you can only do that at Air Corps.

I’ve done my gliding scholarship which was so much fun. Such opportunities are hard to come by for most people, and the RAF also makes it cheaper for you to do so I would totally recommend it!

I don’t mind the ceremonial stuff, as it’s respectable, but I prefer the fun days out. On Tuesday and Thursday we all come along and take part in a lot of activities, with games, quizzes and other leadership activities.

The teamwork games require us to work together so we always have a good time.”

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BIG QUIZ It’s the already-famous AAH quiz. One winner will scoop ALL of these superb prizes. Have a go if you think you’re smart enough!

If your business would like to contribute a prize, please call 01403 878026 or email editor@aahorsham.co.uk

Personal Training Session for Two Slinfold Golf and Country Club has put up a fantastic prize - a day at the club for two including a Personal Training session and a healthy breakfast included. Read inside for more details about the latest state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment from Matrix now at the club. They also have a range of Power Plates, used by celebrities around the world.

Cocoa Loco chocs!

Italian Olive Oils gift hamper

Dark Star Brewery

Cocoa Loco is a West Grinstead based company that makes the scrummiest, yummiest organic chocolate you’ve ever had! They’ve donated a gift box to our clever winner! cocoaloco.co.uk

Beer from WJ Kings brewery Our winner will claim a voucher which can be taken to the excellent Horsham brewery WJ King, and exchanged for a cask of one of their fine beers, such as Brighton Best, Brighton Blonde, Red River or Kings Old Ale.

The Partridge Green based brewery is best known for its hoppy beers, but they’ve also got a great range of Dark Star clothing! You’ll receive a bit of both if you win our comp! darkstarbrewing.com

Simply Olive Oils, located within the Sussex Kitchen Designs showroom at Brighton Road, Horsham, has donated a £25 gift set to our winner, with basil, chilli and lemon flavours included! simplyoliveoils.com

Adopt an Arctic Fox Care for the Wild is an animal charity based in Horsham, protecting hundreds of species around the world.

Our winner will have officially adopted an Arctic Fox in need of support. careforthewild.com

Family Pass to Fishers Farm We have a family pass to the award-winning family visitor attraction in Wisborough Green.

See animals in the barn, watch the new daily farm show in the Barn Theatre, cheer at the sheep racing or Shetland Grand National and have a pony ride in the sand school. You can also take a ride on the Tractor trailer, or scary Ghost Tunnel.

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Enter by email: editor@aahorsham.co.uk

1 round 1round Weird

and wonderful animals

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve featured Seers Croft Veterinary Surgery, which is known for its expertise in dealing with exotic species.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve even treated one of these animals - but can you name all 12?

To Contribute a prize call Ben on 01403 878026 73

round22 round

Are you paying attention?

It’s the round that makes sure you’re not just looking at the pretty pictures. It’s an old fashioned Q&A

Skatejam returned to horsham Park last month, with inline skaters, BMX riders and skateboarders benefitting from fresh ramps.

Which local company designed and built the new and improved ramps?

Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, was recently the artist in residence at a Two Michelin Star restaurant in London, where she created art work using kitchen leftovers. What is the name of the restaurant?

A 12 hour lawnmower race was held at a field in Five Oaks and attracted over 30 entries. Who’s Racing took overall honours, but which local team took the prize as the first pub team to finish?

Jolyon Palmer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father by racing in F1. The highlight of his career was five race wins in Formula Two in 2010. Who did he finish runner-up to in that year’s championship?

Bill Stallion’s illustrations for Airfix boxes will be recognisable to many of us. But later in his career, Bill worked on storyboards for a number of films. Which cult Michael Mann classic did Bill work on?

Alice Ella was among the performers at the recent Horsham Festival of Sound. Alice has a growing online fanbase thanks to her rendition of a song made famous by Alice’s favourite singer. Can you name that artist?

The cadets at Horsham Air Training Corps, 1015 Squadron, are given the opportunity to take to the skies and learn how to fly. They even have a simulator, with the configuration set to which type of plane they use to fly?

Our meal review comes from the Flagstones Restaurant at Random Hall Hotel in Slinfold.

The restaurant has a number of steak specials- can you name the steak that is the most expensive on the menu?

Horsham Amphibians staged the successful Southwater Relays early in September. The race was won by a local team, but who set the fastest time of all the competitors in the 400m swim in Southwater Country Park?

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THE BIG QUIZ

round 3

Another name

We’ve given five businesses in Horsham’s Carfax a cryptic, alternative name. Can you work out which ones?

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27,28,29,30,31

round 4

Bulls eye

The AAH bull is hiding on five other pages in this edition. Can you tell us the page numbers?

round 5

Drawing Board

Steve Backshall recently visited Horsham with the BBC Live ‘n’ Deadly roadshow, but can you name these other four legends of wildlife presenting?

round 6

Tie-breaker

AAH photographer Toby Phillips is a bit of a skateboarding fanatic so how many pictures did he take at the Horsham Skatejam in his 90 minute visit?

THE BIG QUIZ

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Rules, terms and conditions

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One point awarded for each correct answer The entry with the most correct answer wins all the prizes In the event of a tie break, the closest guess to Q36 will decide the winner Entries must be received by Friday, 28th October 2011 The winner will be revealed in the following month’s edition along with answers Details of entrants will NOT be passed on to any third party The editor’s decision is final Any businesses wishing to get involved in the All About Horsham competition can contact the Editor

Address

Phone Email

September’s answers...

The Last Samurai

#" $

1: Dodge Viper 2: Suzuki Swift 3: Ford Puma 4: Reliant Robin 5: hudson Hornet 6: Alfa Romeo Spider7: VW Beetle 8: Skoda Yeti 9: Ford Mustang (or Shelby Mustang) 10: Fiat Panda 11: Corvette Stingray 12: Nissan Bluebird13: 210 14: Stella15: Cruella De Ville 16: Deep Purple 17: Peter Howes 18: Hurricane Lamp19: Broadwood Morris 20: Adam Langlands 21: Union Jack Farm Shop 22: 10,000 BC 23: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 24: Lord of the Rings 25: The World’s Fastest Indian 26: Avatar 27: The Last Samurai 28: Cote 29: Piccolos 30: Baloos 31: Chardonnay 32: Silver Wok 33, 34 & 35: Pages 6 (at the cricket), page 16 (at Ashington festival) page 33 (with Derek Golledge); 36: Toby took 75 pictures at St Hugh’s in Parkminster.

The ones that most stumbled up on

Dodge Viper (not an AC Cobra), Baloos (it was cheeky throwing a Henfield restaurant in) and 10,000 BC. So close this month - Ten people - including Adrian Allmay, Mark Pope - would have won were it not for one incorrect answer. The two who got them all right were Sarah Lewsey and Julie Wallace, both of Southwater. Both were way off on the tiebreak, but Julie wins with a guess of 371 (Sarah’s was 389)

72 Contact AAH: 01403 878026/editor@aahorsham.co.uk

‘We treat all kinds of animals - cats dogs, monkeys, peregrine falcons, chicken, parrots,

even a red panda!’

Seers Croft Veterinary Surgery

As we take a tour of the Seers Croft Veterinary Surgery in Faygate, we gradually learn to expect the unexpected.

There is a St Bernard swimming in the hydrotherapy pool, horses in a stable block, and there seems to be just as many exotic animals being cared for or awaiting treatment – turtles, snakes and lizards – as there are cats and dogs.

On the Seers Croft website, there is a picture of a pony apparently trying to use a computer, and the staff have treated monkeys, lemurs, peregrine falcons, peacocks, parrots, and even a

red panda!

They are able to deal with exotic species due to the experience of the staff. Rob Reynolds holds a Royal College Certificate in Zoological Medicine, and as a result Seers Croft treats numerous unusual animals kept privately.

These animals range from ferrets to tapirs and coatimundi to bearded dragons and pythons. In addition to the experience of the staff, it is the on-site facilities and medical equipment that makes Seers Croft stand out.

It all started as just a small practice based in Rusper, before the company

moved to Faygate in 1987, having outgrown its Rusper premises. A decade later, in 1997, advancements in animal care meant that Seers Croft needed a new home, and a perfect site was found for the current purpose built unit on the other side of the A264.

Still, the site has needed to be expanded, with new buildings including stables and a log cabin for the Hydrotherapy Centre, with all of these specialist facilities supported by qualified staff.

The surgery now has seven full-time and one part-time veterinary surgeon, which means Seers Croft can usually offer anyone an appointment for the same day.

The Veterinary Surgery has a special interest in

cardiology and respiratory medicine. Dan Andrews holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons certification in Veterinary Cardiology. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders can be investigated and treated with the aid of state of the art equipment.

Sarah Williams, Practice Manager, said: “The practice is well equipped to allow an accurate diagnosis to be made. Many of the blood tests are performed in the practice laboratory meaning results can be available within a few hours.

“The practice has a state of the art ultrasound scanner, which is extremely useful to aid diagnosis of pregnancy, cardiac disease and abdominal disease.

Continued on Page 74

Alexandra Bastedo Sanctuary July’s edition of AAH featured several special articles on local charities and animal lovers, including Born Free, Caring for Cats, Holbrook Rescue Centre and Alexandra Bastedo’s Champions Animal Sanctuary.

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

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Feature: Seers Croft Veterinary Surgery

‘We also run the night clinic emergency service from our premises, covering for many practices within the area.’

“Ultrasound also allows some minor procedures to be completed by "keyhole" technique, reducing the anaesthetic time and speeding recovery for the patient.

“Endoscopy is also available, which enables the vet to look inside various body cavities through a fibre-optic camera, and we also has several heated vivarium with ultra violet lighting for hospitalised reptiles.

“We are open for surgery on Monday to Friday at 8am-7pm, and we have a Saturday morning surgery. There is plenty of car park space here too.”

Clients are welcome to bring their animals to the surgery if they're ill or just want advice. Seers Croft also runs a night clinic emergency service from their premises, covering for many practices within the area. This means the surgery never closes and has a vet permanently on site to cover for all emergencies.

It is also one of the few veterinary surgeries with its own hydrotherapy centre, which helps animals recover muscle and joint function after an operation, controls obesity, aids arthriticdogs and in some casesjust keeps animals fit and having fun!

The centre is run by a team of hydro therapists under veterinary supervision. Rosie Smith, seen with the St Bernard at the centre, said: “We believe hydrotherapy should be fun as well as therapeutic. The pool is at floor level which means that dogs can walk down our gently sloping ramp, without the aid of winches or hoists.”

All animals are accompanied in the pool by an experienced hydrotherapist to ensure the patient’s safety. Temperature, pulse and respiration rates are carefully monitored, both before and after each swim, and records kept so that trends may be monitored. Seers Croft staff say that they are able to use the pool long before they would consider taking animals for a walk during a recovery process.

As with any other veterinary surgery, cats, dogs and other

The Monks of Parkminster Join AAH in an incredible behind the scenes look at Parkminster in the Parish of Cowfold, home to the country’s only Carthusian Monks. Read about how these men devote their lives to God. Online in September’s AAH

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

www.aahorsham.co.uk domestic animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs form a large percentage of the patients seen at the surgery. But not all of the pets visiting require treatment.

Sarah added: “Sometimes they come to be weighed, for dietary advice, for flea treatments, or just for a biscuit!

“For fun we organise weekly puppy parties for our new puppies. These involve a talk given by a vet or nurse on general well-being and preventative care; giving tips and advice on problems that you may encounter with your new dog.

“All animals receive a clinical examination at their yearly vaccinations. This not only gives the clinician the chance to spot potential problems before symptoms are produced, but also gives the opportunity to allow owners to ask any question.s” Seers Croft is located in the beautiful rural surroundings off Tower Road in Faygate (Faygate to Colgate road) and is signposted from the A264.

For more information call 01293 851122 or visit the website at www.seerscroft.co.uk

Architectural Plants, Nuthurst July’s edition of AAH featured the story of Architectural Plants, hailed for its diverse and exotic specimens and now carving a new reputation for innovative gardening and landscape design studio.

Old editions of AAH can be viewed in full at www.aahorsham.co.uk

75

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Camelia Botnar Homes & Garden Centre

Contact AAH: 01403 878026/editor@aahorsham.co.uk

One of a How Camelia Botnar keeps customers coming back Back in my college days, I used to work at a well-known homes and gardens centre during evenings and weekends.

There was a spot in the warehouse called ‘Cop out Corner’ where young members of staff would hide when a customer asked a particularly difficult question.

Nowadays, I don’t bother asking young employees for their expertise when needing advice at such stores, as I know they will rarely be able to offer any help.

But that’s not the case at Camelia Botnar Homes and Gardens Centre in Littleworth Lane, Cowfold.

Here, the youngsters work as part of their education at the Camelia Botnar Foundation. The Foundation is based on Maplehurst Road, about a mile away from the Homes and Gardens centre.

Up to 50 young people are employed in workshops and departments devoted to metalwork, horticulture, pottery, carpentry, painting and decorating, catering, estates maintenance and building.

The products they make, under the supervision of experienced staff, are then placed on sale at Camelia Botnar Home & Gardens.

The trainees working within the nursery also have the opportunity to liaise directly with members of the public at the homes

77

KIND

and gardens during their two years’ paid work experience.

“We support them, get them into college and hopefully they leave with qualifications,” said Emma Mitchell, Chief Executive of the Foundation.

“We train and educate 16-21 year olds who are in a disadvantaged situation due to circumstances outside of their control. They are enabled to improve conditions in their lives and to develop as individuals.”

The 550 acre Camelia Botnar Foundation estate was established in 1979 by Octav Botnar and his wife Marcela, in memory of their only child, Camelia, who was killed in a car accident at the age of 20.

The Foundation expanded and for many years products made by the trainees are designed and finished to a high standard, and retailed through Camelia Botnar Homes & Gardens.

Emma Reece, manager of the Nursery at Camelia Homes and Garden Centre, said: “The Nursery grows a wide range of native and ornamental trees and hedging, conifers, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, alpines, bulbs and seasonal bedding plants. We try and source unusual plants, which helps maintain interest for the trainees.

“So we have a range of Bonsai, we have

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a member of staff who is a big fan of bamboo, and I’m keen on unusual trees and shrubs, so trainees have a very broad experience when they leave here and there is also a good range for the customer.

“We work with local suppliers, and they’re very keen on us because we’re a different type of garden centre. They often invite the trainees to join them for extra work experience, and it gives us the opportunity to bring in specialist plants for individual customers.”

Camelia Botnar Homes & Gardens also boasts a Bistro which is something of a hidden gem. The Bistro offers a varied menu with specials every day, using ingredients sourced from local suppliers created by talented chefs.

You can enjoy a superb range of lunches, snacks, cakes, afternoon cream teas and coffees and delicious Sunday roasts with great service.

The gourmet coffees keep people coming back too - you can choose from Cappuccino, Americano, Latte, Mocha and Espressos.

The Bistro is particularly busy when Camelia Botnar host talks in the nursery. The events are popular with coach parties and people often end up spending most of the day in the showrooms and nursery.

Emma Reece said: “We tell them about the Foundation and then show them around and they meet the trainees too.

“The only way people can donate to the Foundation is to purchase goods in the shop or visit the Bistro.”

The Foundation's cabinet-making and joinery department is housed in a large modern workshop, fully

Camelia Botnar Homes & Gardens Centre

equipped with the machinery required for producing oak and pine furniture, hardwood and softwood joinery.

All furniture and joinery is sold at Homes and Gardens or direct to the customer. Andy Hespin, manager of the carpentry department, said: “What the trainees make is sold, so it has to be of a high standard.”

The metalwork showroom has displays of ornate metalwork to give your home or garden that unique feel, with everything from beds to boot racks and log rings.

Each piece is hand forged mixing traditional and contemporary designs, resulting

in some truly original and innovative pieces.

Standard paint finishes are available in three colours black, dark green, and cream.

Another available option is galvanising prior to painting.

The Pottery showroom has an abundance of plates, jugs, dinner services, egg cups all made at the Foundation. The oven-to-table stoneware ranges are fired in our kilns to 1280°C which creates a resilient, oven proof and dishwasher proof product.

Apart from the products from the Foundation and the colourful display of plants and flowers, the gift shop and

showrooms have superb displays of goods and unusual items.

These include Lordington Lavender, a locally based lavender farm producing oils, sprays, creams and soaps.

Deerview Products, a small locally based Sussex kitchen, produces small batches of traditionally made natural produce such as pickles and chutneys.

Auntie Val’s makes jams and chutneys and House of Marbles are makers of a world famous range of glass marbles, board games, and classic toys, all on sale at Camelia Botnar Homes and Gardens.

Latest News and Events at aahorsham.co.uk

Every Friday afternoon the homes and gardens have a selection of freshly picked seasonal vegetables delivered, while other products include the Rookery Organic Eggs, Cocoa Loco organic chocolate and Debbie Hinton prints.

You’ll also find Heyland & Whittle’s hand made soaps and creams, Sussex Gold - which produces an exciting variety of Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oils - and hand-made jewellery by The Cat's Whiskers.

Also on sale are beautiful handmade cards, candles, Caspari napkins, place mats, Spear and Jackson tools, Laura Ashley's

garden range of gloves, bags and kneelers, Ulster Weaver aprons, tea towels, tea cosies and Bill Oddie's wild bird food.

Camelia Botnar Homes and Gardens also stocks garden essentials such as compost, fertilizer, seeds and bulbs.

Emma Reece said: “We have very loyal customers. I don’t know if that’s because of the trainees or the atmosphere here, but they always seem to come back. Sometimes they just like to have a walk around and go to the bistro.

“Because we are training the lads we tend to offer better service for customers. Other

centres may have weekend staff who shrug their shoulders and say ‘if it’s not on the shelf we haven’t got it’. But here we are trying to train them to deal with customers. We feel it’s important in breaking down barriers.

“We often see that the trainees are not initially comfortable dealing with the customers they will practically run away.

But there are several members of staff working here with the trainees and we make them come back and listen to the answer to any queries.

“We get new trainees all the time - it’s a roll on, roll off programme - which is just as

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well as they don’t have the knowledge at first so we have to develop their skills while still running the nursery.

“I do enjoy working with young people, as it’s very refreshing.

They don’t all stay as it’s not for everyone, but for the ones that commit to the entire course it’s very rewarding – for them and the customer.”

For more information visit www.cameliabotnar.com The website also has details about Camelia Botnar Homes and Gardens (sales 01403 864773) and the Bistro (reservations 01403 864588) at Littleworth Lane, Cowfold.

I’m interested in things that have been rejected but can be turned into

an object of beauty Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva A contemporary Artist working in Plummers Plain

Above: Beauty of Detail, and below, Reoccurring Undulation, made using 960 salmon skin tiles

“This is made out of sheep testicles,” laughs Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva as she introduces another of her recent works of art.

It’s not that Elpida doesn’t take her work seriously. The Macedonian born artist is laughing at my increasing bewilderment at the materials she has used.

It started off comparably tame salmon skins used to create hundreds of tiles, a cow’s stomach laid flat for a wall decoration – before Elpida introduced us to some of her more controversial pieces. These include a ball gown made of chicken skin, and duck heads placed on to the bodies of angels at Gloucester Cathedral.

Needless to say, lovers of Romanesque and Gothic architecture were far from amused at the commissioned art, and

the duck heads were removed from the 7th Century Cathedral.

This is the world through the eyes of Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva. A full time artist, Elpida operates from a studio in Plummers Plain. She’s become accustomed to the smell, but it is so overpowering that we needed to step outside on regular occasions for fresh air. In addition to the fish skin tiles, during our visit there’s a tray of hundreds of shrimp heads, an army of quail heads, rabbit jaws, chicken heads, and of course the cow’s stomach on display.

To most people, it might sound ridiculous, and indicative of just how ludicrous modern art can be. But Elpida insists there is meaning behind her work.

She said: “I’m interested in the recycling

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For more Art features visit www.aahorsham.co.uk Below: Elpida’s Gunna - a dress made of chicken skin. Bottom, the artist’s work with animal heads attracted a mixed response of material, and things that have been rejected but can be turned into an object of beauty.

When you talk to people about what you do they think that the materials I work with are quite disgusting but when you look at the objects you can see they can be turned into beautiful things. That is what I am into – the manipulation of something that has been rejected.

“I like having control over something to a particular point, but then stepping away and letting the material takes over and changes naturally. You cannot predict what will happen. With something like cans or metal, you can control what happens. But the things I make will change over two years, in colouration and even in the way they move.”

Currently, Elpida is the artist in residence at Pied à Terre, a Two Michelin Star restaurant in London. For the last eight months she has been gathering up scraps – taking monkfish skins, chicken bones and scallop beards from the basement to create several pieces within the Charlotte Street eatery.

These include a sculpture made of skate bones in the dining room, a squadron of 200 quail carcasses, a lampshade made of scallop, and the skylight has been covered with 80 translucent white bulbs which are in fact dried out sheep testicles.

There has been much media coverage on Elpida’s residence at Pied à Terre, but the artist says she is occasional bemused by the attention. Elpida said: “We’ve had lots of press coverage to the recent exhibition and it’s been interesting. Unless you tell people

Photo by John Ryan

what the materials are it is very difficult to see, and that is what has made it interesting.

“People are asking lots of questions, especially about the light box as people can tell that they are some sort of sacks, but they cannot tell that they are sheep’s testicles. But they eat them at the restaurant, so there is nothing different!”

Elpida’s professional training has taken place in the UK - graduating from the GSA, Glasgow in 1996 and the RCA, London in 1998. This has introduced her to other landscapes, encouraging a broad outlook to her responses to specific places and an understanding of the importance of research for the successful development of her work.

There is great variety in Elpida’s work, but they do follow a similar theme of using unusual materials linked to a specific environment.

While it is the testicles and the

placing of duck heads on angel statues that may create headlines, some of Elpida’s work has been acclaimed within art circles.

Reoccuring Undulation, made by Elpida over a nine month period and incorporating 960 salmon skin tiles, may have put the artist off fish

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Advertise in AAH from only £50. Call 01403 878026 ‘Unless you tell people what the materials are it is very difficult to see, and that is what has made it interesting’

Above: A work in progress with hundreds of shrimp heads, and some of those infamous testicle sacks

(possibly for the rest of her life!) but it made for a striking spectacle by anyone’s standards at the Compulsive, Obsessive, Repetitive exhibition at The Contemporary Art Museum.

The Beauty of Detail was a large-scale veil-like sculpture using fine metal threads, (stainless steel and brass) woven together into a large maze-like installation. The piece was shortlisted for the Spitalfields Sculpture Prize in 2010.

Elpida was artist in Residence in the Faculty of Media, Art & Communications at the University of Gloucestershire, and based at Gloucester Cathedral from 2008 – 2009. During that time she created Gunna, a chicken dress worn in a performance by Mitra Memarzia. Around that time

came ‘To Drape’, a flattened fourth stomach of a cow.

It’s obviously not art that most people would like hanging behind the sofa, but there is a market for Elpida’s work and her unique recycling methods continues to inspire new ideas and catch the eye at contemporary exhibitions. However, like most other artists, buyers are not easy to come by.

Elpida said: “There is so much you can do in this line of art, but it’s not easy at the moment with the economic pressures as not many people are spending money on art. But as always if somebody likes something they will buy it.”

For more on Elpida HadziVasileva’s art and exhibitions visit her website at elpihv.co.uk

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