32 the horsham society newsletter april 2009...

April 2009

OUR CONCERN IS THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE TOWN

Newsletter32 The Horsham Society Newsletter April 2009

DirectoryThe Horsham Society is an independent body supported by members’

subscriptions, a registered charity (No.268949), affiliated to theCampaign to Protect Rural England and registered with the Civic Trust.

It is a member of the English Historic Towns Forum.

PRESIDENT: Dr Annabelle Hughes

VICE-PRESIDENTS:Oliver Palmer, Francis Maude MP, Nigel Friswell

CHAIRMAN John Steele2 Old Denne GardensHorsham RH12 1JATel: (01403) 272814Email: [email protected]

Hon TREASURERRoy Bayliss15 PatchingsHorsham RH13 5HJTel: (01403) 262262

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARYPat Gale46 Bedford RoadHorsham RH13 5BJTel: (01403) 253946

Horsham Society website: www.horshamsociety.org

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividuals: £5 per year Single Pensioner: £3.25 per yearFamily Membership:: £7.50 per year Family Pensioner: £5 per yearBusinesses: £10 per year Single Life Membership: £100

Family Life Membership: £150£2.50 postage is added to the above rates for out-of-town members

All correspondence should go to the Hon Secretary in the first instance.The Newsletter is published monthly except for August. Letters andarticles to be considered for publication should be sent to the Editor,Brian Slyfield, Arun House, Denne Road, Horsham RH12 1JF. Opinionsin the Newsletter, whether Editor’s or contributors’, are not necessarilythe policy of the Society.

VICE CHAIRMANIan Dockreay

24 Wimblehurst RoadHorsham RH12 2EDTel: (01403) 241582

Hon SECRETARYRod Cuming

3 White Horse RoadHorsham RH12 4ULTel: (01403) 268444

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTIONORGANISER

Kathy Gleeson13 Millthorpe Road

Roffey RH12 4ERTel: (01403) 210511

© Individual contributors 2009. No material may be reproduced, copied or stored in aretrieval system without the prior consent of the relevant contributor, which should besought via the Editor.

New membersThanks very much to the following for joining: Mr Grounds,

Swindon Road, Horsham; Mrs Fleming, Cootes Avenue,Horsham; Mr and Mrs Redston, Trout Lane, Barns Green.

Slinfold Concert BandOne of the most popular line-ups in the south-east, Slinfold

Concert Band celebrate their 30th anniversary this yearwith a concert at 7.45 pm on Saturday 18 April at the Capitol.Tickets are £7.50 (concessions £6). Concert proceeds go toHorsham Hospital League of Friends – book now for fine musicand a worthwhile cause. Box office: 01403 750220.

01403 265608

Personal & Professional Servicefrom a company establishedover 30 yearsBusiness Stationery • Brochures • LeafletsEnvelope Printing • Folders • Design • MailingDigital Printing in Colour and Black & White

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Horsham Press7/8/9 Newhouse Business Centre,Old Crawley Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4RUE-mail: [email protected] www.horshampress.co.uk

Land’s End -John O’Groats:David Skipp’scharity cycle rideSociety member David Skipp and four others (Ian

and Adam Burt, Peter McMahon and AndyFarquar) are long-distance cycling for charity in May,so do please give them your support. Their epicjourney kicks off at Land's End on Saturday 2 May, andthey plan to arrive at John O'Groats on Thursday 14May, via the Severn Bridge, Chepstow, Monmouth,Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Gretna, Lockerbie, Crawford,Cumbernauld, Pitlochry, Inverness and all points northto John O'Groats.Their efforts are on behalf of two very deservingcauses and registered charities: firstly the Timios Trust,set up in memory of Tim Skipp, David's son, who diedaged 23 in May 1999, and which provides travel costsfor young people undertaking charitable work abroad;and secondly Bliss, which supports babies bornprematurely ('too soon, too small, too sick'). PeterMcMahon is cycling for the latter cause, and the othersfor the former.David notes: 'We aim to cycle an average of 80 milesper day, using b. and b. stopovers to recuperate eachnight. We have a support team, which is taking twoweeks' holiday to travel with us, help change tyres,prepare tasty, nutritious snacks and encourage us whenspirits are low! So if you see us training locally, waveor cheer, and if you happen to be on holiday and see us,perhaps at the top of Shap in Cumbria, then please giveus your support and encouragement'.Details on how to support these two charities are asfollows: Sponsorship forms are available at ParkSurgery, or by post from Dr D Skipp, 48 GrebeCrescent, Horsham RH13 6ED.More information can be found on the followingwebsites: www.justgiving.com/petermcmahon andwww.justgiving.com/timiostrustcycle Donations canbe made to either charity or shared between them.Sponsorship forms for Timios should be handed in toPark Surgery, and those for Bliss sent to PeterMcMahon at 53 Worthing Road, Horsham RH12 1TD.Further information about Bliss and the work it does isat www.bliss.org.uk.Please help if you can.

By The Way

On page 27, thanks to Paula Lamplough, we read of some good workdone in the past by the Society to restore the Remembrance Garden andthe Lych Gate at Denne Road cemetery. Is there a similar project thatwarrants the Society’s support today? Perhaps an important feature inthe town that has been neglected and needs a bit of care and attention?If you have any suggestions do write in, and they will be looked atcarefully by the committee.

Past records of the Society, in particular its (earlier) magazine and (later)Newsletter, provide a valuable record of the town’s progress over theyears. An archive of material has been deposited at the Museum, and canbe consulted on request. But if you would like a recent run of backissues – perhaps as bed time reading – why not get in touch with RoySmith (see Letters to the Editor), who has a number on offer. Just thething with a cup of cocoa.

Copy date for the May issue is 1 April (but no wind-ups please).

St Mark’s goes green,but not in a good wayPoor old St Mark’s, the Victorian church in North Street as was, was

demolished to make way for Sun Alliance, but as a political gestureits spire was retained and incorporated into the new complex. And thereit remains, lost and forlorn in a dark corner, and quite out of place.What’s worse, it seems to be developing an unpleasant green mould,creeping up from its base, and the structure is now badly in need of athoroughly good clean. But what chances of this happening in thesetroubled times, when everyone is so hard pressed?

Editor’s note

Warnham Court: from Horsfield’s History of Sussex 1835

Demolition around the spire in 1989.

Do please write in: letters for publication toBrian Slyfield, Arun House, Denne Road,Horsham RH12 1JF

Roundabout Talking NewsI am writing on behalf of the committee

of Roundabout Talking News to thankyou for continuing to send us theHorsham Society Newsletter. Onceagain, we continue to use articles fromthose Newsletters sent to us.Whilst we remain non-members of theHorsham Society we feel it appropriate tocontribute something to this veryinteresting publication and are againpleased to enclose our cheque for £10 andtrust that this is acceptable. Many thanksfor letting us extract articles from theNewsletter for inclusion on our tapes tothe visually impaired of Horsham anddistrict.

Martyn FieldHon Secretary,

Roundabout Talking NewsChurch Lane, Plummers Plain

Martyn: Many thanks for your thoughtfuldonation, and we are delighted that youcontinue to make use of our articles. Ed.

Appalled

How appalled I was to read Christmaslights overkill (February issue).

Having walked along a darkened street tochurch I would want more Christmas lights.Like you, I very much regret that hollybranches could puncture inflatable Santas.

Richard MurrayBishopric, Horsham

Mr Murray: We certainly agree on theneed for more lights around the town.One particularly bad spot is the paththrough the Remembrance Garden, onthe way to Sainsbury’s, which can be aspooky place after dark as the lamps areoften all out of action. Ed.

Back issues availableI have available for disposal a 10-year

set of the Horsham Society Newsletter,January 1999 - December 2008 (minusOctober 2003, November 2004 andSeptember-November 2005). The set isfree to a collector, with perhaps a contri-bution to charity, on a first come, firstserved basis. My contact details are below.

Roy Smith3 Widgeon Way, Horsham RH12 2LX

tel: 01403 252679; e-mail:[email protected]

The Park in World War II In response to Nigel Friswell’s request

in the February issue for informationrelating to the Park in WW 2, RichardReed sent in a note pointing out theexistence of the ‘dragon’s teeth’ tankobstacles among the trees to the north ofthe path that runs behind the hospital tothe Hurst Road entrance. These weredoubtless part of a line of defence againstinvading panzers (or gliders?). Richardrecalls that in the late 1960s John Ridd,HUDC surveyor, remarked in discussionsabout the Park that when the council hadsome heavy plant in the vicinity they wouldremove these concrete relics. Richardsuggested that some at least ought to beleft there as a fragment of Horsham’swar-time history and happily this waseventually agreed.Around that time he was also told byJohn Ridd that the willows along thebank of the Arun by Fordingbridge Closewere originally stakes mounted on theriver bank as tank obstacles and, as is theway of willows, they took root andprospered long after the threat of invasionhad passed. This is an interesting snippetof information, and takes us back, in fact,to a time before Fordingbridge Close wasever thought of, when the Arun Housegardens ran all the way down to the river.

The Pirates of PenzanceWatch out for the latest HAODS

production, The Pirates of Penzance,at the Capitol from Tuesday 28 April –Saturday 2 May. Start time is 7.30 pm,and there’s a matinee as well at 2.30 pmon the Saturday. Tickets range from £12 -£15, and the Capitol box office number is01403 750220. It should be a great show,so support local talent and book early!

A formidable old ladyAt a recent book fair I picked up one ofthose rather attractive old Victorian photoportraits on card, and this one was ofparticular interest as the photographerwas an Edward Walton, of 30 NorthStreet, Horsham (‘enlargements from oldand faded Photos to suit customers’ ownprices’). His subject, presumably local,was a formidable looking old lady, andalthough the image is a bit indistinct, Iwonder if anyone recognises a longdeparted relative? It’s a long shot, butyou never know. If so, do write in .... BS

Nellie Pelling,amateur detectiveNellie Pelling was only nine years oldback in 1886, but this did not stop herfrom catching a thief and becoming alocal celebrity. She was in London Roadone day when she spotted a trampstealing some meat from a butcher’swindow. Quick as a flash she told ayoung companion to tell the shop keeperwhat had happened, while she sped off inpursuit of the thief. She tagged him alongLondon Road, across the Carfax and asfar as Middle street, at which point shedecided that enough was enough. Shethen trotted off home.But by that time the forces of law andorder had been alerted, and the tramp wasapprehended. He got three weeks hardlabour for his pains, and Nellie had hermoment of fame. The local paperdeclared that ‘this young and promisingmember of the detective force is to becongratulated in succeeding in obtaininga conviction in her first case’.

26 The Horsham Society Newsletter April 2009 The Horsham Society Newsletter April 2009 31

Letters to the EditorFrom the CommitteeHorsham Youth Council

Clare Ebelewicz and members of theHorsham Youth Council sat in on our

February committee meeting, and a usefulexchange of views took place. Councilrepresentatives put forward their thoughtsin a lively and interesting way, and made anumber of good points. In particular theywere concerned about the lack of adequatelighting in the Park after dark, and thesuggestion was made that ground lightingwould be very welcome (as opposed tofloodlighting, which not unreasonably isresisted by local residents).

Horsham Town Trail

One of theSociety’s more

modest – but at thesame time highlysuccessful –publications is itsHorsham Town Trail,a useful leaflet thatmaps out features ofhistorical interestaround the centreand provides back upnotes. It goes like hotcakes from the Museum shop, and isclearly appreciated by visitors. So imaginemy delight the other day when I bumpedinto a Lancashire couple in Market Squareporing over their copy, and once they hadgot over the shock of being approached bya total stranger, they listened sympathetic-ally as I bent their ears about the sad storyof our Town Hall loss to private enterprise.

What is a tree?Does size matter?

Trees are, of course, liable topreservation orders, and quite right

too. But there has been, apparently, someconfusion in the planning process as towhat exactly constitutes a tree. And so aHigh Court judge, Mr Justice Cranston,has taken no less than 12,000 words toanswer that very same question. Incontrast to a previous line taken by LordDenning, he has ruled that young trees andsaplings are included in the definition, andconcludes that ‘with tree preservationorders there are no limitations in terms ofsize for what is to be treated as a tree. Inother words, saplings are trees’. Size doesnot matter.

And now for a metal tree

We learn that a new tree is to beplanted (or perhaps erected is the

right word) in the Park. Wooden ones, ofwhich there are many splendid specimensin situ, are no longer good enough, itseems, and the council has hit upon thewacky idea of placing a metal one, as apiece of public art, by the Jubilee entrance.At least it won’t need pruning – but will itget rusty?No doubt reactions will be polarisedbetween those who think the idea crackersand a colossal waste of money in thesetroubled times, and others who reckon it’san inspired notion - and blow the cost.

East Street On 2 February John Steele and Rod

Cuming met county councillors BradWatson and Nigel Dennis, together withthree officials, to discuss the Society’sresponse to the East Street final consultationdocument.It was explained that unless objections tothe existing core time pedestrian schemecould be resolved, the matter would haveto go to a Public Enquiry. So, in order toavoid the time and expense involved, itseems as if WSCC has tried to devise ascheme which is aimed to overcomeobjections by accommodating all of them.Hence, for example, the proposed un-restricted access for vehicles loading andunloading, blue badge holders and cyclists.John Steele repeated the Society’s view thatsuch a scheme would destroy the originalpedestrianisation and ‘cafe culture’concept, and pressed for alternative waysof dealing with the objections, in partic-ular focusing on the local traders to get aclear understanding of their individualissues and their suggestions for solutions –while at the same time maintaining a coretime approach.Since then there has been another meeting,at which local traders and the Society(again) were present. A number of viewswere aired, and it seems by no means clearas to how the project will, if at all, progress.The cost of the exercise is a very consid-erable £500,000, to be shared equallybetween WSCC and HDC; the authoritiescontinue to work on a final plan; and theprospect of a Public Enquiry still hangs inthe air.

Black Horse Way crossing

We have expressed concerns about thepossible dangers inherent in the

siting of the Black Horse Way crossing,given its heavy use by shoppers, and theNorthern Area Highways Office hasresponded by outlining the existing trafficmanagement arrangements and noting thatthere was a good safety record at the site.Staggered barriers are seen as a safetyrisk, given the possibility of squeezing anddisruption of opposing pedestrian flows.

Swan Walk sagaIn the hope of getting a positive response

regarding the incomplete restoration ofthe Swan Walk sculpture (our earlier letterto Aviva’s chairman was totally ignored),John Steele wrote again, this time to thecompany’s group chief executive, pointingout the adverse publicity that was beingengendered because of the landlord’sseeming neglect of ‘one of the finestpieces of public sculpture in the south-eastand an iconic landmark in the town, muchloved by residents and visitors alike’.We are pleased to report that this time wedid get a response, so full marks toRichard Jones, the chap in charge. Hisletter states: ‘Unfortunately we haveexperienced difficulties in the design ofthe plinth, which will include movingwater, and also its procurement. HoweverI am pleased to be able to confirm thesehave both been resolved. Accordingly, weare now on the brink of appointing acontractor to commence the works withthe aim that they will be completed byEaster. Please note that the sculpture willhave to be removed temporarily to facilitatethe construction of the new plinth’.This is good news, and while at the time ofwriting there is no sign that the work hascommenced, we are sure that Mr Joneswill meet his deadline. Keep a watchout....

Planning applicationsOliver Palmer represented the Society

at a recent planning hearing, at whichthere was a re-submission for the Nelsonsite in Trafalgar Road. The re-submissionwas for eight 3-bedroom houses, and wespoke against it, on the grounds of it beingtoo intensive a development and therebeing a need to retain the character of thearea. The application was refused.


Botched Carfax improvementsIn August and September 1891 the Local Board came under a certain amount

of fire from the local paper for making a botched job of improving the Carfax.Everyone had agreed that something must be done, and indeed some of the workmet with approval. The ‘varying levels and peculiar slopes’ of the road in thetown centre had been ironed out, and in one corner ‘a much safer and moregraceful sweep was being constructed. The grass plats were being given somedefinite shape, whereas heretofore it had been a puzzle to determine what figurethey made – they were as irregular and uneven as smeared blots on a boy’s copybook’.So far so good. But some sharp criticism was to come. Apparently afterdeliberations lasting several years, committees being formed and several officialvisits of inspection, the end result, at a cost of £120, was that one of the roadsrunning through the Carfax was ‘twisted like a corkscrew’. Worse, where itjoined North Street ‘the centre of the thoroughfare has been depressed so thatafter a shower or two, water lies ankle-deep. And where once was a green andsmiling oasis is now a desolate waste’.Getting into its stride, the paper thundered: ‘It is the Board that wants improving,and next April will see a sweeping and thorough reform with the substitution ofordinary persons of common sense in the place of the antiquated wiseacres whonow cumber the ground. The stigma of Bumbledom which now attaches to thetown will then be removed’.The local paper today has been known to have a go at the council from time totime – but nothing quite on this scale.

Remembrance Garden tributesFollowing our feature on Nellie Vesta Laughton and her

Remembrance Garden in the February issue, PaulaLamplough sent in some useful additional information, which inparticular highlighted the work done by Society members toimprove the garden. As Paula noted, Ann Salmon was the mainperson ‘with hands-on work’, and Kenneth Marshall, ourchairman back in 1992, wrote in a Newsletter article that at the1984 AGM a sub-committee of Dr and Usha Rathod, Mr and MrsIan Standen and later Ann Salmon was formed to deal with thegarden’s development. There was a good deal of liaison with the council, and gardenworking days were held in the spring and autumn whennumerous volunteers came forward. By 1986 Ann Salmon hadtaken over the project’s day-to-day management, working two orthree days a week, and as Kenneth said, ‘Ann showed immensedrive, badgering by phone and letter all and sundry for plants,materials and suitable tools to cope with the 1987 stormdamage’. It is to these folk, together with many unnamedvolunteers, that the town owes such a debt of gratitude for thegarden that we see today.

.... and the Lych GateAnother good effort was the restoration of the Denne Road

cemetery Lych Gate, which Anthony Windrum, also aSociety past chairman, labelled ‘a decaying eyesore’. No-oneseemed to want to take responsibility for it, but thanks to anotherHorsham Society initiative HDC pledged to contribute £600 to arestoration fund, a figure which was to be matched by the Societythrough public contributions. As a result the gate was fullyrestored in 1981, and remains strong and sturdy to this day.PS: ‘Lych’ is Old English for ‘corpse’ – just in case youwondered.

Sgt Fuggles helps out at Worthing Road GymnasiumMembers of the Worthing Road Gymnasium were in the habit of putting on an annual display, so that family and friends could see

just what an athletic and muscular bunch they all were. In 1904 it took place on Thursday 2 April in the Albion Hall, with MrBT Baker in command, and - crucially – Sgt Fuggles of Christ’s Hospital on hand to provide expert support.

The show was a great success. Among the set exercises, the dumb-bells and sceptres were ‘conspicuous for their smartness’, and thesingle sticks ‘were carried through with great spirit’. But it wasn’t all serious stuff. There were a number of ‘amusing contests’, chiefof which were ‘mounted encounters with mops’, novelty events, which included wheelbarrow and frog races, and the mountedwrestling competition was won by ‘Murrell on Baker’, who beat ‘Paine on Tribe’.

We can only guess as to what Sgt Fuggles made of all this frivolity, but it was noted that work on the horizontal and parallel bars wasof a higher standard than in previous years, thanks to his disciplined approach. He also won acclaim for his solo Indian clubs displayduring the interval.

There was musical accompaniment throughout, with an odd mix of piano, violins and cornet, and Miss Olive Chart’s efforts on thepiano were so well received that at the group’s AGM the following month in the Worthing Road school room (behind the UnitarianChurch) she was presented with a writing case. At the same event Rev Marten presided as president and during the evening there wasa number of songs and recitals, as was the way in those days. Sgt Fuggles did his bit (again) and sang ‘The Bugler’ and Rev Marten,not to be outdone, recited ‘Paddy the Piper’.

Mr Amerigo and his remarkable jazz ensembleIt was the Jazz Age – and Horsham wasn't going to miss out. But it wasn't Louis Armstrong's Hot

Five which performed at the Black Horse Assembly Rooms on the night of Wednesday 14 May1919. Not by a long chalk. Rather it was a certain M Amerigo ('BA, BSc, Jazz Drummer and Tenor')who came to town, backed by 'a skilled American banjoist and a talented pianist' – but they must havebeen good, in their own way, because this was the second subscription dance featuring 'the band fromTown', and organised by an enterprising Miss Winsloe.Amerigo was keen to spread the gospel, and was in no doubt that 'jazz is the new music thatexhilarates, incites to dance and makes people gay'. He was clearly the centrepiece of his band and askilled drummer, and his group was capable, according to a local report, of 'wonderful melody, harmony and syncopation, all at thesame time'.But how he achieved all this is another matter. Apparently he presided over what was called an American trap drum, and his remarkableassemblage included a bass drum, side drum, cymbals, tom toms, tambourines, rattle, hooter, castanets, sleigh bells and xylophone.His novelty act might have impressed Miss Winsloe and her friends, but I wonder what Satchmo would have made of it all?

An 1870theatre review'The performance of the Horsham AmateurTheatrical Society, on the 20th and 21stFebruary, gave great amusement to very largeaudiences. The pieces selected were TheRobber's Wife and The Bengal Tiger. Theformer play does not afford much scope for adisplay of talent on the part of Amateurs, butthe most was made of such opportunities as itpresents, and the determination of eachmember of the corps to do his best, resulted ina very satisfactory measure of success.'Any detailed criticism would be invidious, butthe excitable "Mr O'Gig Sawney" (more knavethan fool), and the lawyer "Mr Penfuddle" weretoo amusing to be passed over in silence, norshould the most difficult part of all – that of theheroine – fail to receive the commendationwhich it so well deserved.'The cheerful strains of the music, which wassuperintended by Mr Tugwell, enlivened theunavoidable pause between the pieces. Spacewill not permit of the insertion of the Prologueand Epilogue spoken – the one by Mr ArthurBostock, the other by Mr W Sadler in thecharacter of "Miss Yellowleaf". The sceneryand dresses were obtained from London,involving, of course, considerable expense, butit is to be hoped that future efforts may beattended with increased profits. The public will,no doubt, be the more ready to encourage theHATS, remembering how much occupation andharmless amusement is afforded by thepreparation for such a performance, and theknowledge that when sufficient means shallhave been obtained some local charity or otheruseful object will, as before, receive assistance'.HATS was to be encouraged then, as HAODS(and Theatre 48) are to be encouraged now.

The Carfax in earlier days.

Lych Gate before restoration.


John Evans had been an outstanding soldier in his time, andwas also famous for his collection of Egyptian artifacts, which

was held to be one of the finest in the country in private hands.He and his wife came to live at Merle (once also known as Marls,from the quantity of marl found in the soil, and now calledBurnham House), in Lyons Road on the outskirts of Slinfold in1890, and this is something of his story.

Born on 14 June 1828 at Derby, he was the second son of SamuelEvans (the family was of Darley Abbey and Allestree Hall), whohad been a junior partner in the local bank of W and S Evans, andhe was also a cousin of a certain Sir William Evans. His wife,Lucy, was a daughter of Colonel AD Hamilton (from adistinguished military family, of which more later), and in laterlife she combined her maiden name with her married one, andwas known as Mrs Hamilton Evans.

John Evans took up soldiering as a career, and as a young manpurchased a cornetcy in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. Butit seems that his tenure was short-lived, as following a bizarreincident involving ‘some practical joking’ – but bad enough toearn him a court martial – he was obliged to resign from theregiment. Apparently he got involved in a sham duel with otherofficers at the Cavalry Depot at Canterbury, and such a dim viewwas taken of this prank – the Army was determined to stamp outsuch practices and an example had to be made – that he had toleave the service in July 1855. Evans had ‘admitted the error intowhich he had fallen’, and this early disruption to his career wasa serious blow.

But he managed to pick himself up, and was determined toredeem his reputation and continue the business of soldiering. Hetravelled to Turkey at his own expense to offer his services toMajor General Sir Fenwick Williams, who was leading a smallforce in support of the Turkish Army against the Russians. Thiswas within the context of the Crimea War, however by the timeEvans arrived at Constantinople General Williams was besiegedat Kars and Evans found it impossible to join him. But the storygoes that he managed to infiltrate enemy lines in order to obtainvaluable information which might help in the hoped-for relief ofKars, which so enraged the Russians that they subsequently puta price on his head.

This brave and resourceful man set about learning to speakTurkish and, together with other British officers, obtainedemployment with the Turkish force. He was given command ofa band of Turkish irregulars known as the ‘Bashi-bazouks’, saidto have been notorious for pillage and brutality – hence the nick-name by which he later became known. Based at Erzurum ineastern Turkey, Evans and his band harried the flanks of theRussian Army during the winter of 1855-56, but as a result ofsnow blindness he was forced to turn his hand to survey andreconnaissance work, and for his efforts was awarded theTurkish General Service Medal 1855.

He returned to England in the summer of 1856, armed withrecommendations from brother officers in the field, and set aboutobtaining another commission in the Army. Thanks to a

considerable body of support (including that of GeneralWilliams, who had been captured by the Russians but was nowreleased), he was granted a further cornetcy, this time in the 9thLancers, on 22 July 1856. And so he travelled to India in January1857 to join his new regiment at Umballa, and in May that sameyear was one of the few officers on station at the outbreak of theMutiny.

His exploits in the service of his regiment became the stuff oflegend, and there are frequent mentions of him in the publishedrecords. He was present at the siege and capture of Delhi and theRelief of Lucknow, and interestingly, in the former action heserved under the command of Sir William Stirling Hamilton, thathot-headed old soldier who later came to live in Southwater, hada dust up with the vicar, and whose story appeared in theNewsletter in July 2007.

In the later stages of the campaign a force led by Major GeneralHope Grant attacked the fort at Meanggunge in February 1858,and in his memoirs Hope Grant described Evans as being inpursuit of a group of fleeing rebels and killing eleven of them,armed with no more than a ‘hog spear’. Another contemporaryreport tells of how Evans was ‘the strongest man I know.Yesterday, two hours up to his breast in water under burning sun,surrounded by alligators which he attempted to catch by theirnoses’. Foolhardy or brave, Evans certainly was an extraordinaryman.

His skill with a hog spear, and no doubt other exploits, earnedhim a mention in dispatches, when it was said that ‘LieutenantEvans is deserving of honourable mention for the zealous andcheerful performance of his duties’. He was awarded the IndianMutiny Medal with Clasps for Delhi, Relief of Lucknow andLucknow.

With his regiment he returned to England in 1859, and in 1868retired to live in Derby, where he took up a post with the familybank. But he kept his hand in, and joined the 1st BattalionDerbyshire Volunteers as a major, and was later promoted to beits commanding officer in 1881. He relinquished his commandwith the rank of honorary colonel in 1889, and received theVolunteer Decoration for 21 years’ service. But despite this andother awards, perhaps he deserved more from such a remarkablecareer. Indeed his predecessor as commanding officer of the 1stBattalion, Sir Henry Wilmot, was quoted as declaring that he was‘almost ashamed to wear his VC in the presence of such a bravesoldier who was not so decorated’.

At the age of 61 he also gave up his directorship of the bank,which by then was known as the Crompton and Evans UnionBank, and a year later he and his wife moved to Slinfold – butwhat brought them here I am not sure: perhaps it was the StirlingHamilton connection? He had been a prominent Mason, butunlike many other retired old soldiers, did not play a substantialpart in local affairs. Instead, as a great tree lover, he spent muchtime ‘beautifying the grounds with rare shrubs and floweringtrees, while surrounding them with some fine oaks’. His grounds,interestingly, also contained ‘a collection of curious specimensfrom (nearby) Theale Quarry, bearing the footprints of Saurians’.

A sportsman and naturalist, he also had a passion for all thingsEgyptian, and his house contained a fine collection of antiquefurniture, pottery, porcelain and engravings. After his death theEgyptian collection was moved to London, where it was sold atauction.

He died, after an extended illness, on 30 May 1902, and hisfuneral took place a few days later at St Peter’s, Slinfold. Hiscoffin was carried on a hand bier from Merle to the church,draped with a Union Jack and with his ceremonial sword laid ontop.

Although Lord Roberts and Lord Wolseley could not attend, theysent messages of condolence (many had come from Horsham onthe day hoping to catch sight of these two famous fieldmarshals), and there were other military representatives there topay their respects, together with members of local families suchas St John, Bradbourne, Godman and, of course, StirlingHamilton. The church was full with village folk as well asofficers and gentlemen, and among the many wreaths one carriedthe simple but affecting message: ‘To the bravest of the brave,from his wife’.

His grave stone, together with a plaque in the church at DarleyAbbey, bore the words: ‘One of the bravest soldiers of the GreatQueen’.

In 1910 it was reported that Colonel Evans’s brother officers andothers in the Army planned to produce a memoir of this gallant,if perhaps under-decorated soldier, which attests to the affectionand respect in which he was still held, but it is uncertain as towhether the publication saw the light of day. The family knownothing of it. His wife lived on at Merle, and was known as agreat traveller, who also ‘possessed artistic tastes’. She visitedPersia, Asia Minor and ‘the lesser known parts of Europe’, andlike her husband was devoted to gardening and natural history.

In later life she moved away to Darley Abbey, and Merle passedto her nephew Captain Anthony Hamilton DSO (1872-1949), asLucy and her husband produced no children. Captain Hamilton,of the Royal Indian Marine, again had a distinguished militarycareer. Between 1902-04 he served in the Somaliland Campaign,and during the Great War was Principal Naval Transport Officerin Mesopotamia. He had surveyed the River Tigris from Basra toBaghdad, and was best placed to judge the class of steamersuited to these waters. But he was not listened to, and it washeld that the Mesopotamia Campaign would not have been afailure if, among other things, his advice on navigationalfeasibility and use of the right type of transport vessel had beentaken on board.

In retirement, back in Slinfold – but unlike Colonel Evans – heplayed a leading part in village life, and among much else was amember of the Parochial Church Council, secretary of the villageflower show, treasurer of the football club and chairman of theConservative Association.

With his wife, Margaret, he had two daughters, and the earlierHamilton line had produced a number of other military men ofdistinction. Anthony was the second son of Captain AndrewHamilton, who had fought in the Indian Mutiny, and hisgrandfather, Major Alexander Hamilton, had been ADC to LordHill at the Battle of Waterloo, while his brother, Major AndrewHamilton, was ADC to General Barnes. Again another brotherwas at the Battle of Trafalgar. Surely few families can boast aline of Army and Navy officers such as this, participants inengagements of such key importance in our history – and all,confusingly, with names starting with the first letter of thealphabet.

I am most grateful to ‘Bashi’ Evans’s family for help withthis article; to Ned Walker for his piece in the Journal of theOrders and Medals Research Society Autumn 1987; and toWW1 historian Simon Coningham.

Colonel John ‘Bashi’ Evans:an outstanding soldier and Egyptologist from Slinfoldby Brian Slyfield

Colonel ‘Bashi’ Evans.


Botched Carfax improvementsIn August and September 1891 the Local Board came under a certain amount

of fire from the local paper for making a botched job of improving the Carfax.Everyone had agreed that something must be done, and indeed some of the workmet with approval. The ‘varying levels and peculiar slopes’ of the road in thetown centre had been ironed out, and in one corner ‘a much safer and moregraceful sweep was being constructed. The grass plats were being given somedefinite shape, whereas heretofore it had been a puzzle to determine what figurethey made – they were as irregular and uneven as smeared blots on a boy’s copybook’.So far so good. But some sharp criticism was to come. Apparently afterdeliberations lasting several years, committees being formed and several officialvisits of inspection, the end result, at a cost of £120, was that one of the roadsrunning through the Carfax was ‘twisted like a corkscrew’. Worse, where itjoined North Street ‘the centre of the thoroughfare has been depressed so thatafter a shower or two, water lies ankle-deep. And where once was a green andsmiling oasis is now a desolate waste’.Getting into its stride, the paper thundered: ‘It is the Board that wants improving,and next April will see a sweeping and thorough reform with the substitution ofordinary persons of common sense in the place of the antiquated wiseacres whonow cumber the ground. The stigma of Bumbledom which now attaches to thetown will then be removed’.The local paper today has been known to have a go at the council from time totime – but nothing quite on this scale.

Remembrance Garden tributesFollowing our feature on Nellie Vesta Laughton and her

Remembrance Garden in the February issue, PaulaLamplough sent in some useful additional information, which inparticular highlighted the work done by Society members toimprove the garden. As Paula noted, Ann Salmon was the mainperson ‘with hands-on work’, and Kenneth Marshall, ourchairman back in 1992, wrote in a Newsletter article that at the1984 AGM a sub-committee of Dr and Usha Rathod, Mr and MrsIan Standen and later Ann Salmon was formed to deal with thegarden’s development. There was a good deal of liaison with the council, and gardenworking days were held in the spring and autumn whennumerous volunteers came forward. By 1986 Ann Salmon hadtaken over the project’s day-to-day management, working two orthree days a week, and as Kenneth said, ‘Ann showed immensedrive, badgering by phone and letter all and sundry for plants,materials and suitable tools to cope with the 1987 stormdamage’. It is to these folk, together with many unnamedvolunteers, that the town owes such a debt of gratitude for thegarden that we see today.

.... and the Lych GateAnother good effort was the restoration of the Denne Road

cemetery Lych Gate, which Anthony Windrum, also aSociety past chairman, labelled ‘a decaying eyesore’. No-oneseemed to want to take responsibility for it, but thanks to anotherHorsham Society initiative HDC pledged to contribute £600 to arestoration fund, a figure which was to be matched by the Societythrough public contributions. As a result the gate was fullyrestored in 1981, and remains strong and sturdy to this day.PS: ‘Lych’ is Old English for ‘corpse’ – just in case youwondered.

Sgt Fuggles helps out at Worthing Road GymnasiumMembers of the Worthing Road Gymnasium were in the habit of putting on an annual display, so that family and friends could see

just what an athletic and muscular bunch they all were. In 1904 it took place on Thursday 2 April in the Albion Hall, with MrBT Baker in command, and - crucially – Sgt Fuggles of Christ’s Hospital on hand to provide expert support.

The show was a great success. Among the set exercises, the dumb-bells and sceptres were ‘conspicuous for their smartness’, and thesingle sticks ‘were carried through with great spirit’. But it wasn’t all serious stuff. There were a number of ‘amusing contests’, chiefof which were ‘mounted encounters with mops’, novelty events, which included wheelbarrow and frog races, and the mountedwrestling competition was won by ‘Murrell on Baker’, who beat ‘Paine on Tribe’.

We can only guess as to what Sgt Fuggles made of all this frivolity, but it was noted that work on the horizontal and parallel bars wasof a higher standard than in previous years, thanks to his disciplined approach. He also won acclaim for his solo Indian clubs displayduring the interval.

There was musical accompaniment throughout, with an odd mix of piano, violins and cornet, and Miss Olive Chart’s efforts on thepiano were so well received that at the group’s AGM the following month in the Worthing Road school room (behind the UnitarianChurch) she was presented with a writing case. At the same event Rev Marten presided as president and during the evening there wasa number of songs and recitals, as was the way in those days. Sgt Fuggles did his bit (again) and sang ‘The Bugler’ and Rev Marten,not to be outdone, recited ‘Paddy the Piper’.

Mr Amerigo and his remarkable jazz ensembleIt was the Jazz Age – and Horsham wasn't going to miss out. But it wasn't Louis Armstrong's Hot

Five which performed at the Black Horse Assembly Rooms on the night of Wednesday 14 May1919. Not by a long chalk. Rather it was a certain M Amerigo ('BA, BSc, Jazz Drummer and Tenor')who came to town, backed by 'a skilled American banjoist and a talented pianist' – but they must havebeen good, in their own way, because this was the second subscription dance featuring 'the band fromTown', and organised by an enterprising Miss Winsloe.Amerigo was keen to spread the gospel, and was in no doubt that 'jazz is the new music thatexhilarates, incites to dance and makes people gay'. He was clearly the centrepiece of his band and askilled drummer, and his group was capable, according to a local report, of 'wonderful melody, harmony and syncopation, all at thesame time'.But how he achieved all this is another matter. Apparently he presided over what was called an American trap drum, and his remarkableassemblage included a bass drum, side drum, cymbals, tom toms, tambourines, rattle, hooter, castanets, sleigh bells and xylophone.His novelty act might have impressed Miss Winsloe and her friends, but I wonder what Satchmo would have made of it all?

An 1870theatre review'The performance of the Horsham AmateurTheatrical Society, on the 20th and 21stFebruary, gave great amusement to very largeaudiences. The pieces selected were TheRobber's Wife and The Bengal Tiger. Theformer play does not afford much scope for adisplay of talent on the part of Amateurs, butthe most was made of such opportunities as itpresents, and the determination of eachmember of the corps to do his best, resulted ina very satisfactory measure of success.'Any detailed criticism would be invidious, butthe excitable "Mr O'Gig Sawney" (more knavethan fool), and the lawyer "Mr Penfuddle" weretoo amusing to be passed over in silence, norshould the most difficult part of all – that of theheroine – fail to receive the commendationwhich it so well deserved.'The cheerful strains of the music, which wassuperintended by Mr Tugwell, enlivened theunavoidable pause between the pieces. Spacewill not permit of the insertion of the Prologueand Epilogue spoken – the one by Mr ArthurBostock, the other by Mr W Sadler in thecharacter of "Miss Yellowleaf". The sceneryand dresses were obtained from London,involving, of course, considerable expense, butit is to be hoped that future efforts may beattended with increased profits. The public will,no doubt, be the more ready to encourage theHATS, remembering how much occupation andharmless amusement is afforded by thepreparation for such a performance, and theknowledge that when sufficient means shallhave been obtained some local charity or otheruseful object will, as before, receive assistance'.HATS was to be encouraged then, as HAODS(and Theatre 48) are to be encouraged now.

The Carfax in earlier days.

Lych Gate before restoration.

Do please write in: letters for publication toBrian Slyfield, Arun House, Denne Road,Horsham RH12 1JF

Roundabout Talking NewsI am writing on behalf of the committee

of Roundabout Talking News to thankyou for continuing to send us theHorsham Society Newsletter. Onceagain, we continue to use articles fromthose Newsletters sent to us.Whilst we remain non-members of theHorsham Society we feel it appropriate tocontribute something to this veryinteresting publication and are againpleased to enclose our cheque for £10 andtrust that this is acceptable. Many thanksfor letting us extract articles from theNewsletter for inclusion on our tapes tothe visually impaired of Horsham anddistrict.

Martyn FieldHon Secretary,

Roundabout Talking NewsChurch Lane, Plummers Plain

Martyn: Many thanks for your thoughtfuldonation, and we are delighted that youcontinue to make use of our articles. Ed.

Appalled

How appalled I was to read Christmaslights overkill (February issue).

Having walked along a darkened street tochurch I would want more Christmas lights.Like you, I very much regret that hollybranches could puncture inflatable Santas.

Richard MurrayBishopric, Horsham

Mr Murray: We certainly agree on theneed for more lights around the town.One particularly bad spot is the paththrough the Remembrance Garden, onthe way to Sainsbury’s, which can be aspooky place after dark as the lamps areoften all out of action. Ed.

Back issues availableI have available for disposal a 10-year

set of the Horsham Society Newsletter,January 1999 - December 2008 (minusOctober 2003, November 2004 andSeptember-November 2005). The set isfree to a collector, with perhaps a contri-bution to charity, on a first come, firstserved basis. My contact details are below.

Roy Smith3 Widgeon Way, Horsham RH12 2LX

tel: 01403 252679; e-mail:[email protected]

The Park in World War II In response to Nigel Friswell’s request

in the February issue for informationrelating to the Park in WW 2, RichardReed sent in a note pointing out theexistence of the ‘dragon’s teeth’ tankobstacles among the trees to the north ofthe path that runs behind the hospital tothe Hurst Road entrance. These weredoubtless part of a line of defence againstinvading panzers (or gliders?). Richardrecalls that in the late 1960s John Ridd,HUDC surveyor, remarked in discussionsabout the Park that when the council hadsome heavy plant in the vicinity they wouldremove these concrete relics. Richardsuggested that some at least ought to beleft there as a fragment of Horsham’swar-time history and happily this waseventually agreed.Around that time he was also told byJohn Ridd that the willows along thebank of the Arun by Fordingbridge Closewere originally stakes mounted on theriver bank as tank obstacles and, as is theway of willows, they took root andprospered long after the threat of invasionhad passed. This is an interesting snippetof information, and takes us back, in fact,to a time before Fordingbridge Close wasever thought of, when the Arun Housegardens ran all the way down to the river.

The Pirates of PenzanceWatch out for the latest HAODS

production, The Pirates of Penzance,at the Capitol from Tuesday 28 April –Saturday 2 May. Start time is 7.30 pm,and there’s a matinee as well at 2.30 pmon the Saturday. Tickets range from £12 -£15, and the Capitol box office number is01403 750220. It should be a great show,so support local talent and book early!

A formidable old ladyAt a recent book fair I picked up one ofthose rather attractive old Victorian photoportraits on card, and this one was ofparticular interest as the photographerwas an Edward Walton, of 30 NorthStreet, Horsham (‘enlargements from oldand faded Photos to suit customers’ ownprices’). His subject, presumably local,was a formidable looking old lady, andalthough the image is a bit indistinct, Iwonder if anyone recognises a longdeparted relative? It’s a long shot, butyou never know. If so, do write in .... BS

Nellie Pelling,amateur detectiveNellie Pelling was only nine years oldback in 1886, but this did not stop herfrom catching a thief and becoming alocal celebrity. She was in London Roadone day when she spotted a trampstealing some meat from a butcher’swindow. Quick as a flash she told ayoung companion to tell the shop keeperwhat had happened, while she sped off inpursuit of the thief. She tagged him alongLondon Road, across the Carfax and asfar as Middle street, at which point shedecided that enough was enough. Shethen trotted off home.But by that time the forces of law andorder had been alerted, and the tramp wasapprehended. He got three weeks hardlabour for his pains, and Nellie had hermoment of fame. The local paperdeclared that ‘this young and promisingmember of the detective force is to becongratulated in succeeding in obtaininga conviction in her first case’.


Letters to the EditorFrom the CommitteeHorsham Youth Council

Clare Ebelewicz and members of theHorsham Youth Council sat in on our

February committee meeting, and a usefulexchange of views took place. Councilrepresentatives put forward their thoughtsin a lively and interesting way, and made anumber of good points. In particular theywere concerned about the lack of adequatelighting in the Park after dark, and thesuggestion was made that ground lightingwould be very welcome (as opposed tofloodlighting, which not unreasonably isresisted by local residents).

Horsham Town Trail

One of theSociety’s more

modest – but at thesame time highlysuccessful –publications is itsHorsham Town Trail,a useful leaflet thatmaps out features ofhistorical interestaround the centreand provides back upnotes. It goes like hotcakes from the Museum shop, and isclearly appreciated by visitors. So imaginemy delight the other day when I bumpedinto a Lancashire couple in Market Squareporing over their copy, and once they hadgot over the shock of being approached bya total stranger, they listened sympathetic-ally as I bent their ears about the sad storyof our Town Hall loss to private enterprise.

What is a tree?Does size matter?

Trees are, of course, liable topreservation orders, and quite right

too. But there has been, apparently, someconfusion in the planning process as towhat exactly constitutes a tree. And so aHigh Court judge, Mr Justice Cranston,has taken no less than 12,000 words toanswer that very same question. Incontrast to a previous line taken by LordDenning, he has ruled that young trees andsaplings are included in the definition, andconcludes that ‘with tree preservationorders there are no limitations in terms ofsize for what is to be treated as a tree. Inother words, saplings are trees’. Size doesnot matter.

And now for a metal tree

We learn that a new tree is to beplanted (or perhaps erected is the

right word) in the Park. Wooden ones, ofwhich there are many splendid specimensin situ, are no longer good enough, itseems, and the council has hit upon thewacky idea of placing a metal one, as apiece of public art, by the Jubilee entrance.At least it won’t need pruning – but will itget rusty?No doubt reactions will be polarisedbetween those who think the idea crackersand a colossal waste of money in thesetroubled times, and others who reckon it’san inspired notion - and blow the cost.

East Street On 2 February John Steele and Rod

Cuming met county councillors BradWatson and Nigel Dennis, together withthree officials, to discuss the Society’sresponse to the East Street final consultationdocument.It was explained that unless objections tothe existing core time pedestrian schemecould be resolved, the matter would haveto go to a Public Enquiry. So, in order toavoid the time and expense involved, itseems as if WSCC has tried to devise ascheme which is aimed to overcomeobjections by accommodating all of them.Hence, for example, the proposed un-restricted access for vehicles loading andunloading, blue badge holders and cyclists.John Steele repeated the Society’s view thatsuch a scheme would destroy the originalpedestrianisation and ‘cafe culture’concept, and pressed for alternative waysof dealing with the objections, in partic-ular focusing on the local traders to get aclear understanding of their individualissues and their suggestions for solutions –while at the same time maintaining a coretime approach.Since then there has been another meeting,at which local traders and the Society(again) were present. A number of viewswere aired, and it seems by no means clearas to how the project will, if at all, progress.The cost of the exercise is a very consid-erable £500,000, to be shared equallybetween WSCC and HDC; the authoritiescontinue to work on a final plan; and theprospect of a Public Enquiry still hangs inthe air.

Black Horse Way crossing

We have expressed concerns about thepossible dangers inherent in the

siting of the Black Horse Way crossing,given its heavy use by shoppers, and theNorthern Area Highways Office hasresponded by outlining the existing trafficmanagement arrangements and noting thatthere was a good safety record at the site.Staggered barriers are seen as a safetyrisk, given the possibility of squeezing anddisruption of opposing pedestrian flows.

Swan Walk sagaIn the hope of getting a positive response

regarding the incomplete restoration ofthe Swan Walk sculpture (our earlier letterto Aviva’s chairman was totally ignored),John Steele wrote again, this time to thecompany’s group chief executive, pointingout the adverse publicity that was beingengendered because of the landlord’sseeming neglect of ‘one of the finestpieces of public sculpture in the south-eastand an iconic landmark in the town, muchloved by residents and visitors alike’.We are pleased to report that this time wedid get a response, so full marks toRichard Jones, the chap in charge. Hisletter states: ‘Unfortunately we haveexperienced difficulties in the design ofthe plinth, which will include movingwater, and also its procurement. HoweverI am pleased to be able to confirm thesehave both been resolved. Accordingly, weare now on the brink of appointing acontractor to commence the works withthe aim that they will be completed byEaster. Please note that the sculpture willhave to be removed temporarily to facilitatethe construction of the new plinth’.This is good news, and while at the time ofwriting there is no sign that the work hascommenced, we are sure that Mr Joneswill meet his deadline. Keep a watchout....

Planning applicationsOliver Palmer represented the Society

at a recent planning hearing, at whichthere was a re-submission for the Nelsonsite in Trafalgar Road. The re-submissionwas for eight 3-bedroom houses, and wespoke against it, on the grounds of it beingtoo intensive a development and therebeing a need to retain the character of thearea. The application was refused.

April 2009

OUR CONCERN IS THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE TOWN

Newsletter32 The Horsham Society Newsletter April 2009

DirectoryThe Horsham Society is an independent body supported by members’

subscriptions, a registered charity (No.268949), affiliated to theCampaign to Protect Rural England and registered with the Civic Trust.

It is a member of the English Historic Towns Forum.

PRESIDENT: Dr Annabelle Hughes

VICE-PRESIDENTS:Oliver Palmer, Francis Maude MP, Nigel Friswell

CHAIRMAN John Steele2 Old Denne GardensHorsham RH12 1JATel: (01403) 272814Email: [email protected]

Hon TREASURERRoy Bayliss15 PatchingsHorsham RH13 5HJTel: (01403) 262262

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARYPat Gale46 Bedford RoadHorsham RH13 5BJTel: (01403) 253946

Horsham Society website: www.horshamsociety.org

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividuals: £5 per year Single Pensioner: £3.25 per yearFamily Membership:: £7.50 per year Family Pensioner: £5 per yearBusinesses: £10 per year Single Life Membership: £100

Family Life Membership: £150£2.50 postage is added to the above rates for out-of-town members

All correspondence should go to the Hon Secretary in the first instance.The Newsletter is published monthly except for August. Letters andarticles to be considered for publication should be sent to the Editor,Brian Slyfield, Arun House, Denne Road, Horsham RH12 1JF. Opinionsin the Newsletter, whether Editor’s or contributors’, are not necessarilythe policy of the Society.

VICE CHAIRMANIan Dockreay

24 Wimblehurst RoadHorsham RH12 2EDTel: (01403) 241582

Hon SECRETARYRod Cuming

3 White Horse RoadHorsham RH12 4ULTel: (01403) 268444

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTIONORGANISER

Kathy Gleeson13 Millthorpe Road

Roffey RH12 4ERTel: (01403) 210511

© Individual contributors 2009. No material may be reproduced, copied or stored in aretrieval system without the prior consent of the relevant contributor, which should besought via the Editor.

New membersThanks very much to the following for joining: Mr Grounds,

Swindon Road, Horsham; Mrs Fleming, Cootes Avenue,Horsham; Mr and Mrs Redston, Trout Lane, Barns Green.

Slinfold Concert BandOne of the most popular line-ups in the south-east, Slinfold

Concert Band celebrate their 30th anniversary this yearwith a concert at 7.45 pm on Saturday 18 April at the Capitol.Tickets are £7.50 (concessions £6). Concert proceeds go toHorsham Hospital League of Friends – book now for fine musicand a worthwhile cause. Box office: 01403 750220.

01403 265608

Personal & Professional Servicefrom a company establishedover 30 yearsBusiness Stationery • Brochures • LeafletsEnvelope Printing • Folders • Design • MailingDigital Printing in Colour and Black & White

All major credit cards accepted

Horsham Press7/8/9 Newhouse Business Centre,Old Crawley Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4RUE-mail: [email protected] www.horshampress.co.uk

Land’s End -John O’Groats:David Skipp’scharity cycle rideSociety member David Skipp and four others (Ian

and Adam Burt, Peter McMahon and AndyFarquar) are long-distance cycling for charity in May,so do please give them your support. Their epicjourney kicks off at Land's End on Saturday 2 May, andthey plan to arrive at John O'Groats on Thursday 14May, via the Severn Bridge, Chepstow, Monmouth,Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Gretna, Lockerbie, Crawford,Cumbernauld, Pitlochry, Inverness and all points northto John O'Groats.Their efforts are on behalf of two very deservingcauses and registered charities: firstly the Timios Trust,set up in memory of Tim Skipp, David's son, who diedaged 23 in May 1999, and which provides travel costsfor young people undertaking charitable work abroad;and secondly Bliss, which supports babies bornprematurely ('too soon, too small, too sick'). PeterMcMahon is cycling for the latter cause, and the othersfor the former.David notes: 'We aim to cycle an average of 80 milesper day, using b. and b. stopovers to recuperate eachnight. We have a support team, which is taking twoweeks' holiday to travel with us, help change tyres,prepare tasty, nutritious snacks and encourage us whenspirits are low! So if you see us training locally, waveor cheer, and if you happen to be on holiday and see us,perhaps at the top of Shap in Cumbria, then please giveus your support and encouragement'.Details on how to support these two charities are asfollows: Sponsorship forms are available at ParkSurgery, or by post from Dr D Skipp, 48 GrebeCrescent, Horsham RH13 6ED.More information can be found on the followingwebsites: www.justgiving.com/petermcmahon andwww.justgiving.com/timiostrustcycle Donations canbe made to either charity or shared between them.Sponsorship forms for Timios should be handed in toPark Surgery, and those for Bliss sent to PeterMcMahon at 53 Worthing Road, Horsham RH12 1TD.Further information about Bliss and the work it does isat www.bliss.org.uk.Please help if you can.

By The Way

On page 27, thanks to Paula Lamplough, we read of some good workdone in the past by the Society to restore the Remembrance Garden andthe Lych Gate at Denne Road cemetery. Is there a similar project thatwarrants the Society’s support today? Perhaps an important feature inthe town that has been neglected and needs a bit of care and attention?If you have any suggestions do write in, and they will be looked atcarefully by the committee.

Past records of the Society, in particular its (earlier) magazine and (later)Newsletter, provide a valuable record of the town’s progress over theyears. An archive of material has been deposited at the Museum, and canbe consulted on request. But if you would like a recent run of backissues – perhaps as bed time reading – why not get in touch with RoySmith (see Letters to the Editor), who has a number on offer. Just thething with a cup of cocoa.

Copy date for the May issue is 1 April (but no wind-ups please).

St Mark’s goes green,but not in a good wayPoor old St Mark’s, the Victorian church in North Street as was, was

demolished to make way for Sun Alliance, but as a political gestureits spire was retained and incorporated into the new complex. And thereit remains, lost and forlorn in a dark corner, and quite out of place.What’s worse, it seems to be developing an unpleasant green mould,creeping up from its base, and the structure is now badly in need of athoroughly good clean. But what chances of this happening in thesetroubled times, when everyone is so hard pressed?

Editor’s note

Warnham Court: from Horsfield’s History of Sussex 1835

Demolition around the spire in 1989.

32 the horsham society newsletter april 2009...

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