HORSHAM TEAMS TAKE PART IN CHINESE DRAGON BOAT RACES

St Catherine's Hospice held its annual Dragon Boat Festival at Tilgate Park on 4 September. Horsham teams including Assurity Consulting, ERG Air Pollution Control, Thermo Fisher Scientific, CMED Group and Rockwell Automation and Keysource were among the 28 teams taking to the water. Kate McIntyre, Head of Business Support at Keysource, also based in Horsham, said: "We do it every year, it's fantastic fun for a great local charity." Racing in 40ft Chinese Dragon Boats, a team representing a Three Bridges car dealership were crowned champions, setting a new record time of 01:00:32. The festival is one of the hospice's biggest and liveliest fundraisers and over the years has become a firm favourite in the local community's calendars. www.stch.org.uk

TWO PROPOSED SCHOOLS SEEK VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS

The Gatwick School, which opened in 2014, is looking to open a new, co-educational, all through free school in Horsham to meet a growing demand for places. An ‘all through’ sees pupils attend the school from four through to sixteen. The Gatwick School has vowed to work with West Sussex County Council to find a suitable site for the new school, which will be funded by the Education Funding Agency. The Gatwick School is hoping that parents in Horsham will support the application at www.thehorshamschool.org

Meanwhile, Schoolsworks Academy Trust is seeking the views of Billingshurst residents, particularly parents, regarding its plans to open a new primary school on the site of a planned housing development in September 2020.
The new school, known as Schoolsworks Community Primary Billingshurst, would aim to meet the anticipated demand for pre-school and primary school places to the east of village, initially opening with one class of 30 children and growing to two classes per year. A 60 place pre-school nursery is also included in the plans. The Trust invites local people to review its plans for the school at https://www.schoolsworks.org/about-us/new-schools/

LIBRARIES LAUNCH FREE EMAGAZINE SERVICE IN WEST SUSSEX

West Sussex County Council libraries has launched a free eMAgazine service. A new search function means you can pinpoint any article from numerous titles, including Hello, Match of the Day, Radio Times, Q Magazine, BBC Good Food and Empire. It free to register to the service if you have a library card number and an email address. Visit https://www.westsussex.gov.uk and follow the ‘eLibrary’ link.

TRICK OR TREATING EVENT ORGANISED BY HORSHAM ROTARY

Horsham Rotary Club are once again bringing back the old custom of Trick or Treating to the Town Centre over the Half Term Holiday from October 22nd until Sunday October 30th. Last year this fun Competition attracted well over 500 accompanied children to the participating shops. Accompanied pre-teenage Children will visit the Shops and draw Halloween Cards to discover whether they have won a treat or will have to perform a ‘trick’. Naturally the tricks are not too nasty or onerous but the event keeps the children occupied for a few hours and it’s a lot of fun for them. The children also have to obtain passwords from the shops which they enter onto a form..... and then stand a chance of winning some cash prizes. All monies raised will be donated to local good causes. If you would like to be one of the shop/restaurants involved in the competition, Please email John at Horsham Rotary Club jleross@btconnect.com  or call 01403 754005.

AAH EDITOR TO HOST CHARITY MUSIC QUIZ

AAH Editor Ben Morris hosts a Music Quiz in aid of CoCo’s Foundation at The Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham, on Friday 21 October. The quiz, devised by Ben, includes picture, audio and video rounds, with a special round featuring local duo Joanie Loves Chachi. Do you know your Rammstein from your Rodgers and Hammerstein? If not, it doesn’t matter, as there are no questions about German death metal or Oklahoma! Refreshments will be available. All proceeds go to the CoCo’s Foundation, which supports orphaned children in some of Africa’s poorest areas. Entry to the quiz is only £10 per person, with teams of up to four and some great prizes available. Doors open at 6.30pm with the quiz starting at 7pm. To book your place, please call Ben on 01403 878026 or email benmorrisaah@gmail.com

FOOD, FORAGING AND COUNTRY LIFE AT PARHAM HARVEST FESTIVAL

WEST GRINSTEAD & DISTRICT PLOUGHING MATCH DETAILS ANNOUNCED

West Grinstead & District Ploughing and Agriculture Society hosts its annual ploughing match and show at Aglands Farm, Cowfold, on Sunday 17 September There will be 12 different ploughing classes including Vintage, Novice & Open ploughing to Horse Ploughing, Steam Ploughing, Hedge Laying and Welding Competitions to the Livestock Show which includes a range of Cattle and Sheep classes such as the ever popular lamb and calf handling classes with the future generation of farmers. Have a go on the Coconut Shy or Skittles, Watch the Farrier Display, Cheer on the teams in the Tug-of-War, See the Sheep Shearing and Livestock Displays, Other attractions include the Parade of Hounds from the Crawley & Horsham Hunt, Terrier Racing, Ferret Racing and Clay Pigeon Shoot. Entry £5 (under 14 free) https://www.westgrinsteadploughing.co.uk

INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHER'S SOUTH EAST EXHIBITION

Horsham District Council’s Horsham Museum is delighted to open its doors to an exhibition of the Independent Photographers South East, which runs from 22 July to 16 September 2016.  This year IPSE celebrates its 25^th anniversary, and they will be showing photographs that are thought-provoking, interesting and original.  In their own words: This exhibition is a very diverse and exciting collection of work from members of this long-established group of photographers – celebrating their 25th year together. They run both residential and day workshops led by eminent photographers such as, most recently, Simon Norfolk, and they put on exhibitions every two years. They are a very mixed bunch – several with MAs in photography and others with no formal qualifications at all. But they all share a passion for the art and craft of photography in its many genres – ranging from pinhole images and cyanotypes, to surreal, contemporary and abstract images. One member has published an Arts Council sponsored book, ‘Downscapes’ of graphic aerial views of the South Downs, another was exhibited alongside Cindy Sherman at The Royal Academy with manipulated images of abandoned factories in classical style. The show is curated by Mick Williamson, who is Head of Photography at the London Metropolitan University, Sir Hugh Cass Dept. of Art and Design.

WARNHAM MOTORCYCLIST EMBARKS ON EPIC MONGOL RALLY

Joe Harrod, from Warnham, it taking part in the Mongol Rally to raise funds for ABF The Soldiers Charity and Cool Earth. The Mechanical Engineering student was due to leave Goodwood on 17 July, riding a 20-year-old Honda CG125 to Ulan Ude, Russia. The Mongol Rally thunders 10,000 miles across the mountains, desert and steppe of Europe and Asia each summer. Joe’s route will take him though Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia over a six-week period. To sponsor Joe visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoeHarrod or www.facebook.com/mongolrally2016jharrod

PARKING CHARGE INTRODUCED AT SOUTHWATER COUNTRY PARK

Horsham District Council has announced the introduction of parking charges at Southwater Country Park. There will be a £1.50 daily charge with annual permits available for £30. The Country Park has recently been enhanced by improvements to car parking, access paths, the beach area and the installation of the Dinosaur Island adventure play area. Visitor numbers have almost doubled and the income from the new parking charge is needed to help cover maintenance costs. Charging will be in force every day from 10am – 6pm.  A lower charge of 50p will be in place over winter.  For season tickets email parking@horsham.gov.uk

MIDNIGHT WALK HELD IN HORSHAM PARK FOR LOCAL HOSPICE

Summer hit Horsham Park on Saturday when nearly 400 beach themed beauties walked through the night in aid of local hospice, St Catherine's. The ninth ladies only Midnight Walk began with a warm up by international fitness presenter and fitness model, Jo Cooper and a photo booth to capture the atmosphere. Walkers were also spurred on by inspiring speeches from St Catherine's night nurses and walker Lisa Jarvis who took part in memory of her mum, Rita. Donning beach themed attire including hula hula skirts, lei's, armbands and rubber rings, walkers entered into the summer spirit as they took on seven or 13 miles, and for the most ambitious, a 20 mile walking route. The ladies were rewarded for their fantastic efforts with a celebratory breakfast and medal at the finish line. This year's walk was sponsored by Assurity Consulting, who also provided the photo booth whilst some staff even took part in the walk. If you would like to find out how you can take part in future events for St Catherine's please visit: www.stch.org.uk, email: events@stch.org.uk or call the Fundraising Team on 01293 447361. 

HORSHAM FC REVEAL PLANS FOR HOP OAST GRAND

Horsham Football Club has unveiled revised plans for a new ground at Hop Oast. The new design takes into account the concerns raised from a previous application, rejected by Horsham District Council in 2014. These revisions include a smaller club house with lower floodlights and stands. The club will also be seeking permission for an enabling development of 58 homes on two of the current pitches at the Holbrook Club, with the intention of retaining the facilities at the club. www.horsham-fc.co.uk

NEW OPERATOR FOR HORSHAM'S MARKETS ANNOUNCED

Horsham District Council has awarded the contract to run the Carfax-based Horsham Markets to Food Rocks. The market has been successfully run by Aldred Associates since 2011. The new operators, based in Lewes, will take over after September’s Big Nibble Food Festival. Food Rocks are an established food and local produce markets and events company and have previously operated the council’s Little Nibble Children’s Food Festival. Simon Teesdale, director of Food Rocks, said: “We would like to thank and congratulate Aldred Associates for handing over such a thriving market. Running the market is a wonderful way to show our commitment to supporting the fantastic artisan traders in Horsham and the surrounding areas and an opportunity to set up some exciting local festivals and events.” The Horsham Markets contract covers Carfax based markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus special Sunday events during the year. www.foodrockssouth.co.uk

HORSHAM FITNESS TRAINER WINS MISS GALAXY UNIVERSE TITLE

Victoria Strelciunaite was named Supreme Champion at the Miss Galaxy Universe British Championships. The contest, held at The Hawth, Crawley, is a female fitness show based around performance and functionality. Victoria, who lives in Horsham, maintained the Supreme Champion title she won in 2015 and also won the ‘beach body’ category. Victoria said: “The results are based on a combination of scores taken from fitness tests and glamour parades. You have to have great strength and endurance, whilst maintaining elegance.” Victoria works as a personal trainer at Cisswood House Hotel. 

COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERS CHANGES TO WASTE RECYCLING SITES

West Sussex County Council is considering making changes to Household Waste Recycling Sites and is holding a public consultation until June 12 about potential changes. As the County Council looks to make £18.6m in savings across all services next year, it has put forward five proposals. They include reducing daily opening hours or closing some Household Waste Recycling Sites on certain days. Other proposals include introducing charges for non-household waste disposal (soil, hardcore, DIY, plasterboard etc) and ceasing the Mobile Household Waste Recycling Service. The fifth proposal is to restrict trailers with ‘Large Vehicle Bays’ only. https://haveyoursay.westsussex.gov.uk/waste-management-services/hwrswes

GATWICK CAMPAIGNERS VISIT 10 DOWNING STREET TO HAND IN PETITION

Representatives of CAGNE (Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions) were joined by local MPs as they handed the Prime Minister a report at 10 Downing Street on 16 May. The report raises the fact that an expanded Gatwick could present worst air quality for a much wider area than Heathrow, due to the lack of infrastructure. The document contains a letter from 10 MPs who wrote to the Secretary for State demanding that Gatwick’s misleading advertising over air quality be stopped. Horsham MP Jeremy Quin said: "Infrastructure in our area is already facing severe challenges.  An extra runway at Gatwick would place an impossible strain on public transport, which was never designed to accommodate an airport.” www.cagne.org

CHRIST'S HOSPITAL SCHOOL ANNOUNCE JOHN FrANKLIN'S SUCCESSOR

Simon Reid, currently Principal of Gordonstoun School, will succeed John Franklin as Head Master of Christ’s Hospital with effect from September 2017. Mike Hiard, Chairman of Board of School Governors said: “Christ’s Hospital has, in every respect, made enormous progress in the nine years to date under John Franklin’s leadership; something that we saw clearly reflected in the quality and motivation of the candidates that applied for the post. In Simon, we believe that we have found the perfect blend of experience, empathy with our unique ethos and charitable mission and the focused leadership qualities necessary to lead CH successfully in the next phase of its development.” www.christs-hospital.org.uk

SCHOOLS IN STORRINGTON AND NEARBY VILLAGES TO BE RE-ORGANISED

MARK SPOFFORTH APPOINTED HIGH SHERIFF OF WEST SUSSEX

Mark Spofforth has been appointed the High Sheriff of West Sussex for 2016. The declaration ceremony took place at Lewes Crown Court, where Mark was formally declared into his position. The Office of High Sheriff has been active for over 1,000 years and is the oldest Royal appointment. Although still rich with tradition, the modern High Sheriff has a very different role, encouraging the voluntary sector within the county as well as supporting the Queen and other Royals with visits. Mark, a partner at Spofforths Chartered Accountants, said: “I look forward to assisting with Citizenship ceremonies to greet newcomers to our County, and I want to single out the members of the Police and Fire service who go a step beyond what any reasonable member of the public expects. Mark has chosen the Chestnut Tree Hospice and Winston’s Wish as his charities for the year.  

KISSINGATE WINS BEER OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD

Kissingate Brewery in Lower Beeding has been presented with an award for ‘Beer of the Festival’ for its Powder Blue Porter. Drinkers at the Redhill Beer Festival voted on their favourite beer, held at the Merstham Village Hall last November. Festival Organiser Martin Longhurst presented the certificate to Gary and Bunny Lucas, proprietors of the brewery, during a visit by CAMRA festival volunteers on 12 March. Gary said “I very much appreciate the support I have received from CAMRA members in building the reputation of my brewery.   I can’t wait to put this new certificate on display as it represents the judgment of many real ale drinkers.” The Kissingate Brewery was founded by Gary and Bunny Lucas in 2010 and is located at Pole Barn, on the Church Lane Farm Estate in Lower Beeding. For more information visit www.kissingate.co.uk

ATLANTIS COACH BILL PENNY INDUCTED TO SWIMMING COACHES HALL OF FAME

Bill Penny Head coach at Atlantis swimming club has been inducted into the British Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame. Bill started coaching in New Zealand and Australia in the early 1960’s. He arrived in England in 1965 and soon set up the Forest Hill swimming club at Crystal Palace where three of Bill’s squad went on to win five gold medals at the national age group Championships. A year on and Bill took over at a struggling Woolwich club he achieved a straight promotion to the first division winning the London Division 1 title and by 1972 two of Bill's swimmers were selected for the Munich Olympic team. In 1977 he joined with Olympic Head Coach Dave Haller to coach Beckenham swimming club. Beckenham went on to win the top club in the country for three years in a row, with 6 swimmers including Duncan Goodhew, competing at the Moscow Olympics. In 1985 Bill took some time out from swimming spending most of his time in southern Spain, until, he was again approached by Beckenham swimming club in 1991. He then restructured competitive swimming at the city of Glasgow Swimming Club and in 2004 took his Scottish team to the Commonwealth Youth Games. In 2005 Bill moved to Horsham to retire, but that was just the beginning of the next chapter in his life as he found himself taking the head role at Atlantis Swimming Club where he still coaches today at the young age of 75! 

NEW HEAD CHEF AT THE PASS, SOUTH LODGE HOTEL

Michelin star chef, Ian Swainson, is the new Head Chef at The Pass, South Lodge, an Exclusive Hotel in Lower Beeding. Ian joins The Pass from luxury country house hotel, the Samling, in Cumbria where he earned the restaurant 3 AA Rosettes and a Michelin star which he has held for the last three years. Cooking Michelin-starred cuisine for over 15 years in hotels and restaurants including l’ortolan in Reading, Seaham Hall in County Durham, Le Becasse in Ludlow and Chewton Glen in Hampshire, Ian’s food has been described as modern fine dining that packs real flavour. David Connell, General Manger at South Lodge commented: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Ian to The Pass, bringing his vision and creativity to our open-plan restaurant that puts diners right at the heart of the drama. Working within a few feet of our guests, Ian has a unique opportunity to showcase his culinary talent and engaging personality and offer diners a truly interactive and memorable dining experience.” The announcement follows confirmation that Matt Gillan will leave The Pass at the end of April following ten years at South Lodge. 

BBC PRESENTER JEAN GRIFFIN SUPPORTS HOSPICE OPEN GARDENS

As garden gates across Slinfold swing open to invite the local community into blooming gardens as part of St Catherine's Hospice Open Gardens, Slinfold will also welcome a very special guest, BBC presenter, Jean Griffin. Long term St Catherine's supporter Jean is the gardening expert on BBC's ‘Dig It’ radio programme and will be supporting Slinfold's open gardens, in aid of St Catherine's. Four gardens across Slinfold will be opening their doors to visitors and, as part of this, Jean will be hosting a gardening question and advice session and exchanging tips with visitors on how to make the most of your gardens.  Back in full bloom for 2016, St Catherine's Open Gardens is a unique chance for visitors to enjoy local gardens not usually open to the public. Green fingered hospice supporters will continue to open their gardens throughout the summer season until September. Throughout the season, there'll be a wonderful array of gardens opening with both new gardens and old favourites' returning, with many renowned for the delicious tea and cakes they serve.  To find out more and see a list of participating private gardens please visit:https://www.stch.org.uk/howYouCanHelp/OpenGardens/

10KM RACE ADDED TO BARNS GREEN HALF MARATHON EVENT

The Barns Green Half Marathon event will be boosted by an additional, separate 10km race for the first time. Both races will be held on Sunday 25 September, with the half marathon starting at 10am and the 10km race at 10.20am. The 10km race which will be open to anyone over the age of 16 and, like the Half Marathon, will take place on closed roads and will follow part of the same route route. There will be the usual medals and prizes for the 10km race and the entrance fee will be £15 for affiliated runners and £17 for unaffiliated. Race Director, Vernon Jennings said: “Our research showed was that there are a lot of runners looking to take part in well-organised, official races such as ours, but who don’t want to take on the 13-mile challenge. For many runners, 10km is more appealing.” www.barnsgreen-half.org.uk     

 COUNTRYMAN GUN CLUB OFFERED LIFELINE BY KNEPP ESTATE

CAPITOL PANTOMIME RAISES £7,587 FOR SAMARITANS (PUB: 4 JAN)

Thousands of people came to see The Capitol’s pantomime Beauty and The Beast and thanks to their tremendous generosity, a bucket collection after each performance raised the staggering sum of £7,587.13 for The Horsham and Crawley branch of Samaritans. Sue Jago, Director of Samaritans of Horsham and Crawley, said: “We’re immensely grateful to The Capitol pantomime cast and their generous patrons for this collection. This amazing sum of money will go a long way towards supporting our callers this year.” Samaritans of Horsham and Crawley have been supporting the local community from their Centre in Denne Road for 41 years and take more than 14,000 calls a year. 

STEYNING GRAMMAR SKIIER REPRESENTS GREAT BRITAIN  (Published 26 JAN )

Charlie Luke, a Steyning Grammar School student, was thrilled to finish eighth in the Giant Slalom as he represented Great Britain and the British Children’s Team at the Ski-Interkriterium International Race Series.  This follows his recent successes at the Independent Schools Championships in Deux Alpes in December where he won the Giant Slalom event and followed this up with a gold medal in the slalom at the British Alpine Skiing Championship in Les Houches at the beginning of January. Charlie first began skiing at the age of two and a half but only rekindled his interest two years ago. He has recently teamed up with former Great Britain International Skier and four time Winter Olympian, Chemmy Alcott who is now his ski performance coach.Chemmy said: “He excited me for many reasons, physically he is strong, he has a solid ski foundation and I could tell that he wanted it!  Also he had spent a few seasons skiing with DHO (Downhill Only) which was the club I started with. He was in the top 15 in the country before, but now he is battling it out to be the British No.1. Charlie has got the English Championships in February and he has just been selected to race again in the Topolino event in Italy in March. 

DINOSAUR ISLAND WINS INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE AWARD (PUBLISHED 11 JAN )

With special effects including an active volcano, red hot lava flows, a tar quagmire, a dinosaur swamp and a prehistoric jungle, the play area has attracted a huge number of visitors since it was opened in July. Improved parking at the Southwater Country Park site and a dinosaur themed makeover at the café have also added to the enjoyment of the experience. Now, the Dinosaur Island has earned Horsham District Council's Parks and Countryside team international recognition by winning the 2015 International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice. The award was presented to Anna Chapman (Countryside Development Officer) and Cllr Jonathan Chowen (Cabinet Member of Leisure and Culture, and Parks) at a ceremony in the Palace of Westminster in November. The inspiration for the park came from an Iguanodon dinosaur fossil found in the clay in Southwater in 1920. Fact and figures are a key feature of the Dinosaur Island, developed in conjunction with eibe Play Ltd, a leading designer and manufacturer of outdoor playground equipment.

FORMER NOVARTIS SITE TO BECOME HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES CENTRE (8 JAN )

A project to transform a disused site into a centre for health and life science companies has been unveiled by West Sussex County Council. West Sussex has agreed to purchase the 19.6 acre Horsham site of global health care company Novartis, subject to contract. It now plans to transform the site into a new science park that will host leading firms in life-saving research work and the development of innovative technology. The development is set to bring up to 1,000 jobs by providing a home for fledgling firms starting out in the sector who could grow to become the big employers of the future. Subject to planning approval, two thirds of the Wimblehurst Road site will be transformed into a science park, while one third will be set aside for high quality housing – helping West Sussex cover the costs of its investment. Under the agreement with Novartis, all buildings on the site will be cleared except the 1930s Art Deco building. That will be converted for residential use and the avenue of cedar trees leading to its door will also be protected. This work is expected to be complete by spring/summer 2016.

ARTIST SARA LEIGHTON PUBLISHES FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK (PUBLISHED 7 JAN )

Acclaimed artist and royal portrait painter Sara Leighton has published her first children's book, The Naughty Greedy Pandamoth and Other Amazing Animorphs. Meet the Pompom-Legged Craboodle, who longs to join the circus and see his name in lights, and the Humpalumparaff, who wanders the desert at night singing opera to the baby jackals and meerkats. Sara's collection of wildly imaginative creatures is written in amusing verse with delightful illustrations and will appeal to children of all ages. Sara, who lives in Horsham, trained at St Martin's School of Art and found early success in London before moving to Florence to study under the great Italian master, Pietro Annigoni. Her first children's book, available through Book Guild Publishing, has been well-received and can be bought at Waterstone's in Horsham and Amazon.

CONSULTATION ON SCHOOLS IN STORRINGTON AND VILLAGES BEGINS (JAN 6)

The second stage of a consultation regarding education in Storrington and the surrounding villages has begun. An initial public consultation took place earlier this year with parents, schools and local communities giving their views on whether there should be a change to the age at which pupils transfer to secondary school. The Storrington area is the last remaining locality in West Sussex where schools are not organised in line with the key stages of the national curriculum. The results of this consultation, which ended in September 2015, have been analysed and now a further consultation – focusing on specific proposals for each school in the area – has been approved.

The consultation covers possible options to:
1)  Extend the age range of Amberley CE First School, Ashington CE First School, Storrington First School, Thakeham First School, St Mary's CE First School Washington and West Chiltington First School from age 4–10 (Year R–Year 5) to become age 4-11 (Year R - Year 6) primary schools with effect from 1 September 2017.

2)   Relocate Thakeham First School from its current site at The Street, Thakeham to accommodation on part of the existing Rydon Community College campus, with effect from 1 September 2017.

3)  Close Rydon Community College with effect from 31 August 2017 and open an age 11-12 (Year 7 to Year 8) annex of Steyning Grammar School on part of the existing Rydon Community College campus buildings with effect from 1 September 2017.

The consultation is expected to launch on 4 January and run until 12 February 2016. A series of public meetings will also be arranged. Rydon Community College has launched a 'Save Our School' campaign with a petition on its website.

NEW BP PETROL STATION OPENS IN ASHINGTON (PUBLISHED 6 JAN )

A new petrol filling station has opened just off the A24 in Ashington. The station also incorporates an M&S Simply Food store, a Wild Bean Cafe and automatic car wash. On the forecourt, there's a range of premium fuels alongside regular unleaded and diesel. The station has been built on land south east of Martins Farm, London Road, Ashington, and has created in the region of 30 jobs. A service area has long been proposed for the site, with Horsham District Council first granting permission for one back in 1994.

MUSICAL SONGWRITER TIM RICE VISITS CHRIST'S HOSPITAL SCHOOL (PUBLISHED 6 JAN )

Christ's Hospital Theatre was the venue for a visit from a legend of British song writing, Sir Tim Rice, on 26 November. Sir Tim, who along with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has written hit musicals including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita, spoke to pupils on the topic of 'The Importance of Failure'. The triple-Oscar-winning lyricist gave the audience a fascinating, self-deprecatory and humorous
account of his career and of how the pathway to success is anything but a smooth one. During his talk, CH pupils performed some of his favourite songs including I Don't Know How To Love Him, sung by Charlotte Willcock, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, by Mattie Slade, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall by 13 year-old Phoebe Weir. Sir Tim stayed on afterwards to answer questions, sign autographs and pose for selfies. He may well have heard stories about the School from his father, Hugh Rice, who was educated at Christ's Hospital in the 1920s.

STEYNING PE TEACHER NAMED DISABILITY COACH OF THE YEAR (JAN 6)

Wendy Russell, Steyning Grammar School PE teacher and hockey coach, has been named Disability Coach of the Year at the Sports Coach UK Awards in Manchester. The award is in recognition of Wendy's work in revolutionising the way deaf or hard of hearing young people take part in hockey, by creating a hockey-specific sign language. Wendy set up a hockey club that was for deaf people only, so applied for and gained funding to run a Deaf Hockey Sportivate project in Brighton. This is the first deaf hockey club in Great Britain. Her remarkable new sign language has been ratified by Remark and endorsed by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). Wendy has also won the Sussex Sports Award Sportivate Project of the Year and was shortlisted for the 'Community Award' in The Sunday Times & Sky Sports News Sportswoman of the Year Awards.

WILL PALMER WINES McLAREN AUTOSPORT BRDC AWARD (JAN 5)

Southwater racing driver Will Palmer, the 2015 BRDC Formula 4 champion, has won the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award (MABA). The 18-year-old was chosen by a panel of judges consisting of motorsport industry experts. Will claims a prize of £100,000 and an invitation to test a McLaren Grand Prix car. The MABA was established in 1989 to help progress the careers of outstanding young British racing drivers, with previous winners including David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson and Dario Franchitti. Six nominees underwent fitness and simulator assessments before facing a rigorous two-day test on the Grand Prix track at Silverstone in Formula 2 single-seater, DTM Mercedes and McLaren 650S GT3 machinery. He said: "I need to say a massive thank you to all my family, especially my Dad (Jonathan Palmer), as he puts so much effort into it and he has been a massive support throughout my career." www.willpalmer.com

FREEDOM OF THE CITY FOR MELANIE (JAN 5)

Melanie Moore, owner of Melanie Paul Goldsmiths and Enamellers in Storrington, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London at The Guildhall, London. The title has previously been received by the likes of Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Florence Nightingale, Princess Diana and Lord Nelson. Melanie is, at present, officially the youngest person ever to hold the title. It means that Melanie can walk her sheep across London Bridge on certain days to be traded within the square mile of the City of London. In the meantime, Melanie will continue to run her jewellery business! www.melaniepaul.co.uk