It started with sewing... I used to draw a lot as a child, but my true passion was needlework. This continued into adulthood. I would tailor my own clothes, regularly travelling into London to buy fabrics from Liberty or John Lewis, so that everything I created was...
My dad was a part-time artist, but art didn’t interest me much when I was growing up. Perhaps I was playing the part of the rebellious teenager, refusing to study art as my father felt that I should. Whilst I was good at drawing, I did little aside from copying LP...
When I first walked into the Nifty Gallery in Storrington High Street, I was struck by the vast variety of art displayed. First to grab my attention was the abstract paintings of fields of cows or sheep, as well as the bright colours in pictures of geometric houses....
Turquoise is, apparently, a very trendy colour at the moment. One fashion magazine recently declared that it is now “okay to use turquoise”, to the great relief of Aston Villa football club, parakeets and tropical island beach resorts. It’s also timely for Keith and...
Every picture tells a story, goes the old saying. When it comes to art, the stories in some pictures are very much open to an individual’s metaphoric interpretation. But that is not the case with the work of Claire Phillips. Claire uses her talents for art to...
The Horsham Borough Band held a special concert at St Mary’s Parish Church in May to celebrate its 125th anniversary. In recent years, the Band has hit new heights under Musical Director Will Wilkins, coming first in the London and Southern Counties Area contest in...
Guitarist Greg Hart and keyboardist Andy Stewart have performed in rock bands since they were teenagers growing up in Horsham. While youthful ambitions were thwarted, their rock ‘n’ roll dreams have finally come true as members of Cats in Space. AAH met the musicians...
The Copper Family performed at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Rusper, on Saturday 14 September. Here, with background material supplied by cultural historian Simon Machin, we delve into the Copper Family’s folk heritage and discover why Rusper was the perfect...
It’s Saturday morning and the halls are alive with the sound of music at Millais School in Horsham. A youth orchestra are busy rehearsing Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, while youngsters in the early stages of their musical education are learning to play...
A well-established, all-female choir in Horsham has undergone a transformation, changing its name and expanding its repertoire. One Accord choir, which meets at the Holy Trinity Church in Rushams Road, Horsham on Wednesday afternoons, was founded about 65 years ago...
So, who’s this then? Ben Downton, a 34-year-old drum and bass producer from Horsham. Under the pseudonym Low:r he recently released his debut album, Can You Hear Me? What is drum and bass? A genre of electronic music that emerged from the ashes of the UK jungle scene...
The Horsham Ukulele Society meets on alternate Tuesdays at the King’s Arms in the Bishopric. The Society was formed in 2019 by Matt Gunning, who had previously established a ukulele group in Balham, south London, before moving to Horsham. Matt said: ‘I started playing...
During the long Easter weekend, you may have been listening to Classic FM’s Hall of Fame, an annual countdown of the 300 greatest pieces of classical music, as voted for by listeners. You may have wondered where you own favourite would appear, or if Vaughan Williams’...
Horsham Folk Club meets at the Normandy Centre in Denne Road, Horsham, every Sunday evening. Formed during a folk revival inspired by artists such as Martin Carthy, Peter Seegar and Bob Dylan, the club has survived countless venue changes over more than half a...
The West Sussex Philharmonic Choir, Horsham’s leading choral society for more than 40 years, performed its first concert under new Musical Director Sean Bui in November 2021. Joining the 60-strong choir to sing Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ at St Mary’s Church was a trio of...
South Downs Strings featuring violinists Sheraine Lynsdale-Nock and Dawn Kelleher, cellist Emily Mitchell and Bimbi Urquhart on viola. They perform at weddings and events across West Sussex and beyond. A String Quartet then? It’s more a collective of musicians....
During her University days, Hollie Rogers stumbled upon an interesting musical combination. She found that the lyrics of The Blower’s Daughter, the best known song by her favourite songwriter, Damien Rice, made a pleasant companion to the tune of No Surprises by...
The Barns Green Players has been pivotal to village life for generations. Still as strong as ever, the Players staged their annual pantomime at the village hall in January. As AAH watched the dress rehearsal, director Graeme Muncer, cast members Neale Francis and...
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