Re: Summer 2016 | Page 75

On September 5th, 1958, a hailstone weighing 140g landed in the town. It was similar in size to a tennis ball and impact speeds have been calculated to be 224 mph. stands at 28ft high and was turned off in the spring of 2006 to save water. It did recycle its water but used 180 gallons a day to cover evaporation and filtration losses. The council has since made water-saving efficiencies elsewhere and the fountain was turned on again on November 13th, 2006, its tenth birthday. After the failure of its main hydraulic cylinder it was turned off again in May 2008 and was eventually fenced off for repairs at the start of 2009. After £30,000 of repairs over time, the fountain was fully functioning again in November 2011. Percy Bysshe Shelley who was born at Field Place in Broadbridge Heath, near Warnham, two miles west from Horsham centre and the fountain carries a plaque bearing one of his poems ‘Mont Blanc’. Horsham Park, the remnant of what was formerly the Hurst Park Estate contains 60 acres of attractive parkland and is a lovely place in summer to have lunch, play tennis or take part in a parkrun. The Park hosts the annual Sparks in the Park providing a variety of family entertainment and there are Podium concerts throughout the summer. Every year there is the Horsham 10k road race which I love taking part in and is a great way to see part of the town, lanes and woodland in a fun atmosphere. My personal best time is becoming more of a distant memory but the event is great fun all the same! The beautiful Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin is the oldest building in Horsham and I have been fortunate enough to attend several weddings here. Horsham also holds the UK record for the heaviest hailstone ever to fall. On September 5th, 1958, a hailstone weighing 140g landed in the town. It was similar in size to a tennis ball and impact speeds have been calculated to be 224 mph. The Capitol Theatre is always a good choice for an evening out and as a Country and Western fan I was lucky to see I saw Rita Coolidge in May this year. The annual Horsham beer festival is a must for real ale lovers and I am proud to say I have a complimentary pint glass from each of the last ten festivals stacked up in my kitchen! Horsham has, of course a proud brewing heritage and there are currently several successful micro breweries operating in the town. Horsham Sports Club hosts cricket, tennis and squash matches and the picturesque ground overlooks Denne Hill. The countryside is only a short walk in any direction and there are many nature trails. I live only five minutes walk from the entrance to Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods which is on the edge of Horsham. Often on a Sunday I have walked in this ancient woodland and heathland and felt lucky to be immersed in such a relaxing natural environment so close to my front door. Whether you are looking for an evening out, a day shopping or a place to live Horsham is a lovely town and a place I love. By Simon Keeler 73