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
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