Last man executed at Horsham

A rather gruesome 'on this day' sees the 181st 'anniversary' today (April 6) of the last man executed in Horsham! John Lawrence and (inset) Horsham gaol), John Lawrence, originally from Tonbridge, but living in Brighton, was seen taking a roll of carpet, along with another man, from a shop in the city in March 1844.Continue reading "Last man executed at Horsham"

Art and AGM for Horsham Museum Friends

Coming up next for the Friends of Horsham Museum & Art Gallery is the Annual General Meeting which will incorporate the next talk. Local artist Claire Phillips will be giving a talk on 'Struggle and Strength' on Wednesday April 16 at 7.30pm in the Wesley Hall, Cornerstone Methodist Church, London Road, Horsham. Before that, though,Continue reading "Art and AGM for Horsham Museum Friends"

Horsham’s Women of History – one of the town’s ‘best-loved citizens’

For the fourth and final part of our feature for Women's History Month we look at a remarkable local resident who was described as a 'Champion of Education' and even had a building named after her! Miss Louisa Jane Churchman was held in such high esteem that on her passing in 1943 the local paper,Continue reading "Horsham’s Women of History – one of the town’s ‘best-loved citizens’"

Horsham’s Women of History – town’s first woman GP

For our latest Women's History Month subject we have Horsham's first woman doctor who worked up to the age of 75! Dr Alice Owen's career, however, did not begin in the medical profession and she was not local to Sussex. Dr Alice Owen. Photo courtesy of West Sussex County Times. She was a schoolteacher whoContinue reading "Horsham’s Women of History – town’s first woman GP"

Horsham’s Women of History – a formidable councillor

It's Women's History month and the second local personality we are focusing on was the first woman to be a member of Horsham Urban Council who gave the town its Garden of Remembrance. Nellie Vesta Laughton (nee Booker) died in January 1953, aged 86, in her home in Brighton Road. Nellie Laughton, President of EastContinue reading "Horsham’s Women of History – a formidable councillor"