We were greatly saddened to hear the news of Gareth’s death in June.

Gareth will be known to many of you as the proprietor of the Beer Essentials Shop in Horsham, and also as the organiser of the Horsham Beer Festival each September.

He opened Beer Essentials following being made redundant by King & Barnes when the brewery closed, having run the brewery shop for nearly 13 years. Soon afterwards, on his 40th birthday, he launched the Horsham Beer Festival, initially in the Town Hall but quickly moving to the larger Drill Hall venue, where he continued to run it with the support of family and friends for 16 years. The move to the bigger venue allowed him to meet the demand, and give more room for the Broadwood Morris Men who became an integral part of the afternoon events at the festival. He was delighted that a local team has come forward to continue running the event this September, where a tribute to Gareth is planned.

Gareth lived by the maxims of “work hard”, “play nicely” and “have fun”. He was a hugely knowledgeable, gently, sensitive and generous soul.

The Horsham beer community has lost an Institution, but more importantly, a great supporter and good friend.

Mike Head
North Sussex branch