Lydia joins the Haywards Heath Life team

By David Tingley, editor

I am delighted to introduce my co-editor Lydia Turner – who joined the team last month. I really wanted to wait until our first issue was published before looking for an editor to join me working on Haywards Heath Life – by doing so, I was able to talk to a number of excellent candidates who could see exactly what we were trying to do with the launch of this magazine in this community.

Whilst Lydia’s professional background isn’t in journalism (she is actually a recently retired consultant psychological therapist) – her passion for the town was clear to see. Having lived here for nearly 40 years, Haywards Heath is very much home for Lydia and she’s as keen as I am for our humble title to become part of the fabric of this amazing community.

“I was looking for a new challenge,” Lydia said, “and was immediately drawn to David’s vision for Haywards Heath Life when I saw it. I believe in the power of community, and I am excited to be part of this journey.”

Alongside her other passions in life which include watching football, sewing and learning Spanish – Lydia is going to use her curiosity, her writing skills and her knowledge of working on published books to help our readers discover more about the town where they love to live and work.

If you have a story, an event or a person who you believe would make a fabulous feature interview, do please send us an email to editor@haywardsheath.life in the first instance – as we are keen to explore as diverse a range of content for our magazine as possible.

Haywards Heath’s 2025 Best Dressed Window competition winners

Oathall Veterinary Group

Haywards Heath Town Council is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Best Dressed Window Competition, celebrating the festive creativity of local businesses and the enthusiastic support of the public through thousands of votes.

Following the public vote, Haywards Heath Town Council is pleased to announce the results:
Winners:
• Non-retail category: Oathall Veterinary Group
• Retail category: Paws on Track

Runners-up:
• Non-retail Category: Bridee Whyte and Fun Pots (Joint runners-up)
• Retail category: St Peter and St James fashion shop

The winners have received an engraved commemorative plaque and a festive hamper, and the runners-up were awarded a framed certificate.
All prizes were generously sponsored by Mid Sussex District Council.

The Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, presented the awards and has commented: “The Best Dressed Window Competition is a wonderful example of how our local businesses help bring festive spirit to the town. The creativity, effort and pride shown in this year’s displays were exceptional, and the public response shows just how much they were appreciated. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank every business that took part for helping to make Haywards Heath such a welcoming place during the festive season.”

Haywards Heath Town Council would like to extend a huge thank you to all businesses who participated in the 2025 competition.
The festive window displays will continue to brighten the town throughout the festive season, inviting everyone to enjoy the creativity and Christmas spirit on show.

The Orchards Haywards Heath introduced the new management team

The Orchards Shopping Centre begins 2026 welcoming a new management team committed to bringing renewed energy, community spirit, and fresh ideas to the heart of the town.

The team brings a clear mission: to make The Orchards a place to shop, gather, celebrate, and connect – a place where good things grow. Their vision draws on the centres longstanding role as a community hub while setting bold plans in motion for the year ahead.

At the heart of its plans is a full calendar of engaging events including seasonal celebrations, family-friendly activities, competitions and creative workshops; a place where something enjoyable is always happening. Their goal is simple: to ensure the centre feels welcoming, lively, and closely connected to the everyday life of the community.

The new team aim to champion local good causes, working with charities and volunteer groups to provide opportunities for fundraising, awareness campaigns, and collaborative events.

Alongside their community work, the team is focused on supporting the centre’s independent and national retailers, helping them showcase their individuality and deliver an excellent customer experience.

Shoppers can expect clearer communications, thoughtful improvements around the centre, and a strong emphasis on friendliness and accessibility.

With fresh leadership and an enthusiastic approach, 2026 promises to be an exciting year for The Orchards. The team invites residents to visit, get involved, and be part of everything that’s ahead.

If you would like to get involved contact: hello@theorchardsshopping.co.uk.

St Wilfrid’s Church Haywards Heath's scholarship fundraiser

St Wilfrid’s Church’s Choral Scholarship Scheme is now approaching its second birthday, which will be celebrated there with a free organ recital by its Director of Music Tim Carpenter at 7pm on Sunday 11th January. A retiring collection will raise funds for the scheme.

This aims to support young choristers local to the Haywards Heath area. Open to people between the ages of 12 to 18, the scholarships provide tuition, travel expenses etc for singing regularly with the church choir during the school terms, with the hope of inspiring a love and knowledge of the sacred choral canon. St Wilfrid’s choir sings chronologically and stylistically wide-ranging anthems and other sacred music at the weekly 9.30am Sunday Eucharist and 6pm Second Sunday Choral Evensong services.

The Choral Scholarship Scheme is sustained mainly from donations made at the church’s series of 7pm post-Evensong free recitals. These showcase singers and instrumentalists from London to Brighton and have included piano, organ, saxophone and solo singer recitals and chamber music, from Bach, Scarlatti, Brahms and Debussy to Szymanowski, Keith Jarrett and Elton John. They resume on 11th January. Visit the church website (www.stwilfridshaywardsheath.org.uk) and search events.

St Wilfrid’s Church, overlooking South Road, was dedicated in 1865 to the man who introduced Sussex to Christianity and Roman psalm-singing. Its excellent acoustics and fine Tickell pipe organ (1998) have long established it as a popular concert venue for local musical groups such as the Hayward Heath Music Society. It also hosts Ardingly Choral Society’s annual Mid Sussex Remembrance Concert.

12 Days Before Christmas Challenge with Haywards Heath Foodbank

The team at Haywards Heath Life have joined forces with Haywards Heath Foodbank to add a bit of festive cheer by supporting families in need over the holiday season. We’re calling it the 12 Days Before Christmas Challenge, and the idea is simple… get a box or a bag for life and from today, and each day in the run up to 22nd December, add an item to help feed a local family who are struggling.

Heather Cooper, Foodbank Manager, says: “The best items to add are tins of meat, fruit, soup and vegetables, and packets of cereal, rice longlife fruit juice and longlife milk. Best not to include fresh or perishable food, but if you want to add a little treat, that really would make someone’s Christmas.”

Then, take your contribution to one of the designated Foodbank collection points in the town. These include St. Richard’s Church on Sydney Road, Sainsbury’s, Tesco Express, and Waitrose. Or you can drop off at the Foodbank warehouse itself on Delaware Road, off Western Road. Just check opening times beforehand.

Christmas is a time of giving, and this kind gesture could make all the difference to people or families wondering how they will get by this Christmas. On their behalf, THANK YOU!

Refurb starts in Victoria Park with temporary closure

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Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) has confirmed that the play area at Victoria Park will be closed to the public from Monday 17th November.

The contractor, Blakedown Landscapes, will be on site to begin upgrading the play area and South Road entrance at Victoria Park, to create a more inclusive and accessible space for all.
Key improvements include a wider entrance from South Road with high quality steps and a gentler slope. Paths are being enhanced to improve access between upper and lower levels, including better connections into and through the play space. Play facilities are being upgraded with a new accessible play platform, plenty of swings, toddler play area, and play embankment. The popular Splash Pad will remain, now set within a more inviting space with new seating and picnic benches.

An MSDC spokesperson said: “The play area and north eastern entrance to the park will be closed for approximately four months while work is carried out. We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back to a revitalised, more inclusive park soon.”

Where can I pick up Haywards Heath Life?

For our November issue of this magazine, we are pleased to have distributed nearly 4,000 copies via our network of dispensers – not bad for a brand-new magazine that no-one had heard of before!
We are delighted that you have found your way to this copy of Haywards Heath Life, however we want to make it super easy for you to grab your copy next month too. Below is the list of locations for our branded dispensers. We are currently working on a couple more locations that we hope to have confirmed soon – but these below are solid locations for you to grab your next copy.
(Click below to open maps)

Sainsburys Haywards Heath, Bannister Way RH16 1DG - In store
Waitrose & Partners, Market Place, Haywards Heath RH16 1DJ - In store
Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath RH16 4EX - At coffee shop
Haywards Heath Town Hall, Boltro Road RH16 1BA - Inside foyer
Dolphin Leisure Centre, Pasture Hill Road, RH16 1LY - Inside foyer
Tory’s Cafe in the Park, Victoria Park RH16 4HT - Outside
Jack Hayward signpost, Perrymount Road / Heath Road junction - Outside
Bus Stop, The Broadway (opp The Star), - One-way system
Haywards Heath Baptist Church, Sussex Road RH16 4DZ - Outside
Kamsons Pharmacy, Larch Way, RH16 3TY - Outside
Bridee Whyte Funerals, South Road, RH16 4LA - Outside
Co-op Bolnore, Middle Village, RH16 4GH - In store
The Yews Centre, Boltro Road, RH16 1BJ - Inside foyer

You will also find Haywards Heath Life available to collect in smaller numbers at dozens of shops, cafés and doctors surgeries in the town.
Each issue of the magazine will be available to collect from the beginning of the month – so you always know when you can go and find your fresh copy of Haywards Heath Life.

Behind the Counter: Hart Country Stores

By Mary Collins 

Located at the centre of Haywards Heath, Hart Country Stores is far more than just a café – it’s a thoughtfully curated destination that blends artisanal retail, handcrafted food and drink, carefully chosen gifts and homewares, and a genuine sense of community spirit. 

Step inside and you’re greeted by the comforting aromas of coffee and freshly baked cake, the gentle hum of conversation, and shelves lined with beautifully packaged goods that invite further exploration.

Since opening its doors in 2021 on South Road, this independently-run company has established itself as a local staple, thanks to the vision and dedication of Sussex-born siblings Daryl and Casey Ruse, their mother Sue, and Daryl’s partner Christian Harris, all of whom play vital roles in the day-to-day running of the business. Their combined talents, shared values, experience, and easy banter have created a space that feels both personal and professional.

Part café, part food shop, part boutique gift store, Hart brings something unique to the town. It offers refined, modern-rustic charm – think the warmth of a countryside farm shop with the considered touches of a private members’ club. 

The 50-cover space serves freshly made breakfasts, brunches and lunches, alongside barista coffees, specialist loose-leaf teas, small-batch groceries, stylish homewares and carefully selected gifts. It’s a space designed to delight the senses while remaining accessible and down-to-earth – a balance that’s not easy to strike, but one this family team has managed with ease.

The genesis of Hart was formed during the pandemic – a time of reflection, rethinking, and for many, reinvention. For chef and co-founder Daryl it was a chance to channel his wide industry experience and long-held ambition into something tangible. “It was always a dream to create something special in catering retail. Lockdown gave us the time to really plan and research every aspect of the business. Later when we were allowed out and about, we spent hours on South Road watching people and how they moved around the town and what caught their attention. My love of coffee sparked the idea, but what we’ve built has become something much bigger.”

Excerpt from full article, published in November 2025 issue of Haywards Heath Life

Haywards Heath duo to drop their debut album: Sweet Loretta

Haywards Heath’s own Sweet Loretta are making waves beyond Mid Sussex - and now they’re gearing up for their biggest release yet. The local duo, made up of lifelong friends Quinn Humphreys and Fraser Blanchflower, will release their much-anticipated debut album at the end of November.

The two have been making music together for over ten years, mixing their love of 70s and 80s pop, soul and funk into a sound that’s all their own – a fresh twist on alternative pop.

They’ve already been turning heads. Their 2024 EP No Small Parts has picked up over 130,000 streams on Spotify, and last year they went international, supporting the acclaimed artist Kishi Bashi on tour across America and Europe.

Their latest single In The End dropped in late September and even got some airplay on BBC Radio Sussex – a great moment for the musicians making their mark.

With a hometown connection and an ever-growing fanbase, this debut album promises to be a milestone moment - not just for Sweet Loretta, but for the local music community too.

Lead vocalist Quinn said: “We’re thrilled to be releasing our debut album. It’s been a long and winding journey to get here. And no matter where we play - whether that’s London or New York - we always think back to our very first gig at the Albemarle Centre!”

If you haven’t heard them yet, now’s the time to tune in. Keep an eye (and an ear!) out for the release this November, and join us in cheering on two of Haywards Heath’s finest as they take their next big step.

Talk of the Town: Duncan Pascoe

Duncan Pascoe, mayor

By Rebecca Jabbar 

Every town has its rhythm, and in Haywards Heath it’s an easy one to recognise. The calm of Muster Green, the bustle of The Broadway, the balance between community life and quiet space, together they give the town its sense of belonging.

To explore that spirit, Mayor Duncan Pascoe takes us on a metaphorical walk through the place he calls home. Along the way, he shares the moments, people and places that tell the story of a town proud of where it’s been and confident about where it’s going.

Duncan’s connection with Haywards Heath began long before his time in office. “My dad lived here, so I’d visit, and we’d go for dinner on The Broadway,” he recalls. “I didn’t really get to know the town properly until later, when I moved back myself. During Covid, my dad and I were renting in the same area, so we’d meet for walks or runs. It was really special being in the same town.”

That time made him realise how much he wanted to invest in the place, not just personally, but as part of the community. “This is where I’ve planted roots. It’s home now. I just felt that if you care about the place you live, you should put something back in.”

Most mornings start with a run or a walk with his dog, often stopping for a coffee, a habit, he admits with a grin, that his Swedish wife has encouraged. “She’s a big coffee drinker,” he says. “It’s become our little routine here.” It’s the kind of small rhythm that reflects the town’s character too: active, sociable and proud of its places to eat and drink.

That motivation led him to stand on the Town Council, and later to become Mayor. He still sounds slightly amused by how it started. “They told me, ‘We’ll put your name down as a candidate,’ and I thought, sure, why not? It was a real dip-your-toe moment. But then we had this huge turnover of councillors, which actually created a fresh start. None of us were tied to how things had always been done, so we could really think differently.”

Read the full article in the November 2025 issue of Haywards Heath Life