Cricket club in the Haywards Heath since 1897

Haywards Heath Cricket Club has been playing at Clair Park since 1897 and is now one of the biggest clubs in Sussex, running five senior sides in the Sussex Cricket League, a Sunday XI, a Midweek Slam T20 team, a women’s softball team, the Honeybees, and a growing girls’ hardball section. The junior section has over 320 members from under 5s to under 16s, with more than 500 families from across the community involved in the club. During the summer months, there is rarely a day when cricket isn’t being played somewhere on the ground.

Volunteers maintain the cricket square and outfield, which is also shared with the public for recreational use. The pavilion has been significantly updated internally thanks to support from Mid Sussex District Council, and the club has invested in its social facilities to make it a welcoming place to watch cricket, enjoy a drink, or have something to eat.

Haywards Heath Cricket Club has been a fixture of the local community for more than a century, facing its fair share of challenges and change along the way. From the current Aldi development to the imminent proposals concerning Clair Hall and the adjacent car park serving Clair Park, the club has continued to adapt while maintaining its important role within the town. While the latest plans present potential concerns, the club is confident that Mid Sussex District Council and whichever party ultimately develops the site will recognise and respect its rich history and enduring contribution to the many families and residents of Haywards Heath, past, present, and future.

Senior Section
After five games, the 1st XI, who play in the Premier Division, the highest tier of the Sussex Cricket League, are currently ninth. The 2nd XI sit third in Division 5, the 3rd XI third in Division 8, and the 4th XI also third in their division. The 5th XI is currently ninth in Division 11.

Junior Section
League teams are up and running at every age group from under 8s to under 15s, with the under 16s due to start next week. The girls’ teams at under 11, under 12, under 14 and under 16 level have all begun the season strongly. Forty girls and boys are currently on the Sussex Pathway programme, and the club recently hosted two under 12 Pathway games at Clair Park, with five Haywards Heath representatives in the side.

In a recent highlight, the under 12s won the prestigious SJCF Bowl final, beating West Chiltington by ten wickets.

Full fixture lists and results for all teams are available at haywardsheath.play-cricket.com Anyone wishing to join the club in any capacity can contact Gary Honeysett at haywardsheathcricketclub@outlook.com.

Local Community Network brings together those with dementia

Last month, a dementia event funded by Mid Sussex District Council’s Local Community Network brought together people living with dementia and their carers for a day of information, advice and lunch.

Organised for the Mid Sussex Older Peoples Council, the event featured talks and information from a wide range of organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, Raise Your Voice dementia singing project, Sussex Police, Brighton and Hove Buses, Carers Support, Tu Vida, Age UK’s dementia team, Wakehurst dementia walks, and Martlet Manor Care Home. Good Oaks Home Care also attended to offer support, and several local social prescribers were on hand throughout the day.

Sussex Police brought information on the Herbert Protocol, which encourages carers and family members to complete a vital information form about a vulnerable person living with dementia in case they go missing. A form can be found at www.medicalert.org.uk or phone 01908 951045.

Brighton and Hove Buses talked about how all their frontline drivers are trained Dementia Friends to enable patience and understanding, and explained that the buses’ seating, lighting, flooring, and announcements are all designed to be dementia friendly. They brought information on their Helping Hand Scheme card, which you can show to a driver discreetly with a brief written instruction of what assistance you need. To apply for one phone 01273 886200 or go to www.buses.co.uk/helpinghand

Haywards Heath Deputy Mayor Cllr Bashar attended and gave a heartfelt speech to those present.

Wild West Week at Orchards Haywards Heath

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Dust off your cowboy boots and saddle up for family fun as Wild West Week rides into The Orchards Shopping Centre from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th August.

For five action-packed days, the centre will be transformed into a Wild West adventure, packed with free activities, live entertainment and opportunities for visitors of all ages to join in the fun.

Whether you’re a budding cowboy, a line-dancing enthusiast or simply looking for something different to do during the summer holidays, there’s something for everyone.

Family fun throughout the week

Visitors can enjoy a varied programme of activities, including: Line dancing lessons, Wild West prize bingo, Live country music from Whiskey Over Ice (Friday and Saturday), Rodeo bull rides (Friday and Saturday), Free children’s games and activities, plus lots of food and drink vendors and local market stalls.

Supporting a fantastic local charity

Wild West Week will also help raise awareness and funds for Kangaroos Mid Sussex, a local charity providing vital support and opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, as well as respite and support for their families. A range of fundraising activities throughout the week will give visitors the chance to support a worthy local cause while enjoying some light-hearted Wild West fun.

Learn to line dance

One of the highlights of the week will be the daily line-dancing sessions led by local favourites Line Dance Fit and Cindy Lou’s Line & Country Dancing. Suitable for all ages and abilities, these friendly sessions are designed to get people moving, laughing and giving something new a try—no experience required. Both organisations have generously donated their time and expertise to support Kangaroos Mid Sussex. A suggested donation of £3 per person will go directly to the charity. Advance booking is required.

Wild West Bingo

Fancy something a little different? Join the Wild West Prize Bingo session at 10.30am on Wednesday morning. For an entry fee of £6 per adult and £3 per child, participants can enjoy six fun-filled rounds with a selection of themed prizes up for grabs.

More than just shopping

Wild West Week forms part of The Orchards Shopping Centre’s ongoing commitment to bringing exciting community events to the heart of Haywards Heath. Centre Events Manager Miranda Virgo said: “We wanted to create something a little different this summer to encourage families to spend time together while supporting our local retailers and our charity of the year. Wild West Week combines entertainment, creativity, music and community spirit, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors for what promises to be a fantastic week.”

So, round up the family and head down to The Orchards this August for a week of Wild West-themed entertainment, community spirit and summer holiday fun.

For more information email hello@theorchardsshopping.co.uk, follow on social media or see www.theorchardsshopping.co.uk

Coro Nuovo concert in St Wilfrid’s Church this July 2026

Music lovers in Sussex are in for a remarkable evening this summer as St Wilfrid’s Church, Haywards Heath hosts an exceptional celebration of young musical talent on Saturday 11th July at 7pm.

Acclaimed local choir Coro Nuovo will present its much-anticipated Summer Prom Concert — an elegant evening of classical favourites and beloved musical theatre performances.

The highlight of the evening will be a prestigious competition featuring three outstanding Sussex Young Musicians, each competing for the coveted title along with financial awards worth up to £5,000. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to experience some of the country’s most promising emerging performers before they embark on what are sure to be glittering professional careers.

From soaring classical masterpieces to memorable show tunes, the programme promises an uplifting and entertaining night designed to appeal to seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike. With the atmosphere of a traditional summer prom and the excitement of live competition, the concert is expected to be one of the cultural highlights of the Sussex summer calendar.

Tickets are available now: www.coronuovo.org.uk/tickets For further information call 01444 717750.

Marathon comes to Haywards Heath on 3rd May

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Training for a race takes commitment, consistency, and attention to detail… but one thing that’s often overlooked? Your vision. Whether it’s reacting quickly to changes in terrain, staying focused in bright conditions, or simply feeling comfortable mile after mile, clear vision can make a real difference to your performance and overall experience.

That’s where the headline sponsor for the Haywards Heath 10 Mile comes in. As a proudly independent, family-run practice based right here in the town, Haydenswan Eyecare is built around community. Co-founder Claire Hayden said: “We’re here for the early morning runners, the weekend joggers, the PB chasers, and everyone in between. Supporting local events like this is our way of giving back to the people we care about most, you.”

As part of Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend, the event comes to Haywards Heath on Sunday 3rd May, and includes Mid Sussex Fun Run, Mid Sussex Mile and the 10 mile, which starts on South Road before entering Victoria Park to complete two course loops covering roads, paths, trails and footpaths in and around Haywards Heath. Much of the route is offroad and mainly traffic free. The fun run starts at 9.30am, the mile (aimed at junior runners) at 10am, with the 10 mile kicking off at 10.30am.

Go to the website (www.midsussexmarathon.co.uk) for more information about all the events. Arrive early, if you are wanting to book a place to run on the day.

The Mewes vets and Raystede pop-up event

On Thursday 2nd April, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, a well-known local animal charity dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them, will be visiting The Mewes Vets for a special pop-in event focused on all things dog behaviour. Taking place from 10am until 3pm, this informal and friendly event will give dog owners and animal lovers the opportunity to meet members of Raystede’s knowledgeable team and learn more about understanding canine behaviour.

Whether you have a new puppy, a rescue dog settling into a new home, or simply want to better understand your dog’s body language and communication, the Raystede team will be on hand to share helpful advice and practical guidance. Visitors will be able to ask questions about common behaviour challenges such as lead pulling, recall, barking, separation worries, and socialisation with other dogs.

The aim of the day is to help owners build stronger, more positive relationships with their dogs, through understanding, patience, and kind training methods. Raystede has many years of experience supporting animals and educating owners, and events like this are a great opportunity for the community to access expert knowledge in a relaxed environment. The team will also be happy to talk about the wider work Raystede does, including animal rescue, rehoming, and welfare education.

Everyone is welcome to stop by during the day, have a chat, and pick up useful tips to help their dogs live happier and more confident lives.

Marion and the Haywards Heath Harriers

From setting up beginner-friendly running groups to launching parkrun in the town, Marion Hemsworth has spent the last 15 years making running accessible to the Haywards Heath community, and her latest project could transform how our community stays active for years to come. Here she talks about her life and love of running.

By Lydia Turner

Marion’s journey to Mid Sussex began in the north of England where she was born in Warrington and brought up in Manchester. It was her passion for teaching that brought her south to attend university in London where she completed a teaching qualification. Marion and her husband then made the move to Mid Sussex, initially living in Ardingly before settling in Haywards Heath where she and her husband brought up their three children. Marion taught maths in schools around Sussex for most of her career, before moving into education management and working as an advisor at the Open University. She finished her career at Haywards Heath College from where she retired in 2010.

In her 30s, Marion dabbled with running, but it wasn’t until she turned 50 that she really found her pace, joining Haywards Heath Harriers and discovering her love of running. Marion said that she started playing squash and then discovered that she was better at the running bit in the squash court than she was at hitting the ball. Running is obviously a passion for Marion. What draws people to running, she believes, is its accessibility. “You don’t have to be a certain standard to run. There’s no entry requirement. You don’t need a team. It fits really well around bringing up children as a way of keeping fit.” For Marion, the appeal goes beyond physical fitness. “I like the fact it’s freedom. And it does make you feel good afterwards, that endorphin boost works for everybody, really. But I also love the social side. We visit park runs around the country with my family, and afterwards you have a coffee, you’ve done something, but now let’s chat, let’s socialise, pick up on everybody’s gossip.”

Marion has had several roles within Haywards Heath Harriers over the years and currently serves as the secretary. What started as simply running with the club gradually evolved into take on the administrative side as well. In 2010, Marion and a friend became aware that there was a group of people who didn’t run with Harriers because they felt that it was too competitive them and that they might not be able to reach the standard set by other members, so Marion and her friend Julie set up a more recreational running group for beginners and the less experienced, not so motivated, not so competitive runners, called J&M Running, which is now well established within the town.

Marion explained how J&M Running also venture out of the town, with trips to the north of the country, back to where Marion was brought up. “We did a Blackpool Lights run, because that area was where we used to go as a family with my mum and dad to Blackpool and the St Anne’s. A group of us also ran the Copenhagen Half last year with Berlin this year for some. We get around!”

Not content with her involvement in both Haywards Heath Harriers and J&M Running, Marion was determined to put her beliefs into action. Convinced that running is an accessible social activity, good for mental and physical health and open to as many people as possible, she threw herself into helping set up a parkrun in the town. Clair parkrun began in 2014, attracting good numbers of people on a Saturday morning and this was also followed by another parkrun at Wakehurst, further expanding opportunities for local people to become involved in the sport that Marion loves.

To read Marion’s full story, please pick up your copy of Haywards Heath Life through all of March.

Why a Haywards Heath pensioner is running a mile for every year of his age

On 18th February Melvyn Walmsley (75) began his challenge to run 75 miles by 18th March for the Haywards Heath based Anglo-Ghanaian children’s charity Lovey Foundation (UK). With its partner in rural Upper East Ghana, the Lovey Save Child Workers Foundation, supports subsistence farmers’ children into primary schools in Bawku Municipal and Binduri Districts. “Otherwise, they become stone-quarry or farm labourers.” Mervyn says. ‘Lovey’ the nickname of Thomas, the Ghanaian founder who started school in his teens, means ‘kind person.’

Melvyn explains, “Since 2013, 693 children have been supported into 12 rural primary schools. None drop out, many enter secondary or higher education. Only 4% of our income goes on UK overheads, Zoom for trustees’ meetings and our website. 96% funds children into school. We have raised funds through concerts in Cuckfield and Brighton, celebrity poetry evenings, selling Easter and Christmas cards and Thomas’s book The Quarry Girl, car boot sales, and sponsorship of road running, kayaking the Thames, walking from Switzerland to Rome, and a trustee having her hair shaved off.”

Melvyn is running 75 miles, from his home between 18th February and 18th March, his late parents’ birthdays. Melvyn shared that in February to March 2023 he ran 72 miles at 72, but that eight months later he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, requiring six months treatment which prevented him from running again until last autumn.

If you would like to find out more about Melvyn’s run or Lovey Foundation, please contact him on melvyn@ loveyfoundation.org.

Haywards Heath Community Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Community Awards. These Awards provide an opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and thank remarkable local individuals and businesses whose actions have had a positive and lasting impact on the town.

To reflect the diversity of those who live and work in Haywards Heath, nominations are invited across five award categories, alongside the prestigious Mayor’s Award. Individuals and businesses from all parts of the community are eligible, provided their contribution has been voluntary and not connected to their paid work. The award categories are as follows:
Business Award – Community Involvement Recognising a Haywards Heath–based business that has gone the extra mile to support and engage with the local community, enhancing community life and making a positive contribution to the town.
Outstanding Young Person Award - Awarded to a young person under the age of 18 who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community.
Outstanding Adult Award - For an adult aged 18 or over who has made a significant contribution to the community, either through a single act or sustained service over a longer period.
Sports Person of the Year - An award for someone who has excelled in sport, leisure, fitness, or physical activity. Open to people of any age.
Volunteer of the Year Award, in association with Community People - Recognising an individual who has undertaken a voluntary role that benefits the Haywards Heath community. Nominee details will be shared with Community People.
Mayor’s Award = Recognising a person of any age who the mayor believes has made a significant contribution to, and difference within, the town and local community.

Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 16 February. Award winners will be announced and celebrated at a special Community Awards ceremony on Sunday 22 March.

Cllr Duncan Pascoe, the Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, commented: “The Community Awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the people and organisations who quietly make a real difference to life in our town. Every year we are reminded of the generosity, dedication and community spirit that exists across Haywards Heath, and I encourage residents to take the time to nominate those whose efforts deserve to be recognised and celebrated.”

In general, nominees must be aged 18 or over, unless otherwise stated. Full eligibility details are available on the Town Council website. Please visit: www.haywardsheath.gov.uk/community-awards

Haywards Heath Library unveils its fresh new look!

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We’re delighted to share that Haywards Heath Library is now open again, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our newly refurbished space!
Thanks to funding through Section 106 developer contributions, we’ve been able to refresh and revitalise the library, creating a brighter, more inviting environment for everyone who visits. Our aim throughout the project was simple: to make the library an even more comfortable, accessible, and enjoyable place for our community.

As you step inside, you’ll notice the lighter, more open layout and improved seating areas, giving you plenty of choice whether you’re settling in with a book, finding a quiet spot to work, or just dropping by for a browse. We’ve updated the décor and created a calmer, more contemporary feel that we hope makes your time in the library even more enjoyable.

Accessibility has also been a key focus. Wider walkways and clearer sightlines now make it easier to navigate the space, ensuring the library continues to be welcoming for everyone.
We’re especially excited about our new flexible areas, which allow us to host an even greater range of events and activities from reading groups and workshops to community meet-ups and special sessions throughout the year.

The response from visitors so far has been wonderful, and we’re thrilled to see how positively the improvements have been received.
This refurbishment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Haywards Heath Library, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

You can contact us on 01444 255 444 or email us at haywards.heath.library@westsussex.gov.uk