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.”