Haywards Heath memories
Here are memories of Haywards Heath and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Haywards Heath or a Haywards Heath photo.
Hayward Heath Schoolfarm 1952-57
I was aged about 10 or 11 years old and went to a large school, it was like a big mansion with a farm attached to it. The headmaster was named Mr Mann, and his wife also helped run the school. I can't find the school on the internet and would appreciate some info as this is my childhood I can't really remember.
Schooldays
I lived in Haywards Heath between 1948 and the early 1960s. I lived the other side of Victoria Park and walked each day through the town to St. Clair School. I seem to remember that there were some stables on the left of this photo in the foreground and often used to stop and talk to the horses.
Sharrow School
Amazed to find a reference to Sharrow School where I was a ten year old schoolboy in 1934. I remember the train room and friends named Allwood, Ffoulkes and I guess that is about all. The Allwood brothers family grew carnations I remember, the younger one was nicknamed "Onion" .We went to Great Walstead School, near Lindfield for sports days as they had a wonderful estate and gym facilities. My goodness, 76 years ago!!
Perrymount Cinema
As a child I went to the ABC minors every Saturday morning, it cost six old pence to get in. I think the last film that was shown at the cinema was in 1971, it was called Shaft and starred Richard Roundtree. I was one of the few there.
People in The Picture
My family friend Mrs Pat Davey thinks that the people on the right, walking along the pathway are her & her late husband William (Bill) Davey.
Charles Clarke Clock
My Dad put up the clock that used to hang outside his office of Charles Clarke printers in Boltro Road. Does anybody know what happened to it ?
Sergison Arms
I worked at The Serg in 1970-72, had a lot of great times there - The landlord was Len Henshaw who could enjoy a large gin for breakfast. Many really colourful regulars at that time
The Landlords Daughter
I courted Bob Turner's daughter Pauline, and have very happy memories of times spent at The Serg. Where is Pauline now???? Dennis Nichols
Shop Names
'The Hayward' sign was outside 'Haywards Cafe & Restaurant' which flourished until the 1960s when it successively became 'Delmontes', 'Pieros', 'La Ferola' and now 'The Blue India'. Going down the right hand side of the Broadway facing north, one had immediatelyThe National Provincial Bank (with flats over;Mr Bill Lowings was the last manager to live 'over the shop' in the 1950s), then Evans (electrical) and Miss Warnett's wool shop. On the other side of the road looking north as depicted were Broadley Brothers (tailors), a dairy later a bakers, Mulhollands (shoe shop) and Ballards (grocers).
Buses
I cannot recall this single-decker Leyland bus on the 29 Route from Lewes. It is worth noting that up to the 1950s most of the local bus routes were serviced by single and double decker laylands (with even a few pre-war 'Gilfords') but the Haywards Heath circular route (no 84) was always serviced by 'utility' GUY double deckers.
Bus Station
It could be an AEC double decker that is running into the bus station in this picture. I think it could be a little later than 1950 because of the 'embryo' roundabout, bnut not much because of the single decker leyland on the station forecourt. 'The Burrell Arms' (centre left), revamped in the 1930s, was once run by the father of cricketer Maurice Tate.
Shops And Businesses
This is the Broadway as I knew it. Both the Middlesex registered Driving School Morris 1000 and the East Sussex registered Morris 1000 truck MPN556 date this to after 1958. On the right beyond Eastman's the cleaners were WF measor (haberdashers), JD Neal (who took over the business of F Butcher, jewellers), James Langridge (the Sussex Cricketer) who ran a toy shop, and beyond that was Ballards the grocers. On the left was mcMillans butchers but this shop was before that run by WE Kenneth Licoln farmer and pork butcher of Wivelsfield and a local magistrate from about 1937. His mother ran a butchers shop in Sussex Square. The building at right angles half way up on the right was Dixons the chemists. Some of their stained glass adverts can still be seen on the windows of the clothes shop there today. The blinds beyond are over the shop of Hydes, later Rixons, fishmongers. This was all before the 'Star Roundabout' became... Read more
The Star
This is taken from outside the Star and shows (as does H252583) the system that pevailed before the Star became not jsut a pub but a roundabout eg things could turn right down the Broadway and Muster green north was still a through road. The 36 bus is going to East Grinstead (although the 30 only went to Chelwood Common to connect with another bus).
Standard 8 Tourer
This neat little Standard 8 Tourer (DNJ 785 - an East Sussex registration from 1947) could then get down nearly to the pavilion.
Shops And Businesses
By this time Seeboard have taken over the Uptons building but Caffyns still have their garage premises which finally became a furniture salesroom in about 1982. the one way system has still not been created (see H252069), the restaurant is still 'Haywards' and the bank is the National Provincial.
The Park
The "Park" - known to us as "The Rec". I walked across this daily to and from my prep school 1945-50 and our scout troup did it's wodcraft here!
"The Serg"
I was a fairly regular customer at "The Serg" from about 1955 to 1967. Mr Turner was the first landlord I knew and he was succeeded by Stan and Betty Allen who came from "The Charter" at Epsom.
Shops
I suspect this is a little earlier than 1960 (but after 1956) the first building on the right was the offices of "Waugh Brummell and Barron" later Waugh & Co Solicitors and still going strong. The original Waughs were prominent in the C19 not only as solicitors but clerks to the Local Board, Magistrates and the newly formed Council. Further down on the right, up to the 1960's were "Jacksons Ironmongers", "Hoadley and Wickham" (provision merchants), Clarkes Book Shop and the offices of the Mid Sussex Times, Wrights (tobacconists), Cheals (hairdressers), a green grocers and Lloyds Bank.
More Building Use
As can be seen (also in 252002 & 252006), the 1930's "Psuedo Tudor" block on the corner then contained "Dewhursts" the multiple butchers, 2 (later 3) frontages for "Edward Hodges" an independent tailor and outfitter, then "Sussex Stationers" (manager Bruce Gillett?), The "Copper Kettle Cafe" (owned and run by Mr and Mrs Hyslop) and "Scilla" (hairdresser). The offices of "Vincent Penfold" estate agent, fronted Perrymount Circna and the tile hung building beyond was Commercial House offices of "Bradley and Vaughan", estate agents (see also H252586). I still work in the successor to "Comercial House", the sons of the original Mr Vaughan being my Landlords and the grandson still being an estate agent on the other side of Perrymount Road. By 1960 the former Beeny's Emporium had ceased to be Forrest Stores (grocers) and was divided into several uses.
Spectators
It is possible that amongst the spectators of cricket on the lower tier maybe boys from "Sharrow School" in Heath Road, which I attended from 1945-50 because we played cricket there (see also H252587). If so, it is also possible that the lady standing in the foreground could be Miss Irwin (later Mrs Singer) a mistress at the school.
Dinnages Toy Shop
Before George Hilton and Sons took over the buildings on the right as a furniture store (now Robert Dyas) it was Dinnages Toy Shop (a subsidiary of the garage company) where I bought my "Dinky" toys in the 1940's. The shop on this side was J Norton - bespoke outfitters.
Memories of West Sussex
Living on The Estate
As a young boy I lived on Paxhill Estate from the end of the Second World War whilst my grandfather was the head gardner to Mr.Sturdy who owned this fine house, which I understand is now a nursing home. The estate was fully independent with a fully operational farm, garden and laundry with a staff of over 30. During the war Canadian Regiments were billeted in the woods near where this picture was taken - the pond leading up to the main house. My grandfather Walter Harris was the head gardener in many Sussex and Surrey estates prior to coming to Paxhill in 1937.
I have very fond memories of Paxhill Estate life, and as you could imagine as a young boy of 9 it was paradise. There was the scary Nunnery Wood where you never ventured becuase of strange goings on, the Quarry Wood full of bluebells and the dark pine wood where nothing grew. Fresh food and vegetables were free and plentiful.
Thanks.
Brian.
My Grandfather
My grandfather owned the corner shop in the High Street, it was a sweet shop. He was known as Pop Brooks. Grandad was loved by the villagers. His only son, Harry, my dad, was killed on 20th December 1942. My dad's name was Harry Brookes, he was 27 when he lost his life. After my dad was killed in Bomber Command, I came to stay with Pop. My dad's name is in the church. This year I have found through the internet a man who knew my dad and flew on some of the same missions. My family and I have been invited to 9 Squadron Reunion. I always remember sitting in the shop window as the pipers marched by on Remembrance Day. There was someone called Pip in the village, but I can't remember who they were. Grandad lost his first wife at the age of 43. Poor Grandad lost his wife and only child and I loved him very much.
CSCC HQ
The White Harte was Home to the Central Sussex Cycling Club though the 1950s, 60s and into the 70s. My connection began in 1960 at age 16 whilst still at school (at Hove Grammar) and continued for about 5 years, while I was an active club cyclist. My interest in cycle sport has remained throughout my life. In the early 60s the CSCC met on Thursday evenings in the club room behind the pub, although in truth we spent much of our time in the small snug bar (as it was then) to the left of the public bar. In 1960 the hosts were Mr and Mrs Stuchbury but by the date of the photo in 1965, 'Stuch' had retired and the landlord was Joe Mitchell. At the end of Sunday club runs to places as far away as Guildford, Chichester, Sevenoaks, and even sometimes to central London, we would return to the White Harte to end the day, often sharing the bar with a lively group of members from... Read more
Doreen Goodchild
Doreen Goodchild my grandmother worked here as a nurse sometime between 1960-1975, before moving on to work at Chailey Heritage Hospital. I would be interested to hear from anyone who might know more about Cuckfield hospital and its history or if anyone remembers my grandmother Doreen Goodchild working there. Also my half sister Rachel was born at Cuckfield Hospital on 18th April 1973.
Central Sussex Cycling Club
I was a club member for a few years in my teens and early 20s from 1960 to 1965, after which courting took more of my Sundays and playing football for Clayton in the Mid Sussex league became my sporting focus. But I have fond memories of Sunday club runs starting from Frank Leppard's bike shop at Clock House, time trialling and wishing I could do better than a 1.3 for a 25 (cyclists will understand) and some great evenings in The White Harte with sing songs round the piano. The farewell party to 'Stuch' Stuchbury when he retired as landlord was an amazing night. We sang "There aint a landlord living in the land, as we'd swop for our dear old Stuch' and the old man, hard bitten ex-seaman, was in tears. Sad, but memorable.
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,875 memories of 5,950 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Maesgeirchen, Gwynedd
- Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire
- Godstone, Surrey
- Eastleigh, Hampshire
- Oldham, Lancashire
- Hawley, Hampshire
- Eamont Bridge, Cumbria
- Southgate, Greater London
- Chiddingfold, Surrey
- Souldern, Oxfordshire
- Stanhope, County Durham
- Helsby, Cheshire
- Collyhurst, Lancashire
- Ribbleton, Lancashire
- Gillingham, Kent
- Boxley, Kent
- Bridge Of Gairn, Aberdeenshire
- Kempsey, Worcestershire
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
- Heswall, Merseyside
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
