The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > West Sussex > Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath photos (96 available)

Old photo of Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath maps (2 available)

Old map of Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath books (10 available)

Haywards Heath memories

Buses

Haywards Heath, South Road c1950

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

People in the picture

Haywards Heath, South Road c1950

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.
Contributed by Sally Mitchell

Shop names

Haywards Heath, The Broadway c1950

'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).
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Bus station

Haywards Heath, the Crossroads c1950

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

More Building Use

Haywards Heath, Commercial Square c1960

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 ...read more here
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

"The Serg"

Haywards Heath, the Sergison Arms c1960

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

The Landlords daughter

Haywards Heath, the Sergison Arms c1960

I courted Bob Turner's daughter Pauline, and have very happy memories of times spent at The Serg. Where is Pauline now???? Dennis Nichols
Contributed by Dennis Nichols

Sergison Arms

Haywards Heath, the Sergison Arms c1960

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
Contributed by michael robson

Shops

Haywards Heath, Boltro Road c1960

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Charles Clarke clock

Haywards Heath, Boltro Road c1960

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 ?
Contributed by Sally Mitchell

The Park

Haywards Heath, the Park c1960

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!
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Shops and businesses

Haywards Heath, the Broadway c1960

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 ...read more here
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Shops and businesses

Haywards Heath, The Boadway c1960

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.
Contributed by Peter Benner

Dinnages Toy Shop

Haywards Heath, South Road c1965

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

The Star

Haywards Heath, the Broadway c1950

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).
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Standard 8 Tourer

Haywards Heath, the Recreation Ground c1950

This neat little Standard 8 Tourer (DNJ 785 - an East Sussex registration from 1947) could then get down nearly to the pavilion.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Spectators

Haywards Heath, the Recreation Ground c1950

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.
Contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

Perrymount Cinema

Haywards Heath, Perrymount Road c1950

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.

Contributed by john king

Extracts From Haywards Heath & West Sussex books

Haywards Heath, Perrymont Road and Commercial Square c1950

Beyond the bus stop on the left-hand side is the Perrymount cinema, which also housed a dance hall and a café. It opened in 1936, and was very popular; it was also easy to get to, being a mere quickstep away from the railway station (off to the right of this view). Note the people under Edward Hodges` sunblind, which protected the garments displayed from becoming faded. Possibly some of the merchandise could only be purchased with the correct quantity of coupons, as wartime rationing had not yet ended.
An extract from from"Haywards Heath Living Memories".

Haywards Heath, the Recreation Ground c1950

This attractive children`s play area is set amongst pine trees next to the cricket pitch. The children in this photograph seem to be really enjoying themselves. The central swing boat was popular with younger children, and the little girl in the centre seems to be anxiously waiting her turn. The couple pushing the pram are possibly keeping an eye on the cricket as well as admiring the baby.
An extract from from"Haywards Heath Living Memories".

Haywards Heath, South Road c1950

The number 29 bus from Lewes is probably on the final part of its journey into Haywards Heath. Note the men on their bicycles and their clothes - only one of them is not wearing a tie. The building on the extreme right is the fire station. In 1961 the fire service moved to purpose- built premises near Commercial Square, and this building was demolished in 1981. Victoria Gate (shops with offices above) now stands on the site. On the left of the photograph, the parade of shops remains recognisable today, though the proprietors have changed.
An extract from from"Haywards Heath Living Memories".

Haywards Heath, the Crossroads c1950

This photograph was taken from the platform of the railway station and emphasises the station`s elevated position. The building on the left with the decorative heraldic badge between the upper windows is the Burrell Arms pub. Both the pub and the nearby shops were always useful to the increasing number of people who used the transport links here. The single-storey building standing on the right of the photograph is where the bus station was built in 1954. The traffic roundabout had only just been completed, hence the title of this photograph. This view has changed very little during the past 50 years.
An extract from from"Haywards Heath Living Memories".

Haywards Heath, South Road c1950

This photograph was probably taken on a Saturday afternoon when it was possibly the only time in the working week when couples and/or families could go shopping together. It certainly would not be a Sunday, as no shop would be open for business. Society was becoming more affluent - note the number of private cars in this picture.
An extract from from"Haywards Heath Living Memories".