Talks and Events
Our meetings bring together, in a friendly environment, those who are interested, or would like to find out about the history Burgess Hill and its links to the wider field of local or national history.
The meetings take place on the second Friday of most months at the Cyprus Hall in Cyprus Road, members £3.00 (inc. other societies), non members £5, with refreshments and a raffle. Normally the doors open at 7.30pm, with a start time of 8pm. New members are very welcome. From 1 January 2026 annual subscriptions are: Single £20 and Family £30. If you would like more details about becoming a member please email us via the Contact page.
The AGM is held in November and a members’ fun social Christmas event follows in December. The committee meets regularly throughout the year and is always keen to welcome any members who would like to join in and lend a hand.
We publish an annual programme (see below), but our newsletters are temporarily suspended, we hope to reinstate these in the future. Our current programme below and an example of one of our previous Newsletters.
The AGM is held in November and a members’ social follows in December. The committee meets regularly throughout the year and is always keen to welcome any members who would like to join in and lend a hand.
Our Programme for 2027
8 January 2027
Silly Sussex - County tales & legendsSilly Sussex - County tales & legends
John Lawrenson will explain how tall tales and urban legends of Sussex reveal a sense of humour – oft irreverent & ridiculous. A fun start to 2027 with audience interaction !12 February 2027
The Romans in Burgess Hill & Mid SussexThe Romans in Burgess Hill & Mid Sussex
David Rudling will speak on Roman Settlements and land use in Burgess Hill/Mid Sussex, looking at roads and key sites such as Roman Villas at Clayton & Hurstpierpoint.
12 March 2027
A family story - The Ashdown Forest disputeA family story - The Ashdown Forest dispute
What happens when family history meets local history ? Helen Rimmer talks on discovering John Buckman, an ancestor, and uses his experiences to explore “The Ashdown Forest dispute”.
9 April 2027
St Wilfrid - North & SouthSt Wilfrid - North & South
Using recent research, Melvyn Walmsley looks at the lasting influence of Wilfrid, the northerner who brought Christianity to Sussex in the 680’s. Churches in Burgess Hill & Haywards Heath bear his name today.
14 May 2027
The History of The British Empire at Newtimber ChurchThe History of The British Empire at Newtimber Church
The Norman Church of St John the Evangelist @ Newtimber nestles beneath the South Downs. Prof. Alan Lester speaks on the the church connection with slavery, colonialism, and WW1.
11 June 2027
Sussex Literary LandscapesSussex Literary Landscapes
Sussex has much great literature. Geoffrey Mead will discuss travel writing, diaries, novels, poetry, government reports, and local histories. We will be taken from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle via Defoe, Cobbett, and Graham Greene, through to the 21st century.
9 July 2027
Mysteries of SussexMysteries of Sussex
Chris Horlock looks at mysterious occurrences in Sussex – the rise of spiritualism, belief in fairies, UFO’s and crop circles. The talk includes ghost tales & Sussex legends like The Long Man of Wilmington.
August 2027
Members' annual WalkMembers' annual walk
Details to be advised10 September 2027
Gideon Mantell - Dinosaur hunter of LewesGideon Mantell - Dinosaur hunter of Lewes
IIn In 1822 near Lewes, a doctor visiting a patient chanced on an object he recognised as a dinosaur tooth. Ray Hale tells how the discovery led to Mantell becoming a famous writer, lecturer, & palaeontologist.
8 October 2027
A dark little history of SussexA dark little history of Sussex
Kevin Newmans talk takes a dark trajectory exploring Sussex’s past. We find dark days, destinations, deeds and demises, as well as Brightons 1962 Blue Gardenia murder! There will also be light-hearted highlights, even in the darkest days of the counties past.
13 November 2026
AGM plus illustrated talk on Burgess Hill of oldOur AGM will start 19.30 followed by a talk from our members Ghislaine Davis & Peter Freer-Ash. This will be an illustrated walk round Burgess Hill over the last 150 years or so, with many interesting photos of how the town looked in Victorian and Edwardian times.
11 December 2026
Members' Christmas Social -details to be advisedMerry Christmas everyone.
Some past Talks
The Salt Industry of the Adur Valley by Janet Pennington
History of Balcombe by Tony Perkins
Brighton before the Pavilion by Dr Geoffrey Mead
My Mum was a Land Girl by Ian Everest