Hurst Life

Your nearest defibrillator in Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common

Click to enlarge

At Hurst Life, we’d like to encourage everyone living and working in the village to familiarise themselves with the sites of the life-saving defibrillator machines and learn how to use them.

An estimated 60,000 people each year in the UK have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and, sadly, less than 10% of those people will survive. Yet if a bystander is able to start CPR, they could double a person’s chances of survival.

Hurstpierpoint has seven machines: one on the outside wall at the Fairfield Rec on Cuckfield Road, another is situated at the bowls club on South Avenue Rec, a third is inside the medical centre on Trinity Road and one is mounted on the wall in the alleyway next to Morley’s on the High Street. There are also defibs available at Court Bushes Community Hub and the Village Centre. Both of these units can be unlocked by a code given by the 999 operator.
Another defibrillator was installed in the village, paid for by Burgess Hill Lions, is located at the St Peter & St James Hospice Distribution Centre on Albourne Road.
The most recent defibrillator has been installed at the Sportsman Pub in Goddards Green. The unit was kindly donated by Downlands School.

In Sayers Common, there is one on the outside wall of the Community Shop (by the door to the hall), while in Albourne there is one inside the primary school, in the gym of Wickwoods Country Club (up Shaves Wood Lane) and one mounted on the outside wall of Albourne Village Hall, to the right of the entrance doors. Not all of these will be available 24/7 but the outside ones listed (pictured) should be.

All of the machines are portable and contain full instructions. Plus, if you are on the phone to 999, the operator will be able to talk you through using these public devices in real time.

A good place for more information is the British Heart Foundation’s website: www.defibfinder.uk - which gives a live listing to all registered defibs, plus FAQs about using them. If you have any information about changes to these defibrillators, then do please let us know, so we can update our knowledge for next time.

Hurstpierpoint's St Lawrence Fair

Welcome to Hurst Life’s St Lawrence Fair event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything regarding the fair.

Since the 14th century, the village of Hurstpierpoint has celebrated the Feast of St Lawrence with a village fair. The fair is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

See also, St Lawrence Fair

We can confirm that fair day will be Saturday 4th July.

How to get involved in this year’s St Lawrence Fair 2026

By Lona McDonald

Hello Hurstpierpoint. Spring is around the corner, and the planning activity for this year’s Fair is hotting up!

2026 theme
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that the theme for this year is a Celebration of Festivals - think Diwali, Glastonbury, Harvest and more - Hurstonbury! We look forward to seeing what our Procession entries come up with to reflect this theme. If you’d like to be a part of it, please get in touch: slf.procession@gmail.com.

Volunteers needed
The Committee are working hard to put everything in place, but there are some things we really need some help with - they don’t all mean being a committee member. A couple of the high-priority roles are:
• Procession co-lead – no experience needed, just backup our procession lead
• Fun-run co-lead – no experience needed, just backup our fun run lead
And there’s other roles such as helping organise fund raising events, or our Friday night event, or just helping out for an hour over the weekend. Please get in touch if you’re interested or would just like to know more about what’s involved.

Advertise with us
It’s not too late to book your space in our Fair programme - advertise your business and support the Fair through your sponsorship - drop us a note to slfair. advertising@gmail.com; the deadline for receiving all adverts is 15th April.

New website
And one more thing - we’re re-launching our website - head over to stlawrencefair.co.uk to have a look… we hope you like it.

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with all things St Lawrence Fair related, and get in touch if you’d like to get involved in any way at all: stlawrencefair@gmail.com or through our socials.

St Lawrence Fair news for 2026

By Paul Melling

Hello Hurstpierpoint, greetings from the St Lawrence Fair committee. We trust you had an enjoyable and restful festive period. As I write this, Hurstpierpoint freezes in subzero temperatures with perhaps a little snow forecast. The warmth of Fair weekend seems a long time away, but your committee and team of volunteers are busy preparing for this year’s fair. We can confirm that fair day will be Saturday 4th July.

The theme for this year’s fair will be locked in soon. If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them, or any comments, ideas, feedback etc. We really need some more help and are looking for people to volunteer in the following roles:
• Health and Safety – join the committee and co-ordinate these activities. H&S experience needed
• Social Media co-ordinator – join the committee to organise our social media activities; we have volunteers to assist with publishing.
• Fun Run co-lead – no experience needed, just backup our fun run lead
• Procession co-lead – no experience needed, just backup our procession lead

Please contact us if you can help, are curious about what is involved, or just want to help out on anything else at stlawrencefair@gmail.com.

Keep a look out for more information on our quiz night being held on Friday 6th February. Tickets are £12.50 per person and include either meat or veggie chilli; teams of up to eight people.

Details of this and future fundraising activities will be circulated on social media, on our website and more traditional methods. Please support us; we look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the run up to and over Fair weekend.

Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council - April news 2026

Reeds Lane Recreation Ground

Despite the heavy rain and poor ground conditions, work commenced on the upgrades to Reeds Lane Recreation Ground in Sayers Common as planned. The new large piece of play equipment, as voted for by local children last year, accessible roundabout and toddler swings have been installed as well as a table tennis table. The play area is now open for all to enjoy. The remainder of the project, including picnic benches, fencing, new bins and the planned improvements to the northern part of the Recreation Ground, will be delivered over the coming months.

Where should I report a local issue or concern?

It is not always easy to know which authority is responsible for a particular service or issue. The Parish Council website now has a dedicated ‘Report It’ page, providing useful guidance, links and contact information to help you report your issue or concern to the right place. Visit https://www.hurstpierpoint-pc.gov.uk/report-it/ to find out more.

Ground-nesting Birds

1st March marked the start of ground-nesting season for birds in England. We are fortunate to have skylarks nesting in our very own meadows, and the season runs between March and the end of August. Breeding skylarks may attempt to raise multiple broods during this time, often building several nests. To help protect the skylarks in Hurst Meadows, please stick to the paths and keep dogs on leads. Even small dogs with excellent recall can unintentionally disturb nesting birds. A dog straying off the path may cause birds to flee, leaving eggs or chicks vulnerable to cold, predators, or abandonment.

To read the full newsletter, pick up your copy of April’s Hurst Life.

Hurst Festival

Welcome to Hurst Life’s Hurst Festival event page. Here you will find our most recent information for the two week September festival.

A registered charity, Hurst Festival was conceived in 2004 by a merry band of friends over dinner, impressed by the wealth of talent in our village. It has one aim; to provide people with two weeks of enjoyment in September during which we can meet each other, experience something new and feel connected to our community.

See also, Hurst Festival

The 2026 Hurst Festival will be held in the last two weeks of September.

Colin retires as Hurst Festival director

By Michel Olszewski, Chair of Trustees Hurst Festival

Hurst Festival was very fortunate to have Colin Matthews as a member of the team when he joined thirteen years ago. His experience of managing events and his many years as a member of the Brighton Festival Fringe organising committee has helped our Festival to become such a success, as well as a much anticipated annual event. Colin is a village boy having been born and brought up in the village and there is no doubt that his local knowledge and contacts have been of enormous help in developing and planning the festival.

Colin reflected on his proudest achievement: “Seeing the community enjoying major arts events in the Holy Trinity church. I got a real buzz from seeing over 200 audience members enjoying themselves.” He plans to do more travelling now, both in his campervan and abroad, especially visiting his children in America.

Colin has now handed the baton to Festival Manager Susan Eskdale, who has shadowed him over the past year and we will all certainly miss his calm approach, meticulous planning and guidance.

The 2026 Hurst Festival will be held in the last two weeks of September. Please do feel free to contact Susan if you have any ideas for events or would like to join the Festival committee - manager@hurst festival. org. We are always looking for volunteers to help during the festival; if you would like to join this enthusiastic team, please contact Belinda Sharp at volunteers@hurstfestival.org.

Festival looking to fill roles

By Michel Olszewski, Chair of Trustees
Following another successful year, Hurst Festival is in the process of putting together the programme for 2026, our 22nd year. Our original objectives remain the same: a Festival planned by the community for the whole of the community and we are actively seeking support and ideas from everyone. Join us in this exciting, stimulating and enjoyable journey by considering joining us in any of the following roles:
Trustees - Hurst Festival is a registered Charity and we are currently seeking applications for new trustees. Being a Trustee is a stimulating and rewarding role and you would be joining a group of local, committed and very friendly people. If you are interested or want to hear more, please contact Michel on michelhurst3@gmail.com.
Festival committee - the Festival is planned and run by an enthusiastic and active committee. Susan, our Festival manager would love to hear from you if you would like to consider joining or would like to hear more about this enjoyable and friendly team. Contact Susan at manager@hurstfestival.org.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support, encouragement and positive feedback.

World Piano Day comes to Hurstpierpoint

To mark World Piano Day 2026, the heart of Hurstpierpoint will be filled with live piano music as an outdoor, community piano takes over the Village Garden on Saturday 28th March, from 12-5pm.

This special event is being collaboratively presented by the organisers of HURSTfolk and Hurst Festival, Debbie Clare and Michel Olszewski, bringing together their shared passion for accessible, community-led music making.

An upright piano will be placed at the centre of the Village Garden (opposite Morley’s Bistro), inviting anyone to sit down and play - from complete beginners to accomplished pianists. Performers of all ages and abilities are welcome, and the day is designed as a relaxed, drop-in celebration of music rather than a formal concert.

World Piano Day is a global event founded by pianist and composer Nils Frahm, celebrating the piano in all its forms and encouraging participation, curiosity and connection through music. This Hurstpierpoint event brings that spirit firmly into the village, creating an open, inclusive space for creativity and community.

Throughout the afternoon, the piano will be played in short slots, with a mixture of pre-booked performances and spontaneous walk-up players. Audiences are encouraged to stop by, listen, support friends and neighbours, or even have a go themselves.

The event is free to attend and open to everyone.

Hurstpierpoint residents climb Kilimanjaro

Ten Hurst and local residents helped raise over £100,000 for Kidscape by recently completing the grueling climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. At the forefront of the expedition were Josh Braid, who had previously dragged a rocking horse to the South Pole for the charity, as well as Dan Lustig, hairdresser and star of Gogglebox. The others to complete the epic challenge included Si Woodjetts, Sam Wood, Ollie Kuehne, Christopher Tipping, Paul Brodgen, Rob Noble, Jocelyn Crouch, Scott Crouch and Dale Ruebin, who filmed the event for an upcoming documentary.

The group took on a seven-day ascent of Africa’s highest peak (5,895 metres) from 30th January to 8th February to raise awareness of bullying and it marked 40 years of Kidscape’s charity work, protecting children from bullying and harm. Dan told us: “It was both the best and hardest moments of my life so far, but worth every breath and step to reach the summit with my new friends for life.”

Josh Braid, Samuel Wood and Ollie Kuehne extended the adventure with a world-first challenge: A ‘Sea to Summit’ ironman-style triathlon starting with a 3.8km swim around Toten Island in Tanga Bay, then a 450km bike ride over three days to Londorossi Gate and finally a 60km trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro, joining the other heroes for the final ascent.

“The hardest part of the challenge,” said Josh, “was climbing on day three when, after the sea and cycle, our bodies were depleted and we were walking long distances at altitude. Add sickness into the equation and I thought that I was going to have to call off this world f irst challenge.”

The sea-swim was a massive unknown as locals told them no one had attempted it and currents, ships and sharks could all call the attempt off. Local traffic was a real challenge on the cycle stage as well as nasty speed bumps and for good measure their support vehicle got stuck. “The most rewarding moment was reaching the summit with emotions so high and knowing we had completed our world first challenge. To have so much of the team there with us was so special to savour the moment and it was a breath of fresh air with so much positive vibes.”

To learn more about Kidscape and their work visit www.kidscape.org.uk

Japour Gym moves onto Hurst High Street

Jude Poyner, who has been running his gym from the back of Fuel for the last three years, has moved his business to the High Street, opposite South Avenue. Jude started as a personal trainer five years ago and his first job was at a local PureGym, where he began building a steady client base. “After just four months, I felt a pull to create something of my own. I started looking for a space to rent, and by pure luck, I stumbled across Hurstpierpoint—a village I hadn’t even heard of before that day. Excited, I made enquiries about a small space inside a coffee shop on the High Street.”

Slowly but surely, he was able to double his client base and two years ago, he introduced group classes, which welcomed people of every age and ability. “I’ve been part of the Hurstpierpoint community for three years now, and every year I feel more connected and more grateful to be here. It genuinely feels like home.”

Jude needed bigger premises and when the space vacated by the funeral directors became available, he put in a bid, but was beaten to it and reluctantly considered moving to Burgess Hill or Hassocks. “It didn’t feel right—I loved the Hurst community too much. Just as we were about to put in an offer elsewhere, the phone rang. The first bidder for the Hurst property had pulled out. They asked if I wanted to take it on. Without hesitation, I said yes. From that moment, I focused on preparation and taking the time to get the new space looking exactly how it should.”

For more information go to www.japourgym.co.uk

Recycle ink cartridges in Hurstpierpoint

By Colin McFarlin

You may know me best for my articles on recycling at the back of this magazine. As you know, I finish my articles by inviting readers to send to me their recycling questions. And you do, lots of them.

Wanda wrote to me and asked: “Where can I recycle printer ink cartridges locally?”
I had to tell her that the nearest recycling point was in Haywards Heath, but if she would like to set up a local recycling point, I would help her to do it.

Well, thanks to Wanda and the wonderful staff at The Village Centre in Trinity Road, they agreed to host a collection box, an excellent central point and right opposite the car park.

Recently, I visited The Village Centre with Wanda and set up the collection box that is now open and looking forward to receiving, for recycling, your used and your unwanted printer cartridges. We can accept compatible cartridges as well as genuine cartridges - any make.

We cannot accept laser printer cartridges; you still need to take them to the recycling centre (‘The Tip’) in Burgess Hill. Do not throw your printer cartridges used or unwanted in the bin, pop them into the recycling box at the Village Centre reception.

Santa Sunday in Hurstpierpoint

Welcome to Hurst Life’s Santa Sunday event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything about the event.

A magical Christmas Market in the heart of Hurstpierpoint! Join us for a festive celebration filled with live music, delicious treats, and plenty of Christmas shopping. Bring the family along for fun kids’ activities, exciting fairground rides, and a chance to meet Father Christmas himself! Get into the holiday spirit with us and make unforgettable memories.

See also, Hurst’s Secret Santa

News about 2026’s Santa Sunday will appear here as soon as we hear it!

Santa Sunday in Hurstpierpoint

The heart of Hurstpierpoint will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland of festive fun as Hurst Santa Sunday returns on Sunday 7th December, from 12.30 to 4.30 pm.

This much-loved community celebration brings together families, friends, and visitors for an afternoon packed with Christmas magic, shopping, food, music and cheer, as well as free fun for the kids. Whether you come for the sparkle, the songs, or the smiles, Santa Sunday is the perfect way to start the festive season.

Shop local and support our village businesses Hurstpierpoint High Street will be closed to traffic, but alive with festive spirit as local shops open their doors with special offers, tastings and Christmas treats. Alongside them, a bustling Christmas market will line the streets, offering beautifully crafted gifts, decorations, and handmade delights — perfect for stocking fillers and unique presents.
By browsing the stalls and supporting our independent retailers, you’re helping to keep our high street thriving at the heart of our community.

Eat, drink and be merry
Come hungry! From steaming cups of mulled wine and hot chocolate to mince pies, roast chestnuts and festive street food, there’s something to tempt every palate. Local pubs, cafés and restaurants will also be serving special winter menus — perfect for warming up after enjoying the festivities. Whether it’s a family meal, a snack on the go, or a festive drink with friends, the flavours of Christmas await.

Music, merriment and magic
The streets will be filled with music as local choirs, school groups and musicians bring the sound of Christmas to life. Expect traditional carols, upbeat festive tunes and plenty of sing-along moments to lift your spirits.
For the little ones, the highlight of the day will be a visit from Santa himself, with festive activities including free face painting and other surprises dotted throughout the afternoon.

A huge thank you
Events like Hurst Santa Sunday wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and hard work of so many. A special thank-you goes to our headline sponsor, PSP Homes. We also gratefully acknowledge our other valued sponsors:
• Hurstpierpoint Charity Shop
• Hurstpierpoint College |
• Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council
• The Hurstpierpoint Society
• Freeman Brothers
• Fabulous Floors
• Jamie Stafford Bathrooms

We extend heartfelt thanks to the Santa Sunday Organising Committee and to the countless volunteers who give their time and energy each year to make this event such a success. Your commitment and community spirit are what make Santa Sunday truly special.

Churches of Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Christmas services

Welcome to Hurst Life’s churches of Hurspierpoint & Sayers Common Christmas services event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything Christmas in our churches.

See also, Holy Trinity Hurstpierpoint, The parish of Albourne, Sayers Common and Twineham, Good News Church Hurstpierpoint

Holy Trinity Parish Church


High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9TS
www.holytrinityhurst.org

Wednesday 3rd December
7.30pm Mothers’ Union Advent Evening with carols, readings, mulled wine and mince pies. Tickets available from Judy Leech 01273 833954

Sunday 14th December
2.30-4.30pm - Family Christmas Crafts. Crafts and activities for pre-school & primary aged children. Book tickets at the website above
7pm - Contemporary Carols. A modern take on traditional carols with a live band and a short Christmas message.

Sunday 21st December
6pm - Candlelit Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies

Christmas Eve
3pm & 4.30pm - Crib Services. A lively services for all ages. Children are invited to dress as a favourite nativity character
11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day
8am - Christmas Communion – a simple said service
10am - Christmas Family Communion. A service for all the family

Good News Church


149 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU www.goodnewshurst.co.uk

Sunday 21st December
3.30pm - Carols and Cakes – an informal carol service

Christmas Day
10am - Christmas Day Service - Come and celebrate with us our Saviour’s birth

The Parish of Albourne, Sayers Common and Twineham


ascat.ad@yahoo.com – You can also find us on www.achurchnearyou.com

Sunday 21st December
6pm - Nine Lessons and Carols at St Bartholomew’s, Albourne

Monday 22nd December
6pm - Carol Service at Christ Church, Sayers Common

Christmas Eve
4pm - Crib Service (with live animals) at St Peter’s, Twineham
8pm - Midnight Mass at St Bartholomew’s, Albourne

Christmas Day
10am - Parish Eucharist at Christ Church, Sayers Common

HURSTfolk

Welcome to Hurst Life’s HURSTfolk event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything regarding the festival.

HURSTfolk is the brainchild of Hurstpierpoint resident, Debbie Clare. Debbie is drawing upon her extensive live music career to weave together this community-focused weekend of live music performances.

See also, HURSTfolk

HURSTfolk will be taking a break in 2026 to reflect properly on how and where to take things in future years, though we may announce a few one-off HURSTfolk. events during the year.

HURSTfolk

Hurstpierpoint at its absolute best

By Debbie Clare, Festival Director
This year’s HURSTfolk was an immense mountain of hard work and preparation -months of planning, spreadsheets, emails, and logistics - but the weekend itself ran beautifully smoothly and was everything I’d hoped it would be. The high street was absolutely buzzing from morning till night, the restaurants were full, and every venue looked its absolute best.
We had such a huge variety of shows across the weekend - from heavy rock to folk, pop, and blues - and it was brilliant to see capacity and near-capacity audiences at almost every event. There was such a warm atmosphere everywhere you went, and a real sense that people were proud to be part of something special happening right here in the village.
I’m so grateful to the incredible people working across all of the venues, and to my amazing crew, who were at their absolute best all weekend. It was a huge team effort from a group of dedicated professionals who went above and beyond to make everything run so smoothly.
Over 500 people bought tickets, with another 500 attending the free events, and it felt like a real celebration of the talent, energy, and creativity that our community is full of, as well as a chance to welcome new faces from outside the area discovering Hurst and its venues for the first time.
HURSTfolk will be taking a break in 2026 to reflect properly on how and where to take things in future years, though we may announce a few one-off HURSTfolk. events during the year. Thank you so much to everyone who supported and celebrated with us.

Albourne Village Show success!

By Lynne Bannon

What a great day! Held on Saturday 6th September, the Albourne show was a huge success, blessed with sunshine and an incredible turnout from the community. Running from 2pm until 10pm, the afternoon and evening were filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of local talent. Highlights from the day:
Flower Show – Stunning entries, from the best single stem to colourful arrangements, alongside fierce (but friendly!) competition in categories such as flapjacks, crafts, fruit, vegetables, and of course…the longest runner bean!
Dog Show – Sponsored by Pets at Home, Burgess Hill, our four-legged friends strutted their stuff and wagged their way to well-deserved prizes.
Craft Fair – Beautiful handmade creations that showcased the skills of our local makers.
Classic Cars – From a 1960s Jaguar, a 1930s Rolls to a Caterham & a 2CV there was a classic car for every taste on display.
Live Music – Fabulous bands kept the atmosphere buzzing and everyone dancing throughout the afternoon and into the evening especially with the Stanmer Bands fabulous Jukebox experience.
The Hop Tub – Did a brilliant job of keeping everyone refreshed with their delicious local beers and spirits.
Kids Activities – loads of games and fun as well as a chance to decorate a life-size horse.
Community Stalls & local businesses – Including the church stall & tombola, were a hit with everyone.

The show team were thrilled to see even more visitors than last year – a true testament to the wonderful spirit of our community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, sponsored and supported the event. Now, time for a well-earned rest…before we do it all again on Saturday 5th September 2026!

Gearing up for the Albourne Village Show!

By Lynne Bannon

The much-loved Albourne Village Show is just around the corner on Saturday 6th September, and this year’s celebration promises to be the biggest yet, with organisers announcing an even broader lineup of entertainment, competitions and local flavour for the community to enjoy.

Running from 2pm to 10pm at the Albourne Recreational Ground, the show is a celebration of village life with a vibrant mix of live music, local food and drink, family-friendly competitions and artisan stalls.
Returning highlights include the everpopular dog show, craft tent, and photography competition, with new twists and a few surprises in store.

This year (weather permitting) there will also be a display of classic and interesting cars — just for fun, no prizes — so if you’d like to bring yours along, send us a message! The local fire brigade will also be visiting again, giving children (and quite a few adults!) the chance to climb aboard and explore their fire engine. Attendees can look forward to performances from local favourites The Kites, The Tar Babies and The Stanmer Band, alongside an Open Mic slot for emerging talent. Food lovers will find even more to feast on this year, with The Hop Tub from Hurstpierpoint returning to run the bar and an expanded food van lineup showcasing Sussex’s best.

The show’s traditional flower and produce competition continues to grow, so make sure you bring your entries in from the start of the show. The categories include best cake, best jam, recycled crafts, and the ever-hilarious funniest vegetable – to find a list of all the categories, visit our Facebook page.

There’s already some stiff competition hotting up for the best local photographs, and some fabulous raffle prizes have been secured, from Rushfields, South Downs Nursery, Turn and Fire and many others — you’ll need to be in it (and at it) to win it! Now a registered Community Interest Company (CIC), the Albourne Village Show proudly reinvests all profits into local causes and future events. With support from local sponsors Avtrade, Hurst College, Ernest Doe and more, the show is set to be a standout event on the Mid Sussex summer calendar. All in all, it’ll be a fantastic afternoon and evening — so come along from 2pm onwards to enjoy the fun!

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