Mayor Celebrates 25 Years of the Handcross Hardware Store

On Saturday 16th August 2025, the community of Handcross came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Handcross Hardware and Craft. The event was filled with food, games, music, crafts, and a raffle, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

Cllr Duncan Pascoe, Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, and Claudia Da Silva, Volunteer Lead at Handcross Hardware & Craft

The Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, was invited to join the celebrations and had the honour of cutting the ribbon on a newly installed bench. In his speech, the Mayor paid tribute to the founders of Dudley House and expressed gratitude to the many volunteers, past and present, whose dedication has ensured the continued success of Handcross Hardware and Craft as a valued community hub.

Cllr Pascoe shared his view on the day: "Last weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to Handcross Hardware’s 25^th anniversary party. I hadn’t been to Handcross Hardware before, so I was fascinated to learn about it’s rather unique history. As the local hardware store servicing the village until the year 2000, the owner passed away and the future of shop seemed uncertain. As one of the few shops supporting the village, the local community along with the parish church opted to take over the shop as a non-profit, setting it up as ‘The Dudley House Trust’. Now they still provide crafts and tools to the village of Handross, but their primary service is more about providing a space for the community. They provide a repair café, tool hire service and quiet meeting space upstairs. The 25^th anniversary event was a wonderful occasion to celebrate a shop that has become the heart of the community, it was a privilege to unveil a new bench, fundraised by the volunteers and local residents. I am grateful to the volunteers for continuing to support their community."

The occasion marked not only a milestone anniversary but also a celebration of community spirit, recognising the commitment of those who have supported the organisation over the years. The event was a true reflection of the warmth and energy that make Handcross such a special place.