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On Wednesday 11th June, the Redwood Centre buzzed with energy, warmth, and the unmistakable spirit of community as the Mid Sussex Older People’s Council (MSOPC) hosted a vibrant Wellbeing Event tailored for residents aged 60 and over. Mid Sussex Older People’s Council Wellbeing Event The afternoon brought together a fantastic mix of information, inspiration, and activity, all aimed at promoting wellbeing in later life. Attendees were treated to engaging presentations, interactive health checks, and a chance to connect with local services, alongside a delicious lunch and refreshments. In attendance was our Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, and his deputy, Cllr Adbul Bashar. The Town Mayor opened the event with a speech to warmly welcome attendees and to introduce the wide array of information stands and activities available. The event featured a variety of local organisations offering services, advice, and practical demonstrations. Highlights included Mid Sussex Health and Wellbeing team who offered mini wellbeing MOTs, Age UK West Sussex who lead fun and accessible chairobics taster sessions, Spire IT Help who offered technical support, and My Future Care who spoke on frailty and their My Care Matters handbooks.   Throughout the afternoon, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with many visitors staying to chat, explore, and take part in the various offerings. The MSOPC’s Wellbeing Event proved to be not only informative but uplifting - a celebration of resilience, connection, and community spirit. Many attendees left with new ideas, useful resources, and even a few new friends.

On Tuesday 10th June 2025, the Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Councillor Duncan Pascoe, visited The Dojo of The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School to attend their 2025 Summer Presentation evening, held to celebrate 36 years in Mid Sussex plus some recent achievements. MSMAS Presentation During his visit, the Mayor commended the School’s accomplishments, notably their participation at the recent 7th World Butoku Sai hed in Kyoto, Japan. This prestigious Martial Arts event, held usually only once every four years, is attended by groups from across the globe and attended by Sōsai Higashifushimi Jiko (Cousin to Emiritus Emperor Akihito of Japan) and the Princess Akiko of Mikasa, a Member of the Imperial House of Japan. The Mayor congratulated the MSMAS team for not only representing the UK but also for returning home with the coveted ‘Outstanding Team’ award, visible recognition in Japan of their talent, discipline and commitment. “I was delighted to be invited to the Mid Sussex Martial Arts School Dojo just outside Scaynes Hill, to celebrate the fantastic achievements of their students,”  said Cllr Pascoe. “It was great to hear the team accomplished some fantastic results, particularly to bring home the ‘Outstanding Team’ award - demonstrating a testament to their skill and dedication. I was humbled by the kind gifts brought back from Japan for the Town Council, and I will be sure to present these at our next full-council meeting, so the rest of the town are aware of how well Haywards Heath is being represented on the world stage.” The Mayor also highlighted the strong sense of community at the Dojo, crediting the School’s culture of respect and perseverance to the leadership by their Dojo Cho, Roger Payne and his team.  “They have a really close community in their Dojo,”  he added.  “It takes a great show of patience and respect to build what they have created, and I feel it reflects great leadership.” The visit included a dynamic demonstration of their various traditional disciplines, Judo, Aikido, Karate, Iaido & KoBudo by students of all ages and ranks, plus a ceremony celebrating newly achieved grades - particularly among the School’s younger members, whose dedication and progress were proudly acknowledged. Cllr Pascoe said: “It was a great to celebrate the new rank achievements of the young pupils, many of whom I hope will continue to train hard and bring more success to MSMAS!”   With its ever-growing reputation and strong community values, The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School continues to make Haywards Heath proud—both at home and abroad.

Held on Saturday 14th June in the Orchards Shopping Centre, this year's Festival Of Flowers by the Haywards Heath Horticultural Society was a blooming success. The marquee was bursting with colourful displays of vibrant sweet peas, stunning roses, homegrown veg and captivating crafts. Cllr Abdul Bashar, Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath, with Shirley Anderson, representative of the Haywards Heath Horticultural Society The Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Abdul Bashar, was in attendance to congratulate and present awards to the winners: Zoe Burchill  – Margaret Henley Junior Cup (Junior Exhibit) Roger Dix  – James Box Cup & Charlie Bristow Shield (Sweet Peas) Ron Ekin - John Foyle Rose Bowl and The Lynn Vivash Trophy (Roses)   Angela Ekins  – Pucknell Memorial Trophy (Mixed Flowers) Sylvia Harris  – John Foyle Rose Bowl and The Buckshalls Challenge Trophy (Roses), and The Hodge Tankard (Fruit) David Radford - The Ogilvie Cup (Vegetables) John Rieley  – Percy Kent Challenge Cup (Sweet Peas) Well done to all who participated in the show! Visitors enjoyed viewing the exhibition, taking part of the tombola, and being charmed by the live music performed by Charlotte Weller.

In celebration of Volunteers Week, the Mayor of Haywards Heath was proud to host a reception for the long-service volunteers at the Princess Royal Hospital. Haywards Heath Town Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, with volunteers from the Princess Royal Hospital An invitation was sent to volunteers who had generously given their time, ranging from 5 up to 25 years, at the Princess Royal Hospital. These volunteers assist patients, members of staff and visitors at the hospital, showing kindness and providing help they might not have had otherwise. The reception took place on Thursday 5th June at the Haywards Heath Town Hall. A total of 24 volunteers were able to attend and were welcomed with refreshments upon arrival. Speeches were given from Marie McNeil, the Voluntary Services Lead at the Princess Royal Hospital, and Gerthy Albano, Hospital Director of Nursing, before the introduction and thanks from the Town Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe. The Mayor thanked the volunteers for all that they do to support their local hospital, and the impact that it has on the local community. The celebrations finished with the proud presentation of Long Service Certificates.

On the evening of Saturday 7th June 2025, members of the local Rotary Club gathered at Lindfield Golf Club for their Annual Charter Night - a celebration dinner marking the presentation of the Clubs’ Charters and recognising the enduring service and fellowship that Rotary represents in the community. Haywards Heath Town Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, giving his speech at the Rotary Annual Charter Night This year’s event was attended by the newly appointed Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Councillor Duncan Pascoe, who delivered an inspiring speech to the assembled guests. In his remarks, the Mayor spoke warmly about the importance of role models within our community and outlined his priorities for the year ahead in office. Cllr Pascoe has shared his thoughts on the event: “A thoroughly enjoyable evening at the annual Rotary Charter night and I was pleased to be accompanied by my wife for this event. I am grateful to the Chairman and the members for the warm welcome I received. Rotary are an incredible fundraising machine for all kind of brilliant causes in our community; those who know the Haywards Heath Bike Ride is one of the town’s best events and it simply would not happen without the Rotary Club. They are an inspiring organisation full of inspiring people that I am always pleased to collaborate with for the betterment of our community. They are always on the look out for new members so if you are interested in making a positive impact in your community, Rotary is good place to start.” The Charter Night is a highlight in the Rotary calendar, offering an opportunity not only to honour the Clubs’ histories but also to celebrate the impact Rotary members have had - and continue to have - through local and international service projects. The evening featured a celebratory dinner, speeches, and fellowship among members and guests, reaffirming the Clubs’ commitment to “Service Above Self” and looking forward to another successful year ahead. For more information on how to get involved with your local Rotary Club, visit their official website or speak to a current member.

On Wednesday 14th May 2025, members of the Probus Club of Haywards Heath and District gathered at the Lindfield Golf Club for a special celebration: marking 40 remarkable years of friendship, shared learning, and community spirit. John Rice, President of Probus and his wife Barbara, Cllr Rodney Jackson, Previous Chair of Mid Sussex of District Council, and Duncan Pascoe, Mayor of Haywards Heath (from left to right) in attendance at the Probus Club of Haywards Heath & District's 40th Anniversary Celebration The newly appointed Mayor of Haywards Heath, Councillor Duncan Pascoe, attended the Probus Club’s 40th anniversary as his very first official engagement.   Reflecting on the occasion, Cllr Pascoe said: “I was honoured to attend the 40th anniversary of the Haywards Heath Probus Club as my first official engagement as Mayor. It was a fantastic event to celebrate the 40 years of friendship and learning in our community. Social groups like this are important for our community for people to build new and lasting relationships. Probus have a number of regular lunches throughout the year, with an impressive range of speakers. They also do trips away, so anyone at retirement age that is looking to join a social group, I encourage you to get in touch with our local Probus.”   The Probus Club has long served as a welcoming space for retired and semi-retired professionals, offering a lively programme of monthly lunches, guest speakers, and group outings. The 40th birthday celebration was a proud moment for the Club and its members, recognising not only its longevity but also its continuing relevance in an ever-changing world.   As the Club looks ahead to the future, it remains committed to providing a space where friendships flourish and lifelong learning continues beyond retirement.   To learn more about the Probus Club of Haywards Heath and District, or to enquire about joining, please visit their website or contact the club directly.

The Mayor gave a moving and poignant speech and laid flowers as the community gathered at the Town Hall to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, honouring the memory of those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and other genocides. The event also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian genocide. The Mayor lays flowers to honour those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and other genocides

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/community/mayor-urges-you-to-reap-the-gift-of-giving-back-at-the-haywards-heath-community-volunteer-fair-4966184 The Mayor had a lovely time meeting community groups and potential volunteers, extolling the virtues of learning, growing and giving back at the Community People’s Haywards Heath Community Volunteer Fair 2025. The Mayor meets volunteers from MSOPC at the Community Volunteer Fair

The Mayor gave a short speech and helped the team recognise the dedication of their carers who have been with Caremark for over 15 years, then joined in the fun with the team, clients and families.   Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, said:   “Thank you to Angelina and her wonderful team of dedicated carers for inviting me to their Christmas celebration. This was such a heartwarming affair as it was also the Award Ceremony for the 11 Caremark Carers with over 15 years of service! The Ashenground Centre was beautifully decorated for occasion. The elderly clients mingled with the carers and their families, and also some of the head office managers who had made the trip to Haywards Heath especially to join the celebration and join me in handing out awards to the deserving winning carers. We then all enjoyed the amazing spread that they had put out and the fantastic entertainment, where we listened to some lovely Christmas Carols played for us on the Violin and a magic show by local celebrity Marco!   What a joyful afternoon where fun, community appreciation of the amazing work that Caremark does, and the sharing of festive food, encapsulated the Christmas Spirit.”   Angelina Manoharan, Director of Caremark Mid Sussex & Crawley, adds: “The Mayor’s kind acceptance of our invitation during this busy festive season meant so much to us. The time she spent interacting with our team made the event even more special, and her warm and gracious presence left a lasting impression on everyone.  We deeply appreciate her service to the community and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to host the Mayor at our Christmas Event. As the only Outstanding CQC-rated home care provider in Haywards Heath, we take great pride in the exceptional care we provide to the local community and we were delighted the Mayor could join us to celebrate and recognise the dedication of our carers who have been with us for over 15 years. Their commitment to delivering high-quality care has been invaluable, and it was wonderful to honour their hard work with a Long Service Award ceremony.   We look forward to collaborating with the Mayor of Haywards Heath again in the future and to hosting more meaningful events that celebrate the incredible people in our community.”   Caremark Caremark offer a range of services for care at home, including home help, companionship, live in care, respite care, night care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s Care, home help and palliative and end of life care. For more information on Caremark, visit https://www.caremark.co.uk/mid-sussex-and-crawley/

The Deputy Mayor of Haywards Heath was overawed by the generosity of the community at the Bentswood Hub Family Christmas Party hosted by My Choice Children’s Homes.   Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, said:   “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and this weekend; I was delighted to be invited to a number of events to celebrate the festive season!  A highlight for me was being invited to Bentswood Hub’s Family Christmas Party, hosted by My Choice Children’s Homes at their offices on Mill Green Road.   It was a fantastic free event for children, who were able to enjoy a disco, party food and a wonderfully festive themed grotto, where they had the chance to meet Father Christmas!  All the presents were so generously donated by the community and I’m thankful to all those that donated to make a child happy this Christmas.   This is the ninth year Bentswood Hub have run their free family Christmas event and I’m deeply grateful for the joy they bring to so many families at this time of year.  I would like to thank the Bentswood Hub, My Choice Children’s Homes and all those involved in supporting this event.  Such a beautiful show of the true Spirit of Christmas!”

The Mayor of Haywards Heath was thrilled to turn up as a special surprise guest at a 100th birthday party for Mrs Dora Durrant at Crossway’s Residential Care Home. The Mayor joins Dora & staff from Crossways The Mayor joined Dora’s family and staff in a fun filled afternoon party, with cards, flowers and presents, singing, dancing and delicious cakes and treats.     Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, says:   “I had the privilege to attend Dora’s 100th Birthday Party at the Crossways Care Home in Lindfield. The afternoon went like a dream. Dora is a stunningly beautiful lady, all smiles and elegance. After singing along to Que Sera Sera and more old hits, we all happily sang and danced the afternoon away, with Dora enjoying the afternoon in the company of her son and daughter-in-law, the residents and the lovely staff from the home. Dora thanked everyone for the party and her cake and her treasured birthday card from the King and the Queen was proudly on display by the cake.   Kelvin, the care manager, and his team took great care of us all with their usual kindness, gentleness and professionalism. It was a joyful afternoon celebrating a special birthday for a very special lady!” Dora was born in Ramsey, Huntingdon, one of ten children.  She moved to Burgess Hill when she married in 1959 and lived there for 63 happy years, bringing up her family and as an active member of the local Baptist Church.  Dora moved to Crossways two and a half years ago.

The Mayor had the privilege of joining one of the local ‘Time for Dementia’ programme visits, to learn more about the initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society, as her chosen charity for the year. The Mayor with Tony, Caroline and students on the Time for Dementia visit Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, said:   “This was a special visit that I will for ever remember.  Thanks to my involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society, I have discovered the Time for Dementia programme.  For the last ten years, this initiative has brought together medical students and families who live with dementia.  This enables the students to gain insights into what life with dementia is like as they visit the families in their homes.   Importantly, this will eventually help them become well rounded doctors who go further than treating patients, doctors who help people with families, professions, friends, aspirations, plans and responsibilities, all of which are involved and affected by their diagnosis.  It is a great learning opportunity for the students and a precious opportunity for the families, as many want their experience to be put to good use by the medical profession.  They want the human side of the condition to be better understood and for future patients to feel affirmed and be well supported.   Around a cup of tea and biscuits, we spent two hours catching up like old friends with Tony and Caroline and the students.  Tony and Caroline were happy to explain how they adapt to the changes in their lives and how they do it in a way which is practical, pragmatic, positive and joyful.  They have a life filled with family and friends, love and banter, walking their dog and now getting ready for Christmas.  Tony and Caroline are a wholesome couple, who manage their situation self-confidently and despite the challenges, they role model common sense and hope for us all.    Thank you to this very special and lovely couple, Tony and Caroline, for inviting me to share their programme visit, to the wonderful students who take part in the programme and to the brilliant Sam Swanson, our Time for Dementia Officer for Sussex, for organising this informative and insightful visit for me.”