Haywards Heath will be awash with colour on Saturday 13 September for the annual Town Day celebrations, which this year feature a spectacular Military Parade and will see Stage 7 of the Tour of Britain cycle race pass through the town.
The sight of Olympic Champion and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins zooming along South Road is sure to draw in the crowds and he will be hoping to defend his Tour of Britain title against a field of over 100 other riders, including popular British sprinter Mark Cavendish.
Tour organisers estimate that the race will pass through Haywards Heath at around 12.25pm. South Road will be closed to traffic from 11.45am until 2pm and a rolling road closure will be in operation along the rest of the race route as it passes through, with roads re-opening once the race has departed the area. Riders will cover 140 miles on Stage 7 as they pass through the District racing from Camberley to Brighton.
Anyone who is thinking of bringing their family along to see the cycling superstars speed past will find there is plenty to do at the annual Town Day in Victoria Park. Organised by Haywards Heath Town Council, there will be fairground rides, a dog show and a Charity Mascot Competition. Live music will be provided by ‘In Choir’ and the Haywards Heath Operatic Society will be entertaining the crowds with numbers from the hit musical ‘Oliver’.
Haywards Heath Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Sandy Ellis said, “We look forward to welcoming people to the Haywards Heath Town Day this year. The event will feature over 85 stall holders promoting fantastic local causes and there will be competitions and lots of opportunities to celebrate our community and have fun.”
After the Tour of Britain has raced through the town, there will be a Military and Veterans’ Parade from the Sussex Road roundabout to Victoria Park, where the Royal Yeomanry will be granted the Freedom of the District by Mid Sussex District Council.
The Royal Yeomanry incorporates the Sussex Yeomanry, an Army Reserve regiment that has a long association with the Mid Sussex District. This is only the second time that Freedom of Entry has been granted by a District in the UK and it recognises the friendship and service that the Yeomanry has contributed to the local community over the years.
The Freedom dates back to times when fortress walls afforded protection to cities and towns, and citizens refused entry to groups of armed men. Freedom of Entry was awarded only when townsfolk were completely sure it was safe and it became a mark of trust and confidence between the armed forces and local citizens.
Mid Sussex District Council will also be signing an Armed Forces Community Covenant, which is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the civilian and Armed Forces communities. The Covenant will ensure that nobody is at a disadvantage when accessing Mid Sussex District Council services as a result of serving in the Armed Forces.
“The brave men and women of our armed services risk their own personal safety to protect us and it’s vitally important that we show them how much we appreciate their efforts,” said Councillor Gordon Marples, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council. “In signing this Covenant and granting the Royal Yeomanry the Freedom of Mid Sussex, I hope we have demonstrated how much we value their contribution to the local community and our commitment to making sure members of the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. As the country commemorates the outbreak of the First World War this seems a particularly appropriate time to mark the relationship.”