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Hailsham and Hellingly Official Guide

Welcome to Hailsham and Hellingly
Introduction to Hailsham
Introduction to Hellingly
Local Government
Education
Health & Welfare
Housing
Industries & Employment
Public Utilities & Services
Sport, Recreation & Leisure
The Town and Parish Crests
Hailsham & District Twinning Association
A Brief History of Hailsham and Hellingly
Useful Contact Details
Our Advertisers

 

Hailsham Contact Information

Inglenook,
Market Street,
Hailsham,
BN27 2AE

Tel: 01323-841702
Fax: 01323-842978

Email: Hailsham Council
Hailsham Website

Hellingly Contact Information

Tel: 01323 484210

Email: Hellingly Council
Hellingly Website

 

Introduction to Hailsham
Situated in the south-east of Sussex, within about 7 miles of the coast and between the well-wooded hills of the southern Forest Ridge and the undulating chalk countryside of the South Downs, Hailsham is surrounded by much attractive and unspoilt scenery.
Hailsham is ideally placed for ease of access to many of the larger towns of Sussex and the south coast, with their more extensive shopping centres and entertainment facilities, being centrally located within the Eastbourne / Hastings / Tunbridge Wells triangle. It is also within easy reach of airports, Channel ferry terminals, the Channel Tunnel, and the cities of London and Brighton & Hove.

Hailsham Country Parks Lake Whilst being largely rural in character, Hailsham can still boast a variety of local and national shops, several supermarkets, a cinema, and a leisure centre with swimming pool, adult and junior gyms, children’s soft play and ten-pin bowling. Most of the major banks and building societies have premises in the town centre, and facilities for many popular sporting activities (whether participating or as a spectator) are available. Hailsham also accommodates the home ground of a senior County league football club.

Educational needs are well provided for within the town, including evening classes for mature students and a Skills Academy Centre for young people.

Leisure facilities exist for people of all ages and all interests, whether educational, academic, or just pleasure. Many of these have given birth to clubs and societies that cater for specific pursuits and the interests of members and participants. Senior citizens, as well as the young will find groups specialising in their interests and needs. Two (membership only) social clubs thrive, having excellent bar and snooker facilities, and regularly organised entertainment, and a local amateur theatrical group presents productions of a high standard within the town.

Visually, the town centre is a delightful mixture of the old and new, having two modern shopping precincts, yet within the High Street, Market Square and George Street, retaining some of the character of its past heritage with the fifteenth century Parish Church and many other buildings dating back to the sixteenth century.
Glimpses of the town's intriguing past are to be found in photographs and artefacts at the Heritage Centre, Blackman’s Yard, which is run by members of the Hailsham Historical Society. The Centre is open May to September (Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am-12.30pm) and entry is free.

Hailsham Market The imprint of time goes deeply in this part of Sussex. Standing on rising ground, Hailsham overlooks the historic Pevensey Levels where the Romans built a stronghold (Pevensey Castle) upon what was then an island. William the Conqueror was able to make an unopposed landing as the Saxons temporarily unmanned this same fortress on that fateful day in 1066, because the fleet and militia guarding the south coast against invasion had been disbanded a few weeks previously.

Hailsham itself has a long but uneventful history. Many years ago, it became the market town for the prosperous surrounding agricultural district and it continues to be so although there are now many other local businesses.

Henry III granted the town a Market Charter in 1252 - 200 years before the discovery of America. Originally, the market was held in the High Street and in Market Square, only moving to its present location in 1868. Sheep and cattle were driven from miles around along the various ancient droves until the arrival of the railway station and motor lorries. Today, the weekly livestock markets, together with the monthly Farmers’ Market and Friday Stall Markets continue to serve the town and the wider rural economy.




Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs supplied by Hailsham Camera Centre, Hailsham Town Council, Hailsham Photographic Society and Special Occasions Photography