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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.
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.
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.
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