Following on after Easter, Heathfield moves into a time of Celebration as it joins with the nation in celebrating 80 years following the cessation of war across Europe in 1945.
FASCOH has joined with the Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council and Heathfield & District Bonfire Society in enabling through different programmes to, not only celebrate, but also to remember those who gave their lives to bring freedom to our nation. The Celebrations commence on Saturday 3rd May at the Heathfield Community Centre followed by a four day programme centred around THE SPACE at All Saints’ Church, the Cade Street Memorial and the lighting of the Beacon on the Cade Street Recreation Ground on Thursday 8th May 2025. On Friday 9th a 3-day programme of various activities for young people commence alongside an exhibition of memorabilia, including an exhibition by ‘Hands on History’.
We do hope you will visit The SPACE at All Saints’ Church and take the opportunity to also see the completion of the major re-decoration undertaken over the past 3 months.
THURSDAY 8TH MAY 2025 – National Thanksgiving Day
6.30 pm CHURCH BELLS to be rung at All Saints’ Church, Old Heathfield
7.00 pm CIVIC SERVICE at All Saints’ Church, Old Heathfield led by Rev Ann Pollington on behalf of the Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council and the Heathfield and District Bonfire Society. All residents of Heathfield Parish are invited.
7.45 pm Preparation of Torchlight Procession from Star Inn, Old Heathfield.
8.00 pm The Heathfield & District Bonfire Society will prepare for their TORCHLIT PROCESSION from outside The Star Inn, Old Heathfield to the war memorial at Cade Street Recreation Ground where there will be a tribute laying ceremony followed by the lighting of the Beacon.
9.30 pm LIGHTING OF THE BEACON on Cade Street Recreation Ground.
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FRIDAY 9TH MAY 2025 – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at The SPACE, All Saints’ Church – DAY 1
FREE ENTRY – Donations appreciated
9.00 am VE80 Exhibition open throughout the day Light refreshments and Sussex Cream Teas served all day
From 9.30 am through to 3.00 pm – HANDS ON HISTORY will present their own focused tutorials specifically for visitors from local schools. Adult visitors are welcomed to observe these unique presentations.
5.00 pm Exhibition closes
7.00 pm ‘HONOURING THE HEROES’ CHEESE & WINE CELEBRATION with Tony Greener & Wing Commander Mike Yule presenting “Many Finest Hours” – how the RAF blazed a trail to VE Day ** Tickets £10.00 pp available from Gemini Cards, High Street or reserving by email to [email protected] & pay on arrival.
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SATURDAY 10TH MAY 2025 – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at The SPACE, All Saints’ Church – DAY 2
FREE ENTRY – Donations appreciated
10.00 am VE80 Exhibition open throughout the day
Light refreshments and Sussex Cream Teas served all day
E X P E C T T H E U N E X P E C T E D !
1.30 pm **ENTERTAINMENT DRAMA by members of the Rushlake Green Village Players
4.00 pm **HEATHFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY present their own programme of ’We’ll Meet Again’ with opportunities for community singing
6.00 pm Exhibition closes
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SUNDAY 11TH MAY 2025 – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at The SPACE, All Saints’ Church – DAY 3
FREE ENTRY – Donations appreciated
10.00 am VE80 Exhibition open throughout the day Light refreshments and Sussex Cream Teas served all day
POETRY from World War 2
2.00 pm **HEATHFIELD SILVER BAND present their own programme with memorable REFLECTIONS from WW2
5.00 pm Exhibition closes pm 6.00 pm ‘Heathfield Celebrates’ . . . . closes with CHORAL EVENSONG by members of the Heathfield Benefice Choir.
HANDS ON HISTORY’ will be displaying specific items related to WW2
There is an extended invitation to people in the area to bring their own memorabilia for the exhibition – call 01435 864194 for information
** Please book your free concert tickets at Gemini Cards, High Street, Heathfield or at The SPACE during the Exhibition or email to [email protected] ——
Thank you for the support of local businesses including;
The Drummer Agency
Drummer is a full service marketing and communications agency producing integrated, targeted and effective campaigns.
Kingsline Solutions Ltd
Kingsline Solutions offer a truly bespoke direct mail and digital print service to help you engage with your customers. Welcome to Kingsline, where innovation meets the ‘relevant’.
