Welcome to Hurst Life’s St Lawrence Fair event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything regarding the fair.

Since the 14th century, the village of Hurstpierpoint has celebrated the Feast of St Lawrence with a village fair. The fair is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

What you need to know - an update

With the Fair on the horizon, we thought it would be handy to summarise timings and road closures, in order that everyone can enjoy this wonderful event to the full. On Friday 4th from 12.30pm to 2.30pm there is the Teddy Bear’s picnic at the South Avenue Rec. Also for the young ones later that evening, from 6pm to 7.15pm it is the Junior Disco. Alongside this from 6pm – 10.30pm it is Hurst Band Night, in what has become a traditional lively Friday night event on the Rec.

On Saturday 5th, road closures on the High Street will be in place with advance notices. The processions leave Marchant Road at 1pm and goes down Cuckfield Road, up Western Road and then up the High Street to South Avenue. Can all those residents on the route please find temporary parking off road, to ensure a safe passage for the parade.

The arena events start at 12noon with a Burgess Hill Musical Theatre Society performance. At 1.30pm the Fun Run starts from the Hurst Community Shop. At 2pm, the procession arrives in the arena with prize presentations for best dressed. Burgess Hill Musical Theatre Society perform again at 2.30pm, Prize presentations at 2.50pm, Fun Run prize giving at 3pm, Agnes M Dance perform at 3.10pm and the Tug of War starts at 3.30pm. Audience participation event – beach volleyball – takes place at 4.10pm and the Grand Finale at 4.45pm.

Full details are in the St Lawrence Fair leaflet distributed with Hurst Life last month (June). Have a great and safe Fair day!

Details so far…

By Lona McDonald, Secretary

St Lawrence Fair is almost upon us - 4th and 5th July - we hope you’re looking forward to it as much as we are. Preparations are well under way, and there will be lots going on in the lead up to and over fair weekend, so have a look at the details below and also in the Fair Programme (which is being distributed with this edition of Hurst Life to Hurstpierpoint residents) - a huge thank you to the HL distribution team for organising this.

STALL HOLDERS: There are still some slots available - to book please get in touch at stlawrencefair.stalls@gmail.com; we’d love to see you at the Fair.

PROCESSION ENTRIES: Local groups of any age, if you’d like to enter the procession, please drop us an email at slf.procession@gmail.com; the theme of Happy Holidays offers lots of design options!

Throughout June, wander along the High Street and sample some delicious food and drink from our wonderful High Street venues taking part in the St Lawrence Fair Food & Drink Trail - see the programme for more details. New for this year – Lego on The Ledge: can you spot the Lego creations and find the hidden phrase? In association with Brighton Bricks with the help of St Lawrence School children; entry forms available on our website, from a couple of High Street shops (TBC) and the library.

Back again this year, the ever-popular Dog Show, sponsored by Heath Vets, will be held at the Scout HQ on Sunday 29th June at 11.30am.

TUG OF WAR: Always a crowd favourite in the arena, this is your chance to get a team together and be part of a friendly competition; whether you’re representing your workplace, a pub, club or just rounding up a team of mates, we’d love to have you on the rope. Drop us an email at stlawrencefair@gmail.com to register your team’s interest.

Over the weekend there will be all the usual favourites (details are in the programme):
Friday 4th July - Teddy Bears Picnic, 12.30-2.30pm
Junior Disco, timings tbc
Hurst Band Night, 6-10.30pm

Saturday 5th July - Fair Day!
Including the procession, 1pm Fun Run, ahead of the procession on the High Street Arena events and competitions.

Finally, a huge thank you to our Main Sponsors: Chatt Estates, Hawthorn Vets, PSP Homes and Sussex Stoneworks.

Hurstpierpoint Foodbank have re-opened their collection service, as demand increases due to the cost-of-living crisis. As well as the Friday delivery option, that was initiated during the covid lockdowns, for a trial period users will again be able to collect food in person from Court Bushes Community Hub, Willow Way.

The Foodbank will be open for collections from Court Bushes from 10am – 12pm every Thursday. The Melting Pot Café is also open at this time so free tea, coffee and cake are available as well as cup-a-soup and toast. The Foodbank distributes food through a referral system and provides enough food for a family for three days. Alternatively, people can come down to Court Bushes on a Thursday morning and talk to foodbank staff directly. Staff understand that reaching out for help in this way can be difficult and aim to treat users with discretion and kindness.
Additionally, a new partnership between the owners of Gibson greengrocers and the Foodbank is now giving those using the Foodbank access to fresh fruit and vegetables during the trial period. A voucher will be provided by the Foodbank to be used in the shop on Hurstpierpoint High Street.

Food parcels can also be requested through the following partner agencies:
• St Lawrence C of E Primary School 01273 833229
• Hurstpierpoint Pre-School, Trinity Road, 01273 834144
• Holy Trinity Church
• Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council Trinity Road, 01273 833264, Open Monday – Friday 9:30am -1:30pm
• Mid Sussex Health Centre 01273 834388, Open Monday – Friday 8:30am - 6:00pm
• Housing Benefit Team (MSDC) • Community Mental Health Team
• Social Services

Families can contact Hurstpierpoint Foodbank (hurstfb@gmail.com) or Burgess Hill Foodbank (foodbankburgesshill@gmail.com) if they need food.