Backing for Museum (June 05)

The Middy reports :


Haywards Heath town councillors are backing the idea of a Haywards Heath museum to house artefacts from Bolnore Village and the former St Francis Hospital Museum.

More than two years ago the Middy reported on the urgent call for a site for a museum in town after the South Downs Park development was built and the St Francis Hospital Museum lost its building.


Town councillors discussed the idea at a meeting earlier this year and it was agreed that although they are in support of the idea they would not be able to provide complete financial backing.


Following the meeting Cllr Lesley Wilkins said ; ' It would be a great thing if Haywards Heath could have its own museum and would have all sorts of benefits for the community and could be used for education purposes - the idea just needs to be kick started. We would like to encompass the greater history of Haywards Heath, Muster Green, the Roman remains, artefacts from the time of the Civil War and the artefacts from St Francis Hospital. People are already sending us small things such as house sale documents and 40s ration books and we would love to put them on display.'

The St Francis Hospital Museum was given a lump sum of £25-£30,000 by the South Downs Park developers but much more money is needed to provide the museum.