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Mid Sussex District Council is encouraging residents and visitors to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in Mid Sussex where there are exciting events taking shape.

TSN readers know the council works hard to support the community.  And backing events which take place in the district is just one of the ways it looks to promote economic development.

Mid Sussex District Council has contributed towards community beacons that will be lit on the evening of Monday 4 June. Residents in Ashurst Wood, Burgess Hill, Cuckfield, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and West Hoathly will join 4000 other local communities across the country to light a beacon in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Council has also contributed funds towards Diamond Jubilee celebrations to be held at the Age UK centres in Burgess Hill (6 June), East Grinstead (1 June), Hassocks Day Centre (31 May) and Haywards Heath (1 June). Mid Sussex District Council Chairman Councillor Mandy Thomas-Atkin and Vice Chairman Councillor Gordon Marples will be in attendance at a number of these events.

As well as residents and villages holding their own events, the three Town Councils have spectacular celebrations in store. There are some exciting parties and picnics taking place in the area too, so wherever you choose to celebrate, look to stay in Mid Sussex and support your local community.

At 10am on Saturday 2 June, Burgess Hill kicks off The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend in the town centre with live music, entertainment, children’s competitions and a whole lot more. To support local traders and to encourage people to come along and join in the celebrations, Mid Sussex District Council is offering free car parking all day in its Cyprus Road car park.

On the Monday, the fun continues in Burgess Hill with a Jubilee Community Picnic at St John’s Park. The Burgess Hill Community Festival Association is organising the picnic where there will be entertainment, games, a bar, barbecue, sing-along and beacon.

East Grinstead’s celebrations start with a Jubilee Ball at the Jubilee Centre on Saturday night (2 June) from 8pm, where revellers will enjoy a night of dancing to wonderful music performed by a 17-piece band. The following day, there will be the Fun Day and Big Lunch after the big parade. There will be entertainment and food stalls before the evening is rounded off with a Teen Music Festival.  The fun continues on the Monday at East Court with entertainment, stalls and activities, a torch parade and massive firework display.

Haywards Heath has an exciting line up of events with Haywards Heath Town Council and Haywards Heath Lions holding a 1950s themed Diamond Jubilee celebration community picnic at Beech Hurst Gardens on Monday 4 June. There promises to be something for everyone with magicians, tennis coaching, dance, drama, music and a beacon bonfire finale. Jubilee on Broadway promises to be a fun time too where ‘It’s Magic’ will be laying on street entertainers and 15 bands playing six decades of music.

“What an exciting time we have ahead with all the wonderful celebrations planned in our local communities,” said Councillor Pru Moore, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sustainability. “I encourage people to get involved and really support the hard work of so many who have been planning these fantastic events.

“So, whether you choose to go to your local street party, village or town event, I hope everyone has a fun time celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Mid Sussex. Why go anywhere else when the fun is on your doorstep?”

For more information on what the Town Councils have planned, please see their websites at www.burgesshill.gov.uk, www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk and www.haywardsheath.gov.uk.