HHCG really needs Clair Hall

Haywards Heath Ceramic Group was formed nearly forty years ago and has become a well esteemed name in the world of Ceramics and Glass. For the vast majority of that lifetime, we have held our monthly meetings and additional events in Clair Hall.

Clair Hall with the flexibility of the numerous halls, all on the ground floor, has always satisfied all our needs along with those of our predominantly older membership with its onsite parking and its location with proximity to rail and bus routes has ensured a high attendance at our events as well as facilitating easy travel arrangements for our visiting speakers.

The announced closure of Clair Hall, which was not communicated to us officially, coincided with the onset of the Covid pandemic, but anticipating a future need for face to face meetings, we have been active in pursuing alternative venues.

We did receive an email from Amy, Manager of the Clair Hall facility, confirming that Mid Sussex District Council would be working with any groups looking for alternative venues, but no active assistance has been received.

Regrettably, no alternative venues come close to matching the facilities of Clair Hall and sadly, we have been unable to find any suitable venue to resume our meetings. We can only hope that the current Clair Hall is reopened following the NHS use and maintained as a community hub. Should a new centre be planned, we plead for continuity at the current Clair Hall until the replacement becomes available. Otherwise, Haywards Heath Ceramic Group may well be consigned to history, a very sad end for such a respected Society.

Chairman – Haywards Heath Ceramics Group