“We aim to create an event for all with a village green type atmosphere. There will be something for everyone, forming a link between generations.”
for everyone, forming a link between generations,” says Ian. Visitors will be welcomed to The Orchards with traditional song and dance from an array of talented artists. Electric Hoedown play traditional songs with a rock infl uence, appealing to young and old. Emily and the Hares will also join the folk day celebrations, singing traditional English folk songs, some learned from old Sussex countrymen.
Shoppers can also look forward
to dancing with The Jigalots, a four piece band with a fascinating array of instruments, who are set to get everyone’s feet tapping. “We really appreciate the fun and atmosphere The Jigalots create. As a sign of our enjoyment The Orchards are sponsoring The Jigalots at a Meltdown English Ceilidh at Clair Hall in the
evening,” says Ian. A Meltdown Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is an energetic form of English fork dancing which can be enjoyed by the absolute novice through to dancers with decades of dancing under their feet. The caller will explain every dance beforehand to make sure everyone knows how it goes, and keep reminding you of what comes next. A demonstration of the dancing will be shown at The Orchards to get you ready for the fun in the evening. The evening Ceilidh at Clair Hall will also feature a Mummers play and Morris dancing by children from Plumpton Primary School. The Orchards’ support of The Jigalots evidences their commitment to helping locals. Tickets will also be on sale on St George’s Day at The Orchards for their performance at Clair Hall. The Robin Hoodeners will be performing a genuinely ancient play about Robin Hood. Their performance is spoken in Medieval English and features Robin Hood’s fi rst encounter with Friar Tuck and their ensuing fi ght with quarter staves. The Orchards have invited back two
wonderful Morris sides from previous years, namely Ditchling Morris, a mixed
side formed in 1985, and Broadwood Morris who were founded in 1972. Broadwood Morris men take their name from Lucy Broadwood who lived near Rusper in the late part of the 19th century and was a founder remember of the Folk Song Society. A much rarer form of dancing will be performed by Simon and Jo Harmer, who are coming up from Hampshire to perform southern English step dancing. Simon recently appeard on a BBC4 TV production Still Folk Dancing – After All These Years. “I’m hoping Simon and Jo will inspire some of the onlookers to help me bring step dancing back to Sussex; they are incredible to watch,” says Mak. Wherever you fi nd Morris dancers you can guarantee you will fi nd good food and traditional English Ales. Adults will enjoy time-honoured malted brews, such as Ridgeway, Hop Pocket and Dark Star, provided by Beer Matt, based in Burgess Hill. Trotters, based in Lewes, will be at the Orchards providing an honest hog roast for hungry shoppers, taking us back to our heritage before meat was stuffed with additives, preserved and reformed into strange shapes. “We want to bring people in, get
them involved and show them the importance of shopping locally and that it can be fun. We are a central point in Haywards Heath and we have a responsibility to act for the community. This is a people’s shopping centre and we are only as good as the people who use it,” says Ian. ■
The Orchards Shopping Centre 10 St Wilfrids Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3QH | Tel. 01444 410620
SUSSEX LIVING FOR MID SUSSEX 59 April 2011
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