By Ian Barras Hill

Members of the Haywards Heath Music Society gathered at St Wilfrid’s Church Centenary Hall last month to celebrate the society’s 80th anniversary, before enjoying a special concert by the allfemale trumpet quartet Bella Tromba. Birthday cake and fizz were served to over 80 guests, with speeches by Haywards Heath Mayor Howard Mundin and eminent tenor, musicologist and Society President Neil Jenkins.

The U3A Recorder Consort, led by Christine Colbourne, played short selections of music to honour Shakespeare’s 458th birthday. Founded in 1941 by Gertrude Lampson, the Haywards Heath Music Society organises music recitals in the town and the surrounding area, bringing much-needed and affordable live music to Mid Sussex from September to April each year. From classical and jazz to choral and musicals, a full range of music styles is offered, displaying the talents of gifted young professional musicians, both aspiring and established, many of whom go on to pursue international careers such as clarinettist Emma Johnson, Scottish virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie, BBC Young Musician of 2012 cellist Laura van der Heijden and, in 2021, BBC Proms piano soloist Pavel Kolesnikov. For more information about upcoming events or becoming a member, visit: www.haywardsheathmusicsociety.org.uk