Haywards Heath's dolphin day back in 1982

The year was 1982, when fate smiled on the Dolphin Fair in Victoria Park, Haywards Heath.
A parking warden encounters Terrible Ted, one of the Cumbrian GiantsA parking warden encounters Terrible Ted, one of the Cumbrian Giants
A parking warden encounters Terrible Ted, one of the Cumbrian Giants

It was a happy contrast to the previous year, as the sun shone and not a drop of rain fell.

There was a distinctively festive mood among the crowds who lined the streets for the colourful procession which represented many hours of careful work of inventive floats.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the park, crowds of people of up to 7,000 watched as Alsatian dogs jumped through hoops of flames, pub teams pitched their strength in the tug of the war and the Cumberland giants fought in mock battles.

The Mid Sussex Youth Band leading the processionThe Mid Sussex Youth Band leading the procession
The Mid Sussex Youth Band leading the procession

The outside stalls were just as popular as the ones in the marquee, and ice cream and candy floss were the order of the day.

The Mid Sussex Youth Marching Band, in their smart green and blue uniforms followed by the Round Table Insignia to lead the way via, Perrymount Round, South Road and Sussex Road, Ashenground Road, and Wood Ride to the park.

Miss Dolphin, Ana Maria Weavers, and her attendants Sandra Thompson and Janet Awcock rode to the fair in Ardingly’s solicitor Kip Waistell’s 1932 Lagonda. They were followed by a 1938 MG, a 1908 Delaunay and a 1929 bus owned by Southdown.