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A new local history book by Canon John Twisleton, is winning praise from historians, clergy and civic leaders for its richly researched portrait of Burgess Hill.

The book, titled ‘Scenic Burgess Hill: Hub of enterprise’ subtitled ‘A dynamic history with Downs walks’, traces the town’s journey from the ancient grazing land of St John’s Common through its birth as a Victorian railway town built on brick, tile and pottery.

The story explores how Burgess Hill has turned into the thriving community of dental surgeries, business parks and sports facilities it is today.

Throughout the book, Fr John, assistant priest at St John the Evangelist Church, Burgess Hill, weaves in the story of the parish church he serves, the town’s remarkable diversity of faith communities, and an appendix of twenty South Downs walks accessible by rail.

A new local history book by Canon John Twisleton, is winning praise from historians, clergy and civic leaders for its affectionate and richly researched portrait of Burgess Hill.

placeholder image — A new local history book by Canon John Twisleton, is winning praise from historians, clergy and civic leaders for its affectionate and richly researched portrait of Burgess Hill.

The book is a sequel to the author’s other Mid Sussex based books - ‘Celebrating Haywards Heath’ (2024), ‘Fifty Walks from Haywards Heath’ (2020), and ‘Thirty Walks from Brighton Station’ (2022, 2025 2nd edition).

For his latest edition the Priest highlighted the significance of the Burgess Hill book.

He said: “I have known and loved Burgess Hill for 25 years since most of my family moved south from London settling in Brighton, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

“In 2001 the Bishop of Chichester invited me to be Mission & Renewal Adviser serving across Sussex from which began my long connection with our parish Church of St John the Evangelist where I serve as assistant priest.

In his book John explores the history of Burgess Hill, this is a picture of what Victoria Gardens in Burgess Hill looked like.

“We arrived shortly after The Triangle was built, securing regular visits to the town to the joy of our then 11 year old, drawn to its alluring flumes and rapids. Another son found work and accommodation in Burgess Hill. My mother spent her last years in St Anne’s Residential Care Home. Wider family have joined us on occasion for pizza in St John’s Park.

“When I think of Burgess Hill my first image is scenic because I approach driving south from our home in Haywards Heath towards the Downs along London Road.

“Ahead of me looms the grass covered chalk strata, standing proud above the sea to tower over the Sussex coastline providing shelter and scenic prospect for the Weald on which the town is built.

“My second image is one of enterprise because as a family we seek out the town’s extensive provision to many in Mid Sussex from dental care to car care, printing to clothing, drop-in centre to residential home.”

The launch of the new book will take place after the 10am Sung Eucharist in St John the Evangelist Church, Burgess Hill, RH15 9AA 1QE on Sunday, September 20.

Burgess Hill town Mayor, Stuart Condie, said the book had ‘positive attitude towards the future of our town’ and will be in attendance at the launch.

Copies of the new book will be on sale over coffee for a discounted price of £4.99 and author signings will be available.

The book has already received positive feedback. Heather Warne of the Burgess Hill Heritage & History Association praised the author’s ability to connect with the aspirations of the townsfolk who, across many different fields - education, religion, sport, art and drama - laid the foundations of today’s community.

The late Fr David Charles, formerly Vicar of St John the Evangelist, admired the way John drew together the town’s heritage with hope for its future.

The new book is already available on Amazon as paperback or ebook.