AN unusual slice of Burgess Hill history has gone on show at the South Downs Heritage Centre in Hassocks.
Dozens of examples of the fine terracotta wear produced when Burgess Hill was a thriving pottery town make the exhibition.
The collection is owned by Fred Avery, of Junction Road, a local historian and author who has been collecting example’s of the area’s pottery for many years. The items span chimney pots, tiles, flower pots, air bricks, ridge tiles, and bricks.
Fred said: “The clay-rich soil of Burgess Hill wasn’t much good for farming but it was ideal for brick and tile making.”
The town’s last remaining pottery had to close in 1940 because it’s flames broke blackout regulations, but Keymer Brick and Tile started up again after the war and maintains a thriving business to this day producing hand-made roof tiles.
Entry to the London Road (A273) Heritage Centre is free and it’s open daily.
The picture, courtesy of Trevor Butler, shows Fred Avery with some of his collection of Burgess Hill-made terracotta