Clubs & Groups

There are many clubs and groups that use the Church, Rider Hall and Youth Centre, some which are run by St Andrew's, and some by external organisations. 

St Andrews Trust manages the community halls, this covers the Rider Hall, the Lounge and the Youth Centre.  If you wish to make bookings for any of the function rooms, please contact Linda Jones on Tel: 01444 253762 or staccs@tiscali.co.uk

Please scroll down to see the long list!

Alpha 

Alpha is a nationally and internationally recognised course, highly recommended and very popular. It consists of 10 sessions with a Saturday Away Day. There is a lot of humour and fun, as well as learning together. Courses are run on a regular basis, so please see the latest news page for details.

Andy's Youth Group 

Contact:  Julie Smyth via the office

Times:  Meets alternate Fridays between 7.30 – 9.00 pm

Cost:  £1.20

Details:  Andy's Youth Group is a great place to chill for anyone between the ages of 11 & 15

Contact:  Mr K Redford on 07759 698990

Times:  Meet every Tuesday, Improvers Class 1 starts at 7.30 pm and Improvers Class 2 starts at 8.30 pm.

Cost:  £5.00 per person

Details:  All classes teach Ballroom and Latin American dancing

Guides, Brownies & Rainbows

Contact:  District Commissioner - Mrs Liz Hillman-Smith on 01444 230762

Venue:  Youth Centre

Times:  

Rainbows - Fridays between 3.30 to 4.45 pm

Brownies -

8th Brownies - Mondays from 6.00 to 7.30 pm.  

9th Brownies - Thursdays from 5.15 pm to 6.45 pm

10th Burgess Hill Brownies meet in the Youth Centre every Friday night between 5 and 6.30 pm.

Last term the Brownies finished their 'Number Fun' badge in which the girls had to design their bedrooms keeping to a budget of £500 which they found really exciting. They also completed their 'World Traveller' badge which involved making passports and using them to travel to different countries to learn some new phrases and eat some new food.

This summer term the Brownies will be completing their 'Out and About' and 'Seasons' badges which include various activities such as taking bark rubbings and making a bird feeder.  Later on in the term we plan to take advantage of the better weather and longer evenings by taking the Brownies out on a 'Map Reading Walk' and our final meeting of the term will be in St John's Park.

The pack is currently full and we desperately need more adult helpers. If you can help, even occasionally, or would like more information, please contact Jane Hains, aka Brown Owl (via the Parish Office:  01444 232337 or e-mail standrewssec@googlemail.com) .

8th Guides - Thursdays from 7 to 8.30 pm

Guiding at St Andrew’s began in Sept 1927 when the 5th Burgess Hill Guides and Brownies started.

In the 1970s the Guide Company, 8th Burgess Hill and 8th Brownie Pack started.  Due to rapid growth 9th and 10th Brownie Packs opened.

In 1977 Rainbows for 5 to 7 year old girls started.

Girlguiding UK have been active at St Andrew’s for almost 60 years and we hope it will be for the next hundred but will certainly be around to celebrate its own centenary in 2010.

Burgess Hill Choral Society

Contact: 01273 890366

Times:  Rehearsals every Monday from September to April at the URC Hall, Junction Road at 8:00pm

Details:  Please ring the above number for membership details, and details on a singing or supportive basis

The Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra

Contact:  www.bhso.org.uk

Cost:  Membership fee of £60.00 per year

Details:  The Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra has been performing concerts at St. Andrews Church for over 20 years. The orchestra is always keen to enlist new players, particularly young graded musicians, and maximum support is always forthcoming from the orchestra members

Choir

Whether you like traditional, Ancient and Modern or more contemporary music then there is a place for you. A small group lead the 9 o clock Sunday service with a larger group at Christmas, Easter and other special occasions. We welcome recruits of any age to sing on a regular or occasional basis. We rehearse once a month for an hour in the evening, and music and robes are provided for the services.

Cubs, Scouts & Beavers

Venue:  Youth Centre

Times:  Beavers – Wednesday from 4.45 – 6.15 pm

Cubs – Tuesdays from 6.15 – 7.45 pm

Scouts – Wednesdays from 7.30 – 9.00 pm

Cost:  £40.00 per term

The 7th Burgess Hill (St Andrew’s) Scout Group was formed in April 1967

Between the years 1981 and 1990, nine venture scouts from St Andrews were awarded the Queens Scout award.

To be happy and successful in today's competitive world, your child needs to be confident and articulate. Enthusiastic students who learn to speak out clearly and relate confidently with their peers, develop skills that make the journey through life much easier. Out stimulating programme assists in these important areas. For over 20 years our acclaimed, self development drama programme has develop helped children act confidently and speak clearly. The programme encompasses a huge body of developmental drama activities aimed at increasing the confidence, self esteem and verbal skills of all students. For more information visit our website www.helenogrady.com.au. The drama academy meets during term times, prices are available upon request. Clothes should be worn that are suitable for movement, e.g. leggings, trainers etc. There are two groups, one for the 5 to 8 year olds and another for the 9 to 12 year olds.

Each Friday morning the church is decorated with flowers ready for our Sunday services. If you enjoy flower arranging, why not join our rota. Please e-mail us or telephone the parish office on 01444 232337 between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm weekdays.

Times:  Alternate Fridays (term time only) between 7.00 – 8.15 pm.

Cost:  £1.20 per week

Details:  Friday club is a youth club for the Key stage 2 group of children i.e. 7-11 year olds.

Times:  throughout the week, evenings and day time house Groups available.

Cost:  Free

Details:  House Groups meet at various times, usually on a weekly basis, enjoying each other’s company over tea and coffee in a relaxed informal setting. We offer each other prayer support, love and fellowship, read the Bible and discuss all sorts of topics and ideas.

Times:  Every 3rd Sunday at 6.30 pm

Cost:  Free

Details: Ignite is an event aimed at the youth element across Burgess Hill.  Ignite seeks to bring Jesus into the lives of young people from any denomination or background, by providing encouragement and a place to worship in their own unique way. It aims to provide openings and opportunities for young people to become involved with the Ignite Mission itself, it seeks to equip young people with the skills and values they need within their everyday lives. 
The event is currently run by members of St Andrews, together with members of other churches in Burgess Hill, and aims to be an event that stretches across all denominations.

Contact:  Oswald Chorlton via the Parish Office

Times:  Every Tuesday (term time only) between 2.00 – 4.00 pm

Cost:  £1.50 per meeting (refreshments included in price)

Details:  Meeting place for older people where they can enjoy an informal afternoon of friendliness, play a range of table top games, read or just chat.  Transport can be provided if needed.

Times:  Every Sunday in the Rider Hall and the Youth Centre between 10.30 – 11.30 am.

Cost:  Free

Details:  All children under 11 years old are welcome.  kidZone encourages the children to learn about the Christian Faith in a fun and informal way through bible stories, craft, music and games.

Contact:  Linda Jones on Tel: 01444 253762 or staccs@tiscali.co.uk

Times:  Every Mondays in the Rider Hall between 12.45 - 2.30 pm

Cost:  Free, or a small charge for outings

Details:  English lessons are provided for parents, while their children are looked after in a relaxed and supportive environment.  Bluebird bus free of charg e.

The Music Group at St Andrews has evolved over time and now consists of a 5 piece band - lead vocals, keyboard, bass, guitar and drums. However, we always welcome other instruments, so if you play to a reasonable standard and would be interested in helping to lead the worship at the 10.30am Sunday Service then we would be delighted to hear from you. We are open to all ages, and meet most Thursday evenings except in August. You will need to bring your own instrument plus any accessories required.

Oasis

We meet on the third Tuesday afternoon of each month as a group for people who have enduring physical health problems, which can impair their quality of life. The idea is to enable people to meet with others in a similar situation - to provide support and practical help in the form of talks from health professionals and other areas of interest to the group. The programme that has been organised includes a time of pampering and encouragement with an opportunity to experience relaxation techniques, soothing massage as well as gentle movement. There is a quiet space for people and an opportunity to receive prayer.  And of course there are tea and cakes!

Contact: Mary and John Dawson via the Parish Office

Details:  Who needs a pastoral visit? - Almost everyone from time to time will find themselves in a ‘crisis’ situation.  It may be a death, a marriage breakdown, an operation, an illness, depression, loss of mobility, challenging parenthood, doubt.  Pastoral care offers a listening ear, a non-judgmental friend, prayer if wanted and practical help.

St Andrews pre-school was opened in 1969 and has always kept up to date with the latest developments in education and childcare. Parents are welcomed and invited to become involved in the group in many practical ways, and through fun days, outings and fund raising events. 

Contact:  Angela Jeans on 07845 919016

Times:  Mon – Fri - 9.15- 11.45 am (Youth Centre)

Mon – Fri (excluding Wed) - 9.15 -11.45 am (Rider Hall)

Mon/Wed/Thurs pm (when required 12.15 – 2.45 pm) (Youth Centre)

Cost: Children receive a Nursery Grant covering their child’s fees from the term after they are 3, if they are younger than this fees are £8.00 per session

Details: Open to children aged between 2 and 5 years old.  Recent OFSTED report quoted “The quality and standards of the care and nursery education are outstanding".

The Players are the St. Andrews drama society and present either a play or a pantomime each spring. New members are always welcome either those who want to act or who would like to be part of the backstage team.

Contact: Steve Kippax via s.kippax@btinternet.com

Times: Monday evening between 7.45 – 10.15 pm (rehearsals)

Cost: minimal fee to cover scripts

Details: The group produce one play each year, in the Theatre Club in Church Road. Rehearsals lasts between 3-4 months. Helpers needed to paint scenery, operate lighting etc

Supper Club provides the opportunity for church members who would not normally have a chance to chat, to meet over lunch/dinner and get to know each other. Each meal is shared by the three pairs. The host provides the main course, another pair the starter, and the other pair pudding and drinks. The meal can be anything from a take-away, egg and chips or something more adventurous if you like. Names are put on the list in pairs (not just couples!). Once a quarter a list is circulated letting everyone know who they have been matched with. The host then agrees a time, date and place. Transport can be arranged. Its a good way of getting to know people, during an enjoyable evening. Why not call and join now.

Times:  Every second Wednesday between 2 – 4.00 pm

Cost: Annual subscription of £6 and an additional £1 (refreshment costs)

Details:  We are a group of 'elderly' ladies who aim to provide fellowship, friendship and support.  Transport is arranged amongst ourselves for those without it.

Vie Youth Group

Times:  Every Sunday morning (except for the first of the month) in the Youth Lounge between 10.30 - 11.45 am

Cost:  Free

Details:  The word "Vie" is taken from the French word for "life", which couldn't be more apt, given that it is a Christian group aimed at the 11 – 18 age range and focuses on everything that life throws at them.