22/04/2026
This morning we had the pleasure of a visit from Joyce Day and her son Chris.
In 1941, when evacuating from Kent, Joyce arrived in Haywards Heath to live in Big Pennies - the cottage here on our site, today Dinnages head office (last photo is Big Pennies in 1953).
In recent years Joyce would often pass the cottage and wonder what it would be like to see it again after almost 80 years. With her 101st birthday approaching, Chris brought his mother along to return to the cottage and tell us of her memories whilst living here. She told us of sharing the smallest room with her twin sister and of getting ready for her wedding day in what is now our MD's office!
Joyce lived here with the Wren family and with some 3 generations living here it must have been very busy! Joyce was married to Derrick Day, a projectionist at the Perrymount cinema, in September 1944 (Joyce and her identical twin sister Elsie were usherettes at the Broadway cinema). Joyce moved into Derrick’s family home in Ardingly whilst her sister stayed on at Big Pennies and eventually married Chas Wren.
We were delighted to host Joyce for the morning in her old lodgings and learn more of Big Pennies' history.
We wish Joyce a very happy 101st birthday in June!!
💛