Blue Plaque
Photo above courtesy of Steve Robards, Mid Sussex Times.
More than 60 years ago, the engineering business “Norris Brothers” of Burgess Hill was established in an office above what is now the TSB Bank in Church Walk. In the 1950s, they worked predominantly with the late Donald Campbell C.B.E. and his team of engineers designing the “Bluebird CN7” which took the world Land Speed Record to just over 403mph in 1964.
The brothers Lew, Ken and Eric spent more than a decade designing the “Bluebird 7” hydroplane in Haywards Heath in which Donald Campbell sadly but bravely lost his life attempting the World Water Speed Record on 4th January 1967.
Mick Pepper who joined “Norris Brothers”, as an apprentice at the age of 16 met Fred Avery (founder of Burgess Hill Local History Society and a big friend of Burgess Hill District Lions) to discuss the provision of a long lasting “Blue Plaque” memorial to the “Norris Brothers” and the late Donald Campbell.
There were further discussions with Burgess Hill Town Council, TSB Bank and the Burgess Hill District Lions Club who agreed to sponsor the “Blue Plaque”. Les Norris, who was a Charter member of Burgess Hill District Lions Club and Club President in 1964/65, was part of the Norris family but not involved with the project.
On Tuesday 31st January, the new Blue Plaque was unveiled by Town Mayor Jacqui Landriani, and those attending the ceremony were Fred Avery (Local History Society) descendants of the Norris family along with some past employees. Representing Burgess Hill District Lions were Zone Chairman Lion Christine Coxshaw, Lions Alan Ranger, Tony Parris and John Carter.
Click here to see the detail on the Blue Plaque.
