Those were the days! When elephants and Hoovernaughts roamed the streets of Rye – when there were queues outside the Regent – sea planes landed at Camber Castle and pretty girls wore minis and bikinis all over town. Continue reading The Swinging Sixties in Rye
Month: January 2004
Rye Pop Groups
Another Report from January 2004 Issue “Rye’s Own”
Kevin Williams, ‘Master of Ceremonies’ of last month’s galaxy of local musicians at the Community Centre, remarked that musical talent had come a long way in Rye since the sixties when the only Rye pop group were the “Rye Toffs”. Continue reading Rye Pop Groups
Editorial
As we put the first magazine of 2004 to bed the great news has just come in that Rye & Iden United have beaten St. Leonards four – one to complete a fine Christmas double. They beat Pagham by the same score on the December 20 and now stand fifth in the County League Division One table. Well done boys. Continue reading Editorial
The Sprocket Page
The Adventures of the Rye & District Wheelers Past and Present
Looking Back
The Racing Ashdowns
John and Dave Ashdown joined the Rye Wheelers in 1957. They came from a bike racing family, their uncles had been grass track riders before the War. Soon John and Dave were joined by a third brother, Edward. The trio made up a very important part of the Wheeler’s Grass Track Team. They also rode time trials. Later Mike Ashdown, a cousin, joined the club. Mike was a sprinter of extraordinary talent. He won the Sussex Sprint Championship at his second attempt and went on to lead the Wheelers in a never equalled three time triumph in the Gasson Team Competition at the Rye Sports Festival.
John Ashdown makes a last mile effort in a 1960’s Time Trial.
Mike Ashdown (left) with Celia, John and Mr & Mrs. Wall at a 1967 time trial.
Looking Ahead
Bright New Year Prospects for the Wheelers
With membership steadily growing and more and more riders getting out on Sundays the New Year looks good for the Rye & District Wheelers.
Starting from Tuesday 6 January and every Tuesday, there will be a short afternoon run, taking at the most two hours including a stop for a cuppa. A run that can be managed by beginners and novices of all ages and sexes, young and old alike. A good starting point for those that want to get fit and lose a little weight while enjoying companionship and the beauty of the countryside.
Sunday Morning runs cover more ground but are split into two separate groups if need be, both groups meeting up at eleven for breakfast.
The racing contingent are looking forward to another good season with seven riders already preparing for the first races. Roy Fritchley, the 25 mile record holder, threatens to take his record down ‘under the hour’. Barry Goodsall the present 25 Mile Champion also has this target in mind. It should be quite a contest.
After last year’s great effort in the East Sussex Cycling Association “100” mile race both Barry Goodsall and Mark Nash are planning to have another go at the distance, it may be that a third rider will be willing to ride with them and make up a team.
The evening “10” competitions will be hard fought again with Mark Nash defending his points competition championship. This event, spread over fifteen races, requires a high attendance percentage and allows the slower but more regular competitors a chance to be in at the finish with possibilities of winning.
The Club A.G.M. will be held at the Riverside Restaurant, Riverhaven Hotel at 7.30 on the second Thursday in February. All members are requested to attend along with anyone else interested in the Activities of the Rye & District Wheelers.
“Rye’s Own” January 2004
All articles, photographs, films and drawings on this web site are World Copyright Protected. No reproduction for publication without prior arrangement. © World Copyright 2015 Cinque Ports Magazines Rye Ltd., Guinea Hall Lodge Sellindge TN25 6EG.
Pen & Ink
Rye Church Clock
Dear Editor,
Just as a point of interest. You state in a recent article that St Marys clock would have cost around £250 in todays terms but you are way of the mark. The true figure works out at around £8000 an interesting site for these financial facts is http://eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp/. Continue reading Pen & Ink
Living In The Fast
By Daydreamer
Living in the fast world of today I wonder how many older people like myself yearn a little for the good old bad old days of the 1920s and ’30s. No television, stereo units or video recorders no disc players, telephones or vacuum cleaners. The list is endless. Some homes boasted a wireless set which whistled, hissed and crackled most of the time it was on. Continue reading Living In The Fast
Tenterden London Rail Link
Few passengers that pass through Robertsbridge Railway Station will be aware that in its old sidings The Rother Valley Railway Supporters Association (RVRSA) is busy beavering away with its restoration and preservation of the line and rolling stock to Bodiam. Continue reading Tenterden London Rail Link
Problems At The Partnership
Rye Partnership was rocked by a double bombshell when Rother District Council’s Regeneration Officer Mark Evershed suddenly resigned at the end of November. “Personal reasons” was the explanation given by Rother Council Leader am Souster. Continue reading Problems At The Partnership
On The Waterfront
The pictures on this page come from the Derek Phillips collection. They were all taken in and around the Phillips Yard in Rock Channel. The picture at the top of the page shows the yard with Rye as a background during the 1950’s. The shot of fishermen mending their nets is from a much earlier time, probably around 1910. Continue reading On The Waterfront
Pages from Deans Rag Books
Deans Rag Book Company were toy makers in Rye from the fifties to the seventies. They produced many varieties of soft toys and also their famous Rag Books for children which are famous all over the world. Continue reading Pages from Deans Rag Books