Month: March 2008

One Medic Ambulances

Dear Editor

I enjoyed reading your Town Crier articles in the January Issue.

The new ‘one medic ambulances’ are a revelation. I am quite a large person and there is no way that one man or woman could manage to get me into an ambulance. Recent experience has shown me that this would be madness.

I have often made use of the benches in the High Street and rested my outstretched legs.

When I think of some of the things I did when I was younger! I would have been locked away if I did them today.

Would have been nice to have seen the Christmas Festival, but I was otherwise indisposed over Christmas.

I used to watch Rye United every week when I was younger and enjoyed watching my Uncle Bill (Blower) Pierce playing. Due to my mobility condition I am not able to watch them so much now. But I am still interested in how they are playing.

I look forward to receiving future issues of Rye’s Own, and know my granddaughter also enjoys receiving the copies.

Gorden Pierce

Ancient Trees

Dear Editor

I recently had information from the Woodland Trust regarding really ancient trees. The Trust wish to register any that people know of in their own areas – I understand a tree of 500 years old is considered ‘ancient’ and I believe the girth needs to be measured. I am enclosing the leaflet and their letter to me, and the website is on the leaflet which would tell more about it all. I don’t know of any particular tree myself except the one at Northiam which is said to be the one that Queen Elizabeth sat under to change her shoes – but I don’t really know if that’s absolutely true, it is printed in an old Rye Town Guide. While I’m mentioning the Woodland Trust did you know that you can have a tree planted in one of their woods which you can dedicate to a relative or friend in their name? I do this myself when someone I know dies. I do not send flowers, flowers are for the living, they die after the funeral, if you plant a tree it will go on living in their memory for – who knows – a hundred – five hundred years or more. For £10 you receive a certificate to send to the bereaved with whatever words you choose to put on it, and a sapling is planted a wood you choose from a list they will send. You can also have a tree (or group of trees) planted for a birth or birthday if you like. I’ve always loved trees myself and have been aware of them as living things. I think its a good thing to do, to plant a tree for whatever reason. I hope one day that someone will plant a tree for me to go on living for me when I no longer can.

Sylvia King

“Hastings Town”

Dear Editor

I just had to write and congratulate you and your staff on the new sister magazine to Rye’s Own, I waited with baited breath for the first issue of Hasting Town. It is so nice to have a magazine that covers the local aspects of the town. I also like the idea of people such as myself being able to write our views about local matters.

I was very interested to read about the invasion of Hastings by the Mods. I could not believe all the old faces. I wonder if anyone who has read the magazine has recognised themselves?

I look forward to the next issue and many more to come.

George Smith

Thanks for your letter George. We have had a message from the Policeman pictured arresting a gentleman in the article you mentioned. Editor.

Bob Huckstep

Dear Editor

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Bob Huckstep. I’m sure that I speak for all his ex-pupils. In life you meet some people who you feel that it has been a privilege to have know. Bob Huckstep was one such person. He had a great respect from all that knew him. One example of this was a few years ago when I was talking to him in town. Another ex-pupil passed by and greeted him with,”Good morning Mr. Huckstep. This person, although 60 plus himself, had such great respect for the man he did not presume to call him Bob. That is respect, a commodity rarely known in this day and age.

As a teacher he was a man of great patience and wisdom, I never recall that he had to raise his voice to anyone.

Bob Huckstep will be sadly by all who have been fortunate enough to have known him.

Eric Streeton.

I can echo that sentiment. He was a War hero who rarely spoke about his days in the RAF as a navigator in a bomber squadron. I do know he flew on missions to help the Chechoslovacian resistance and that he did win th DFC (Distinquished Flying Cross). Editor.

From Rye’s Own Letter Page March 2008

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