On a rough March night in 1902 the Steamship “Cragoswald” was driven ashore by a storm force gale at Camber close to the Jury’s Gap Coastguard Station. Several initial attempts at re-floating her were unsuccessful. A great amount of cargo was unloaded and transported off the beach on pony carts. Continue reading Aground at Camber
From Postcards and information supplied by Frank Palmer
A.R. Quinton (1853 – 1934) the well known and highly competent Water-colour artist, whose love of the English countryside is reflected in his paintings, resulted in his works being used to illustrate books such as ‘The Historic Thames’ written by Hilaire Belloc in 1907. Continue reading Artist’s Double Take
This old horse drawn steam water pump, photographed in his youth by Mike Whiteman, seems to be an appliance belonging to Rye Fire Brigade.
Can any of our readers throw more light on the subject. What was the date it was introduced? Over what period was it used?. And who are the firemen in the picture? Continue reading Rye Fire Pump
When I awoke on 13th June 1930, my bedroom window was full of flame (A sight not unusual ten years later). This was out beloved Windmill, by the River Tillingham, on fire. A different sight than that on the Rye’s Own Christmas card. By the time I dressed and got out to be on hand should any help be needed the mill was completely alight with its out line shape still showing through the flames, but seconds later it seemed to twist and collapse. Continue reading The Day the Mill Burned Down
Jimper’s Jottings
December gone, the new year is here. With December went the shortest day, now summer is on the way but beware the old saying “As the days lengthen the cold does strengthen”.
December was not as cold as it felt, “a miserable damp barn windy chilly month” as the old folk called it. Yes, the east winds were cold but they blew across the ground not into it and so the earth, the home of all our plants, did not freeze, Continue reading Jimper’s Jottings from January 2003
The Cheeky Girls, Monica and Gabriela Irimia, returned to their adopted town of Rye for a flying visit on the Saturday before Christmas to help Santa distribute toys to the children who visited the Ypres Tower “Grotto.”
Monica and Gabriela, identical twins, came to Rye a year ago to live with their mother, Margaret and step-dad Ray. Their amazing path to stardom has come as Continue reading Rye’s Own Pop Stars
This photograph of the Rye Boys School (Mermaid Street) soccer team of 1931 was kindly loaned by Frank Igglesden. Continue reading Rye Boys and Old Boys Soccer
I started work in the Rates Office, then at 107 High Street (now the Easton Rooms) in 1936. Mr. Cyril Powell, Rating and Valuation Officer was my boss and Mr. Ambrose Huxstep my Senior. Mr. Huxstep and I were responsible for writing all Continue reading The War Years & Beyond
The 1914-18 War seems far off to many of us now but there are still Ryers around that have memories of those terrible days. Continue reading World War One
Our American correspondent, one time Rye girl Sylvia (Sperring) Hewitt sends this report of American family life from Medford, Oragon:
Dateline Rye’s Own December 2002
Summer is now officially over and winter is just around the corner. We had a very hot, dry one this year, into the 100s quite regularly…… Continue reading Letter from America
