Author: Jim Hollands

How Faces On Old Town Carnival Committee

Hastings Old Town Carnival Association held its AGM at the East Hastings Sea Angling Association at 10am on Sunday, 15th November. Despite the time and the inclement weather it was one of the best turnout for many years. Continue reading How Faces On Old Town Carnival Committee

Bonfire Magic

It’s that time of year again. The Bonfire Boys Flag flies over The Landgate and preparations are being made for the annual invasion of the streets of Rye by pirates, witches, Kings and Queens, skeletons, wenches, Cavaliers and Roundheads. Continue reading Bonfire Magic

Explosion at Dungeness

A Note from the Editor

I have been editing this magazine since 1965 and during that time have come across many exciting, interesting and talented people. The work of Albert Stribbling, an amazing man from Ashford, has never been published, I cannot think why. The following is a section from his unfinished book, these are all the words he has sent us and they are all included here for you to enjoy as I did.

Albert is racing to complete his book, we shall print anything from it he cares to send us, when you read the following chapters you will understand why I can say that without seeing them.

He is a descriptive writer who records modern social history and events with his pen. It is a fitting story to include in this very special issue of “Cinque Ports” Continue reading Explosion at Dungeness

Jimper’s Memories of Hastings Safe

In my capacity of owning a scrap yard and being willing to do odd jobs no-one else was willing to do in a rush, I got the reputation of the one who was willing to take on the occasionally problematic task, such as the time I was approached by a gentleman in Hastings. He was in a real fluster. It appeared that he had sold his house on the sea front but forgotten the safe that stood in the back of his garage. Continue reading Jimper’s Memories of Hastings Safe

50 Years of Rye Characters

Who were the great Rye Characters of the past 50 years, the ‘Movers & Shakers’ who have contributed to the history of this, the best little town in the whole of Britain? – On this page we feature only a fraction of those who have played a colourful part over the past half century. There are so many more. Continue reading 50 Years of Rye Characters

The Hodges Pages Local Plan For Hastings

After several years of preparation and a formal examination by an Independent Inspector, the Development Management Plan has now been adopted. This Plan sets out in detail where the new houses, offices and shops will go, and provides development management policies to ensure the protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment. Continue reading The Hodges Pages Local Plan For Hastings

Billeting of Troops WW1

By Brian Lawes

Early in the War billeting troops was a contentious issue in Hastings. In a survey of rate payers it showed that of the replies received, only 2,024 ratepayers were in favour of the billeting of troops, six against, and six were neutral. Continue reading Billeting of Troops WW1

50 Years The Royal Visit

By Jim Hollands

Fifty years seems a long time but looking back to 1965 from 2015 it seems not so long at all.

“Rye’s Own” was started with the intention that it should report and support Rye. There can be no doubt that it has always done that, although in those early days Rye Borough Council was running the town’s affairs in a very efficient and effective way and the magazine did not find itself at the forefront of political confrontation as it does in this modern age. Continue reading 50 Years The Royal Visit

The Red House Emmanuel Road

 

By John Hodges

Sometime after 1066 the first Norman Castle in England, constructed in stone, was built on what is now known as the West Hill. The original construction was of wood and it was not till some years later that the stone remains of that crumbling edifice that we know today as Hastings Castle came into being. Continue reading The Red House Emmanuel Road