Category: Festivals

Rye Festival of Local Food

 June 21st to June 27th

East Sussex is County of natural plenty.

Did you know that wine making in the area dates back to Roman times?

Did you know that Queen Elisabeth I highly praised the Rye Bay Catch ?

Did you know that in our ancient woodlands wild boar roam? Did you know that we have 3 organic farms within a few miles of Rye? Did you know that Rye, Winchelsea and area has over 50 hotels, bars and restaurants to eat and drink local produce from the sea, shore and land? Continue reading Rye Festival of Local Food

Bonfire Over the Years

What were those Bonfire Nights in Rye of more than fifty years ago really like? So many stories are passed down by those senior citizens who were there. They tell Continue reading Bonfire Over the Years

Robin Hood Bonfire 2002

Robin Hood Bonfire Society’s November Fifth Celebrations Bring Year of Activity and Success to Colourful Climax

The village of Icklesham, three miles from Rye, must be one of the most active communities in the country. They have always been hot on Soccer and Cricket at Icklesham, running three soccer teams for many of the past 50 seasons and having an active Cricket Club that has proved the equal of many of their peers over the years. Continue reading Robin Hood Bonfire 2002

Original Dragon of Rye

We are told that the history of ‘Bonfire’ in Rye goes back BEFORE the time of Guy Fawkes. Legend has it that the burning boat ceremony was first held in the town shortly after the men of Rye and Winchelsea raided the French town at St. Peter’s Port and retrieved the church bells that had been stolen in the French raid of the previous year. In the course of their revengeful rape and pillage they also pulled French boats out of the water and paraded them blazing through the streets. This event is still remembered in the traditional dragging of a burning boat in the Guy Fawkes procession. Continue reading Original Dragon of Rye

Found in Cinque Ports Street August 2000

Found in Cinque Ports Street

These Two photographs, along with another two, were found in Cinque Ports Street on Saturday 18 August. The top one seems to show a tableaux from a Rye Bonfire Night procession but I cannot identify anyone in it. The bottom picture is a different story, it is packed with Rye personalities attending a Bonfire Society Continue reading Found in Cinque Ports Street August 2000

More for Juniors at Rye Tennis Club

By Terry Spencer

There are now more opportunities in Rye for local young people to join in and learn their tennis skills. For some time club coaches have offered lessons for individuals and small groups at Rye Tennis Club, and junior tournament events have been held annually as part of the Rye Tennis Festival. Continue reading More for Juniors at Rye Tennis Club

Rye Bonfire 66

OFF WITH A BANG

It was so wet that even the mermaid had to have an umbrella, but pouring rain throughout the whole of the Bonfire Society’s 1966 Rye Fawkes Celebrations did not dampen the spirits of the thousands who had come to watch the annual spectacle. Continue reading Rye Bonfire 66