Category: Local History

Rye in Edwardian Times

 

By Ken Clark

Pauperism in Rye remained an unresolved social problem at the opening of the twentieth century. Social reform is this country was confined to filling the most glaring gaps in the existing social system. The bed-rock of social provision was to be found in the Poor Law, first enacted in the time of the Tudors, and re-enacted in 1834. Administered locally by Boards of Guardians and financed from the local rates, the Poor Law provided a minimum subsistence under conditions which were deliberately designed to deter all but the utterly desperate from applying for it. It is little wonder, therefore, that the poor feared the day when, through ill health, misfortune or old age, they would no longer be able to earn their living for, unless they had been extremely thrifty or possessed children who were in a position to help, the workhouse was the only place for them. Continue reading Rye in Edwardian Times

Over The Sluice Part Two

By Arthur Woodgate

Many members of the Bryant family lived over the Sluice, either in Western Place or like me close by, so I claim that side Bryant, one of Rye’s top runners, second only to the great Shooty shoebridge of Rye Harbour, was one of us, and the Bryants were part of the builders or Rye as we know it today. Continue reading Over The Sluice Part Two

The Oak Inn

This very rare photograph, from the Frank Palmer Collection, is of Rye’s ‘Unknown Inn’.

The Oak Inn, situated in the building very recently part vacated by Ollio Books and the Rye Art Galleries Easton Rooms, was active for a period of three years or so a little over 100 years ago.
By 1903, a year after this photograph was taken, the premises had become a tea shop.

A close inspection of the picture reveals that “The Oak” was a Style & Wynch outlet. Continue reading The Oak Inn

Two Fires – 50 Years Apart

Two Rye Fires, 50 Years Apart

A picture paints 1000 words. The photograph at the foot of the page was taken by local photographer, C. H. Axell. It shows, in great detail, the Rye Fire Brigade of 1912 coping with the aftermath of a blaze at Harvey’s builders premises in South Undercliff. Continue reading Two Fires – 50 Years Apart

Open Letter from Rye

 

An Open Letter sent By “Rye’s Own” on behalf of the People of Rye to the Leaders of all Parties in March 2006

Please put politics aside, join together and save the Ancient Town of Rye from being decimated by the two controlling outside bodies. For 900 years this proud member of the Cinque Ports Confederation governed its own affairs very satisfactorily but in 1974 the Local Government Re-organization Act meant that Rye was left with a virtually powerless Town Council. A new body, Rother District Council, took most of Rye’s powers and assets to iBexhill. Since that time Rye has been in decline, suffering under a regime that is governed by Bexhill members of the District Council who hold a virtual majority of the 38 seats compared to Rye’s two. Democracy was taken away at a stroke! Continue reading Open Letter from Rye

Victoria’s Medal

Rye Celebration Medals

By Frank Palmer.

The issue of official medals for Royal celebrations such as Coronations
and Jubilees, were much more generous in the past and were pleasing
moments for the recipients who, in many cases, had been involved in
the event. Continue reading Victoria’s Medal

A Rye Childhood – Part 1

 

By Noel C. A. Care.

More Buildings and Games.

There were other buildings which found their way into our games. Brought up, as we were, in a town full of old buildings, we took little notice of them unless they affected us.There were two in Mermaid Street that became, even if only by implication, part of our games. Continue reading A Rye Childhood – Part 1