The non human member of the family was a large tabby cat. Although the cat was large its tail was very short. It has, apparently been caught in the front door when it had slammed closed. Although it looked a little ridiculous it did not seem to worry her. She had a habit of lying close to the ground by the step and jumping out at any dog that wandered in the lane. Continue reading A Rye Childhood
This personal account of life and times in the town of Rye, East Sussex, is written some seventy five years later, from memories which are still as bright now as the day they occurred. Continue reading A Rye Childhood
The Railway had reached Ashford, just 18 miles away by 1843. The line to Rye was soon commenced and a great iron swing bridge was constructed over the Rother.
J. L. DEACON F. R. Hist. S. printed the first edition his his amazing “Ancient Rye” early in the 20th. century, the fifth edition hit the bookstands in 1927 and contains this great picture of the Landgate in Georgian times. Continue reading The Landgate In Old Times
1940 Fair Meadow, Rye Hill, at that time was like open parkland and a good number of mature oak trees were spread over it. I recall seeing, when on our Sunday afternoon walks, a tented army camp with vehicles and tanks standing under the trees. Continue reading Tanks in Rye
During the Napoleonic Wars many prisoners were taken on both sides. Those taken by the British were shipped back to Britain and held in prison hulks and prisons through out the land. Dartmoor Prison was built for this purpose. Continue reading French Officers Escape Through Rye
Rye’s old Fire Engine. It was housed in the Town Hall and used to fight fires in the Town and local villages. Now lives in Rye Museum. Continue reading Some of Rye’s Treasures
The Town is a beautiful Prospect to look upon anyway, a convenient Passage into Normandy, famous for Fishing, as good Fish having been brought to Market (before the French spoiled the Fishing grounds) as anywhere in England, …. Samual Jeake 1678. Continue reading Beautiful Prospect to Look Upon
The Siege of Rye (Rye Medieval Festival) proved to be as brilliant as ever despite some problem with funding obtained by the Rye Partnership. Continue reading The Siege Of Rye
This area of Sussex is very rich in History especially smuggling, with many very well recorded episodes of this illicit trade. Usually it is the more notorious gangs such as the Hawkhurst Gang that people become familiar with. Continue reading My Smuggling Ancestors
