Category: Local interest

Antique or just old?

By Arthur Woodgate

Writing about outside of Rye’s defence wall, it came to me that some of the property inside was not as antique as we might think. Yes there are footings all over where we can see buildings. Continue reading Antique or just old?

The Clarence Hotel Silverhill

 CLARENCE HOTEL

By John Hodges

The first reference to the name Silver Hill, it was spelt as two words until about 1865, occurs in 1783 when High Ridge Farm changed its name to that of Silver Hill Farm. The name next occurs in 1813 when the name of Silver Hill Mill first appears on the ordnance survey map, but little more is heard of this mill until 1838 when John Harmer brought to the site one of the mills that had stood on the West Hill. Despite a series of catastrophes and subsequent reconstructions this old mill struggled on until 1966 when the crumbling structure was finally Continue reading The Clarence Hotel Silverhill

Battle Scarecrow Festival

By Tony May

As regular readers will already know, I am a big fan of the town of Battle. Olde Worlde, surrounded by beautiful countryside and steeped in the history of England it’s a place I always feel right at home! Consider also my love for the 70’s children’s television programme, Worzel Gummidge and in the Battle Annual Scarecrow Festival you have an event made in heaven for me. Continue reading Battle Scarecrow Festival

Rye Arts Festival Opens New Doors

 

During a packed programme of events between 15th and 30th September, the 41st annual Rye Arts Festival is excited to be using three new venues in Rye this year – Tilling Green Community Centre; the Fletcher Centre in Lion Street; and St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Watchbell Street. Continue reading Rye Arts Festival Opens New Doors

Celebrating 30 years in Rye

Older people at Devonport House in Rye celebrated 30 years since the Queen Mother opened their retirement housing site with a party for friends, family and local people on Friday 8 June. Continue reading Celebrating 30 years in Rye

Amber & Arthur at Castle Museum

Amber and Arthur at Castle Museum

A party was held to mark the summer re-opening of the Museum on East Street and amongst invited guests were Amber Rudd MP and “Rye’s Own’s” star contributor 98 year old Arthur Woodgate. He was made an honorary life member, in tribute to his efforts in making sure the memories of Old Rye are not forgotten. Continue reading Amber & Arthur at Castle Museum

A Room with a View

Memories of life in a Rye draper’s shop in the early 1920s

By J C Pulford

The stairs that led up to Florence Sparrow’s bedroom above a Rye draper’s shop also led to the roof. Here, ‘off-duty’ hours were often spent reading, sunbathing Continue reading A Room with a View