To compare Jimmy Hollands with Winston Churchill would make him blush, but by sharing the same birthday it has prompted me to think that many of the things that he has fought for on behalf of others, added to a rare pioneering spirit and the will to win, are qualities that shone in the great man himself. Continue reading Down Rye Way
Passengers, aboard an ocean liner, pass their days -happy or anxious, busy or idle – not much concerned with what goes on “below decks”. Enough, that there is a crew who presumably know their business and destination, and watch-by-watch through the twenty-four hours get on with the job. Continue reading Keeping Watch in 1973
Popular 20 year old Tony Edwards. (Herbie to his many friends) recently passed out as a Marine Commando and received his Green Beret.
Tony’s Passing-out Parade at Lymstone, Devon, was attended by his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Edwards of 38 Lea Avenue. Continue reading Tony Edwards Will Serve in Ulster
In 1902, Percy Daw, a young Peasmarsh man, who came from a musical family. decided to form a band. With the help of his friend, Ernest Offen, who was also very musical, he recruited a number of lads who were interested and Peasmarsh Brass Band was born.
Most of the early members were farm workers. With a little money the.y raised among themselves and help from the villagers, instruments were purchased.
They learnt to play with the help of Percy and Ernest and their own perseverance.
The noise of individuals playing at home annoyed some and pleased others. The Band practised together in an oast house, but at certain times of the year it was in use so new premises were sought. By the kindness of Mr. Charles Clarke, they were granted the use of part of his stable at the Cock Inn. The rats got a bit scared, but the pony soon got used to it, and received many a sugar lump for being so amiable towards the Band and tolerant to the weird noises that issued forth at this early stage.
In 1914 when the War started there were enough men exempt from Military service to keep the Peasmarsh Band together. When the lads who were spared came home in 1918, they rejoined and swelled the ranks.
Members include:— Jim Butler, “Jummy” CLarke, Harry Wells, Alf Brann, George Daw, Burt Field, Charlie Ashdown, Larry Standen, Harry Dengate, George Ashdown, Ned Ashdownn and Ernest Offen.
I joined the Band in 1921 and carried the bass drum until 1960. The bass drummer gives the beat for the marchers. and they take their pace from him, it didn’t always go without a hitch. We went to a fête once at Sandhurst in Kent. After falling in at the Swan Inn we headed a procession of children in fancy dress to the field where the fete was to be held. With children all sizes, some tiny tots, how could I give them any sort of a step with the drum? So when we got too far ahead, we stopped and waited for them. On arrival at the field, we discovered the first item on the programme was a maypole dance. The poor band chaps had hardly got their breath from the march and had to blow and blow until their faces were red. But tea for the band was the next item, which put all concerned into a good humour.
Readers may wonder how the band travelled to the various functions. In the early days, it was nothing for the men to walk. One man in the village had two cobs and a waggonnette and thisthey hired to take the bass drum, music stands and large instruments. After the First World War, Ernest Offen started a carriers business to and from Rye. He had a Ford tilted lorry, which was licensed to carry passengers. It was allowed 18 men with the driver, but many tines her strength was taxed, and a little help was needed up a bad hill. I can hear them now:
‘Come on lads, shove!’
Not just the band, but many cricketers, footballers and dancers were conveyed by Uncle Em and his lorry. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He would get them there, if not always on time.
The band was quite good in the thirties, and had a fair share of engagements in the surrounding villages. The band showed itself off at Church parades and performed the hymns in Church. It made one proud to belong to the ‘Village Blowhards’ as we were sometimes called.
It started out as Peasmarsh Brass Band, but with the war and men getting around and learning and with the clarinets in the Band, this name would not do. It ought to be Peasmarsh Military Band. They worked hard, took as many flower show jobs as they could to raise cash for new uniforms and silver instruments, so finally it had to be Peasmarsh Silver Band.
Peasmarsh Silver Band 1960 Photo by A. Vaughan Kimber
Standing L. to R : G. Hammond, A. Paine, C. Piggott, A. Murreii, A. Brotherwood, D. Cope, E. Sims. Sitting L. to R. : F. Crisford, L. Ovenden, C. Bridger, G. Daw, D. Wells, D. Sellman.
When it comes to a Church Parade, you must have the step presentable, but one elderly member of the Legion always used to say, ‘Don’t forget the old ‘uns Padgham’
In 1959, I decided that the drum had got too heavy for me to carry, especially to Peasmarsh Church, between Peasmarsh Place and the Church. It was open to the wind there, and with a strong wind blowing from the South West, it almost blew me over.
At one of the last Church Parades attended by the band, after I had to give up, Albert Paine had the drum. They used to call him Jumbo. As they marched, he started to beat a bit quicker and quicker still. Alec Murrell, the bandmaster kept trying to wave him down, but Albert couldn’ t get to the Church soon enough.
They made it to the church, blowing and puffing, and Alec’s first words were ‘What the hell went wrong with you Jumbo?’, Albert replied in his excellent Sussex accent;
‘Well, my tie pin came undone, and lodged between me and the drum. I didn’ t want to stop the band, but every beat the pin was pricking me’
The band has broken up now. and my grandson John, has the drum as a keepsake. My wife and I live with his parents in Berkshire, but we go back to Peasmarsh for holidays. The drum must be nigh on 70 years old now, and John being 21 can still tell its story in 50 year’s time, with something antique to show. I hope this generation will be reminded of the hours spent by those working men of Peasmarsh, and remember that they gave people much pleasure.
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Who remembers Dianne’s ‘Potted’ history features in Rye’s Own. A wealth of Rye Knowledge on a photograph and bubble basis. Continue reading Out & About with Dianne
These six young ladies, are the finalists in the 1971 Miss Rye’ s Own’ Competition Continue reading Miss Rye’s Own Final 1971
The Tiger Moth float plane, pictured here and on the front cover is the only one of its type in the world.
The machine, known affectionately as the ‘Sea Tiger’ is also believed to be the only two winged float plane in existence and is one of only two seaplanes airworthy in the British Isles. Continue reading Sea Tiger
The 1970 Rye Horse show, held at Gateborough Farm on Saturday 22nd August, was hit by monsoon weather. Continue reading Monsoon Weather at Rye Horse Show
The Rye Bonfire Society’s Summer Show held at Rye Market on the 18th July Continue reading Summer Show
Many Rye people will remember Sylvia Joan Button who attended Rye Grammar School in the early 1950’s.
Sylvia was one of the early members of the Rye Junior Methodist Choir formed in 1949 – She rapidly became the choirs leading Soprano and was very successful in the various Musical Festivals in the District under the tuition of Mr. Jim Foster.
Sylvia was married at Rye Methodist Church in 1959 to John Dawes a Yorkshire man stationed at RAF Rye. They made their home at Harrogate where Sylvia continued with her singing under the guidance of Music teacher Robert Naylor.
Under her married name of Sylvia Dawes she has become very well known in Harrogate music circles, was principal Soprano in the Harrogate Grove Road Methodist performance of the Messiah last December.
Sylvia. who has two children. Jeanette (10) and Alan (6). has also kept up her interest in Athletics, she represented the Rye Schools at County Level.
