This remarkable Connie Linqvist water colour depicts a variation on the Rye Marina Plan that was put forward recently. It shows two new road bridges that keeps the A 273 main coast road running through South Undercliff. Continue reading New Connie Picture Discovered in Archives
The pictures on this page come from the Derek Phillips collection. They were all taken in and around the Phillips Yard in Rock Channel. The picture at the top of the page shows the yard with Rye as a background during the 1950’s. The shot of fishermen mending their nets is from a much earlier time, probably around 1910. Continue reading On The Waterfront
The story of the Phillips family of boat builders started well before the turn of the 19th. Century. John Phillips was building boats at the Rock Channel well before 1886 because in 1886 he indentured his son Herbert, who left school at the age of twelve, as an apprentice in the business on the first day of that year. The original document, part of which is shown here, states that John Phillips “Shall instruct his apprentice in the art of Shipwrighting and Boatbuilding” and “Finding unto the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, lodgings and all other necessaries during the said term.” Continue reading Phillips Boatbuilders
The recent disclosure of a substantial building development and Marina plan might be more convincing if Rye had already been provided with a Bypass to alleviate the already desperate situation that prevails in South Undercliff where heavy traffic vibrations are undermining the very foundations of the citadel, and a proper flood prevention plan that caters for water coming down the rivers as well as the danger of tidal water from the sea. Continue reading A Matter Of Common Sense
A Marina Plan put forward by Millwood Designer Homes at the instigation of Rye Partnership has a fatal flaw.
The actual proposed Marina for 100 moorings and 100 homes on a site south of the River Brede opposite the stretch of river from Philips Boat Yard to the old Rother Iron Works Buildings, is quite feasible, but the idea of building a lock in the Rother Ironwork Areas to keep enough water in The Strand for boats to float at all times is a non starter and has already caused concern among knowledgable local folk, including Rye Fire Chief Andy Polly. Continue reading Marina Plan Has Fatal Flaw
This is a true account of 8 months as a mate on a Rye Bay trawler, it happened quite by accident when I was made redundant about 12 years ago. My skipper had just lost his boat when it was de- commissioned and he was looking to purchase a small boat he could possibly work single handed. Continue reading Fishing in Rye Bay
by The Editor
I recently read an account of one of Harry Phillips’ exploits when he was a pilot in the RAP. Cliff Bloomfield, a young lad at the time, witnessed a twin winged RAF fighter, a Hawker Hart, ‘dive bombing’ the shipyard. This would have been in the early thirties.. He later learned, in conversation with Harry, that Harry was the pilot. Apparently it lead to a Court Marshal as there were complaints about the incident. Harry was exonerated however and survived to tell the tale. Continue reading Rye Legend – Harry Phillips
On a rough March night in 1902 the Steamship “Cragoswald” was driven ashore by a storm force gale at Camber close to the Jury’s Gap Coastguard Station. Several initial attempts at re-floating her were unsuccessful. A great amount of cargo was unloaded and transported off the beach on pony carts. Continue reading Aground at Camber
There are some people who appear larger than life, we call them characters. Harry ‘Crusty’ Crampton, fisherman of Rye, must rate high on the list of the town’s unforgettable characters. Harry’s real name was Henry Continue reading Harry ‘Crusty’ Crampton
Less than fifty years ago large coasters were coming right up into the Strand and unloading timber and other cargo. This picture shows the Tubo’, a Dutch vessel, unloading a cargo of timber for Thomas Hinds & Sons whose Timber Yard was where Strand Court Senior Citizens Residence stands today.
