Category: Personalities

The Long Journey Part Two

The Long Journey

Part Two: Three Days in a Cattle Truck

Michael Whiteman’s graphic account of his days as a German Prisioner of War

We got to the top of the town to find lots of other lads had been brought there. And so started a slow trek, to where, we knew not. I remember going back through St. Omer that evening, being put into a field for the night. The next few days were very hot and we were all starting to suffer with nothing to drink or eat. I found myself picking dandelion leaves and sorrell to chew keeping my mouth more moist. My toes were getting sore and blistered. Luckily I had some Germolene ointment with me which helped no end. I remember one night four of us sat back in a field, the next morning when we woke we looked like snowmen with frost Continue reading The Long Journey Part Two

The Television Man Part 2

An opportunity arrived in the form of televisions at a lower price than had previously been possible. There was a catch, no less than 72 identical sets had to be ordered, they could be paid for over four months but the whole lot would be delivered on the same day. Continue reading The Television Man Part 2

Jimper’s Jottings

By JIMPER’S JOTTINGS February 2007

Winter is now behind us and as the days become noticeable longer, we have the heat of summer to look forward to. You may wonder why I think of February as the end of winter for we can still have snow and ice for as the old saying goes, ‘As the days lengthen so the cold strengthens’. I am not alone in thinking summer is not far away. Continue reading Jimper’s Jottings

Jimper’s Jottings – February 2006

 

Winter on it’s Way Out

Another winter on it’s way out. Daylight is making its presence known, an hour extra light in the evenings since the shortest day. The Arctic weather promised us by the forecasters has failed to show. A couple of cold snaps lasting a few days and three days of horrid snow and that is it unless February holds a sting in the tail.

I like to see a good fall of snow every ten years otherwise a generation of Continue reading Jimper’s Jottings – February 2006

Town Crier – January 2006

By Jim Hollands

 

Wyn Remembers

I have recently spent a lot of time visiting Wyn Vincent in Rye Memorial Care Centre and reminiscences of old Ryers got our minds working back to those times, prewar for her and post war for me, when this town was so rich in real characters. Continue reading Town Crier – January 2006

Rex & Rita Celebrate 50 Years

Rye’s popular Town Crier, Rex Swain and his lovely wife Rita, celebrated 50 years of happy marriage at the Mermaid on Saturday 1 October. Surrounded by family and friends they recalled their Wedding Day in 1955 and of dancing to Eric Winston’s Band on their honeymoon. Continue reading Rex & Rita Celebrate 50 Years

Town Crier

News And Gossip Pages

By Jim Hollands

Great Job Rye Harbour Boat Owners Association put on a grand show to commemorate the 200th. Anniversary of Horatio Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar.

The Strand was awash with red white and blue flags that decorated every boat moored. The weather was kind, the crowds were happy and everything came together to make it a family day out.

Lets have something like this every year, Rye is an historic port and needs to keep a close contact with its past if it is to prosper in the future. Perhaps the event could incorporate a regatta with all sorts of boat races on the river as happened throughout the latter part of the 19th Century up to Edwardian times. An event that embraces those that live in the town. It may be that the event could ‘spill’ over onto terra firma and include athletic, even cycle races again. There seem to be many more folk about with the will and ability to organise than there have been for many years.

      Connie Lindqvist Retrospective

Peter Etherden has asked Heidi Foster to take on the daunting task of putting together an exhibition that captures the enormous range of Connie’s work as an artist in Rye between 1972 and 2002. Continue reading Town Crier