Tribute – Rye's Own Magazine

Peter Robert Dee MBE

11th February 1927 to 1st February 2017

Early Life

Peter was born in Herne Bay, Kent to Richard George James Dee and Herminie Anna Hilda Dee (nee Wedge). He had one older brother, Denis.

They moved to Rye in about 1932 and initially lived in one of the pre-fabricated cottages in West Undercliffe, opposite the water pumping station. They moved to Udimore Road in 1936 and Peter lived in the same house for the rest of his life.

Peter attended the Freda Gardham Secondary Modern School in New Road until he left aged about 14. Peter, his mother and Denis were evacuated during the war, but were only away for 8 weeks as they missed Rye too much. At school he received the cane once. King George V and Queen Mary visited Rye and the Headmaster had forbidden any pupils to go and see them. However Peter and a couple of his mates thought this was too good an opportunity to miss and slipped Continue reading Peter Robert Dee MBE

Memorial Service For Peter Dee MBE. 1927-2017

Memorial Service for an Exceptional Ryer

The Memorial service for Peter Dee MBE will be on Wednesday 8th February at St. Mary’s Church, Rye at 11.30am, followed by the wake at River Haven. All are welcome. If anyone would like to make donation to the Royal Air Forces Association and St Mary’s church, two enterprises close to his heart, then please send to Ellis Bros, Funeral Directors, The Old Fire Station, 3 Ferry Road, Rye, TN31 7DJ. Continue reading Memorial Service For Peter Dee MBE. 1927-2017

Another Great Ryer Has Gone

Last remaining Alderman from Rye Borough Days

It is with great sadness we report the death of Rye’s last remaining Aldermen from the Borough Council Days.

Peter Dee was as well known in Rye as the Landgate Tower. An ever present in theparade at the Mayoring Day event and a popular member of Rye’s community. Continue reading Another Great Ryer Has Gone

Farewell Old Friends – Rye Bonfire Fireworks

Jimper & John’s Firework Finale Send Off

Thousands attended the 2016 Rye Bonfire Celebrations and witnessed the final Farewell to two of the best people ever to walk the streets of Rye.

John Izod and Jimper Sutton were more than Bonfire Stalwarts they were Rye Legends. Between them they have performed miracles Continue reading Farewell Old Friends – Rye Bonfire Fireworks

Finale Tribute to John & Jimper

As a fitting and moving finale to this year’s display, Rye Bonfire will be launching ashes of two of its well loved members, John Izod and Jimper Sutton, in the last rocket!

Bonfire Societies, drumming groups, and marching bands from all over Sussex will be joining Rye Bonfire Society in celebrating Rye Fawkes Pageant 2016 on Saturday 12 November.

The procession will start following a large signal maroon at 19:50 from Mason Road, on the Tilling Green Estate; the route will follow Ferry Road to the Crown Inn, turn left into Cinque Ports Street, Tower Street, through Landgate Arch, Hilders Cliff (East Cliff) in to High Street, The Mint, turn right into Wish Ward, Cinque Ports Street, Tower Street, left down Landgate, right into Bedford Place and on to the Bonfire site. Continue reading Finale Tribute to John & Jimper

Sad News

Heather Worked at “Rye’s Own” in 1965

It is with deep regret we report the passing of Heather Bryant who as Heather Bottomley worked for “Rye’s Own” when it was first published in November 1965.

Heather played a vital part in those early days, selling advertising and working with Elaine Pepprell on the regular Down Rye Way series that featured local personalities.

Heather died peacefully at St Michaels Hospice early in the evening of 22 August. Her family were at her bedside. Continue reading Sad News

Memorial Gates for Arthur

A True Ryer

A pair of magnificent garden gates were recently presented to the Rye, Winchelsea & District Memorial Hospital in memory of a long-standing
patient, Arthur Woodgate, who died last year aged 101.

John Austin stepson of Arthur Woodgate with Sally Compton chairman Hospital Trust

Born in 1913, after having served a five year apprenticeship he became a renowned master bricklayer. He rose to become Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of Building Trades Operatives, and also served as a Magistrate on the Rye Bench. He had an amazing memory and told his fascinating life story to some of the students at Rye College, which resulted in the first ‘Rye Memory’ booklet being published. Continue reading Memorial Gates for Arthur

Jimper Will Never Die – He Lives on in His Stories

A Great Ryer and Englishman who had a Heart of Gold and who could bring the the World Alive with just a Pen

There are some people you meet as you go along time’s highway that are much larger than life. Jimper was one such person.

A country man with an unrivalled knowledge of plants and animals and an instinctive ability to write about them, or anything else if it came to it. Almost his entire life is documented in the hundreds of stories, books and articles he wrote.

No one could forget the opening line in the story of his early years Continue reading Jimper Will Never Die – He Lives on in His Stories

Jimper

Jimper Sutton

It is with a very heavy heart I have to report the death of my great friend and one of “Rye’s Own’s” finest contributors.

Jimper has been writing for the magazine almost from the very start in 1965. His knowledge of country matters and fearless contributions on almost any topic have made him one of the most popular Rye Characters over many, many years. Continue reading Jimper

New Mayor Honours John Izod

Sleep well old friend – You will never be forgotten.

By Jim Hollands

It was so nice to see the new Mayor of Rye, Councillor Jonathan Breeds, leading the Town Council to John Izod’s Service of Remembrance on Wednesday 4 May. They honoured their fellow councillor, who has done so much for Rye, by turning out in full force to remember him. The entire Council was present at a packed St Mary’s Church on Wednesday 6 May.
Rye Bonfire Society members were there in numbers, wearing Bonfire ‘uniform’ remembering one of their most valued members. John was a past Chairman of the Bonfire Society, one of the lynch pins of their annual Auction of Promises and was ‘Rye Fawkes” in 2013. Continue reading New Mayor Honours John Izod