John Izod Memorial Service

He Loved Rye and Rye Loved Him

St Mary’s Church was packed for the John Izod Memorial Service at 11 am. today (Wednesday 6 May).  John’s early years were recalled by his younger brother Andrew and recalled John’s life from childhood, wartime years, education, army life and adventures in Canada.

Bonfire Auction John Izod
Bonfire Auction John Izod

Councillor Ian Potter covered John’s time in Rye, the many  friends he made here, the numerous town activities he was involve in, including being a Town Continue reading John Izod Memorial Service

My Dad – Gary Bourn’s Tribute

For those that were unable to attend the Memorial Service here is Gary Bourn’s Tribute to his Dad

Michael, Mick, Mike, Ernie, Mick the Milk, Mr Bourn, Sub Officer Bourn and even Russ Abbott are some of the names you have known my Dad by – His actual name was George Michael Albert – but to make this easy for me to do, and as he was mine, I will refer to him simply as “Dad”.

Dad was born on the 16 August 1938. He was Ethel and Franks, aka Pop-Pop’s, third child and only son and a little brother for his sisters Audrey and Margaret. They all grew up in the family home at number 4 Richmond Villas or as we know it 17 Rope Walk. Continue reading My Dad – Gary Bourn’s Tribute

The Last Shout

They came in their Hundreds

They came in their hundreds to St Mary’s Church on Thursday 21 April to say last goodbyes to one of Rye’s best known heroes, George Michael Albert Bourn M. B. E. The Church was packed, every pew was filled. Rye Firemen and Firefighters from other stations were there in force.

There was a hushed silence as Gary Bourn paid tribute to his father’s life and recalled many of the incidents in Michael’s very active and eventful time from his birth on 16 August 1938. Continue reading The Last Shout

Eileen Alstin 1916 – 2012

“Rye’s Own” sadly reports the death of one of our oldest subscribers.

Eileen was born at Camberwell on 28th October, 1916. This was at the height of the First World war It was a sweet tooth that led to a sweetheart when Eileen and a friend were in a shop; they both thought that the toffee apples on display looked delicious, but were far too expensive. Ron Alstin overheard them and offered to buy one for Eileen, which was how they met.

They married when Eileen was just nineteen and settled in Peckham after their honeymoon in Hastings. During the war, Ron worked out of Woolwich Arsenal Continue reading Eileen Alstin 1916 – 2012

Michael Bourn MBE

One of Rye’s Great Fire Chiefs

It is with great personal sadness I have to report the death of one of Rye’s truly great characters.

I have known ‘Mick’ Bourn since school-days, he was in the same class at Rye Primary.

Mick worked with his dad’s painting and decorating business. He joined the Rye Fire Service when his dad was fire chief at Rye and learned the secrets of Rye’s  inter-connecting buildings, roof and wall spaces. This knowledge became Continue reading Michael Bourn MBE

One of Rye’s Best has Died

By Jim Hollands

He witnessed the Battle of Britain from his Back Garden in New Road

Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain

I was so very sad to hear the news that one of our favourite contributors, Clifford Bloomfield, has died. He was a staunch supporter of “Rye’s Own”,  we have published so much of his work over the years.

His daughter Sarah posted this moving message on the Rye’s Own News Group this morning :-

“Morning ..just thought I’d send you a message and let you know that my dad Clifford Bloomfield ..of Aronford  Leasam  Lane, passed away on Friday morning at home with his family ….as I know he was often adding to Rye’s Own and a local Rye historian, absolutely devoted to Rye history ..and a very active member of Rye History Group..and author of several small books including ”Wings Over Rye”… ..funeral date and arrangements to follow …

Tribute in the March issue of Rye’s Own

Rye’s Own Bulletin Tuesday 16 February

 

Albert has Died

It is with deep sadness we report that ‘Albert’ the “Rye’s Own” mascot has died.

The little dog we adopted as our mascot when he was just three months old, had a kidney disorder that meant that he was on a special diet from that time. The prognosis of a life expectancy of “weeks rather than months” was forecast at the time. Continue reading Albert has Died

Titbits from February 2004

The Herald of Rye

Over 100 years ago “The Herald of Rye”, a magazine very similar in it’s aims to “Rye Own”, was published by Harry Davis who lived at ‘Watlands’ Udimore Road. Harry was involved in many Rye Clubs and Committees. He was Secretary of Rye Cycling Club and Rye Sports Day Committee, so was the ideal chap to edit the local magazine. The following competitions were announced in an 1897 issue of The Herald. The Herald of Rye offers a Prize, Value 10/- (winners choice from the stock of any local tradesman advertising in these pages for the best Street Snap-Shot of Continue reading Titbits from February 2004