Crowds Flock to The Strand
The town was heaving with activity on Sunday 11 August as thousands flocked to the town, including many from Hastings, New Romney and Hythe, to see the best ever Rye Maritime Festival.
The event, held at The Strand Quay, had Rye’s own ‘Mr. Music, Tim Phillips, working off a trailer parked on the west side of The Strand. He led his group, the 1066 Rockitmen, performing dozens of favourite songs, to the delight of numerous members of the fan club who took over the area of quay opposite and danced and sang to what must be one of Tim’s best gigs ever. Tim Phillips was delighted by the response.
“What a day Rye Maritime Festival just gets better and better. Great fun playing. Its got to be one of our favourite gigs of the year. Such a lovely day and so much young talent on stage. A big thank you to everyone who came along. Entertainments Workshop for the sound, spot on lads. All the acts and bands who played. Rye Harbour Yacht Club for putting it all on. And just shows what you can do with small budget and a hard working team .
Roll on next year.” Matt James Southam, chucked in the deep end as compare, introduced act after act, including the fabulous voices of the Frampton Sisters.
Further along the Quay, in the shadow of the dozens of flag bedecked yachts and motor cruisers the talented Hastings Sea Shanty Singers were performing traditional maritime folk songs in a very original way.
There was even more music in the form of of a local Jazz Band with their own following of music lovers listening to great music in the sun.
The crowds had swelled to fill the whole Quay area when there was a burst of music. Ladies from the crowd made a bee line for a certain spot and burst into spontaneous synchronised dancing. The Rye Flash Mob had struck again!
Prominent members of Rye & Winchelsea Rotary Club had a high visibility. Their Pirate theme approach was drawing in the crowds and taking plenty of cash for the charities they support. Other attractions included the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI, Sea Cadets, Environment Agency, children’s entertainment, plus local fish cooked on site, a beer tent and of course the non-stop live music.
There were one hour boat trips out to sea from Rye. Boats of all types were moored on the Strand dressed and decorated especially for the occasion. The festival attracted visitors from other ports around the coast and even France and the Netherlands.
“Rye’s Own” September 2013
All articles, photographs and drawings on this web site are World Copyright Protected. No reproduction for publication without prior arrangement. © World Copyright 2015 Cinque Ports Magazines Rye Ltd., Guinea Hall Lodge Sellindge TN25 6EG