T h e M a y o r a n d Ma yo r – e s s o f R y e Councillor Paul Carey and Rita Kirk met the Rye Brownies at the Baptist Church on Thursday 29 January for the launching of the 2004 Rye Embroidery Week.
The Mayor made a short opening address in which he held the Brownies complete interest when he explained the history and value of the Rye Mayoral Chain. He explained that, until the last War, the gold bars that make up the links were provided by each Mayor out of his own pocket. By 1940 this practice had been discontinued because the chain became too heavy and the gold bars too expensive.
Then it was on to the business of the day. The youngsters were shown how to use their dexterity and decorate a piece of felt with silken stitches until it was fashioned into the Brownie Badge.
The Mayoress of Rye Rita Kirk congratulates Rye Brownie Penny Taberer on her success in gaining yet more badges.
This Brownie badge was the example made by Rita Cox that the girls tried to emulate.
This is the sixth year since the Embroider’s Guild was formed in Rye. The Guild are hoping to attract more youngsters to the art, hence the launch of this year’s Embroidery week being held with the Brownie s . On Saturday 31 January there was an invitation to all to go along to the Town Hall and play with Textiles and Stitch Today (Sunday 1) there is a Worshop ” Exciting Embellishments” at Playden W. I. Hall, and on Thursday 5 February all are welcome at the Rye Branch Embroider’s Guild Meeting at the Baptist Church in Cinque Ports Street where a “Workshop Extravaganza” will take p la c e a t 7.30pm. Other attractions throughout the week include “Find the Needle in the Haystack” and “Fo llow t he E mb r o i d e r y Trail around Rye.
Rye Councillor Rita Cox demonstrates to the Brownies Sophie Cogswell, Penny Taberer, Poppy Nedham and Emily Hall the fine art of embroidery.
Rye’s Own February 2004
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