Sprocket Page

Wheelers New Tuesday Runs are a Success

Up to eight riders have been getting out regularly every Tuesday to enjoy a sociable run with Rye’s Cycling Club. Places visited have included Pett, Appledore, Lydd, Stone and Brenzett, all short rides at speeds within anyone’s capabilities. More riders can be accommodated. Anyone who wants to join the group, old or young alike, can just turn up at the Riverhaven Hotel Car Park any Tuesday at 1 pm. There are no formalities and the group will ride at the speed of the slowest rider. Continue reading Sprocket Page

“Rye’s Own” News – May 2004

Wish Street Car Park Under Threat

Planning approval is being sought for two blocks of five story flats on the old Gas Works site behind the Kettle O’ Fish. The site was originally deemed unsafe for building purposes because of the high chemical content in the ground left by the residue of tens of years of waste disposal from the gas producing process. It has been used as a car park since it was sold into private hands after the Gas Works Continue reading “Rye’s Own” News – May 2004

The End is in Sight

Almost £30,000 Raised Towards New Ambulance

When the then Mayor of Rye, Peter Dyce, set a target of £42,000 to be raised to get the Rye St. John a new ambulance it seemed as though the task would be nigh impossible. Ryers, however, often do the impossible and the total raised now nears the £30,000 mark. No grants, no government money just hard won cash, raised by any number of ingenious fund raising schemes including an Auction of Promise, Fetes, Street Collection, Rummage Sales, Coffee Mornings and many Continue reading The End is in Sight

HMS Rye

On a cold January morning in 1942 HMS Rye, a Bangor Class Minesweeper commanded by Lieutenant J. A. Pearson, slipped her moorings at a small Scottish port and put to sea on her maiden voyage. Sea trails off the east and west coasts of Scotland proved successful and because of the urgent need for sweepers at that desperate time in the War she was quickly pressed into service. Continue reading HMS Rye

The Amazing Story of a Rye Shipyard

Mrs. Pollington nee’ Jempson of Crowborough has loaned “Rye’s Own” a wonderful photo and cuttings album recording the history of one of Rye’s most famous ship building yards. There are many previously unpublished photographs recording ship building at the yard from the 1880’s to after World War Two, when the yard built ships for the Admiralty that went to war in the Pacific Ocean against the Japanese. This is just a first installment, the album opens with a brief history of the yard written in 1946. Continue reading The Amazing Story of a Rye Shipyard

The Thank Shark Attack

By Jimper

Being a long-shore fisherman, my interest lies with the beach and everything in or on it. My fascination in marine life has been with me all my life, so it was a natural progression that I wanted a sea water aquarium. I knew a friend who said that he was good at welding and in his spare time of driving the red speedboat from Hastings Pier, would weld a frame up for me, so I started to look around for some angle iron. Continue reading The Thank Shark Attack

Mystery of the Town Hall Coffee Pot Unravelled

The mystery surrounding the Town Hall Silver Coffee Pot which caused such a furore when it was discovered among the collection of artifacts in the Town Hall and a proposal was made to sell it off to raise £6,000 towards the Rye St. John Ambulace fund has beeen solved. Continue reading Mystery of the Town Hall Coffee Pot Unravelled

Rye Festival of Local Food

 June 21st to June 27th

East Sussex is County of natural plenty.

Did you know that wine making in the area dates back to Roman times?

Did you know that Queen Elisabeth I highly praised the Rye Bay Catch ?

Did you know that in our ancient woodlands wild boar roam? Did you know that we have 3 organic farms within a few miles of Rye? Did you know that Rye, Winchelsea and area has over 50 hotels, bars and restaurants to eat and drink local produce from the sea, shore and land? Continue reading Rye Festival of Local Food

Jimper When the World was Younger

These pictures of Rye’s Own’s longest standing correspondent, Jimper
Sutton, turned up the other day. They are typical of the 1960’s and
illustrate a much slower kind of life lived at that time. Continue reading Jimper When the World was Younger

Rye Fights Back

Protest Rally at Postern Gate

Critics of Rye Town Council members had better beware. That is the message coming from many Councillors. They are fed up with being ruled by Rother District, East Sussex and other bodies such as the Primary Care Trust. Continue reading Rye Fights Back