The Rye Town Council of May 2007. Back row left to right : Councillor Ian Potter, Councillor Granville Bantick, Councillor Jonathon Breeds, Councillor Frank Palmer, Councillor Jo’ Kirkham; Deputy Mayor Councillor Sam Souster; The Mayor of Rye Councillor Paul Osborne, Town Clerk Richard Farhall, Councillor Sylvia Willgoss, Councillor David Wright, Council Chaplain Hugh Mosley Front row, Councillor David Russell, Councillor John Breeds, Councillor Sonia Holmes, Councillor Brian Elliott, Councillor Bernadine Fiddemore, Councillor Lorna Hall, and Councillor Shaun Rogers. The Council is made up of ten re-elected members, including the Mayor and three previous Rye Mayors, and six councillors with no previous council participation There is a good measure of experience and enthusiasm representing many different backgrounds. Five lady members are the highest number of women ever to serve on Rye Town Council at one time. Sam Souster, defeated in his attempt to retain his seat on Rother, was in some way compensated by his election as Deputy Mayor, beating Granville Bantick by nine votes to seven. A packed chamber enjoyed loyal toasts after the meeting and hot new pennies were dispensed in the usual manner.
