“Rye’s Own” January 2008
This photograph sums up the Rye Wurlitzer year perfectly. No longer is the beautifully restored organ positioned on the rear balcony of the hall where the chairs had to be turned the wrong way round to see it.
Now its on the stage, on a lift, gleaming with pride. The whole Wurlitzer team gleams with pride in all that it has achieved this year and so it should. A newsletter, in electronic format, was sent to all supporters and those showing interest in Rye’s best kept secret just before Christmas. It thanked them all for their efforts to preserve the Historic Rye Wurlitzer – the oldest Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in the UK still entertaining the public. In the Newsletter, Chairman Richard Moore thanked the wonderful generosity of Ann Cockerham at the college who arranged for the Group to have the colour newsletter with the compliments of Thomas Peacocke Community College.
Looking back over the year he asked, “Where do I start? Sept 23rd (the day the Wurlitzer was moved into the pit) can be nothing else but memorable and went all too fast for me, I stopped perspiring about 11pm that evening and was still enjoying it the next day. Talking of which, the Wurlitzer Committee were invited to the Rye Rotary Presentation Lunch where we collected the Trophy for the Club collecting the most money, plus, the individual collecting the most sponsorship went to our very own Janet Sherwood. I was able to embarrass Eric Bourne of Bournes of Rye when he presented me with the trophy, by publicly thanking him for moving the Wurlitzer with his own special pot of Jam. The reaction at the door as everyone left was magnificent, you say the nicest of things and it makes it all so worthwhile. Despite the technical hiccups which we have now cured ( for the technically minded it was a 7812 heat sink resistor), Nicholas Martin collected a record amount of money in his boxes for his special Autism Charity – £355 a record apparently at any concert, so you have put Rye on the map with your wonderful generosity.”
Wurlitzer Concerts Will Raise Cash For Student’s Work Experience in Uganda The long awaited trip to Uganda is now well and truly happening. 12 students and six members of staff of the William are taking part in a voluntary work experience next April where they will live and work in a village in Kabubbu, Uganda. Parents of course will fund the flight and living expenses ( although Banana Fritters are only 5p) William Parker wish to make their mark in the village and they have set themselves a challenge of raising £10,000 to take with them to make a personal impact on the lives of the orphaned children and to make a difference to the self sufficiency, belief and re-generation of the village and its school. They are off to a flying start with £1,100 rased at a recent Bag Packing Session in Sainsbury, Hastings Lions have donated £1,000 and £200 raised from a sponsored cycle ride. Elliot a well known member of the Wurlitzer Committee raised £100 in his bucket at the end of the September concert which he was delighted about. Other events are planned. Elliot will be running in the Hastings 3k mini run for the cause in March. Its a daunting and challenging task and a life changing experience for all travelling. Richard Moore claims to be “114% ( yes, that much) behind them with three special concerts I wish to arrange”. Please support the concerts and spread the word in making three special Sunday afternoons happen in January, Feburay and March. Tickets are now on sale. The Rye and Hastings concerts will be tickets on the door due to the size of the venue. The Northiam concert will be limited to 200. Elliot has supported FORW concerts in his own “unique” way for the past 6 years, now its time to support him and send him on a trip of a lifetime complete with an armful of vaccinations and a large box of malaria tablets. If you would like to buy tickets or make a donation please send cheques to me payable to “William Parker School” at 180 Sedlescombe Road North, St.Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex. TN37 7EN. My sincere thanks to you all for your anticipated support .
“Rye’s Own” January 2008
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