Editorial December 2006
Christmas is upon us again. The old saying that time goes faster as you get older seems to be right. In the uncertain world we live in it sometimes seems a blessing to be getting old. A wise old Ryer once said, as far back as 1965, that he had lived the best years but the 40 years since then have not been so bad. What lies ahead for the youngsters of today? War and Global Warming or Harmony between nations and a common will to overcome the obstacles that will be encountered over the next 40 years? “Rye’s Own” takes the optimistic view, there must be a future, man has overcome great problems in the past.
Looking towards the future is a young lady who has played a very important part in the success of this magazine. Our own Gemma Glover has married the man in her life, lain Pocock, the picture on the front cover shows Mr. & Mrs. Pocock at their Wedding Reception. They were married at Wye College and spent their honeymoon in Paris. Gemma plans to make time in her busy life to continue with the production of “Rye’s Own”. We wish Gemma & Iain a happy and bountiful future.
Rye & District Wheelers get plenty of mentions in these pages but their Annual Dinner at the River-haven Hotel must be recorded as a new landmark in the continued success story of the ‘Oldest Cycling Club’. 63 members and guests attended. Roy and Pam Manser of the San Fairy Ann Cycling Club from Maidstone were guests of honour at the function and presented the prizes.
Roy raced against the Rye riders at Sports Day on the Cricket Salts back in the 1950’s and was pleased to be the first to present the two new Championship shields for Ten Miles and Twelve Hours that commemorate the lives of two of the best known Rye riders from that period. The Dave Ashdown and Bernard Dean Memorial Shields will be eagerly fought after every year and perpetuate the memory of two of finest lads that ever carried the colours of the club. Principle prize winner of the year was Barry Goodsell but new member Trevor Bridge was the first to win the 12 Hour Trophy. Bernard Dean’s 1957 record of 220 miles was not beaten but Trevor is determined to exceed the distance in 2007, the 50th. Anniversary of Bernard’s epic ride.
On the subject of cycling, a thought to dwell on over your Christmas Lunch. Councillor Paul Osborne, Mayor of Rye and Speaker of the Cinque Ports, will be setting out on 22 April next year to do what many hardened cyclists are saying is impossible. Paul, assisted by almost the whole of the membership of the Rye Wheelers, will be attempting to cycle the entire distance, about 150 miles, visiting every Cinque Port, Ancient Town and all the ‘limbs’, raising money for charity. In addition to the time it takes to ride the route, he will also be greeted by Officials from each town, a ceremony taking ten minutes will be performed before he can continue. As you sit back in your favourite chair sipping mulled wine, think what our Mayor has let himself in for and consider sending a donation towards his worthy causes. You may also like to get out a map of East Sussex and Kent and work out the route you would take, remember, each town must be visited and every mile between covered by cycle.
The Mayor’s proposed List to visit
The Ancient Town of’ Rye – Lydd – New Romney – Hythe – Folkestone – Dover – Deal – Walmer – Sandwhich – Margate – Ramsgate – Faversham – Tenterden – Hastings – The Ancient Town of Winchelsea. – Margate – Ramsgate – Sandwhich
“Rye’s Own” December 2006
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