Tag: Alfred Horner

Great Job Berni

New Mayor of Rye, Jon Breeds has Hard Act to Follow

By Jim Hollands

There have been many good people who have held the unique position of Mayor of Rye within my memory.

I knew many of them personally. In the old days of the Borough Council it was a very powerful position and great Mayors of the calibre of Alfred Horner, Phil Ellis and John Hacking made great improvements that enhanced the amazing town that we and our visitors love

Since 1973, when Rother District Council took over the town and most of the assets, the position of Mayor of Rye became more of a ceremonial position. Rye Town Council lost all it’s powers to Rother. True they have an ‘advisory’ job, but in practice this has meant approval of porches, conservatories and other small building proposals are rubber stamped by Rother but big projects like the new builds of Valley Park, which were vehemently opposed by Rye Town Council, were forced through by Rother. Continue reading Great Job Berni

100 Faces from the Horner Collection

How many faces do you recognise in these six pictures from The Horner Collection? The top photograph depicts Mr. Fullock’s class at Rye County Secondary School around 1957. The second school group is again a class from the same period at Rye County Secondary. Continue reading 100 Faces from the Horner Collection

David Smeed

By Jim Hollands

It seemed that the whole of Tilling Green from the 1950’s and 60’s had turned up at Playden Church for the funeral of one of Rye’s unsung heroes. There were faces there I had not seen for 50 years or more. They came to pay respects to a very talented man. Continue reading David Smeed

All Our Yesteryears

 By Jim Hollands

Who were the driving forces in the town fifty years ago? Who were in power at Rye Town Hall in the 1960’s? What was it like to live in a democratic Rye that ran its own affairs and was responsible for its own planning? 1965 and 66 were great years for Rye. The Borough Council was made up of twelve elected councillors and four Aldermen nominated by the councillors. Alderman  John  Hacking, farmer, was Mayor. He was hard working and influential, leading a group of excellent men and women who were all labouring to benefit Rye and the people of Rye. Continue reading All Our Yesteryears

Rye Loses a Great Champion

A Tribute to Keith Taylor

By Jim Hollands

As you go through life you meet just a few ‘very special’ people who are more interested in what they put into life rather than what they can get out. Dr. Keith Tayor was such a person. Continue reading Rye Loses a Great Champion

Rye Bonfires of the Past

 

Recapture Moments from the Past, Worthy of Preservation.

Sixty years ago in 1945 the Second World War had just reached it’s terrible conclusion with the discovery of the death camps in Europe and the dropping of two atom bombs on Japan. Continue reading Rye Bonfires of the Past

Connections

Connections – Arthur’s Thank You

By Arthur Woodgate

These little tributes to the old Rye families with members or connections with staff members of The Rye Memorial Care Centre are intended to be, through “Rye’s Own”, a tribute to all those who work in the centre and are looking after me as a patient here.

Benns

A man named David Benn moved into Rye about the time that Tilling Green was opened. I’m sure I’m right when I say at the far end of Marley Road right on a Continue reading Connections

Rye Bonfire

Rye Bonfire Society have had their ups and downs over the years. This feature looks at the good and bad times, successes and failures since the War. Continue reading Rye Bonfire

Rye Trades Exhibition 1959

In the late fifties and early sixties Rye was a thriving market town. Each year there was a Trades Exhibition at The Monastery and local enterprises took stands to show their stock in trade, advertise their services and display their products. Continue reading Rye Trades Exhibition 1959