Old “Rye’s Own” Archive Film – Rye Bonfire 1962. Includes The Bonfire Boys Song Written by Frank Taylor. The original Fire Breathing Dragon and the HollandsTelevision Float “Locomotion” Sandra Kewell, Helina Greginska and Suzanne Oliver. Continue reading Rye Bonfire 1962
Film of the 1962 Rye Bonfire Celebrations is being prepared and will be screened on the Rye’s Own Website Next Week.
Some of Rye’s best soccer player made up a very strong second team which had great success in the 1954/55 season. This picture is from the Frank Igglesden Collection. Continue reading Rye United Seconds 1954/55
So many stories are passed down by those senior citizens who were there. They tell of amazing burning boats being carted around the town, of fireworks being thrown in the streets and of famous film stars and personalities representing Rye Fawkes. At least thirty tableau every year, and four or five marching bands. There were bloaters cooked on the Bloater Boat and Dances at the Monastery. Continue reading Bonfire Celebrations in Bygone Years
This wartime photograph of the 304 Squadron (Rye) A.T.C. pictured outside the south door of St. Mary’s Church was originally sent in to Rye’s Own by Len Fuggle Continue reading Rye A.T.C. Wartime 1941
By Jim Hollands
The Mayor & Mayoress of Military Road, Councillor Albert and Mayoress Flo Booth. How many more can you name from the 1950 pick of Military Road talent in the photograph below?
The Mayor & Mayoress of Military Road, Councillor Albert and Mayoress Flo Booth. How many more can you name from the 1950 pick of Military Road talent in the photograph below?
Albert Booth-The Mayor of Military Road
Albert Booth-The Mayor of Military Road Tilling Green and Landgate had Mock Mayors too
Landgate also had its own Mayor and Tilling Green followed on with the old tradition of unofficial leaders of each section of the town.
The role was more academic than civic but they were part of every Carnival and Bonfire Night until the mid 70’s. After that they just became a memory.
Who would be the Mayor of Military Road now? Our guess would be Town Councillor David Wright.
For Tilling Green, a difficult one this. I feel rather biased as this was where I spent my very happy childhood. Sid Pinwill (Father of Robert of Mermaid fame) was Mayor of Tilling Green in 1953, the year of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second.
For 2008 I would choose Bobby Edwards he has the dignity and experience needed or perhaps David Smeed, who has that undefined style that all great leaders possess.
Who would your choices be? Let us know about them and include a photograph, it could be a bit of fun and you never know, perhaps these three old titles could be revived.
From “Rye’s Own” May 2008 issue
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Jim Snr. had always been fascinated with television. He saw the 1949 F.A. Cup Final, along with a crowd of about 20, including son, Jim Jnr., squeezed into a small room at Jack Ashenden’s house in Cyprus Place. Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Leicester City by three goals to one. He told Young Jim on the walk home that for the next year’s final they would have a television of their own. Continue reading The Television Man
On May 8 sixty years ago the War in Europe came to a close and the population of Rye, who had been in the front line since War was declared on 3 September 1939, celebrated the news with impromptu parties and the hoisting of flags and draping of bunting across the streets. This, the most famous picture taken in Rye during the War, shows the Rye Home Guard on parade through Landgate. Taken in 1940, at the height of the invasion scare it reflects the determination that these men had to defend their town and country. Many went on to join the regular army. Continue reading VE Day in RYE 8 May 2045
What were those Bonfire Nights in Rye of more than fifty years ago really like? So many stories are passed down by those senior citizens who were there. They tell Continue reading Bonfire Over the Years
We are told that the history of ‘Bonfire’ in Rye goes back BEFORE the time of Guy Fawkes. Legend has it that the burning boat ceremony was first held in the town shortly after the men of Rye and Winchelsea raided the French town at St. Peter’s Port and retrieved the church bells that had been stolen in the French raid of the previous year. In the course of their revengeful rape and pillage they also pulled French boats out of the water and paraded them blazing through the streets. This event is still remembered in the traditional dragging of a burning boat in the Guy Fawkes procession. Continue reading Original Dragon of Rye
