Tag: Clifford Bloomfield

One of Rye’s Best has Died

By Jim Hollands

He witnessed the Battle of Britain from his Back Garden in New Road

Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain

I was so very sad to hear the news that one of our favourite contributors, Clifford Bloomfield, has died. He was a staunch supporter of “Rye’s Own”,  we have published so much of his work over the years.

His daughter Sarah posted this moving message on the Rye’s Own News Group this morning :-

“Morning ..just thought I’d send you a message and let you know that my dad Clifford Bloomfield ..of Aronford  Leasam  Lane, passed away on Friday morning at home with his family ….as I know he was often adding to Rye’s Own and a local Rye historian, absolutely devoted to Rye history ..and a very active member of Rye History Group..and author of several small books including ”Wings Over Rye”… ..funeral date and arrangements to follow …

Tribute in the March issue of Rye’s Own

Rye’s Own Bulletin Tuesday 16 February

 

Bonfire Celebrations in Bygone Years

What were those Bonfire Nights in Rye of more than sixty years ago really like?

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

The Bus Went to the Cinema

The bus that went to the cinema, or almost, as can be seen from the picture (Electric Palace in the Landgate is the building just beyond the bus with the coloured electric light bulbs in the shape of an arch). It was an East Kent converted charabanc on the Camber Rye Harbour service. Continue reading The Bus Went to the Cinema

Rye Fishermen at War

 

By Jim Hollands

In Wartime Britain Rye became one of the few ports on the South Coast
allowed to send its fishing boats to sea. The beach boats of Dungeness,
Hastings and Eastbourne were unable to launch, due to the steel anti-invasion
barriers that were erected to stop the imminent German invasion.

Continue reading Rye Fishermen at War

Tanks in Rye

By Clifford Bloomfield

1940 Fair Meadow, Rye Hill, at that time was like open parkland and a good number of mature oak trees were spread over it. I recall seeing, when on our Sunday afternoon walks, a tented army camp with vehicles and tanks standing under the trees. Continue reading Tanks in Rye

The Bus that Went to the Cinema

Rye Electric Palace Gets an Unwanted Visitor

The bus that went to the cinema, or almost, as can be seen from the picture (the Electric Palace in the Landgate is the building just beyond the bus with the coloured electric light bulbs in the shape of an arch) was an East Kent converted charabanc on the Camber Rye Harbour service. Continue reading The Bus that Went to the Cinema

Bonfire Over the Years

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

Rye in 1941

BY Clifford Bloomfield

From Jo’ Kirkham’s Rye Memories Series

Very soon after Christmas – in January 1941, when I was 14 years old, I took a job at the Rye Post Office, then in the High Street, as a Telegram Boy. I was given an official arm band and a typically heavy red bicycle with 28 inch wheels. The saddle was let down to its lowest position as I was a short young lad. Continue reading Rye in 1941