By Jim Hollands He witnessed the Battle of Britain from his Back Garden in New Road 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 … Continue reading One of Rye’s Best has Died
Tag: Clifford Bloomfield
This Rye’s Own collection brings together articles connected with Clifford Bloomfield, drawing news, memories and magazine features into one path through the archive. Among the pieces gathered here are “Rye Fishermen at War”, “Local Wartime Photographs”, “Bonfire Celebrations in Bygone Years”, and “Tanks in Rye”, each adding its own detail to the story. Taken together, these pieces preserve the names, places and passing details that might otherwise slip out of the local record.
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 … 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.
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.
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.
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 … Continue reading The Bus that Went to the Cinema
Local Wartime Photographs
Len Fuggle sent in these wartime photographs of the Rye Flight of 304 Air Training Corps Squadron.
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
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 … Continue reading Rye in 1941