The Last Shout

They came in their Hundreds

They came in their hundreds to St Mary’s Church on Thursday 21 April to say last goodbyes to one of Rye’s best known heroes, George Michael Albert Bourn M. B. E. The Church was packed, every pew was filled. Rye Firemen and Firefighters from other stations were there in force.

There was a hushed silence as Gary Bourn paid tribute to his father’s life and recalled many of the incidents in Michael’s very active and eventful time from his birth on 16 August 1938. Continue reading The Last Shout

Rye Bonfire 1962

“Rye’s Own” Archive Film

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

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

Arthur’s Cinque Ports Street Part Two

By Arthur Woodgate

From the new shops to the corner of Market Road where Jempson’s now have a restaurant. That building has housed many businesses in my life. Don’t know how long but not too many hundreds of years ago customers would have got their feet wet stepping out of there into Cinque Ports Street. Slip across the bottom of Market Road from Jempsons Restaurant to Phillips & Stubbs – a nice big new looking building where they sell houses. I said new looking, well to me it is new, I Continue reading Arthur’s Cinque Ports Street Part Two

Rye Fawkes In Our Time

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 Fawkes In Our Time

The 1930’s in Rye

By Daydreamer

A time of hand me down clothing, thick woollen socks darned at the toes and heels, jumpers darned at the elbows, patches in the seat of the trousers and boots with metal studs to make them last longer. (Wonder why we were so happy in those days) Best clothes were for Sunday wear only. Continue reading The 1930’s in Rye

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