Very little information has come to light about this fishermen’s beer house located on the High Street. The earliest known date for the Oak is 1870 when Alfred Bourn was the licensee. However, as a beer house, we can be fairly certain it was in existence well before then, and possibly dated back to the 1830 Licensing Act. The house was then known as the Pig and Whistle. Continue reading The Oak Inn, High Street
There is no actual date that can be accurately attributed to the first appearance of alcoholic beverage. It most likely occurred as a result of the natural fermentation of fruit, the ingestion of which by early man was noted for its soporific effects. The first mention of what we would describe as ale occurred several thousand years ago and is referred to in the ancient Egyptian work entitled “The Book of the Dead”. This work refers to the preparation of an intoxicating beverage prepared from grain, whilst the celebrated Dr. Birch Egyptologist claims through Continue reading Historical Background
Each year we in St. John, had an annual dinner, when it was organised just to have fun, so we proved. The old saying “That all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Being store keeper, it seemed it was my job to organise the dinner, so I did my best to do so. We used The George Hotel. My job was more than just Continue reading Fun in St. John
Hot new pennies are cast down on the heads of eager youngsters waiting on the street below. They pounce and rake up a few coppers for sweets and other small delights in a melee’ of arms and legs.
It is a tradition that goes back to times when there was no social security and all the charity on offer came from well off benefactors in the town. It was a time when charity really did begin at home. Continue reading Have the Pennies Become Outdated?
Rye Scallop Festival was an outstanding success, due in no small part to the enthusiasm and drive of Festival co-ordinator Lorna Hall. Almost every event was fully booked and some seats could have been filled twice over. Continue reading Scallop Festival Boosts Winter Trade
Another great old Rye photograph, this time from the Eric Streeton Collection. ‘Lion Street on a gloomy day’. Continue reading Not Much Traffic Then
By 1825 the Lamb family had dominated politics in Rye for 100 years,
providing the Mayor 23 times out of the 25 since the turn of the century,
most of the jurats and freeman were either family or supporters. This
had been achieved by the ‘Freeman’ system introduced in the days when
Rye played an important and very active part in building, maintaining
and manning the Cinque Ports Fleet. There were about 40 Freemen of
Rye and only a Freeman had a vote.
To become enfranchised there were only two ways. By birth as the eldest
surviving son of a Freeman or by election, one citizen a year was
voted in as a Freemen by Jurats and Freemen on Mayoring Day. Continue reading They Took Over the Town Hall
Nice to see another local business getting involved with events in the town. Rush Witt & Wilson, the Estate Agents at the old Vidler’s building, have taken part in almost every organised occasion in Rye this year from the Raft Race to Bonfire Night. Continue reading Having Fun for Charity
This remarkable account of Rye Cattle Market taken from a 1937 Handbook demonstrates how well Rye Cattle Market was doing in the period just before World War Two. This success was carried into the forties and fifties. From 1970 onwards support dwindled. The Market was closed as a result of the Foot and Mouth outbreak at the beginning of the Millennium . Sadly it failed to re-open and is now a car park. Continue reading Rye Cattle Market 1937
The New Year is a time for reflection and taking stock but as I look around Rye I am seeing things that make me sad when I remember the days of past glory that this town has enjoyed. Continue reading Rye January 2006
