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
Tag: Gerry Bellhouse
Down Rye Way – Gerry Bellhouse
Rye Election 69
ELECTION ‘69
Rye people do care how local government is run. This point was driven home at the council elections on May 8th. when a near record 54 per cent poll was recorded. Continue reading Rye Election 69