On Monday 8 March a very profound remark was made during the Emergency Surgery Site Debate. Paul Osbourne, commenting on County Council Leader Peter Jones oft quoted remark about the Ferry Road School site that it must be sold for the best value, questioned the context of ‘best value’ in relation to cash alone. Continue reading Rye Headlines April 2004
The Tale of Smeaton’s Harbour is an everyday story of country gentry and their shenanigans. It is set in the town of Rye between May 1724 and October 1787…and it is a true story. The chronicler of these events is John Meryon, writing in Continue reading Smeaton Again
By Jim Hollands
(Written in 2012)
Looking back seven years to the August 2005 issue of “Rye’s Own” I came across the following piece I wrote at that time which contained predictions of what could happen to Rye during the following eight years. I was interested to know how accurate I had been with just one year of the eight left to run. Continue reading What Has Changed Since August 2005?
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
Sometimes a piece of history turns up at “Rye’s Own” that we can’t wait to show our readers. This is one of those times. Mrs. Cox sent in this wonderful picture of the large room at the Lion Street School depicting the girls class Four of 1931. This Continue reading Class Four Lion Street 1931
On Monday the 14 November at Rye Community Centre the steering committee for the Campaign for a Democratic Rye set out their plan for a return of power to Rye Town Council. Continue reading A Bold Plan To Restore Democracy To Rye And The District
Rye Town Hall built in 1742, the third to stand on the site, has seen copious town history pass through its doors.
The Borough Council had much power in the time of its construction returning two Members to Parliament and having complete control over local affairs and planning. Today, 250 years later, that power has been almost completely stripped away. Continue reading Rye’s Seat of Power
By Peter Etherden
The Tale of Smeaton’s Harbour is an everyday story of country gentry and their shenanigans. It is set in the town of Rye between May 1724 and October 1787…and it is a true story. The chronicler of these events is John Meryon, writing in some dismay as he unearthed the story upon his return to Rye in 1841 after a twenty-year tour of duty in Australia. Continue reading Smeaton’s Harbour
News of a new supermarket in Rye has been trickling out from East Sussex County Council officials. We are being lead to believe that the Ferry Road school site will be the home of a new Tesco outlet. Continue reading Town Crier
Let A Lesson Be Learned From This Tragic Accident Graham Matthews was a popular 22 year old filled with life and enthusiasm. His untimely death when he was knocked off his bike on the Rye Harbour Road has shocked and saddened his family and friends. Everyone at “Rye’s Own” send their sincere condolences to his Mum and Dad and to Carol and Troy, our thoughts are with you. Continue reading Town Crier
