Eileen Alstin 1916 – 2012

“Rye’s Own” sadly reports the death of one of our oldest subscribers.

Eileen was born at Camberwell on 28th October, 1916. This was at the height of the First World war It was a sweet tooth that led to a sweetheart when Eileen and a friend were in a shop; they both thought that the toffee apples on display looked delicious, but were far too expensive. Ron Alstin overheard them and offered to buy one for Eileen, which was how they met.

They married when Eileen was just nineteen and settled in Peckham after their honeymoon in Hastings. During the war, Ron worked out of Woolwich Arsenal Continue reading Eileen Alstin 1916 – 2012

100 Faces from the Horner Collection

How many faces do you recognise in these six pictures from The Horner Collection? The top photograph depicts Mr. Fullock’s class at Rye County Secondary School around 1957. The second school group is again a class from the same period at Rye County Secondary. Continue reading 100 Faces from the Horner Collection

From Rye to Oregon

By Sylvia Hewitt (Nee’ Sperring)

First let me tell you how writing this article came about. Veronica Wall (nee Vincent) sent a copy of “Rye’s Own” to Jo, her sister in California. Jo’ who I went to school with and has been a constant friend from those days and throughout our time in America, who sent it on to me. I mailed a letter and two photos, taken in the 50s to Jim (The Editor) another school friend. He asked me to write of some memories of Rye and of my life in America. Continue reading From Rye to Oregon

Rye Musician

Rye Musician.

By T. E. Sims

Before he left Rye Secondary School, Roberts Ernest Cutting, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Cutting of Lea Avenue, Tilling Green, always wanted to be a musician.

Following in his fathers footsteps, he joined Rye Town Band as a Boy Cornet Player, with his school pal, Dennis Batchelor. Both Mr. Cutting (senior) and Mr. Batchelor (senior) had a long record in Rye Town Band. Continue reading Rye Musician