Almost 50 Years Since The First Rye’s Own

Back in 1965, as Bonfire Night approached, a new magazine appeared in the newsagents of the town. “Rye’s Own” was born. Volume 1, Number One, it read on the cover, the price was two shillings (10p). Rodney Booth, now manager at Skinner’s Motors, was among the Bonfire Boys featured on the cover at their secret hideaway where the torches were made to light the procession on the great night. Continue reading Almost 50 Years Since The First Rye’s Own

Jimper’s Jottings November 2014

November 2014

Nearly every week there is an article in the local paper about the parking of traffic in no parking areas in Rye. The problem has got worse since the Traffic Warden was removed. Why the people in control of the town do not employ another, beats me. The cost, they say, does not add up to a profit. Well it would if Continue reading Jimper’s Jottings November 2014

Salvaging the Costa Concordia

Salvaging the Costa Concordia

The Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized and sank after striking an underwater obstruction off Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, on 13 January 2012, with the loss of 32 lives. The ship, carrying 4,252 people, double the number carried by Continue reading Salvaging the Costa Concordia

Smeaton Again

SMEATON’S HARBOUR

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 Continue reading Smeaton Again

Rod Shows Rye the Way

 

By Jim Hollands

Ex Motor racing driver Rod Chapman is leading the race to get Rye back into work and out of the recession.

His Atlas Business Park on Rye Harbour Road and the vast Rye Wharf site and accompanying facilities and ground contain dozens of local businesses providing work for hundreds of local people at Rye Harbour. Continue reading Rod Shows Rye the Way

The Right Development At The Right Time

September 2012 saw the opening of a new 1500 sq. ft. myCostcutter forecourt shop for Skinners of Rye, Owner Gary Barlow is delighted with the positive effect the development is having on his business. Continue reading The Right Development At The Right Time

Things Long Ago

Jimper Reminisces on a Lost World

Once on Romney Marsh not so long ago, it was a very unhealthy place to live. There was a dreaded thing that was called the Ague, a disease we now know was a type of malaria, caused by the mosquito which lived in the water that covered a lot of the flat land. The local remedy for the Ague was said to be to swallow a spider, whole, wrapped up in its own web. The sheer thought of doing so must have made many people suddenly recover from the illness rather than take the cure! Continue reading Things Long Ago

Acorn to Anvil

Ship Building

By Arthur Woodgate

It’s been rather nice thinking about Rye Shipyard since that loving presentation in the Autumn issue of ‘Ryes Own’, and it’s given me a lot to think about. We know that Sussex was covered at one time by a lot of forestry, and there must have been lots of it’s timber cut down and brought into Rye Shipyard. Continue reading Acorn to Anvil

What Has Changed Since August 2005?

 

By Jim Hollands

Looking Back

(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?