will want to know why these ‘faceless’ people at Rother wield so much power over our affairs and what our own councillors are going to do about it.
Eating Out in Rye
What a brilliant town this is for eating out. The selection of restaurants in Rye is unrivalled even in much bigger centres. There is a venue for all tastes.
I mention but three, these are the places I have been fortunate enough to dine at this month.
The Mermaid has a reputation for quality cuisine and they certainly lived up to their reputation. Excellent food, impeccable service and a wine list that is second to none.
Mine hosts Judith Blincow and Robert Pinwill operate a ‘hands on’ policy that ensures the highest standards are maintained.
The hostelry oozes atmosphere and the heavily timbered rooms are comfortable in summer and winter.
At the east end of Cinque Ports Street The Runcible Spoon, under new ownership now, has a varied and interesting menu and provides good, quick service, especially at lunchtime. Prices are very reasonable and the numbers of diners there testifies to their popularity.
Rye’s newest hotel, the aptly named River Haven, houses the Riverside Restaurant. Set alongside the river at The Strand Quay it offers panoramic views of the boats and activities across the water at Rye’s antique quarter. The food is of a very high standard and is complemented by attentive service. The wine list is comprehensive.
The Restaurant, which was purpose built by Stuart Pope, is large, bright and airy and suits itself admirably to Wedding receptions and functions.
Rye, Rye Harbour and Camber
A letter in last weeks (25 August) Rye Observer from Rye Town Clerk Richard Fairhall criticised an inaccurate report in the previous week’s issue. “A suggestion under consideration to alter Rye Town’s District ward so that it encompassed Camber and Rye Harbour (and possibly East Guldeford) on the grounds that the town of Rye has a natural affinity with both”. This was one possible method of increasing the number of voters in the Rye electoral district and so retaining three representatives. He goes on to say “It is unfortunate that this matter has been reported inaccurately before the Town Council has had the opportunity to discuss its ideas with neighbouring parishes.”
In this issue of “Rye’s Own” I put the question to Rye District Councillor Paul Carey (Your men at the Town Hall page thirty) What are your feelings on the District Boundary Review? His reply, I feel, covers the subject clearly and accurately.
“To preserve our small quota of three District Councillors we must have a larger electorate. Rye Harbour and Camber are much more aligned to Rye than to their present sectors of Icklesham and Iden. Both they and Rye would gain great benefit as a unit. I must stress that the villages would still maintain their status when it comes to rates. They would not fall into the higher town rate that Rye suffers.”
The Second Best Pub in the Land
The Robin Hood at Icklesham was recently awarded second place in a national competition to find the best character pub in England. The event, sponsored by Pimms and featured in the “Sunday Times” has resulted in massive publicity for this highly active country pub. Licensees David Owens and Mick D’arcy run regular Boot Sales on the adjoining field, have an amazing children’s play area and an active Bonfire Society that organises great Guy Fawkes celebrations. This year they helped in the organising of the first Icklesham Beer Festival.
I was invited there on Bank Holiday Monday to call the Robin Hood Bonfire Societies Annual Charity Auction of Promises and enjoyed the event, the people and the great atmosphere. Even when there was a power cut and beers were ‘off’ and the till would not work it was business as usual in the midst of a Bank Holiday business rush. That is, it was business as usual until the open till became overfilled and the whole thing went crashing down behind the bar!
“The cash was too much for the till to bear” called some wag and despite being under enormous pressure the staff joined in the fun. At this rate they will be pub number one in 2001.
The Auction went off well, beginning with an amazing introduction from the Hastings Town Crier, rather appropriate for this page. Bidding was brisk and sometimes hilarious, especially when a ‘Free Wedding’, donated by Reverend Pegg, went under the hammer. Good prices were paid for a days bricklaying and gardening. Other services offered were an hours ironing, more gardening and a Reflexology / Reiki session! (must have been good, they kept on bidding)
Dinner for two at almost every eating house in the area made up many lots, Bonfire Boy Jim was very keen on these. He probably bought enough to keep him dining out until next years auction. There were many sporting buyers for the ‘mystery lots’ and the final total realised was £1035.
So if its food, drink and fun your looking for, call in at the Robin Hood. As their well known catch phrase points out – Be rude not to!
Rye’s Great Cultural Festival
If the Late Cannon John Williams could see the tremendous strides the Rye Festival has taken, since those early days when he was so much involved with bringing quality performers to entertain us in this ancient town, he would surely be delighted.
What a well organised event this is. Walking round the town on Bank Holiday Monday the tasteful posters were in abundance offering all manner of entertainment for every taste. A full diary of events for the festival, which starts on Saturday 2 September can be found inside the front cover.
Rye Festival Event
The Rye Shakespeare Company Present
Murder Aforesaid
The Trial of John Breeds 1734
At Rye Town Hall
12 & 13 September
Camber Castle
Camber Castle is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday in September from 2pm. – 5pm.
Much restoration work has been carried out on the building and it in no way resembles the the crumbling ruin we knew in our youth. Its well worth a visit. You do have to walk or cycle along the public footpath to get there. There is no road for vehicles.
Shop Report
Rye has been very busy through August, many shops report good trade but there was some disappointment that the Bank Holiday weekend was slow starting, perhaps because the weather forecast was poor for the Saturday. In the event Saturday proved to be a very nice day with only the lightest of showers around lunchtime. This town does seem to have better weather than even our near neighbours, as I keep telling people, it only rains at night in Rye.
Past Wheelers Club Run
Past members of Rye & District Wheelers are arranging a gentle cycle run for Sunday 17 September. All local cyclists, old or young are welcome to come along. If there is enough interest it may well be that the club, one of the oldest in England with history stretching back to 1883, may be revived.
In the sixties it was one of the foremost track racing clubs in the area with riders up to national standard. The famous Ashdown Brothers, Johnna, Dave and Edward from New Romney were Rye Wheelers. Cousin Micheal Ashdown joined the club later and became Sussex Track Sprint Champion riding an outdated prewar bike that his father raced at Rye Sports in the Thirties. Among other riders from the Club who competed were Mervyn Robbins, Stuart Pope, Keith Pope, Gary Booth, Chris Parsons, Bob French, Bernard Dean, Nick Price, Malcolm Lock, Dave Page and many more.
The run, will set off from The Globe Inn in Military Road at 2pm. For more details phone Rye 223000.
Georgian Furniture at Rye Auction Galleries Friday Sale
The local Galleries sale this Friday (1 September) includes some valuable pieces of Georgian and other antique furniture.
A Sheraton inlaid mahogany Secretaire Cabinet and a Georgian Mahogany Bureau are two pieces that will attract a lot of interest.
The general items in the outside gallery include this Lada five door hatchback in very good condition with tax and m.o.t
“Rye’s Own” September 2000
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