Saturday 7 August saw the people of Rye celebrate a great English victory in a way that the Horatio Nelson would have no doubt approved.
The Cinque Ports people of Rye brought their boats, decorated to their mast tops with red, white and blue bunting to The Strand Quay and paid tribute to the Admiral who was killed at the height of his greatest victory.
The Strand was filled completely and both sides of the quay were packed with stalls and folk in period dress. There were representatives from the Cinque Ports Volunteers, The Sea Cadets, Police, Coastguard, St. John Ambulance, Rotary Club and many more. At least ten Nelsons and two Lady Hamiltons were present to see an air display by three aircraft who were also taking part in the Woodchurch “Wings Day”.
The Harbour Master’s launch was the nerve centre of the event, dispensing liberal amounts of beverage to those lucky enough to be invited aboard.
Town Crier Rex Swain was in attendance along with a Rock Band, Moonsters Blue and the famous Jazz Band of Carl Spen-cer and the Nighthawks. The two bands soon had people dancing on the quay.
watchful eye over the
celebrations
It was a very special occasion for Ryers. The event seemed to draw all the locals and people who had not seen each other for years met up and chatted about carnivals and sports days of the past that had the same effect. Everybody in fancy dress was local and despite the fact that there were hundreds of visitors and tourists it had the feel of a genuine Rye event. Some old Ryers even went as far as saying it was as good as the Carnivals of the fifties!
Charles Bronsden, Stuart Pope and members of the Rye Harbour Boat Owners Association, organised this great event, they were more than pleased with the way the day went. The weather was brilliant, the crowds enormous and the entertainment was continuous.
“England Expects” read Nelson’s famous signal, Rye certainly came up to expectations.
Trafalgar Day brought the Ryers out in force Mr. & Mrs. Len Fuggle, Mr. & Mrs. Victor Woolveridge and below Mr. & Mrs. Terry Osborne
“Rye’s Own” September 2005
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