The Rye & District Wheelers Fun Day held on the Strand Quay on Saturday 28 May featured a marathon ride on rollers the equivalent distance of Rye to Land’s End. The 357 mile journey was completed by 4.30pm, three and a half hours inside the time allowed for the effort. While this was going on the serious business of making money for ARRCC (Rye Respite Community Care) went on. There was a Pound Board under the auspicious control of Jimper Sutton who spent the day encouraging people to spend. The money on the board eventually exceeded £140 There was also a Tombola (£70) and a raffle for a mountain bike (£80).
The Mayor of Rye Councillor Ian Potter spent several hours at the event and did two turns on the rollers. 1960’s Wheeler favourite Mick Ashdown, who has just rejoined the Club, Barry Goodsell, Jon Beasley, Gary Booth, Bill Waters, Jon Ashdown, Mervyn Robbins, Granville Bantick, Jim Hollands, Mark Nash, Peter Holland, Jack Goodsell, Ian Potter, Rita Thompson, Lorna Hall (Chairman of Rye in Bloon) Sonia Holmes, Jenny (who RYE TOWN SERVICES LIMITED Wheelers Fun Day attends ARRCC) and Grace O’Neil (Director of ARRCC) all spent time on the rollers.
Miles were recorded on mini computers fitted to each bike and the progress of the ride was continually updated on a large map board. A great cheer went up when the marker on the map indicated that ‘Lands End’ was reached .
The first prize in the raffle was a Mountain Bike. This was won by Lynn Simpson nee’ Igglesden, a Ryer who now lives in Benfleet, Essex and was visiting friends over the Spring Bank Holiday.
Prizes for the raffle were provided by Cranberries, Shades, The Runcible Spoon, A Gift For You, David Sharp Pottery, Edinburgh Wool, Adams of Rye, Penny Royal, Bennetts and Rye’s Own.
Special thanks for the smooth running of the cycle marathon must go to Gary Booth, whose ingenious devices for recording the mileage and keeping everyone up to date with progress made the event easy to follow and exciting to take part in. Judy Pope’s fabulous Tombola offered a tempting variety of prizes and husband Stuart, one of a rare band of Wheelers left over from the 1960’s, provided transport. Peter Holland, a man of many talents, provided the expertise for keeping the Gazebo in place throughout a day when gusts of wind registered 40 mph at times.
Special thanks are also due to the help of Councillor Paul Carey and to the Environmental Agency who kindly allowed the event to take place on the Quay.
The next event to help fund ARRCC is the Music Fest on 4 June at the Thomas Peacocke School.
Lynn Simpson, happy winner of the Mountain Bike
Jon Ashdown rests after a strenuous effort on the rollers.
It’s thumbs-up from Jon Beasley as he approaches Lands End
The Mayor with Grace O’Neil of ARRCC , Garry Booth (left) and Jon Beasley
Jon Beasley & Gary Booth with Map Chart beyond
Bill Waters relaxing with Nicki after his turn in the Rye – Lands End Marathon
Wheeler girls Rita & Sonia with Lorna of Rye in Bloom
June 2005 Issue of “Rye’s Own”
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