Rye Summer School is perhaps rather a solemn name for something which sounds a lot of fun and is bound to be very popular with parents and children for the interminable weeks of the summer holidays. Jo Ciccone, daughter of John and Pat of Love Lane, is doing a college course in recreational management and sports coaching, and she has to gain work experience in the vacation; luckily for Rye, she failed to get a job helping with an American summer camp, so she decided to set up something rather less ambitious here. With regular help from two TPS sixth formers, and visiting instructors including Margaret Marshall and Bob Edwards, she aims to keep happy up to 45 eight-to-twelve-year-olds, working two sessions a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the holidays, from 25 July until 29 August. The group will be using the Upper School playing-fields, with access to the Sixth-Form hut and school loos only and has all sorts of entertainments planned for the "pupils", including swimming, canoeing (for the older ones) on the Tillingham, instruction on cycle care by the police, games of all kinds, crafts, outings to local places of interest and lots of other things. They are well placed to cope with any minor emergencies, since Jo lives almost next door to the school and has her own car handy.
Cost will be just 30p a session, and it will be first come first served, though Jo would be glad to hear from parents who are interested so that she can get some idea of what demand is likely to be. Letters are going out to Freda Gardham and Lower School parents, but the group is by no means restricted to Rye children and anyone else interested - e.g. child-minding grand-parents - should give Jo a ring on Rye 222391. Children can come to just one odd session, or regularly throughout the holidays, as suits the family best.
We do congratulate Jo on her enterprise, and hope that she has started something that will become a regular part of Rye's summer scene.
Twenty Brownies packed in to a police land rover is an unexpected spin-off from the Playden Oasts fire! But when Brown Owl Daliea White received a letter from Rye's Chief Inspector thanking her for her help on that regrettable occasion (living next door, she brewed up unlimited tea for the firefighters and others involved), she rather daringly asked whether in return she might bring her Brownies to see over the police station. The answer was yes, they would be most welcome, and she tells us that the police gave them a lovely time: they were locked in the cells, had their fingerprints taken, saw the quarters for the police dogs, watched the vehicle-tracing system - and then had Brown Owl breathalysed on the new computer. In recognition of their recent anti-litter drive, they were even given badges and cards to take home. This was obviously an outing which the little girls will remember for years, and Mrs. White is just as grateful to the police for their kindness as they were to her for her tea.
The 1st Rye Brownies raised a total of £91 by their sponsored litter-collection, and from this they are buying some flower-vases for the use of patients at Rye Hospital, by special request from the hospital staff. The rest will go towards their sixtieth birthday celebrations, on Friday 16 September at the FE Centre. Mrs. White would like to make this a very special "do", and she would be so grateful if anyone who has memories or photographs of the early days of the Rye Brownies would get in touch with her (Rye 222840 - Playden Forge); the ladies themselves would now be in their sixties, and even if they are not able to come to the party Mrs. White would still love to hear from them or their relatives.
2.
Mrs. Florence Nellie Bedwell, of Pottingfield Road, died in hospital on 6 July; the funeral takes place today (Wednesday) at noon in Hastings. Mrs. Bedwell would have been 77 on Thursday. She leaves two sons and a daughter, 8 grandchildren and three great-grand-children.
Mrs. Blanche Lottie Gray, formerly of Tillingham Avenue and more recently of Greyfriars, died in hospital on 6 July; she was 87. The funeral has taken place.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Soan, of Poppyfields, Playden, died suddenly and peacefully at her home on Saturday. She was 69, and leaves her husband, five children, fourteen grandchildren and a great-grand-daughter.
Mrs. Elizabeth Sawkins, nee Igglesden and formerly of Rye Harbour, died in hospital in London on 27 June. Mrs. Sawkins was in her eighties.
John and Toni, at the Old Vicarage in East Street, are pleased to announce that they now have a restaurant and residential licence for drinks. Regular customers will have noticed already that there is a temporary snag to this: there are no lunches served this week (though dinners are as usual) due to the work required by the fire prevention regulations. Everything will, touch wood, be back to normal by Monday (18th).
Vidler & Co were very pleased by the record attendance at their evening sale on Friday, when some excellent prices were achieved. Top bid of £5,200 went to an eighteenth-century French commode (no, not that sort: a chest of drawers!), while a Persian carpet which had been awaiting the sale for nearly a year fetched £3,000. £2,100 was given for an oil painting, £1,280 for an eighteenth-century chest of drawers, and two Victorian carved walnut chairs made £800. Prices for the seven long-case clocks totalled nearly £2,500. Less important items from the Victorian and Edwardian eras also sold well. Leslie Stutely tells us that, as it happened, most of the pieces in the sale came from the homes of two elderly ladies, one from Putney and one from Pett, who had decided to retire into nursing homes. There is likely to be another "special" sale before the end of the year.
The Saltings Hotel now provides live music during dinner on Saturday (7.30 till close on midnight) on alternate weeks - the next will be on 23 July. The trio - pianist, drummer and a girl vocalist - come from London, and their music was very much appreciated by last Saturday's diners. Their aim is to be unobtrusive, playing middle-of-the-road music of a kind which appeals to the age-group which has not lost all sense of hearing from over-exposure to disco sound. The Saltings discovered the group by chance when the leader came to tune their piano (we gather that he is responsible for this job in some very Top Places), so they are delighted that they can please their customers and have a regularly tuned piano as well.
Three planning applications this week. Mr. Phillips is submitting detailed plans for his bungalow in Rock Channel (outline permission has already been given). Mr. Taylor of Bellmount is seeking permission to divide the Watchbell Street property into three: one three-bedroomed house, one two-bedroomed, and a studio incorporating the restored watchtower, currently at risk from subsidence as we reported some time ago. The third application is from the British Shoe Corporation, and proposes considerable internal alterations to Freeman Hardy & Willis, including an extension at the back and a slightly altered shop-front; we called in to congratulate Miss Henley and her staff on the implied compliment to their work, and found that they were not at all pleased, saying that both they and their customers would prefer the shop to be left as it is and not converted into a modern store.
We don't know exactly when Freeman Hardy opened in Rye, but it was a long time ago. In 1903 they were occupying both halves of Penny Royal (nos. 21 and 22); no. 23 was then Bartholomews, clothiers (established, though not necessarily there, in 1846). By 1907, however, there had been a swap: Bartholomews were in no. 22, John Harvey had opened a fancy repository in no. 21, and Freeman Hardy had moved into no. 23 and have been there ever since. We hope they can keep their pretty mosaic doorstep if the plans do go through.
THE RYE GAZETTE, 13 July 1983 3.
A reader has commented to us that the lower lookout at the top of Hilder's Cliff seems to be in regular use as a urinal; even passing it on the steps, the smell is offensive. It is difficult to know how to prevent this, short of fencing it off; is it much used, in fact, for its intended of purpose of admiring the view?
Another reader writes so feelingly about bonfires that we simply quote: "Of course, we all have to have a bonfire occasionally, but why choose a lovely summer evening when people like to sit out of doors and have the windows open to catch the cool air? And why build a bonfire so that it trickles out smoke and goes on all night polluting the air for all in the vicinity? A good short burn-up on a not-so-fine day gets rid of the big stuff; lawn mowings, etc., can be put down for compost." To which we - and probably also the Fire Brigade! - would add a plea for checking the direction of the wind before applying the match; might it be possible to choose a day when the wind blows away from the neighbours?
Rother may soon be considering the possibility of selling to an advertising company the litter-bin concession. If so we do hope that the new bins will be bigger than the present little tubs. We have all seen paper being blown off the top of these on a windy day, and whereas at home a full bin can be tamped down if it is not convenient to empty it, few of us are disposed to put our hands into a bin full of other people's sticky discards and shove them down to make room for our own! Bigger and better bins, please; and are there now some on the Putting Green?
Progress Prize winners at Thomas Peacocke Lower School on Tuesday were Sharon White (1.4), Darren Douch (1.5), Jane Summers (2.8), Arlene Winter (2.4), Mark Curry (2.8), Douglas Ivimy (2.1), John Lee (2.2), Philip Le Roux (2.5), James Loten (2.4), Mark Pope (2.2), and Tim Willett (2.7). Four of the winners came from Guestling School, three from Freda Gardham, one each from Northiam, Brede and Westfield, and James Loten is a Leasam boarder. Mr. Thomas commented that in the 1978 list were the names of both last year's and this year's Head Boys – progress continued right to the top, obviously! Prizes for Music went to Suzannah Finch (2.6) and Rebekah Smith (2.6), for Art to Sarah Catt (2.6), for Dance to Susan Hare (2.5), for Cricket to Matthew Heskett (1.7), for Drama to Andrew Colegrave (1.8), and Mark Curry won the Chess Cup with James Loten as runner-up. The John Corbett Prize for Classical Studies went to Evelyn Underwood and Ruby Cole. The prizes were presented by Julia Rudkin-Jones, who had been at Saltcote Place in the Grammar School days; she spoke of her unusual career which had led to an interesting and responsible job helping with Third World problems. The House Shield was won by Rother after a crucial cricket match later on Tuesday morning - it was, we understand, a matter of just one run deciding the whole issue!
We are so sorry to hear that Mr. Peter Cooke, of Ferry Road, is in hospital after a stroke at his home on Saturday morning. Kath Elworthy reports that he is holding his own, but his left side is affected and recovery is likely to be slow. Peter is in Ward 7 at St. Helen's, and would welcome visitors; Kath herself is being well looked after at home. She says that the best possible tonic for Peter would be the knowledge that his Mile of Pennies is growing steadily, so that the final yardage will be achieved by 30 July when the Mayor makes the draw for the raffle prizes associated with the appeal.
It would be much appreciated if those who have books out would return the counterfoils and money so that it is possible to estimate how long the "mile" is now. More books can be collected from Mrs. Elworthy at 22 Ferry Road; from Mrs. Goldsworthy at Houghton Green House; or from the Crown Inn, where Toni Easter and Vanessa Pasqua are giving an invaluable hand with the organisation. It is desperately frustrating for Peter, who has put so much effort into the appeal, not to be here to keep pushing it forward, and we do hope it will reach its total mileage by the appointed day. Tickets are only 20p, and 5p of this is for the raffle - the remaining 15p represents 12" in pennies.
4.
Saturday was such a beautiful day that no-one could feel sad for long – not even at Saltcote Place, which was holding the last in a long series of annual summer garden parties. Last, of course, because in a week’s time the house closes and next term boys and girls alike will be boarding at Leasam House – but, as Mr. Fooks said, the spirit and charm of Saltcote is definitely going to continue just up the road. He thanked all connected with the boarding house, and particularly Mrs. Anne Mair, a member of the Saltcote Committee since 1967 and its Chairman for ten years (and, we are glad to know a Member of the Management Committee which is to run the new co-ed Leasam House).
Presentations followed the speeches (and we do apologise if we have left anyone out). Three members of the house’s staff are retiring: Miss Bess Osborne after 27 years, her sister Miss Gladys Osborne after 25 years, and Mrs. Jean Martin after 17 years, and as well as presents there was a super “Happy Retirement” cake. Thanks and presents went to Mrs. Brenda Warner, who is joining the staff of the new Social Services Office; to Mrs. Christine Sivers, who was responsible for preparing most of the food at the party, and who is to be the new cook at Leasam; to Mrs. Sarah Stewart, Leasam’s new Matron, and to Mrs. Pat. Foster, one of the Assistant Matrons there; to Peter Farrow, Rye Goldsmith and the house’s Activity Leader; and to Mrs. Marjorie Nettle, Mrs. Shirley Gilbert, Mr. Cecil Tiltman and Mr. Ron Clark among others who have helped in one way or another.
Other presentations included one from Saltcote to Leasam: a sewing-machine! First-year Samantha Collins won a silver cup for the best window box, and very pretty it was. Of course, there was a whole pile of packages for Miss June Mackenzie, who is not only giving up her job as Housemistress but is leaving the school in favour of matrimony. Her fiancé Terry Wagstaff of the ESCC staff was at the party, and the wedding takes place in Scotland three days after the end of term. The couple will live in Brighton, and June is to teach at Claverham, where she will also be a deputy housemistress. (We do know that among the presents is a very special duvet cover, with love from the Saltcote staff and girls.)
It was certainly a memorable farewell party. The Battle Town Band played under the garlanded arcade, and the girls in their elegant white dresses lent an Edwardian charm to the scene. There were many Rye people among the guests, talking over old times, laying new plans and enjoying the delicious refreshments. The house was open to the public, showing off its airy downstairs rooms, small cheerful dormitories and beautiful grounds. We had hoped to be able to disclose the
asking price, but no-one was prepared to say (the sale is being handled through the East Sussex County Council rather than a local agent). As for its future - nursing home, flats, private school, country club? We have heard all these suggested. Any prospective purchaser present on Saturday could not fail to have been impressed by its possibilities.
Mary and I is holding a sale. Mrs. Lestocq describes it as a change-of-use sale; it will continue for some weeks, but at the end the shop will close for good as what the old almanacs used to call a "fancy repository", and in due course reopen as a photographer's studio. Local people who have admired Mary Lestocq's photographs of the Harbour may not realise that she also works as a professional photographer for the postcard trade, and some of the Rye cards she sells are in fact her own work, commissioned by a firm in Scarborough. In the new studio she will undertake portrait photography, possibly passport photos (yes, please!), though she is not committing herself to detailed plans just yet.
Mrs. Lestocq is the second photographer to set up professionally in Rye in recent months - we wrote about Paddy Aiken in March. We also have, of course, some excellent semi-professionals. Some years ago now the Easton Rooms housed an exhibition of work by local photographers; perhaps the time has come for a repeat - or is this something the Camera Club might care to organise, possibly in aid of a charity? It would be nice for us all to have the opportunity of ordering for ourselves copies of pictures taken at local events, now that there is so much less scope for this via the regular press.
5.
Rye cemetery occupies nearly nine acres at the top of Rye Hill and is reached either by a footpath up steps at the far end of Love Lane, or by a lane beside the entrance to Hill House. Readers will know that its condition is currently causing something of a rumpus, so on Saturday we walked up to have a look. It is clear that some mowing, by the more recent graves at the bottom, has been done regularly, as the grass is green and fairly short. Further up, someone has been very energetic indeed just lately; it is perfectly possible to identify the graves, and cut grass lies haying beside them. Beyond the chapels, a third area has been fenced, and some rather anxious-looking sheep can be seen struggling through the elephant-grass; one hopes for their sake that there is something edible at the base, since sheep don't like their grazing to be taller than they are. We didn't notice a water-trough for them, but there is probably one there somewhere.
Once the competent chap with the scythe (and we refer to Rother's employee, not the other one who comes for all of us one day) gets round to cutting the fenced bits, the sheep should be able to keep them nibbled down - as they now do with another piece at the back of the fenced area. There is more green grass at the very top of the cemetery, in front of the cottage which goes with the cemetery keeper's job. And tucked away behind bushes to the right of the lane from the chapels is a fifth patch: this looks like Sleeping Beauty's garden, with stones peeping shyly out through great thickets of brambles that don't look to have been touched for many years - whoever gets the job of clearing that will need very sturdy clothing indeed. But it does appear that Rother are true to their word - something is being done; and if the upper half can once be cut to match the lower, perhaps it would then be possible to keep the growth down with a heavy-duty strimmer or brushwood cutter.
A very full report by Mr. Hudson of the Parks and Gardens Department went before the Environmental Health Committee on Tuesday, setting out the whole position about the cemetery's condition and maintenance; two of our Councillors are on this committee, so we can be sure that it was fully discussed - more later.
• Congratulations to Roy Pierce of King's Avenue, who has won the 1984 place on a Tall Ships cruise sponsored by the Canon John Williams Youth Adventure Fund; the award was announced at Thomas Peacocke School assembly this morning (real Stop Press stuff, this!). Andrea Wickenden, who won the 1983 place, leaves on the Sir Winston Churchill on 25 September for her cruise.
• At St. Mary's on Saturday, the sun smiled on the wedding of Colin Hymens of Ruislip and Patricia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Robinson of Fishmarket Road. Patricia is the great-niece of Mrs. Eileen Mason, of Battery Square, who says we really must mention the beautiful flowers in the church, arranged by the St. Mary's Flower Guild. Bridesmaids were two friends of the bride and the groom's niece; the reception was held at Flackley Ash, the honeymoon is being spent on a Greek island, and the couple will live in Ruislip.
• Welcome home to Mrs. Hilda Nelson-Barrett, back in North Salts after several weeks in hospital for a tiresome but, we are glad to say, not a major operation. She tells us with much pleasure that the recent house-to-house collection for the Blind Association amounted to £476.
• Congratulations to Elaine Scriven, of Pottingfield Road, who came joint second in a recent St. John Ambulance competition at Eastbourne.
• Humphrey Lestocq goes to Birmingham on Saturday to record a piece for Pebble Mill: nothing to do with lifeboats, for a change, but as part of a programme about "Puppets through the Ages". Those who remember Mr. Turnip, Hank and Willerby will want to look out for the programme, and Mr. Lestocq has promised to tell us when it is to appear as soon as he himself knows.
• Ian and Vicky Townsend are now back at their Wiltshire cottage, job-hunting after their unexpectedly dramatic teaching engagement in the Falklands.
6.
Rather surprised by last week's screaming press headlines, we asked whether we might visit Badger Gate to see for ourselves.
The sheltered flatlets in Udimore Road were erected 17 years ago by Rye Borough Council to the approved standards of the time. For every four flatlets (each of which has its own kitchenette with cooker and sink) there is toilet accommodation across the corridor consisting of two WC cubicles and two hand-basins. In theory two flats share one loo and two the other, but there can obviously be flexibility if necessary! The bathrooms are shared between four flats, though in practice this works out better than it sounds since some residents are nervous about falling and prefer not to risk a bath, even though grab-rails are provided. (What really would be an improvement is the provision of showers, but the type needed would cost rather a lot of money.)
The occupants of the flats have the use of small storerooms nearby, in which they can keep suitcases and other things not regularly required. There is a communal laundry-room with washing machines and driers, sinks and airers, and an outside drying line for those who prefer it. Rubbish goes into lidded paper-sacks in special rooms handy for the flats, so no-one has to carry a bin downstairs. The locally given chairlift is for less mobile residents and visitors.
Beside the main entrance, the large and pleasant common room is well provided with comfortable armchairs and has a colour television; there is a phone booth in the hall. Most residents do in fact have their own television sets, and some have their own phones. The postman delivers to the individual flats, though milk and papers are left in the downstairs locker room. The public areas have just been redecorated - the corridors a sunny yellow, and the common-room in attractive wallpaper and a new carpet.
As for the garden, it is at present full of roses and looks lovely. As well as the open lawn at the front, there is a more secluded area behind, with trees and a sheltered terrace with seats, overlooking the Estate playing field; a quite substantial fence divides the two, though Mrs. Sinden, Warden since the block was opened, points out that it is occasionally not proof against over-strenuous ball games next door!
All the fuss does seem a little puzzling, since in millions of homes throughout the country there is only one loo for an entire household. And if there are sometimes weeds in the garden, or the cut grass is left to dry off, does it really matter - how many gardens are immaculate nowadays, anyway? Mrs. Sinden, (whose flat is connected by a bleeper system to all the others in case of emergency), has had plenty of reaction from residents who, unlike the lady who complained to the News, are very happy with the accommodation; but they, and in some cases their relatives, are very unhappy with the publicity. We understand that the story in the News was not, apparently, backed with a visit from the reporter in person.
The present practice in building new sheltered accommodation is for each unit to have its own bath and WC (as at Devonport House). This would be done in the block which Rother Housing Committee is contemplating building on the site of the present Council Offices. Mr. Mitchell, the Deputy Housing Officer, tells us that this proposal is still in its early days, and planning permission would have to be obtained for it in the usual way. The idea is that the new building would be an annexe to Badger Gate, in the charge of a Deputy Warden, with communications between the two blocks so that either Warden could be in charge of both when necessary.
If this scheme does go through, we hope that it will be possible to keep the attractive little formal garden as a reminder of the days when Magdala House was the home of James Coleman Vidler, three times Mayor of Rye. In that time the gardens extended right down to the river and included the land where the Clinic now stands. After J.C. Vidler's death in 1898, the property passed to the Bowen family (who had the brewery in Eagle Place, the painted name still visible from the railway line), and elderly residents can remember as boys being allowed the use of the cricket nets which one of the Bowen sons erected in the garden.
7.
Mrs. Igglesden, of Udimore Road, showed us a most remarkable lily which is growing in her daughter's garden on Cadborough Cliff. It appears to be related to the arum, but from the base of the trumpet-shaped flower to the tip measures about 15". The flower itself is a deep purple inside and greenish at the back, and a smooth purple 10" spike as thick as a man's finger emerges from the heart of it. The stem is thick and mottled with black near the base, and the leaves are cut rather like a fig-leaf, though smaller. The plant grows three or four feet high, and has done particularly well this year; it was in the garden when the occupants moved in three years ago. It looks terrifying; can anyone tell us what it is, and where it originates?
The pick-it-yourself season is in full flush at Tibbs Farm, Udimore (about two miles out of Rye on the main road up Cadborough Hill); as far as we know, this is the nearest farm to the town offering PIY. A very satisfied picker tells us that there are plenty of excellent strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries, with blackcurrants and loganberries due very soon.
Tomorrow (Thursday) St. Michael's School, Playden, is holding an open afternoon for visitors and friends of the school as well as parents of the present pupils. At about 3.30 there will be a presentation to Rev. John Bannister, who retires at the end of term after 30 years as Headmaster. The school, built in the 1870s by local benefactors, originally served just Playden, but later took over Iden's as well; it is reached by turning sharp right at the Peace and Plenty, or taking first turning left off Military Road. Parking space is very limited.
Admission is free at the George Hotel on Saturday at 3, when Dr. Kay Priestman will be giving "An Introduction to Homeopathy". The meeting has been arranged by the South East Friends of Homeopathy, an organisation based at Tunbridge Wells but with local supporters. For those who want an opportunity to discuss the talk afterwards, afternoon tea will be available at £1.35. We do hope that they will have a good attendance at this very busy time of year.
Attractions at the Cancer Relief fete at Pett on Sunday (2.30 to 4.30) include the usual stalls and side-shows, pony rides, and the band of the Hastings Boys Brigade. The fete is at Monypenny, Rosemary Lane, Pett, but if the weather is unkind, they have booked Guestling Village Hall. Although this is not strictly speaking a Rye event, it is organised by the Rye committee, and we feel sure that many people the town will be supporting it.
Another out-of-Rye event perhaps deserving a mention: Mallydams Wood Field Centre and Nature Reserve in Peter James Lane, Fairlight, is holding an open day on Saturday 30 July, from 10 to 5.30, in aid of the RSPCA (who, rather unexpectedly, own it). There are woodland nature trails and exhibitions, and an opportunity to talk to the experts. Just the job when the school holidays are beginning to pall!
Hill House School made a profit of £113 at their coffee morning and sale at the FEC on Saturday; Miss Dean says that this will all go towards the maintenance of the school's minibus. Incidentally, the staff decided that birds came first, left the pied wagtail's nest alone and put off using the minibus, and when they finally opened the bonnet all the little birds flew out and away. Happy ending!
Plenty of visitors found their way down the winding lanes to Float Farm in Udimore for the Strawberry Tea on Sunday, arranged by the Friends of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. £300 was raised for the Reserve during the afternoon. Six people tied as winners of the bird identification quiz, but the more difficult natural history quiz was won outright by a lad in his early teens, Darren Whitworth from Bexhill. A barrow-load of stones from the Reserve made an interesting alternative to a jarful of smarties for a guess-the-number competition: the winner came within four of the actual number, 1993 (counted out by a member during her stint of tern-watching)! The Friends' committee are most grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Denny (of Penny Royal and Tower Forge), who so generously opened their beautiful farmhouse to the public as well as helping with the hard work.
8.
Thursday, 14th Cadborough Jubilee Social Club sale, 78B Udimore Road, 6
Friday, 15th Rye Dance Centre presents "Showbiz", CC, 7.30
Saturday, 16th Craft Market, FEC, 10 to 4
TPS PTA Boot Sale, Lower School playground (Ferry Road), 2 to 5
"An Introduction to Homeopathy", George Hotel, 3 (see page 7)
Rye Dance Centre presents "Showbiz", CC, 7.30
Sunday, 17th Groombridge Church Choir sings evensong, St. Mary's, 6.30
Monday, 18th Monday Club, Ferry Road Clinic, 2
Tuesday, 19th St. Mary's Tuesday Club (informal meeting), 2 East Street, 7.30
Wednesday, 20th Thrift Shop open for handing-in only, Red Cross, 10.30 to 12.30
Tuesday Painters Exhibition opens, FEC (till 30th)
Last day of term for Rye schools.
• Not quite in our area - so merely a reminder that the Greyfriars Fete takes place on Saturday at 2 (see last week's GAZETTE), and the Cancer Relief Fete at Pett is on Sunday at 2.30 (see page 7). See page 7 too for a note about the Playden School open afternoon tomorrow (Thursday).
• The final total raised at last month's NSPCC Summer Fair amounts to £800.
• The terra-cotta figures in the window of the TSB, and the pictures on the side wall, are on loan from Thomas Peacocke School art room; we think they reflect great credit both on the artists and on the excellent taste of the TSB!
• Traffic coming into Camber at mid-day on Sunday was so heavy that police had to close the road to all but local cars; every parking-space was full.
• The RNLI have cleaned and repaired the lifeboat memorial in Rye Harbour churchyard, and a handsome lettered slate tablet has been put in place there. The lifeboat call-out on Sunday was, we gather, a well-intentioned false alarm.
• Rye Swimming Club is having a very good season, and as well as its present 6.30 to 8 opening on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays it will be opening on Sundays from 3 to 5 during the holidays, from 24 July to 28 August. The Club's main problem at the moment is success - chairman Tony Thompson says that they are only supposed to have 60 swimmers in the pool at any one time, and if the fine weather continues, they will have to work "sessions", i.e. the gates kept closed and the pool area cleared for a new entry after half-an-hour.
• Mrs. Fannon's petition to the ESCC Highways and Transportation Department at Bexhill has borne fruit, and their inspector agreed that work did need doing to the New Winchelsea Road footpath. But the A259 is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, and Bexhill are now awaiting approval and finance from them before work can start.
• Congratulations to Mrs. Edith Nash, mother of Pam of the Collyer-Nash Pottery, who was 90 on 7 July. Both her daughters plus a grand-daughter and a great-grand-daughter were there to help her celebrate.
• The programme leaflet for the 12th Rye Festival is now available in the town. The box office at the Easton Rooms opens (for non-members) on 8 August; the Festival runs from 3 to 10 September and has 23 events all told including those for children and "on the fringe". More details nearer the time.
THE RYE GAZETTE is registered as a newspaper with the Post Office. It is published by Mrs. Mary Owen at 94 Udimore Road, Rye (222303), and news items for inclusion are always welcome - deadline is Monday afternoon, 9 am Tuesday for emergencies. The GAZETTE costs 25p weekly and is delivered to subscribers and pick-up points on Wednesday morning. As an experiment, a few spare copies will be on sale at Squirrels at Banister's Corner, through the kindness of Mrs. Briggs. (Copyright Mary Owen 1983)