Steve Cannon, of Lea Avenue, is a fisherman, and spent all Saturday night out in the Bay; so by lunchtime on Sunday he was fast asleep in his bed. His two-year-old daughter Siobhan was also sleepy after her dinner, so Mrs. Cannon tucked her up in bed too and decided to take baby Matthew out for a walk in his pram.
Suddenly little Siobhan woke to the realisation that something was not right. She ran to wake her father - who found the house ablaze, and the stairs blocked. Neighbours had already called the emergency services, but at first no-one was sure whether Mrs. Cannon and the baby were still in the house; so Michael Bourn took no chances and sent in a six-strong search-party in breathing apparatus. By then Mr. Cannon had thrown Siobhan from an upstairs window into the arms of a neighbour, and he himself was rescued by the firemen; someone had recalled seeing mother and baby setting out from the house earlier, so the firemen were then able to devote their attention to putting out the fire. The lounge was gutted and the rest of the house badly damaged; fumes from a foam settee, said Mr. Bourn, might easily have caused the death of the two sleepers upstairs if the child hadn't wakened.
The family are staying temporarily with Mr. Cannon's parents in Military Road. Brave little Siobhan is hardly likely to forget the day when, as she told her grandmother, "Daddy threw me out of the window!"
In our last issue we reported that someone had been charged with the recent burglary at Winchelsea School (and also, it now transpires, at Icklesham School and six others in the area). A Winchelsea woman, walking her dog near the school, had noticed an unfamiliar car parked there - so she noted down its number and other details. When the news of the burglary broke, she reported this to the police; their computer was behindhand with a recent change of ownership for the car, but a local officer noticed the vehicle going along the road a day or two later, stopped it... and Rye magistrates will be dealing with the result.
The second story was even more spectacular. On the Monday afternoon of Holy Week a Udimore Road resident in his sixties noticed two strangers going down his neighbours' side path (the family, he knew, were out at the time). He phoned the police, kept an eye on the men as they eventually went off in the direction of the town, and then toured the streets in a police car looking for them. About an hour later they were spotted by DC Poulton and PC Deacon as they entered the station. After a brief chase through the booking-hall and along the platform, with stolen property flying in all directions, both were captured and taken to Rye Police Station. The £3,000-worth of property taken from the house was all recovered, and the watchful neighbour has received an official letter of thanks from the police. The men (one from Folkestone, one of no fixed abode) were brought before the next court session, which happened to be at Bexhill, then remanded to Rye, and the case has now gone to Crown Court at Lewes, where the men will be kept in custody until it comes up.
Residents on the usually sedate Cadborough Cliff were startled to find themselves the centre of a police chase on Saturday afternoon which led out to the fields on the cliff itself - together with dogs, walkie-talkies, the lot. The police were not prepared to comment, beyond saying that a man was subsequently arrested and charged with various offences.
Finally, belated condolences to Bernie Fiddimore of Cinque Ports Stationers, who was threatened with a knife by a youth demanding £30 from the till, at 12.30 pm on 23 March. Wisely, she handed it over - but reckons she will know him again. He was 5'4" tall, slightly built with dark hair, wearing a dark blue blouson jacket with green sleeve panels.
2.
Mr. Herbert Victor (Toby) Parsons died at his home in Marley Road on Easter Day. He was 77, and had not been well since before Christmas. He is survived by his sister (Mrs. Bessie Underdown, now of Greyfriars) as well as by his widow Ellen and her niece whom they brought up from childhood, now Mrs. June Huckstep with two sons of her own. Mrs. Parsons also has the comfort of her brother and sister, living next door. Along with his brothers, Toby Parsons started work with the Colebrookes' steam trawlers, where he was a stoker; later he moved to Rye Gas Works, and finally to Corralls - so virtually all his working life was spent based on Strand Quay. He was a familiar figure in the town, a big man riding an elderly bike with a pleasant word for everyone, and he will be much missed. The funeral took place last week.
Mr. Bill Todd of The Mint died suddenly on Easter Day; we hope to have a full obituary notice next week. The funeral will take place tomorrow, Thursday, at 2 at St. Mary's, and will be followed by private cremation. Family flowers only - but donations may be made, if wished, to the British Heart Foundation, c/o Ellis Bros, Cinque Ports Street.
Mr. Horace Edward Care, of Kings Avenue, died in hospital in Hastings on 2 April. A widower, Mr. Care leaves one son. The funeral has taken place.
Mrs. Ruth Alice Belshaw, who was in her sixties, was found dead at her home in Trader's Passage on 31 March. She is thought to have died some weeks earlier, and the Coroner has been informed, though there are no suspicious circumstances. Mrs. Belshaw, whose husband William died in December 1983, led a very secluded life, and so far the police have been unable to trace any members of her family; they would be extremely grateful to anyone who can help them (Rye 222112).
The new street lights all down Udimore and,Ferry Roads and at Bannister's Corner were switched on at the end of last month. The area has never been so well illuminated. The lamp-post which was inconveniencing passers-by on the narrow pavement near Ferry Road Galleries had been removed; and so, eventually, was the big concrete post outside Bannisters which used to light the entire corner. (The whole proceedings took about ten minutes; it was unplugged, the surrounding paving-slabs loosened, and then a lorry-mounted crane simply plucked it out of the ground like a weed, laid it on the pavement to be sliced into three lengths and returned to the lorry which removed it.) The three posts left light the Corner very adequately;• but please will PSCC now do something about Cyprus Place? It is lit at both ends (largely by courtesy of British Rail), but the middle is pitch dark still.
It's a long time ahead, and we shan't be here to report on it - but KEEP TUESDAY, 19 JULY, CLEAR - because that's when there are to be big celebrations in Rye to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sighting of the Spanish Armada. (Rye actually sent one ship to join the defensive fleet, and according to Leopold Vidler there is no record of what it did - certain cynical suggestions have been made from time to time!) Anyway, Sylvia Silver has plans to get everyone into Elizabethan dress on The Day; and there's a play toward. Discovered, for all we know, in someone's storm-damaged roof, an early draft of "The Merry Wives" has turned up; this was, of course, originally set in Rye when Shakespeare was taking a break at the seaside to polish up "Hamlet" and felt in need of some light relief. He transferred the setting to Windsor to please Queen Elizabeth, but this earlier version has many local allusions... A party in costume is coming over from Bexhill High, where Mrs. Silver teaches; and we are sure TPS won't want to be outshons on their own patch. But this is not just for the young - so mark up your diary, and then reorganise your ruff, shine your shoon, plump out your panniers (or brush off your britches, depending), and hey nonny no!
Benson addicts are assured that this has no connection with Lucia's Elizabethan Pageant; it is purely coincidence. We think.
- 3 - THE RYE GAZETTE, 13 April 1988
Jane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Blackman of Udimore Road, was married on 26 March at Playden Church to Martin Estall, of the TPS Science department. The reception was at the George Hotel. Jane's dress was of cream embroidered satin; she was attended by Jane Baker and Martin's sister Joanna, in a striking jewel-green. Best man was Martin's brother Simon. After a honeymoon spent in Paris, the couple returned to their new home in St. Leonards; Jane went back to her job with Embassy Study Tours on Monday, term begins today for Martin.
Judith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Payton of Love Lane, was married at St. Mary's on Easter Saturday to Martin Blincow, also of the Thomas Peacocke staff. Judith, in a white dress trimmed with lace and pearls, was attended by three small bridesmaids and two pages. Simon Blincow was best man. The reception was held at Thomas Peacocke School.
A third staff wedding took place at Bexhill on 26 March, when deputy head Steve Walker and Religious Knowledge teacher Karyn Hodgson were married. This was a thoroughly TPS affair, with Ruth Davies attending the bride and Seymour Leeds as best man, while the lesson was read by David Gaunt. The reception took place at the Cooden Golf Club.
It seems likely that this is the first time that a new term sees four newly-weds in the staff-room in the Grove, with the remaining two brides ex-pupils of the school!
Rye has lost another of its senior Special Constables; Roger Breeds has retired after nine years' service. At a short ceremony at the Town Hall on 22 March, the Mayor presented him with a framed certificate of thanks from the police, and his long-service medal. Also present were Inspector Peters of Rye Police and Rae Bark of the Rye "specials". As well as having a full-time job involving unsocial hours - dealing with self-build housing projects all over southern England - Roger is a Rother Councillor, a Town Councillor, a former Mayor, the chairman of the local RNLI Branch, and a member of the Harbour Advisory Committee; so when Mrs. Oliver told him that his services were still needed in this town, she was aware that she was preaching to the converted!
On 24 March, with due ceremony, the Mayor laid the foundation stone for the McCarthy & Stone sheltered housing development in the old Hinds' Yard. In the presence of seven of her Councillors, the Town Clerk, and various people from McC & S, Mrs. Oliver put down a nice blob of cement with a presentation engraved trowel, and set the stone firmly in place (in its temporary place, that was, because its final home will be by the main entrance, in a part of the development not yet built). She welcomed the arrival of Strand Court.
The company's Regional Development Manager, Frank Weston, said that selling would start in September for the 49 flats (27 one-bedroom units, 22 with two bedrooms) for which they expect a healthy local demand. Although this development was for the elderly, the company was now looking at younger retired people as well. (we were recently sent a brochure from another firm for "sheltered housing for the over-40s!) There will be four shops in the little lane round the Heritage Centre in the corner, and one more opening into Wish Ward; but no decision has yet been taken about what they will be - nor about the price of the flats. Those interested should contact McC & S's sales office (Eastbourne 410475).
Mr. Weston went on to say how much the company owed to its long-serving and skilled workforce; the press release somewhat confusingly said "the site will provide employment for both local companies and specialist local labour during the construction phase" - but perhaps that comes later?
After the formal ceremony, the guests handed back their hard hats (mandatory on a site where a crane is working - and McC & S are using what is thought to be Rye's first-ever tower crane) and went up to the road to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Mermaid, and to study the plans and artist's impressions of the scheme.
4.
John Ryan began drawing cartoons for army magazines in WW2. Captain Pugwash started life in the early days of "Eagle", along with Harris Tweed and Lettice Leefe; they passed quietly away, and indeed Pugwash was turned down by a dozen publishers before his merits were appreciated. His creator says that the stout old pirate's success is due to a fellow-feeling for his cowardice and greed! Whether or not this is true, the fourteen Pugwash stories have been translated into many foreign languages ; they are available on video, he has appeared in two stage musicals, has had an exhibition in his honour at the Royal Festival Hall and his portrait in the Royal Academy.
When he is not engaged with Captain Pugwash and the truly villainous Cut-throat Jake, John Ryan is cartoonist for the Catholic Herald, a job he has held for 25 years; he also draws the adventures of Mary, Mungo and Midge, and of Sir Prancelot and his mediaeval mates. All are represented on the gallery walls.
The current show at the Stormont Studio may be the last opportunity for Pugwash enthusiasts to steep themselves in his adventures, since the exhibition goes straight from Rye into the Cartoon Collection at the University of Kent. It includes John Ryan's personal collection of original drawings, early drafts, sketches of characters who have not yet found their setting, newspaper strips - plus charmin. small Pugwash toys and a model of the Black Pig made by children from Dymchurch Primary School. Make sure you allow plenty of time, because there is a lot to enjoy. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10 to 5 (closed 1 to 2) and on Sunday afternoons from 2.30; the exhibition runs until 8 May. Don't miss it; bring your children; bring your grandchildren; bring your school class... Have a treat!
When Burnhams' men started to restore the Playden bus shelter to its upright position, they were surprised how much interest was shown - not only by passersby, but also from hospital staff who were delighted to see it back in service. The delay in righting it after the storm was not Burnham's fault, but it was a long time ago that the League of Friends built it, and there were things to be sorted out before the work could be authorised. Anyway, residents, Hospital trade and those looking for somewhere to put a poster will all be very pleased to have it back.
The League's Annual Fete takes place on Saturday, 11 June, at the FE Centre as usual. Doris Scotcher is organising the raffle - a very big affair, with tickets sold in advance - and will be grateful for prizes, which can be left at Burnhams or delivered to 34 Cadborough Cliff .
The Movie Society's annual dinner took place at the Hope Anchor Hotel on 26 March. After an excellent meal in very pleasant surroundings, the members and their guests heard the chairman, Joan Camier, speak about the past year - not a particularly active one, but much pleasure had been given to older people in the town by the showing of some of the Society's archive material. She particularly wanted to thank Jeffery Waters for all she had done - and here the company remembered "our Bernard - we loved him when he was here and we still think of him" said Mrs. Camier. She hoped the Society would continue in being for a little longer, if only to record the history of the town as it happened; but the arrival of video was a challenge they were not sure they could meet. Although video cameras are expensive, cine cameras are no longer made; and the same money buys 53 minutes of cine film or several hours of video tape. The Society would like to be instructed in the use of video, but have so far failed to find an instructor (can anyone help? - if so, contact Mrs. Camier, please!)
After the meal, the guests relaxed and enjoyed watching some of the Society's old movies, mostly made in the 1960s but including a 1978 rural idyll entitled "OO-AAH", to the sound of that cheerful oldie "I've got a brand-new combine harvester..." which we certainly hadn't seen before.
5.
• Rother's Planning Committee on 24 March was told that David Sharp had withdrawn his application to open the cafe in The Mint/Wish Ward until 2 am. A Rye councillor who spoke to planning staff after the meeting was told that it was in fact Mr. Sharp's intention to resume management of the cafe himself; this would certainly solve several problems. But a report in last week's News indicates that things are not that simple, and that the tenants are apparently reluctant to depart. Mr. Sharp had referred the News reporter to his Brighton solicitors; we were also in touch with them, as we like to report hard facts. However, the person concerned was "not available" to speak to us, and when the News rang he was unwell. So we intend to report the end of the story as and when it happens.
Also considered on 24 March was the application from the Health Authority to build two houses to replace the Hill House gate lodge; this was deferred for additional information and discussion. Bourne & Son's application to relocate their business from Rock Channel to Harbour Road was delegated to the Planning Officer to approve, subject to satisfactory resolution of landscape, layout and drainage matters. The application to build at the foot of the garden of 112 High Street was granted subject to satisfactory design details (and the doubtful state of the cliff was mentioned in the conditions, we understand). Southern Water were granted, with conditions, permission to construct moorings, etc., between Pollard's Wharf and Monkbretton Bridge (renewal of permission granted in 1982). Change of use for the Mariners Hotel was deferred for an inspection.
• Change of use for part of Bournes' premises in Rock Channel for a pottery was to be granted by the Planning Officer subject to receipt of a satisfactory layout plan. Seeboard were refused permission to erect an illuminated fascia and projecting sign on their shop in Cinque Ports Street.
• Since the last GAZETTE, there have been only four planning applications for Rye. They include an application to replace a garage at 46 Cadborough Cliff with a two-storey extension; a change-of-use application for 2 Cyprus Place from Miss Jean McBride, MCSP, APTA, of Sanderstead (and also of Military Road), who wants to use the ground floor as a physiotherapist's surgery; and an amended application from Mr. Patel for his new shopfront at 45 Cinque Ports Street.
The fourth application is bound to create considerable interest. It involves development of the site just downhill from 45 The Mint, now a garden but before a WW2 bomb part of the terraced street. The applicants wish to build three flats, a house and three garages, with a 4-metre car access between the new building and no. 45; with both set directly on the pavement, there could be no visibility splay. Behind the building are shorn two further parking spaces and two small garden areas; the three garages are set against the Town Wall at the back, where the ground level is perhaps four feet below the top of the wall, and they would therefore be very visible from Wish Ward - at present the only view of the Town Wall unspoilt by parked cars. Materials used would be brick, tile and white weatherboarding for the walls, with tiles and slates for the roof. The house matches the rest of the street, its second storey lit by a dormer window; the block of flats goes straight up for all three storeys, and its first- and second-floor windows project slightly over the pavement. Architects are Le Fevre Wood & Royle, the Rye office.
• Ever since the Tollgate closed, Peter Chantry has been hoping to reopen its off-licence and video departments in the centre of the town (as readers of Fixtures will know from the series of tantalising ads in recent months!). Success is now in sight. On Monday the magistrates granted an off-licence jointly to Mr. Chantry (of Fairlight) and Miss Susan Burr, of Tilling Green, for the premises which used to be Mills' drapery shop in Ferry Road. This was once two shops, and Mr. Chantry intends it to house off-licence ani video hire. Other formalities still have to be completed, and it is not yet possible to announce a firm opening date; but it won't be long now, and everyone will be glad to see the shop back in use after so long a twilight.
6.
Catching up after our two-week break, we asked Bob Clarke at Rother whether there were any further developments as regards the cliff above Fishmarket Road. Nothing at all dramatic, we were glad to hear, but Mr. Clarke says the cliff is still "moving" in the technical sense.
In Ferry Road beyond the railway, new timberwork proclaims that both the Magdala House block and the new Fire Station have reached the roofing stage.
Down at the station, there are chips everywhere! Not the usual kind, but chips of wood blowing off a mulch which has been spread on the "garden" areas of the new development, presumably for the benefit of newly-planted shrubs there. It was a pleasure to see three young silver birches, too. The station itself has had its brickwork refurbished, and is also being repainted.
Notices have now gone up to warn motorists of the closure of parts of the Mermaid Street/West Street area, for re-cobbling.
Quite recently Ralph Olesen's Highways team laid down a beautiful new tarmac footpath all the way from the sluice to the end of New Winchelsea Road. Even more recently, the Gas Board came and dug it up again! Highways had agreed to leave the pavement outside the Tollgate site, because of the building work due there, so no-one grieved when that was dug up; but when the trenching continued towards the town, past SeaCruisers and the garden ornaments, residents began to complain - particularly those beyond the garage, who had been waiting for a new pavement for years. The Gas Board say they had permission; it seems possible there has been a misunderstanding somewhere about what their permission covered. Anyway, they are putting it all back nicely behind their trenching; but it doesn't look like new any more...
• The Town Council's A259 Sub-Committee met at the Town Hall on Thursday. We shall have a report next week on the discussions. But the impression given by a Sussex Express article a couple of weeks ago, that the Town Council is giving up on the throughway proposals, is just not true. What happened is that one Councillor doubted the value of the Sub-Committee, and suggested it should be disbanded; other Councillors did not share his view, but he has requested that the Planning Committee should discuss the suggestion. But this has nothing whatever to do with the Council's stance on the road proposals in general. There is not much more that Councillors can do at present, since they are to wait for the results of an ESCC traffic survey due to take place shortly and again later in the summer. But they are certainly not dropping their opposition to a through route at this stage!
• The social evening arranged at the FE Centre on 8 April by the A259 Action Group was gratifyingly well attended, and 80 people sat down to a hot meal prepared by members of the committee, before for a film and slide show. The films came first, with the Queen Mother's visit last summer, then a delightful walk round Winchelsea last summer - which, incidentally, won the RX Trophy in competition with the Hastings Movie Society next day - and that old favourite "Murder by Mistake" (the Grebell killing). Ken Clark then took the audience on a swift but comprehensive tour of the Cinque Ports and their various appendages, introduced by a short talk on how the Federation came into being. As chairman of the Group, Mr. Clark had earlier welcomed the guests, and thanked those responsible for the organisation - in particular Sylvia Silver, Janet Pitcher and Dilys Mayor - thanks echoed with enthusiasm by the audience.
As well as the Group's badges and car-stickers ("Around Rye, not Through") and the attractive notepads, the committee has now produced a leaflet designed by Mrs. Mayor which ingeniously opens up to reveal in diagram form as well as words just what the through road would mean to the life of thetown. All these goodies are available from Anne Lingard at Rope Walk Antiques; the (free) leaflets will, the Group hopes, also be distributed through the town's hotels and guest-houses.
7.
• Four generations of his womenfolk watched Peter Tyler, formerly of Military Road, take part in a passing-out parade on 18 February. Peter's grandmother Mrs. Marwood$ his mother, his wife and his baby daughter were all present to see him at the ceremony which completed his 11-week training as a member of the Ministry of Defence security police. Peter is still only 27, but has served ten years with the Air Force, which he joined straight from school. He will have a police house, and wear police uniform but with a white shirt instead of the traditional blue. He is the second Rye "old boy" to join this service (Betty West's son Brian was the first, as far as we know), and we wish him every success.
• The Catholic Church jumble sale on 26 March raised just over £200, and the all-day sale at the Red Cross the following Saturday (2nd) was quite unexpectedly successful, bringing in just over £600. But fund-raising is still a major problem for the St. Anthony's congregation. Father David's newsletter reveals that the Restoration Fund now stands at £15,752 (11,643 from donations and e4,109 from fund-raising). But - as so often happens - once work started on the building further snags were discovered, and now all the upper windows in the church are found to need renewing, not just one damaged in the storm.
• Running in the Hastings Half-Marathon and finishing in lh.37m. was Matthew Denny, younger son of Steve and Janet of Penny Royal; Matthew was running unsponsored. So was Darren Douch, of Rye (1h.58m.) who was one of a group from the Lower Vlth at TPS. The others had sought sponsors: Kevin Hatter of Pottingfield Road (1h.54m) raised £110 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and £15 for Leukaemia Research, and seven seconds behind him came Colin Sinden of Fairlight, raising some £60 for the Hastings Life Line Appeal and Leukaemia Research. The other four were obviously running together, for the same two good causes, since David Pulford and Stephen Rogers of Rye came in together in 2h.45m.(£40 and £25); seven seconds later came Duncan Fryer of Brede (25), and Sarah Talbot of Brede finished in 2h.46m.(£40). Congratulations to all eight!
• Barclays Bank suspect that a new staff appointment is a "first" for Rye - a woman as manager's assistant. Miss Marion Brazier started work in this capacity in the Rye branch yesterday; she lives in Hastings, and has previously been working in Eastbourne. We hope she will enjoy being here - she may be quite surprised at the number of women in business in the town (and not only wives with family guest-houses).
• Something is happening at last about an independent local radio station for the Eastbourne/Hastings area. The IBA has invited applicants to submit bids for the franchise for a period up to the end of 1994, with a closing date today week; in due course, all applications will be made available in "main local libraries" (which doubtless doesn't mean Rye). The IBA is holding a public meeting at the De La Warr Pavilion on Tuesday, 3 May, at 8, "to hear the views of the public about how the new local radio service might best reflect the interests and aspirations of the people in the area". Those interested might care to make a note of the date now (as a non-Rye event, it won't appear in the back-page diary).
• It was a pleasure to run into Tanya de Vlam, ex-Udimore Road and now working in a language school in Holland, paying a flying visit to Rye recently. Her youngest son Edmond has now gained his BA (Hops) in composing and song-writing, from the NE London Polytechnic; his elder brother Ronald is working for an MSc in industrial design.
• A young copper beech, grown from seed planted seven or eight years ago by Gordon Stanbridge of Udimore, has been presented to Rother Council for planting in Rye Cemetery - somewhere near the site of the fallen cypress there. Eventually it should grow into a worthy replacement - though Mr. and Mrs. Stanbridge (who have given the tree on behalf of the RAF Association) do not personally expect to see it in its prime, in the middle of the 21st century!
• Finally, Rye Police don't want to hear about any more eagle owls, thank you; the one which escaped from Westfield on 1 April has now been recaptured. (Or was the press book playing an April Fool?)
Friends of Greyfriars, ploughman's lunch, £1.50 (and raffle, cakes, bring-and-buy), CC, 12 to 2
Multiple Sclerosis Society AGM, Social Services office, 7 Museum Association AGM, TH, 7.30 (followed by Frank Palmer, with slides, on "The Mountain Scene")
Coin Club, bring-and-buy, FEC, 7.30
TPS PTA Open Meeting (to discuss the changes in legislation affecting schools), Upper School, 7.30
Rye & District Ratepayers Association AGM (with the Treasurer of Rother Council talking about the Community Charge GAZETTE no. 265), TH, 7 - all welcome, with your questions!
Camera Club event, "Windows on the World" (human nature in poetry and pictures) by Robin Roberts, £1.50 including refreshments, FEC, 7.30
One-day school, fabric printing and painting, FEC FRHNR Spring Walk, Harbour car park, 10 (to 1)
Town Council, Planning Committee (see TH board)
Thrift Shop (handing-in only), Red Cross, 10 to 12
Landgate WI - a colour consultant discusses colours and season (in fashion), CC, 10.30
Community lunch group (Dr. Thomas on the role of a GP and member of the Health Authority), Clinic, 12.30
Local History Group, business meeting, Library, 7.30
• Congratulations to Sandra and Rudi Sarkies, of Winchelsea Road, on the birth of their daughter Gabriella on 31 March. Sandra's shop, The Black Sheep, has now changed hands; we look forward to writing about it when the new owner Mrs. Diane Gordon has settled in. Meanwhile, Sandra asks us to thank all her customers for their support and kindness over the last two years.
• More congratulations, this time to Paul Hacking, whose proud grandmother tells us that he won the Christie's Foxhunter Steeplechase at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival Meeting on 17 March, riding "Certain Light".
• Finally, congratulations to Jo Spencer, daughter of Peter and Barbara and ex-TPS, who has been selected to be in the English Ladies' Basketball squad and the squad for next year's Olympics - surely the first time a TPS student has got this far? Peter tells us that Jo - now in her final year at Brighton Poly - may not get into the actual team; but she's on her way...
• Results: the ARC ploughman's lunch on 22 March raised £270; the Red Cross Easter coffee morning, £61 (for Activenture funds); and the Cancer Relief coffee morning on Easter Monday, 0148.
• A display in the Lion Street windows of Freight Express illustrates some aspects of the work of the Rural Development Area. Presumably prepared by the Kent end, it has lavish Kent coverage - and a miniscule Sussex section tucked away at the top left-hand corners But those still wondering what the RDA is for may find the answer here.
• The Old Scholars Association Easter reunion at the Mermaid was outstandingly well-attended, with over 100 ex-TPS pupils present, mostly those who had left in the 1970s.
• We were, of course, just testing you: it was Holloway and not the much earlier Jeake whom we quoted on page 6 of our last issue, about the mild 1845 winter!
• One week's paper to hold three weeks' news sets a problem; apologies to the Group WI Craft Show, and FRAG, whose reports should appear next week.
THE RYE GAZETTE Mrs. Mary Owen, printed through for Wednesday's (Copyright Mary is registered as a newspaper with the Post Office, published by 2 Cyprus Place, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7DR (0797 222303), and Cinque Ports Stationers of Rye. Deadline is Monday second post delivery; spare copies from Young Ideas, 7 Cinque Ports Street. Owen 1988)