The GAZETTE wishes a very happy Christmas to everyone who has helped us so much over the past four months: to Sussex Secretarial Services, without whom the paper would not appear in. its present form; to British Rail, our transport; to the Midland Bank, which civilly claims to welcome our tiny account; to the George Hotel, which houses our editorial conferences; to everybody who has sent in news items or put us on the track of stories; and of course most of all to you, our subscribers.
As for a prosperous New Year, that seems less certain; but we wish for one for all of us, anyway.
Two weeks ago it was charity coffee-mornings, last week The Drama; this week has been for Christmas parties, and of course carol services (see page 2).
Saturday night was party night for almost 160 of the older residents in the area. The Mayor's Christmas Party is held annually at the Community Centre, and this year 105 over-70s living within the old Rye Borough boundary (the original guest list was 125) looked very cheerful in fancy hats as they enjoyed ham and potatoes, fruit and jelly, cakes and tea. Organisation was in the hands of the lady members of the Town Council, led by Mrs. Monica Oliver, and the ladies of Toc H, with the Town Clerk acting as transport manager. Cadborough Jubilee Social Club sang carols, and despite last-minute illness Rye Players presented extracts from their recent successful variety show. Rye Players also provided the entertainment on the same afternoon at Playden WI Hall, when a twin group presented songs and sketches for the amusement of over 50 elderly and disabled people from Rye and the villages at a party arranged by the Lions. Here Richard Taubman also entertained with his guitar, and the main meal was topped up with Christmas cake, mince pies and sherry before the Lions' door-to-door transport took the guests home at 7.
Like the WRVS lunch club, the Red Cross Over-60s Club members enjoyed a full Christmas dinner recently, this time at Casa Conti, where Tony Conti and his staff saw to it that the 50 diners thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
50 older people also enjoyed themselves on 11 December at the BL Club, at a party for those from the area with British Legion connections. The company, which included the Mayor and Mayoress and Sir Charles and Lady Jones, appreciated tea and a sing-song with Ian Clark ("Solitaire") at the organ, while Father Christmas looked in on his way home after turning on the Christmas lights to present each guest with an envelope containing a gift of money.
Mrs. Leggett, the Warden of Devonport House, tells us that people there very much enjoyed a carol concert last week given by the Brownies who tend the House's garden, and there was also a party for the residents on Friday. Badger Gate's Warden, Mrs. Sinden, arranged their party for Tuesday; many residents asked as their guests the home helps who have meant so much to them over the year, and representatives from Rother Council were invited to enjoy delicious eats and a musical entertainment. The Cinque Ports Majorettes recently gave a show and a party at Badger Gate, and residents are also looking forward to a visit from the St. Mary's choristers.
At the other end of the age range, nearly 60 very young people had a lovely time at the FE Centre on Friday afternoon, when Rye Playgroup held its Christmas party. The playgroup usually has three separate groups of children, so one or two of the guests were a little overwhelmed at first by the multitude of "little teapots" and so forth; but a real party tea was waiting for them next door, complete with crackers and all the seasonal trimmings.
Finally, we feel sure readers will agree that there are some really delectable shop window displays in the town this Christmas. The coloured lights were turned on by Father Christmas on 11 December, arriving (as promised) in the fastest possible transport - the fire engine. The Community Centre was decorated once and for all by Committee members to cover all the events booked there during the Christmas season - a sensible idea saving a lot of people a lot of time and trouble
2.
We are very sad to record the death, after a long illness, of Miss Lesley Povey, of Lea Avenue. The funeral took place on Monday, which would have been Lesley's 19th birthday. Our deepest sympathy goes to her family and friends.
Miss Molly Ashdown, who died last week at the age of 67, in hospital after a sudden illness, had lived in Marley Road with her sister Mrs. K. Milham for many years. She will be much missed by her many friends in the area - until her retirement she had worked at Hill House and Rye Hospital. The funeral was on Friday.
Freda Gardham School held its Carol Service at St. Mary's on Friday. This year for the first time the Infants were among the congregation, and the whole school sang a service telling the nativity story in carols, linked by a simple narrative from the Headmaster, Mr. le Lacheur.
Ryesingers traditionally sing carols at East Guldeford Church on the Sunday before Christmas, and they are usually lucky with the weather. Not this year, though. It is not possible to get a car up the track to the church, so the choir members hitched their long green skirts round their waists and raced through the storm, past a dead sheep in the ditch, to find shelter in the church. Somehow Nick Ramus hauled a piano up the path in his horse trailer - the church has a harmonium, not entirely suitable for Ryesingers' music - and they finished the service just before the afternoon light faded, which was fortunate because the church has no electricity. Obviously, nothing defeats the Ryesingers!
Lower School newsletter reports that over £40 will be divided between Hill House Hospital and Cancer Research as a result of the collection at the Carol Service in the school hall last week. The programme included carols, readings and music for strings, piano and wind instruments including the recorder group. The blessing was given by Canon Maundrell, Mr. Roberts arranged the readings, and Mrs. Cane-Hardy and Mr. Spooner helped Mrs. Leeds direct the evening. This was Mrs. Leeds's last Carol Service for Lower School, since she also is leaving next term, an unlucky one for Lower School in this respect. Parents and pupils will know how much Mrs. Leeds (who started at TPS as Miss Plowright) has done for Lower School music and will be glad to know that she will not be losing touch completely with the school since her husband is of course based at Upper School as Head of Chemistry.
The Upper School Carol Concert had a large and appreciative audience for the programme of carols, readings and musical interludes from the orchestra, handbell group and wind and woodwind ensembles. The evening was directed by Lois Benton, and regular attenders judged it to be one of the best ever. Last year a small electronic organ accompanied the carols, but this year the school's own organ in the gallery was being put through its paces to great effect by Nigel Spooner, who has been making good use of it since he joined the staff in September. We were told that Clifford Foster, who has played the organ at previous carol concerts and looked after it for many years, could tell us its history, and he produced a fascinating tale. The organ is a Wurlitzer - not perhaps as mighty as some! - which was imported from USA as one of a pair in 1925 and installed at the Palace Cinema in Tottenham. (Its mate is now at the New Gallery Kinema in London's West End.)
Money was raised as part of the Grammar School's tercentenary celebrations in 1938, and augmented by parents in 1956-7, so that in 1958 £450 was available for the purchase. When arrangements were complete, Mr. Foster and Mr. Bill May, then the music master at the Grammar School, went up to London, took the organ to pieces and loaded it on to one of Bournes' lorries for the journey to Rye. They then had the problem of getting it up to the gallery, and eventually borrowed two long baulks of timber from Hinds to make a ramp, hauling the instrument up and over the edge of the balcony. Then, of course, they had to reassemble it! Sadly, Mr. Foster says, only 50% of it is in working order, since for financial reasons they were unable to install at the time the "special-effects" bits; these were stored in an outbuilding at Saltcote, and later thrown away by someone who didn't realise what they were - unless of course anyone still has them? Anyway, even 50% of it makes a very impressive noise, as those sitting in the balcony for the concert will testify! Mr. Foster says that the organ's present value is about ten times what was paid for it 25 years ago; fortunately, it is not something that can very easily go astray.
THE RYE GAZETTE, 22.12.82 - page 3
First, splendid stop-press news: head girl Amanda Briggs, taking the Cambridge entrance exam in her fourth term in the VIth form, has been offered a place (conditional on matriculation requirements only, which present no problem) at Queen's College, Cambridge, to read philosophy. Mr. Fooks says that this success is a triple "first" for the comprehensive school: the first girl since Grammar School days to get to Cambridge, the first pupil to read an arts subject there (previous successes have all gone to scientists or mathematicians), and the first to gain a Cambridge place after only four terms in the Sixth. Heartiest congratulations to Amanda, who lives in Pett, and to all concerned with her success. (Going back a good many years now, we think that the first girl who actually left Thomas Peacocke Sixth Form for Cambridge was Jane Burke, now Jane Finn-Kelcey; but of course, she started her secondary schooling at the Grammar School in the days before we went comprehensive.)
In his end-of-term newsletter, the Headmaster says that the school now has 1,281 pupils; this reflects a drop in first-year numbers, but the Sixth Form remains at a record level since a particularly large 1977 intake has now worked its way up to the Lower Sixth. The Sixth Form hut, a self-help enterprise a couple of years ago, is obviously valuable here; another self-help enterprise is the new Kiln Room, now in use. Mr. Fooks says that last year's fifth formers have set a high standard, with 531 high-grade O-level passes going to the 260 pupils taking public examinations; while the A-level pass rate was above the national average. 16 of last year's Upper Sixth have gone on to University, College or Polytechnic (13 on degree courses, one at Cambridge); three are on Art Foundation courses and three training as nurses.
For the information of parents, the Headmaster lists the new Governing Body of the school. There are 12 appointed Governors plus four co-opted. Of these, ten live in or very near Rye, eight have children at the school now or recently, and at least five were themselves educated in Rye. The full list is as follows:
Mr. Jim Simpson, Vice-Chairman
Mrs. Anne Mair
Mrs. Joan Yates
Mrs. Joy Roxburgh
Mr. Will Dunlop
Mr. A. Lutman Mr. Maurice Blackman
Mr. George Shackleton Mrs. N. Turner
Co-opted Staff
Mrs. Ann Wood Mrs. Rosemary Crouch
Mrs. J. Glazier Mr. Brian Creese
Mr. Bob Kemsley
We were very sorry not to be able to tell readers in advance about the County Library Service's book sale at the FE Centre on Thursday. Apparently, the only publicity was a poster in the library foyer and a notice in the News of the same day, plus a poster in Rope Walk. However, word did get round, and a remarkable collection of books discarded from county libraries in the Hastings, Rye and Bexhill area was being picked over during the day. Those who wanted some light reading for Christmas were well catered for, and there was an interesting assortment of superseded reference books at very low prices, plus masses of non-fiction for many different interests. Mr. Purdy of the County Library Service told us that most of the books were no longer in library condition; but they were all perfectly readable by ordinary domestic standards. Records were more of a gamble, but several gambling armfuls were seen in the town during the morning. This sale was a new venture by the Library Service, perhaps in answer to complaints about surplus books being destroyed; we hope that if they come back to Rye they will arrange rather more advance publicity.
Ecumenical journalism?
Arising out of last week's item "Meet the Press", we are pleased to record that Joan Parkes is willing to take phone messages for Rozel Poole (Sussex Express) on Rye 2717. This will obviously simplify the problem of getting information to the Express - though of course if you don't want the GAZETTE to know, you will have to make other arrangements!
THE RYE GAZETTE, 22.12.82 -.page 4
After what seems a long period as just concrete bases, Patrick Osborne's shop terrace in front of his Regent Square houses is suddenly beginning to look like a shop terrace An enormous crane was recently unloading concrete beams to form the upper floor. Of the five units, three are for sale; one will house the new Council offices, and Mr. Osborne is retaining one for use in connection with the accommodation on the upper floor. The agents are Geering and Colyer, and Richard Popple tells us that Mr. Osborne has stipulated that he will not sell his shops to anyone in four particular lines of business: video sales or leasing (radio or television); an amusement centre or any form of gaming machines or arcade; a takeaway food shop; or a restaurant or café. (This is what comes of having Rye land developed by someone who cares for the town and knows what we do and don't want; thank you, Mr. Osborne. What we really could do with is a heel bar!)
Geering and Colyer have been dealing with the Regent Square development from the beginning; several years back. The firm was established in Rye almost 60 years ago (in 1923 and originally; Mr. Popple thinks, in the station approach) as a branch of the Ashford business and dealt then mainly in agricultural property. The group - the Rye and Wadhurst branches are its only small-town Members - was recently taken over by Lloyds Bank, who now have a total of 80 estate offices under the sign of the Black Horse, The Rye branch has never run regular auction sales, though the Tunbridge Wells branch holds fine art sales every two months; but though "house sales” of furniture, etc., are less common nowadays than they were because of the expense, many people will remember the amazing sale which the firm conducted at Hilden some years ago.
The plan to house Rother District Council's Rye office plus the Tourist Information Centre in the terrace is now a certainty. The new combined office will be in the Landgate end unit which, unlike the others, will include the upper as well as the ground floor. David Cranston tells us that downstairs there will be two separate counters, one for rent and rates business and one for the tourism side, but obviously the staff will be able to move from one to the other as necessary. Upstairs will be Mr. Cranston's own office and a room for meetings, etc. The move is expected to be complete by the beginning of the 1983 season, and the staff have already started clearing out the present rambling offices in Ferry Road.
A resident with a long memory, reading in the News that Mrs. Osma Jones will be the first Labour candidate for Rye Town Council (though she tells us that this claim did not emanate from her), was reminded that there was a Labour candidate for Rye Borough Council not long after the war - Arthur Woodgate stood for election on the Labour ticket but was not elected. However, Bill Kitchener was - true, not as an official Labour member, but making no secret of his political affiliations. We assumed that members of Rye Town Council were chosen for their personal qualities and not their Political views; it will be interesting to see what happens when election-time comes round in May.
In his report to the Harbour of Rye Advisory Committee for the period 1 April to 30 September, which was considered at a recent meeting of the Committee, Rye Harbour-Master Colin Marsh says that 40 fishing vessels used the port, 36 of which were locally based; a further 30 boats fish part-time and take out angling parties. Compared to this, the total of 316 yachts based in Rye seems enormous; but over and above this, 881 yachts came visiting, many of them from abroad. In June the waiting list for moorings was reviewed, and in consequence the number of boats on it dropped from last year's 90 to a total of 30 plus a further 30 whose owners want to move else-where within the port.
Commercially there has been a 40% increase in ships using the port, as against the same period last year - 121 this year, 82 last. The cargo tonnage was up by much the same amount, due to the increase of stone cargoes being shipped through Rye.
Mr. Marsh also mentions the new navigation lights; and we are glad to know that the very limited amount of water ski-ing during the summer has caused no problems.
5.
Best wishes for a very happy birthday to Dr. Alec Vidler, who will be 83 on 27 December.
Congratulations to Miss Margaret Low, of Tilling Green, and Mr. Trevor Apps, of Lydd, who were married at Rye Baptist Church on Saturday.
New Chairman of Rye Community Centre Association is Brian Chapman, better known throughout the town as Ringo; Mrs. Varley is now Vice-Chairman. Ringo, who lives in Udimore Road, is also Chairman of the Junior Club committee.
Those who have been enjoying the BBC serial "Beau Geste" may not realise that Martin Suker, who comes up on the credits as vision mixer, comes from Rye; his father is on the staff of Ellwoods' television business, so obviously TV runs in the family.
Brian Sealy and the ATC are almost synonymous in Rye, since he has worked with the Squadron for 17 years - originally under the command of "Tommy" Thompson and more recently taking charge himself of this extremely successful group. However, the RAF retires people rather younger than one would expect, and so at a wine-and-cheese party on Wednesday the Squadron had to say goodbye to its CO, presenting him with a suitably inscribed brass model of a Spitfire plus a bottle of champagne to fill the set of glasses which, with a bouquet, went to Mrs. Sealy. Taking over the command is Pilot Officer Chris Bell, RAFVR(T), but Mr. Sealy is continuing as a civilian instructor.
Still with the Sealy family - local contacts can be very useful. Ian Townsend, back in the Falklands, needed two new tyres for his Mini. Douglas Sealy, posted there again with his helicopter squadron, brought them out with him on Tidespring and delivered them to Ian at the new house where his family has now been able to join him.
We are sorry to say that Mr. Roy Parrack, of Ashenden Avenue, is in St. Helen's. Sgt. Parrack - as he is still best known - was due to leave with his wife for a holiday in Australia, but was taken suddenly ill on the eve of their departure. Another invalid is Mrs. L.M. Allen of Pottingfield, who is at present in Rye Memorial Hospital after an accident. We hope to give you good news of both in our next issue; in the meantime, our best wishes to them and their families.
Not long before his death the late Johnny Johnson, who had the butcher's shop in Broad Oak, gave a shield to be presented annually for a darts competition to raise funds for cancer research. The league is organised by Bert Camier and Bob Dixon, and this year's winners are the team from the Bridge Inn at Winchelsea; the presentation of the shield took place recently at the BL Club. Teams from Rye and district pay an entry fee, and raffles, etc., add to the funds, so that in 1982 the splendid total of £240 was raised for this valuable work.
Rye Museum has suffered badly in the recent uncommonly wet weather. Curator Mr. Geoffrey Bagley says that the Ypres Tower is in effect an enormous sponge, with water running off the newly sealed roof finding its way through the stonework and collecting in puddles on floors and showcases. Condensation is always something of a problem inside the ancient building, but this is something different and Mr. Bagley says he has never known it so bad in previous years. Worst affected are the roundels on the western side, which get the full impact of a west south-westerly gale; but there are damp patches on the upstairs floor, and the chimney beam on an inside wall is sodden. Rother Council, which owns the building, was quick to supply a huge roll of polythene to protect valuable exhibits and a dehumidifier which sucks pints of water from the damp air; but in the view of the Council’s architect the only remedy is to "paint" the outer walls of the tower with a water-proofing solution, and this cannot be done until the stonework is completely dry. In the meantime, it will not be possible to get on with the winter work normally done while the Museum is closed, and even the pre-season cleaning will present enormous difficulties. Rye's Museum is one of our chief attractions, and we must all hope that the problem will be less formidable than it appears at present. It is very important for the Museum's finances that it shall open at Easter as usual.
Apart from carol services, etc. (see last week's GAZETTE, back page), absolutely nothing for the next week, as far as we know! Doubtless there will be plenty of private celebrations, but the Town Diary is a blank. There is a Watchnight Service at the Baptist Church at 11.30 p.m. on Friday, 31 December; the only other event noted is the FRAG talk at the Town Hall on Tuesday, 4 January, when Peter Marsden will be speaking about "An Historic Shipwreck Museum for East Sussex" at 8 p.m. (Rotary have a private dance at the Community Centre on 31 December.)
We now learn from Thomas Peacocke that the new term begins on Wednesday, 5 January (not Tuesday, 4th, as their original list stated).
For those contemplating a post-Christmas tidy-up, the Scouts have a jumble sale on 22 January, the NSPCC a second-hand bargains event on 29 January, and Lower School's jumble sale is on 4 February.
Checking the bookings of halls in the town reveals the following peak-time Fairs, etc., already fixed for 1983: Cadborough JS Club, 2 May; NSPCC, 18 June; Rye Carnival, 6 August; Rye WI, 3 September; Catholic Church, 19 November; Rye Playgroup, 3 December.
Thomas Peacocke School Play ("Hotel Paradiso") is on 17, 18 and 19 March.
Rye Players have booked the Community Centre for a production on 14, 15 and 16 April.
British Rail: no trains on 25th and 26th; Sunday service on 27th and 28th; Saturday service plus a few extra London trains on 29th, 30th and 31st; Saturday service on 1 January; Sunday service on 2nd and 3rd; back to normal on 4th.
Maidstone & District: no buses on 25th, 26th or 27th; Sunday service on 28th;
Saturday service on 29th, 30th and 31st; Sunday service on 1st, 2nd and 3rd (all with certain exceptions, but not round here); back to normal on 4th.
A reminder that a new adult education course, French for Holidays, begins next term
at the FE Centre. Tutor is Mrs. Fenoulhet, and the course is intended to give even complete beginners as well as more practised French speakers the confidence to cope in France. It takes place on Wednesday mornings from 10 to noon, starting on 12 January for nine weeks, and costs £9.90 with the usual reductions where they apply.
Owing to the resignation of Mr. Cogger, there is an immediate vacancy for a part-time caretaker at the Community Centre; for details of hours and pay, and for more information about the job generally, ring Mrs. Sherwood on Rye 3863.
In our 1983 subscription form we mentioned the possibility of pick-up points for GAZETTE subscribers who live outside the revised delivery area. These are: Landgate Freezer Centre, George Hotel, Tuck Shop (Market Street), Rye Print and Publicity (Banisters' Corner), Hazel's (Ferry Road), and the Cadborough Stores. They are, we stress, only pick-up points for labelled copies; they will not have spares, nor will they accept messages or subscriptions, which should go direct to 94 Udimore Road or 5 Bridge Place. We are most grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Vicarey, Mr. Marriott, Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Geoff and Ro, Mrs. Hammond and Mr. and Mrs. Laurent for their kindness.
THE RYE GAZETTE is registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. It is published by Mrs. Mary Owen at 94 Udimore Road, Rye (Rye 2303), who is always glad to receive news items for inclusion. It costs 20p a week and is normally delivered to subscribers on Wednesday, though there will be no issue on 29 December.
Photocopied by Sussex Secretarial Services, 11 Claremont, Hastings (942 2633).