There was a very special event in Cyprus Place on Monday, 6 August: Mr. and Mrs. Bourne at were celebrating their Diamond Wedding. The Bournes son Robert was due home from New Zealand for the occasion, bringing the eldest of his three children; but unfortunately, illness meant the visit had to be postponed, and Alexander and Margaret Bourne settled down for a quiet day - as they thought. But word gets round: by the end of the day the house was full of flowers, cards were strung along the walls, and the Mayor and Mayoress came round to join a party arranged by neighbours to mark an event unusual even in Rye (where we have, after all, had two centenarians recently). And. there was a telegram from the Queen - though the Bournes are mystified about how she knew!
Mr. Bourne was born in Rye, one of a family of 13 in Winchelsea Road; he joined the Royal Sussex Regiment just after WWI when he was no more than a lad and was sent to Northern Ireland (some things don't change). There he met Margaret, and they were married in her native Londonderry in August 1924; two months later he was posted to Singapore. He came out of the Army in 1928, and after failing to find work in Ireland he brought his wife home to Rye - the first time she had seen her new country. They lived originally on the other side of Cyprus Place and moved to their present home when Robert was a baby, in 1936 - which makes them very much the senior residents of this friendly little street.
When war came again, Mr. Bourne rejoined his regiment, but an old leg injury meant that he stayed in this country, so his wife was able to join him, and the house stood empty as so many Rye houses did then. Mr. Bourne remembers one brief leave when he returned to Rye late at night to check that all was well; he let himself in, slept on the floor - and awoke in the morning to find the place full of wardens and himself the only inhabitant of the street, everyone else having been evacuated because of an unexploded bomb at the back of the terrace!
Mr. and Mrs. Bourne ask us to say how very grateful they are for all the cards (over 30 of them), flowers, etc., from their friends, and they hope to be forgiven for not writing to all the kind people who made their wedding anniversary such a very happy day.
In a fortnight's time Rye Methodists say goodbye to Dr. Jonathan King and his wife Dallas, who are leaving for Bangalore in South India on a six months' posting.
Dr. King will be in charge of the Methodist Church there, and also act as chaplain to the hospital at which Mrs. King will be nursing. We shall, however, see the Kings again; they are leaving their winter clothes here, to be picked up again on their way home to the States! Dr. King's successor, Mr. Hutchinson from Hastings, will take up his post in Rye early in September.
A new Team Vicar has been appointed to St. Mary's to fill the place left by Mr.
Pidoux in the Rye Team Ministry. The Rev. Stephen Ingham will have special responsibility for Playden and Iden; he and his wife Ruth will be moving to St. Michael's Vicarage in Fair Meadow in October, and he will be licensed on 2 November. Mr. Ingham, who is 35, was ordained in 1976 after working as an executive officer with the Church Commissioners. After serving as a curate in Grove Park, he has been rector of Great and Little Yeldham in Essex.
The Sanctuary Choir of East 91st Street Christian Church, Indianapolis, USA, sang in St. Mary's on Sunday evening (11th) - after Westminster Abbey on the 6th and Chipping Camden on the 9th. All this week they are singing Choral Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral.
2.
Mrs. Mabel Turner, of Mason Road, died peacefully in hospital on 3 August. Mrs. Turner, a widow, leaves two sons and two daughters. The funeral takes place today at Hastings Crematorium at 2.30.
Vickie Piper reports that the Mentally Handicapped charity shop has got off to >an excellent start - £172 profit during the first five days! The committee are most grateful to all those who have served in the shop or given items for sale, and to those who lent them hanging rails; and particularly to Bridgland Insurance of Udimore who arranged the insurance required for the premises for free as their contribution to the cause.
The shop moves from its eye-catching site in Cinque Ports Street to more spacious quarters in the bus station kiosk on 20 August, where it will run until 1 September (10 to 12 and 2 to 4, Mondays to Saturdays); goods of all kinds for sale are most welcome, as are customers.
Those who were sorry to see the departure, after a comparatively short life, of the second-hand furniture shop on the corner of Wish Street and Cyprus Place last year will be glad to know that it has now reopened in commodious premises behind the Tollgate Garage. For the next couple of weeks, Monday-to-Friday opening hours are not guaranteed, though there is likely to be someone there - but there are two phone numbers on the door to contact the proprietors if the shop should be shut, or call at Squirrels in Cinque Ports Street. However, Rye Furniture Sales will definitely be open at weekends (and very soon throughout the week as well) and Dennis, Alan and Renny will be glad to see old and new customers in search of ordinary useful second-hand furniture - something hitherto unobtainable in Rye except once a month at Vidlers. We wish them every success.
Continental visitors and a donkey were among the group which met at the Camber Castle gateway on 2 August for Jeremy Coad's tour of the newly restored ruins. Mr. Coad began with a brief account of how the castle was built and why it was so expensive compared with others in Henry VIII's coastal defences (the original design proved unsatisfactory - what happened to the unfortunate architect is not recorded, at least not in the building records which still exist at the Public Records Office!). Looking at the enormous bulk of masonry towering above us - as seen from the inside - it was not difficult to envisage the need for 1300 men to work on the site in the early spring and summer of 1540. Just a hundred years later, when the castle was finally abandoned, the roof was taken off and much of the building material was sold (not just nicked, as we had always thought) - though some of the oak floors are still there, preserved by the salt water and now covered again by shingle.
The building's chief enemies now are - rabbits! They burrow under the pavements exposed by the excavations and cause them to collapse; the brick floor of the original central tower was irretrievably damaged in this way and has had to be replaced. Every effort is being made to keep them out, and the Historic Monuments people hope that the worst onslaught is now over. Consolidation work has to proceed slowly, since careful records must be kept, skilled staff are not easy to find, and the bricks used are made specially (some at the Guestling brickworks). But although we all had to sign a form promising not to sue if anything fell on our heads, nothing did; and Mr. Coad says that the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission will look kindly on requests within reason from local groups who would like to be shown round. Write to him at the Commission, Fortress House, 23 Saville Row, W1X 2HE.
We are penitent about an error in the piece about nude bathing at Nook Beach (no.94). The author of the book "Free Sun" is Phil Vallack, and he tells us that the new edition is now on sale in Hastings, and of course elsewhere, at £3.95.
3 THE RYE GAZETTE, 15.3.1984
Rye Carnival - Round Table's thirteenth, on 4 August - was a cheerful, colourful and well-patronised event; even the weather relented after an ominous morning, and sunshine and a brisk breeze showed the floats and fancy dress off to best advantage. The winners of the Playford Memorial Cup were Rye Playgroup, whose "Hare and Tortoise Race" had an enormous and delightful cast; second came Computing Devices Social Club from Hastings with their Batcave and its celebrated inhabitants; third was M & W Fisheries. The Youth Award went to a wind-surfing group from Winchelsea. The fancy dress was won by the "white hunter" tableau, complete with native bearers and ferocious animals - who seemed to be distantly related to the Boreham family of Udimore Road!
Among others in the procession were Wurzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally on their way to their wedding reception at (presumably) the Ship Inn, Winchelsea Beach; a very welcome presence from the East Sussex News; and a splendid Oriental dancing lion with its Chinese attendants - the Pak Mei Kung Fu Lion Dance Club from Bexleyheath, who later provided one of the arena demonstrations (described to us later as karate chops with chopsticks).
The advertised main attraction was the Adams Lumberjack Show, who gave excellent value and succeeded in holding their own against all comers; the Youth Farmers Club put on a bale-stacking demonstration (only three bales wide, but as high as possible without the whole lot coming down - which it did at least once).
The tug-of-war prize, 24 pints of bitter, as contested by seven teams and went to the Crown Inn. Mr. May of Icklesham was the claimant with the lucky-number programme (1004).
There were lots of other attractions too, not the least of them being Carnival Queen Melanie Dunster (despite a knee in plaster) and her maids of honour. Some people remarked afterwards that a band would have been nice, and we put this point to the Carnival chairman, David Priffa. Indeed, it would, he said, and Colin Stutely (who organised the procession) had tried hard to find one, but to everyone's regret it had not been possible. Bands are apparently a vanishing species; if anyone has a pet one, please tell Round Table for next year.
David Briffa would particularly like to thank the many local businesses which took advertising space in the programme (we counted 172); as he says, they don't reckon on a vastly enhanced trade in consequence, but are still willing to help Round Table and the community in this way. The total Carnival profit is not yet worked out, since there is a certain amount of outlay on an event like this; we shall report the figure as soon as possible.
A very pleasant party was held at the British Legion Club on 2 August, when the
Legion entertained nine veterans of WW1 and their wives or friends. The guests of honour were Albert Offen, Lou Webb, Albert Lock, D. Hobbs, Alf Brann (at 95, the oldest), Fred Orford, Henry Parsons, and Mr. Carter and Mr. Button whose Christian names we weren't told.
Sir Charles Jones, as President of the Branch, welcomed the guests and spoke of the debt owed to their generation; he reminded his listeners of the beginnings of the Legion after WW1. George Ball of Rye Harbour was at the piano, and we are glad to say that the occasion was recorded by the camera of Bob de Ste Croix. There were delicious refreshments and plenty to drink, and the occasion was clearly much enjoyed.
Hearing of the event when he was in the Club attending to the electrics, Robin Paine had photocopied a page of Rye's Own from 1963, with a photograph of a rather similar party when some 20 WWI veterans had dined at the Club in April of that year. Frank Small of The Close was able to identify 14 of them from the rather smudgy picture. Only one, Mr. Brann, was present at the party; for the record, the others at that dinner 16 years ago included Bert Bryant, Stuart Ditcher, Fred Moule, Maurice Sinden, Charlie Batcheler, Bill Bunting, Arch Frampton, Burgess Noakes, Jack Saunders, Frank Hickman, Ernie Axell, Les Igglesden and Roy Parrack.
4.
Rotary, whose Country Fayre and Vintage Car Rally took place on Sunday (11th), had a very successful day. Final figures are not yet available, but they know their profit is over £3000 - vastly up on the 1982 event. The charities to benefit will be announced later.
The vintage cars and motorcycles did the organisers proud, coming (nearly all under their own power) from all over the south-east; a television announcement of the Rally brought in some at the last minute which had not been expected, and the total number was around 100. The arena events also went well, and Rotary are most grateful to all who helped with this well-publicised and enjoyable day out.
... were the Rye Racers, whose annual Silly Race took place on Sunday (sorry it wasn't in the GAZETTE, we didn't know). 23 teams took part from the 18 pubs involved. The two pushers were tied together by their legs and pushed the third member of the team - prams, pram chassis, wheelbarrows and even a boat trailer, all gaily decorated, were seen around the town by bemused visitors who hadn't seen the posters. Each team had to consume half-a-pint of beer in each of the 18 pubs (which averaged out at 3 pints each), though the all-girl teams were allowed to settle for soft drinks if they preferred.
The winning time, clocked in by the men from the Standard, was 37 minutes; the first mixed team home, whose costumes were particularly good too, were Bill and Ben and Little Weed from the Bistro (43 minutes). The all-girl clowns from the Granary won the ladies' prize in 47 minutes, and also the fancy-dress prize; and a special trophy went to the maids from the Queen's Head. One mature team took 67 minutes for the course, but their ages did total 141 years; and a long way behind them was the group who drifted back cheerfully 2 hours after they had started, just as everyone was packing up!
The presence of the Mayor and Mayoress was very much appreciated by the organisers, who would also like to thank all those who helped or joined in, or simply contributed. It was a super day, says Gus Gale, and produced £212 for the Rye Racers' old people's party next Christmas.
Visitors to this year's Rye Society of Artists Summer Exhibition are greeted in the foyer of the Boys' Club in Mermaid Street by a display of the work of the late Pamela Nash, lovingly arranged by her husband Ernest Collyer. It includes the delightful Nostalgic Corner Shop which in itself fully justifies a visit to the show.
Regular patrons will find the work of all their old friends here. This year's chairman, John Owen, shows recollections of a trip to Greece; Geoffrey Bagley has four crayon drawings from a holiday in Sutherland - as well as a picture of his own Museum building. Martin Honeysett includes a jaundiced view of Rye at the height of the season among his cartoons. For those seeking something full of colour, Angela Braven has two vivid oils, and Gus Cummins a huge canvas of "The Trade Unionist" - with a red telephone, certainly, but framed in exquisitely painted curtains of real Margaret Thatcher blue! Louis Turpin goes in for horticulture this year but does show one portrait; and among Kitty French's batiks is, unusually for her, a portrait of the Turpin family. Evelyn Cutler's flower pieces caught the eye, any we also liked Michael Renton's apple tree, Anke Koendens' study of an absorbed baby and Sheila Draffin's record of last winter's Mastermind in St. Mary's. David Crew's "The Dragonfly Path" attracts a lot of attention, and Robert Greenhalf's pastoral scenes are selling well.
Among the potters, Wally and Tarquin Cole both contribute Majolica pieces, Peter Lee has some sculptural stoneware and Frank Smith also shows in this medium. Alistair Knights has an interesting selection of pots, and Bernard Sindall reminds us of his skill as a portrait sculptor with a head of Alan Sillitoe in bronze.
5.
• Once again, the annual Raft Race, on Sunday (26th), is all set to enliven the end of the summer holidays. Diane James is running it, as usual in aid of the NSPCC, and Anne Wood would be glad to hear from volunteers to take collecting tins. She would also be grateful for items for sale on the stall which the Society is running in conjunction with Rye Lions' Fete at the Harbour during and after the race, which begins at 12 noon from the Rye end of the course - earlier than in previous years, because of the tide. (It is worth getting down to Strand Quay in good time, because the rafts go into the water there and not all of them make it to the start further down the river!). Ring Mrs. Wood at 0424 814 412 (it's only Icklesham really).
• Double yellow lines are now down in the High Street opposite Freeman Hardy & Willis (GAZETTE no. 94). Last week Chamber of Trade representatives attended a meeting with the contractors, the police and the County Council at which the difficulties were explained, and we hear that, although not exactly happy, they accept that the present arrangements are inevitable. They did ask that a barrier should be erected to divert pedestrians while offloading was taking place, and that all material should be removed from the pavement at night. But it does seem a pity that such a meeting was not called a month ago, before the offending regulation was announced.
• Planning: the last two week's lists include an application to divide Point Hill (the house) into two units; a proposal by Rye Oil to build a wharf at the rear of their Harbour Road site with provision for stock-piling aggregates; a new window and internal alterations at Landgate Chambers for Messrs. Phipps & Co; and an amended application from John Jempson & Son to use land at the Farnborough Engineering site as a public car park from May to September (the original application last year was withdrawn).
• Crime: three maritime thefts - a Chrysler outboard motor, a radio mast, and a 16-foot clinker-built dinghy called Foxy. And an elderly Broad Oak man was robbed by a couple claiming to be (this time) from the electricity board; as at Camber recently, one man asked to inspect the supply while the other stole money elsewhere in the house. Yet again the police ask people to be thoroughly suspicious of strangers seeking admission to their homes.
• Many thanks, says the TSB, to local people who sponsored retired Eastbourne fireman Dick Bruce on his walk round all the TSB branches in Sussex in June. Mr. Bruce started from Rye, spending the previous night with a local fireman's family. A total of £1,621 was raised for the Royal National Institute for the Blind by Mr. Bruce's little saunter!
• Three Thomas Peacocke School staff and 11 fifth- and sixth-year pupils took the school minibus on an Alpine expedition in Austria at the end of term. After an 18-hour drive, the party pitched camp and then proceeded to climb five peaks in the following week, the highest being 2130m. One night was spent in an Austrian youth hostel, all in one room with 80 Germans - "a very new experience" says Beth McDonald drily - and she knows about new experiences; last time we heard of her she had been on an ATC gliding course, sharing accommodation with 300 policemen on miners' picket duty!
• Rye WI's August meeting enjoyed hearing Mr. and Mrs. Veness speak about gardening under difficulties at Winchelsea Beach, and also two sketches from Brede WI members. Mrs. Phyllis Smith judged the Craft Show, with top points going to Miss Ivy Phillips - Mrs. Smith is a National WI judge as well as being a member of Rye WI, and she gave her fee to the Lifeboat Shed Appeal. Rye group scrabble champion is Mrs.Teresa Hodgson. The recent jumble sale at Camber made £83 for WI funds.
• The AA has just published a handsome volume, "Illustrated Guide to Britain's Coast". Rye is one of the places deemed worthy of a photograph, captioned "The Ypres Tower ... the 15th century home of the de Ypres family, later used as a prison and now a museum". And very nice too - but unfortunately the picture is of the Landgate!
8.
Thursday, 16th Thrift Shop, Red Cross, 10.30 to 4 (4. Friday, Saturday, Monday)
Saturday, 18th Coffee morning, Friends of Hill House, TH, 10 to 12 Craft Market, FEC, 11 to 5
Monday, 20th Monday Club, Clinic, 2
Women's British Legion, FEC, 7.30
Organ concert at St. Mary's, 7.30 - Alan Childs plays a programme of favourite pieces (for details see the full-page ad in Fixtures)
Wednesday, 22nd No GAZETTE
Tuesday Painters Exhibition, FEC, 2 (then 10 to 6 daily, and see below)
Over-60s Club, Red Cross, 1.45
Saturday, 25th St. Mary's Flower Festival (and Sunday and Monday)
Ryesingers jumble sale, CC, 2
Coffee morning and bring-and-buy, Mentally Handicapped Society, TH, 10 to 12
Sunday, 26th Raft Race for NSPCC, 12 (Lions Fete at Harbour) - see page 5
Monday, 27th BANK HOLIDAY (and no WRVS Luncheon Club)
• Congratulations to Beverley Arkley of King's Avenue and Duncan Gray of Appledore who were married in St. Mary's on Saturday, attended by six small bridesmaids. The reception was held at Rumpels, and the couple will be living in Appledore.
• The Tuesday Painters are inviting entries from non-members for their summer exhibition which opens a week today. Judge and Selector this year is Mr. William Bowyer, RA. Non-members may submit two works, and forms are available in Rye from Adams, Kurrein Gallery and Landgate Pictures. Work should be handed in at the FEC on Sunday (19th) between 3 and 5, or can be left at Adams beforehand.
• Tony and Michelle Campion have two dear little brown-and-white guinea-pigs surplus to their requirements (at least one of the two they recently acquired for their small son was pregnant on arrival, and they suspect the other is as well!). The babies will be ready to leave mum in about a month and are free to good homes.
• Norman Wright, of Dymchurch, is researching into the history of the Wright family; he is the grandson of William Newton Wright who lived in Tower Street, built the furniture repository and died in 1930. He would be most interested to hear from anyone who can help his research; ring 0303 372830.
• For the rest of the summer, the Decorator's Warehouse will be open on Tuesday mornings from 8.45 to 12; and the shop is also, nowadays, open in the lunch hour.
• The recent National Trust bring-and-buy sale at Wickham Manor, Winchelsea, raised the splendid sum of £678 - about £150 up on the two previous years.
• Rye is well-represented in a production at the Stables Theatre in Hastings at the end of this month. David Gaunt directs two Noel Coward plays, "Come into the Garden, Maud" and "Just a Song at Twilight"; he and Sheelagh Fox play lead parts in the second play and Win Allen prompts throughout. The Stables booking office is open from 10.30 to 12 each morning, and before evening performances.
THE RYE GAZETTE is registered as a newspaper with the Post Office, and published by Mrs. Mary Owen, 2 Cyprus Place, Rye (Rye 222303). News items for inclusion are always welcome - deadline Monday afternoon, Tuesday 9 am for emergencies. The GAZETTE costs 25p weekly and is delivered to subscribers and pick-up points on Wednesday (though issue no. 96 will not appear until 29 August). Extra copies and back numbers can be ordered from 2 Cyprus Place; a few spares are obtainable at Squirrels, 9-13 Cinque Ports Street, Rye.
(Copyright Mary Owen 1984)