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A welcome liaison between town and gown is planned in the world of drama. Professional producer Anthony James of Tower Street has for some time being holding a drama workshop, with a small-scale production in mind; now Ray Fooks has suggested that Mr. James's group might like to combine with TPS enthusiasts to mount a play in the school hall, with its splendid sound and lighting facilities. Proposed dates are 19, 20 and 21 November (booked into the school calendar for a staff play which has fallen by the way) - which gives Mr. James just two months to select and cast a play and coax it along to performance standards. The choice of play will depend on the players available, so auditions will take place TOMORROW AT 7.30 AT UPPER SCHOOL (in the Hall, opposite the main doors). If you can't come, or hear about it too late, but would like to take part, ring Mr. James.
People thinking of visiting the Rye Town Model should do it quick - it will be open for the next few weekends, and possibly odd days in between. After that, its building will lie in the path of the McCarthy & Stone bulldozer, and the tiny enchanting town and all its elaborate sound and lighting equipment will go into store in the Town Hall attics until the Heritage Centre is ready for it, certainly not until 1989. The plans for the Centre show the Model housed in an extension at right-angles to the listed warehouse; the main building would have room for a souvenir shop and accommodation for the queue, with exhibition space on the first floor. (There would also - ah, bliss!) - be a loo for the long- suffering operators!
The loss of the Model for next season will be a matter of regret for the town. In the 1986 season, the takings were just over £16,000, and actual outgoings a little under £9,500. Allowing a further £1,000 for the Town Council's general account for administration, this means that £5,600 was profit; and although the figure for this year may be roughly comparable (allowing for some days when money had to be refunded owing to excessive building noise outside) there will be nothing coming in at all next summer. Unless, of course, someone can offer a temporary home...?
Police are anxious to contact witnesses (particularly the driver of a blue furniture-type van) to an accident at 8.30 on Friday morning in Icklesham; three young men from Hastings and a Horsham lorry-driver were taken to RESH with serious injuries (the wrecked car was in the police yard on Monday). Considerable traffic congestion built up, the A259 was closed, and the police helicopter arrived to sort out congestion in the side lanes.
Last Wednesday a paper-girl left her skateboard (mauve with red wheels) outside Devonport House while she was delivering papers there early in the morning, and when she came out it had been stolen. Other thefts include the contents of a bag left in a High Street shop stock-room, and property from a car parked in The Strand including a portable TV and a radio-controlled red car.
2.
Mr. Richard Cowan, clockmaker, died last week aged 58. He had the tiny shop in Needles Passage for some time until earlier this year, though his workshop was at his Appledore home. He is survived by his widow Sheila; they had been married less than 18 months, and the town will wish to offer her its sympathy.
On 18 September ESCC's Schools Sub-Committee discussed the future of Leasam House. The previous month the Boarding Panel had met to decide whether the House should close, or should continue with some improvement of its facilities and administration to make it operate more effectively. This followed an elaborate review held over the past twelve months; and we are very pleased to report that the Panel recommended that the TPS boarding-house should continue, and that the Local Management Committee should continue to operate it on a self-financing basis. The next review will take place in five years' time.
Boarding fees at Leasam depend on whether the pupil comes from within the county or from outside it; at present, out-county pupils pay 6% more than in-county ones (C3171 as against €2985), but it is suggested that next year the difference could be increased to 20%, as a means of paying for improvements in the House.
The report also contains an interesting suggestion about the possible development of the present TPS Rural Studies Unit, based in the grounds of Leasam House, as a field studies centre for use by pupils and students from all parts of the county and elsewhere. The Old Scholars Bulletin reveals that the five teachers whom the school has lost recently are not being replaced, because of falling numbers on the school roll; one of these was the late Colin Green, whose death robbed Thomas Peacocke of its Head of Rural Studies - a job he took on when he ceased to be Warden of Leasam House. If the Rural Studies Department has to close, the use of its land as a County field studies centre would be something of which Colin would heartily approve. Presumably, too, the boarding hostel could then be used for students in the school holidays, thus making a bit of money to help with its running expenses. In term-time, there are about 60 boarders there.
At the Community Lunch Group last week, Rother's Deputy Housing Officer David Turner gave the first half of a most helpful explanation about housing problems nationally and those of Rother in particular; his listeners hope that he will be able to come back and tell them the rest before long. In the course of his talk, he referred to the Housing Department's surgery which is held every Wednesday morning in the Rye Council Offices. This, he said, is sometimes rather under. used, and it 5.s perhaps not realised that it is open to anyone with a housing enquiry or problem, not just Rother's existing tenants or would-be tenants. The Housing staff have a great deal of experience, and even if they can't solve the problem they may be able to pass the enquirer on to someone who can help. They take a lot of time helping their client to fill in quite an elaborate questionnaire which will enable them to pinpoint the heart of the trouble. So if you, or a friend or neighbour, have a difficulty associated with housing locally, it is certainly worth going along to see if someone can help you - whether or not you have, or would like to have, a Council tenancy.
We also learnt that a booklet setting out the Council's selection qualifications is available at the Council Offices; so if you just want to know why someone else got a Council house and you didn't, perhaps your first step should be to call in and take a look at it?
Figures reported to last week's meeting of the Crime Prevention Panel should make prospective burglars think again. From 1 January to the end of June in the Rye area, the detection rate for all crimes was 42.5% and for burglaries 53%, so the odds are that a burglar will get caught. And when he is, and the swag is found on him, it can be returned to its owner if it has been marked with the appropriate post-code - just what did happen recently, when an elderly local lady had the wit to phone the police when she heard a noise downstairs, and they recovered not only her property but someone else's too!
- 3 THE RYE GAZETTE, 23 September 1987
The Rother District Council Civic Service, held at St. Mary's for the first time, was remarkable for two things: who was there, and who wasn't. The Mayor and the Chairman of Rother, Roy Pulford, walked up the aisle together and then moved right and left into their seats; on, as it were, the bridegroom's side sat pews-ful of strangers, whom we assume were Rother councillors and staff - but on the bride's side, behind the Mayor, were not the ten or so Town councillors whom we normally expect to see, but simply the general St. Mary's congregation and a few visitors. On this prestigious occasion in the town, organised by our superior Council with a reception at our Town Hall to follow, where were the members of Rye Town Council? Not invited, it seems - and so even those who did know about the service hesitated to appear, lest it should be thought that they were angling to be asked up afterwards! In fact Jo Kirkham sings in the choir, and George Shackleton and Roger Breeds were sitting with the Rother squad; our third Rother councillor, Frank Dowdeswell, was in London all day - not having realised that there was such a service at all.
Anyway, David Maundrell and Stephen Ingham gave a good account of ecclesiastical Rye, sharing the service between them; the lessons were read by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Rother. Canon Maundrell preached about authority, leading into it by talking about the hymn "I vow to thee, my country" (oddly popular, he said, at weddings - when he would have assumed the last thing the wedded pair were likely to be thinking about was patriotism...) This was one of six hymns, plus two verses of the National Anthem, so it was an enjoyably tuneful occasion; the service sheets were printed in Bexhill, by someone who apparently saw nothing odd about "in knowledge of whom standeth our external life" in the second Collect!
Finally, who was there? This was a bit ironic. The Sunday of Wings Week is, of course, the traditional parade Sunday for the RAF Association, and it had not occurred to them that St. Mary's would be bespoken by anyone else; presumably it hadn't occurred to Rother that Wings Week was anything to bother about - though some Bexhill councillors weren't here on Sunday because they had a prior engagement at their own Wings Sunday parade. Anyway, a slightly uneasy compromise was reached, and the RAFA standard was paraded as usual; but the choir departed for the vestry before the standard had departed for the south door, and we were really shocked to notice the Rother contingent leaving the church before the colour-party had done so. But it was good to hear that the RAFA party were invited to the reception afterwards, so perhaps old wounds are now healed.
Incidentally, the RAF Association gratefully announce that their flag-day in the town on Saturday brought in £320 - and a further £55 came from the sale of teas at the Town Hall, organised by some Women's BL members. Figures for the house-to-house boxes, and Sunday's church collection, are not yet available. (In Hastings on Saturday, it was a pleasure to see the ATC band playing at the ex-Memorial, with Wings Week collecting-tins at the ready.)
People are still asking what the Dog Warden actually does for £15,000 a year (which, admittedly, includes the van). A report to Rother in early September picked out two cases during the June/July period. She returned to its owner an injured dog which had been reported as worrying cattle, and which turned out to be suffering from snake-bite; and ratepayers will be relieved to hear that the investigation of a complaint in Bexhill led to an OAP receiving free medicine for his pet from the PDSA. During the two months, 101 complaints were investigated, 9 stray dogs were collected and all but two (placed in kennels) were returned to their owners, and the Warden attended a meeting at Bexhill at which dog fouling and safety matters were discussed. Apart from these excitements, her week breaks down into roughly 2½ days in Bexhill, 1 in Rye and in the rural areas.
It was also reported at the meeting that steps would now be taken to collate the necessary evidence to mount a successful prosecution under the existing bylaws. (And about time too - who'll be first?)
4.
(see page 2 last week)
As public meetings go, the one at the Town Hall on Tuesday was rather private. There were four people from County Hall, Councillor Mrs. Yates in the chair, and fewer than 20 members of the audience. They included three Rother councillors (Shackleton, Bishop and Lutman), one parish councillor and one non-councillor from Icklesham (which, after all, covers Rye Harbour and Winchelsea and the Beach as well), one from Iden, none (as far as we could see) from Playden, one from Udimore, three from Sedlescombe and one from Bodiam - who had devotedly come all the way via a series of bus routes, so he did know what he was talking about! Leslie Bulman was there for the RDA, Bruce Palmer from Camber for the Community Health Council; John Smith, Osma Jones and Jim Kirkham were there as members of the general public, and your reporter (and, briefly, Karen Brodie) represented the press. There was also someone who was, we thought, from one of the bus companies. And how many of those present had no car? About six put up their hands - but one or two of those turned out to have access to someone else's car, and were not entirely dependent on public transport.
It was difficult to extract from County who the local "consultees" (bodies invited to such meetings) had been, apart from the parish councils. But it looks as if the invitations (which covered all nine meetings in the series) were simply issued to the various County HQs, who obviously hadn't bothered to pass them on. We raised this point, backed strongly by George Shackleton (who had only heard about the meeting at the previous evening's Town Council) and by Bruce Palmer (who had mentioned it at the British Legion and was surprised to find no-one knew what he was talking about). We would like to think that the County officers now realise that if you want to consult bus users you need to ask to the meeting the people who do actually use buses. After all, if funds won't run to postage, a few photocopied posters around the town would have been better than the nothing ESCC actually achieved!
To follow the proceedings, one needed two sets of papers - the original Consultation Document, circulated to parish councils in June and which set out the original Policies (34 in all) and the Report on Consultation, handed round at the meeting. Probably to everyone's relief, only six Policies were discussed - those thought to be of most local interest - and another eight were "clarified". A good deal was said about communication - who should be consulted, and how; parish councils have been asked to appoint transport representatives with whom County can liaise in emergency (Rye's representative is Ed Wiseman, and it would not be easy to get hold of him in a hurry). Since bus companies now only have to give 42 days' notice that they are discontinuing a particular service, the County Council sometimes has to make temporary arrangements to keep it going, often by subsidy to the operator - as happened with the Rye Harbour bus; but there were complains from the audience that no reassuring press release was issued in such cases. "It is much better if we don't say anything about it at all, then" said County plaintively; but, as someone pointed out with reference to recent cuts in Hastings, individual bus drivers don't hesitate to put word around when cuts are in the offing, so they can hardly be regarded as secret.
Another point made was over the use of return tickets between commercial and subsidised bus routes; some commercial operators were willing to co-operate, some were not. County said they would always be glad to hear from people who had bought a return ticket on a community route and then found they could not use it on the commercial return journey.
Your reporter was backed by TPS Governor John Lutman when we drew attention to the difficulty over the 3.40 pm bus to Camber on Thursdays; Mrs. Yates, who had heard about it at a Camber parish council meeting, promised to raise it at a meeting in Lewes later in the week.
Further discussion was over the various forms of concessionary bus pass; about transport to the new hospital being built on The Ridge; and about the lack of late buses serving the villages. The difficulty of keeping timetables and posters up to date was mentioned - the ESCC Bus Guide we wrote about earlier in the summer, for instance, is already out of date in some respects.
(continued...)
(...continued)
The proceedings ended with a plea from County to let them know early about bus problems, before the mistake had become built-in - and with luck they may be able to do something about it. Write to Ed Basford, ESCC Highways, County Hall, Lewes, giving as much detail as you can.
Finally, we are pleased to record that at last the timetable boards in the bus yard contain all the bus timetables and not only those of H & D; it has taken a year, and they are subject to change from Monday when the winter services start - but they are there now. Hooray!
• We are sorry to report the forthcoming closure of the Tollgate Garage. Peter Chantry tells us that the final date for the whole complex to shut down is not yet fixed - it could be some time next month, and will certainly be before Christmas. Local people will be sorry to lose the garage; but the loss of the grocery store and off-licence, open all hours and so useful to people at that end of the town, may well be mourned even more. Readers may remember that Mr. Chantry obtained planning permission some time ago to redevelop the site, and he is now going to implement that permission. There will be 28 flats (1, 2 and 3 bedrooms) with the first units ready next autumn if all goes well - and they will be available to anyone (not tied to elderly or first-time buyers).
• There is something rather special about the Rye branch of the County Group of estate agencies - it is the Group's sole representative in Sussex, so they have something of a reputation to keep up! All the other 18 branches are Kent-based, and the Group as a whole is particularly interested in Channel Tunnel possibilities. Peter Dennett left the manager's desk at the Rye office earlier this year and now works in Maidstone; his successor here is Michael Harrison, who has been in Rye for four months. He knows the area well, having already worked in St. Leonards, Tenterden and Hastings; and doubtless he will find he gets to know it even better come Carnival time, since he has recently been elected to membership of Round Table. Round Table members work extremely hard each year, chasing up ads for the programme from some fairly unlikely sources in the remotest parts of the local countryside; good luck, Mr. Harrison...
• Many people in the town are sorry to lose our Boots manager, Peter Milburn. He must have been one of the youngest managers in the company - which gives him plenty of time to reach the top, and that is why he has left Rye: he has been promoted to a larger branch in Deal. His customers will wish to congratulate him and wish him well, and thank him for his enterprise in making the shop a part of the community, with various promotions linked to events in the town. His successor has not yet been appointed.
In July 1985 Dewhursts, long established as butchers at 90 High Street, closed (the chain had amalgamated with Baxters, who also have a shop here). An agent in Eastbourne put up a series of boards, proclaiming first that the lease was for sale and then the freehold; local enquirers were given to understand almost from the start that in each case arrangements were only awaiting final signatures. The whitewashed window, with peepholes for viewing the litter inside, did not enhance the appearance of the High Street over the next two years.
In May 1987 Cobbs of Tonbridge, part of a conglomerate of house-agents which includes Braxtons, applied for planning permission for change of use to an estate agent's office (GAZETTE no. 223). The owners were named as Travelcade of Hastings, but Cobbs were prospective tenants, and they told us at the time that the name over the door would be Braxtons. Reaction in the town was not very enthu- siastic, since most people would have preferred to see a shop there; but at least, once the planning permission went through in June, we expected to see something. But that was three months ago. Nothing has changed. We phoned Braxtons' Northiam branch to ask what was happening. Try Uckfield, they said. We did. Try someone else, said Uckfield. We didn't. Rye already has three estate agents; there doesn't seem to be a great deal of enthusiasm to be the fourth!
6.
Readers will remember the Marina Feasibility Study presented at the Saltings Hotel early in March. We wrote about it at length in GAZETTE no. 216, since it became clear that the consultants (LRDC) thought it would be nice to have a 125-house "marina village" across the Rother from the Salts. Yesterday, the Strategic Planning Sub-Committee of ESCC considred a report on the Study, prepared by the County Planning Officer. We hope to have a copy of this for next week's issue, but we understand unofficially that the Planning Officer reported in favour of the LRDC site - presumably despite the protests he received from an outraged Rye. Even with ESCC approval, though, the scheme would still have to go to Rother's Planning Committee - and, of course, Rother would have to be tempted into selling Rye land against Rye's wishes...
However, there are two other potential "marina village" sites. One, upstream of Alsfords' wharf, is owned by Montrose Properties, based in the Isle of Man. This already has planning permission, granted in January 1985 (GAZETTE no. 78) on condition that work began within two years; and technically it did - in January this year, when contractors making an entrance to the site went straight through the floodbank! (An alternative planning application, for more houses and less marina, is still under negotiation.)
The third site is the Jehovah's Witness field. It is owned by Peter Elwell - who says himself that he is a boating fanatic - who lives in Rye Paddock just opposite. Two years ago, he applied for permission for river moorings and a yacht basin in his field, and was turned down by Rother. Last week he hit the headlines when, at Monday's Town Council meeting, he asked for support for a much more complicated scheme - 125 houses, 250 moorings, plus a selection of what could be described as "community projects" such as a swimming pool, sheltered accommodation, low-cost housing, craft workshops and even new premises for the Museum. He had already discussed this scheme in private with the Town Council planning committee, which voted against it by a small majority; one councillor told us that it would have been easier if there had been proper plans on paper.
When we spoke to Mr. Elwell about his proposals, he said frankly that he would expect to make a business profit from the development. But he also wants his village to become a part of Rye itself, and not something stuck out on its own in Harbour Road - hence the community proposals. There are no plans yet, he told us, because he needs to know from the town what the town wants before he has formal plans drawn up; for instance, does Rye need more sheltered housing? Would 20/30 low-cost dwellings be useful? As for the (covered, heated, 30m x 10m) pool, he sees that as providing up to 12 jobs, some part-time; when we wondered if receipts could possibly cover that sort of salary level, he said he would even be prepared to subsidise it at the start. His other proposals include a boatyard, chandlery, slipway and shop, and he envisages some 36 permanent jobs in all.
These, then, are the three schemes, any of which might inflict a "marina village" on a reluctant Rye. In view of the inadequacies of the harbour, with its difficult high-tide-only entrance, it seems likely that there would only be room here for one 250-berth marina (the 125 houses round the edge make up a magic formula to provide the money). The Montrose site is the only one with planning permis- sion so far - so we were interested by Mr. Elwell's reported statement that Montrose were "trying to sell the site off". Montrose is a property investment company and, as their Mr. 'Fillers told us when we rang the Isle of Man, all their properties are for sale if the price is right. Negotiations with Mr. Elwell, he continued, started when Mr. Elwell suggested that he and Montrose should jointly approach the Council with a view to transferring the planning consent from one site to the other. Simply for financial reasons, this was not viable; and Mr. Elwell then asked what the price for the Harbour Road site would be, and was told that it would be "in excess of £1.3m". In fact Montrose are continuing with their plans to develop their site, and in about a fortnight's time their engineers will be submitting a planning application in respect of the sea-defence work, which would be necessary whichever of the company's two plans for the site is finally implemented.
• The Town Council has now formally set up its A259 Sub-Committee. The Mayor will take the chair, with Duncan Starkey as vice-chairman; other members are Agnes Bennett, Jo Kirkham, Brian Chapman, Brian Champion (we suppose it would be disrespectful to refer to them simply as "The Two Brians"?) and George Shackleton. We were sorry to hear that neither :A Wiseman nor Geraldine Bromley put their names forward - but both are busy people. One representative each will be invited from the Conservation Society, the Action Group, the Hotel & Caterers Association, the Chamber of Trade, the WI Group, the parishes to the north (Iden, Playden, Rye Foreign, Peasmarsh and Beckley) and those to the south (Camber and East Guldeford).
• Those with an interest in the way the community works may like to see if there is room on an unusual Adult Education course this autumn - with Leslie Bulman of the Rural Development Area as tutor, and running for six Tuesday evenings at the FEC at 7.30, starting on 6 October (no class on 27 October). The fee for the whole course will be £5. An introductory session is followed by four on local housing, village halls, new roads, and a marina for Rye, with a final follow-up meeting. The blurb reads rather intimidatingly - "a starting point from which both individuals and the wider community can communicate and collaborate not only among themselves, but with the wide range of relevant agencies and organisations engaged in planning and implementing economic, social and environmental development". But we hope this will boil down to How to get What from Where! "To enrol, just come along on the first night of the course" says the handout - but to be on the safe side, check with Anne Swaine, since numbers are limited to 25.
• The TVS piece on the A259 did finally go out on Wednesday last week - and wasn't thought much of by those most involved in the problems. The interview with the Mayor wasn't shown at all; Duncan Starkey and Kenneth Clark appeared briefly; there were various shots of the railway, and a totally inaccurate statement by the presenter that the station building was one of those due to be demolished (it would in fact cease to be used as a station, which is not the same thing!). The piece seems unlikely to have made much impact on anyone - but TVS will doubtless feel they have done their duty by Rye for the next few years.
• On Thursday morning three of our most respected citizens - Jennie Bayntun, Kathleen Harland and Ringo - were to be seen outside the police station accosting passers-by! Their intentions, however, were entirely honourable; Jennie had set up a table with the various Home Office and police pamphlets on different aspects of security, and the three were offering them to visitors and locals alike - Jennie reckons they must have spoken to about a hundred people. They were delighted to be backed by a large notice reading "Rye Routs the Robbers". Weather permitting, they may be back there tomorrow.
• This month Rye WI members enjoyed a talk on Grieg, with illustrations on the piano by the speaker, Miss Vinall. Mrs. Bennett won the Home Economics Competition. Rye WI's teas are becoming fastens in combination with tours of the town; recent groups came from Brighton and Southern Water, and the next is from Croydon.
• Landgate WI were shown, by a demonstrator from Dylon, how to dye their clothes, shoes and even jewellery - so the next sky-blue-pink diamond brooch you see coming down the road may well be adorning a Landgate member, particularly if her shoes match it! Congratulations to Freda Clarke and Annette Bruce on coming second in the Group bowls competition.
• Last week we had a delightful letter from a pensioner in Ferndown, Dorset, Mr. Frank Horsnell - he and his wife Freda have been coming to Rye for the past 30 years or so. They were sitting outside Seeboard a fortnight ago when a very pretty blonde girl delivering something to Central Garage paused just to give them a smile and a friendly word. It made their day, and we are asked to pass on their thanks (hopefully Tim Ledger will know who to). We pass on the story, too, just to show readers what an impression a simply friendly civility can make! (Mr. Horsnell signs his letter "another happy Rye visitor" - what a change from the usual complaints about the loos...)
Friday, 25th Arthritis & Rheumatism Council coffee morning, Red Cross, 10.30 "Green Grows History" - talk on work of Historic Gardens Trust (Sussex) by William Mount, FEC, 7.30 - 50p admission
Saturday, 26th Living with Cancer Support Group coffee morning and bring-and-buy, CC, 10 (sale items to Black Sheep or Rye Wholefoods)
Methodist Church Harvest weekend - church open 10 to 6 to view display (and Sunday, also 10 to 6)
Thomas Peacocke School Michaelmas Fair, Ferry Road (L.Sch.), 2
Sunday, 27th Methodist Church Harvest Festival Service, 11
St. Mary's Sunday School presents "Noah" - St. Mary's, 6
Monday, 28th Town Council committees (Planning, Leisure), TH, 6 and 7.30
Tuesday, 29th Conservative Association coffee morning, 113 Udimore Road, 10.30 Local History Group AGM (and Ken Clark on Tenterden), Library,7.30 Methodist Church Harvest Supper, Methodist Hall, 7.30
• Congratulations to Andrea (nee Reed) and Bill Playford, of The Close, on the birth of their son Robert William on 12 September - a brother for Heidi, a first grandchild for Margaret Playford of Lea Avenue and a seventh for Sigrid and Don Reed of Udimore Road.
• A reminder to cyclists young and old that the police will be in attendance at the TPS Michaelmas Fair on Saturday to die-stamp postcodes on any cycles which are offered to them.
• As well as being much appreciated by people who took home all sorts of bargains, the Lions Charity Shop at the weekend raised a very useful £450.
• Mencap's Friary Gardeners harvested a fine crop of garden tools and £162 in cash from the morning garden party at 11 High Street on Thursday.
• Work on the Bowls Green is progressing according to plan, says Colin Hudson, and if they are spared frost or flood all the returfing should be done by the end of November - leaving the grass plenty of time to establish itself before the new season. This mild moist weather is just what it likes, he says.
• Scaffolding which has appeared beneath the High Street lookout is not there to shore up the cliff, but to enable builders to brick up the shelter below it, which has become a noisome lurking-place and loo, its view obscured anyway. Will they perhaps put a time-capsule inside before the final brick is laid?
• Planning: the current list contains two Rye applications. The owners of 42 Church Square want to replace its white painted door with a partly-glazed oak one; and Jack Mathews seeks change of use for a disused milking shed at Leasam Farm to one private dwelling.
• We asked last week where the barn used in the Dr. Syn film was. "Was", alas, is the operative word; it was at Thornsdale, in Iden, but is now no more than a pile of stone - much of which has been redistributed into rockeries in the area over recent years, Julia Strangeways of Bosney told Yvonne Metcalf after the show.
• Next week we hope to publish a list of all the one-off events booked into the Town Diary between mid-October and Christmas; if you have something coming up, please let us know as soon as possible - and please try not to add to the confusion on the evening of Saturday, 17 October, with four events already! We are always delighted to consult the Diary for the benefit of those looking for likely vacant dates.
• Winter services on H & D buses start on 28 September; British Rail's begin on 5 October, when our Sunday trains will go two-hourly again. Check beforehand!
THE RYE GAZETTE is registered as a newspaper with the Post Office, published by Mrs. Mary Owen, 2 Cyprus Place, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7DR (0797 222303), and printed by Cinque Ports Stationers of Rye. Deadline is Monday afternoon for each Wednesday's delivery; subscriptions are on the basis of 40p an issue. (Copyright Mary Owen 1987)