Merchant and Mills

Monthly Archives: November, 2014

Honeymoon with Rye goes on

Jean Floyd isn’t a Ryer – but she knows it better than most. She has a detailed knowledge of the town's history and a handle on its future - as a director of the local museum and as a webmaster, too. Dee Alsey went to meet the woman who first fell in love with Rye just after marrying husband Barry in 1953

The true spirit of Benson

Allan Downend, Secretary of the EF Benson Society, attended the advanced screening of the first episode of the BBC series. He thought it was excellent and when it is shown at Christmas it should bring more people to the Mapp and Lucia books as well as to Rye.

Mapp, me and the magic . . .

It was a night for the Beeb's glittering stars as Ryers were treated to an advance showing of the first episode of "Mapp and Lucia". The other stars were there too: prime among them our chocolate box streets and well, me, actually, writes the man loved by the director's lens, our Tony McLaughlin

New life for old Christmas trees

Christmas trees look lovely until they start looking - and making - a mess. St Michael's Hospice has come up with the perfect solution to getting rid of your old tree: sign up to its scheme and your balding tree will be collected right from your doorstep

Lifeboat takes to the streets

A motley crew of firefighters, bonfire boys, pirates and other volunteers dragged the rescued and restored lifeboat Priscilla MacBean through the streets of Hastings Old Town to dry dock to the astonishment of onlookers.

Victory for Peasmarsh surgery

The long, frustrating battle to open a satellite surgery in Peasmarsh has finally been won. NHS England said 'yes' at the end of an appeal hearing. Gill Clamp reports

Where we live

Do watch this lovely programme. It starts round the Citadel,...

Scorcher the magic dragon

It's back at its fiery best: Rye Bonfire Society's hydraulic, propane-powered metal beast. And it's a marvel to behold, as all who saw it will attest

Fawkes, flames and fireworks

The popular torchlight parade wound through the town on Saturday November 8 as part of the annual bonfire celebrations. At the march's end thousands watched a spectacular firework display, writes Tony McLaughlin

Safety must come first . . .

The idea of a community traffic warden was pushed aside by most Rye councillors last week. But it's an idea that must not get kicked into the long grass, explains Granville Bantick

Musical feast for festive season

Rye Bay Ensemble & Crew will be performing traditional and contemporary Christmas music - Tudor and Elizabethan songs, excerpts from Messiah and something a tad more modern - while diners enjoy a three-course meal at The Queens Head, Rye

A matter of priority

Granville Bantick, a Rye councillor, had until a few days ago, supported the idea of an odd job man to care for the town. He told councillors, though, why he changed his mind

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