An opportunity to see local democracy in action
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Rye Town Council Planning and Townscape Committee meeting on Monday, September 15 at 6.30pm, at Rye College (not at the town hall where it is usually held). Amongst other items, councillors will appoint a councillor by the co-option process, to fill the vacancy left after the resignation of Rebekah Gilbert. There are five candidates: Simon Bowler, Firat Bozyel, Lyn Dutton, Dena Smith Ellis and Owen Thompson. Rye News published statements by the candidates in last week’s edition and you can read them here. The agenda can be found here.
New scholarship scheme for medical degrees launches
Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital Ltd (the Charity) is excited to share the
news that a new scholarship scheme to assist students wishing to take a medical subject as
a second university degree will be open for applications from Wednesday, September 17.
The scholarship is being set up in memory of Leslie Fitch who as a devoted Friend, left a
generous legacy to the charity.
The charity’s CEO, Charlotte Kneer MBE, will be officially launching the Leslie Fitch Scholarship on Sarah Gorrell’s radio show on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey
from 12pm on Wednesday, September 17 live on air. If you miss the
programme, you will be able to listen again on BBC Sounds. Further details will follow in
next week’s Rye News.
Flag appears on the Landgate
A flag appeared on the pole on the Landgate at the weekend of September 6/7 replacing the Union and Ukrainian flags that usually fly there.
In response to this, Rye Town Council issued the following statement: “At some point – believed to be last (Saturday September6) night, the Union and Ukrainian flags were removed from the Landgate Arch flag pole and replaced with what appears to be a pink ‘Stars and Stripes’ design with a face overprinted.
“It has been suggested that the face is that of one of the Town Council co-option candidates and that the display of the flag is an attempt to influence the Town Council’s co-option process. How this might be achieved is unclear – the appointment will be determined by Members of the Town Council only.
“The Arch padlocks are, reportedly undamaged. The Town Hall has a key for the padlock but uses it rarely. It is held at the Town Hall mainly to loan to Rother District Council’s contractors, when requested by Rother. For the avoidance of doubt, the Town Council is not responsible for this ‘rogue’ flag.
“The Town Council has taken great care to ensure that all co-option candidates are treated equally – and will continue to do so. The Town Council will be reassuring all candidates that this remains the case and will be drawing the incident to the attention of the owner of the Arch, Rother District Council.”
The flag has now been taken down and a new padlock put in place.
Events this week
Full information on Rye Arts Festival events can be found here.
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Kt bruce .