Earlier in the autumn we featured the 150th anniversary of local firm Bournes. The removal company had bases all over town before settling on a purpose-built HQ on Rye Harbour Road.
Adrian Newton got in touch from Perth in Western Australia.
Your recent story regarding Bournes and their time in Eagle Road brought back a few memories. My brother Barry and I lived for a while in Eagle House when we were primary school age, as our grandparents rented the property for quite some time.
In those days it had stables, a cobbled courtyard and its own forge where my grandfather and father made wrought iron gates amongst other things. We eventually moved to the old forge near Landgate, I think under the name Newton & Sons. They also leased the land that the telephone exchange used to stand on where they grew vegetables.
My brother and I used to walk to the primary school in Ferry Road every day, through the old markets and railway goods yard.
When I was a few years older I did paper rounds for Horners seven days a week. On Saturday I also worked for Webbs bakery on a delivery van, serving some the villages around Rye.
My first job leaving school was as a wages clerk for Mr Scotcher at Burnhams, followed by a year or so at W.J.Bennett for David Padgham, who was the owner in those days.
I’ve attached a couple of photos with my brother Barry. He now lives in France having spent longer in the UK than myself, living for some years in Hastings. He is still in contact with a number of old friends who live in Rye or thereabouts.
I came to Australia in 1975 having spent about eight years living and working in London and travelling occasionally in Europe. After an almost four month trip driving and camping through twelve countries with another couple, my then girlfriend and I travelled to Perth on a £99 plane/ship (via Singapore).
It was our intention to work our way round the country, but after a year or so we bought a house. We then sold that, bought another house and opened a business and the rest, as they say, is probably history!
Having spent many years restricted in travel by work, we are now retired; consequently we often travel to Europe, usually including Rye.
How Rye has changed! I get Rye News but have yet to see a name that I recognise from growing up and going to school in Rye.
Thanks Adrian for getting in touch. Rye News has many readers abroad, not just in Australia, so why not tell us your story? Our email is info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Adrian Newton .