Rye featured in BBC health show
Jempson’s and Chapman’s fish market featured in the first episode of series 2 of Just One Thing on Monday 23 March with presenter Clive Myrie explaining the health benefits of eating oily fish rich in Omega-3 to busy mum, Sam, and her friends. With beautiful shots of the town, the programme shone a spotlight on Rye’s fishing industry and the important role that fish plays in our diet. The show is available on i-player. Rye News reports in more detail next week.
Planning applications for The Bell submitted
Applications (PR/2026/0195/LBC and PR/2026/0194/FULL) relating to works intended to support the restoration and reopening of The Bell at Iden have been submitted to Rother District Council.
The closing date for submissions is 8 April 2026. Members of the public are encouraged to view the proposals and submit comments to the council via the planning portal, if they wish to do so.
Further details and application links can found on The Bell at Iden Community blog: https://bellatiden.com/planning-applications-now-live/
Register to vote in the 7 May council elections
With county council elections back on, residents not already registered to vote have until midnight on Monday 20 April to make sure they can have their say.
It’s so important that everyone has the ability to exercise their democratic right and elect the person they want to represent them, but there will still be many residents across Rother who are not registered to vote.
There could be any number of reasons people are not registered to vote – they may have recently moved, be a student living outside the district, or may have missed the annual canvass.
If you haven’t already registered to vote, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before the April 20th deadline.
Residents with questions about their registration status can contact the council’s electoral services team at elections@rother.gov.uk.
Once registered you have a range of options on how to cast your ballot – you can vote in person, by post or appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote.
Rother Tidal Wall footpath closure extended until October 2026
Despite recent reporting of the completion of the Environment Agency’s £36 million Rother Tidal Walls East (RTWE) project (https://www.ryenews.org.uk/news/36million-flood-defence-work-finishes-and-footpaths-could-reopen-in-the-spring), it appears that further work needs to be done. Notices on the footpath now state that. “The closure of these public footpaths has been extended until 1st October 2026 to allow for completion of the flood defence improvement scheme.”
Tech, tides and training
The RNLI’s technical equipment team has been down at Camber, taking part in some serious hands-on training. These are the experts behind the scenes who keep the lifesavers’ kit—from the ATVs, (all-terrain vehicles), and rescue boards to those speedy inshore boats—in tip-top shape.
While they do some of their learning at the RNLI College in Poole, they chose Camber specifically to test their skills against the area’s actual surf, tides and sand, ensuring everything is 100% ready for the crowds.
RNLI lifeguard patrols are returning to keep us all safe on the waves:
- Camber Central: Starting 3 April to 27 September.
- Camber Western: From 23 May to 27 September.
Invitation to tender for contracted caretaker
Camber Parish Council is currently inviting tenders for a contracted caretaker to help look after the parish council assets.
This will include keeping Jubilee Green and Johnsons Field litter free and emptying bins located there.
Other duties will include weekly inspections of our play equipment and street furniture such as the bus shelters and noticeboards and ensuring that they are clean and well maintained.
Additional work as directed at the allotments.
The successful person will be responsible for providing a summary of the work carried out with their invoice and to have their own insurance, equipment and tools.
A vehicle will be required as well as a full clean driving licence and £10 million public liability insurance to be provided by the contractor.
If you are interested in learning more about the work involved, please contact: clerk@camberparishcouncil.gov.uk
Image Credits: Environment Agency , Chapman's of Rye , Hugh Kermode , Phil Gooch , Amanda English .