After 26 years at the heart of Rye Town Council, Town Clerk Richard Farhall is stepping down, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter of quiet leadership and steadfast service. Mainly working behind the scenes, he has been the engine room of the council, keeping everything running smoothly while guiding the town through years of change. While councillors and mayors have come and gone he has provided continuity. His ability to navigate the complexities of legislation whilst keeping the needs of the town at the forefront has been the hallmark of his tenure.
Beyond paperwork and procedures Richard has played a quiet but vital role in the rhythm of community life, supporting mayoral duties and civic ceremonies. Colleagues reflecting on his time in his post define his career by dedication, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to Rye.
His retirement marks the end of an era for Rye, and the departure of a figure whose influence has been felt far beyond the council chamber.
On March 31, Richard’s last day in post, he received a cry from Paul Goring and a thank you from Councillor Andy Stuart, mayor of Rye.
When you first arrived in post 26 years ago, what most surprised you about Rye?
The hidden deprivation. Most visitors get to experience the citadel but this does not provide them with a true picture of the parish. There were – and still are – a significant number of parishioners struggling to get by. Wages are generally low and affordable accommodation is rarer than a compliment to Rother about the Station Approach toilets.
What has stayed reassuringly the same about the town – and what has changed the most?
The general dislike of Rye Borough Council’s successor, Rother District Council has been a constant!
The sense that Rye is “special” (and we all know that it is!) will prevail, no matter what – and I’ve always appreciated the town’s acceptance – often welcoming – of those from different cultural backgrounds.
When you are “exposed” to something regularly over a long period it can be difficult to identify change. There does appear now to be less deference and formality (not just in Rye). Anything that breaks down barriers can only be for the good.
Is there a moment early on when you realised “this really matters”, that this was more than just a job?
I was (and remain) conscious that I have been continuing a Rye clerking tradition dating from 1300. Putting on the wig and robe for the first time felt natural – as though I had been a town clerk in a former life!
In the grand “interdependent” scheme of things, being Rye town clerk is no more important to the functioning of Rye than any other job in the town, regardless of its remuneration (or not) or perceived status.
Which decision or project are you quietly most proud of?
That would have to be the council’s decision to establish a town steward service. It took two attempts to achieve this and followed years of being stuck in a “moan and dismissal” cycle. Complaints to Rother, or the county council, about the deterioration of some aspect of the Rye public domain invariably elicited the (now very familiar) “we haven’t got the money” response. Although wary of suggestions of “double taxation”, the town council eventually accepted that nothing was going to change unless it took decisive action.
Rye is known for its strong characters and strong opinions. What have the people of Rye taught you?
That in small, relatively isolated communities, it is possible for folk to transition from being mortal enemies to the best of friends. I guess falling out occasionally is inevitable given Rye’s size and the passion that many have for the town. Identifying a common enemy – which doesn’t aways have to be Rother? – is a sure-fire way of reconciling the estranged.
Who are the unsung heroes of local life who rarely get the spotlight?
Anyone who finds themselves spending much of their time caring for someone else.
How has the relationship between the town council and residents evolved over the years?
I would like to think that the council has become more approachable and less aloof. When I started, the annual town meeting was held at the town hall and we were lucky if twelve parishioners attended. Now we alternate between the community centres and are pleased to see 90-100 of you.
Is there a moment when the community really pulled together that still stays with you?
I have two. The formation of a Rye Mutual Aid (being an anarchist at heart I love any form of mutual aid!) in response to covid was impressive – especially given that its vital work extended into neighbouring parishes – and beyond! RMA was rightly held in high regard in Sussex and other parishes with no equivalent were downright envious.
The other would have to be the community “takeover” of the Rye Leisure Centre and pool. At the outset, I confess to being doubtful that it would succeed but, it did – and must surely rank as one of the parish’s greatest achievements. It gives me a warm feeling inside that I was able to play a small part.
What was the most testing period during your time as town clerk?
Perversely, I seem to thrive when presented with difficult situations. Although I have a high tolerance for the familiar and mundane, if anything out of the ordinary happens I seem to “light up” and quickly go into problem-solving mode.
If you pressed me to pick one thing that tested me (in this example, my patience) it would be the decades it took the town council to prise the (statutory) allotment sites from Rother.
How did Rye cope with moments of uncertainty or change and what did that reveal about the town?
The response to the pandemic, relatively high number of community organisations and volunteers (relative to the population size) – and residents doing their bit informally to improve or maintain Rye, all tell me that Rye will survive, no matter what confronts it.
What skills did the job demand that you didn’t expect when you first took it on?
None really: I had come from a similar role – but in the charity sector. I oversaw the UK Vegan Society for ten years. I reported to a board of trustees and the relationship was similar to the one between a parish/town clerk and their councillors.
That said, there was no handover from my predecessor – so I had to swiftly get back into study mode.
Parish/town clerks need to be generalists. It helps if they are passably competent at, well, just about everything!
How has the role of town clerk changed over the last quarter century?
Parish/town clerking has become increasingly professionalised and is now seen to be more of a career. Whilst this helps to improve standards of service delivery and the quality of advice given by clerks to councillors, there remains a nationwide shortage of clerks – particularly qualified ones – and there is a risk that making the role more onerous could see the pool of decent clerks evaporate further.
What do you hope Rye will never lose, no matter how it grows or changes?
Tolerance for non-conformity. I have had a quite a “colourful” past – but this didn’t seem to be to my disadvantage at the interviews for this post!
What opportunities do you see for Rye over the next 25 years?
Inevitably, because Rye has limited available space – and much of that comes with constraints (access, flood risk, nature designations, high land values), beneficial development opportunities are likely to remain scarce. Rather than opportunities, I foresee continuing threats and challenges: protecting the town’s traditions and historic character, whilst endeavouring to ensure that all residents have access to the goods, services and accommodation they need – at a reasonable cost.
I would like to see parish/town councils being given a share of the business rates generated from their parishes. Because of the finite development opportunities (which give rise to property tax receipts – some of which is passed to parish/town councils) in Rye, the town council is going to struggle to afford to take on – and improve services – without relying heavily on local council tax payers.
A visitor accommodation levy would help – but only if it started to become commonplace nationally – and the receipts generated in Rye stayed in Rye.
What advice would you give to your successor?
Never let the bastards grind you down?
Amy is an experienced clerk – so I am sure she doesn’t need any advice from the likes of me! However, if I was talking with someone new to clerking I would suggest being firm with councillors from the outset. They are not all as reasonable (and delightful) as Rye’s and unacceptable behaviour needs to be called out. Also, diplomacy and impartiality are essentials really – and “expect the unexpected”!
What would you like your legacy as town clerk to be? Hopefully, that I provided the council with a degree of stability.
Is there something you wish you’d had time to do but trust will now be taken forward?
I confess to being disappointed that I will miss out on assets (or do I mean liabilities?!) being transferred from Rother to Rye. It’s a jolly exciting prospect!
What will you miss most: the meetings, the moments, or the people?
Everything really – I have been lucky to have been paid to do something I have thoroughly enjoyed. It flew by.
And finally… what are you most looking forward to now that the clock no longer belongs to the town hall?
Reclaiming our back garden! Since acquiring some ancient woodland in 2020 I spend much of my spare time working in that instead – coppicing, charcoal-making and ensuring that all the logs I cut are the same length. (I could pick mine out in a log line up.)
Image Credits: Kt bruce .