Alerted by Solent Coastguard at 8.17pm, the lifeboat launched at 8.34pm. After assessing the situation, it was decided the safest way to help would be to tow the vessel back to Rye Harbour.
Lifeboat operations manager, Mark Stephenson, said, “This was a textbook operation which all the hours of training our crews perform meant the operation could be completed successfully with no issues. I am proud of all our crew who give so much time to help save lives at sea. The two people who were on board the vessel are safe and well.”
Emergency services were called to Pett on Thursday 9 April, after reports of a road traffic collision involving a single vehicle and house on Pett Road at around 4pm.
Two fire engines from Hastings and the Battle Technical Rescue Unit attended the scene. Firefighters from East Sussex Fire and Rescue released one person from the vehicle who was placed in the care of the ambulance service. There were no reports of any other injuries.
A successful sale at St Mary’s Centre
Over the Easter weekend, a group of Rye ladies organised a pop-up “gently used” clothes sale in St Mary’s Centre, led by Sally Abel, who said, “We are all passionate about re-using good clothing. The event was great fun and so successful that we plan to do it again. Money was raised for local charities, including for the Friends of St Mary’s Rye. In due course we will advertise future events.”
Sally can be contacted through St Mary’s Church as her husband is Roy Abel, a warden of the Church.
Pub quiz in aid of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
The New Inn in Winchelsea was packed on Sunday 12 April for the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve quiz.
Organised by James Tomlinson, who set the questions and acted as quizmaster, the assembled group had plenty of time to discuss the answers to questions that ranged from current affairs to film and music, hobbies and 80s children’s cartoons.
On sale, to raise more money, were colourful tea towels decorated with the art installation session on the reserve led by James during the Rye Arts Festival in September 2025, where children could draw their responses to their visit and to nature.
In total, the fun evening raised an impressive £410 for the reserve.
Tell the museum your hop picking memories
Rye Castle Museum at 3 East Street is holding a hop farming afternoon on Saturday 18 April from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Visitors will be able to see the new hop farming display and the museum would love to hear from people who have any memories about their experience of hop picking. The museum is free and there will be delicious refreshments available.
Apologies from us
Finally, an apology from us. Rye News was off-line for much of Saturday 11 April because of website issues. Many thanks to everyone who got in touch and a massive thank you to the brilliant Ben Keeley from Westfield Creative who solved the problem for us. Thanks Ben!
Image Credits: RNLI Rye Harbour , ESF&R , Anthony Kimber , Juliet Duff , Rye Castle Museum , Rye News .