Mayor Making this Monday
This bank holiday Monday 4 May is Rye’s annual Mayor Making ceremony, including the traditional throwing of the hot pennies from the council chamber windows.
Chris Hoggart takes over from Andy Stuart, who has held the post for two years. The new deputy mayor will be Pat Hughes.
Members of the public who want to join the church service in St Mary’s should be seated by 11.30am. The throwing of the hot pennies will take place at 12.15pm.
You can read an interview with Andy and Niki Stuart reflecting on the past two years here.
Fire safety investment
Broad Oak fire station is to get a new fire pump this year. It’s part of more than £7.5 million pounds that’s been invested in East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet and equipment over the last five years.
Louis Thompson, strategic engineering manager said, “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service carries out so many different types of emergency response, from animal rescues, flooding incidents, road traffic collisions and of course fires. Our fleet and equipment is an essential part of delivering that. We are already looking at how new technology can influence what our future fleet will look like and how it can help better serve our communities.”
Driving offences captured by AI
New AI road safety cameras have detected hundreds of offences in the first week of their operation in Sussex.
The cameras recorded 620 seatbelt offences, 110 mobile phone offences, 17 combined mobile phone and seatbelt offences, and one offence of not being in proper control of a vehicle (no hands on the steering wheel).
The high-definition cameras use an infrared flash to capture clear images through windscreens, day or night, and in all weather conditions. The vast majority of images are immediately deleted in real time and never seen by a human as they do not show a potential offence. Images which are sent for initial reviews are automatically cropped and anonymised, with vehicle number plates and other non-relevant data not being visible. These are then reviewed by officers for processing.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said, “We have embraced the use of modern technology not only to show that we listen to concerns raised by communities across Sussex, but also to help reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads through irresponsible driver behaviour.”
Grants up for grabs
Funding to support cultural events in Rye and the surrounding area is now available from Rother District Council. “This funding stream is to support events which have an immediate impact on local footfall and a subsequent impact on local spend.”
The deadline for applications is 31 May. More details here.
Your say on allotments
Rye Town Council is conducting a consultation with all plot holders on some proposed changes to the rules governing the allotments in the town.
A spokesperson for the council said, “The current rules were implemented in August 2024 after the council took ownership of the sites from Rother District Council. Since then, various issues have consistently occurred, prompting this review. Suggested changes have been made by the Allotments Forum, made up of two representatives of Rye Allotment Society from each site, one representative from the Rye Community Garden and five Rye town councillors assisted by the clerk and deputy clerk.”
The consultation runs until 13 May. More information here.
Picture of the week
Many thanks to Col Everett for the picture of the sunset taken from outside Rye’s Hope Anchor Hotel.
Here’s one she took of the red skies above the High Street. If you’ve a great picture email us info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Col Everett , Kt bruce , Google Maps , National Highways , James Stewart .