Volunteers needed now
The Save Rye News meeting takes place this Monday 3 August 6pm to 7.30pm at Rye Kino. As we reported last week, Rye’s local newspaper could be forced to close unless more volunteers come forward to help secure its future. A range of roles are urgently needed, including the post of editor.
At the Kino there will be a chance to talk to the current team about the opportunities to help the paper, including writing, publishing, marketing, social media and reporting.
“If you’ve got any experience that might help, please do come along,” said editor James Stewart. “It’s not a problem if you don’t, as we’ll help with training. We urgently need committed volunteers to help us report life in Rye for our more than 6000 readers.”
If you can’t make the Kino event, get in touch with us at info@ryenews.org.uk. The team will also be at the Green Waves Festival at the Tilling Green Community Centre on Saturday 15 August 11am to 5pm.
More water problems
A burst water main near Staplecross led to low pressure and a loss of water supply as far as Iden and Peasmarsh. The leak was fixed and the system refilled on Tuesday 28 July. A bottled water station was set up in Sedlescombe.
In a letter to South East Water chief executive John Hallsall, Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore said, “It is unacceptable that residents and the surrounding areas were expected to travel to the only water station provided at Sedlescombe Village Hall, a distance of ten miles.”
Meanwhile the company has apologised again after residents in Northiam were left without water for much of the weekend 17/18 July.
During a meeting with Bexhill and Battle MP Dr Kieran Mullan on Monday 27 July, John Halsall accepted that Northiam residents were let down by the handling of the incident, particularly around the delivery of bottled water, communication with vulnerable residents and the information provided to customers.
“The company explained that a significant leak affected a reservoir, impacting five distribution areas,” said Dr Mullan. “It said that incorrect pressure readings led it to believe more customers still had water than was actually the case, resulting in a delayed response and confusion over the scale of the outage.”
He said, “South East Water confirmed that it is carrying out what it described as a ‘total business reset’, with changes to its leadership and operational response. The company has also agreed to engage with parish councils and hold local briefings in the area to explain what happened and answer residents’ questions.”
Almost time for Rye Jazz
A month from today the doors of St Mary’s Church open for the first headline concert of this year’s Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival. The Van Morrison Alumni Band take to the stage on Friday 28 August at 8.00pm and there aren’t many seats left.
Between them, these musicians have played more than 3,000 concerts with Van Morrison and appear on hundreds of his recordings. Saxophonist and broadcaster Leo Green, who played on seven of Van’s albums, curates and hosts. He’s joined by Matt Holland on trumpet, Robin Aspland on piano, Alec Dankworth on bass, Geoff Dunn on drums, Gary Baldwin on Hammond and Matt White on guitar plus guest vocalists.
Details of the Rye Jazz free Fringe events have been announced with free music from Wednesday 26 to Monday 31 August at various venues in and around Rye: the Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar, the Waterworks brewery and tap room, The Lookout Hotel, the Old Bell, the William the Conqueror pub in Rye Harbour, and The Queens Head. Full details of the line-up can be found here.
Tickets and details of the other concerts for Rye Jazz 2026 can be booked here.
Playden Fete
Playden Fete took place on 25 July, a hot, sunny day. The churchyard was buzzing with those wanting bargains on the plant stall or a splendid cup of tea with an array of homemade cakes. There were games for the children, a tombola stall, and even a stocks where you could drench your mum, dad or sibling!
Everyone had a super time and raised £2,601, a reflection of just how well supported the fete was. Church warden Helen Gray was the principal organiser and Isabel Ryan did all the publicity. Helen sends her thanks to the many others who went out of their way to help make the day the success it was.
The monies raised are to be used for work needed on the west wall of the church.
Rye Harbour Fete
Rye Harbour Fete took place on Sunday 26 July in the field next to the caravan park. There were lots of family fun things to do, a coconut shy, football “Beat the Goalie” and “Splat the Rat”, many adults remembering these games from the years when they were growing up. There were many great stalls and the super cake stall was busy all day.
The Rye Harbour Herrings sang and entertained those who came, collecting money for the RNLI.
More details about events this weekend can be found in the Rye News What’s On guide.
Photos of the Buck Moon around Rye
The July full moon has been incredibly bright over the week, due to clear skies, and reached its peak on Wednesday 29 July. The bright yellow or orange moon is known as the Buck Moon as it is the time of year when male deer or bucks grow their antlers. It is also called a Hay Moon after the harvest or the Thunder Moon after the storms that can occur in July. This photo, by Alfie Montieth, is of the moon reflecting on the Brede river.
The Buck Moon at Pett Level is taken by Luci Crimmings and Graham Ellis fire juggling on the beach is taken by Heidi Foster.
Image Credits: Rye News , SE Water , Rye Jazz , Kt bruce , Alfie Monteith , Luci Crimmings , Heidi Foster .