Rye Castle Museum, at both the Ypres tower (Rye Castle) and East Street, will be playing its part in the exciting Pirates and Smugglers Day, taking place around Rye on Sautrday 8 August. The Jolly Roger flag will be raised over the Ypres Tower and the day will begin with the pirates meeting at the Gun Garden next to the castle at 10am. A rousing welcome will begin with proclamations from the mayor and town crier, followed by shanties with the Rye Harbour Herrings, and a drum off with the Drumskullz and Ryebellion. Musket fire from the top of the castle will announce the start of the procession at 10.45am. There will be a museum quiz trail available at the tower.
At the 3 East Street site of the museum, there will be a children’s craft activity making pirate hats from 10.30am to 1.30pm on the day. This suits children 4-11 years of age with an accompanying adult and is free. While there, don’t forget to see the wonderful display on John Ryan’s cartoon pirate, Captain Pugwash!
On 15 and 16 August, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the museum’s medieval pottery collection and the museum’s collaboration with the Lossenham Priory archaeological project near Newenden. The team at Lossenham has been excavating the site of the Carmelite priory and researching medieval pottery. Philip Warren from the Lossenham Project will be giving a pottery throwing demonstration on a replica medieval wheel, and there will be an opportunity to handle some of the museum’s replica medieval pots. For those who would like to try their hand at making something there will be air drying clay available to make a thumb pot, coiled pot or ornament. There are two sessions: 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
For more contact info@ryemuseum.co.uk or call 01797 226728.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Juliet Duff .