One of the main strands of the Rye Arts Festival is always a series of talks by people without a current book to sell, but a fascinating and informative story to tell. And this year there are some amazing speakers who come under three headings: crafts, politics and locals.
On Sunday 13 September the festival is delighted to have Richard Talman from the BBC’s The Repair Shop, and Richard will be talking about what he knows best, jewellery!
Andy McConnell, the Rye local who has been a long-standing glass expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, will be at The George on Tuesday 15 September talking about My Glassmaking Heroes, and probably a bit about himself too!
Friday 18 September will see a first for the festival: an event at the beautiful St Mary’s Church in East Guldeford. And this lovely setting will make an intimate venue for a fascinating and informative talk by Sharon Seager on icon paintings, including the art involved and their purpose. For art lovers this isn’t to be missed.
On Friday 11 September, Peter Wilding will be popping over from Brussels to give a talk at Rye Community Centre. As the political commentator and strategist who coined the term ‘Brexit’, it comes as no surprise that on the 10th anniversary of the momentous vote, he will be talking about Brexit, Britain and Europe, and offering fresh insights.
On Saturday 12 September, Gavin Esler, formerly of BBC Newsnight, will talk about how even though today’s society has unparalleled access to information, untruths are trumping evidence time and time again, sometimes by accident, but often by design.
Monday 14 September at The George will see Rye resident, and exile from Hawaii, Graham Ellis talking about the Pacific paradise from when it was ‘discovered’ by Captain Cook, through its status as an independent kingdom to annexation by the USA in 1898 and the changes since.
On 23 September, the historian David Rosenberg will be talking about the Battle of Cable Street, 90 years after the East End community of London came together to oppose and keep out Oswald Mosley’s fascist marchers.
Then there are the locals: Barry Yates, who was warden of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for many years, will be at the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre on Wednesday 16 September, talking about how to take better photos of birds, calling on a lifetime’s experience.
Last, but far from least, Maggie Meadowcoft and her family will be in conversation on Monday 21 September at the recently renovated and reopened Rye Literary Club in Market Rd. It is 40 years since Maggie had the vision to open Rye Watersports and now her adult children have continued to run it, as well as opening Rye Aqua Park, building the Flogo lifestyle brand and gaining success as an artist. Come and find out what makes this talented, entrepreneurial and engaging family tick!
For more information and tickets go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk
Image Credits: Rye Arts Festival .