Rye News

Little Gate Farm in Beckley, a care farm and registered charity for learning disabled adults and children, celebrates its first birthday on Saturday March...

Mass at St Anthony’s, Rye, this Palm Sunday will be celebrated by the Major Superior of the Greyfriars order, the Very Rev Peter Damian...

Looking to continue their winning streak after beating Tonbridge Junior Gunners U18 5-1 last week Beckley Rangers travelled away to Rotherfield U18s. After weeks of playing on poor pitches it was a pleasant surprise to see a pitch like Wembley! Read Ashleigh Fraser's match report

Icklesham Casuals 2nd team gained an excellent point on Saturday March 14 in a 1-1 draw against high-flyers Punnetts Town, writes David Mayne. On...

Iden continued their cup form by reaching the semi-final of the Hastings Intermediate Cup, beating Hollington FC. In attack, they were very dangerous, but Hollington is a side that never gives up. Read the Iden goalie's match report here

A small army of volunteer gardeners rolled up their sleeves to get their hands dirty planting 300 saplings for the new community garden next to Love Lane allotments. Why not come and help next time? Volunteers are always welcome!

This week's featured film showing at the Rye Kino is ‘Still Alice’ starring Julianne Moore (pictured above) in a heart-wrenching tale in which she plays a linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Read on for reviews and links to trailers . . .

The ongoing dispute between Rother council and Kris Hopkins, the Minister for Local Government, flared again on Wednesday, writes Tony Nunn. Hopkins sent a strong letter to Carl Maynard, Conservative leader of the council, which was headed "TRANSPARENCY: FAILINGS BY ROTHER COUNCIL". In January Maynard had replied to an earlier letter from Hopkins in which he defended his council's behaviour on such matters as not disclosing redundancy packages for senior managers. Those reasons are dismissed by Hopkins

Exchanges enlivened this year’s annual meeting of Rye Partnership when chairman Keith Glazier was confronted with questions from Anthony Kimber and organic farmer Christopher Strangeways. They wanted to know more about the money trail of the Partnership’s projects: a spending breakdown in detail because the accounts presented lacked the detail sought. At one stage Glazier described a £96,000 loss as “not major”, not one that gave the Partnership “any concern” though he did promise that a breakdown of that loss would be sent to Strangeways - a week later that promise has, as yet, to be kept. It also became apparent, after the meeting, that Rye’s town hall has never received minutes of any Partnership meeting. “No reports, summaries or minutes are sent/received,” said Richard Farhall, the Town Clerk. Neither do councillors on the board represent the town council. Sam Soustser says he represents Rother, Jo Kirkham says she represents Rye Voluntary Services

After a tough season, Rye's indoor cricketers were finally crowned league champions, gaining promotion in advance of the new indoor season which starts later this year

The debate between directors of Rye Partnership, members and the public had no flash points but there were clear areas of concern. These included Tilling Green's new community centre, projects and financial losses. We publish some of the exchanges word-by-word . . .

The three finalists in this year's Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition thrilled the audience with virtuoso performances. If you missed their battle for a cash prize and a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, you can appreciate their bravura on Mike Figgis's short film

You'd expect to find booze in a boozer but the landlord of the Robin Hood ended up in court when the Inland Revenue and local constabulary discovered a quantity of smuggled spirits concealed about the property

Wendy Vu, owner of Elegant Nails in Landgate is running in the Hastings half-marathon on Sunday to raise money for a Vietnamese child injured and scarred in an acid attack.

A fascinating talk at Rye Museum illuminated the history of the Vidler family, which has given much service to Rye, from the first John Vidler born in 1789 to the present. This same John Vidler bought the Friars of the Sack house in Church Square, which is still owned by his descendants

Limited tourist information services will move to the Rye Heritage Centre on Strand Quay following the Lion Street office closure. While visitors to the town will find answers to their enquiries, phone calls and email requests will be handled by The 1066 Country website

On Saturday March 14, the Rye Bay Ensemble performed a concert on the theme of 'Women and their lot' at St Mary's Rye. Although mainly Mozart, additional music included songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Kurt Weill and Steven Sondheim among others

Like it or loathe it, farmers on Romney Marsh have embraced the new green revolution of sustainable energy. They're on the hunt for additional income. So, while last year's crops have to be stored to await the right price, solar panels now adorn Simon Wright's Moo Motel - and they don't even need any nurturing

Edward Burra's paintings are emphatic, vibrant, busy, but also include gentler landscapes drawn from around Rye and Hastings. Rye Art Gallery holds paintings, drawings and other personal artefacts and letters - and until June 7 the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings has a major exhibition of this local artist's work

For several nights, residents of the Ancient Town have found themselves cut off from Rye by roadworks on the A259 and having to get home via Pett. This is despite assurances from the Highways Agency and its contractor that they would be escorted in and out of the village.