Culture

Andy McConnell, one of Britain's leading glassware experts who lives in Rye, turns antiques detective in two episodes of a new BBC2 series currently on our screens. Kleenex tissues, he says, are needed for the first programme he appears in - on Friday April 10 at 18:30

Richard Adams's familiar townscapes peopled with characters we think we know are beloved of Ryers. In a talk to the Friends of Rye Art Gallery, the artist sketched out his earlier career, painting to order, which he abandoned to concentrate on his own distinctive style that is now so familiar to local people

Our weekly look ahead at films showing at Rye Kino. Featured this week is Kenneth Branagh's enchanting new 'Cinderella' (pictured above). Watch Ella's fortunes change after meeting a dashing stranger! Read on for reviews and links to trailers . . .

Ellen Terry will be the subject of a talk at the Rye Museum on April 14 by Terry authority and raconteur Ann Rachlin who will be including some clips from Terry silent films accompanied - as were the originals - by music on the piano.

Our lead article in this month's Fixtures, delivered to local homes by Adams of Rye, is by farmer Simon Wright. He explains why Romney Marsh farmers are on the hunt for additional income to sustain the core business. There are six pages of articles . . .

Rye Society of Artists, which faced a major headache when its Summer Show lost its long standing Boys Club venue, now has a new home in the Dance Hall at Rye Community Centre for August and also is now running a Spring Show for the first time at Rye Art Gallery

Last year's BBC filming of Mapp and Lucia in Rye (EF Benson's 'Tilling') is marked by a new display in the East Street site of Rye Museum which has just re-opened for the summer. It is now open at weekends and Bank Holidays to show off aspects of Rye's varied history - and is free to visit

Winchelsea has only 280 houses but over 50 medieval cellars, more than anywhere else in the country apart from (perhaps) the cities of Norwich and Southampton

The latest show from local drama group Acting Up...

This week's featured film is The Hundred Foot Journey (pictured above), about 'a culinary ingenue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch' showing on Good Friday at the Rye Community Centre Film Club in Conduit Hill. Read on for reviews and links to trailers...

This week's featured film showing at the Rye Kino is ‘Suite Francaise’ (pictured above) - after the screening on Saturday March 28, actor Clare Holman and screen-writer Matt Charman will be at Kino to answer your questions and talk about the making of the film. Read on for reviews and links to trailers

Rye Art Gallery, which had been facing closure, has turned around its fortunes under new Director Jane Fenn. New exhibitions are planned, featuring works from the permanent collection as well as new pieces from local artists like Richard Adams whose latest exhibition opens this Saturday, March 28. Linda Harland, a Trustee of the Gallery looks ahead