Made in Rye and fit for a queen

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The first talk of 2015 at Rye Museum’s East Street site takes place on Tuesday February 10 at 7:30pm when Viv Challans will discuss “My Grandfather and Rye’s Mosaic Ware”. One of the town’s most notable products of the past, this was Rye’s version of the famous Tunbridge Ware, and sought after by the likes of Queen Mary. There are examples of it in the museum.

Challans is the granddaughter of Thomas Littleton Green, who produced his works at Rye Mosaics on Market Road – approximately where the entrance to Jarrett’s Close is today. The production of mosaic work was more complicated, painstaking and slow than one can imagine for a product made on a commercial scale: an intricate pattern design, hundreds of tiny pieces of different woods cut by hand, layers of varnish . . . It’s a fascinating story which you can learn more about on the museum’s  website — but to bring the story to life it is recommended you come to the talk!

Rye Museum has a reputation for excellent talks bringing to life stories of Rye’s past. Usually illustrated, they are a way of finding out about many subjects, including Victorian schooldays in Rye;  archeological finds around Rye; life for Ryers in Napoleonic times or in the World wars; Winchelsea’s  days of glory; Rye’s Castle and the Women’s Tower, and famous men and women of  Rye. To find out what other talks are scheduled in the first six months of this year, visit the museum website.

Admission for members is £2, for guests £3 — including refreshments, which are served at approximately 8:45pm. Call 0179728 or email for more information.

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