A strange feeling of surreal calm descended on central Rye on Saturday, perhaps the calm before the storm but a moment to savour nevertheless, for the Rye Christmas Festival was gathering pace and, if the numbers already there were anything to go by, it was going to be a busy and very successful day.
There was something conspicuous by its absence, traffic! The security team at the entrance to Landgate made sure no vehicles passed them. Instead, pedestrians had the rare freedom to be able to meander along without having to use the eyes in the backs of their heads, no parked cars, no delivery vans half on and half off the pavements, even the double yellow lines, normally occupied on a Saturday were devoid of the usual illegal parkers, bliss!
Two teams of horses and carriages, one black, one white, were the exception to the rule as they trotted by, the paying guests being toured around the town at a leisurely canter. This was real horsepower.
Live music could be heard from Rye Lodge outdoor terrace and opposite, stall holders occupied the lookout. Period costumes were dotted around, the shop keepers taking part at last had something to smile about, and a pre-Christmas push was just what was needed in many cases.
More live music filled the Buttermarket where large crowds had gathered as well as two four legged fans (see photo).
Whilst inside St Mary’s, the rehearsing choir had just finished, the Lights of Love tree looked resplendent, and opposite the church doors, “Forget Me Not” had brought their wares outside the shop, so there was business to be done!
Dotted along the High Street were various eats and drinks vendors, and the converted Citroen vans were attracting interest.
Outside the former NatWest bank the Rye Ukulele Experiment was in full swing, strumming and singing, giving it their all.
An old fashioned organ on Market Street was competing with a choir outside the Baptist church and just around the corner on Cinque Ports Street the car park had been transformed into a fun fair, much to the delight of the many children, dying to have a whirl on the giant cup and saucer ride.
There, there were more stalls selling eats and drinks, a lady reminiscent of Mary Poppins was holding onto a huge selection of balloons but she managed to keep her feet on the ground.
There were queues forming outside some of the local hostelries and in Jempsons carpark there were some very healthy looking reindeer under the watchful eye of a seasonally dressed Mother Christmas, the kids were awestruck, you could see them thinking, “Is there a Father Christmas after all?”
No doubt there were many other attractions which arrived after my brief tour of the town but from what I saw, it was going to be a festival to remember.
Well done to all the organisers and volunteers for making it happen, months of planning and hard work have been worth it, the shop keepers and businesses deserve the extra trade, it’s been a tough year, so let’s see what the future holds for all of us after this Thursday’s election.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Thank you, Nick, you have very effortlessly captured the wonderful feel of the day, which was indeed testament to the vision and hard work of the organisers. One of your points caught my eye – the blissful peace and relaxed ease which descends on the High Street when it is substantially free of traffic. I am aware that there are arguments for and against prohibiting all but essential traffic movements from the High Street, East Street, Lion Street, West Street and Market Street, but having little or no traffic makes the town a very much nicer place to visit. And the nicer it is to visit, the more people come, all to the benefit of the town. Just saying!
I would agree with Bob Harper. Having been a town councillor in the past I have heard all the negatives re a car free high street. However I still think we could at least try it one day a week, maybe saturday from 11 to 3.
Every year the high street occasionally is closed for certain events and lots of people visit and love not having to worry ab cars. Other towns say the shops benefit.