An update from the town hall

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After a lengthy wait, the removal of an abandoned car in The Grove has finally been secured. Many of you will be aware of just how long this has been a rather unsightly “welcome” to Rye. Unfortunately, removing an abandoned vehicle is a long process involving the police and district council, and depends heavily on the MOT, tax and insurance status of the vehicle. Sussex Police has a website dedicated to “Operation Crackdown” which investigates apparently abandoned vehicles. To understand more about the complex process involved, please visit their website.

K6 design phone box outside The Old Borough Arms

Rye Town Council became the new owners of two more of Rye’s K6 red phone boxes at the end of January. Located at the bottom of Conduit Hill and at the Strand, outside the Old Borough Arms, they were being decommissioned by BT and would have been removed without adoption by a local authority or community group. Rye Town Council already owns and maintains one on Udimore Road (now housing a public-access defibrillator). This adoption ensures that the red phone boxes will remain in place as a part of Rye’s traditional streetscape. Plans are now afoot to survey the condition of the phone boxes, with Rye’s town steward team undertaking any necessary refurbishment over the coming months.

We have received many comments about the broken hand-rail on the steps from the Ypres Inn to the A259 in recent months and have been in contact with the county highways department repeatedly to secure its repair. This has finally been undertaken and a new handrail is in place! East Sussex Highways reported that the delay was, in part, due to shortages of the required materials. Regular reports have also been made to the National Highways agency (responsible for the A259) since the damage to the crash barrier located at the bottom of the steps. National Highways have now allocated it as a job, albeit without a definite repair date, along with the significant number of faulty street lights on the A259. We have had confirmation that the lights are all due for upgrade as a matter of urgency and will be attended to in the very near future.

The variety of agencies responsible for different amenities in Rye can be quite baffling. At the town hall we are always happy to advise on who is responsible for what and help with reports of faults or maintenance issues. The information point is now open again, currently Monday to Thursday, 10am – 1pm, and Friday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm (closed from 1pm – 1:30pm). Please do phone or call in and speak to our information assistants who will be able to help with any enquiries you have about public amenities and services. Alternatively, there is a variety of information available via our website.

You may have noticed the scaffolding surrounding the cupola (bell tower) of the town hall over recent months. This summer saw the total refurbishment of this unique feature, after decades of exposure to harsh weather. This has been a lengthy project due to the cupola’s age and unique design – and has involved a number of specialist trades. The last step this spring, after final surveys are made, will be the replacement of the refurbished gold finial. The bell mechanism has also been refurbished and it is hoped that the bell of the town hall may be rung again for civic and ceremonial occasions.

In January, the newly-refurbished John Ryan Triptych – on display in the Buttermarket over Advent and Christmas – was carefully packed away and taken back in to storage. Grateful thanks go to Bournes of Rye Harbour for their generous assistance in helping to look after this unique treasure.

In the winter months the town steward team generally undertake maintenance work on town council properties and this year, after the cupola works, some decorating was required inside the main chamber. The ceiling of the chamber has been carefully repainted by Nicky and Steve, with intricate repairs made to water damage sustained over the past couple of years. It is now beautifully redecorated and ready for the start of our busy wedding season.

Rye Town Council wishes to thank Ian Potter and Sam Wood for their hard work and contribution to the council, with Ian Potter joining in 1999 and Sam Wood more recently in 2019. As they have both recently stepped down from their roles as councillor there are currently two vacancies. Official notice of these vacancies and the procedure for filling them can be found on our website.

Rex Swain in full cry

Sadly, February has marked the loss of one of Rye’s greatest voices, in retired town crier, Rex Swain. Rex was crier for 19 years and a regular feature of the social landscape, making appearances at a huge variety of town events as well as attending many, many weddings during his tenure. He will be fondly remembered by all for his stories and poetry, and his great sense of humour. Rex was made an honorary freeman of the town in 2018 and his time as town crier is marked with a plaque in the garden of the town hall.

Rye Town Council is currently recruiting. We are looking for an information assistant – helping visitors and residents at our information point, and a town hall attendant – attending ceremonies to co-ordinate guests, couples and registrars, and ensure all goes smoothly. If you would like to express an interest in either post and request an application pack, please email townhall@ryetowncouncil.gov.uk.

If you are organising a jubilee event in Rye over the June bank holiday weekend, we would love to know! We will be organising publicity for local events and want to make sure we have included everything. Please contact me with details if you would like your event included: jessica.neame@ryetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Image Credits: Kenneth Bird , Courtesy of Rye Town Council , Rye News library .

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