Ernest Thompson will be celebrating his 100th birthday on 6 September 2026. What an achievement, especially as he was not well earlier in the year. However he rallied and will spend his birthday lunch with friends, neighbours and family in New Romney where he lives. Having met Ernest several times in Rye it was clear that he is a gentle and lovely individual.
Ernest was born in Essex 1926. He served in the army towards the end of World War II and married Ruth in 1951. While on a family holiday in Biddenden, they visited Rye and he saw the possibility of creating a B&B business. Ernest and his wife (who died in 2019) ran this quality B&B in the Old Vicarage, in Church Square, Rye. By the 1980s they were the winners of the Best National B&B award in England for over a year. Subsequently they ran an antique shop from Simmons on the Mint. Eventually Ernest retired to New Romney in 2019 where a tight community welcomed the newcomer.
Chris followed in his father’s footsteps, dealing in antiques and books. He had studied as a student porter at Christies’ picture department in the 1970s. He moved to Hastings and eventually Rye, where he set up his business with others in Jempson’s Trading Estate on Winchelsea Road. As there was recently a question about the continuation, he moved much of his antiques, pictures, books and many other items to a part of the Emporium in the Rye Cattle Market car park and took over the shop on the corner of Cinque Ports Street, Rye. He has organised his father’s birthday bash and we wish Ernest an enjoyable day on 6 September.
Image Credits: Chris Thompson , Heidi Foster .