On Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, the town’s councillors assembled at the town hall to witness the swearing in of the mayor, Andy Stuart, who was starting his second term of office alongside his wife Niki as lady mayoress.
The lord warden of the Cinque Ports, Sir George Zambellas and his wife Amanda were among the invited guests. Also present were the mayor of Winchelsea, Peter Cosstick and his wife Debbie; the chair of Rother District Council, Richard Thomas; the vice lord-lieutenant of East Sussex Graham Peters DL; and the vice chairman of East Sussex County Council, Councillor Abul Azad.
The ceremony in the town hall was a shorter version of the previous year’s because the same candidate was being sworn in for his second year of office. This video presents some of the highlights of the day, formal and informal.
The most eagerly-awaited part of the day occurred after the mayoral party had returned to the town hall: the throwing of hot pennies to the children below in the street. You certainly had to be quick if you wanted one as the children darted energetically in and around the adults’ legs and were as quick as lightning. The joy on their faces was magical as they pocketed their treasures.
Ryebellion Drummers entertained the crowds and then escorted the mayor and mayoress to their home for the after-party with scrumptious curry from the Lemongrass and entertainment from the Rye Harbour Herrings singing shanties in the garden.
At the end of a long but wonderful day Andy said: “Being mayor of Rye is a huge honour, and I am humbled to have been elected by my fellow councillors for a second term. The mayor is the visible tip of an iceberg. Underneath, are so many people who give so much to Rye – all the councillors and the town hall team work tirelessly and my wife Niki who is my constant support. And a privilege of being mayor is that I meet the many citizens who give so much of their time freely to help others, many of whom don’t get or seek public recognition. So, I would like to say thank you to all the people of Rye – you are inspirational!”
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Tony Ham .