Firstly, I have to say a very big thank you to everyone at the Conquest Hospital A&E department. How I managed it, I simply don’t know, but I got something in my eye on Thursday and there was nothing I could do to budge it. The department was busy and we had a wait of nearly six hours, but the staff were amazing in the way they handled every individual who came through their doors. Dr Will was simply brilliant and I am indebted to his professionalism, as well as to all the nursing and reception staff on duty that evening. And of course to Rebekah who waited with me and took me home at 1:45am!
In other news, negotiations continue on the swimming pool. It is now for the county and district councils to discuss between them how they want to manage the future of the site. The project team have conducted their due diligence and are reporting to Rye Town Council on Monday, September 4. They are still awaiting a response from the Charity Commission on the status of the CIO. The application for registration was submitted 12 weeks ago. Once registration is achieved, the project team will be in a place to submit the final draft of their business plan for running the centre. Swim England have been very supportive and are due to give feedback on this and other policy documents soon.
It is always such a joy to attend the flower and veg show at the community centre, which was on Saturday, August 19 this year. It warms the heart to see so many people from our community coming together to show what they have spent all year sowing, growing and nurturing, or making and baking. The show goes from strength to strength and a very big thank you indeed to Lorna and Helena for organising it all again this year, plus all those who worked so hard to set up and tidy up the hall.
I was delighted to attend the Hub on Rye Hill on Tuesday, August 22 where a presentation was made by the chairman of the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital, Mr Barry Nealon, on how they had gone all out to make this the first carbon neutral hospital in the UK. Very many congratulations to all the team there for making this happen. It was a vision they stuck to, and has seen excellent results. The Hub seems to grow and grow in all that it offers and together, the two establishments serve our community so very well.
It was a great privilege to be invited to see EDF’s Dungeness B power station on Friday, August 25. We were able to see how the plant defueling worked, which is incredibly complex, and we toured all around the various buildings from great heights to hidden depths. As you would imagine, there is very strict safety and security on site at all times and we were fully kitted out and checked out! Thank you to everyone who made this happen and for looking after us so well. I certainly learnt a great deal that afternoon and can far better appreciate how the defueling process works.
It’s been a musical weekend for me too – Rye Bay Crew were singing shanties at Charles Palmer Vineyards on Sunday, August 27 and Rebekah and I did a swing and jazz evening organised by the super landlord and lady, Paul and Debbie, at the New Inn, Winchelsea. It was great to see one’s fellow mayor, David Merrifield and his mayoress, Sandra there with guests, and thanks to all who came along. Next week, Friday, September 8 we are singing with the incredibly gifted Michael Wooldridge on the mighty Wurlitzer for a last night of the proms. Tickets are in aid of Rebekah’s former mayoral charity, the Wurlitzer Academy, to help young people learn through music. A good time is always had by all.
Image Credits: Rye News library , EDF .