It was a very sad week for Rye to see the passing of Phil Mallen, who died suddenly and unexpectedly late last month. Phil was a great guy, always happy, with a smile on his face. He was a great help to me as part of the team who put up Christmas lights over the years, whether shinning up ladders himself or passing them up to others. He also helped with the sea festivals, staking out the site and setting things up. He was always fun and nothing was too much trouble. He was a good friend to so many in Rye and will be sorely missed. It is true that the good guys go too early, and my condolences and thoughts are with Angela and the family.
I was delighted to see Diamond Koz take on the running of the new fish and chip shop on the Strand. Fred and the family work extremely hard and I am sure that this will be just as successful as the excellent Koz restaurant in Cinque Ports Street. I wish them the best of luck in their new endeavours.
Rye Bay Crew has done two sell-out scallop and shanties evenings as part of Rye scallop week, with chef-baritone Jonathan Breeds at his Queens Head pub. We have also sung at a private 70th birthday at the lovely Charles Palmer Vineyards.
Rebekah and I were delighted to be invited as friends of Heringtons to the Hastings International Piano Competition finals on Friday, March 1. It was fascinating how varied the three interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto could be, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
We have also had the annual town meeting and an informal meeting with developers for the Winchelsea Road Aldi site this week. Our next town council meeting will be on Monday, March 25, and I do hope you will come along to hear what is going on in the town and feel able to contribute at public question time.
Image Credits: Mallen Family .