Burglaries linked
Sussex Police are linking three burglaries at homes in Beckley and Playden which took place on Thursday, June 12.
The homes were broken into that morning and jewellery, cash and an antique tea set were stolen.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in these areas between 9.20am and 11.40am? Were there any vehicles not normally seen in the area? We are appealing for anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting serial 0539 of 12/06.”
Making policy
In September and October 2023 hundreds of homes and businesses in Rye, Winchelsea and Camber were without water – some for as long as nine day. The incident has now been highlighted into a government report into the water industry which was published on Monday,June 16.
The report, from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, says the Rye water outage is an example of Southern Water’s poor response to what it describes as a “high impact event”.
The MPs describe the water industry as “failing” and in need of “root and branch reform”. The report says there is a cultural problem in the sector and call for “a major refresh of the incentives and drivers” and “much more regulated management of financial incentives for senior executives”.
Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye, presented the Priorities for water sector reform report to Parliament on behalf of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons on next Thursday, June 19.
Councillors assemble
There’s a full meeting of Rye Town Council this Monday, June 23. The agenda includes updates on local government reorganisation, Rye’s public toilets, and the latest from the Rye Community Land Trust on plans for housing on the Tilling Green Playing Fields.
You can read the full agenda here. The meeting starts at 6.30pm at the town hall and is open to the public.
Open Day at Rye Tennis Club
Rye Lawn Tennis Club is having its Open Day this Saturday, June 21 from 9.00am to 4.00pm for both members and non-members, with free tennis, padel, squash and croquet coaching sessions for all ages, and a mixed doubles tournament on the grass courts (all bookable in advance).
There will be a chance to take a tour of the club, have a drink at the clubhouse bar and a picnic on the lawns, and there will be an opportunity for informal play on the courts.
More information about the day, the schedule of activities and to book coaching and tournament entry can be found here.
Stealing the show
The Monday Rye Open Gardens are well under way and have had an incredibly successful start so far, as Col Everett explains. “This week it was the turn of our mayor and his wife, Andy and Niki Stuart. The garden is enormous and beautiful, and because it was Sussex Day, Niki treated us all to three or four wonderous Sussex cakes. All devoured in a second, along with actual proper coffee. We had between 70 and 80 people, and the resulting monies this week went to the Community Bus. (We take it in turns with the hospital, the church, the food bank, and the Community Bus).
“Andy, our Mayor, wasn’t wearing his normal chain of office however, but more by way of a small chocolate coloured puppy! New to the family and called Cassie. Cassie needless to say stole the show as much, or indeed more than the garden and the cakes!”
There’s a further chance to see Andy and Niki’s garden this weekend – one of the best gardens in the whole of Rye. They’re opening again on behalf of Rye Conservation Society, this Sunday June 22 at Little Orchard House, 3 West Street from 2.30-5pm.
If anyone would like the ROG list do email Col Everett at colkins@btinternet.com
Thanks for coming
Huge thanks to everyone who came along to our Meet Rye News evening on Wednesday June 11 at Rye Kino. The bar was packed with people who support the paper – new and old.
We’re always looking for new members of the team to report on stories in and around Rye. You can read more about how you can join us in this article about last week’s event.
If you like more information, do get in touch by emailing info@ryenews.org.uk
Rye News will be organising another Meet Rye News get together in the autumn. Email us if your club or pub would like to host!
Image Credits: Juliet Duff , Sussex Police , Nick Forman , Stuart Harland , Olli Hopkins , Col Everett , Kt bruce .
Rye has become a year round tourist attraction and for the Council to ‘sell off’ the toilets for a varity of uses is ill thought out. It will see a significant reduction in facilities. I cannot see much space being allocated for public toilets in these commercial settings. Was a minimum number written into the leases. From what I have read there is none. Are the enterprises required to put clear signage up that there is ‘free public use of toilets here’. Probably not. The Town Council have done a diservice to residents and visitors.