A new off-licence
Rye will be getting a new convenience store selling alcohol if a licence is approved. Premier Stores has made the application for 24 Winchelsea Road in a building that used to be a gym. It hopes to open an off-licence seven days a week from 7am until 11pm.
Rother District Council says comments are welcome on the application until June 16. More details here.
Hospital cash
The government has announced funding to improve patient facilities at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust will receive £8.5 million, and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will receive £2.3 million.
The money is to tackle long-term problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and
electrical issues, which the government says will help to prevent thousands of cancelled operations and appointments.
Helena Dollimore MP for Hastings, Rye and the villages described the funding as “vital” and
“another step in this Government’s mission to fix the dire state of public service infrastructure.”
Rural crime
Sussex Police says there has been an increase in thefts of agricultural equipment across rural areas in Rother. Tractors and quad bikes, power tools and hand tools, trailers and other farm machinery and fuel are all being targeted.
Investigations are also continuing after wildlife crimes at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. A reserve spokesperson says people have been using dogs to hunt rabbits and a moth trap has been stolen.
So much to do
An event in Winchelsea next week showcases some of the clubs, societies and events taking place in the town, with a chance to find out more.
It takes place in Winchelsea Court Hall on Saturday June 14 11am-1pm.
Mayor Peter Cosstick says people will be surprised at how much goes on in Winchelsea. “This is a great opportunity to meet representatives from most of our the town’s clubs and societies all under one roof. Learn what they do, the events planned, and how you can be kept informed. We offer so many diverse events and activities, please come along and see what we do. There are no formal presentations, so simply ‘pop in and pop out’ when you so wish.”
Planning meeting
Rye Town Council’s Planning and Townscape Committee meets at the town hall on Monday, June 9 at 6.30pm.
The agenda includes an application from Rye Food and Wildlife Community Garden to erect a new shelter with wood burner and a bread / pizza oven.
You can read the agenda here.
Be a part of Rye News
A quick reminder, if you fancy finding more about joining the Rye News team, we’ve an open evening at Rye Kino next Wednesday June 11 at 6-8pm.
We’re looking for new volunteers to report on life in Rye. You could be covering one of Rye’s many events, interviewing a fascinating local, chasing a breaking news story or following up leads from our readers – there’s no shortage of things or people to write about.
You could also help with putting the paper together: proof-reading and double-checking articles, selling advertising, creating social media or publishing the paper on a Thursday afternoon.
Image Credits: Clear Air Flying / Stuart Cooper , RDC , Geograph/Julian P Gruffog https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3132519 CC https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/, Sussex Police , Peter Costick , Stuart Harland , Rye News .