Here’s a roundup of some of the other stories making the news in Rye this week.
Katy Bourne again
It’s a fourth term for Katy Bourne after last week’s Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner election. The Conservative candidate took 39% of the ballot with 122,495 votes and a majority of 22,993. The count, which took place in Brighton on Sunday, May 5 saw Labour’s Paul Richards second with 99,502, Jamie Bennett from the Liberal Democrats on 48,923, and the Green’s Jonathan Kent making 43,105.
The turnout was 24.2% across Sussex. In Kent, Conservative Matthew Scott was also re-elected as police & crime commissioner.
There were also elections for Hastings Borough Council on Thursday May 2, with 16 of the 32 seats being contested. The Green Party won 9 seats, an increase of 8. Labour won 5, down 2. The Conservatives lost 6, winning just 2 seats. No party has a majority.
Lots to discuss at the town hall
Controversial plans to replace Rye town councillors’ robes are being discussed again this week. A full meeting of the council will decide whether to pay £6,369 over three years on 14 new robes on Monday, May 13 at 6:30pm.
The future of Rye’s public toilets is also on the agenda and residents are being encouraged to attend to share their views. The meeting will also discuss complaints about the behaviour of councillors at the January 29 meeting, Rye Leisure Centre, and developments at Rye’s allotments.
You can read the full agenda on the council’s website.
One of the best
Rye Golf Club has been named as one of the most picturesque in the country, beating more famous courses like Royal St George’s and Royal Birkdale. Analysis of Instagram hashtag data by Betway puts the Old Course at Rye in fifth place.
Oops
A new sign at Rye Harbour has got it very wrong. The sign, which is near the car park, directs visitors to the “Mary Fordham Lifeboat House”. Icklesham Parish Council have confirmed they are arranging for the sign to be changed to the correct name – “Mary Stanford Lifeboat House.” The iconic building has recently been shored up against the tides with a new barrier of shingle. The spring tides had left it facing an uncertain future
Talks in town
There are two big name talks in Rye next week. On Thursday, May 16 at 6:30pm author Alex Preston is in conversation at Rye Harbour Sailing Club.
Martin Newman, vice commodore at the club, say he is looking forward to the hearing more about Alex’s book Winchelsea Beach. “I loved it. Set on the Romney Marshes, its salty chapters are crammed with murder, treason and illicit embraces, with chases, battles and perilous high-seas skulduggery. There is international espionage, a whisper of witchcraft, and a cast of orphans, rogues and redcoats. Really good stuff which is bound to appeal to our membership! And our late commodore, Cary Marsh, had some input into Alex’s research.” Find out more by visiting the club’s website.
Also on Thursday, May 16 there’s a screening and a Q&A at Rye’s Kino featuring a film about the first British woman to swim the English Channel in 1927. Vindication Swim, which was filmed in Kent and Sussex, tells the story of Mercedes Gleitze, a working-class unmarried typist who self-funded all of her swims taking eight attempts to conquer the crossing. However, following her success, a rival emerged, claiming the same feat, which forced Gleitze into a battle to retain her record and legacy.
Kirsten Callaghan, who plays Mercedes Gleitze, and writer and director Elliot Hasler will be answering questions after the film which starts at 7:45pm. More information on The Kino’s website.
Crafters assemble
Rye Arts and Crafts Fair aims to support local creatives unable to get support from more established galleries and art houses. From ceramics to woodwork, paintings to needlecraft, each of the stalls will be hosted by a local maker. The next show takes place on Saturday July 27. For further information, or to book a table, please email ryeartsandcraftsfair@gmail.com. All proceeds to Rye Community Centre.
Get in touch
If you see anything happening in and around Rye our email is info@ryenews.org.uk.
Catch up with breaking Rye News on Instagram and Threads @newsrye. On Facebook follow Rye News, and we are now on Twitter or X search for @NewsIRye.
Image Credits: Mark CC , Katy Bourne , Kt bruce , Nick Forman , Rye News , Kirsten Callaghan , Oliver Brooks .
On council matters, as well as the agenda item to spend over £6,000 on robes, there is a grant application from the Arts Festival for £500 towards the cost of “street artists for free public events” at the Festival. The total cost of the project seems high at £75,000+ (surely this is the cost of the whole Festival?). I’m not questioning the project itself, but why should the council tax payer give money to an organisation that had a net income of over £18,500 last year, had over £62,000 in the bank / cash at the end of last year and unrestricted funds of over £50,000?
Hi David,
The £500 we applied for as the Rye Arts Festival is intended for the opening free events programme that we put on each year for the festival.
You are correct that the figure outlined for the project is for the festival as a whole, not the free programme which costs significantly more than £500 to put on.
Here’s this years current opening free programme (more may be added):
– Current children’s laureate Joseph Coelho & Manjeet Mann are doing schools events for primary and secondary
– Outdoor street entertainment such as seen the last six years by Applause Outdoors.
– A juggling workshop
Here’s a great review of last year’s launch events: http://www.ryenews.org.uk/culture/festivals/arts-festival/arts-festival-fun-for-all-the-family
We also have the following during the festival that are free events:
– Ryebellion Drummers
– The Exhibition and Open Studio at Rye Creative Centre
– Rye Gallery exhibitions
The festival is a charity and part of our remit as trustees is to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover an entire festival, so surplus is essential. The past years have proven this with major events causing significant disruption, cancellations and extreme challenges to the festival (insurance would not cover them), without the buffer that we have managed to rebuild, the festival likely would not have returned.
We are excited to be presenting the 53rd Rye Arts Festival in September this year!
David Angell, Trustee Rye Arts Festival