As this is the final edition of Rye News for 2023, it seems fitting to update you on what has happened this year and our plans for the future. It’s been a very busy year for Rye News and a new exciting phase in our development as we continue to grow.
Regrettably, many local publications have ceased trading this year but thankfully Rye News is here to stay and by adapting to change, listening to our readers and recruiting the right people we continue to produce a weekly paper which has a large and loyal following.
2023 has been a year of change for Rye News, a transitional phase in our development and the opportunity to take a good look at ourselves, see where we have got to, understand where we need to be and implement a workable plan to make sure we get there.
When I took over the role of editor in April this year a small group was formed to brainstorm a plan for our future and then roll it out. This involved a lot of planning, time and energy which has been driven by Rye News director and company secretary, Peter Connock with James Stewart (Ryecast), Natasha Robinson, Rye News director and social media guru, and me. Juliet Duff stepped up to the role of deputy editor and we have recently recruited two additional sub-editors, Christina Hurst and Lenka Medlik which enabled us to produce up to 25 stories and articles a week. We have also engaged Gibbons Mannington and Phipps to administer our accounts and Gemma Dilworth as bookkeeper.
Various new initiatives have been introduced to the paper including News in Brief which is proving to be very popular and M’s author corner has brought forward new writing competition winners. James Stewart’s Ryecast continues to grow in popularity, capturing important conversations with local people, for us all to keep and savour.
Rye News now has a permanent base, thanks to the generosity of a local benefactor, we have a very nice office and meeting facility above the cricket pavilion on the Salts which we share with another local recently formed charity, Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR). We felt it was important to secure a professional working environment where we can meet, work, interview and enable our readers and supporters to come and see us and see how we operate.
We have an important role to fulfil and have supported various community projects this year and campaigns which include the community allotments, keeping the swimming pool open, highlighting social and economic issues including parking, playground equipment, water shortages, potholes and resurfacing issues and many, many more. But this is what we do, we report news, support local events and businesses, encourage debate and interaction and keep everyone informed as much as we are able.
We have talked about holding a public meeting with our sponsors, donors and supporters and now that we have a suitable venue, we are planning to hold this during February next year. It’s important that you have the opportunity to meet the team, share your ideas and views with us and see what we are all about, 2024 will see further positive changes at Rye News as we continue to grow.
We have a great team of writers, photographers (thank you Kt Bruce), administrators, sub-editors and directors who all pull together to make Rye News happen each and every week, my personal thanks go out to every single one of them who give so much of their time and energy to making Rye News what it is today. Every member of our team plays a part in making the paper what it is, none of us are paid, we do it because we care but without the support of our readers, donors and subscribers we couldn’t function.
From all of us to all of you may we take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support for Rye News and wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and very best wishes for the coming year ahead.
With kind regards,
Nick Forman
Editor, Rye News
Image Credits: Kt Bruce .
Great stuff, Nick and team. Keep doing what you do – Rye News is a fantastic resource. Merry Christmas and here’s to 2024! Let’s hope there’s lots of good news to write about!
Thank you Guy and also thank you for all your comments and submissions which are always well received. Merry Christmas to you and your family, see you in 2024!!
Well done Nick and the team, your support for local organisations and businesses is appreciated as are all the articles. Merry Christmas
Thank you all for Rye News, which we always look forward to reading. You are doing a great job and we appreciate it. Happy New Year and here’s to many years of Rye News.
Michele and Ed Elliott
What would we do without Rye News?!
Rye News. The place to go to for real news and timely!
Thank you Nick and team for your hard work. Friday mornings wouldn’t be the same without enjoying the latest Rye News over breakfast! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2024 to you all.
A great local paper.
Thanks, Nick and the team. I always enjoy the articles and especially love the Mayor’s updates and Arts stories. You do a magnificent job for the people near and far who like to stay in touch with events in and around Rye. A friend in Cambridge with whom we speak regularly is a case in point. Happy Christmas and best wishes for great News in 2024.
Many thanks to all involved on Rye News.
A pleasure to read every week.
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas & a prosperous 2024.
Rye news is a wonderful read. Thank you.
Please could you not write in blue words, I am partially sighted & can’t read it.
otherwise,WELL DONE, HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HERE’S TO NEXT YEAR.
Many thanks and congratulations to the team at Rye News. My ties and love for Rye run deep and I am so grateful for this team in allowing me to keep in touch. I live in Southern California and only get home for a few months a year, so Rye News is a vital link.
I read Rye News avidly each week and thoroughly enjoy its content as it provides me with a means to keep up to date with the goings on in Rye despite living in New Zealand. Christmas in a southern hemisphere summer is never quite the same and it’s great to hear about Christmas in Rye.
Regards
Chris Clark.
Thank you very much to Nick and every member of the extended team, Rye News is a fabulous way to enjoy local news, receive updates, celebrate good things, find out what’s on and so much more.
You are greatly appreciated.
Brilliant work.
Wishing you all a very happy and restful Christmas time.
Hi Nick, being appointed to the helm of an existing business, in this case Rye News, is always a challenge.
You have met the challenge head on and look at the changes in eight months. Congratulations.
Of course, you need an experienced and dedicated team around you. There is no doubt you have that.
So, congratulations to you all at Rye News – volunteering your time to produce interesting, relevant news that engages with its readers is to be acknowledged and championed.
On a personal note, thank you Nick for the recent articles about the development of Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR).
We look forward to having more ‘happy’ newsworthy stories in Rye News to share with the communities of eastern Rother in addition to Rye.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2024.
Here, here Nick. To the Rye news, reporters, photographers, community, creative team. You dedication and commitment is immeasurable. Here’s to an ever growing community paper in 2024 and of course loyal readers too.
We thoroughly enjoy Rye News. It keeps us up to date about our 2nd home, Rye, and it is a delight to see photos of places we recognise. Deeper insights are gained about the people and politics of Rye and vicinity. We are glad to learn Rye News is on a firmer footing, with good offices and a promising future.
Thank-you.
Victor and Teresa Clarke
Kingston Ontario Canada
Well done Nick and Team for all you do behind the scenes to make the Rye News such a success. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New Year!
Fabulous Nick and your team! Thank you for keeping us all up to date with everything Rye and supporting all the local businesses and Charity Shops.
Merry Christmas