Paying tribute to her father, Bridget Foster looks back at the life of Tony Mann who died in September. Tony, and his wife Sheila, ran The Flushing Inn on Market Street in Rye for half a century and was a familiar face and friend around town.
Anthony “Tony” John Mann 1930-2025
Tony Mann was born on March 1, 1930 in Richmond, Surrey. At the beginning of the Second World War, the family moved to Torquay, Devon, where his parents bought a small hotel, Beechmoor, and a lifelong love of hospitality began. He was educated at Torquay Grammar School before attending Torquay Catering College, where he met his wife Sheila. Whilst in his second year, he applied to the Hotel and Catering Institute for an apprenticeship in France. He earnt a waiting position at Le Vendôme in Aix-en-Provence, where he rapidly learnt to speak French. He was not allowed to serve in the restaurant until he could converse properly with the customers; 3 weeks later he was confidently waiting tables. He stayed at Le Vendôme for a year and then worked for a further 3 months in Basel, Switzerland.
In 1953, while working at The Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly, London, he won a raffle to go with a guest to view the Queen’s Coronation Procession from one of the windows; he, of course, invited Sheila to share the moment. They married two years later, in 1955, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades. In 1956, they came to Rye to manage The Hope Anchor, where they stayed until 1959. Heather, their eldest daughter, was born in September 1958.
After a brief period running The Belvedere Arms in Virginia Water, Ascot, with Tony’s parents, they were eager to return to Rye. Early in 1960, they were visiting Rye and Tony met a friend who told him that The Flushing Inn was about to go on the market, and as they say, the rest is history.
In 1961, Tony and Michael Gregory, from The Mermaid Hotel, formed The Rye Hotel Association, fostering collaboration between local establishments, producing a guide to the restaurants and accommodation in and around Rye. They would hold regular meetings at different member establishments, ending each year with a celebration dinner at one of the hotels. The following year, Tony and Sheila launched the much-loved “Gastronomics” evenings at The Flushing Inn. The idea was to fill the restaurant on Friday evenings in the autumn and winter. They started initially with just four nights, but they proved to be very popular, and grew very rapidly due to demand with some customers attending every evening. The menus created were inspired around their travels to Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and regions of France. In 1966, their second daughter Bridget, a Ryer, was born at home, in the top room at The Flushing Inn.
The Flushing Inn trained over 50 apprentices; over 35 trainees have remained in various forms of catering over their lives. Tony was deeply proud of this legacy of mentorship and service. The Flushing Inn remained at the heart of their lives for 50 years until October 2010, when it was sold and became a private home. Tony and Sheila continued to live next door at Monk’s Way until 2016, when they moved to Bewick Court.
In semi-retirement, Tony liked to keep himself busy and use his hospitality skills elsewhere. He volunteered at Sissinghurst and Bodiam and he loved driving the buggy and chatting to the visitors. A few years later when the driving became a bit much, Tony volunteered at Lamb House and at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. It was his mission to ensure everyone he met had an enjoyable visit and now in Rye, he was able to enhance those conversations with local knowledge and history. Especially as Lamb house had such a dark connection to the Flushing Inn.
Sheila’s passing in November 2021 was the greatest loss of Tony’s life. Though determined to reach 100 and receive his telegram from the King, he missed Sheila immensely. Still, he kept his wit, kindness and love of company. He would frequently be seen walking around the town or having a drink in the Kino or a meal with Tony Pape in The Hoof, where they would meet once a week and put the world to rights.
On Friday September 19, 2025, Tony died peacefully in his sleep at home; he will be greatly missed by all the family, we have lovely memories of his sense of humour, kindness and wisdom. He was the epitome of hospitality. We like to imagine him now, reunited with Sheila, laughing with her and winding her up as he so often did.
Funeral service is at St Mary’s Church, Rye, on Thursday November 13 at 1.30pm.
Image Credits: Bridget Foster .
What a lovely man. I remember the Flushing Inn in the 70’s, it was very impressive and creative, inspiring my love of food – now I read where he was trained it all fits into place. RIP …
What a touching tribute Bridget has written to her dear father, Tony Mann. He and Sheila were immensely proud of their 2 daughters, Heather (Flynn) and Bridget. Bridget was born on 16th April 1966 ; a day of great celebration in Market Street when Tony and Sheila welcomed their 2nd daughter and I set out from my home just opposite The Flushing Inn to marry Christopher at St. Anthony’s!
Thank you Bridget for a wonderful tribute for your father’s achievements and the love and support of your mother.
I have happy memories of his stories of life in Rye.
One afternoon I was at Rye medical centre car park and as a friend was getting into my car your father and mother were getting into theirs and we greeted I mentioned my friend in had remembered when she and her husband had visited Rye they had a memorable meal at the Flushing Inn .This was before my friend came to live in Rye as a widow.
Condolences to all the family.
Very sad news. Tony and Sheila were the kindest neighbours anyone could wish for.