Gillian Roder was a guiding light at Rye News for many years, a steady hand on the rudder, navigating both calm waters and choppier tides with quiet assurance. Her counsel has always been thoughtful, her judgement measured, and her support given freely and generously. She offered not just advice, but encouragement, the kind that steadies others and strengthens a team. Her presence will be missed a great deal, and her influence will linger long after her departure.
Early life
I was born in Hampton in 1947 to Norah and Geoffrey Forge. I had an elder half sister who died recently, of whom I was extremely fond. A happy childhood in the Home Counties followed, and I attended Surbiton High School as my secondary school. Good at English, History and Art, I can’t say I was a star at anything else, though I did get 3 A levels.
Urged on by my mother, who was an absolute believer in education for girls, I decided to train as an occupational therapist at a college dedicated to the profession in Oxford. I managed to get married whilst I was there, possibly not the wisest move, but there we are! I had a very successful course and loved every minute of it. OT is a rehabilitation profession working with people who have had both physical and mental health challenges and I loved the problem solving.
Retirement
I worked until over 60, by which time my first husband had acquired an honour and become Sir Philip, we had divorced after 10 years and I had married again. I had two children of my own and two stepsons, one of whom, David, lives in Rye.
On retirement, I moved to Rye with David’s father who sadly died after four months so I found myself with few friends and not at all sure what to do next! So I tried lots of things I’d never done before and in the process worked at the Christmas card shop, where I met Jane Nunn who, with her partner, Tony, was running and editing an online newspaper, Rye News. She and her husband were looking for sub-editors and writers and I thought, why not?
Working for Rye News
I was perfectly awful at first and ruined many a good story, all put back together by Tony as editor. However, I improved at last. This online publication had been set up by Kenneth Bird, a really imaginative and different way of working, ably assisted by Dennis Leeds-George and one or two others. Dennis remains a stalwart figure, though Kenneth decided to stop a couple of years ago.
I had joined near the beginning and then worked on until this year. I sub-edited and worked for every editor (we kept changing it’s hard work!) each of whom had a slightly – or major – way of working the layout, the number of stories to be printed, when it was to be finalised – I could go on. Let’s just say every person has a different take! And a different personality!
I loved writing and subbing. Remember the Landgate series of articles? We got money for the tower from that, and an awful lot of controversy. I found Rye News enjoyable and challenging and I loved the different people who became involved over the years. And the editors! Charlie Harkness of course died very recently and sometimes nearly made me resign! But he was a good soul.
Retirement from Rye News
I have decided to retire now as I think Rye News is changing again and I am in my late seventies, so don’t really feel ready for yet another change with a new layout, so goodbye to all that. I am already missing you, but every cat has her day!
Kenneth Bird writes, “Where would Rye News have been without Gill Roder? Her contribution to the success and sheer readability of Rye News has been enormous. Gill was always ready to volunteer to cover a story and she loved writing about the gardens at Great Dixter. Always modest, Gill has shown her warm and caring side for the life of the members of the team, particularly in her concern for Charlie Harkness in his illness.”
James Stewart, current editor of Rye News writes, “The heart and soul of Rye News. Along with the rest of the team I really appreciate your support, kind words, and enthusiasm for what we do – plus your forensic attention to detail. You’ve been a huge part of Rye News since the start and I’m so glad you’ll continue to be part of it on the board. And writing!”
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Juliet Duff , Martin Bruce .