Rye Town Council agreed to funding requests from local charities totalling £2,260 during the meeting at the town hall on Monday, May 19. Local scouts and guides are set to benefit, along with Rye Camera Club and the charity Family Support Network.
The new approvals mean just £2,740 remains in the council’s general grants reserve for 2025 / 26.
1st Rye Scouts Group receives £750 towards sending local scouts to the 2025 Kent Scouting Festival. Councillors heard the money would help those who couldn’t afford to attend the festival to go. Over 20 Rye scouts will take part in the event which highlights building communities and sustainability, along with zipwires and axe throwing.
£750 was also granted to 2nd Rye Guides and 1066 Ranger Unit to allow them to travel to Ireland for the International Guide Camping August this year. Sixteen 14-19 year olds are expected to attend – the first time for Rye Guides. The meeting heard the guides have been constantly fundraising, with bake sales and craft fairs, towards what was described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.
Family Support Network receives £500. The charity funds a support worker in Rye who helps 10 local families, with 6 on the waiting list. The help it gives was described as being for families who “fall through the holes in social care funding”.
Rye Camera Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary show this year. Councillors unanimously approved a £260 contribution towards the club’s 2025 exhibition which will take place during the Rye Arts Festival at the St Mary’s Centre.
Two further requests were discussed at the town hall meeting. Councillors agreed to put £500 towards new signs and noticeboards at Tilling Green should another funder fall through. Rye Harbour Sailability’s request for money towards the purchase of a new wheelchair friendly boat was deferred.
Image Credits: Stuart Harland .