There’s so much to recommend about living in Rye, but how would you sell our town to someone thinking of moving here? For Col Everett the Kino is top of her list, but the less said about the scavenging seagulls the better.
I was asked very earnestly the other day by an old friend and lover of Rye to give a few pros and cons of living here, as he was attempting to persuade his parents to come on in and retire here.
It really set me thinking about proper priorities. Not just the beauty of the place and closeness of everything, but what exactly makes it all worthwhile and such fun.
After a lot of argy-bargy in my mind, the Kino came out top. As a family we have battled our way and our bank balance to go to the Royal Opera House for opera and ballets – not frequently but religiously, in a vain effort to turn our farmyard children into culturally aware beings. And here on our collective doorstep, the Kino with its three screens, bar, comfort, warmth and every possible luxury, brings ballet, opera and all the current films right to us. Along with other wonderful special art events.
For example, live streamed from the Royal Opera House last night was the fabulous and mad production of The Magic Flute which attracted just about a full joyful house. We all went home full of music and magic, conscious that it had been a flawless evening very well spent. And all so ridiculously close to home. Also from the New York Met on 2 May, a live streamed performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. So unbearably romantic. Not to mention three cracking live performances from The National Theatre – including Les Liaisons Dangereuses, with our topless Aiden Turner from Poldark taking the lead!
I didn’t want to batter my friend with too much, but I had to mention that in the citadel you get full benefit of church bells. St Mary’s (before morning service on Sundays starting at about 10.15) with a practice on Thursday evenings. And at the Roman Catholic church in Watchbell Street the bells strike the hour which is lovely to hear (although they silence them at night). This is such an atavistic sound and I feel it’s in all our souls.
I did also mention that if you walk in any direction for about 200 or 300 yards you will come to open country or open water, making the town seem satisfactorily small, compact and strangely rural… very comforting for ex-farmers and gardeners.
Ah, speaking of gardeners, the extraordinary number of fabulous, small, secret gardens (as show-cased on Monday mornings 11 to noon; see below for the contact list) is astonishing. Eat your heart out London.
I could go on, but in trying to think of some real cons my husband didn’t help at all.
Badly laid, wobbly pavements to bring even the fittest down. “Well, we all come here to look after our elders and betters and then die.”
What about the government in 1974 taking away all our money-making and other assets from Rye Town Council, giving up those assets of our ancient Cinque Port to be ruled by Rother District Council in Bexhill. “That’s political and not germane to the issue say I.”
Wretched squawking seagulls emptying our bins all over the streets. “Yes, but some people love them.”
Trains that don’t sync with the London trains out of Ashford. “Well at least we have a station.”
Tourists who step out in front of the car. “Just leave in good time, and drive slowly and wave at them.”
In the hope that the massive pros, along with a hundred others, far out-weigh the small insignificant cons, I submitted this to my chum.
What would you add to the list?
To find out more about what’s on at Rye Kino call 01797 226293 or https://www.kinodigital.co.uk/rye
For more about Rye Open Gardens get in touch with Col Everett on 07850 219956 or email colkins@btinternet.com
Rye News invites letters and opinions from readers on all aspects of local life. If you would like to write for us email info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Col Everett .