Last Friday 5 December was one of the roughest evenings from the weather point of view that I can remember.
The Rye Conservation Society (RCS) held their annual drinks party in the town hall at 6pm, no invitation needed. It is always a good crowd, with very often our local MP, Helena Dollimore (who was unable to attend due to other constituency business), our mayor and mayoress, Andy and Niki Stuart, and a lot of other notables from the town; there were some fine speeches.
Speaking personally, I put on a tidy jacket and did my hair before venturing out of my door into the dark. I was instantly hit amidships by the gale and the rain and arrived at the town hall looking like an elderly ungroomed West Highland terrier. There were one or two other West Highland terriers at the party, but most of the guests looked smart and normal, and obviously had doors that did not open out due south-west.
The wine was delicious, and Rocking Reg Marchant and Jon Turner (who is on the RCS committee) played great soft rock to accompany our gossip, drinking, dancing and raffle ticket buying. Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council, and Rye Rother councillor Simon McGurk were invited guests while Andy Stuart attended both as mayor and RCS committee member. He gave a brief speech praising the work that went into the Christmas lights – which received a £1000 donation from the society and were agreed to be a great credit to the town.
In a gap in the music, David Bookless (our chairman) presented two architectural awards from the RCS, one for the restoration of the war memorial by Elliott Brotherton and partly funded with £500 from the society. The second award was to the Environment Agency represented by the Rye Harbour Master, James Bateman, for the Strand Quay improvements.
At a gallop, the lavish raffle was called with many nice prizes donated by the committee and businesses in Rye and raising around £200 in aid of the Rye Foodbank.
Altogether a successful and enjoyable gathering. Roll on next year’s party.
Image Credits: Col Everett , Heather Stevenson .