Sep 12

Rye Local History Group


In the 1980′s, several members of the Rye Museum Association saw the need for a group interested in researching Rye’s history, and eventually, in 1984, an independent group was set up.  Alan Dickinson was the first Chairman of sixteen Founder Members of the Rye Local History Group, which aimed to research and record information, and hold monthly meetings with lectures and discussions, in Rye Library.

With a new Chairman, Eric Wetherill from 1992, the membership grew apace, needing steadily larger premises.  Outside visits and a regular Newsletter were developed.  A specially commissioned Rye Pottery mug was made available to members in 1994, to mark the Group’s first ten years.

The Group was authorised by the County Archaeologist to to observe and record archaeological and historical aspects of excavations in Rye.  1994 saw Group members working in this way on the Hospital site on Rye Hill, and in 1996 the Group ran its own Archaeological ‘Dig’ in the centre of Rye.

An Index of Holloway’s ‘Antiquities of Rye’ (1994) and an illustrated book of the monumental inscriptions throughout Rye Cemetery (1996) were published, having been researched in detail by Group members.

Much material of historical interest has been given to the Group for preservation and research over the years, and we are grateful to Rye Library for their storage of, and allowing members access to, our well-filled cabinet.  Progress in organisation and growth to 100 members continued for the society which took pride in  its reputation as a friendly group.  

Jo Kirkham, Chairman of the Rye Museum Board of Directors was a recent Chairman.   She was succeeded by Brian Hargreaves who, with his wife Joyce,  produced the excellent Newsletter until December 2004.   It was then decided to amalgamate with the Rye Museum Association.   Local history research continues, and the former Newsletter became the  Rye Museum and Local History Group Journal  in January 2005. It is  still produced regularly by Brian and Joyce Hargeaves.

Updated from an article  by Jo Kirkham in  Rye Millennium