Rye Castle Museum

An Anglo-Saxon Wedding in the Ypres Tower

The photos below were all taken by professional photographer Nick Chillingworth, father of the Groom. Click to see enlarged full size photos.

The Ypres Tower’s Medieval Herb Garden was the setting for the unusual Anglo Saxon and Fantasy wedding ceremony of Rhiannon Bennett and Graham Chillingworth on Friday 30th July 2010.  The men wore tunics and armour and the Bride and bridesmaids bright faery dresses,  while many of the guests chose to dress in similar fashion.   The Bride arrived atop a  pony-drawn Wedding Carriage.  

Rhiannon and Graham wrote the ceremony themselves, which was kindly officiated by Sarah Pearson.  They incorporated a number of  Viking traditions, such as the exchange of sword and key: the Bride presented the Groom with a sword to use for protecting the family home and to give to their first born son, and the Groom gave the Bride a key, showing that what is his is now hers.

Another Viking tradition they incorporated was the drinking of the Bridal mead. In Viking times, couples weren’t considered legally married until the Bride had presented the groom with a cup of mead, which they would then both drink, symbolising that they were now one in the eyes of the Gods.

Along with the historical traditions, the ceremony included two readings, one from Vincent Van Gogh’s letters, and another by the poet Edward Monkton, as well as live music including ‘Free Bird’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd played on the violin as the processional and an acoustic version of  ‘Dance Me to the End of Love’ which was played during the signing of the wedding scroll, in place of the marriage certificate.

After the ceremony, everyone proceeded to the grass by the side of the castle to watch the couple jump the besom. This is a pagan tradition where the couple jump over a broom, symbolising jumping into their new life together.

The Ypres Tower and the Herb Garden provided a beautiful, historical and spiritual setting for the ceremony and made this a truly amazing occasion, especially as it was such a wonderfully sunny day!

We’ve had a clear run of splendid talks again this past year.  (See  below for summaries)  For a list of 2012 talks through June click here.

Talks normally begin at 7.30pm and are held at the Museum in East Street, Rye, on the second Tuesday of each month, with the exception of August.  Admission is £2.00 for members of the Museum Association and £3.00 for guests. There are light refreshments at about 8.45 pm .  Everyone is welcome.

A Reminder of what you’ve heard / A Glimpse of what you’ve missed  June – December 2011

Tuesday, 13th December
Toy Soliders by Chris Viner

Many people in Rye know that Chris Viner of  Soldiers of Rye has an international reputation and customers worldwide for his military miniatures and models.  Everyone who attended this talk now knows he is also a master storyteller who can teach while he entertains, and will have gone home not only knowing  more about an absorbing hobby but with a greater appreciation of the value of history and of teachers and grandparents who inspire and of staying young by nourishing ‘the child within’.   It was a presentation with ‘something for everyone’  (and his  stories about models of real people–military relatives and friends– led immedidately to at least one new customer!)  Thank you Chris!

Tuesday, 8th November
Towers and Spires of Romney Marsh Churches by Alan Dickinson.

A packed audience came to hear Alan tell about a recent research project to study 27 of the centuries-old bell towers and spires which are such a feature of the Romney Marsh area.  The work was accomplished via snow and ice and ladders of uncertain age but with the aid of modern technology such as dendrochronology.   Lightning strikes and Victorian enthusiasms notwithstanding, Alan’s then and now photos and drawings proved how remarkably well ancient materials and structures have survived the years.    We will all look more carefully and knowledgeably at the churches we pass on the Marsh in future–and perhaps seek out those not visited before.  Alan’s latest book, Rye Through Time was available–and sold out!

Tuesday, 11th October,  East Street
Menaav Star: The Story of a Local Shipwreck  by Carl Bagwell

We are accustomed to learning about shipwrecks of Rye’s past — those built in Rye which met misfortune, or those lost off our coast.   This was a much more recent story.  The Danish Menaav Star successfully unloaded timber from the Caribbean off Camber in 2004 — and having just become an Indian-owned ship,  nearly did not get away.  In narrating the innumerable problems which threatened the ship’s survival before it eventually sailed off again, Rye’s former Harbour master reminded his listeners of the many interlinking factors  — ownership, regulations, crew competence, communications, equipment, weather, local knowledge — to mention only 7 — which determine the outcome of any voyage.

If you need a reminder of just how numerous shipwrecks in Rye Bay and along the adjacent coast have been over centuries past visit the Ypres Tower again, climb up to the first floor and look at the Shipwrecks chart next to the doorway to the balcony.  There is hardly room for another ship’s name on the chart!

Friday 30th September, East Street  Donna Bilak
The Chymical Club: John Allin, Samuel Jeake, Philip Frith and the Pursuit of Alchemy in 17th century Rye and London
(Lecture 3 in her series in aid of the Women’s Tower Project)

Donna Bilak of the Bard Graduate Center in New York was in England again to give a paper at a Cambridge University conference on Alchemy and Medicine from Antiquity to the Enlightenment and made a special trip to Rye to give us another installment of her research findings on leading figures of 17th century Rye: Rev John Allin and his friends Samuel Jeakes and Philip Frith.  John Allin was ejected as Rye’s vicar after the restoration of Charles II and the Act of Uniformity because he was a Dissenter so moved to London where he practiced medicine and pursued the dream of an alchemist to discover ‘the philosopher’s stone’ (by transmutation of metals to gold).

Rye Museum documents have been very important to Donna’s research.  Allin’s correspondence with Jeake and Frith is voluminous and the trio made detailed plans to set up an alchemy laboratory here in Rye.  We all left with a better understanding of alchemy’s lofty original purpose — before the word became associated with charlatans — and a clearer picture of the life and interests of 17th century Rye and London: living conditions,  plague, great fire, scientific interests, New World contacts and all.  Donna has promised us a bound copy of her completed project.

Tuesday 12th July,  East Street
Sussex Industrial History: An Alternative Approach by Geoffrey Mead

Another great treat for members and friends!   Geoffrey, geographer and local historian of Sussex University’s Centre for Community Engagement AND Rye Museum Trustee,  flew us through centuries of local history and then around the countywith the help of photos and maps  to give us a new understanding of the geology, archaeology, industry and culture which have shaped the landscape around us.  A enthusiastic  tour de force which will no doubt prompted  bookings for his 10 week WEA course on this topic which began October 3 here in Rye.   Geoff is also providing a course through U3A if you are a member of that.

Richard brought a superb collection of slides to accompany his most interesting and informative talk on the vanishing tradition of hop growing and hop picking in Sussex and Kent.    His in-depth knowledge, fluency  and wry sense of humour were much appreciated by the capacity audience at East Street,   There will no doubt be many who would like a copy of the new edition of his book on the topic:  Hops and Hop Picking (Shire Publications).  And have you had a look at the pair of stilts handing on the entrance wall of the East Street museum?  These were used by those who maintained the hop poles.  (Hop production in pre-mechanisation days required an incredible amount of labour year-round, always with the threat of destruction by disease or weather. )   As we saw, the stilts were often even higher than out giant-size pair,  and often used on muddy uneven ground.  The Museum has been adding to its collection of hop related items and we hope to mount a display on this topic soon.

 

These photos were taken on the occasion of Captain Pugwash’s 60th Birthday Party held at the Rye Museum East Street  where there is now a new Captain Pugwash Corner.   As you can see, it was a jolly occasion,  attended not only by Captain Pugwash (alias Ray Prewer) and young pirates (aka Jo Kirkham’s grandchildren) but Rye Mayor John Breeds and his wife, local MP Amber Rudd, and many members of the Rye Museum Association.

The most important person on the evening was Mrs Priscilla Ryan who was involved from the beginning with the creation and development of her husband’s much-loved pirate and his mates for the long-running TV series and the series of Captain Pugwash books. The Ryan’s daughter Isabel who helped with the animations for the TV episodes was also able to attend.

If you are bringing children to the museum, don’t forget to ask for the popular Captain Pugwash quiz! 

Catch up here on Events,  Opening Hours and Additions at our two sites, the Museum Website,  Book News,  Opening Hours,  The Women’s Tower Project and Volunteer Opportunities…..

 (There’s lots so keep scrolling down!  The newest posts are available under Said About Rye   and Notable People.)     

News Flashes

The Talks Programme for the coming year is now available.  Click here and get out your diary!

Click on Events at right for photos of the Let’s Build a Roof and Captain Pugwash Birthday Party events.  on 3rd July.

There will be no Coffee Morning in September.

The main reason for the break is that there will be so many Rye Festival and other events in September. We will reesume our popular monthly Coffee Mornings in October.

Exploring Rye with Brian Hargreaves

The book  is out and available at both sites as well as in town.  It includes nearly 100 of Brian’s aplendid drawings of Rye buildings and details.  Price:  5.50

Reminders:  The Ypres Tower is now open all day.

The East Street Museum is open all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays only.   Please note however that it can be opened by special request during the week.  Please contact the Museum: 01797 226728, or info@ryemuseum.co.uk   

We run entirely on the good will of volunteers    If you aren’t already a volunteer steward do think about joining us!     See the note below under On Being a Volunteer.   Also below:  About our Museum Sites and additions to the Rye Museum website.    

Recent Events 

 July 3 

 The two events on this day Let’s Build a Roof and the Captain Pugwash 60th Birthday Party were captured on camera.   Go to Events at right for summaries and photos.   A third set of photos — of a wedding in the Medieval Garden will appear shortly.   

DO COME AND SEE THE NEW CAPTAIN PUGWASH DISPLAY.   There are information sheets to tell you more about John Ryan and Captain Pugwash;  thanks to Anthony Kimber of the Rye Art Gallery for sharing these with us.    You will also want to visit the Rye Art Gallery where you will find Pugwash cartoons and other artwork of John Ryan.    The celebration is a joint Rye Museum and Rye Art Gallery effort.   And the Museum is now selling Captain Pugwash books!  Click here for titles and prices.   

July 13th Visit to Bexhill Museum   

Visiting other museums always generates ideas for our own and that was certainly the case with our group visit to the newly refurbished Bexhill Museum.   Julian Porter, Rother District Curator,  was our guide,  explaining the history of the museum’s development as well as showing the various new exhibition areas: the Costume and Social History Gallery and the new Motoring Gallery.  The eclectic natural history and other cultures exhibitions were  of special interest to some of us as was the accessible archive sections with its many files and interactive computer displays.    While we  were admittedly jealous s of the space,  funds and full time staff possesed by that Museum,  we did enjoy the visit and collect some ideas for use here in Rye.   We ended the afternoon at the De La Warr Pavilion for an excellent tea and a look at their exhibitions, in particular the 60 sculptures of the artist Anthony Gormley in 12 poses making up the Critical Mass roof-top exhibiton.  

Watch out for the announcement of next year’s museum visit!   

Earlier posts give details of earlier events.

About our Museum sites 

 Ypres Tower site

The latest addition at our 13th century  Tower is the Rye Tower Embroidery, an informative (and amusing) history of the castle commissioned as part of the Ypres Tower bid for Lottery money  and created by 20 members of the Rye Stitchers over the last four years   It’s a splendid piece of work worth a special visit/revisit to the Tower.       

A reminder of what else is in the Tower     

In the dungeon there is a display of Arms and Armour, with helmets to try on, and swords to try and wield.  On the ground floor are cells once used for prisoners: one still reminds visitors of  the stark conditions endured by prisoners but another now displays  Rye pottery and a third has become a Still Room  with herbs and spices from the Middle Ages (complementing  the Medieval herb garden in the old exercise yard).  The splendid new addition of the Rye Tower Embroidery now holds pride of place above the ground floor fireplace.     

On the first floor there are beautifully sewn scenes of Rye: the Millennium Embroidery as well as  a relief map of the surrounding  countryside over the centuries and a map showing the scores of shipwrecks off our coast.    From here you can go onto the lookout, designed for looking out for the enemy!  You can look down onto the Medieval Herb  Garden which you can visit later, and across to the Women’s Tower which we are currently raising funds to repair so it can house more of our exhibits.   Built to keep the women and children prisoners when they were separated from the men in 1837, it is thought this may be the only such prison left in the country.     

What is in the East Street Museum?     

There are  displays on many aspects of Rye’s long and prestigious history:   as a  leading Cinque Port,  its shipbuilding, trading and fishing industries;  politics (there are seals from five reigns),  education,  celebrations,  the town’s celebrated pottery and mosaic ware,   domestic life and pastimes . . .   A popular feature is the town fire engine complete with wooden wheels, leather buckets and hoses used between 1745 and 1865.   There are paintings and photos as well as artefacts.    An enlarged and relocated Captain Pugwash display has just been launched (see above).  Judging from the length of time some of our visitors spend here and the comments in our visitors’ book, our Museum is well worth visiting.     

For more on this site, click on Museum Sites at right.     

Publications

The list of Museum books, booklets, maps, postcards and DVDs has recently been added to the site.  Click here to see it.   We are not at present able to provide a postal service, but the full range of titles is available at the East Street site and our topsellers at the Ypres Tower.   We have just added Captain Pugwash titles to our stock,   Scroll down for more Book News.     

 On being a Volunteer

Far from being onerous,  stewarding  offers a chance to meet  interesting visitors and become better acquainted yourself with our exhibits and Rye’s history,  so if you would be willing to help out, please contact the office  info@ryemuseum.co.uk or ring 01797-226728.  You may also want to ask about other ways to help, for example by joining the Rye Muses who organise events which help raise funds, or the Education Committee, or the Gardening group or . . . . .  The full list of possibilities is quite long!    

Women’s Tower Project:  Have you bought a brick (or two?), a stone (or two?)

There are still bricks and stones waiting to be sponsored.   Do you have a sponsor’s certificate yet?   You may collect as many as you like!     Rye Town Council at its meeting of 26th October voted to contribute £5000 to the Women’s Tower Project and the process has already begun:  English Heritage has approved plans; we have paid for architects’ plans with the RTC grant;  proper recording, preservation and storage of items kept in the Women’s Tower is  nearly completed . . . .     

 We are most fortunate to have the  services of Linden Thomas,  a  professionally qualified and experienced  conservator,  recently retired to  Rye, to carry out the important work of looking after the items we will want to display in the restored tower elsewhere) and ensuring they are properly documented and cared for.     

If you too would like to be part of this project and have not received a leaflet providing details and a form, do visit either of the Rye Castle Museum sites or contact the Museum  ( 01797-226728 or info@ryemuseum.co) You would have the satisfaction of knowing you had helped to save a special building of our town so it can not only be used by Ryers but also provide yet another attraction for visitors.      

Rye Museum Website   

There are now nearly 100 articles and some improvements to design and navigation.  (Just added, for example are two pieces on E F Benson by Allan Downend, and another on Geoffrey Bagley, largely by Rosemary Bagley under Notable People), plus more photos under Events.    More to come of course,  so be sure to visit– and revisit.   Click on any of the Local History headings and you will be taken to a page headed by a list of subtopics already available.    The newest will always be on top.   Sample the lot, or click on one that interests you.     If you have writing/editing/web  talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com      

We are 100 years away from Edwardian Rye.   One new ‘post’ on the site will give you  an idea of the changes in Rye since then,,  Click here to see it.   

Book News

Exploring Rye with Brian Hargreaves  is now available at both museum sites.  Nearly 100 precisioned line drawings of Rye buildings and details!  Price:  £5.50.

The Museum is now stocking Captain Pugwash books.  Click here for titles and prices.   

Do you have your copy of  Rye in World War II?  This was the subject of  Jo Kirkham’s Address at the 2009 Remembrance Day Service at St Mary’s Church, Rye.   Following requests from a number of people for a printed version of the address,  an illustrated booklet  is now available at £3.50.      

Copies may  be purchased at the Rye Heritage Cente  or  at either of the Museum sites.   All proceeds will go to the Women’ s  Tower Project so that this part of Ypres Tower, home of the Rye Museum, can be restored and re-roofed  and brought into active use.  

New looks at Rye

A lovely little book for all Ryers:  John Griffiths’  Shapes, Colours and Materials: a look at buildings in Rye, Rye Conservation Society. £6.99.   Buying through the Museum helps the Museum!       

Do you have these yet?

These both deal with Rye before 1660–the result of years of research, deliberately complementary,  must-haves for anyone seriously interested in Rye’s history.  Both available from Martello Bookshop–or ask at the Rye Library     

Gillian Draper, Rye: A  History of a Sussex Cinque Port to 1660, Chichester: Phillimore, 2009    

David and Barbara Martin, Rye Rebuilt: Regeneration and Decline Within a Sussex Port Town, 1350-1660. Romney Marsh Research Trust, 2009