January 2011
News Flash
We must add a proviso to our announcement that the Ypres Tower will be open to visitors all day every day (10:30 – 3:30) during the winter season, namely Weather Permitting! On occasion even stewards have been unable to reach the Tower because of poor road conditions. If you are making a special journey to visit the Tower, we suggest that you ring first on 01797 227798 to make sure that it is open. (Please do not use this number for other Museum enquiries).
For normal hours which we will do our best to keep, please check Hours and Charges at right.
Some Suggestions
If you haven’t checked Latest News recently, we recommend you click that heading at right and check the November and December posts to see what you might have missed, as most of what follows is new. As for new posts: The newest is The Gungarden Story: an 800 year history. Also recent is an expanded and updated article on Writers in Rye and an altogether new one featuring Stories Set in and Around Rye, and another called More Rye Connections which lists writers who lived in or near Rye, or regularly visited Rye as well as Rye historians. All these are under the new category of Literary Rye, see right. You may also want to check out the new link to A Pocketful of Rye, which will be offering series of guides to aspects of Rye.
The Women’s Tower Project now has its own section; see under Rye Castle at right. There is a form you can download if you would like to help us save the tower. Recent posts also include new pieces on the Medieval Garden and under Said About Rye. The Links to other sites (see right) often supplement what this one offers. The newest link is to Romney Marsh Times and we recommend the item 5 Things You Didn’t Know about Romney Marsh for starters.
Coming Events
Friday, 28th January: East Street 7:30
In Pursuit of the Stone: The Alchemical Quest of John Allin, Samuel Jeake and Philip Firth in 17th century Rye
Donna Bilak shared some of her research findings on 17th century Rye with us some months ago and those who attended that talk will know how interesting it was. She is coming again, to give us a special evening in aid of the Women’s Tower Project .
Tuesday, 8th February: East Street 7:30
Discover the Nature Reserve at Rye Harbour
Dr Barry Yates,of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve since 1984, is one of Britain’s most highly regarded nature reserve managers. Come to learn more about this asset on our doorstep.
Saturday, 12th February East Street 10:30-12
Coffee Morning
Things to buy, to see, to eat (great Fairtrade coffee, tea and cake) and a chance to meet old friends and make new ones. Do come join us.
Ellen Terry as Lady MacBeth by John Singer Sargent
Tuesday, 22nd February: An Audience with Ellen Terry
Our wonderful localto actress, Susannah Mayor (think Lucia!), will become the famous actress of Smallhythe for the evening. This is another event in aid of the Women’s Tower Project.
Tuesday, 8th March: East Street 7:30
Bodiam Castle and Recent Archaeological Excavations
County Archaeologist Caspar Johnson will bring us up-to-date on recent work and discoveries at this popular local castle.
Tuesday, 15th March: East Street 6:30
Volunteers’ evening
This is for prospective volunteers as well as those already serving!
Future Events in aid of the Women’s Tower Appeal: Details coming
Sunday 15th May: Rye College: A concert
Students of Rye College have gone on to become professional singers with growing reputations. A group of them will treat the Rye community to a concert with proceeds going to the Women’s Tower project. Put this in your diary!
Saturday and Sunday, 25th-26th June: Ypres Tower
Summer Garden Festival
Our Most Recent Events
New Year’s Party (Saturday , 8th January)
Members and guests gathered for excellent food, catch-up conversations and a most amusing performance by the Rye Shakespeare Players under Dilys Mayor whose son wrote the script with nods to MacBeth, the Arthurian Legend and Lewis Carroll. The Three Witch Sisters, King Arthur, Sir Prancelot, the Lady of the Lake, a Wild Beast not to mention the splendid Lady Hamilton plotted, cavorted, cast spells and flirted on Romney Marsh long long ago. Such events are one of the many rewards of Rye Museum Association membership!
Chedworth Roman Villa (Tuesday, 14th December)
The illustrated talk by restoration expert Chris Cleere was excellent, as expected. He has been part of the National Trust /English Heritage team painstakingly restoring Chedworth Roman Villa so that visitors can enjoy splendid features such as the enormous expanses of mosaics. We all came away with heightened respect for the skilll, ingenuity and infinite patience of those who care for Britain’s heritage. Rye is fortunate in that Chris has a workshop at the School Creative Centre here in Rye (where he works when he’s not being an advisor elsewhere. the Sudan is next!)
The Grotto and Father Christmas (11th December)
What a wonderful day and evening this turned out to be: a vibrant town full of happy people of all ages, thronging the quayside market, High Street shops and street stalls, enjoying the Festival Procession complete with reindeer, pipers, drummer and dancers and ending up at Rye Museum where a snow machine and a bubble machine kept the children amused while they queued to talk to Santa — and collect a present — while their parents chatted over mulled wine and mince pies. There were close to 400 visitors in all. Thanks to Jempsons for sponsoring the event and to all the volunteers who madeeverything run smoothly.
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