July 15+ 2011
News Flashes
Summer Special reduced prices. Note that joint admission to both our sites (Ypres Tower and East Street) is now only £4.00 (Concessions £3.00) while admission to the East Street site is now only £1.50. Admission to the Ypres Tower is £3.00 (Concessions £2.50)). The Ypres Tower continues to be open daily 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, with last admission at 4:30. 3 East Street is open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm with last admission at 4:30.
For more details — group bookings and what to see at each site — click on Museum Sites at right.
With Jo Kirkham is Mrs Dorothy Houghton, age 91, former mayor of Rye in Victoria, Australia, who recently enjoyed her visits to both East Street and the Tower. When our Jo was Mayor of our Rye, the two corresponded and thus began the interaction of Rye Museum Association and the Australian Rye Historical Society — including several previous visits.
Did you know there is a Rye in Victoria, Australia and that there is a Winchelsea nearby? This is because in the hard times of the mid 1800s Rye built-ships carried emigrants as well as cargo to Australia and elsewhere. The Australian Rye was founded in 1861.
Another Rye with which we have maintained strong links is Rye, New York which is two centuries older. Begun in 1660 it grew to become a city. It borders both Long Island Sound and Connecticut at the gateway of New England, within convenient commuting distance of New York City. When Jo was Mayor she and her daughter Tracy (as Mayoress) visited not only Rye, New York but still another Rye — in New Hampshire.
Rye College Students say ‘Let¹s build a Roof!’
On Saturday 9th July, Year 9 students from Rye College had as their slogan ‘RYE COLLEGE WILL HELP! BUT WILL YOU?’ when, for the second year, they put on an event at the Ypres Tower to raise money for the Museum’s Women’s Tower Restoration Appeal. Among the visitors were the Mayor and Mayoress of Rye, John and Geraldine Breeds, pictured here with drama teacher Mrs Chillingworth and the students.
The afternoon consisted of drama on the lawn, (the story of King George I, Martha Lamb and baby George!), as well as selling a booklet of stories ‘Tales from the Tower Volume 2′ which they had written specially for the day, and cakes and other items made by them for the occasion; copies are still available from the Tower and East Street, price £3.
he Museum wish to thank Mrs. Chillingworth and her students, Gaby Emson, Jessica Lench, Martha Scott-Cracknell, Lydia Gilbert, Mariah Wilkins, Stevie Sharp, Florence Graham and Aiyana Everest, for raising approximately £100 for the Appeal, and giving both locals and visitors much pleasure. (Photos by Peter Varley)
More Boosts for the Women’s Tower Project Fund
Our chairman and deputy chairman, Jo and Peter, are holding the cheque for Rye Museum’s share of the proceeds from the wonderful concert presented by 11 talented Rye-grown professionals recently. (The other recipient was Rye Hospital.) Click on Feature: Sellout Concert at right to read more about this hugely successful Museum fundraiser event. (And thanks to James Kirkham for all the photos.)
A second boost came on 9th July when Year 9 drama students from Rye College spent an afternoon entertaining passersby and Tower visitors with the story of King George I when rough seas forced him to disembark in Rye Bay; his happy visit as a guest of Mayor James Lamb and his wife Martha coincided with the birth of another Lamb son for whom the King agreed to be godfather. The students also provided cakes, cards, games all in aid of the Women’s Tower Project.
Still another boost has come from the sale at Bonhams (Auctioneers and Valuers) of a CD set donated to us by none other than Paul McCartney.
Thanks to all our supporters!
Bring and buy books!
Have you visited our bookstall at the East Street site? A happy visitor has dubbed it ‘the best-organised second hand book collection in Rye’. Thanks to members and friends we can offer a wide range of quality fiction and non-fiction at bargain prices, with proceeds helping to meet the costs of our education programmes.
Just now we are in need of some fresh stock to fill gaps on the shelves so if you have some good books which deserve other readers we would be pleased to receive them! The best time to deliver is during East Street Museum open hours (Sat/Sun 10:30 – 4:45) but you can always contact the Museum to arrange another time: 01797-226728 or info@ryemuseum.co.uk.
When you bring you might also spot a book or two to buy!
Publications and Souvenirs
Check the new Publications list at right for recent additions. Besides books,cards, postcards (e.g. Captain Pugwash) and DVDs we now also have models (St Mary’s Church and Ypres Tower, WWII replicas, dolls and more.
PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARY PLEASE!
Tuesday 26th July East Street 6:30
Rye Museum AGM
Saturday 30th July 11 High Street 10:30 – 1:00
Grand Coffee Morning in Rae Festing’s Secret Garden
Rae has again offered her beautiful garden so that we can have a special summer event with more than the usual number of stalls and room for many more guests. If you have books, jewelry, plants, cakes or other baked goods, bric a brac or any other saleable items to offer or if you could help on the day please do let us know! Telephone: 01797 226728 Email: info@ryemuseum.co.uk
Friday 5th August, Ypres Tower 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Summer Drinks Party
If you are a member of the Rye Museum Association you will have received a ticket with the latest mailing but please RSVP. You will have the chance to see the latest displays added in the Tower as well as the Medieval Garden which is becoming very well known amongst gardeners and gardening groups. If you are not yet a member, why not join so you won’t miss out on our many activities? Click here to find out how. And member or not why not also click on Museum Sites at right where you will find new photos taken at the Tower by Clive Sawyer.
Friday 30th September, East Street 7:30 p.m.
Donna Bilak: Personalities of 17th Century Rye (Lecture 3 in her series in aid of the Women’s Tower Project)
Donna Bilak of the Bard Graduate Centre in New York has used our sources for much of her research on Samuel Jeake, John Allen, Philip Firth and other personalities of Rye in the 1600s — and has already come twice to share her findings with us. She has been invited to Cambridge to give a conference paper at the end of September and once again has offered to return to Rye for a special evening in aid of the Women’s Tower Project. Anyone who has attended either or both of her previous talks can vouch forher ability to share her enthusiasm in a most stimulating way. Watch for further details.
OTHER MOST RECENT EVENTS
These are in addition to the Rye College student event at the Tower noted above:
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 prompt early bookings for his 10 week WEA course on this topic which will begin October 3 here in Rye.
What a grand display by the Royal Air Force Acrobatic team in their BAE Hawk trainer planes, beginning with their trademark nine formation and continuing with a dazzling sequence of precision ballet in the sky with red and blue trails. Rye residents and fortunate visitors are most grateful to the anonymous local sponsor of this superb event. In addition to a parade of 1940s military vehicles preceded by Pipes and Drums, and some energetic Lindy Hopping which some of us remember from the 40s and 50s, there was a contribution by Rye Museum in the form of access to boxes of World War II memorabilia which are available for schools. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day.
14th June 2011, 3 East Street
Hops and Hop Picking by Richard Filmer
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.
Are you caught up with recent Museum events and activities? additions to the website? linked sites?
Check previous posts under Latest News and other headings at right to see what you might have missed. And check the Links list for additions there.
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