12 August 2011
News Flashes
Did you know there is now a Rye Museum page on Facebook? Our thanks to Jamie Kirkham for setting it up for us. All you need to do to see it is type Facebook Rye Castle Museum in a Google search box.
And did you know the BBC has recently been here to film our Ypres Tower for a programme on Great British Ghosts to be shown in October?
Members’ Drinks Party at Ypres Tower 5th August -- and what so see at the Tower
Our wonderful Tower guides led by Toby Mayor, Ted Emson and James Davidson hosted a party for members in the Medieval Garden on Friday evening. Lots of us attended, including Rye Mayor John Breeds, to enjoy the garden which is attracting favourable attention from gardening groups and the general public these days. Garden advisor Lin Saines’ attractive new booklet The Garden Beyond the Tower: the medieval garden and stillroom . . . illustrated by Brian and Joyce Hargreaves, was on sale (price £3.00). [Click on the thumbnails the better to see.]
Guests were also able to view new and recently added exhibits, in particular the Cross of Sacrifice display donated by Priscilla Ryan and Paul Blomfield. The Cross was designed by their grandfather, Sir Reginald Blomfield (1856-1942) , for the Imperial War Graves Commission and is present in most Commonwealth war cemeteries around the world. There is one in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church.
The cross represents the faith of the majority of the dead and the sword represents the military character of the cemetery. Sir Reginald was a prolific British architect, garden designer and author of the Victorian and Edwardian period. In 1886 he married the daughter of Henry Burra of Rye where he designed several houses, including his own on Point Hill, Playden. One he let to the American novelist Henry James.
Pre-war projects included the building or renovation of country great houses (e.g. Chequers), university buildings (e.g.Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford) amd commercial and buildings (e.g. completion of the Quadrant in Regents Street, London). After the war he designed a large number of war memorials including the Menin Gate at Ypres, perhaps his best-known. For more details see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Blomfield
Have you seen the other recent additions at the Tower ?
They include the History of Ypres Tower embroidery (a group effort over 4 years encapsulating 700 years of Rye history!), the Still Room featuring medieval herbs and their uses — on display shelves made by Martin Riddell using medieval tools and methods, and a small Chapel in the cellar, with a cross also designed by Martin Riddell. The cellar has been renovated and there are new activities for children so if you have not visited the Tower recently, it is time to do so!
Did you know that thanks to the Tower guides team and the fact that the Ypres Tower site is now open every day throughout the day visitor numbers (and income) have increased by a whopping 70% this year! A real cause for a celebration party!
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.
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.
The Museum’s Directors
In recognition of the roles they are already playing in the Museum’s work, two new directors were elected at the recent AGM (26 June) of Rye Museum Association: Wayne Jones, historian and retired headmaster, and Heather Stevenson who has experience in local government. Three existing Directors were re-elected for a further 3 year term: Jeremy Huddle (Treasurer), Sheila Maddock (Education) and Jean Floyd (Website and Bookstall).
Work commitments requiring time out of Rye have compelled three Directors to resign that post although they will continue to make valued contributions to our work: Pat Saines (Family History). Lin Saines (Medieval Garden) and Martin Riddell (Marketing and Construction projects). A full list of Directors and Trustees may be found here.
Linden Thomas, Conservator/Curator
Linden Thomas who has been our consultant conservator and documentalist has agreed to add Curator to her portfolio which will include responsibility for membership and volunteers. Linden has been doing a sterling job in all the tasks which will ensure we continue to meet the standards for Museum Accreditation and we are most grateful that she is able to expand her role in this way.
Tower Project Fund
Thanks to all who have been working to raise funds for the restoration of the Women’s Tower! Recent contributions have come from Paul McCartney who donated a CD set sold at auction, professional musician alumni of Rye College who presented an excellent concert on our behalf (for details click here), Year 9 students of Rye College who offered a short play (The visit of King George I), a collection of stories as well as baked goods and games on 9th July; the Mermaid Inn; Rae Festing who lent her lovely garden on 30th July for a most successful Coffee Morning which raised over £500 (after expenses) , members and friends who have bought stones or windows for the restored tower, and those who have helped with income generating garden group visits, paranormal society visits and ghost walks.T Thanks too to those who have filled jars with 20p pieces. Depending on jar size these yield between £25 and £50 per jar!
If you too could fill a jar or buy a/another stone we would be that much closer to our goal of £100,000!
Thanks to all the book donors!
In July News we asked for more books to fill the gaps on our shelves. Many thanks to all those who have given so generously. We had a great supply to draw on for the Book Stall at our last Coffee Morning which was held in Rae Festing’s lovely garden on Saturday 30th July. With tea, coffee and cake, plants, bric-a-brac, and a tombola besides and lots of visitors enjoying a sunny day in Rye we had a very successful morning altogether,
And if you visit the Book Stop at East Street during opening hours at the weekends you will find more quality books you’ve not seen before. Come take a look.
Publications and Souvenirs
Click on Publications 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 THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY PLEASE!
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.
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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