Rye Castle Museum

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Our Latest Successes

We begin with good news: We are successfully through to the next state of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the Women and Children of Rye project which includes the restoration and refurbishment of the Women’s Tower!  Many thanks to all those who have contributed in any way to the work so far.  The next stage of this bid is now being prepared for submission in March 2012, along with other Grant applications to the Rother Community Fund and the Wealden and Rural Rother Partnership.

We are also delighted to learn we have been awarded £500 by the Rye Fund which is allowing us to update the methods of recording our collections of artifacts, documents and books.  Work on this proceeds apace under our Curator, Linden Thomas.

News Flash

Our Links list was growing so long we have just moved it to a separate page.  See Useful Links at right.  This time we’ve added brief descriptions  to give an idea of what you will find at each site and each place.

The Next Museum Events

We’ve just had a most enjoyable New Year party with scrumptious food provided by Rae Festing and splendid entertainment — another Mapp and Lucia sequel written by Dilys Mayor and performed by the  talented members of the Rye Shakespeare Company.

Now we look forward to these events:

Monday, 13th February,  East Street 2 p.m.
Children’s Half Term Activity Afternoon for under 10′s

This time the activities will include making monster skittles and planting cress heads.  Cost: 2.50 with an accompanying adult.  For photos of the happy participants in the last Children’s Activity Day click here.

Tuesday, 14th February. East Street 7:30 p.m.
Rebellious Rye – Corruption, Protest & Reform in the 19th Century by Peter Ewart

Peter is one of our most popular speakers.   This time he will recount the scarcely credible series of dramatic events in the ‘rotten borough’ of Rye before, during and after reform — which attracted the attention of the national press.  Exciting stuff!  Some of you will know Peter’s book A Poor Man’s Rye: the daily life of a local labouring family 1847-1930; if you don’t you can ask to see it at the Rye Library.  Members £2.00  Non-members £3.00  including refreshments.  All welcome.

Wednesday, 22nd February.  East Street 2 p.m. start
‘What is it?’   plus Afternoon Tea

By popular demand we are having another event where you can try to guess what objects are– and, if you like, bring a mystery item of your own.  Our first such afternoon, quite apart from the information gained, was so enjoyable and generated so much talk and social interaction across age, gender, occupation and other communication inhibitors,  we’re offering a similar opportunity again.   Do you have something to bring?  We’d like to see it.  No?  Do come anyway.  £2.00.

Tuesday. 13th March. Tudor Room, Mermaid Inn  7:30 p.m.  {NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE)
The History of Rye Cricket Club by Martin Blincow

A fascinating insight into Rye’s past via a favourite sport–complete with photos, memorabilia, slides . . . . . .

Tuesday, 3rd April, East Street 12 noon
Official 2012 opening  of the East Street site

MP Amber Rudd will be joining us for this occasion which also  includes food!.  Come get up-to-date with progress this past year and exciting plans for the future.

An Invitation from the Sussex Military History Society for
Saturday 26th May 2012 at Newhaven Fort 

Those of you interested in military history might be interested in attending the Sussex Military History Society’s Study Day on
26th May in Newhaven. The theme for the day is ‘Land, Air & Sea’ with all speakers giving expert illustrated lectures. For more information go to www.sussexmilitary.org.uk or contact Stewart Angell 07714923925.

Reminders

Are you caught up with recent Museum news, events and activities?  

Much has happened in the last months so check previous posts under Latest News and other headings at right to see what you might have missed.  If you want to plan still further ahead click on Talks 2012 at right.

‘Winter was icumen in’ . . .  and it’s here!

. . . so just a reminder that we will be on winter hours at the Museum until March 31st.  Thus East Street is closed except for talks and special events, but Ypres Tower  continues to be open 7 days a week (weather permitting)–except for  24th and 25th December–though with an earlier closing time of 3:30 p.m., last admission 3:00 p.m.  Admission to the Tower remains  unchanged: adults £3.00, concessions £2.50,  children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult.

NB: The official opening of the Summer Season will take place on 3rd April (12 noon) at East Street.  Our MP, Amber Rudd, will be attending.

Publications and Souvenirs

The list of publications and souvenirs for sale at the Tower  has just been updated.  Click on the Publications page at right.  Alan Dickinson’s latest book Rye Through Time  is one of the titles recently added.   This is a most attractive and informative Then and Now collection,  one of its most welcome features being that all the Now photos are in colour.     Besides books, cards,  postcards (e.g. Captain Pugwash) and DVDs we now also have models (Ypres Tower), WWII replicas, dolls and more.

Members generously responded to an appeal for more books for the second-hand bookstall recently for which many thanks — but regular sales mean we once again  need more. Though we are now closed for the winter we do have regular events during that period so if your bookshelves are too full . . . .

Rye Museum on Facebook

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.