Rye Castle Museum

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

If you had to miss Jo Kirkham’s amazing sweep through  2000 years of Rye history–The Story of Rye Royale in about 58 minutes ( Tuesday (March 9)–we’re sorry, but do make sure you have the following events in your diary:    

Museum Events for March/beginning of April

Tuesday, 9 March  East Street  7:30 Jo Kirkham
Saturday 13th March 10.30 – 12.30:  3, East Street
Museum Coffee Morning

Excellent fairtrade and organic coffee and tea, cakes, and interesting table sales: cakes, posh trash and books. 

Free entry to museum, all welcome.  A great time and place to meet and make friends.

Tuesday 16th March: 6.30: 3, East Street
Volunteers’ and Open Evening

Come and have a glass of wine and light refreshments and find out about  the  events and projects planned for this year;    If you like what you hear, then sign up and join us!  

At our last open evening members and friends came up with many excellent ideas for Museum development and outreach.   To mention just one outcome:   The Ypres Tower will be open seven days a week during the next season.    We have a splendid team of volunteers who act as stewards and carry out many other tasks but to fulfill all our aspirations we need to increase volunteer numbers.  There are jobs for all who are willing so if you’d like to help but can’t make the meeting, please phone 0179726728  or email info@ryemuseum.co.uk     

Saturday 27 March at 7.30 pm at the Rye Methodist Church
Ryesingers Ladies present “Sigh No More Ladies!”, a  Concert in aid of the Women’s Tower rescue and renovation plans

Tickets £7. Includes a glass of wine in the Ypres Tower after the concert.   Tickets at  Museum events and at the door.

1st April: Beginning of the new season at Rye Museum

Due to popular demand, this season the Ypres Tower will be open 7 days a week (not 5) and from 10.30 to 5.00 (no closure at lunchtime).  Last entry 4.30 .    East Street Museum hours will continue as before, but if enough of you volunteer for stewarding (usually just once a month) we may be able to extend there too.

For the rest of March,  Winter hours continue.

For details see  Hours and Charges. 

Women Tower Project

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 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 85 articles and some improvements to design and navigation.  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 talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com

 Book News

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.  See below for more details on this importat project

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

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

Events

Are the next events in your diary? 

Tuesday 9th February East Steet   7;30   Dr John Reuther
The Origin and History of Nursery Rhymes

A fascinating exploration with many surprises, following by a raffle and light refreshments.
Admission for members £1.50 for members, guests £2.50. All welcome!

Saturday 13 February East Street  10:30-12:30
Coffee Morning

Excellent Fairtrade organic tea and coffee, a cake stall, a bric a brac stall and a book stall.  Free entry to the museum. All welcome.

Tuesday, 9 March  East Street  7:30 Helen Wojczak
Ten Notable Women of Rye

This coincides with Internatiional Women’s Day.

Rye Museum Website   

As promised, we have embarked on an ambitious programme to add  articles–there are now 85–and improve design.   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 talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com

Book News

Rye in World War II 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 weekends, the Ypres Tower.  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.  See below for more details on this importat project

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

 Winter Opening Hours   

East Street site:   Closed for visits  until April when there will be several new exhibits. However,  as indicated above there will be a number of special events during the winter season.  

Ypres Tower:  Open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays .   

Women Tower Project

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! The process has already   begun:  English Heritage approved plans,  proper recording, preservation and storage of items kept in the Women’s Tower…..  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 and ensuring they are properly documented.

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. 

 Volunteers Welcome!

Members and friends,  including present and would-be volunteers, came up with many excellent ideas for Museum development and outreach at  a recent open meeting.   To mention just one outcome:   The Ypres Tower will be open seven days a week during the next season.    We have a splendid team of volunteers who act as stewards and carry out many other tasks but to fulfill all our aspirations we need to increase volunteer numbers.  For more information and/or to join the team, phone 0179726728  or email info@ryemuseum.co.uk     There are jobs for all who are willing!

Holiday Opening Times 

The Ypres Tower (Rye Castle) site will be open as follows during the Christmas period:

Sunday 27th  December
Bank Holiday Monday 28th December
Saturday 2nd January �
Sunday 3rd January  

Times on all four days:  10.30 to 3.30 – Closed for lunch 1-2

At Your Request. . . .

Rye in World War II 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 weekends, the Ypres Tower.  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.  See below for more details on this importat project

Another book . . .

 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!  

Events

November saw two successful Craft Fairs–lovely Christmas presents,  mulled wine,  good company– plus a coffee morning,  plus another excellent talk by Imogen Corrigan who managed humour as well as much interest in what sounds a macabre topic: The Black Death.   On  the opening night of Rye’s December Festival,  scores of children queued up to talk with Father Christmas and Mrs Santa,  entertained meanwhile by a prolific bubble machine and Cinque Ports  Volunteers.  And  Monica Jansson   had just given us a talk on another  unusual and intriguing topic:  Ten Beds in History!

Are the next events in your diary? 

Saturday 12th December   East Street  10:30 – 12:30
Christmas Coffee Morning

Books, cake stall,  bric-a-brac stall.  Free entry to the Museum for all.  A Christmasy place to meet your friends on a winterish morning!

Saturday 23rd January  East Street  10:30-12:30
Coffee Morning

Tuesday 9th February East Steet   7;30   Dr John Reuther
The Origin and History of Nursery Rhymes

Saturday 13 February East Street  10:30-12:30
Coffee Morning

Tuesday, 9 March  East Street  7:30 Helen Wojczak
Ten Notable Women of Rye

This coincides with Internatiional Women’s Day.

 Winter Opening Hours   

East Street site:   Closed for visits  until April when there will be several new exhibits. However,  as indicated above there will be a number of special events during the winter season.  

Ypres Tower:  Open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays

Books Reminder  

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

.   

Women Tower Project

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! The process has already   begun:  English Heritage approved plans,  proper recording, preservation and storage of items kept in the Women’s Tower…..  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 and ensuring they are properly documented.

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. 

 Volunteers Welcome!

Members and friends,  including present and would-be volunteers, came up with many excellent ideas for Museum development and outreach at  a recent open meeting.   To mention just one outcome:   The Ypres Tower will be open seven days a week during the next season.    We have a splendid team of volunteers who act as stewards and carry out many other tasks but to fulfill all our aspirations we need to increase volunteer numbers.  For more information and/or to join the team, phone 0179726728  or email info@ryemuseum.co.uk     There are jobs for all who are willing!

Rye Museum Website   

The  Rye Museum website is one beneficiary of volunteer help  and we have embarked on an ambitious programme to add  articles and improve design.   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 talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com

News Flash

They’re out!  The two new books on 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.    (We’ll be using them to update some of our information!)

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

Events

We’ve had two good November events:   a craft fair in collaboration with the Creative School  and a fascinating talk on the Black Death by Imogen Corrigan.    The year isn’t finished yet!   Be sure these four events are in your diary:

November

Annual Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 28th  10:00 – 4:00

There will be heaps to buy for special Christmas gifts.   Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake will be served. Entry is free.

December

Saturday, 5th December:    Christmas Grotto 

Meet Santa!   Starting time to be announced

Tuesday, December 8th  East Street   7:30   Monica Janssen
Ten Beds that Made History

Local author and play director Monica Janssens has written another book. this time  about Beds in Historyand will share what she has learned about ten of them in this talk at the Museum.

Saturday 12th December    10:30 – 12:30
Coffee Morning

Winter Opening Hours   

East Street site:   Closed for visits  until April when there will be several new exhibits. However,  as indicated above there will be a number of special events during the winter season.  

Ypres Tower:  Open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays

Rye Town Council at its meeting of 26th October voted to contribute £5000 to the Women’s Tower Project! The process has begun:  English Heritage approved plans,  proper recording, preservation and storage of items kept in the Women’s Tower…..  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 and ensuring they are properly documented.

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.

 Volunteers Welcome!

Members and friends,  including present and would-be volunteers, came up with many excellent ideas for Museum development and outreach at  a recent open meeting.   To mention just one outcome:   The Ypres Tower will be open seven days a week during the next season.    We have a splendid team of volunteers who act as stewards and carry out many other tasks but to fulfill all our aspirations we need to increase volunteer numbers.  For more information and/or to join the team, phone 0179726728  or email info@ryemuseum.co.uk     There are jobs for all who are willing!

Rye Museum Website   

The  Rye Museum website is one beneficiary of volunteer help  and we have embarked on an ambitious programme to add  articles and improve design.   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 talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com

November Events

Arts and Crafts Fair�
Saturday  7 November  10:00 – 4:00 East Street

Local artists and craftspeople (including some who work at the School Creative Centre)  will be displaying and selling thr work:   textiles, paintings, photography, sculpture, papier mache and cards, and much else.    Do come, browse and buy!  Light refreshments will be available all day.  Entry is free!

Tuesday, November 10th    East Street   7:30     Imogen Corrigan
The Dregs of the People Remain:  The Black Death and its Aftermath

After her successful talk on children in the Middle Ages,  Imogen Corrigan returns to tell us about the impact of the Black Death on people’s views of death and the afterlife.  A pertinent topic for Ryers as our Romney Marsh was profoundly affected.    Members £1.50    Non-Members £2.50, with light refreshments and a raffle afterwards and a chance to meet the speaker

Annual Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 28th  10:00 – 4:00

There will be heaps to buy for special Christmas gifts.   Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake will be served. Entry iree.

Winter Opening Hours   

East Street site:   Closed for visits  until April when there will be several new exhibits. However,  as indicated above there will be a number of special events during the winter season.  

Ypres Tower:  Open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays

December Events  

Saturday, 5th December:    Christmas Grotto 

Meet Santa!   Starting time to be announced

Tuesday, December 8th  East Street   7:30   Monica Janssen
Ten Beds that Made History

Local author and play director Monica Janssens has written another book. this time  about Beds in Historyand will share what she has learned about ten of them in this talk at the Museum.

Saturday 12th December    10:30 – 12:30
Coffee Morning

Women’s Tower Project Update

Rye Town Council at its meeting of 26th October voted to contribute £5000 to the Women’s Tower Project! The process has begun:  English Heritage approved plans,  proper recording, preservation and storage of items kept in the Women’s Tower…..  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 and ensuring they are properly documented.

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.

 Volunteers Welcome!

Members and friends,  including present and would-be volunteers, came up with many excellent ideas for Museum development and outreach at  a recent open meeting.   To mention just one outcome:   The Ypres Tower will be open seven days a week during the next season.    We have a splendid team of volunteers who act as stewards and carry out many other tasks but to fulfill all our aspirations we need to increase volunteer numbers.  For more information and/or to join the team, phone 0179726728  or email info@ryemuseum.co.uk     There are jobs for all who are willing!

Rye Museum Website   

The  Rye Museum website is one beneficiary of volunteer help  and we have embarked on an ambitious programme to add  articles and improve design.   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 talents or information on some aspect of Rye’s history you would be willing to share, please let us know!  jlfloydeltc@gmail.com

A Reminder:  Winter Opening Hours begin on 1st November!  

The East Street site will be closed until April, but the Ypres Tower will be open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Next event:       Arts and Crafts Fair�
Saturday  7 November  10:00 – 4:00 East Street

Featuring local artists and craftspeople who will be there with textiles, paintings, photography, sculpture, papier mache and cards, and much else.    Do come, browse and buy!  Light refreshments available all day.

News Flash

Rye Town Council at its meeting of 26th October voted to contribute £5000 to the Women’s Tower Project!  (See below)

More Events at East Street

Do you have these in your diary?
 

28 November:  Christmas Craft Fair  10:00 – 4:00

 5 December:    Christmas Grotto 

Meet Santa!   Starting time to be announced

12 December    Coffee Morning  10:30 – 12:30

And there are two not-to-be-missed talks before the end of the year too. 

Talks are held at the Museum’s East Street site and begin at 7:30.    Admission for members is £1.50 for members and £2.50 for guests. including refreshments.   There is always a raffle as well.

Tuesday, November 19th     Imogen Corrigan
The Dregs of the People Remain:   The Black Death and its Aftermath

After her successful talk on children in the Middle Ages,  Imogen Corrigan returns to tell us about the impact of the Black Death on people’s views of death and the afterlife.  A pertinent topic for Ryers as our Romney Marsh was profoundly affected.

Tuesday, December 8th    Monica Janssen
Ten Beds that Made History

Local author and play director Monica Janssens has written another book. this time  about Beds in Historyand will share what she has learned about ten of them in this talk at the Museum.

�
Women’s Tower Project

Since the launch of the Women’s Tower Project on 25th August, those yellow forms for buying bricks, stones, castellations and other parts for the restoration of the Women’s Tower at the Ypres Castle have continued to come in. Is yours among them?      Rye Town Council has given us a big boost by voting to grant  £5000 to the project for which we are very grateful.  We hope others will follow their good example.

Once the necessary repairs have been completed we hope to use this rare survival of a Women’s Tower to house displays showing the life of Rye’s women and children in the past. 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 Castle Museum Website

We’ve been busy re-organising and adding articles to the site http://www.ryemuseum.co.uk/. Just uploaded are more articles under  Notable People,  Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour, Trades and Industries and  Buildings and Streets . And there is a new category:  Said about Rye  – what people of the past have said about our town.   Further additions  are on the way so keep checking….  The possibilities are endless.  Thanks to those who have already volunteered to help with typing, editing, writing,  managing photos…..  Several have already started work!   If you too would like to be part of the team,  please drop an email to jlfloydeltc@gmail.com    There are jobs for all who are willing!

News Flash

Rye Town Council at its meeting of 26th October voted to contribute £5000 to the Women’s Tower Project!  (See below)

A Reminder:  Winter Opening Hours begin on 1st November.  

The East Street site will be closed until April, but the Ypres Tower will be open 10:30 – 3:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Are these dates in your diary? 

All these events take place at the East Street site.   

7 November:     Craft Fair  10:00 – 4:00

28 November:  Christmas Craft Fair  10:00 – 4:00

 5 December:    Christmas Grotto  Meet Santa!   Starting time to be announced

12 December    Coffee Morning  10:30 – 12:30

And there are two not-to-be-missed talks before the end of the year too.  Talks are held at the Museum’s East Street site and begin at 7:30.    Admission for members is £1.50 for members and £2.50 for guests. including refreshments.   There is always a raffle as well.

Tuesday, November 19th     Imogen Corrigan
The Dregs of the People Remain:   The Black Death and its Aftermath

After her successful talk on children in the Middle Ages,  Imogen Corrigan returns to tell us about the impact of the Black Death on people’s views of death and the afterlife.  A pertinent topic for Ryers as our Romney Marsh was profoundly affected.

Tuesday, December 8th    Monica Janssen
Ten Beds that Made History

Local author and play director Monica Janssens has written another book. this time  about Beds in Historyand will share what she has learned about ten of them in this talk at the Museum.

 Women’s Tower Project

Since the launch of the Women’s Tower Project on 25th August, those yellow forms for buying bricks, stones, castellations and other parts for the restoration of the Women’s Tower at the Ypres Castle have continued to come in. Is yours among them?      Rye Town Council has given us a big boost by voting to grant  £5000 to the project for which we are very grateful.  We hope others will follow their good example.

Once the necessary repairs have been completed we hope to use this rare survival of a Women’s Tower to house displays showing the life of Rye’s women and children in the past. 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 Castle Museum Website

We’ve been busy re-organising and adding articles to the site http://www.ryemuseum.co.uk/. Just uploaded are more articles under  Notable People,  Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour, Trades and Industries and  Buildings and Streets . And there is a new category:  Said about Rye  – what people of the past have said about our town.   Further additions  are on the way so keep checking….  The possibilities are endless.  Thanks to those who have already volunteered to help with typing, editing, writing,  managing photos…..  Several have already started work!   If you too would like to be part of the team,  please drop an email to jlfloydeltc@gmail.com    There are jobs for all who are willing!

NEWS FLASH

Smugglers Discovery Day Cancellation

Sadly,  due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Smugglers Discovery Day announced for Saturday, 24^th October, 12-4 p.m cannot after all take place.   We apologize with deep regret for the disappointment caused.  However, you will still be very welcome at the Museum—either site or both!

 For more dates to put in your diary, check the Events and Talks pages.

 Women’s Tower Project

Since the launch of the Women’s Tower Project on 25th August,  those yellow forms for buying bricks, stones, castellations and other parts for the restoration of the Women’s Tower at the Ypres Castle have continued to come in.   Is yours among them?   Once the necessary repairs have been completed we hope to use this rare survival of a Women’s Tower to house displays showing the life of Rye’s women and children in the past.

The challenge  of  raising  the £74,000 needed to restore the tower is an immense one, but the launch evening–a beautiful one enjoyed by many Ryers–got the project off to an encouraging start and there have been some generous donations.   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.

 Please scroll down to the bottom for news of another project you may wish to help with.: Rye Castle Museum website!

Museum of British Folklore

Did you miss Simon Costin’s talk or the chance to visit the  delightful folk-museum-in-a-caravan parked by the Ypres Tower last weekend?   Judging from both verbal and visitors’ book comments, those who came were convinced that a permanent Museum of British Folklore would be a Very Good Idea.   You an find out more at  www.museumofbritishfolklore.co.uk or by emailing Simon at scostin@dircon.co.uk 

And in November and December

Two Craft Fairs,  the Christmas Grotto… Do you see why more volunteers are always welcome?

Rye Castle Museum Website 

We’ve been busy re-organising and adding articles to the site www.ryemuseum.co.uk.  Just uploaded are articles on Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour,  Trades and Industries (Inns, Shipbuilding)  and more are on the way so keep checking.  … The possibilities are endless but we could use some help in getting articles ready to publish.  Could you help?

Here are three ways you might contribute:

As Typist.  We would especially like to find people who could key in existing content.  It’s easy: you register as a User, type and save your work as a Draft.  An editor then opens your draft, checks the formatting, inserts some illustrations and maybe a link or two to related pages or sites, and clicks Publish.  Think how fast we could develop the site with this kind of help!   A simple instruction sheet is available.

As Photographer/\Photo editor  Do you work with photos on the web?  Perhaps you use Photoshop? Besides a photographer or two we could use the expertise of anyone who could help us select, edit, resize and label photos and other illustrations for the Media Library within our site–the collection of images available to insert as illustrations for articles.

As Researcher/Information source/Writer  Do you know a lot about some aspect of Rye’s history?  A business, craft or industry?  A street or building?  A neighbouring village?  Rye in WWII?  Earlier military history?  Schools or leisure pursuits of times past?  Or would you like to research some topic?  Or, if you don’t want to write, what about being interviewed?

If you would like to know more about helping in any of these–or other–ways,  please contact us!

Discovery Day: Smuggling!
Saturday  24th October, 10-4 

How much does your family know about Smuggling in and around Rye?

• Why did the men of Rye and Winchelsea turn to smuggling? 
• What kinds of things were smuggled in—and out?
• What was ‘owling’?
• How did smugglers hide goods from the customs men?
• Why and when did smuggling decline?
• What smugglers’ gang used to congregate at the Mermaid Inn?

 Bring your children and grandchildren to the Rye Museum Discovery Day to learn and have fun:  Further details to come.      For an article on this site about Smuggling in Rye, click here.

 For more dates to put in your diary, check the Events and Talks pages.

 Women’s Tower Project

Since the launch of the Women’s Tower Project on 25th August,  those yellow forms for buying bricks, stones, castellations and other parts for the restoration of the Women’s Tower at the Ypres Castle have continued to come in.   Is yours among them?   Once the necessary repairs have been completed we hope to use this rare survival of a Women’s Tower to house displays showing the life of Rye’s women and children in the past.

The challenge  of  raising  the £74,000 needed to restore the tower is an immense one, but the launch evening–a beautiful one enjoyed by many Ryers–got the project off to an encouraging start and there have been some generous donations.   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.

 Please scroll down to the bottom for news of another project you may wish to help with.: Rye Castle Museum website!

Museum of British Folklore

Did you miss Simon Costin’s talk or the chance to visit the  delightful folk-museum-in-a-caravan parked by the Ypres Tower last weekend?   Judging from both verbal and visitors’ book comments, those who came were convinced that a permanent Museum of British Folklore would be a Very Good Idea.   You an find out more at  www.museumofbritishfolklore.co.uk or by emailing Simon at scostin@dircon.co.uk 

And in November and December

Two Craft Fairs,  the Christmas Grotto… Do you see why more volunteers are always welcome?

Rye Castle Museum Website 

We’ve been busy re-organising and adding articles to the site www.ryemuseum.co.uk.  Just uploaded are articles on Romney Marsh, Rye Harbour,  Trades and Industries (Inns, Shipbuilding)  and more are on the way so keep checking.  … The possibilities are endless but we could use some help in getting articles ready to publish.  Could you help?

Here are three ways you might contribute:

As Typist.  We would especially like to find people who could key in existing content.  It’s easy: you register as a User, type and save your work as a Draft.  An editor then opens your draft, checks the formatting, inserts some illustrations and maybe a link or two to related pages or sites, and clicks Publish.  Think how fast we could develop the site with this kind of help!   A simple instruction sheet is available.

As Photographer/\Photo editor  Do you work with photos on the web?  Perhaps you use Photoshop? Besides a photographer or two we could use the expertise of anyone who could help us select, edit, resize and label photos and other illustrations for the Media Library within our site–the collection of images available to insert as illustrations for articles.

As Researcher/Information source/Writer  Do you know a lot about some aspect of Rye’s history?  A business, craft or industry?  A street or building?  A neighbouring village?  Rye in WWII?  Earlier military history?  Schools or leisure pursuits of times past?  Or would you like to research some topic?  Or, if you don’t want to write, what about being interviewed?

If you would like to know more about helping in any of these–or other–ways,  please contact us!