Sunshine last weekend and during this week brought many out of their homes. But overnight frosts were also forecast until today, Friday, and the Covid-19 pandemic is a bit like that – and perhaps Rye and the area around is too. Some sun. Some frost.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) was reporting that Covid-19 cases were doubling worldwide on Sunday – but I was sitting in the Cinque Ports pub garden (shown above) in Rye in the sun sipping some wine, and the Bromley family on the next table were off to exercise their dog. And other venues were open too.
And on Monday the sun was shining again. But some little plants I had put outside were looking decidedly worse for wear after another bite of overnight frost – and BBC TV news was reporting that another Covid-19 variant had been found in the UK as a result of testing (probably from India) and travel restrictions were being introduced.
So the fear of Covid-19 has not gone away entirely and, as the Bishop of Lewes said in his sermon in St Mary’s, Rye, on Sunday, we have been staring at death for months – which, inevitably, has affected all of us, and peace of mind is still hard to come by.
Paying a price in emotional terms
Therefore one way or another, even if shops are opening up along with pub gardens, we have all paid a price for the pandemic in past months – in emotional, as well as cash, terms – and Rye Town Council touched on an emotional issue locally (and not just in Rye) at Monday’s meeting when affordable housing was discussed – and this is reported on here.
More reports on the council meeting will appear next week – as this week we have elections approaching rapidly, particularly for those wanting to vote by post, for East Sussex County Council, a Rother District Council by-election, and for the police and crime commissioner.
Candidates statements can therefore be found here, along with a plea to vote in the PCC election.
And another issue which arouses strong emotions has re-emerged in the shape of the Landgate. However there are also stories about future events which makes a welcome change – and please keep them coming.
We need more “news” as well as “helpers”
Rye News has appeared week after week, except for our usual Christmas break, during lockdown and our volunteers are tired – and we could do with some more help – which can be provided in various ways.
Many local and national organisations have gone into hibernation, though some have found ways of meeting needs within the Covid-19 rules – though it has often been an open or shut, online or masked, on-off existence for churches, village halls, and similar places.
And that, in turn, has meant Rye News has struggled to find news as some regular contributors went into lockdown, and others Zoomed into very different ways of functioning. So we want to hear from you again.
Also, probably like many others, Rye News is now struggling back into the world as it was, maybe, though it may never be quite the same again, and I know I am very tired, and my temper is not good – and I may not be alone in this. Rye News therefore needs your help in various ways.
How you can help
- We would like to welcome back past contributors as you prepare to get back to “normal” as far as that is possible.
- We would like to welcome new volunteers – whether writers, or photographers, or both – or whether you want to help with the production side which includes sub-editing – which is a bit more than proof reading, as it involves making each article as attractive and interesting, and as readable, as possible for the reader.
- We would like to hear about your events – and the details, as well as the dates – and your ideas for stories; and, of course, your comments on stories.
How to contact us
If you look above the Rye News banner on our front page, at the very top of the page you will find various buttons to hit in order to submit things, and at the very bottom of the front page you will find more information about getting involved with Rye News.
Also, if you look at the top of the page, the banner on the right says “Supporting the community in Rye and beyond” which refers both to Rye Mutual Aid in the centre of the banner – and to Rye News itself.
People of all ages live in and / or come to Rye and spend money here for a variety of reasons, including school, health, shopping and entertainment; or to visit friends or relatives – or just visit; and Rye News tries to reach out to all those audiences.
And people go out from Rye, whether they live here, or are just here for a while, to sightsee, visit local attractions, shop, and eat and drink, and be entertained – so we are interested in stories around Rye as well – as our readers also include those visiting Rye, or planning to visit Rye, for whatever reason – as well as those just trying to escape for a few hours.
And there is a lot to write about
I know my grandchildren have in the past wanted to go on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway as well as visiting Bodiam Castle, Great Dixter House and garden, the Tenterden steam railway, Camber and Winchelsea beaches, Hastings old town, and a variety of antique shops. As three, however, are now around university age, their interests may be changing!
So, as we emerge, hopefully, from lockdown over the summer, there is a lot to write about – including the past long, anxious months – which we all hope can only get better over the summer. And, hopefully, the sun will stay out, and that damned frost will stay away.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .