The Rye Wurlitzer Academy proudly presented the Rye Last Night of the Proms on Friday, September 10 at the Milligan Theatre, Rye College.
It was described as “an evening packed with traditional and patriotic music” and that is exactly what it was. A packed house welcomed Michael Wooldridge on the organ and the Rye Bay Crew of Rebekah Gilbert, our mayor and Andi Rivett. The Crew drafted in Paul Goring, our town crier, as Jonathan Breeds was not able to make it, and they were in full voice and encouraging the audience to sing along to 1940s favourites in music and song. It was compered by Richard Moore in his own inimitable style, despite only just having recovered from testing positive for the dreaded Covid-19, and of course providing the raffle prizes of homemade marmalade and jam.
Everyone joined in, as always, and flags were waved, including the Stars and Stripes though no European Union flags were spotted. Instead, there was a table full of people in navy berets with gold edging and stars round the brim, possibly a European tribute, but who knows, as the traditional rousing finale rang out.
The audience included an amazing visitor from the States, Mary Cooper, who was back again in spite of Covid-19, for her 52nd visit to the town at this time of year, staying at the Mermaid Inn. Mary comes for the Rye Arts Festival, having attended the first one a good few years ago, 1971 comes to mind. Many of you know Mary and she occasionally sends us a Letter from America . You can read it in Rye News. A regular attender, when she is here, at St Mary’s Church, she comments on articles we write from her home across the Atlantic. In honour of her fortitude in times of pandemic, in braving the flights and an unbelievably complicated PCR test saga, Mary was awarded not one, but two jars of the delicious sticky delight.
The special guests for the evening included Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings & Rother.
The next Rye Wurlitzer Academy event is on Friday, December 3 at 7:15pm at the Milligan Theatre – a Christmas concert with Michael Wooldridge. Tickets £10 each by calling Richard on 01424 444 058. Come and join us!
Image Credits: Rye Wurlitzer , Phil Burt The photographer Phil Burt has granted Michael Wooldridge permission to use this image as he feels fit. , Sandra Lanigan .