As the high tide peaked on Sunday, July 19, the Harbourmaster’s launch (pictured) brought St Mary’s Rector Canon David Frost and Canon Richard Orchard to the Strand for the Churches Together in Rye’s celebration of Sea Sunday, where they were joined by other clergy, the sea cadets, the yacht “Windrose” and a small congregation, together, from time to time, with visitors and passing motor boats, writes Charles Harkness The hymns, accompanied by David Frost on an electric organ, all seemed very appropriate with references to “O still small voice of calm”, “Boundless as ocean’s tide, rolling in fullest pride” and “O hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea”.
Meanwhile, nearer the harbour’s mouth, the high tide had also brought in the Dungeness lifeboat as the RNLI staged an open weekend and on Camber Sands beach patrols were rescuing the unwary, kitesurfers were honing their skills, and the odd sail could be seen in the distance against the backdrop of the crowded English Channel. And the t-shirt worn by one member of the congregation summed it all up with its slogan : “Sailing – The fine art of getting really wet and really cold, going nowhere really fast, while spending really large amounts of money”.