After premiering at Rye Arts Festival, Rye Players performed Holmes Under the Hammer for a second time at the weekend, this time raising funds for the Rye and District Association of the National Trust. The theatre group took over the exquisite Smallhythe Barn Theatre near Tenterden on Saturday October 5.
Rye Players are well known for providing the focus for fundraising by many local groups. Indeed, if you buy a ticket for a Rye Players show, chances are you’ll be helping a worthwhile local cause too.
Recent beneficiaries have included Rye & District Bonfire Society, Rye Arts Festival, Friends Altogether in Rother and many more.The Rye and District Association of the National Trust is a voluntary group that supports the National Trust properties closest to Rye and the surrounding villages by raising funds for projects nominated by the property managers.
Since its formation in 1980, the Rye NT Association has raised more than £120,000. Generous donations have enabled various projects to go ahead at Bateman’s, Sissinghurst, Bodiam and many other historic sites including those closest to home. The Association’s 170 members generate income via an extensive programme of enjoyable activities and events.
Saturday’s performance of Holmes Under the Hammer went down a storm with a full house, raising £850 for the Association. After the final bows, the players took the opportunity to present a cheque for £1600 to the senior collections and house officer. Susannah Mayor. This gift was made possible thanks to the volunteers’ previous fundraising activity and the donation is ring-fenced for a very interesting purpose.
On receiving the cheque, Susannah said: “We are so grateful to the Rye National Trust Association for this generous donation. They have funded the conservation of many of the historic theatre chairs in the past and this donation ensures we can maintain a full auditorium of the original chairs well into the future.”
If you’d like to join the Rye and District Association of the National Trust, contact the Membership Secretary, Dee Williams, at membershipryenationaltrust@gmail.com
Rye Players welcomes new members too. Get in touch at ryeplayers@btinternet.com.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .