Wild Boar Week, which ends on Sunday, October 30, is very much a celebration of game in Rye and a “foodie festival” with nearly 30 restaurants involved, so it was fitting that the halfway point on Wednesday was marked by Rye Farmers’ Market which is on Strand Quay every Wednesday morning until Christmas, when it takes a winter break.
One regular stall features game in many forms, while others feature fish – including the famous scallops when in season; locally made jams, cakes and other foods; French cheeses and pates and gourmet dishes. So I tucked into some wild-boar sausages which put many watery and tasteless supermarket sausages to shame and I will save some venison ones for Christmas.
Food is not the only activity in Wild Boar Week, though, and a number of pubs are featuring bands. Saturday will see a Fancy Dress Halloween Ball with The Rockitmen at the Milligan Theatre in Love Lane, for which Adams in the High Street still had a few £10 tickets left on Thursday. The Ball takes off at 8pm.
However, I’ve booked into the Cinque Ports Arms on Saturday for the Rye Bay Crew and a French evening of both food and music. On Sunday I hear there are still some tickets for Martin Wimbush’s performance of A meeting of minds at Rye Creative Centre’s theatre in New Road. Tickets are £10 from 01797 229797.
Photo: John Minter