Kenneth Bird’s talk to the Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club on September 8 about the progress of Rye News is reproduced below:
Since our launch on May 1 this year Rye News has established itself as the community online newspaper for Rye and the local district.
We have published over 300 articles. Our news reporting has been accurate and timely. Whether it’s a fire in St Mary’s Church, Rye, or car-parking and traffic chaos in the High Street, or vandalism in Winchelsea , our headlines have told the story. On local transport issues, we are bringing news on proposed cuts in bus services, on rail improvements and on the dangers of extending Lydd Airport.
We have given prominence to the cultural scene in the district. The jazz festival, Rye Maritime Festival, and Rye Arts Festival – all have received our coverage. So have fundraising events at Northiam and Winchelsea, RNLI open days at Rye Harbour; also events such as the Horse and Dog show organised by the Rye and District hospital, the opening of the recycled furniture warehouse for ARRCC, Tilling Green Summer Fete for the residents’ association and many more.
More and more voluntary organisations are benefitting from the use of our What’s On calendar, showing upcoming events for the weeks ahead. They are wanting to advertise with Rye News.
We have reported new business start-ups, and closing down of less successful ventures. We are forging links with Rye Studio School and hope to offer placements in journalism for young students.
Our aim is to reflect the life of the community in the town and villages, and in the countryside – sportsfield, farming, nature reserves, the whole natural environment.
However, we cannot do this alone. We are a very small group of volunteers, and to be sustainable we need to be joined by others with an interest in news reporting, and the basic IT skills that go with it. So please spread the word and encourage support for Rye News, by providing us with the news, the stories, and the opinions which connect us into the life of the community. Finally, thank you to the Rotary Club for inviting me here today.”
Rotary award winners here.