Rye News

Rye’s Tory MP is unequivocal about opposing proposed bus cuts by the county council. And, as next year’s elections loom ever larger in minds, Charles Harkness attempts to unravel what will happen to Rye's 326 service – before county council consultations end on September 28

Rye councillors have agreed to Rother's plans to introduce a new tax on new homes in the area, though councillors want the proposals fleshed out. There isn't enough detail they complained. Charles Harkness reports

A proposed tax on new homes built in Rye will cost the community dear, argues Chris Coverdale. Rother will use the money to construct a High Speed line to Hastings and Bexhill but with no plans for the trains to stop at Rye. Moreover, he says, this stealth tax will mean the loss of Rye’s rail station and add up to £24,000 to the cost of a new home, hurting first-time buyers and pensioners

First the stand and floodlights went to pay United's debts. Now the district council has taken what remains of the club's hopes to rise from the ashes

Now's the time for hunter-gatherers to finish foraging and pack the results into the freezer or into pots. Here are some low frill but deeply satisfying ways to get the most from what you've gathered

The Art Festival's classical musical programme opened with the opera "La Traviata, which was a "triumph" for conductor/stage director Alisdair Kitchen and lead singer Icelandic soprano Rannveig Karadottir, reports reviewer Alexander Stiller.

Making sloe gin is a slow process as the sloes need time to turn into a strong, tasty drink which is why Rye News is announcing a 2015 competition now to include liquor produced in 2014 and in previous years. Other home brews will feature in the competition - but first start slowly with the sloes.

With a bumper wheat harvest successfully gathered in on his Romney Marsh farm, Simon Wright considers the plight of English farmers whose land could straddle two countries if the Scottish 'Yes' campaign should win the day

To celebrate the appearance of a new edition of 'Mapp & Lucia' by Hesperus Press we give you the chance to win a copy by answering three questions

Up to 200 million people died and Europe was devastated over an eight-year period by the Black Death. It took a generation to recover from the pandemic, which features in Rye's fifth Medieval Conference in October at Rye College on "The Hazards of Life and Causes of Death in Late Medieval England". The conference is organised by Rye Museum and at least 60 academics and others interested in history are expected to attend.

Following her highly publicised trial and imprisonment, Vicky Pryce is coming to the arts festival to talk about the human and financial costs - and the impact on education and in finding employment - after release from prison. Heidi Foster does not believe it is right for her to be making money from her experience

Traffic ground to a halt after a large National coach turned right through the Landgate only for the driver to realise he was not going to get through the High Street. Traffic had been diverted after roadworks in Cinque Ports Street blocked westbound traffic. The driver blamed his "satnav" but there is no signage warning that the road is impassable for very large vehicles.

Two wins from two games equals six points. A great improvement from last season when Iden started with a single point from their first two games! Match report by Shane Ridgers.

Twenty local snappers, some of them previous winners of the Sussex Trophy, showed off their skills at the annual exhibition of the Rye and District Camera Club. Membership is open to all - whether you have been wielding a camera for years or just started snapping

Will the police be able to identify fly-tippers who left more in Winchelsea than just their rubbish? Several letters were found with the same addressee!

Walkers successfully stormed into Camber Castle on a recent Rye Harbour Nature Reserve trip and made some interesting discoveries.

More than 80 people were present on Saturday evening as Rye Cricket Club held its annual end of season awards and recognised the Colts' contribution as well as the adults' six centuries and one bowler's eight wickets for 34 runs

Rye News's first petanque tournament passed without injury or anyone being shown a red card on the Strand pitch last Saturday September 13th but Rye News's own team only managed to stagger in last - although their team did include two novices. Serious players were seen measuring how close their boules were with a tape, but fun was had even by first time players - and rain did not stop play.

The town is buzzing - with performers, spectators, music lovers, would-be dancers, artists, artistes and plain old residents. And away from the limelight a lot of chat goes on. Rye News is keeping its ear to the ground . . .

This year's Arts Festival has seen a big input from the schools, including sets and costumes for the opera "La Traviata" and the opening procession, and the Festival itself taking performances and performers into schools.