Last Friday, November 17 at the community centre, Rye Variations presented a fantastic evening of music and spoken word to mark the 95th anniversary of the loss of the Mary Stanford and all 17 of the crew. As well as commemorating the tragedy, the event was fundraiser for the Friends of the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House who are working to save it.
The evening started with the Ryebellion drummers performing outside and a special cry from town crier, Paul Goring.
The line-up included songs by Nelson King, OMSAM (Matt and Helen Dowle), John Busbridge, Key Change, Tom Cole and Ferry Road. The Rye Bay Crew sang the Mary Stanford of Rye originally written and performed by Meet on the Ledge; Northern Nick, a Hastings based poet and performer read his poem Protocol and blues guitarist Roger Hubbard, performed a song specially written for the evening, Mary Stanford turn around.
Evelyn Conn performed three of her own songs and her beautiful voice was much appreciated by the audience. The Andy Guainiere’s All Stars upped the tempo and lifted the quiet mood with, amongst other songs, a lively version of Honky Tonk Woman, when they performed before the break and at the end of the performance.
In a moving speech, Adrian Wheeler told the story of the Mary Stanford, holding the audience rapt and drawing listeners in by comparing the conditions on the night of November 15 1928, to our recent experience of Storm Ciaran. Many would be familiar with the main points of the tragedy but Adrian’s researched details such as the preparations made for those who would be rescued, made it even more real for the audience.
“I think it’s important to remember that when the villagers and crew ran to the lifeboat house and battled to launch the lifeboat in the teeth of a hurricane, they weren’t heading off to sacrifice themselves. They were going to save the lives of people they had never met and knew nothing about – armed only with the belief that with courage, nothing is impossible and that it was the right thing to do.”
Adrian added: “The evening has proved that there’s a deep desire to see the lifeboat house preserved and restored. It’s people like Andy Croft who will make it possible – people who step up and get stuck in. We invite and encourage EVERYONE to get involved. If you’re an artist, get a group of artists together and put on an exhibition; if you can bake, have a bake off; if you want to run a marathon, do that. We have a (growing) team who are ready to support you in whatever you want to do.”
As well as the music there was an auction of artworks and photographs, a raffle and a display of photographs of the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House were on sale.
The event was organised by Andrew Croft of Rye Variations and his team with the support of Jacqueline Stanford, the chair of the Friends of the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House and also Jenner Sands, a trustee.
Jacqueline Stanford said: “What a fantastic evening organised by Andy Croft. The singers and musicians had the community centre jumping with standing room only. There was a terrific atmosphere and a huge thank you to all those who performed and supported the fundraiser.”
In all, the evening raised over £2,000 – an amazing achievement.
Andy Croft said: “It was a fantastic evening – I’m so grateful to everyone that turned out. It was great to see the community coming together for a cause that’s so close to Rye’s heart. The sponsors, the community centre, the performers, the artists and photographers and of course the audience. It’s a long list of people to thank. Rye Variations is very proud to be associated with such a great communal effort.
“The Mary Stanford disaster was hugely significant. A massive tragedy for Rye Harbour and its surrounds, the event is still quite raw in people’s memory. There are many descendants and relatives who still live in and around Rye. While there are many monuments to the memory of the lifeboatmen who died, nothing is as poignant or significant as the building from which they hauled the Mary Stanford in a huge effort to embark on their final mission.
“The lifeboat house’s setting powerfully communicates the tragedy’s significance and the heroism and sense of duty of its last crew. The building keeps vigil over the bay, maintaining the crew’s commitment to keep the shore safe. The lifeboat house is under quite serious threat. Not only is the building’s fabric deteriorating but the shoreline is moving. The need to do something is quite urgent. It would be another tragedy to lose such a significant landmark and memorial to the bravest men of the area. The plans will not only preserve that memorial, they also provide for a great educational resource. 2028 marks the centenary of the Mary Stanford disaster, we really should secure the building by then. It’s just five years away and so the pressure is on.
“The location is a beautiful piece of coastline in which the boathouse sits perfectly – splendid and sad. Bearing witness to incredibly brave men, the best of society – and its failings.”
Thanks must be given to the sponsors of the evening: Jempson’s Supermarket, Phillips and Stubbs, Wordsmith, Channon’s Country Store, Rye Hire, Marino’s Rye and Rye DIY – with Jempson’s of Peasmarsh donating £500 to the appeal. There was also support in kind from a number of other Rye businesses – Adams of Rye, Artwrite, Ethel Loves Me, Rye Fine Wines, Kino, Rye Retreat, Chapmans Fish Bar, Ruth Aird, Beckley Farmers Market, Grammar School Records and The Other Record Shop, Mark Baker and of course the community centre.
It was a wonderful evening, very well attended and an impressive kickstart to the re-energised campaign to save the Mary Stanford lifeboat house.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff , Adrian Wheeler .