Rye is filled with extraordinary people, dedicated to enriching our lives, making the town prosper and giving visitors something extra to bring them to our cobbled streets.
Over and above the energy and drive needed to run successful businesses, organisations, or to hold prominent positions of leadership, there are those who voluntarily take on extra roles.
Take a bow Olly Campion and Scallop Week; Ian Bowden and Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival; Jane Brook and the Rye Harvest Wine and Food Festival; Andy Stuart and Rye Arts Festival; and James Foster and Bonfire Night. The final event of the year is Christmas In Rye, lead by the indefatigable Sophie Thorpe.
Always smiling, Sophie Thorpe
On two Saturdays leading up to the big day, Sophie makes sure that Rye is turned into a shopper’s paradise, a venue for arts and craft displays, live music and a family fun day. This year, two unexpected and malign members were added to her team; Storm Bert, on Saturday November 23 and Storm Darragh, last Saturday December 7.
But there is no storm greater than the joy on a child’s face when they see Santa Clause. Down on Strand Quarter, with her customary warmth and hospitality, Sarah Warry-Mckie invited Father Christmas to make the Old Borough Arms his Rye headquarters once again. At 11.00am and followed by his elves, he descended the stairs into a sea of ecstatic children, dressed up and totally oblivious to the weather. He was received, as befits his status, by Mayor Andy Stuart and the Town Crier, Paul Goring, before making his way to his grotto at the Landgate.
Father Christmas greets the children with Mayor Andy Stuart
Santa in situ and with the considerable help of free parking and a High Street closed to traffic, Rye become a joy; a beautifully lit venue for visitors to stroll down and later in the afternoon, children to hold pudding races.
The pedestrianised High Street
The shops, all beautifully decorated in their Christmas best, hosted events, displays and workshops. Emily Neal from Tiny Timber was creating Christmas scene decorations at Ethel Loves Me, and St Mary’s, already the venue for the Christmas Tree Festival, held a Christmas market.
Emily, top right, in her Christmas workshop at Ethel Loves Me
Many businesses offered their customers mulled wine and mince pies, or complimentary chocolate muffins at 8 Note Café, or a glass of prosecco at W Gallery. For the little ones, Ed Boxall read his stories to a captivated audience at Rye Library. The day ended back up at St Mary’s with a carol concert.
Aarven filled with Christmas shoppers
One of the busy cafés and restaurants around town
With just two weeks to go till Christmas, Sophie’s job is done for another year. Thank you for the joy you bring to the town, thank you for your huge smile, your energy and your commitment to turning any obstacle into an opportunity. Merry Christmas Rye and in particular, Merry Christmas Sophie, Olly, Ian, Jane, Andy and James.
Sophie with Vickie Huxley doing the Social Media for Christmas in Rye and Carolyn Gould behind her camera for Rye New
