John Priestley who passed away on October 2 is remembered here by Ted Jackson.
John was not a Ryer, but he did more for Rye and our community than most of us.He was a gentle man and a real gentleman.
After meeting Sheila (who is a Ryer) at a new year’s ball, featuring Les Windsor and his band at The Monastery in 1956, the couple were married in 1958. Their daughter, Jill followed in 1959 and the family was completed with Tim in 1961.
Originally from a farming background, this historian, numismatist and philatelist had been a young proprietor of the Frittenden Brickworks, producing handmade bricks and tiles for the specialist trade, before joining (in retirement!) a partnership retailing collectables in Maidstone. The National Service had seen him in Germany and he was very much involved with the Berlin airlift, with transportation of food and of coal. This was all a huge challenge which John enjoyed.
The evolution of Rye Hospital is synonymous with this quiet and deep thinking gentleman, but he featured in so many other ways in our community. A Rotarian since 1969 in the Cranbrook and Hawkhurst Club, he became President of our local Rotary club, where he served the community for so many years: a perfect example of the Rotary motto of Service before Self.
John was awarded the highest Rotary International honour for service to his community, the Paul Harris Award. Within Rotary he may be best remembered for Ripiers Ride, a commemorative event to deliver Rye Bay fish to her majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, by horseback. The pure logistics and permissions required to cross private land in order to mimic the historic 63 mile route for fish transportation to London in Elizabeth 1st reign, would have put off a lesser man, but John enlisted the aid of many dozens of people to make it happen in 1994. This combined with his long term interest in historic postal matters when he contrived to bring about a Royal Mail postage first day cover to commemorate the Ripiers Ride event in Rye
John and Sheila have lived in Winchelsea for 35 years. Reflecting his wide ranging interests, John has been a member of Winchelsea Bowls Club, Winchelsea Conservation Society and Hastings Stamp Club.
Despite all his various works for the people of Rye and Winchelsea, he will be best remembered for the Rye Hospital appeal. In 1992, a target of £5Million was set with two thirds coming from Statutory and related bodies. The public appeal was for the balance of £1.7M and John was not daunted by this huge sum but immediately set to work. Donations were actively sought and many events held. Funds came in rapidly and this was assisted by Patrons Paul and Linda McCartney. John was fastidious in planning points of detail and well suited to difficult tasks. People listened to him.
As foundation chairman of the League of Friends of Rye Hospital, 24 years ago, John was instrumental in seeking public donations.
He was integral to the merger of the two charities promoting the development of Rye Hospital. The rest is history.
In failing health, after a long illness, it is fitting that John was allowed to end his days at the local hospital where he had devoted so much energy over so many years
It is my privilege to have known this well respected, gentle and quiet man, John has added something to so many local lives. I was so pleased to have known him over these last 28 years, associated with several of his many interests. John was the sort of man who should have featured in a Queen’s Honours List and it is with regret that none of us took steps towards this recognition.
Photo: courtesy of Ted Jackson