Spring has sprung but late bits of winter caught visitors and the Heritage Centre on Strand Quay on the hop.
But all is not lost as the centre has had a facelift over the winter months, and reopened full time for the new season with lots to attract visitors – including some regular trips on dark nights round some ghastly, ghostly spots.
However the centre got off to a ghastly start in February/March, but hopes to continue on a ghostly note for the rest of the year – and changes made over the winter were much praised at the Town Council meeting on Monday March 27.
Centre manager Louisa O’Shaughnessy (pictured above) reported increased sales over the winter period (November-February). “However as soon as the snow and cold weather arrived, footfall in the centre completely collapsed,” she said.
“We also experienced four large group cancellations,” she added “and we were also forced to close the centre for two days and close early on two days due to the adverse weather conditions.”
However around 16 group visits had been expected in March and in April, 18 large groups (50-100 students) are booked in along with seven potential groups off cruise liners.
Much of her report though was on an optimistic note about all the work put in over the winter giving the centre a facelift and restocking with local goods and gifts.
At Monday’s council meeting Deputy Mayor Mike Boyd said her report made very positive reading, Cllr Cheryl Creaser said the centre staff were doing an immensely good job, and Cllr Rebekah Gilbert added that the centre was now making very good use of new technology.
A number of councillors attended the centre’s recent VIP evening for local hoteliers and B&B owners to see the new look and revisit the Town Model. Louisa said: “We have repainted and retouched as much of the model as we could reach without a gantry,” as the large model fills most of the room in which shows are staged of Rye’s history.
Among the books on display (see top photo) from Rye authors and/or about the local area is a booklet about the Ghosts of Rye put together by Thomas Peacocke Community College’s Local History Group in the 1990s – and the centre is now organising regular Ghost Walks throughout the whole of the season led by the Deputy Town Crier.
The booklet, one in a series put together by Cllr Jo Kirkham, chairman of Rye Museum, is organised “in an order which can make a walk” and also includes stories of other “ghosts” in the areas surrounding Rye.
Photos: Heidi Foster
Image Credits: Rye News library .