It seems a long time since Easter (well only a few weeks) and already we are enjoying another bank holiday, this time with some sunshine!
Important work is going on behind the scenes regarding Rye’s swimming pool and leisure centre. The two part-time project managers, who are there on behalf of the town, are working hard to find a solution to them becoming a community social enterprise, run by and for local people. The trouble is it is an extremely complex web of contracts and involvement from all layers of local government and other stakeholders, all of whom must, rightly, be consulted with to find the right outcome. Setting up a community organisation is not a five-minute job, and we must understand the risks and problems we are taking on, as well as the opportunities. Once the Rother elections are over with, more meetings will take place, and we should know a direction of travel by the summer.
I was delighted to attend Winchelsea’s mayor making on Easter Monday and see David Merrifield returned for a second year in the post. It is nice that this service can now include so many more of the community as it is held in the beautiful St Thomas’ Church, rather than the somewhat smaller Court Hall over the road. We were served delightful refreshments back in the village hall.
This was a chance for most of the Cinque Port mayors to catch up with each other. Obviously the hot topic of conversation was the upcoming coronation, to which we have been invited. It truly is the greatest privilege of my life to be going to this. Not only to witness history, but to be a part of history as well. Although the Barons of the Cinque Ports are not taking an active role in King Charles’ service, where in the past they have historically carried the canopy over the monarch’s head, we have been invited as part of a nearly century-old tradition, and it is such a humbling honour to be continuing this.
We honoured the coronation in our St George’s Day service this year, and it is always a delight to see young people taking part in this event. Despite the inclement weather, there was a strong turnout, and I am always so grateful to those adults who give up so much time and effort as guide, scout, cadet, brownies and cub leaders, giving back to youngsters to enrich their lives and to develop them. Many of the congregation stood up to renew their pledges as former guides and scouts including some of the town councillors.
On April 28 and 29 we welcomed the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer and two of his fellow councillors to Rye. They were guests at the town hall and met the clerk and deputy clerk, had a trip to the bell tower for the fabulous view of the town, were guided around the town by the splendiferous town crier, Paul Goring, and met with representatives of the chamber of commerce at the Brewery Yard Club. They even joined us for a rather special party at the Waterworks brewery that evening and great fun was had by all.
On the Saturday they very much enjoyed the town model sound and light show, in French, before I personally hosted a formal lunch for them and other guests at the Mermaid Inn. I very much hope that strong links can be made with this delightful French town, with so many similarities to Rye. It has the potential to boost tourism, commerce, education, history, sport, art and culture and so much more.
We are adamant that there will be no cost to the town council for this, and hope that sponsorship can be raised to help residents cross the channel, whether for a friendly football match, an art exchange and, most importantly for our young people to experience the French culture, language and history, as part of their education. Rye Bay Crew have already collected £700 by doing charity concerts to help youngsters who couldn’t otherwise afford to go, and will donate this to the school once the exchange trips are established.
Rye Bay Crew gave their monthly charity performance at the Waterworks micropub on Wednesday, April 26 and £200 was raised for the Winkle Club in Hastings, of which I am a member. So too was Churchill! The club raise money to help put on Christmas and birthday parties for children whose parents could not otherwise afford to do so. To mark a birthday at a young age is an exciting occasion and a landmark of one’s early start in life, so to bring some happiness to these youngsters is really important.
Finally a very big well done to Jessica Neame, who has passed the certificate in local council administration and is now fully qualified as our deputy town clerk. Well done Jess!
Image Credits: Richard Farhall , Rebekah Gilbert , Mermaid Inn , Anthony Kimber , Rye Chamber of Commerce .