News in brief November 1

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Murder charge

Wayne Woodgate was reported missing from Tunbridge Wells on October 17

Stephen Castle from Hastings Road in Matfield has appeared in court charged with the murder of Wayne Woodgate, whose body was found in Peasmarsh on Wednesday, October 23.

Kent Online reports he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, October 29 with a full trial expected to begin in April next year.

The six day search for 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate from Tunbridge Wells ended after his body was discovered near the A268 between Peasmarsh and Four Oaks. Police are appealing for dashcam footage for journeys made between 5:15pm and 5:45pm on Thursday, October 17 and between 8:15am and 8:45am on Sunday, October 20.

Stepping up

New chief fire officer, Mark Matthews

Congratulations to Mark Matthews who has been promoted to chief fire officer and chief executive for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. He is currently the serving assistant chief fire officer and replaces Dawn Whittaker who retires in the new year.

He said he was proud and privileged to accept the new role: “Working alongside the dedicated staff of ESFRS, in our united purpose to safeguard those we are entrusted to protect is a continuing honour. I intend to build on our strong history and, with support from colleagues and partners, continue to adapt to the needs of our communities to keep them safe.”

Theft

A mobility scooter was stolen from a locked storage cupboard outside Badgers Gate on Ferry Road in Rye on Friday night October 25/6. It was found the next morning in a field just off Nutley Close. The scooter had been damaged and the ignition appears to have been forced with a screw driver.

The scooter is a blue Colt Traveller LX. No damage was found to the storage cupboard. Police are appealing for witnesses and are asking people to check nearby CCTV or doorbell footage.

The police reference is 20241026-0258.

Gridlock

Traffic at a standstill on Cinque Ports Street

Rye ground to a halt on Friday morning October 25 after the overnight roadworks on the A259 over-ran by four-and-a-half hours. The road has been closed for repairs each evening between 8pm and 6am between the Skinners and Kettle O’ Fish roundabouts.

Traffic faced long delays, with queues almost as far as Winchelsea and cars at a standstill on Cinque Ports Street and Landgate.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “We’d like to apologise for the overrunning road works on the A259 in Rye, and the subsequent congestion experienced in the town. There were unforeseen complications with equipment that led to the delay in the resurfacing work being completed. Our contractors worked as quickly as possible, and the road reopened shortly before 10:30am.”

Meanwhile repairs to Pett Level Road which were due to finish this week have been extended until Friday November 7. The road will be closed in places during the work between Pett and Winchelsea Beach.

Very loud repairs

Pile driving at Strand Quay

Residents and businesses near Strand Quay are being warned noisy repair work to the harbour wall restarts next week. As we reported in September, the very loud sound of piling being driven into the ground could be heard across town during the first phase of the repairs. Up to eight days of noise is due to start again on Monday, November 4.

Defects and movement in the piling that keeps the harbour walls in place were discovered during the installation of the new floating pontoon, ladders and mooring rings. The new piles are being driven into the ground next to the wall by the A259.

The work on Strand Quay was due to be finished this autumn, however no new completion date has been announced.

Born to run

The Runners get underway in 2023

It’s Beckley 10k this Sunday, November 3. Now in its 20th year the race will see runners compete over a course in and around the village.

There’s also a shorter course – 5k – for the first time this year. Organisers say the race enjoys enormous local support. “The atmosphere is fizzing with race-day excitement. The marshals are always cheery and runners enjoy plenty of encouragement as they charge towards the finish line. At the heart of this race, is the Beckley community with funds raised going to the Beckley village centre.”

Get in touch

If you see anything happening in and around Rye our email is info@ryenews.org.uk.
Catch up with breaking Rye News on Instagram and Threads @newsrye. On Facebook follow Rye News, and we are now on Twitter or X search for @NewsIRye.

Image Credits: James Stewart , Kent Police , ESFRS , Sussex Police , Rye News , Juliet Duff , Nice Work , Natasha Robinson .

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