The latest round of grants made by the Rye Fund was celebrated at the Town Hall last Wednesday evening, January 25.
Representatives of award-winning voluntary organisations were welcomed by Charles Bronsdon, chairman of the Rye Fund local panel. As in recent previous years, the annual sum of £10,000 had been made available from the fund to meet local needs in Rye and District. The mayor Cllr Andi Rivett, who also serves on the local panel, handed out a certificate to each award winner and invited them to outline briefly the purpose to which the funds would be put:
Gill Sutton is the case worker for Family Support Work (FSW), a Chichester Diocesan charity supporting vulnerable people locally. FSW is embarking on a programme of ‘pop-up’ parenting at primary schools in the area to encourage the development of parenting skills;
Pat Hughes welcomed the support shown for Rye & District Community Transport, and in particular for helping maintain the 326 bus service, that covers the whole area of Rye except for Winchelsea Road;
Jo Kirkham told how Rye Castle Museum was in need of a new display cabinet to hold some of its treasured artefacts such as a newly acquired book by Samuel Jeake, the 17th century diarist who lived in Mermaid Street;
Karen Birchwood, chair of the Rye Society of Artists, referred to the successful 2022 exhibition of works at the Community Centre on Conduit Hill. The society had negotiated the use of a lower room there to store equipment and the grant would enable necessary refurbishment work to the floor and lighting;
Martin Blincow, speaking for the Rye Cricket Club, seeks to expand the provision of coaching for younger people, and also hopes to develop a girls only section.
The evening provided the opportunity for volunteers working for local charitable enterprises to share their experiences.
The Rye Fund was established in 2008 as an endowment fund at the Sussex Community Foundation and is dedicated to the support of voluntary organisations in Rye and District. To date it has distributed more than £85,000 to local charities. Donations are important for growing the fund as indeed are legacies. If you feel able or would like to discuss how to to give your support, please contact info@sussexgiving.org.uk and refer to the Rye Fund, or alternatively contact the chairman of the steering group by email: mkbird.a@btinternet.com
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Kenneth Bird .