Ryecast goes behind the scenes at the Rye Heritage Centre as it faces a challenging future, thanks to failing equipment, falling visitor numbers and the cost-of-living crisis.
One of Rye’s top tourist attractions faces a challenging future thanks to failing equipment, falling visitor numbers and the cost-of-living crisis. The charity that runs the Rye Heritage Centre, home to the famous town model, says it’s just about breaking even and is now appealing for more volunteers and local support. The difficulties faced by the team behind the Centre are the subject of this week’s Ryecast.
Rye Heritage Centre has been run by a charity since 2020 after many years of council support. It reopened after Covid in June 2021, but visitor numbers are down and that’s having a huge effect on finances. “We used to have lots of overseas coach trips, foreign school tours and cruise ship visitors” says Chris Hoggart, Rye Heritage Centre Trust Chairman. “They haven’t been replaced in any large numbers. We’re just about breaking even, which is a huge achievement, but we need more investment to attract more people”.
The Rye Town Model itself is a further cause of concern. It was built almost 50 years ago by Joy and Ted Harland and depicts Rye at it would have been in the 1850s. Whilst the sound and light show has had a recent re-boot, the electronics that support it are on the verge of failing. “It’s our biggest source of income “says Chris. “It’s a real worry if it breaks down. We’re looking at grants to replace the system, but it’s a considerable amount of investment that’s needed”.
The Centre is run by volunteers and a part-time manager – Simon Parsons. He says the biggest challenge he faces is unpredictability. “We never know day to day whether we’re going to get a steady stream of visitors or something more erratic”. He’s already noticed a change brought about by the cost-of-living crisis. “There’s a tangible fear that people are worried about future energy costs and we’re seeing a lot more conscious budgeting”.
Get involved
There are plans to develop the Centre, including a new exhibition about Rye’s smuggling history, however for that to work Simon Parsons says there’s a need for more volunteers and for more locals to visit. “We had huge support a couple of years ago when the Centre was facing closure, but some local residents feel they don’t need to visit as they already know everything there is to know about Rye. When they do come in, they leave with a sense of awe about the model and what it tells them about their home town. We do get locals who come back time and again, but we could do with more. And they can take advantage of the local discount for people who live here”.
Lynne Smith and Lorraine Ellis recommend volunteering at the Centre. “It’s been very good for me” says Lynne. “It’s given me a new circle of friends and it’s rewarding to know you’ve done something special when you get home”. New recruit Lorraine agrees: “This is my first-time volunteering. I love it. I’m so glad I’ve got involved. I’m meeting so many interesting people”.
Ryecast presenter James Stewart has also been talking to some of the visitors – including a mother from Paris showing her daughter the model thirty years after her first visit. You can hear Ryecast by visiting www.ryecast.org or by searching for Ryecast wherever you listen to podcasts.
And if you’d like to volunteer at Rye Heritage Centre, ask for manager Simon Parsons at reception on the Strand Quay or visit www.ryeheritage.co.uk
Image Credits: Rye Heritage Centre , James Stewart .
Great to see this article in Rye News! The Heritage Centre is for our locals too and much to my amazement, some have never seen the model!
The model has been going for 50 years and was revamped in the 90’s, some of the locals will remember Maurice Elwood who managed the sound and lights via a reel to reel tape recorder, operating the lights manually.
However, it was clear the show was showing signs of wear ( the tapes were too) and time ,sadly, to replace Maurice with a computer.
The electronics are high quality components but will need replacing as there are no drawings or specifications. That needs money!
It would great if locals or newcomers came saw the show and bought friends. It is only 15 minutes long and tells you everything you know about our town.