On a very wet Bank Holiday Monday dignitaries, including the new deputy lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Magnus Spence, the new high sheriff of East Sussex, Mrs Lucinda Fraser and invited guests attended the ceremony in the town hall to witness the installation of Councillor Andy Stuart as the new mayor of Rye.
Reverend Paul White started the proceedings with a prayer and then in front of a packed room the new mayor swore the oath of office as he undertook to serve the “commonalty of Rye without fear or favour”. A recess for robing took place and then the town sergeant, Paul Goring, announced the arrival of the new mayor, Andy Stuart.
Andi Rivett, the former mayor, placed the 1951 pennies in the safekeeping of the newly-elected mayor (the significance of the pennies will be explained in a further article in Rye News later this month). The town clerk took them back very swiftly for “real safekeeping”.
This was followed by the nomination for deputy mayor, Christopher Hoggart; he took the oath and another robing recess took place. Many other oaths and re-appointments were duly carried out including the new mayor’s cadets, Cadet Lani Simmonds and Cadet 1st Class Alfie Berry.
The event was conducted with the greatest solemnity with a few moments of humour creeping in when a certain medal was not in the box as it should have been and when the town clerk suggested that in 1951 the town clerk of the time might have hung on to the pennies instead of returning them.
In the lashing rain the procession of the mayor, his councillors and honoured guests hurried to the civic service in St Mary’s church. Hymns had been specially chosen by the mayor and prayers were offered by the rector, Paul White. After a rousing rendition of God save the King the procession headed back to the town hall and were drummed into the building to the beat of the Ryebellion Drummers who commendably played in the pouring rain. Three toasts were given to the King, to the lord warden of the Cinque Ports and to the Antient Town of Rye.
Eagerly waiting below were children ready to collect their “hot pennies” in carrier bags and very cleverly in hats, so they caught them before they hit the road. This year, Rye Town Council is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary so as well as pennies, newly-minted 50 pence pieces were also thrown, much to the delight of the children.
As it was an extra-special occasion, to the delight of the sodden crowd, the town crier, Paul Goring and his deputy, Arabella Ansar, delivered a 50th anniversary cry from the Buttermarket steps – and then former mayors of Rye were invited to back to the chamber where a photograph of them all was taken for posterity.
After celebratory drinks the new mayor was cried through the streets by the town crier announcing to all who passed, that this was the new mayor of Rye.
At the mayor’s home wonderful choices of curries and side dishes and bubbly were offered to the guests. After the refreshments, all were entertained by the Rye Harbour Herrings, the local shanty group. They were so good that they were pressed for an encore.
After the amazing day Andy Stuart said: “I am deeply honoured to have been elected mayor by my fellow councillors, many of whom have been mayors of Rye in the past, and I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to them for their faith in me. It may have poured with rain on the day, but spirits were still good, and I was amazed by how so many people turned out, including lots of children, for the hot pennies being thrown from the town hall.
“It is a day that will live with me forever, but now it is time to return to work for all the people of Rye, whose servant every mayor of Rye has been, and I will do my very best to match my hard-working and dedicated predecessors.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .