Rain was bucketing down last Thursday, when I visited the caravan encampment at the Rugby Club’s field along New Road. About 20 vans were dotted around the field, under the watchful eye of volunteer steward, John Bradbury. This is a licensed temporary holiday site, occupied by members of the folksong and dance section of the Camping and Caravan Club.
They have come on a two week visit to Rye, as they have done for the last 15 years or more. Whilst here, they shop, go to the cinema, play bingo and beetle drive. That night, they had organised themselves a barn dance at Playden WI hall; the next night a communal fish and chip dinner. Daytime, there are craft workshops for making jewellery, decoupage and cards, or walking parties. There are two musicians on site here, teaching Scottish folk-dancing and the ukulele.
Members very much make their own holiday at a very reasonable cost, about £40 to join the national club, plus £6.50 for a special interest group such as theirs, and £9 per night at this particular site. “You can pay more at sophisticated sites like at Eastbourne”, says John Bradbury, “but here the facilities are pretty basic – ‘water in and water out’. No showers, no group TV, no wifi”. As a result, perhaps, the members are mostly of a certain age; young people are not coming as much as they used to do.
Some caravanners live the summer round, going from camp to camp. This is the club’s second visit to Rye this year, only last month it was a different special interest group. Depending upon your van, it can be very comfortable. John and Barbara Bradford have a four-berth, with cooker, fridge, oven and shower. “Above all, we enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and meeting up with friends”, they said.
photo: Kenneth Bird