Promptly at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 16, in the presence of the mayor, Councillor Michael Boyd, and a small crowd of onlookers, town crier Paul Goring proclaimed the Sussex Charter in front of Rye Town Hall.
- “For all the people of the ancient kingdom of Sussex
- Let it be known: the 16 June of each and every year shall be known as Sussex Day.
- Sussex day shall be celebrated according to the rites and traditions of Sussex.
- Let it be known all the people of Sussex shall be responsible for the maintenance of those boundaries that join to those of our neighbours.
- Let it be known all the people of Sussex shall be responsible for all the environs within those boundaries.
- Let it be known, the people of Sussex shall recognise the inshore waters that lie inside a line drawn from Beachy Head, and extending to Selsey Bill as being, the Bay of Sussex.
- Let it be known, the people of Sussex will undertake responsibility for the general well being of our neighbours.
- Let it be known the people of Sussex shall be guardians of our wildlife.
- Let it be known the people of Sussex will, through custom support all local business.
- Finally, let it be known, as guardians of Sussex, we all know Sussex is Sussex … and Sussex wunt be druv!
- In God we trust. God Save the Queen!”
The Sussex flag comprises six gold martlets on a blue field, and is the traditional emblem of the whole of Sussex before the county was divided for administrative purposes between East and West Sussex. The martlet is a heraldic device of a stylised bird with some similarity to a swift.
Image Credits: Paul Whiteman .