Following on from an article in Rye News last week in which town steward, Nicky Ledger explained about the vital jobs that the stewards undertake around the town, he and town stewards, Kate Smith and Steve Lippross tell us about the proudest and most unusual moments of their job.
Kate Smith
Kate Smith has lived in Rye most of her life – she was raised in Rye, moved away for a “few rebellious years” and then returned to settle down. She has been a town steward for four years and loves working outdoors, getting stuck in and taking care of the historic streets and things such as the cannons and cobble stones.
There are some particular jobs that she says stand out. “I am very proud of my hard work restoring the historic railings on Hilder’s Cliff last summer and there are a few extremely overgrown areas of Rye, left for years by other agencies, that we have been able to clear. Also, being asked to steward for Queen’s Camilla’s visit to Rye – and meeting her.”
As well as the usual jobs, the stewards sometimes deal with events that happen around town. Kate once had to respond to a coach driver who had cracked his oil tank and leaked oil all over the coach park. “The poor man didn’t know what to do and we were the first ones there. We directed traffic to avoid the oil covering people’s tyres and being spread on to the roads. We used team work and quick thinking to run to Martyn Channons to get some cat litter to put around the drain to stop the oil from getting into the water supply – and we made sure the area was safe until the fire service arrived.”
Nicky Ledger
Nicky Ledger has lived in Rye since he was five, going to school in the town and has worked as a town steward for 10 years. “I enjoy working here because I know that what we do, even the tiniest of things, can make someone’s time in Rye that little bit easier, safer or more pleasant.”
He is proud of the things that he and the stewards have achieved over the years. “Working with the Tilling Green Residents Association and Rother Responders to get some defibrillators installed is something that has always stuck with me. One was placed in the old phone box on Udimore Road (that we took over and I restored) and the other was placed on the wall outside of the Tilling Green shops. As well as just generally all of the work we’ve done over the years to make paths more accessible, streets cleaner, or making areas safer and look better for everyone.”
There are some things involved in the job that might be surprising. “I’ve helped with road closures for Bonfire Night, dealt with blown over trees during storms and flooded roads, helped with a Royal visit and carried the skull of John Breeds and his gibbet cage around like it’s a completely normal thing to have to do. I’ve seen and done things that I think most people would be shocked at or think are strange, but to me it’s all just in a day’s work!”
Steve Lippross
Steve, a Rye resident for 30 years, has worked as a town steward (and town hall keeper) since 2021, and enjoys the variety of tasks in which he can use his building experience and knowledge. “I enjoy interacting with the public, addressing their concerns, repairing street furniture, maintaining planted areas and undertaking repairs at the Town Hall. I am most proud of painting the underneath of the Town Hall cupola (bell tower) and strengthening the bell brackets; refurbishing the red K6 telephone kiosks; and constructing the Criers’ platform for the National Town Crier Championship.”
As well as the regular tasks, some of his jobs have been unique. He stewarded in front of the town hall for the visit of Queen Camilla last year and installed the new plaque on the Wish Ward water cistern housing. When John Breeds’ gibbet cage returned from a loa to the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, he bolted it back into place in the town hall attic.
Image Credits: Nick Ledger , Juliet Duff , Nick Forman .