Local resident, Ray Palmer is setting up a new group called Mantuary, which is an informal term that essentially means a male-oriented space and social hub where men can relax, engage in hobbies and games or merely socially interact. The club starts on Tuesday, April 29 from 10am to 1pm at Rye Bowls Club and continues on a weekly basis at the same time and on the same day of the week. He tells Rye News why he started the club.
What was your motivation for starting the group?
It is since spending that considerable time on the Salts’ bowling facilities that I have had interesting conversations with many people, and I found that there are quite a number, particularly retired gentlemen, who because of personal circumstances are often lonely and void of conversation or interests. I mentioned these conversations to my wife Ruth, who then suggested I start up a club where men could come and not feel lonely.
Where do you meet, and when?
Rye Bowls Club’s clubhouse is an ideally placed venue providing suitable facilities.
I thought this would be a good venue to invite men of all ages interested in visiting to meet new friends and chat. Who knows, they may well find green bowling of interest.
What does this group offer?
A friendly atmosphere, the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy the company, a welcoming of new ideas, ready availability of drinks and snacks.
Ray Palmer, attended Teesdale school in Barnard Castle. After spending ten years working as a laboratory assistant within the paint industry, he felt the need for a career change and returned to full-time education to study chemical engineering.
Upon graduating in 1987 he worked for several chemical companies, focusing on production management in the North East and West Yorkshire and re-locating on several occasions. He moved to Rye in 2006, accepting the position of site manager at SRM and finally retiring in 2020.
“Since moving to Rye, I continue to be an active member of Ryebellion Drummers (incidentally, my wife Ruth instigated the Rye drumming group). I am a beekeeper with over thirty years’ experience. I supply my produce under the label RayBees to several outlets in Rye. I have introduced and continued to support local people who are keen to learn this fascinating hobby.
“Since my wife and I have retired we both enjoy taking time out travelling in our motorhome, whether to music festivals or to tour Europe for a couple of months or so. Other interests include motorcycling: I tend to take two to three weeks a year to camp and tour around Europe on my motorcycle.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
Great idea Ray and even greater of you to follow through on it. Hats off.
There is an existing men’s group at our Rye Community Gardens, most Wednesday evenings from 19:30. It’s been going for nearly 3 years now.
It’s good to talk and be heard.