There were plenty of highlights during the Rye Arts Festival and talking with Andy and Niki Stuart it is easy to see why it was such a success this year. As festival directors they have a shared passion which keeps the two week event alive and thriving: to bring both new and old talent into Rye for all to enjoy. They love the local home-grown authors, artists, playwrights as much as the international stars, and the clever mixing of all these with music, both classical and contemporary, creates a fortnight of entertainment for all.
There is an emphasis on free events for families and during the first weekend there were street artists and workshops at Tilling Green with something for everyone.
Ann Bryant, local children’s author, spent a day Rye Primary School creating workshops with pupils. “I had such a lovely day at Rye Primary School as part of the Rye Arts Festival. Thank you to Niki Stuart for inviting me to do this event, and thank you, too, to deputy head, Fran Brassleay for organising the day so efficiently and with endless patience and enthusiasm!
“All the children were engaged throughout. The assembly on poetry got us off to a great start. Then Reception seemed to love bringing the story of Jungle Home to life through drama and music. Years 1 and 2 listened brilliantly to the story of Peter and the Timber Wolf. Key Stage 2 were utterly absorbed throughout their sessions and I was particularly impressed with year 6. Their hands were shooting up with answers!
“Alfie Masters and Mason Williams along with one or two others hung back to see me and thank me at the end. Mason thanked me very much for the bookmarks – I’d given every child a bookmark of The Rock, and I’d handed out my personal ‘reward’ bookmarks to those who earned them. Alfie said, ‘Thank you very much for coming in. You were an inspiration.’ I was very touched.”
Year 6 teacher Louise Mclaughlin said: “I’ve never seen them so quiet. Everyone was totally enthralled and fascinated throughout, whilst also learning an awful lot. It was an absolute pleasure to have you here.”
Taking in the festival as a whole Andy and Niki commented: “We think that the 2024 festival was a huge success. There was lots of positive feedback by email, at the events and on social media. There are always things to learn: it is always interesting to look at what people choose to come to see, and there were a couple of events that were really great but had small audiences. Feedback is essential for us to move forward.
“The local authors, artists and creatives attract local audiences which we really like as we want to showcase local talent, with a story to tell, a book to sell or poetry to recite. Rye Art Gallery put on events which added another dimension to the festival and Dr Julian Day, the director of the gallery, wrote a delightful follow-up email saying that noticeably during the two weeks of the festival there was a greater footfall and an interest in the artworks at the gallery.
“We would like to thank the town council for its continuing support and funding which helped to go towards the free entertainment. The audience’s reaction to the street performances just make it all worthwhile. Thank you to Dan and Donna Lake who helped with the leafleting of Tilling Green. The volunteers are so vital to making things run smoothly too.
“One added bonus was the appreciation of the visitors to the town who heard our musicians practising and popped into the church. Some were so enthralled that they purchased tickets for the forthcoming concert and commented after the performance how much they had loved it.”
Bravo to Andy and Niki, the trustees, the volunteers, the sponsors, the speakers, the musicians, all performers, those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and those who came to support the events. The 2024 arts festival was a roaring success.
One of the ‘highs’ for me was the kindness shown to me when disaster struck on Friday September 13. At 4:30pm, having covered one event of the festival and having fourteen more to photograph on the following two days, I was stranded in the car park at Jempson’s with a puncture. Late Friday afternoon is not the best time to find this sort of thing out as no garages locally had a tyre to offer me and the earliest I could get one was on Monday afternoon. The AA came and got me to Skinners, who would fit my new tyre on Monday. I had no car, fourteen events to cover and walking everywhere was not an option. As I was leaving Skinners rather dejectedly Matt, the service manager, asked me why I looked so down-hearted. I explained my dilemma and half-an-hour later, with the biggest smile on my face, I drove out of Skinners in a courtesy car kindly loaned to me. What total superstars Skinners were; they will always be my highlight of the festival. They have a reputation of caring for their loyal customers and they did not fail. My low had turned into the very best high.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Niki Stuart , Tony Ham Kt bruce , Tony Ham .