Spring Jottings

It's been a fair while since I updated this site, but as Winter turns to Spring and Rye comes out of hibernation is seems a good time to do so now and with apologies for the rather long break. The Society has continued to meet and make comments on planning applications and its fair to say that there have been significant improvements to the High Street since the end of lockdown.

A big piece of good news is the promised reopening of the George, an e.mail sent out to Dragons (loyal George customers) invited bookings from May 1st.

"While we perfect every last detail ready for your arrival, we hope you’ll understand that the website doesn’t include post-renovation photos just yet. We will be shooting these next month, so

stay tuned for the big reveal. From the hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper to Katie’s hundreds of antique finds, we promise it will be worth the wait.

It’s been a long and challenging road since our unexpected closure in July 2019, and we can honestly say we wouldn't be where we are today without the massive wave of community love and support for The George. We hope we’ve done you proud and cannot wait to welcome you back.

So, why not bask in the joys of spring with us? Take afternoon tea in the newly revamped Yard, peruse the papers in bed or enjoy a glass of English sparkling wine in The George Dragon bar."

Rye Conservation Society wishes the owners, management and staff all the best for the opening and a successful Summer. We were informed by Cclr. Keith Glazier that the High Street would be resurfaced at the end of March subject to the hoardings outside the George coming down.

Also in the High Street we welcome the opening of the Clive Sawyer Photo Gallery which has a fine exhibition space and some wonderful large scale photographs.

The Gallery is next door to the new Cornish Bakery which seems to have built up a good trade especially at weekends. We are lucky in Rye to have such a thriving Street even if it sometimes seems very geared to tourists. But without the tourists we would not have the trading conditions for the shops.

Apart from these two businesses, I have also noticed that two new restaurants at the eastern end, Marco's with Greek Cypriot food in the previous Ambrette and a new Hawaiian take away snack bar opposite.

It is a good sign for Rye that such a variety of different places are opening their doors and other buildings, notably the old banks are being converted with our support.

Its been a long wait but Rother have started work in the past week on maintenance of the Landgate which includes the removal of vegetation from the towers and a general clean up of bird droppings and other debris. The Society would very much like to see a committee reappointed to consider an ongoing maintenance programme, we attended a coupke of meetings with local Councillors from Rother and other interested parties but then COVID intervened but hopefully we can get this back on track. By the way congratulations to whoever raised the Ukrainian flag in support of that country in the current awful war.

Picture with thanks to Rye News

We have provisionally booked a date for our 2022 AGM On Friday May 27 in St Mary's Centre followed by a lunch in the Mermaid Inn. More details shortly.